Chapter 12: Fishing for Information*
The next morning, Edd found himself standing outside City Hall, adjusting his tie nervously. He wasn't entirely sure why he'd agreed to help Marie with this, other than the fact that he couldn't shake the image of her on the fire escape last night. The way she'd opened up to him, let him see her vulnerability, had stuck with him, and now he was here, wanting to offer more than just comfort.
Besides, there was something about the case itself that had gotten under his skin. Kevin's constant posturing, his strange connections with the sheriff, and the web of secrets they were all clearly trying to hide—it was all too compelling to ignore.
As Edd walked up the marble steps of City Hall, he spotted Marie leaning against the wall near the entrance, arms crossed, her face a mask of calm determination. The sunlight caught the blue streaks in her dark hair, and despite the intensity of her expression, she looked impossibly cool and collected.
"Morning," Edd said, his voice a little more tentative than he intended.
Marie glanced up, her guarded demeanor softening slightly when she saw him. "Hey, Double D. Didn't think you'd be here so early."
He offered her a small smile. "I figured I might be of some help. You said you wanted to question Rolf, right? Thought I'd tag along, offer him a reassuring presence."
Marie's lips twitched into something that resembled a smile. "Yeah, I can be intimidating. Rolf's been acting strange lately. I think he knows more than he's letting on, but he's loyal to Kevin. Cracking him won't be easy, but if anyone knows about the names and location in the planner, Rolf would be it."
Edd raised an eyebrow. "You think Kevin let Rolf in on the secret?"
Marie shrugged, glancing toward the entrance. "I'm not sure yet, but I have a feeling Rolf's involvement goes deeper than just being Kevin's assistant. I'm hoping to put some pressure on him, see if he slips up."
Before Edd could respond, the large glass doors of City Hall swung open, and Rolf appeared, walking briskly down the steps with a stack of papers in his arms. His normally animated face seemed pinched and distracted, and he barely noticed Marie until she stepped into his path.
"Rolf!" Marie called, her voice sharp.
The sudden halt made Rolf nearly drop his stack of papers. "Ah! Marie Kanker! Why do you approach Rolf with such stealth? It is not good for the heart!"
Marie didn't flinch, folding her arms. "We need to talk."
Rolf blinked, clearly flustered. "Rolf is busy! Very busy!"
"I know you're busy," Marie interrupted, her tone turning icy. "We just want to know why Kevin is having meeting all over town."
Rolf's eyes widened, and he took a nervous step back. "Rolf knows nothing!"
Edd stepped forward, trying to soften the intensity of Marie's approach. "Rolf, I don't think Marie is accusing you of anything, but we believe Kevin might be involved in something dangerous, and we think you might know more than you realize."
Rolf fidgeted with the papers in his hands, his gaze darting between Marie and Edd. "Rolf is merely a humble servant of Councilman Kevin. He knows nothing about meetings or business around town."
Marie's eyes narrowed. "As his assistant, you would know his schedule and help him keep track of time."
Rolf's face paled slightly, his composure slipping just a fraction. He hesitated for a beat too long before shaking his head. "Rolf knows not of these meetings. Kevin handles his own real estate dealings—Rolf merely serves!"
Marie took a step closer, her voice lowering. "Real estate? Kevin only owns the house he had built."
Rolf swallowed hard, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. "Rolf—Rolf is loyal to Kevin! He does not say anymore."
Edd watched as Rolf's hands trembled slightly, the stack of papers shaking in his grip. Marie was right—Rolf knew something. And he was scared.
"Rolf," Edd said gently, stepping beside Marie. "We're not trying to get you in trouble. But if Kevin is doing something illegal—if people are getting hurt because of it—you need to tell us. This is bigger than just a few shady real estate deals."
Rolf's eyes flickered with uncertainty. For a moment, it seemed like he might clam up entirely, but then he exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging in defeat.
"There are… properties," Rolf muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Properties that do not bear Kevin's name but are controlled by him through other means. Rolf does not know the details, but… there are many. Too many. Kevin uses companies—shells, like you say—different names, but all tied to him."
Marie's eyes gleamed with triumph. "Are these where he's having secret meetings, Rolf?"
Rolf hesitated again, glancing around nervously.
Edd's mind raced as he processed Rolf's words. The locations in the planner had been warehouses and abandoned buildings, perfect places to hide something as secretive and violent as an underground fight club. The pieces were starting to come together.
Rolf, clutching his papers to his chest like a shield, began to back away. "Rolf will say no more! He is a silent servant!"
With that, Rolf hurried off, disappearing down the steps of City Hall as fast as his legs would carry him.
Marie turned to Edd, a look of determination in her eyes. "That was more than I expected. If Kevin's using shell companies to buy up these properties, then there's a paper trail. We need to find it."
Edd nodded, his analytical mind already racing. "I can help with that. I've got experience tracking down hidden assets and business records from my university days. If Kevin's left any trace of these companies, we'll find it."
Marie gave him a grateful smile, her earlier frustration melting away slightly. "Thanks, Double D. I knew I could count on you."
He returned her smile, though his heart skipped a beat when her eyes lingered on him for just a second too long. "We'll need to dig into public records, financial disclosures, and any other documentation we can find. I'll start sifting through city archives and see what I can dig up."
Marie nodded, the fire in her eyes reigniting. "I'll see what I can get from the department—off the record, of course."
Together, they headed back toward the city archives, their next steps clear. Kevin's web of deceit was starting to unravel, and with each thread they pulled, they were getting closer to exposing whatever dark secrets he was hiding.
But as they walked through the bustling halls of City Hall, Marie couldn't shake the feeling that Kevin was already onto them—and that the closer they got, the more dangerous the game would become.
