Rating used to be T, I changed to Rated M to give myself more freedom writing.

Chapter 2

There was no Mrs. Montif in Asterisk City because Dawlkin came from abroad, so I had to call her.

I set the digital recorder on the table and dialed Mrs. Montif's number before hitting "record." I put the phone on speaker.

The tone dialed once then someone picked up. I asked, "Is this Mrs. Montif?"

It seemed like she was already informed about her son's death, "Is this about Dawlkin?"

"Yes, ma'am, it is," I said. "I'm Detective Talhik with the Grimalkin of Rewolf Academy. I'd just like to ask you questions about your son."

I knew the answer to that because Dawlkin was dating a student from Queenvale. Students from Queenvale are the most astute of all students and would never date someone with a skeleton in their closet.

That meant Dawlkin was charismatic, studious, and a role model student. I was right.

"Okay detective," Mrs. Montis said. "What would you like to know?"

"Just Ethan, please," I said. "Let's start with his character. What type of student was he?"

"He's such a hard worker," Mrs. Montif said. "That's why he was able to study at Asterisk City in the first place."

I disagreed. I knew the inner-workings of the academy system and while Asterisk city prided themselves to have academies equivalent to Ivy Leagues, they were just organizations who picked students that would earn them the most money. Especially Genestella who aim to hone their craft to enter the entertainment industry or a Festa Tournament.

"He always finished his homework and gave everything he had to complete his projects. His test scores were perfect and he was above average on the Asterisk entrance exams before getting a perfect score in the Rewolf entrance exam."

I wrote all that information down even while recording the conversation. I had to verify the facts with Dirk and the university registrar.

"Did Dawlkin have any relationships back at home?" I asked before looking at the profile. "In Laage?"

"No, no girlfriends before he moved to Asterisk. Why?"

"I want to see if there would be somebody determined enough to leave Germany and commit the murder." She seemed to understand. I asked, "How about after he went to Asterisk?"

"He told me he was seeing someone."

"When was this?"

"Maybe last year? During his second year at Rewolf."

"Did he say who?"

"It was a sweet girl from Queenvale, Penelope Tam. She was also in her second year."

"Did they ever say how they met?"

"I think it was one of those concerts for a Korean pop group. I don't remember the name of that group. Dawlkin went out with his friends and he met Penelope there."

I wrote that down.

"Any other girlfriends?"

"She's his first," Mrs. Montif said. "Is she involved?"

"I don't know the answer to that," I said.

I heard her sigh over the phone. "I understand.

"So there's no ex-girlfriend involved?"

"Not that I know of." I wrote that down and scribbled "have Sylvia investigate ex-boyfriend route" as an afterthought. Couldn't hurt to have Sylvia ask Penelope.

"I understand that Dawlkin's academics were excellent," I said, "but what about his social life? Did he hang out with anyone you didn't like? Did he do drugs or drink?"

There was silence on the other end. I didn't say a word and waited.

"No," Mrs. Montif finally said. It was difficult to tell if she was lying.

"You're sure?"

"I raised my son better than that. He would never do any of the things you described. He always stayed with the good students and never went out with the bad ones."

Are you sure? I thought to myself, but didn't ask. It wouldn't get me anywhere if the mother was this adamant. I made a note on the page. I stared at the page and my questions when I heard her ask, "Are we done here?"

"Another one. Has Dawlkin told you anything about what he's doing before he died? Maybe a school project or a club meeting?"

Soothed, the mother said, "No."

I let her explain. "He just tells me when he goes out with Penelope or when Asterisk sends the monthly stipend. He always asks me to tell his siblings good morning or good night and calls them every week. Sometimes even with Penelope. He tells me nothing about school. I know he'll do all his work anyway."

"Did he tell you he was meeting Penelope yesterday?"

"Actually, yes."

I frowned and tapped the page, "They were?"

"Yes. He didn't say where, but he said he was buying takeout. I assume it would be at his place or hers."

It made sense. I remembered seeing the spilled food by his side at the crime scene.

"You've been very helpful," I said. "Thank you."

"Can you tell me when you catch his killer?"

"I will," I promised, then hung up.

I looked at my phone and got up to get my work phone. I dialed the number Sylvia gave me and stopped the digital recorder.

She answered, "Hello?"

"It's Ethan Talhik. The Grimalkin detective."

"Hold on," Sylvia said and I heard a door shut and assumed she walked away from some meeting. A moment later, she came back, "Yes?"

"Did you know Penelope was going to see Dawlkin yesterday?"

"What do you mean?"

"She was worried he didn't answer the phone. I didn't catch the context. Was it because Dawlkin was late or because he wouldn't answer her questions?"

"I think it was both."

"Find out where and why they were supposed to meet. I want to know why she was so worried."

There was silence on her end. "You don't think she's involved, are you?"

"I'm covering all bases," I said. "I finished speaking to Dawlkin's mother. We can exchange notes when you're done questioning Penelope."

"I-" she paused then said, "Yeah. We can do that. Where do you propose we meet?"

"Meet me where we met yesterday. I know a nice place within walking distance." Before she asked her next question, I said, "I'll be there at one. That should be enough time for you to gather everything you need."

"Okay," she agreed, then I terminated the call.

It was probably paranoid to think someone was listening so they could infiltrate the meeting. Academy rivalry wasn't really a thing among the intelligence groups of the academies, but it didn't hurt to be careful.

Since one o'clock was four hours from now, I decided to speak to my boss, Dirk Eberwin.

The hall to his office was quiet and empty, which was always his intention when planning the original layout.

It was to give his visitors a feeling of dread and uneasiness, which was his way of showing control.

I knew of his reputation while he was the Rewolf President. He ran the administration like he was a mafia boss.

Of course, after he became the director of the Grimalkin, he changed his methodology, but the damage was done. People feared him and were always skeptical about his true methods no matter what he said or did. I was that way too when I was employed by the Grimalkin, until I had to work with the man himself on a surveillance assignment.

Even though Dirk was always protected by the Gold Cats of the Grimalkin, he proved himself to be fair, competent, and astute.

I'm not saying became a second Sylvia Lyyneheym, but he was not what the rumors made him out to be. So I'm not as terrified as other Rewolf students or Grimalkin personnel when meeting him.

I knocked on his door and I heard a soft buzz telling me I was allowed to enter. Opening the door, I said, "Hey Dirk."

"Ethan," Dirk replied. He was seated in the office chair behind his desk and didn't change his position. Only his eyes shifted to look at me as I entered. "What did you find?"

"Nothing yet," I said. He waited, knowing I wouldn't schedule a meeting if I didn't have anything to report. "I can give you what I found so far, but you don't care about that."

"No. I only care about the results. You know that."

I nodded, "Then you'll want to know Sylvia Lyyneheym is interested in the investigation and wants to assist me."

His eyes narrowed slightly. Finally, he asked, "Do you think she's involved in the murder?"

I hesitated, not sure how to answer. In several seconds, I went under the assumption that Sylvia is involved in the murders and tried to see if these murders would be a way to reach her end goal. Dirk patiently waited.

"Probably not. Right now, it seems that these are hate crimes and our killer is specifically going after Dante and Stregas. Sylvia is a Strega herself. I don't see why she would send a killer after her own kind. There's also no policy that she could push with these attacks, not that she has any power to-"

"Then let her help you," Dirk interrupted.

"You're certain?"

"She's stubborn as shit and a pain in the ass. You wouldn't meet another more bone-headed individual other than that Amagiri fellow," he said with distaste in his voice. "If you don't let her get involved, you'll spend more effort arguing and stopping her than solving your murder. I speak from experience."

I nodded. He continued, "If she is involved, just conclude your investigation as soon as possible and send it to me, if you aren't dead."

I didn't like the sound of that and I must have made a face because Dirk said, "Trust me. If Ophelia had trouble fighting her, if that Amagiri kid needed all his seals removed to fight Sylvia, you stand no chance. If she's involved and wants you dead, you're dead. The only thing I can do is get your body back and give it a proper burial."

He grunted and sat up in his seat, leaning on his desk, "Is there anything else?"

"I want all files on Dawlkin Montif," I said. "His mother says he's a star student. I need to verify that."

He stared at me then turned in his chair to pick up the phone on a landline. It was an old, but secure piece of technology. With a skillful hand, he dialed a number while holding the phone before putting the phone up his ear. "It's me. Fax me everything you have on Dawlkin Montif. Two copies."

He woke up the computer at his desk and entered some information. Two machines went to life: his printer and the fax machine.

He stapled two copies and handed both to me. One for me and I assumed the other was for Sylvia because Dirk didn't take it himself.

With that, he went back to his work, signaling that the meeting is over. I walked out of the office without another word.

I wasn't late, but Sylvia was early. This time, she was in disguise. Her hair was brown now and she wore clothes that fit the summer weather. She wore a form-fitting, white, short-sleeved shirt and blue denim jeans, but I recognized the pink hat she put on yesterday night.

Likely a signal to me. I already conducted anti-surveillance routes and found nobody following me. I decided to watch Sylvia.

Sylvia must have seen me standing at the intersection and watching her because she met my eyes before walking into a store. I checked for any suspicious people tailing her but found none.

My Grimalkin phone vibrated and I checked the phone, seeing a text from her Benetnasch phone. Go ahead, I'll catch up.

Which I suppose was my signal to go to the cafe. She'd watch my back.

The light turned green and I walked with the small crowd across the street and passed the store just as Sylvia came out with a bagged item. I ignored her and walked down the street, traveling the whole block to reach a crosswalk.

I waited for the light to turn green before crossing and reached the corner of the block to reach a place called Jane's Coffee.

I pulled the door open and walked inside. It was a small, but comfortable place that didn't stand out to passersby. You had to come here to know the place and the employee. The right of the cafe was what you'd expect: round tables with chairs or booths that lined the windows.

The left of the cafe was reserved for the open kitchen. The counter blocked the cafe off from the kitchen and guests could seat themselves at the counter if they wished to. Along the wall were kitchen appliances to brew coffee, heat up sandwiches, or store ingredients. A single employee in a green apron was busy with her phone until she saw me enter.

I seated myself at a booth at the back, sinking into the soft cushion seat and leaning back into the cushioned back. Sylvia entered the cafe just as the server reached my table to ask me if I wanted the usual. The employee noticed her. I said, "She's with me."

The server handed Sylvia a menu before leaving. Sylvia sat down next to me. "You're clean. No tails. Where do we start?"