Demon's Reborn

Chap 10

Hale sat in his office thinking, whether to believe the report or not. He's been through it a lot of times. He knew, his instinct tells him something's wrong with it but he just can't point where. Even calling Luigi who has a better understanding on such things wasn't any help at all. His guts are telling him that Venice might be alive. Right after he read the report he went straight to the forensics to see her body but he's been told that all the victims has been retrieved and the results were all a match. He went to the head chief of the office to at least see the pictures taken but he was also told that everything taken from the investigation is no longer in their possession. To his disbelief, he searched the whole of the office but failed to find anything.

He went to the ruin of the manor hoping to find something and again, nothing. The place seemed like it's been swept that it's so neat. No drip of blood can be seen, even from the ruin itself, nor any peculiar smell. What stood there is just the ruin which, few days after his visit, was thoroughly cleaned by the hired workers of the family. And now, they're rebuilding the stone manor again. He searched for Venice's properties left in his office, even Luigi's but none gave him a lead.

But this is not the only problem he's got. Numerous plans he's started after the massacre are all starting to fail. Three of the forts he wanted to build was all denied, no company will take the work. The other offices that he founded with Venice are all denying him as their head as they are originally Venice's. She just tagged him with her since she wanted to be with him even if they are working. So all of those went to her father, William. The SEAL bases under his command are all turning against him and submitting themselves to the Hasfias. The other family businesses under his care are all going down too.

"It seems like you can't stand on your own without Venice to help you. I can't imagine how she manages everything on her own. She's already taking care of their family's businesses and she was still able to handle yours," his brother Dale told him as he light his cigar while sitting at the sofa. "Shut up!" he snapped but his brother just shrugged his glare away. His brother is a tall man with broad shoulders, his hair fashioned on the standard army cut. Like Hale, Dale is also a young general but of the marine. They also have two brothers who are in the same position on their chosen careers. One is in the air force and the other is on the police. Hale is the second youngest of the brothers. Dale is second to the oldest. The one in the air force is the first son and the one on the police is their youngest. But amongst all four, Hale's the brightest.

"Though she's a cunning one to get the best out of you. She made the world believe she's dead, they even held a funeral. I know she's out there brother, waiting for you to take the bait so she can trample over you. I know you're having the same thought but you're a practical one that you needed to see a solid evidence. It's holding you back, I'm telling you." "Did I ask for your opinion brother?" he shot him another glare which was again dismissed by another shrug. "Did you do what I told you to do?" he asked. "I thought you'd never ask." Dale produced a folder from his bag and threw it on Hale's table.

"That woman is just about the same age but she is a little taller, uglier as far as I'm concerned. She also got some burns. She suddenly appeared two days after your, let's say, almost triumphant plot of subjugating everyone. What's interesting is she's been in contact with Luigi for quite some time. I think they're actually into each other. They visited Gilbert twice. Lion is also in pursuit for her for I don't know why. What's strange is they stopped looking for that woman and are also quiet about it. I wasn't able to trace where her nest is. She always disappear like some ghost so she can't be tracked. I had my men roam with the flyers but none recognizes her. She's good at hiding," Dale explained between puffs of his cigarette.

Hale just listened while staring intently on the picture attached. The picture just shows half of her face. Her burn treading from her forehead, down to her cheek to her neck and most part is covered with her messy hair. The other half is fine. She's got a strong nose, dull deep dark brown eyes, and pale skin. She looked almost sickly. Her clothes are dirty patched and ragged. She's not very neat at all.

"This woman is not even close to Venice. They differ in many points! Have you not found someone who's more like her? She must be just some poor old beggar who decided to come here for better luck!" "I haven't told you everything brother. Just so you know, she managed to escape the Moles twice before Luigi could even be there to save her. Do you really think some poor old beggar can run from them?" "Her kinds are street smart, the Moles are not. They're both rats but one is just smarter. What's your point anyway?" Hale said irritably throwing his hands on the air. "My point is, she's not just some poor old beggar as you think. She's more than the eyes can see. Just by observing her behavior, I can already tell that she's not an ordinary person." "What is she then?" Hale challenged. "She could be an agent," Dale shrugged. "But she just can't be a poor old beggar too," he added.

"Okay, I get your point," Hale sighed.