p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;" align="CENTER"emChapter XIV : Target n°1 : Conti/em/p
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p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Fabio Conti. 33. No partner nor children known. From our sources, he's working for the Vipers for about twenty years now. His nickname is 'Cobra'."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""What does he do ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Searching for Azran artifacts on the Black Market, and sells them for high prices. He may have dealt with Targent in the past. I believe the Vipers actually don't care about the Azran, but only for the wealth they can provide."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Ha. And they can kill people just for that."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I don't know what your father did, Vix, but the Vipers are known to be quite... harsh with people that cross their way."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I think I know that, thank you."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Anyway, he purchased the blade from the market a few days ago, which means he still has it. Conti usually waits before selling his treasures again. I don't know why. You'll just have to meet him in his office tonight, wait keep him in until the police arrives. Then, you leave, and police arrests him with all we have against him at the moment."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Sounds like a plan."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Good. Let's get started."/p
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p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor arrived at the jail about fifteen minutes after the left Scotland Yard. The air was chill, clouds covering the late afternoon sky with their pale cotton color. He ajusted his jacket, close his car's door, and went in./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He's never gone into a jail before. The atmosphere around wasn't the greatest, as he assumed. Everything was quite silent, except for some bangs on the cell bars from time to time, shouts of prison guards and the constant clapping of water on the wall, just beneath the leaking pipe that crossed the corridor where Layton was walking. The guard he met at the entrance guided him into the visiting room./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Usually, visit time is over now. But, since Inspector Grosky hadset up this meeting..." he said, showing him the door. "Please, stay here until we bring mister Bronev there."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Thank you, officer." Hershel answered by tiping his hat./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"On this, the guard left, leaving the professor alone. The room was quite empty, apart from a simple table and two chairs. The walls were in dark grey, with a unique spotlights in the middle of the ceiling. The professor sat on one of the chairs, just behind the windowed wall, and waited./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He'd see Bronev for the first time since the awakening of the Azran legacy. It has happened in barely two weeks, but it felt like yesterday in his mind. He could still see these golems and lasers when he closed his eyes sometimes, plaguing the Earth from the sky. And it was all because of the man he was going to meet in a matter of minutes./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel shook his head. He wasn't there to speak about the other's mistakes. He must have a clear mind to find anwsers to his question. Hoping Leon Bronev would provide them, of course./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The metal door opened behind him, creaking. A figure entered the room, and Hershel took a silent breath before turning towards it. He hasn't changed a bit, except from the tired expression Leon Bronev had, and his prison clothes./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You have ten minutes, not more." On that, the policeman closed the door./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"There was an akward moment of silence, in which Bronev took place in front of the professor, letting himself fall onto the chair. Hershel noticed he was still handcuffed when he put them on the table in front of him. Joining them, he exhaled a loud breath./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Of all people, I wasn't expecting you to visit me, Layton." Bronev started. He leaned on his chair./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I... must admit, I came here for a different reason." He ajusted his hat. Another silence installed itself during seconds, while Layton was searching for the right words. "May I ask how you've been doing so far ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I'm fine. What do you need ?" Bronev answered. Seeing the surprise in the professor's eyes, he continued, "I see in your eyes that you've come for a serious reason. We don't need such politeness, don't worry about that."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Hm... If you say so. Actually, I have some questions for you. It's about Emmy."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev's eyebrows rose. "Emmeline ? What's wrong ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor sighed. Was it really a good idea to tell him about the Vixen's case, and the police's suspicions about her ?/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""She resigned some days ago. I do apologize, I don't know if she's planning on visiting you soon. I believe she left London for a while."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev's eyes lowered on the table between them. For a brief moment, Layton saw a hint of sadness in his eyes, but it soon vanished as he looked up at him. "That's alright. Is there anything else ? I don't believe you'd visit me just to tell me this."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Actually, there is."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel let his hands rest on the table. "Can I ask when you two have met ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Why ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""... I want to find her."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"They looked at eaech other, Layton waiting for Bronev to respond, while the latter searched for his words./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""... We met at London, nearly ten years ago. She was still a young girl at the moment."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""How, if I may ask ?" Hershel said. He was certain those two have known each other for a little longer than this.../p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I haven't adopted her, if that's what you ask. Surely you know it already."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I do. How did you meet ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I knew her father."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Something clicked in Hershel's mind. Her father. Finally, a good lead to find her./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Seeing he wanted more, Bronev continued, "He just burst into one of Targent's digsites one day, when I was still a trainee. I thought that he was just a new recruit like me at the moment. We worked together for a couple of months."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""So her father was part of Targent ? Is it how she joined ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""No. He suddenly disappeared one day, and I haven't seen him since."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""And you don't remember any name ? A name code from Targent, maybe ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev crossed his hands on his chin, thinking. "I believe... He introduced himself as 'Silver', once. When I met his friend."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Connor Cooper ?" Hershel said./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Yes. I see you're well informed."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I thought I was. How have you met ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""It was during one of the few free days we had, back in time. Connor was never part of Targent. He was Silver's childhood friend. We haven't spent a lot of time together, because we recruits didn't have enough free time anymore, months after."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Layton nodded. At least, he has a name : Silver./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I still don't understand..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Why did she join ? I must confess, I don't know either."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor lifted his head, surprised. "You don't ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""She asked to join one day, even if I warned her about the organization. She insisted, but she never told me why. I assume she wanted to find out about her father..." Bronev sighed. "Silver died when she was young. Connor must have told them about his affiliation with Targent, and she wanted to investigate his death."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I see..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"They stayed silent for a moment. The professor had quite a lot of new informations about Emmy now : her father, possibly named Silver Altava, joined Targent at a certain moment, and died when she was still young, which caused her to reach Targent as well. Yet, he still hadn't any news about her current position./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Do you have any idea of where she could be now ?" Hershel asked./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I'm sorry, Layton, I don't know. The last time I saw her was at Froenborg." Bronev said, frowning. "But why are you asking all of this questions ? Is there something wrong with her ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""She is fine. I just... want to find her."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev nodded. "I see." He let a soft silence set itselft between them, before speaking again. "I really don't know where she could be at the moment. I'm sorry, but I can't help you any further in your investigations."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""It's alright. You already helped a lot-"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"A loud noise cut the professor. A banging on the door. "Time's up, gentlemen." The voice said behind it./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel stood up, tiping his hat. "Thank you very much for your time, Bronev." On this, he headed to the now opened door./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""My pleasure. But, please-" Bronev started, quickly following him and grabbing his arm with his handcuffed hands. Hershel looked at him with curious eyes./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Yes ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""...Tell me if you find something."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor studied him for a couple of seconds, before nodding. "I will."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
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p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The drive back to London was a hard one for Layton. Not because of the night road, but because of his racing thoughts./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He had known Emmy for three whole years and he just realized how little he actually knew about her. She barely talked about her family or her friends for the whole time. It was actually understandable if she'd been working for Targent since her youth, but according to what he just learnt, Emmy had had a life before joining Targent. And for an unknown reason, he wanted to know more about it. Maybe it could help him clear her name to Scotland Yard.../p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He parked his car near his house. The lights of his livingroom were on, which meant Desmond was at home. The night air was quite chilly, so the professor hurried into his house./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Ah, you're finally back." his brother said when he closed the door. "Did you learn something interesting ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel removed his jacket and put it on the rack, before moving into the livingroom. Desmond was on the couch, with his notebook in hand and a set of teacups on the table. "Indeed. What about you ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Quite. Come closer."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Intrigued, the professor sat near his brother. Eyeing his notes, he saw the two pages full of his awful handwritings. "What did you find ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I stayed into the archives after you left, and I started doing some researches about your assistant. I have found something rather interesting : there is no information about her birth parents whatsoever. But I realized something..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He shown a certain part of his notebook : the name "Altava" had been circled in red, with a question mark next to it. "This name isn't common in England. I checked the reports with Grosky's help, and it appears that she is the only one with this name around the country."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I think I remember her saying she was a foreigner. It doesn't sound surprising." Layton commented./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Maybe, but if we can find someone around the Earth that has its name too, it may lead us to her. I asked Grosky if he can help, and he'll try to find something for us."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Good."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"It was weird to talk about Emmy like this, but he really needed a lead to find her. "I have another information that could help us. Bronev knew her father."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Was he part of Targent ?" Desmond asked, the bitterness in his voice barely hidden./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""He guessed he was. According to him, his name was Silver. But he died when Emmy was young, and she joined Targent soon after."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""To avenge him ? It wouldn't surprise me if Targent killed him."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Hm..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Is something wrong ?" Desmond asked. "Why do you want to know all about her anyway ? Do you really think we can find her ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Layton sighed. He took a cup of the tea his brother must have made earlier. The hot liquid was fuming, which was quite good in this fresh night./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""...She left because of Scotland Yard's suspicions about her being linked to Vixen. If I can clear her name, then maybe she will return."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Assuming she really is innocent." The other professor added. He took a sip of his cup./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel stayed silent. His brother was right, but every lead the police found let to a dead end... This means she was innocent, right ?/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He needed to find a way to clean her name. If only he knew where she was... He felt a sudden guilt plaguing his heart. He should have stopped her when she left. The memory of his broken assitant running away from him came up in mind. He should have reassured her.../p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"A moment./span"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Surprised by this sudden break of the silence that had settled between them, the professor turned his head to his brother. He was frowning over his teacup./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"I just remembered something about Vixen./span" span lang="fr-FR"he said. /span/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"What is it ?/span"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"When we chased her around the city during the Yard's theft.../span"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He set his cup of the table, before looking at his brother. They had the same posture when they were thinking : hand under the chin, with the same frown and the same pout./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"I'm not completely sure, but I smelt something strange. Like a perfume./span"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
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p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Santa Maria's clock stroke eleven loudly into Rome's empty streets. The Moon was high in the sky, just above the church./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"And in the middle of the night, a thin shadow was waiting./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Vixen stood on the rooftop of the Conti's mansion, where the Cobra lived and worked. Squatted over the edge, she admired the awazing view of the calm city, before jumping. She grabbed the edge of the opened window right under her./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"A swift shadow sneaked into the room. Conti's office. She chuckled. What kind of business director lets his office window opened at night ?/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took time to look around her. The room was quite large, according to the man's egocentric attitude. A huge painting of himself was on the wall just behind the heavy black wooden desk. It was the portrait of a rather small man, who stood as straight as possible, with his head high. His chubby face wore thin brown hair, which certainly started to fall, seeing the bald spot near his forehead. He also had quite small eyes, so small Vixen couldn't see their colour in this dark room./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She looked around the room a little more. Apart from the desk, there was two large bookcases on each side of the office, full of small figurines that looked expensive. She spotted the blade on the one in front of her. Good, she wouldn't have to search for it. She made a mental not to grab some of the figurines before leaving, and headed to the middle of the room, where a small table was circled by three large comfy red couches. She sat on one of them, crossed her legs, and waited. It felt so soft, she almost thought of offering one of them for a certain professor.../p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Vixen shook her head. Now wasn't the time to think about him. She stood still, and waited. The only noise around her was her calm breath, while she was waiting for Conti to arrive./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"After a long moment that felt like hours for her, she heard the doorknob being grabbed, before it opened in a soft noise. She smiled under her scarf, waiting for the man to close the door and switch the lights./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""emBenvenuto, Fabio/em." she said with the best italian accent she managed when light came on./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The man froze at the sight of her. "Who are you ?!" he yelled. "Security ! Come here at once !"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She giggled. "Why, aren't we well settled here ?" Vixen chanted, stretching her arm on the sofa's back./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Conti jumped on the door, but wasn't fast enough : Vixen leaped in front of him, preventing him from escaping. She clapped the door shut. "Is this how you welcome all of your guests ? Gosh, this is horrible."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You are not allowed anywhere around ! Get out at once !" The man replied with a strong italian accent./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took a step towards him. He walked back, until he felt his office chair behind his knees. She kicked him so he sat on it./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Oh, please, dear. Don't tell me you weren't expecting me." She said, sighing happily. "I thought you'd enhance the security of your miserable mansion after the blade's robbery, but it was so easy to trick your security system and your so-called guards... It's almost an insult to my person, you know ?"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You filthy little-!"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Wash this dirty mouth of yours, won't you ? A gentleman doesn't swear in front of a lady." She stretched her arm to him, poking his nose. "At least, not on emthis/em kind of situation... "/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He slapped her hand with his arm. "What do you want, emVixen/em ?" he spat the last name, full of hatred./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took a step back. "I just wanna talk. Oh, and don't even think of running away. I haven't done the same mistake as my father. I'm not alone." she said, her pride coating her words. She had the man trapped in his own office, scared and surrounded by his fortune and glory. She was going to at least enjoy this moment./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You're here because of this brat, aren't you ?" Conti stuttered./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""What a smart man you are !" She cheered, clapping her hands./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""D-Don't even think of hurting me ! You'll regret it !"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Vixen doesn't regret anything..."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She jumped on his desk, scattering everything on it on the floor in a messy sound. The man was trembling, and she hadn't done anything... Yet. She smiled./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Vixen emmakes/em people regret things." She put a hand on the desk, leaping from it on the other side. Moving switfly towards the left bookcase, she grabbed the weapon, admiring the moonlight reflecting on the blade. "It's a beautiful object, isn't it ? Light, sharp, elegant but dangerous..." She slashed the air in front of her, turning back in front of Conti. Her hand on the pommel of the sword, he aimed his left cheek. He yelped at the icedd contact./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Seconds felt like hours for him, with the ice blade against his skin. Vixen stood still before him, looking at her prey behind her fox mask like a wild creature./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She was wondering if she should hurt him. To make him feel just the right amount of pain, before giving him to the police. To let him know what he did to her, even if it was just a little.../p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You weren't the one holding the gun, did you ? A fragile, scared little mouse like you couldn't even lift it. You surely were the one guarding the house, while your friend did the dirty task."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Please-"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Did you enjoy it, at least ? Taking the life of the world most famous thief ? It should have been a wonferful feeling..."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Conti let out a frightened cry when she drew the blade lower against his face, until it reached his neck./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You could have done a perfect crime, fifteen years ago. People would have remembered it for a long, long time... But you know, you forgot one thing."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Vixen tightened her grib around the pommel, forcing the blade into his neck just enough to cut him lightly. Fat tears ran on his face as a thin line of blood appeared on his neck, dirtying the collar of his shirt, already damp for sweat./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""... You forgot to kill one Fox."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""F-Fox- Fox is not a murderer, you wouldn't dare-"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I'm not my father, nor any of our ancestors, I can be whoever I like, and do whatever I want. You are not in the position to tell me what to do." She shook her head. "But I won't kill you."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She put her free hand on the edge of her scarf, lowering it so he could see her pink lips, curved into a large smile. "I will ruin you. I will burn your business to ashes, steal everything from you, and throw you on the dirtiest jail of this country. I'll make sure you'll spend the rest of your miserable life trapped between four walls, in a very dark place, so you could see all of your life being torn apart when I'll find and trap the rest of your scum friends."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Suddenly, police sirens could be heard in the distance. Putting back her scarf, she removed the blade. Conti didn't move, trembling, his small eyes locked on the figure in front of him, tears wetting his cheeks./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Be happy you're the first one I found. I won't be as soft with the others." She eyed him from his feet to the tip of his head. "You seem way to weak to bear what I plan for them."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took a step behind, bending over him with the blade in hand. "I'm glad I've met you Cobra. May the odds be in your favor-" She quickly stood straight, her free hand on her cheek. "Oh, silly me. With everything about you I gave to the police, the odds wouldn't support you anymore."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""What did you do-" Sirens clouded his words, as screams were heard in the mansion corridors./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You'll learn it soon enough." Vixen said, jumping on the edge of the window./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She heard a loud slur when she escaped the mansion, before the door broke open under the policemen's shouts./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Conti didn't even struggle when they arrested him, his eyes locked on the fast figure running away on Rome's rooftops./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;" align="CENTER" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Fabio Conti. 33. No partner nor children known. From our sources, he's working for the Vipers for about twenty years now. His nickname is 'Cobra'."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""What does he do ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Searching for Azran artifacts on the Black Market, and sells them for high prices. He may have dealt with Targent in the past. I believe the Vipers actually don't care about the Azran, but only for the wealth they can provide."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Ha. And they can kill people just for that."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I don't know what your father did, Vix, but the Vipers are known to be quite... harsh with people that cross their way."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I think I know that, thank you."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Anyway, he purchased the blade from the market a few days ago, which means he still has it. Conti usually waits before selling his treasures again. I don't know why. You'll just have to meet him in his office tonight, wait keep him in until the police arrives. Then, you leave, and police arrests him with all we have against him at the moment."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Sounds like a plan."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Good. Let's get started."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor arrived at the jail about fifteen minutes after the left Scotland Yard. The air was chill, clouds covering the late afternoon sky with their pale cotton color. He ajusted his jacket, close his car's door, and went in./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He's never gone into a jail before. The atmosphere around wasn't the greatest, as he assumed. Everything was quite silent, except for some bangs on the cell bars from time to time, shouts of prison guards and the constant clapping of water on the wall, just beneath the leaking pipe that crossed the corridor where Layton was walking. The guard he met at the entrance guided him into the visiting room./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Usually, visit time is over now. But, since Inspector Grosky hadset up this meeting..." he said, showing him the door. "Please, stay here until we bring mister Bronev there."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Thank you, officer." Hershel answered by tiping his hat./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"On this, the guard left, leaving the professor alone. The room was quite empty, apart from a simple table and two chairs. The walls were in dark grey, with a unique spotlights in the middle of the ceiling. The professor sat on one of the chairs, just behind the windowed wall, and waited./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He'd see Bronev for the first time since the awakening of the Azran legacy. It has happened in barely two weeks, but it felt like yesterday in his mind. He could still see these golems and lasers when he closed his eyes sometimes, plaguing the Earth from the sky. And it was all because of the man he was going to meet in a matter of minutes./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel shook his head. He wasn't there to speak about the other's mistakes. He must have a clear mind to find anwsers to his question. Hoping Leon Bronev would provide them, of course./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The metal door opened behind him, creaking. A figure entered the room, and Hershel took a silent breath before turning towards it. He hasn't changed a bit, except from the tired expression Leon Bronev had, and his prison clothes./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You have ten minutes, not more." On that, the policeman closed the door./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"There was an akward moment of silence, in which Bronev took place in front of the professor, letting himself fall onto the chair. Hershel noticed he was still handcuffed when he put them on the table in front of him. Joining them, he exhaled a loud breath./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Of all people, I wasn't expecting you to visit me, Layton." Bronev started. He leaned on his chair./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I... must admit, I came here for a different reason." He ajusted his hat. Another silence installed itself during seconds, while Layton was searching for the right words. "May I ask how you've been doing so far ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I'm fine. What do you need ?" Bronev answered. Seeing the surprise in the professor's eyes, he continued, "I see in your eyes that you've come for a serious reason. We don't need such politeness, don't worry about that."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Hm... If you say so. Actually, I have some questions for you. It's about Emmy."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev's eyebrows rose. "Emmeline ? What's wrong ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor sighed. Was it really a good idea to tell him about the Vixen's case, and the police's suspicions about her ?/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""She resigned some days ago. I do apologize, I don't know if she's planning on visiting you soon. I believe she left London for a while."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev's eyes lowered on the table between them. For a brief moment, Layton saw a hint of sadness in his eyes, but it soon vanished as he looked up at him. "That's alright. Is there anything else ? I don't believe you'd visit me just to tell me this."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Actually, there is."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel let his hands rest on the table. "Can I ask when you two have met ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Why ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""... I want to find her."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"They looked at eaech other, Layton waiting for Bronev to respond, while the latter searched for his words./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""... We met at London, nearly ten years ago. She was still a young girl at the moment."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""How, if I may ask ?" Hershel said. He was certain those two have known each other for a little longer than this.../p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I haven't adopted her, if that's what you ask. Surely you know it already."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I do. How did you meet ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I knew her father."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Something clicked in Hershel's mind. Her father. Finally, a good lead to find her./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Seeing he wanted more, Bronev continued, "He just burst into one of Targent's digsites one day, when I was still a trainee. I thought that he was just a new recruit like me at the moment. We worked together for a couple of months."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""So her father was part of Targent ? Is it how she joined ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""No. He suddenly disappeared one day, and I haven't seen him since."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""And you don't remember any name ? A name code from Targent, maybe ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev crossed his hands on his chin, thinking. "I believe... He introduced himself as 'Silver', once. When I met his friend."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Connor Cooper ?" Hershel said./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Yes. I see you're well informed."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I thought I was. How have you met ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""It was during one of the few free days we had, back in time. Connor was never part of Targent. He was Silver's childhood friend. We haven't spent a lot of time together, because we recruits didn't have enough free time anymore, months after."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Layton nodded. At least, he has a name : Silver./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I still don't understand..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Why did she join ? I must confess, I don't know either."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor lifted his head, surprised. "You don't ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""She asked to join one day, even if I warned her about the organization. She insisted, but she never told me why. I assume she wanted to find out about her father..." Bronev sighed. "Silver died when she was young. Connor must have told them about his affiliation with Targent, and she wanted to investigate his death."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I see..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"They stayed silent for a moment. The professor had quite a lot of new informations about Emmy now : her father, possibly named Silver Altava, joined Targent at a certain moment, and died when she was still young, which caused her to reach Targent as well. Yet, he still hadn't any news about her current position./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Do you have any idea of where she could be now ?" Hershel asked./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I'm sorry, Layton, I don't know. The last time I saw her was at Froenborg." Bronev said, frowning. "But why are you asking all of this questions ? Is there something wrong with her ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""She is fine. I just... want to find her."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Bronev nodded. "I see." He let a soft silence set itselft between them, before speaking again. "I really don't know where she could be at the moment. I'm sorry, but I can't help you any further in your investigations."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""It's alright. You already helped a lot-"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"A loud noise cut the professor. A banging on the door. "Time's up, gentlemen." The voice said behind it./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel stood up, tiping his hat. "Thank you very much for your time, Bronev." On this, he headed to the now opened door./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""My pleasure. But, please-" Bronev started, quickly following him and grabbing his arm with his handcuffed hands. Hershel looked at him with curious eyes./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Yes ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""...Tell me if you find something."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The professor studied him for a couple of seconds, before nodding. "I will."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The drive back to London was a hard one for Layton. Not because of the night road, but because of his racing thoughts./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He had known Emmy for three whole years and he just realized how little he actually knew about her. She barely talked about her family or her friends for the whole time. It was actually understandable if she'd been working for Targent since her youth, but according to what he just learnt, Emmy had had a life before joining Targent. And for an unknown reason, he wanted to know more about it. Maybe it could help him clear her name to Scotland Yard.../p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He parked his car near his house. The lights of his livingroom were on, which meant Desmond was at home. The night air was quite chilly, so the professor hurried into his house./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Ah, you're finally back." his brother said when he closed the door. "Did you learn something interesting ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel removed his jacket and put it on the rack, before moving into the livingroom. Desmond was on the couch, with his notebook in hand and a set of teacups on the table. "Indeed. What about you ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Quite. Come closer."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Intrigued, the professor sat near his brother. Eyeing his notes, he saw the two pages full of his awful handwritings. "What did you find ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I stayed into the archives after you left, and I started doing some researches about your assistant. I have found something rather interesting : there is no information about her birth parents whatsoever. But I realized something..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He shown a certain part of his notebook : the name "Altava" had been circled in red, with a question mark next to it. "This name isn't common in England. I checked the reports with Grosky's help, and it appears that she is the only one with this name around the country."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I think I remember her saying she was a foreigner. It doesn't sound surprising." Layton commented./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Maybe, but if we can find someone around the Earth that has its name too, it may lead us to her. I asked Grosky if he can help, and he'll try to find something for us."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Good."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"It was weird to talk about Emmy like this, but he really needed a lead to find her. "I have another information that could help us. Bronev knew her father."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Was he part of Targent ?" Desmond asked, the bitterness in his voice barely hidden./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""He guessed he was. According to him, his name was Silver. But he died when Emmy was young, and she joined Targent soon after."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""To avenge him ? It wouldn't surprise me if Targent killed him."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Hm..."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Is something wrong ?" Desmond asked. "Why do you want to know all about her anyway ? Do you really think we can find her ?"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Layton sighed. He took a cup of the tea his brother must have made earlier. The hot liquid was fuming, which was quite good in this fresh night./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""...She left because of Scotland Yard's suspicions about her being linked to Vixen. If I can clear her name, then maybe she will return."/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Assuming she really is innocent." The other professor added. He took a sip of his cup./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Hershel stayed silent. His brother was right, but every lead the police found let to a dead end... This means she was innocent, right ?/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He needed to find a way to clean her name. If only he knew where she was... He felt a sudden guilt plaguing his heart. He should have stopped her when she left. The memory of his broken assitant running away from him came up in mind. He should have reassured her.../p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"A moment./span"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Surprised by this sudden break of the silence that had settled between them, the professor turned his head to his brother. He was frowning over his teacup./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"I just remembered something about Vixen./span" span lang="fr-FR"he said. /span/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"What is it ?/span"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"When we chased her around the city during the Yard's theft.../span"/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He set his cup of the table, before looking at his brother. They had the same posture when they were thinking : hand under the chin, with the same frown and the same pout./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""span lang="fr-FR"I'm not completely sure, but I smelt something strange. Like a perfume./span"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY" /p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Santa Maria's clock stroke eleven loudly into Rome's empty streets. The Moon was high in the sky, just above the church./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"And in the middle of the night, a thin shadow was waiting./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Vixen stood on the rooftop of the Conti's mansion, where the Cobra lived and worked. Squatted over the edge, she admired the awazing view of the calm city, before jumping. She grabbed the edge of the opened window right under her./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"A swift shadow sneaked into the room. Conti's office. She chuckled. What kind of business director lets his office window opened at night ?/p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took time to look around her. The room was quite large, according to the man's egocentric attitude. A huge painting of himself was on the wall just behind the heavy black wooden desk. It was the portrait of a rather small man, who stood as straight as possible, with his head high. His chubby face wore thin brown hair, which certainly started to fall, seeing the bald spot near his forehead. He also had quite small eyes, so small Vixen couldn't see their colour in this dark room./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She looked around the room a little more. Apart from the desk, there was two large bookcases on each side of the office, full of small figurines that looked expensive. She spotted the blade on the one in front of her. Good, she wouldn't have to search for it. She made a mental not to grab some of the figurines before leaving, and headed to the middle of the room, where a small table was circled by three large comfy red couches. She sat on one of them, crossed her legs, and waited. It felt so soft, she almost thought of offering one of them for a certain professor.../p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Vixen shook her head. Now wasn't the time to think about him. She stood still, and waited. The only noise around her was her calm breath, while she was waiting for Conti to arrive./p
p lang="fr-FR" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"After a long moment that felt like hours for her, she heard the doorknob being grabbed, before it opened in a soft noise. She smiled under her scarf, waiting for the man to close the door and switch the lights./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""emBenvenuto, Fabio/em." she said with the best italian accent she managed when light came on./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"The man froze at the sight of her. "Who are you ?!" he yelled. "Security ! Come here at once !"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She giggled. "Why, aren't we well settled here ?" Vixen chanted, stretching her arm on the sofa's back./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Conti jumped on the door, but wasn't fast enough : Vixen leaped in front of him, preventing him from escaping. She clapped the door shut. "Is this how you welcome all of your guests ? Gosh, this is horrible."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You are not allowed anywhere around ! Get out at once !" The man replied with a strong italian accent./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took a step towards him. He walked back, until he felt his office chair behind his knees. She kicked him so he sat on it./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Oh, please, dear. Don't tell me you weren't expecting me." She said, sighing happily. "I thought you'd enhance the security of your miserable mansion after the blade's robbery, but it was so easy to trick your security system and your so-called guards... It's almost an insult to my person, you know ?"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You filthy little-!"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Wash this dirty mouth of yours, won't you ? A gentleman doesn't swear in front of a lady." She stretched her arm to him, poking his nose. "At least, not on emthis/em kind of situation... "/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"He slapped her hand with his arm. "What do you want, emVixen/em ?" he spat the last name, full of hatred./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took a step back. "I just wanna talk. Oh, and don't even think of running away. I haven't done the same mistake as my father. I'm not alone." she said, her pride coating her words. She had the man trapped in his own office, scared and surrounded by his fortune and glory. She was going to at least enjoy this moment./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You're here because of this brat, aren't you ?" Conti stuttered./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""What a smart man you are !" She cheered, clapping her hands./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""D-Don't even think of hurting me ! You'll regret it !"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Vixen doesn't regret anything..."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She jumped on his desk, scattering everything on it on the floor in a messy sound. The man was trembling, and she hadn't done anything... Yet. She smiled./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Vixen emmakes/em people regret things." She put a hand on the desk, leaping from it on the other side. Moving switfly towards the left bookcase, she grabbed the weapon, admiring the moonlight reflecting on the blade. "It's a beautiful object, isn't it ? Light, sharp, elegant but dangerous..." She slashed the air in front of her, turning back in front of Conti. Her hand on the pommel of the sword, he aimed his left cheek. He yelped at the icedd contact./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Seconds felt like hours for him, with the ice blade against his skin. Vixen stood still before him, looking at her prey behind her fox mask like a wild creature./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She was wondering if she should hurt him. To make him feel just the right amount of pain, before giving him to the police. To let him know what he did to her, even if it was just a little.../p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You weren't the one holding the gun, did you ? A fragile, scared little mouse like you couldn't even lift it. You surely were the one guarding the house, while your friend did the dirty task."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Please-"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Did you enjoy it, at least ? Taking the life of the world most famous thief ? It should have been a wonferful feeling..."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Conti let out a frightened cry when she drew the blade lower against his face, until it reached his neck./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You could have done a perfect crime, fifteen years ago. People would have remembered it for a long, long time... But you know, you forgot one thing."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Vixen tightened her grib around the pommel, forcing the blade into his neck just enough to cut him lightly. Fat tears ran on his face as a thin line of blood appeared on his neck, dirtying the collar of his shirt, already damp for sweat./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""... You forgot to kill one Fox."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""F-Fox- Fox is not a murderer, you wouldn't dare-"/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""I'm not my father, nor any of our ancestors, I can be whoever I like, and do whatever I want. You are not in the position to tell me what to do." She shook her head. "But I won't kill you."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She put her free hand on the edge of her scarf, lowering it so he could see her pink lips, curved into a large smile. "I will ruin you. I will burn your business to ashes, steal everything from you, and throw you on the dirtiest jail of this country. I'll make sure you'll spend the rest of your miserable life trapped between four walls, in a very dark place, so you could see all of your life being torn apart when I'll find and trap the rest of your scum friends."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Suddenly, police sirens could be heard in the distance. Putting back her scarf, she removed the blade. Conti didn't move, trembling, his small eyes locked on the figure in front of him, tears wetting his cheeks./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""Be happy you're the first one I found. I won't be as soft with the others." She eyed him from his feet to the tip of his head. "You seem way to weak to bear what I plan for them."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She took a step behind, bending over him with the blade in hand. "I'm glad I've met you Cobra. May the odds be in your favor-" She quickly stood straight, her free hand on her cheek. "Oh, silly me. With everything about you I gave to the police, the odds wouldn't support you anymore."/p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""What did you do-" Sirens clouded his words, as screams were heard in the mansion corridors./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY""You'll learn it soon enough." Vixen said, jumping on the edge of the window./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"She heard a loud slur when she escaped the mansion, before the door broke open under the policemen's shouts./p
p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="JUSTIFY"Conti didn't even struggle when they arrested him, his eyes locked on the fast figure running away on Rome's rooftops./p