A/N: Ooo, such lovely reviews last chapter. Guess who turns up this chapter? Down there at the bottom? It's really hard to show off his full awesomeness in such a short scene though. He will return later. Also this chapter, Grell gossiping, some cold blooded torture, Alan's getting a little moody, someone dies and Ronnie reeeaaalllly needs to stop getting into trouble. Will's going to going to have a breakdown if this carries on. Slightly warning for violence and blood and sexual remaks- kind of- in this chapter, just so you know. And please more lovely reviews.
When William returned to the office at just gone two in the morning Eric and Alan's coats were on their chairs and their reports open by they weren't at their desks. Grell was perched on the edge of his desk, filing his nails looking completely uninterested in working. William really wasn't in the mood to tell him off as long as he got his work on his desk on time.
Ronald's desk was still untouched. He frowned as turned as Eric and Alan entered the room with fresh cups of coffee. He half expected to see Ronald on their heels but he wasn't. He had three hours before he'd missed his entire shift. It was so unlike Ronald to even be late let only to miss a shift.
"He didn't come and find you while you were out, then?" Alan said quietly. William shook his head. "This is so unlike him. I'm worried."
William nodded. "How's your work coming, Sutcliff?"
"As well as ever," Grell said. "Why?"
"Go and do your gossiping," he said. "See what you can find out about Mr Knox's absence."
"Yes sir!" he laughed, jumping up and saluting as William rolled his eyes. "Be back soon."
He hurried out and William strode into his office only for Eric and Alan to be at his door moments later.
"You're worried about him," Alan said. "Aren't you?"
"It's unusual for Mr Knox to be so unprofessional," William said.
"You were trying to protect him," Eric said. "You know, he told us about what happened and what happened with Michelle. You were trying to keep him safe."
"Haven't you two got anything better to do?" he growled, taking his seat. "Go and do your work."
"You know, William," he said quietly as Alan left them. "He was really upset last night."
"That's no excuse."
"I was right, wasn't I?" William frowned and looked up slowly. Eric actually looked concerned, usually he'd look incredibly smug after something like that. "Even if you care about Ron, you're too cold for it to work out. Don't take it personally, it's just he needs far more affection than you can give him, it's just a clash of needs."
"Slingby. Work."
"Alright, but that's not going to change the situation, is it?"
"Slingby. I won't say it again."
Eric stood his ground for a moment before turning and leaving. Eric was probably right, he'd knew Ronald far better than William, they were far closer. The fact that Ronald ran to him and Alan every time he was hurting was a testament to that. Grell distracted him and Eric and Alan would comfort him. Perhaps he was too outwardly cold for Ronald but that didn't mean he'd ignore it and not at least try.
By the time Grell returned Alan already had most of his and Eric's files on his desk. Grell's reports were done, to a certain extent at least. It wasn't unusual for Grell to go through a fill out the bare minimum on his reports first and as quickly as possible before so that he could talk the rest of the time so he didn't need to worry. It also relaxed William a fair bit to know at least the basics of this reports were done.
"Sutcliff," William called from in his office. Grell wasn't hard to hear coming. "You, Mr Humphries and Slingby come in here." There was movement and the trio came in. "Take a seat."
He got up and pulled a chair over the couch and coffee table and pulled the package from under the table. The three others sat quickly. William caught a glance at the clock; they were only on duty for another half an hour and pretty much everything was done. It had been a surprisingly good night even without Ronald.
"Well, Sutcliff, quickly."
"Well," Grell said, pulling himself up dramatically. "Mary from the office down the hall, she was in the canteen, said that she heard her supervisor, Mr Richards I think, the one with the stupid hair, talking about Ronnie getting a transfer, but you see, I thought he'd have heard about that by now, right?"
"I would have heard about it, yes," William said.
"I thought so, and Isabella D'Lanci, the girl on transfer from somewhere out of town-"
"France, Grell," Alan said. "She's from France."
"Whatever, the point is, she told me something amazing," Grell said. "Now, you see, she lives next door to Eric and Alan and she said that last night-"
"Grell," Alan hissed.
"Shut up, Sutcliff," Eric snapped at the same time.
"-she heard Ronnie in their bedroom- which is right on the other side of her kitchen wall- and apparently that boy knows some incredibly foul language that would put Eric that night in London to shame. See, she noticed because she's used to you two, and she thought it was weird that suddenly Ronald was the one screaming some really naughty words in the throes of ecstasy. You two should have told me about this, Ronnie would have. He tells me everything."
Eric laughed and glanced at Alan who was bright red and wide eyed. He looked like he was trying to say something, perhaps deny it or try to defend whatever had taken place, but couldn't quite manage. William wasn't sure what to say to that either. He wasn't exactly surprised, the three were incredibly close. In the office they'd never done more than holding each other, and teasing touches. Other than that kiss in the hospital William had never seen them go any further, but it wasn't exactly surprising that they would in private.
"We didn't see him after midday," Alan said, stuttering slightly. "He said he was going home."
"Oh, yes, she said she even saw him leave," Grell said. "He walked her to work. You know, apparently he told her he was having relationship issues, can you believe that, Will? I wonder what he's talking about."
"Any useful information, Sutcliff?" William snapped.
"Oh, right, of course. I spoke with... oh, what's his name? Errr, the guy who lives across the hall from Ronnie, you know him, Eric."
"Yeah, I know the guy, he used to come drinking with us, until he got a girlfriend. No, I can't remember his name, either."
"Anyway, him. He said he saw Ronnie with Isabella," Grell said. "He was heading home after giving visiting his girlfriend for lunch and they walked home together, he even went in and had a drink and a chat with Ronnie for a while. And he saw him leave for work too."
"So he left for work, he just didn't make it in?" Eric said. "That's not like him at all."
"It's twenty minutes, half an hour if he's walking slowly," Alan muttered. "How can anyone disappear in such a short amount of time, someone would have seen him if anything happened. It's not like he walks down an unused street at anytime. He always goes the busy way. If he was hurt someone would have found him by now."
"No, I know," Grell said, waving his hands frantically. "That's not the important thing. Guess who he was walking with?" William shot him a glare. He wouldn't play guessing games for Ronald, he wouldn't play them for Grell either. "Miss Darla Finch. And apparently, she looked pretty pissed."
There was silence. That wasn't a good sign. William was getting more and more worried with everything that came out. It was becoming more and more likely that Ronald was actually in danger rather than just absent.
"I couldn't get Darla to talk to me," Grell said. "But she works for Mr Thomas, and you think he's playing you and Shelly against each other, right? So what if-"
"Let's not start thinking morbidly, Sutcliff," William said. He pushed the package over. "Michelle gave us this. It's everything Mr Thomas gave her. Mr Knox went through them last night but you can have a look in case he missed something. Mr Thomas didn't see that we have it. As far as he's concerned we still believe it's Michelle and he had ordered us off investigating, no doubt believe it would keep us busy. If he thinks we suspect him-"
"Who knows how far he'd go," Alan said with a sigh. "He's already got two reapers killed and Ronald was hospitalised, if it hadn't been for his quick thinking he might have never woken up like all the others. What are we going to do, Mr Spears?"
"We need to talk to Shelly first, right?" Grell said. "She has agreed to work with us, right? I mean, she hates being played as much as we do."
William nodded. "Yes. At least if Mr Thomas still believes she's working for him, and that we still suspect her, then perhaps Mr Knox won't be put in too much danger. We'll have to pay Michelle a visit then. Are you going to come with me?"
"Of course," Grell squealed.
"I knew you would, I was asking the other two."
"Of course we're coming," Eric snapped, getting up.
"We're not letting anyone get away with putting Ronald in danger," Alan agreed. "If she can help us save him we're coming with you."
He nodded quickly and picked up the days reports to drop off before they left. As he did he was sure he heard Alan whispering about soundproofing their bedroom and Eric promptly agreeing, muttering about how loud Ronald could be. He wasn't jealous. William tried to push that kind of thought out of his mind. He wasn't jealous. After what he'd said to Ronald, whether he meant it or not, no matter what his reason, he had no right to interfere with his personal life anyway. He'd brought it on himself.
William took the days reports up to Jeremy as quickly as possible, excusing himself at the soonest possible moment without being rude. Jeremy had asked him about Ronald and William had simply said he was looking it into it and when he found him he was in trouble. He must have noticed William's slightly clipped tone because he felt the need to tell him that if there was ever any trouble William could talk to him, even if he was having problems with his feeling for Ronald. There was a small part of him that wanted to just demand to know what was going on but reminded himself that if he was wrong it would be an issue. Instead he just strode out and joined the others waiting for him in London.
There was a look of absolute amazement on Alan's face when they arrived at the Oakland's town house. It occurred to William that Alan was the only one who hadn't met Michelle yet.
"How does a disgraced, corrupt, murderess reaper get to live in a place like this?"
"It keeps her out the way," William said. "It's far easier for the higher ups prefer to let her live her own life rather than go through the hassle of another trial."
"Besides, she's not so bad," Grell laughed, banging on the door. "You're bringing up all her bad points. Like if I only focused on you being extremely effeminate, short, kind of weak, far too serious and you stole Ronald from me almost the second I brought him in." Alan frowned. "You see, focusing on the negative. It's completely ignoring that you're incredibly cute, you do great work, you make Ronnie actually look like serious threat when he stands next to you and you appreciate that getting Eric to make out with him is unbelievably hot. Do you see what I mean?"
"You're incredibly strange, Grell," Michelle laughed, suddenly at the door with Daniel behind her. "Feel free to tell me all my good points."
"You're clever, wicked, cruel and you look after your friends," he replied. Michelle laughed and nodded. "You're actually a good friend is you look passed the corruption and blood on your hands. And you made me kill that demon! That was so unfair. I can't be-"
"Would you like to come in, Will?"
"Why are you up so early, Michelle?" William said, slowly following them out. "It's only half past five."
"You mean other than Grell's continual banging on my door?" she said. She led them into the sitting room and Daniel disappeared. "Please, sit." She smiled and glanced at Alan. "We haven't met, I'm Michelle Galloway."
"Alan Humphries. You're not at all what I was expecting."
"I get that a lot." She glanced between him and Eric. "I see, I really didn't have any hope there, did I?" Eric smirked and Alan glanced up at him. "Too bad. So, what's up, Will?"
"Our little Ronnie's gone missing," Grell said loudly, cutting over anything William was about to say. "We're really worried about him and with what's been going on recently we thought maybe you knew something that could help us."
Michelle frowned and turned to Daniel as he returned with tea and a chocolate cake. William, of course, didn't trust the demon, and it was obvious from the way Eric and Alan were watching him warily that they didn't either. However, Michelle seemed to trust him, or at least believe he wasn't a threat, so he could at least tolerate his presence. Michelle took a large slice of chocolate cake and polished it off within minutes, all the time watching something just passed William with an amused glint in her eyes.
"Did any of you want something from the trolley?" she said finally.
"Miche-"
"Ohhh, yes please," Grell laughed. "Can I have some cake? I want to see if it's as good as Eric's."
"I wondered why that went missing," Eric muttered.
Daniel cut Grell a slice and handed it over slowly. William frowned but let Grell have his fun more interested in figuring out what was amusing Michelle about the spot across the room. He could see it reflected in her glasses. There was nothing but a bookcase. A moment later her gaze locked onto his, the way it used to when they actually got on, and her smile softened. For a moment, she looked almost pained and- much to William's surprise- incredibly lonely.
"Next time you come and see me, come alone, Will," she said quietly, so quietly he seemed to be the only one who heard. "You'd be amazed what just talking with an old friend can do. Miracles, you know?" She grinned and raised her voice. "So, just how can I help you guys?"
"Well, if Mr Thomas is playing the two of us against each other, we wanted to know if you'd heard anything about Mr Knox's disappearance," William replied.
Daniel handed her a letter and she sighed, tossing it over to William. He caught it without much effort and opened it slowly. Apparently another from Mr Thomas.
"It turned up last night, so since I assume your shift has just finished that's why you're here, you had the night shift, which means it would have arrived about an hour and a half before your shift started." He frowned and looked over the letter. "It was delivered by his assistant personally. I turned her down flat. I've told her and her boss enough time, I'm fine with doing what it takes to stay under the radar but something like that will just get you rattled and much as I like playing with you and annoying you, it's just not worth making an enemy of you, Will."
William nodded. It was true. Michelle had never once tried to hurt him personally. They'd only face each other in combat once and even then he'd noticed she purposefully dodged his blows and never struck back unless there was another option. She saw it all as just a friendly game and had no interest in angering William.
He frowned and glanced over the letter again. There was nothing specific, but it seemed to be Mr Thomas suggesting that she got Ronald away from work, suggesting that he was essentially abducted. He frowned and glanced up at Michelle. She knew, of course she knew about him and Ronald, trying to keep a secret from her even when she was no longer around was almost impossible. She knew him. They knew each other inside out, it was how he'd known how to catch her. That's why she'd refused. He frowned, studying her eyes again. That amused glint had returned.
"Did you want to meet the other demon?" she said suddenly, shattering the silence.
"What?" he said.
"The other demon's here?" Alan said.
"Yes," Michelle said with a cruel smirk. "Do you want to come, Alan? I can show him what a little brunette looks like since he seems to be a tad confused as to the difference between little brunette and cute blonde."
"Wait, what?" Eric growled as Michelle got up.
"The demon that attacked Mr Knox," William said, following Michelle. "It was ordered to go after Mr Humphries. It just got pulled astray by a fellow demon to go after Mr Knox."
Michelle smirked and glanced back at him. Eric and Alan were following him while Grell had stayed behind with Daniel. They walked slowly up the stairs and Michelle pushed open a door. Christopher sat bolt upright, wincing slightly and grasping his shoulder.
"My lady- oh, and other reapers..."
"These are Ronald's friends, Christopher," Michelle said. "They wanted a word with you."
"Wait, hold on," he cried, scurrying out of bed. "Now wait a minute. I didn't actually hurt the cutie, I just held him. Don't blame me. I wanted to leave the kid. It's a shame to damage something that good looking, but then the kid moved and-"
"My lady," Daniel called from below.
Michelle turned. "Excuse me."
She strode out and William turned to Christopher to find Eric already had him pinned to the wall. He didn't blame Eric. The more that demon said the more William wanted to kill him. Alan hurried over and pulled Eric away, reminding him that they were only there to talk to him. For now at least, that was true.
"Alright, demon," William said. "If you talk quickly I might be able to convince Slingby to let you live."
"Now, now, that's not fair," he cried. "Let's not be hasty. What would you like to know?"
"It's very simple. Who's really calling the shots and where's Ronald?" Eric growled.
"Ronald? You mean the little blonde, he's gone missing? That's a shame." His gaze touched Alan for a second. "You're rather sweet t- ow!" Eric had slammed him up against the wall. Again, William didn't blame him, Eric was possessive at the best of times. "Fine, fine. I have no idea where the cutie is. I wish had seen him but I haven't. As for who's calling the shots, I've heard a woman here, she spoke to me once. Said her name was Finch and she was working for her boss. She was the one who told Michelle about blonde being wandering around the offices with you, Mr Spears. She suggested it'd be good to get rid of him and our dear mistress outright refused."
"That does match up to what Miss Galloway told us," Alan said.
"In that case we have no use for you anymore, demon," William said. "What do you think, Mr Humphries? I know what Slingby's opinion on the matter would be, but what about you? Should he live?"
Alan's eyes seemed to take a cruel tint for a moment. Of course, he cared for Ronald just as much as Eric. Ronald was just as important to them as he was to William. Alan was normally kind and compassionate, sometimes to a fault but William wasn't sure even he would allow the demon to live after hurting Ronald.
"He should be given a chance." William nodded even through Eric growled. Apparently the blonde wasn't aware of the flash of red just outside the door. "Let him go, love. Let him run. See how far he can get before he gets caught and cut down."
"Alan?" Eric said, glancing down at him.
"Do as he says, Slingby," William said. He raised his voice slightly to a firm order so even Grell outside the door could hear. "Five seconds, then you can go after him."
Eric nodded slowly and stepped back. "Better be quick then."
Christopher bolted passed and Eric turned, counting quietly. Alan and William waited in the room as Eric paced over the door, still counting. William didn't know about Alan, but he much as he hated what that demon had done to Ronald- and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get the image Ronald in the hospital bed with tears trailing down his cheeks when he admitted what happened out his head- he wasn't prepared to kill the beast in cold blood. Eric and Grell could. And if anyone asked they were merely defending themselves.
"Five."
Eric tore out the room, death scythe in hand. Grell was one step behind him, the engine of his death scythe roaring. William and Alan walked out slowly just in time to see the pair vaulting over the railings and down to the ground floor, landing either side of the demon. Christopher glanced between them and ran for the door, only stopping as a blade swung over his head that he barely avoiding.
Michelle laughed and lowered her head, gazing back at Christopher, slowly slipping off her reaper jacket and tossing it to the floor. For a moment William wondered how she'd known it was coming and he changed for the fight. There was a soft clang as a blade rested against the tiles. William frowned. Michelle's death scythe, exactly as William remembered it; an over sized, double bladed axe, something Grell always called an executioner's axe, with two large, intricately engraved curved blades.
"You said you didn't have it," he said.
"Come now, Will," she laughed. "I wouldn't fell right if I wasn't holding something back. Isn't it just beautiful as ever?"
"Even more so when it's covered in the blood of a demon who dared to hurt Ronnie," Grell replied, baring his teeth, eyes flashing behind his glasses.
William didn't say a word- despite agreeing at least a little- as Alan gripped the rails a little tighter. "Just make it quick, Eric. I don't like in torture. He's had his chance to run."
"We're just fine with it, right Grell?" Michelle said.
"Definitely. Let's stain the tiles red, Shelly, just like old days. A quick death is too good for such a horrible creature."
"Now, come on, my dear lady," Christopher laughed nervously. "I've always served you. Daniel?" He glanced over to the demon by the door sitting room door. "Daniel, we've always been friends, you're not going to let them-"
"Just say the word, Will," Michelle said. "You're the boss. Or we could just capture him? Let him go even? It's really up to you."
William hesitated for a brief second. He wasn't usually one to kill without a good reason, not unless there was an immediate danger to himself or to his subordinates and there was no other way out. This wasn't one of those times. He could have simply told them to take him in to the bosses as the demon who had been attacking the reapers. Then he remembered Ronald in tears again, how much this demon had affected him.
"Do it."
Grell and Eric sprung forwards almost instantly while Michelle grinned up at him for a moment before moving. Christopher gave a yelp and jumped back, springing up onto the railings above, managing to avoid the blades only for Grell to spring up after him. Alan and William were forced to step back as Grell swung again and Christopher jumped down again. Michelle's blade swung upward and he barely managed to step back away only for Eric to slice across his back. They weren't interested in the cinematic records that snapped out as Christopher fell to the ground, barely managing to scurry up, a few strands of hair being sliced off by Michelle's axe passing just over his head and letting out an agonised cry and Grell slammed his scythe through his foot.
Christopher spun awkwardly and managed to slam his heel against the side of Grell's head, knocking him away for long enough for him to get up and make a break for the door again. Once again it was Michelle who stopped him, this time with a kick to the groin that made the others wince. Christopher fell to his knees as Eric and Grell came over and she laughed, glancing up at William.
"Demon, reaper, even angels, you're all still men, aren't you?" she called.
William shuddered and she grinned. A sudden movement caught his eye and he glanced down towards Daniel. The door to the sitting room was cracked open and there was a smaller figure behind him, watching the battle through the gap. He frowned and Daniel must have noticed his gaze because he glanced back and quickly ushered the smaller man back into the sitting room, pulling the door closed again.
"William?" Alan said quietly. "What is it?"
"I just thought I saw something," William replied.
There was a scream and he turned back to the scene below. Grell was sitting astride the demons lower back, his death scythe driven through Christopher just in front of him. Up at Christopher's head, Michelle was leaning against her scythe with a lazy grin, the heel of her boot- distinctly higher heels than William had ever seen Michelle wearing before- pressed firmly against his temple to hold him down. Eric had pulled Christopher's arm back at an angle it really shouldn't be at and was cutting through the limb torturously slowly. Given that his scythe could cut through anything, including limbs he really didn't need to be sawing. William glanced at Alan who had turned away looking absolutely disgusted by the display, trembling slightly as a few tears threatened to fall.
"That's enough," William called. The trio looked up at him and he only now noticed they were covered in blood and couldn't help wonder what else they'd done while he wasn't watching. "Just finish it, Michelle."
Michelle grinned and nodded, lining up scythe with the base of Christopher's skull before raising it above her head. Even William glanced away as she swung it downwards. The sound of her scythe going through someone's neck was a sound he'd never been able to get out his head- especially having actually watched once. He could only compare it to a guillotine at the office going through paper at the office. He'd seen a real one working, it didn't sound the same at all.
Eric bounded up the stairs to Alan, who pushed him away, snapping at him not to touch him until he'd had a shower and change of clothes.
"Alan?"
"I told you, I don't like torture," Alan snapped. "I don't want to get covered in blood. I'm really disappointed in you, Eric. I didn't think you were capable of something so cold blooded."
"After what he did to Ron-"
"I know, and he deserved to die, not just for Ronald but for all the others too, but I don't condone torture. It's disgusting."
"Sorry, sweetheart but-"
"No buts, Eric, and don't you dare call me sweetheart. You're lucky I know how sweet you can be or I'd have kicked you out for that hideous display." William almost agreed. Of course, he knew for a far that anyone who had traumatised Eric like Christopher had Ronald- however unlikely that was- Alan would probably have ignored his principals. "Don't ever do that again. You weren't even doing it for a reason, just cold blooded torture."
"I'm sorry. Calm down, you'll give yourself another attack."
Alan didn't say another word just walked out the house silently with Eric on his heels. Grell laughed and tore his scythe from Christopher's body, sending a spray of blood over himself and Michelle as he swung it down to his side before running after them. William climbed down the stairs and glanced at Michelle.
"Why did you want to see me alone?" he said, trying not to look down the demon's corpse.
"I said next time, Will," she replied. "Not now. Come back if you get anything else, alone this time, ok?" William frowned. "Don't worry. You can report that the demon attacking reapers is dead if you'd like, that's your call but I'll back you all the way whatever you decide. I'll clean up the mess for you."
William glanced down at her. "You're a disgrace, Michelle. You're an embarrassment to our kind."
"Oh goodie. I'm doing my job right then. I just love how much I disgust you, how much I confuse you. You respect my intellect and my skill but you hate how I use them. You dislike me on principal, but you know if I were a good reaper, we'd be as close to friends as you can be with anyone. So, in respect for this strange friendship-type-thing we have going, get your hands on my personnel file and you'd better make damn sure you make a copy of everything in it."
William nodded and she waved him off. Getting hold of Michelle's personnel file wouldn't be easy. The files of ex-reapers were kept in lock down in the archive basement. You had to be management at least to get down there, that mean District Supervisor or a similar job in a different department. He'd have to petition Jeremy to get it for him. This was getting far more difficult by the second.
"Oh, Michelle," he said, turning slowly. "There was someone with your butler, he seemed to want to get rid of him quickly."
"Yes, an old friend of mind," she replied. "The old man appears and disappears with no warning at all. It's incredibly rude, especially with all his laughing. He won't even share the joke."
She turned and William was sure he saw her glare at Daniel and mouthing something about keeping 'him' out the way. The door shut before William could tell anything else. Despite getting little information on where Ronald could possibly be it had all but confirmed that it really was Mr Thomas who was behind everything.
To his surprise, Eric was waiting for him when he got back to the reaper realm. He was leaning against the wall, watching him coldly behind his tinted glasses. William frowned. Whenever Eric had spoken to him recently it wasn't a good thing.
"What is it, Slingby?" he said, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Shouldn't you be at home trying to convince Mr Humphries you're not as cold blooded as he thinks?"
"He'll cool off," Eric said. "What are you thinking?"
"About what?" William said.
"Ron? Michelle? Mr Thomas? Everything, William, what are we going to do?"
"I'm not sure what can be done, Slingby. Not until we have something more to go on. Unless you have a better suggestion?"
"We know it's Mr Thomas, let's deal with him."
"And if we're right and he is behind Mr Knox's disappearance? We have no idea where he is or what condition he's in. If we confront him and let him know we suspect him where do you think that would leave Mr Knox?"
Eric frowned and walked with William towards his home. He frowned. He generally tried not to tell his employees where he lived. Grell was bad enough, he made sure to change the locks at least twice a year, he didn't need the others trying to convince him to be more social as well.
"You looked pissed when Grell said about Ron staying with us," Eric said finally. William glanced at him but didn't say anything. "Look, if it helps at all, I didn't sleep with him."
"It's none of my business what you do in your own time, Slingby."
"William, I'm trying to be kind of nice and supportive of you two here, will you at least be a little bit grateful?"
"Slingby, go and sort out Mr Humphries. We need to find Mr Knox before you start to worrying about my relationship with him again. Go home."
Eric sighed and turned away, leaving William to carry on alone. It would have helped, if William believed him. After what Grell had said he couldn't believe Eric, no matter what he said. He just had to focus on finding Ronald, then he could worry about everything else. And he genuinely had no idea where to start. As he'd told Eric, there was little they could do without any more information, they'd run out of options.
"It's a perfect fit, my dear."
Michelle frowned and wiggled in the coffin. "It's it a bit tight. I mean there's not much room to move."
"You don't need to move when you're dead," Undertaker laughed, patting her head. "If you were moving, you wouldn't need a coffin, my dear. A reaper of your age should know better."
Sticking her hand out the coffin, Michelle turned to the old reaper and Daniel assumed she was glaring beneath her bandages. After a minute, Daniel took her head and helped her out the coffin and back to her feet. He hated visiting the old reaper, Michelle got all giddy and respectful around him.
"So, I've tested out the coffin, Undertaker sir," she said. "Can you tell me?"
"My dear," Undertaker said. "Since you brought me such a wonderful guest to fix up, I can tell you a lot."
"You like fixing my victims?"
"Decapitation is unusual and fixing up gruesome death and making them presentable for burial is my job. So many people are afraid to be so blunt with death. Even reapers who's very business is death. They choose to inflict smaller, less visible wounds, if they even show at all. The more neat and tidy the better, correct?" He chuckled and patted her head again. "You are not afraid to make a show of death. A very definite, unquestionable death that leaves nothing to chance. It's a good way to kill. Biscuit?"
"Thank you, Undertaker sir," she said, even blushing slightly as he pushed a jar into her hands. "None of the others understood. They all liked to be subtle."
"Of course. So many rules, they never think outside the box."
"But, Undertaker sir, can you tell me? Am I right?"
"When were your instincts last wrong, my dear?"
Michelle giggled and her blush deepened. Daniel only rolled his eyes. His strong, powerful partner, who he had agreed to play butler for just because he knew of her reputation and had just beheaded a demon was now a giggling, blushing school girl. It was sickening. Sometimes he wondered if all these games- and he was increasingly noticing ex-reapers liked to play games and laugh madly- were really worth the rewards. The risks and hassle didn't seem to balance it out.