The Guardian
Chapter 6
After their differences were resolved and the uneasiness between the two had disappeared, the pair continued their walk around the Yuy estate, engaging in conversation for most of the time. Spring had brought on a vast array of greenery to the landscape surrounding the Yuy estate. With lush leas full of yellow and purple wildflowers and amidst the blades of grass, towering trees whose tops reached out to the warm sun and whose roots were as old as the land. The rose gardens were in full bloom with vibrant colors spanning the entire rainbow, their rich green stems holding them proudly as a delightful aroma escaped from their blossoms. Relena was satisfied with her status with Heero, they had regained the friendship they held years ago, but now it took on a more mature and adult form.
When the pair returned back to the estate, Mr. Yuy was sitting quietly in the library with his nose stuck in a book. As the two came in, Mr. Yuy lifted his face from the book, placed a bookmark in his spot, and placed it neatly on the table beside him. "How was your walk?" Mr. Yuy addressed them as they came in to join his company.
"Pleasant to say the least," Relena chimed. "This time of year is so beautiful and you have such a nice display of nature here on your estate."
"Why thank you my dear, Mrs. Yuy always liked the gardens, they were her favorite spot to visit. Oh and Relena dear, a letter arrived for you shortly after you and Heero left for your walk," Mr. Yuy said as he handed Relena a piece of paper which was neatly folded in two and sealed.
Relena's eyes lit up with excitement as she held the letter between her fingers. Relena sat down on the love seat and carefully broke the seal. "I wonder who this could be from?"
Heero took the seat beside her and awaited patiently for her to read the letter. "It is from Mrs. Hilde Maxwell," Relena stated before continuing.
Miss Dorilan,
Mr. Maxwell and I cordially invite you and Mr. Heero Yuy
to have dinner with us tomorrow evening. The Bartons will
be joining our company as well. My husband insists that you
two must catch up on events past and I myself would like your
company. We would be greatly disappointed if you should not
attend. Good day.
Mrs. Hilde Maxwell
"Oh how exciting! I am eager to converse with my new and old acquaintances. Do you know the Maxwell's Heero?"
"I have yet to be introduced to them," Heero responded, lying right on the spot. Mr. Maxwell and himself have known each other for quite some time. Along with Mr. Barton, Heero and Mr. Maxwell worked for Scotland Yard as some of England's top detectives. The men all had been leading double lives; Mr. Barton was in business with Mr. Maxwell and Heero looked after the Yuy fortune made in the shipping industry. The women knew nothing of their secret lives and it was to be kept that way unless deemed necessary. The three had been assigned to a case involving a series of murders of well to do bachelors. Each were killed by means of arsenic poisoning, their money vanishing without a trace. The killer, nicknamed 'The Black Widow,' has been elusive so far in every aspect possible, leaving them with little, if nothing, to work with. With no leads as of yet, the three were left at a standstill.
The leader of the whole outfit, the chief of Scotland Yard, was a distinguished military man, known for his superb tactical skills and his outstanding leadership abilities. Milliardo Peacecraft, son of a renowned aristocratic family, headed the group of elite detectives and was held in the highest respect. When his parents passed away in a tragic accident, he was sent to boarding school where he grew up under the strictest discipline. The restricting environment was no place for Milliardo and when he graduated, he enrolled in the military academy. The stern upbringing proved its worth in the military and he excelled in all aspects. With a strong backing, Mr. Peacecraft made for a prime candidate for the roll of chief in Scotland Yard and had no problems obtaining the position. However, even with such a successful life under his belt, one thing still bothered him, something going back as far as to the time of his parent's death. He was only about seven at the time but he still remembers his little sister, a mere babe. He never knew what happened to her because they were separated after their parent's accident. She was adopted soon after and he has not seen her since. Her adoptive parents resided in the same area for most of their lives so he has come to the conclusion that she still might be in town, at least he hopes. The one thing that would help him at this point would be the name of her adoptive parents, but without that, he was left at a crossroads.
"How curious of them to invite you Heero if you have never met! But I assure you that they are most agreeable indeed."
"Mr. Maxwell is a merchant whom I do business with on occasion. He is a fine gentleman and businessman," Mr. Yuy added.
"Oh, I must respond immediately to their invitation!" Relena exclaimed, waving to Frederick to fetch her some writing materials.
Relena's response was steadfast and without hesitation, she was looking forward to being in the company of her beloved friend Mr. Maxwell and his wife Hilde, Mr. Maxwell and Relena had much to catch up on. Mrs. Barton was held with the same high esteem as Mrs. Maxwell, Mr. Barton on the other hand, she did not know enough to form a substantial opinion. Mr. Maxwell, Duo as Relena liked to call him, is one of the few elements of Relena's past that was joyful and quite memorable. In the days of their childhood, great memories were formed of them playing freely and without a single care in the world, as which a child's life should be.
Her relationship with Heero as a child varied considerably compared to the vivacious one spent with a gregarious Duo Maxwell. Heero had always been reserved as a child, certainly attributed to his maturing in a more proper manner. He was a child in physical form, but he always maintained an aura as of his father, whom he admired greatly. Relena enjoyed Heero's company because he tended to nourish her quiet demeanor, which was not evident in the presence of Duo. They played games of cards, chess and even fancied reading, all this having to do in the manner of their upbringing. Both the Yuys and the Dorilans felt it necessary for their children to live their life as a child while incorporating the finer skills so as to become more accomplished adults.
Life took unexpected turns for Relena, leaving her with fragmented relationships and the loss of the one most important to her. // "My dearest daughter. Life will always bring unexpected turns whether it be death or misfortune and one must take them in stride. Don't let those snares entangled your life, they are merely stepping stones along the mortal path." // Despite the grief brought on by the death of her parents, Relena remembered those words and acknowledged them in the highest regard. Many have thought her behavior to be odd and misplaced during a time of grieving, but she would never hold her mother's words in contempt. She had to keep living her life as her mother wished, for death, according to her words, was merely a snare. Yes, she will miss them terribly, but grief will not consume her for the rest of her existence, life was too precious for that. With friendships renewed and new acquaintances formed, Relena could move down along the stony path in steady strides.
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Relena awaited the next evening with eagerness and the time that passed between seemed to be moving at a snail's pace. Relena had retreated to her room at day's end content with the quality of that afternoon. After Miss Jackson aided Relena in her divestment, Relena drew herself a hot bath, a rather pleasant way of ending the day she thought. Her body sank into the steamy embodiment of water and Relena could feel her muscles relax the minute her limbs were submerged. When her skin was on the verge of pruning, Relena drained the water and dried off, finishing by putting her nightgown on. She sauntered over to her window and gently pushed open the large glass doors and stepped out on to the verandah. The cool spring air brushed against her face, bringing with it the scent of blossoms, a smell she was quite found of. With a bright moon high in the sky, the estate's landscape glowed with an almost heavenly light. The stars were reigning amongst the midnight sky in all their celestial glory, aiding the moon in the splendor of the night. Every night she would look up at the sky, and every time, she was left in awe. Relena took one last look before going back inside. Once again, she spotted Heero lurking in the shadows of the gardens, moving with stealth through the night. 'There are some things about you Heero that I will never understand,' Relena told herself as she closed the doors behind her.
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Heero moved across the dark landscape on the estate grounds in the direction of the woods behind the main house. There, about almost a mile in to the forest, lay a hunting cabin used by the Yuy's during hunting season. It has been vacant for quite some time due to the lack of interest on the part of Mister Yuy in hunting. Heero knew it would be an ideal place for him and his cooperatives to meet since the only people who knew about it were his family and his partners. He lit his lantern after he was out of view and hurried off in to the woods towards the place of meeting. Mr. Barton and Mr. Maxwell had just arrived together and were awaiting the arrival of their comrade. They then watched as a pale glow emanating from the woods drew near. They raised their lanterns and were soon met with the face of the last third of the trio. Now that they were together, the meeting could begin.
The three entered the spacious cabin and gathered at the small table located near the old brick fireplace in the sitting area. The dim light from their torches casting a soft glow on their faces, each waiting to hear what each other had to say. Before proceeding, Heero took a quick glance around the room to make sure the coast was clear, and when all was well, spoke in a hushed voice, "Have you any new information?"
"So far, Trowa and I have been putting together a list of the acquaintances of all the victims to see if there is any common connections between them. We have not completed all of the work as of yet," Duo answered in an equally soft voice.
"Excellent, the sooner we get that task completed, the sooner we put an end to this madness. Well, I think we have come to the conclusion that our suspect is most likely to be female due to the nature of the cases. I will compile a list of all possible suspects while you two complete your task. The lists should help us narrow down who the possible culprit might be along with protecting any potential victims. This should all make our jobs a little simpler."
"A list of all possible future victims should be included," Trowa added.
"Well noted. Duo, you will compile the list of the acquaintances of all the victims, Trowa, you will make a list of possible victims, and I will make a list of all possible suspects in the area. Is there anything else to add to that?"
"I have something," Duo spoke. "Mr. Peacecraft has asked us for a little assistance in the search for his sister."
"He has spoken to me about that already," Heero answered his associate and friend.
"From what he has told me, she was adopted by a family from this area," Mr. Barton added.
"I figure if we could find the records of all children adopted around the time of his parent's death and their adopters, we could find his missing sister with relative ease," Duo said confidently as he put his arms behind his head.
"That is what he is counting on us to do. He has very little time to do this on his own but he will provide us with whatever assistance he can. And with that said and done, we will convene two nights from now hopefully with more pieces to this puzzle," Heero declared.
With those final words said, the three men went their separate ways in to the night.
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