If he got in. No. No, Kaiser said not to open the door. But what if he didn’t make it in time? Footsteps. Right outside now. And then. BANG. The screen went white for a moment. Then color returned. The man was down. His blood smeared across the marble floor, head tilted at an unnatural angle.
Kaiser leaned against the desk, arms crossed over the chest of his charcoal suit, his white dress shirt collar open just enough to show the ridges of old scars peeking out. His jacket was damp at the shoulders he must’ve been out. Somewhere dangerous, no doubt. “You seem to think you still get to d
The phone felt warm in her trembling hand, slick with her own blood. Izora pressed it to her ear, pulse thundering beneath her skin like a warning. Her other hand remained clenched at her side, bandaged loosely by Kaiser's handkerchief, still damp with red. The line rang once. Twice. “Please… ple
And Kaiser wasn’t offering answers. He turned to go, stopping just to peep over his shoulder. "If I learn you are lying to me...," He uttered quietly, "I won't be merciful." Kaiser had just turned the doorknob when delicate but piercing Izora's voice emerged behind him. “Are you going to kil
The door clicked softly as Celestine closed it behind her, leaving Izora alone with the heavy quiet. Celestine’s voice lingered, cold yet somehow gentle. “If you hide anything about your relationship with Kaiser… it will be dangerous. For you.” Izora's gaze darted to the shade Celestine had just
Rita placed a stack of printouts on the table. Photos, newspaper clippings, a faded birth certificate, and a school ID. “The woman’s name was Amaris Nox. She was a private investigator, quietly funded through Benedict’s firm. They worked together off-book in the early 2000s.” “And the boy?” Rita