Chapter Thirty-One: Zero Progress

…

Link kept up hope that Layla was not working today, knowing that there would be only one other place he would have to find her. As much as Navi had wanted him to focus on the current task, she technically could not order him to skip lunch. It was a regulation that served the district stations well since foot patrol rarely granted conveniences to return to the station and use the kitchen.

About an hour later, after leaving White to wait further up Old Stable Road, he nearly hollered in victory when he saw no sign of Layla or Raynard in their usual spot. He returned to the carriage and immediately directed White to take him back to the southwest area of the district. As before, he left his jacket and sidearm in the carriage and told White to retrieve Navi. He also told her, once she picked Navi up, to circle the blocks until he came back out onto the street. Once she was out of sight, Link crossed the street to go into the delicatessen. He glanced at the tables at the front to see Layla looking up at him with a mildly surprised expression.

Then he marched to the counter and set a blue Rupee down. "Roast cuckoo on white with lettuce," he told the young man on the other side of the counter.

The young man was taken aback by Link's quick-worded demand. He carefully picked up the Rupee and jabbed a button on the cash register. "Will… that be all for you, sir?" he asked.

"Yeah," Link answered.

The young man gave a slow nod and rang up the register. "We'll have that out for you in a moment," he replied as he exchanged the blue Rupee for a pair of coins with a small green Rupee in the middle. "Your change, sir."

"Thank you," Link said as he accepted the coins. He pocketed the change, spun, and marched over to Layla's table. He pulled the chair back with an audible scrape against the rough tile floor and fell into it. His eyes locked onto Layla, and he sat before her as if he expected her to say something.

Layla stared at him a moment, unsure if the intensity Link was giving off was intentional or he was just that rushed. She looked down at the legal pad she had been writing on. As if realizing what she had been writing, she jolted and immediately swept the pad off the table with one hand. This brought about her frustration (and a tinge of embarrassment), and she asked Link, "What do you want?"

"There's been another organ theft."

Layla just blinked, her face shifting from annoyed to stunned. "Wha—wait, what?"

"The girl that was murdered a couple days ago," Link said. "Her organs were taken, just like the Merrill girl."

Layla glanced around the delicatessen, but the only person there was the man in the table behind her. "You're serious? Again?" she asked Link.

"Yeah," Link replied almost on top of her words. He waited for her to finish before speaking again, "Yes, again. Exact same circumstances."

"How?"

Link shook his head. "We don't know. It might be a coincidence, but we're gonna treat it like a connection. How's things on your end?"

Layla turned up the pencil she had been writing with and idly tapped the flat end on the table as she spoke. "Lance got in touch with the Guild members in the Autumn District; they're looking into that list of families you gave us. We also have our contacts in the local law offices keeping an eye open. Probably have something for you tomorrow."

"What about lookin' for organ thieves?"

Layla sighed and let her head hang for a moment. "That, I… can't really say," she admitted. "Lance put out word to the other Guild members, but no one's said anything yet. I know we'll have something for you to pounce on if we get word of it, but… if there is a market for it, it's quieter than the Guild."

Link leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Damn… Think you can find any connections between House Merrill and House Hremorson?"

Layla shrugged. "We can try. It's going to be tricky, but maybe we can find something when the folks in the Autumn District contact us. I can't guarantee anything."

"I'll take the smallest sliver you can find. We need to stop this as soon as possible."

"Do… you think this killer might strike again?" she asked.

"Doesn't seem like there's much we can do to stop 'em," Link pointed out. "He's killed two girls so far, both of them from seclusion in broad daylight. About the best we know is he uses a long gun; there's no way anything smaller could shoot the distance he covered killin' the Hremorson girl. We have no idea of any kind of motive other than maybe a grudge against the nobility. His signature is takin' the girls' organs, but we have no idea how he does it, never mind why. Just listenin' to the coroner, it's like the girls never had them to begin with, but that doesn't make any sense. Merrill, maybe her body could have been some kind of plant, but Hremorson was alive and with her friends when she was shot."

Layla waited for Link to fall silent before shaking her head. "Man, Link… I don't know what you're going to do. It sounds like you're going to have to let him get away."

"Yeah, but we can't. These girls were murdered for almost no reason, and there's no reason to think he won't do it again."

"Could these girls have been part of some… I don't know, some secret organization? And now they're being eliminated for some reason? Or maybe they witnessed something, and-and they had to be killed before they could tell anyone."

"They were killed doin' normal stuff. Merrill was going to a hair appointment. Hremorson was at school. If they'd seen something they shouldn't, I don't think they'd be back to their normal lives without tellin' anyone. As for the secret organization thing…" Link paused and scratched the back of his head. "I don't know, maybe. If it was girls like Merrill, she might've found her way into something like that. But Hremorson has some pretty close friends; I don't really see her bein' in a secret organization."

"Well, what about their school? You said Hremorson went to the Grand High Academy, right? What about Merrill?"

Link's face scrunched as he tried to think. In the middle of his contemplation, the young man from the counter delivered his sandwich. It went ignored for a while, and then Link replied as he picked a piece of fallen meat off the plate, "I don't know. I can't remember if her parents said whether she did or not. I assume she went to the Grand High Academy; how many other academies for nobles are there in this town?"

Layla held up a hand to indicate numbers as she replied, "Two others. There's the National Academy of Hyrule and the Seers' Academy of Hyrulia. Seers' Academy is in the Castlefoot District, so it's a troublesome commute from here in the East District. The National Academy is kind of a quiet affair outside the city limits on the road toward Eldin Province. It isn't far past Zora River." She crossed her arms. "I'm surprised you didn't know about those other two academies. You usually seem like you know everything."

"I probably heard the names before," Link replied as he wiped off the bite of sandwich he had taken while she had been talking. "But it's hard to hear anything else; it seems like the Grand High Academy gets most of the attention."

Layla nodded. "That's not a surprise; their attendance has been pretty high. Grand High used to have an open-door policy when it came to student records, so I've heard some of our older members talk about how easy it was to dig into the nobles' personal lives. That drove some families to the National Academy or Seers'. Since that new headmaster took over, though, things have kind of fallen back into place for them. And their security on their records is so strong, you'd think they hid gold in that office."

"We've seen their security. Even had a chat with Duke Insallar."

Layla raised an eyebrow. "Really? You and the headmaster? What could the two of you been talking about?"

"An author we hate." When Layla just blinked at him, he shrugged and added, "Edgat Robins."

"Really? I thought the nobles swore by him."

"Just the nobles that don't realize that King and Priest is a bunch of contradictory, self-serving horse crap." Someone nearby snorted, and Layla glanced over her shoulder at the man sitting in the chair behind her. Link gave her a smart grin when she turned back around. "No, I'm sure he's not listening in on us."

"Never mind him. It sounds like you should ask what school she went to. If she went to Grand High, there might be something going on there that you haven't caught yet."

"Maybe, but it doesn't explain why Merrill was shot on the streets and Hremorson was shot at the school. I would think that if it was something going on at Grand High, they wouldn't chance drawing attention to themselves by shooting a student on the campus."

"Now aren't you the one always telling me that criminals aren't very smart?" Layla asked with a smug look.

"We're talking about someone who is capable of killing without being seen, taking organs without leaving a trace, and giving absolutely no hint about their targets. It'd look pretty stupid to slip up after being so careful." He paused to take a bite of his sandwich. "If it turns out she went to a different school, would the Guild have any contacts with them?"

"No," Layla immediately replied. "The schools are one place that we intentionally leave alone. To be honest, it's way too easy to slip someone in, unless you're talking about Grand High. The thing is, though, one of the other groups got someone in as a teacher something like a few decades ago. But there wasn't any point. There's nothing of interest to the Guild. Student records are useless, and, really, stealing from the students themselves is kind of pointless since they don't carry much on them. If we have anyone in any of the schools, that's because they just happen to be faculty there."

"But you're willin' to go with this notion that something might be happenin' at Grand High," Link pointed out before taking a bite.

"Grand High teaches the worst of the worst; I'm sure they have a few cliques that act like they rule the school. But ever since Insallar took over as headmaster, we quickly found out we couldn't fake credentials to slip someone in even as a janitor. And there's so little for us to want at the academy, it's hardly worth it getting caught by Insallar and having the Guild exposed."

Link had been nodding through her last statement. "Okay, that makes sense," he said. He looked down to see that he was down to his last bite of sandwich. "I'll ask Lord Merrill about his daughter's school."

Layla nodded. "I'll let Lance know what you told me."

Link leaned aside and said to the man sitting behind her, "Y'know, just in case you weren't listenin', Lance."

Lance jerked and looked over his shoulder at Link while Layla, wide-eyed, turned to Lance. Link, with a smirk on his face, stood up and popped the last bite of his sandwich in his mouth. Without a further word, he turned and left.

Layla waited a few minutes in case Link decided to return. Then she asked Lance, "How did he know?"

Lance chuckled and rested his arm on the back of Layla's chair. "That kid is dangerous," he said. "And I think he knows it."

"He'd have to be," Layla said. "Did you hear all that stuff he was talking about?"

"He sounds like he's waltzing into a conspiracy," Lance said. "And I'm not sure he's wrong." He craned his neck around, trying to get a look at Layla's face since she had turned to look at the door again. "I'm beginning to wonder if we need to cut contact with him."

Layla turned back to him and spoke in an incredulous voice. "Are you serious? With all this going on? He needs us!"

Lance let out a chuckle and stroked his stubble-ridden chin. "You do care, don't you?"

Layla planted a hand on his temple and shoved him away. "Shut up…"

…

Link had to wait for White to return nearly an hour later. Navi was not happy that he had left behind part of his uniform, but her mood lightened as Link recounted his conversation with Layla. It led her to realize that she had not thought to ask Lord Merrill what academy Yoanna attended, that there had only been some mention of her attending an academy. She was disappointed that the Guild did not have any members in the academies, but she also appreciated that they did not (or at least would not admit it to Link) since further investigation would eventually force the Watch to admit they knew that there were informants in the schools. She agreed with Layla's comments about not trying to sneak an informant into the Grand High Academy of Hyrule; Duke Insallar, for all his affable demeanor, also came across as the kind of man to viciously dismantle an organization like the Guild should he uncover their activity in his school.

Navi ordered White to take them to House Merrill. Since the Adages was on the edge of the district, it only took about twenty minutes to arrive at the estate. Upon seeing the black banners draped over the support columns outside, Link and Navi had to remind themselves that Yoanna's murder was still quite fresh, just under two weeks prior. Navi was hesitant to knock on the door.

So she jumped in surprise when the door opened with her hand only seconds from contact. She and Link immediately stepped back as Marcus Merrill, dressed in a black waistcoat and slacks with a matching cloak draped on his shoulders, looked at them in confusion. "Detective?" he asked.

"S-sorry for disturbing you, My Lord," Navi said, her hair struggling to change back from its gray color.

Merrill sighed and shook his head. "No disturbance at all, Detective," he said as he set foot outside and pulled the door closed behind him. "I appreciate that you've come to this house once again."

Navi relaxed, allowing her hair to change back to almost black. "I… wish it was under better circumstances, My Lord."

"Oh?"

Navi looked him up and down. "You appear to be going out, My Lord," she said. "Maybe we should talk another time."

Lord Merrill shook his head. "I am in no rush. We can speak here, Detective. You appear to have news about my daughter's case?"

Navi took in a deep breath. "Unfortunately, the case has turned cold. We have not been able to find any suspects."

Merrill sighed and bowed his head for a moment. "Unfortunate, indeed." He raised his head. "In that case, why are you here?"

"There has been another shooting, My Lord. A student was killed at the Grand High Academy two days ago. Her shooting… seems to have some elements in common with your daughter's death."

Merrill's face turned visibly stunned at the news. "Oh, my… Are you certain? Do you think the shooter also shot my Yoanna?"

Navi nodded and said, "The possibility exists, My Lord."

He glanced between Navi and Link. "But you still have no suspects," he reasoned.

"No, My Lord. But we had a few follow-up questions."

Lord Merrill looked over his shoulder quickly. "Do you need my wife as well?" he asked.

"Maybe, My Lord. Are you familiar with the name 'Kyle Hremorson'?"

Merrill frowned and placed a thumb on his bearded chin as he thought. "No, I do not believe I am."

Navi nodded. "Understandable, My Lord; he did not recognize your name, either. But he… appears to appreciate the quality of your company's work gloves."

Merrill blinked at her. "I… I am taken aback, Detective."

"Lord Hremorson is a carpenter by trade, but he is also the head of a knight's House. His daughter Fiametta was the one killed at the Grand High Academy."

"Oh, I see."

"I wanted to ask what school Yoanna attended."

"Her school? She attended the National Academy of Hyrule."

Behind Navi, Link put on a troubled look. She continued by asking, "So, she doesn't know anyone at the Grand High Academy of Hyrule?"

Merrill shook his head. "I'm afraid the only one who could have answered that would have been Yoanna. I played a considerable part in protecting her from Grand High Academy; too many of these rotten nobles have come out of there, and I wouldn't have my daughter exposed to them." He glanced between them again. "If there was a connection between the two, it would have been between their friends. I suspect that Yoanna has never met any current students from the Grand High Academy."

Navi nodded. "I see. Thank you, My Lord."

"Was that all, Detective?"

"Well… there is one other matter. We are concerned that the perpetrator of both murders may be attempting to destroy certain Houses. While it seems to be indirect, their goal appears to be to target the children in order to force the target Houses to dissolve without inheritors. It may sound paranoid, but… you may want to consider taking actions to protect your son."

"I cannot fathom the reason why my House would be in such danger."

"It isn't definitive, My Lord. But Hremorson only had the one daughter, and the Lady Hremorson is barren. Their House will likely collapse upon their passing."

"My word…" Merrill said as he put a hand over his heart. "Perhaps… some precaution should be taken. I shall pass my condolences to House Hremorson. I shall also take your advice, for I am now in fear for my son's safety." He heaved a sigh. "I hope you will inform us when you have caught the perpetrator, Detective."

"It would be my honor to deliver the news, My Lord."

He made a move to re-enter the house. Then he stepped forward as if to continue to leave. He gave a weak laugh and said to Navi, "You know, with this news, I seem to have forgotten why I was stepping out."

"Apologies, My Lord."

"No. No, in light of this new situation, it would be foolish to continue about my business. If I have forgotten my task, I do not believe it was of any particular importance. If that is all, Detective, I must make preparations."

Navi gave a curt nod. "Of course, My Lord." Marcus Merrill nodded in return, turned, and went back into his house.

Link sighed. "Well, so much for that connection…" he commented.

"I know," Navi said with her own sigh. "I was hoping Layla had the right idea; we need a break."

"So, what do we do now?"

Navi rubbed her eyes. "Well, with all this going on, I'd say the killer probably saved us some trouble having us question Hremorson's friends and their teachers. We should at least contact Hremorson's teachers and find out if they've noticed anything suspicious."

Link glanced up toward the sun. "Yeaaah, that's about all we can ask now."

They turned and walked back to their carriage. "Constable White, we need to go to the Grand High Academy in the Autumn District," Navi said.

"Yes, ma'am," came White's response as she stashed a bag of crisps in her seat.

…

They arrived at the academy nearly two hours later, having been caught up in early afternoon traffic cutting through the chaos of the East District. Using Fiametta's schedule, they interviewed her teachers in the main building before going to one of the outlying buildings and then visiting the sports field off-campus. Their questions, true to Link's expectations, consisted mainly of asking if anyone had been seen following Fiametta, if they knew of any students harboring ill will toward Fiametta specifically, if anyone approached them asking questions about Fiametta, and if Fiametta had approached them about any trouble. Even more predictably, their responses were almost the same. No one had noticed Fiametta being followed nor had there been any suspicious figures on campus. The question of students having issues with her inevitably sidetracked conversations toward some of the wild things Fiametta and her friends had done, both positive to the school and the confrontations with other students, although nothing in this stood out to either officer. None of the teachers recalled anyone, either a student or a stranger, asking questions about Fiametta; one teacher constantly asserted that she did not want to know personal details about her students (in between praising Navi for her posture and snipping at Link because, somehow, she could hear him slouching despite Link not even making a sound; all from Fiametta's etiquettes teacher, naturally). Finally, while her sciences teacher had appeared to be a close confidant to Fiametta (having heard about Fiametta's antics from the girl herself), he and the other teachers reported that Fiametta had not approached them about any concerns other than what any other teenage girl at the academy might approach them with.

The interviews went on into the middle of the evening. Their day's task completed, Navi ordered White to take them back to headquarters. There, they trudged into the office just as Winterbean was relieving Wheatland. Both supervisors watched the pair enter.

When Navi plopped down into her chair while Link leaned his back against the nearby wall, Wheatland decided to speak up, "Long day, Detective Sergeant?"

"Like you would not believe, sir…" Navi replied, leaning back in her chair and her eyes unfocusedly staring at the ceiling.

"What did Justine need?"

Navi sighed. "Fiametta Hremorson's organs are gone."

Both supervisors, as well as the only other officer in the room, Dover, drew themselves up in surprise at the casual manner in which she had just informed them of the news. "Are-are you serious?" Winterbean asked.

"Yes, sir. Her organs are missing, just like Yoanna Merrill."

Wheatland turned to Winterbean. "Inform Watch Security," he ordered. "Have the coroner's office investigated; we may have someone stealing from them." Then he turned back to Link and Navi. "Unless you think otherwise."

"I don't know what to think, sir," Navi admitted. "We're running with the idea that the two cases are related, but we don't have any connections between the two girls. They didn't even go to the same school."

Wheatland nodded to Winterbean. "Inform Watch Security," he repeated.

"Yes, sir," Winterbean replied. He rounded the supervisor's desk and left the room.

Wheatland stepped over to Navi's desk. "We'll have the coroner's office looked at," he said. "It may be just a coincidence."

"And then we'd be back to having no motive," Link commented. "Unless Layla can come up with something, this one's going cold, too."

"I did try to tell you, Constable," Wheatland said as he crossed his arms. "By the way, someone from Reviews showed up this afternoon. Did you know you forgot to take your detectives' exam?"

Link groaned and let himself slide down the wall a bit. "Crap, that was back when we responded to that construction accident…"

Wheatland nodded and said, "Sounds about right."

"I knew I was forgetting something."

"Well, fortunately, being in Homicide has a few advantages. They don't like uniformed officers being assigned to detective divisions like ours, so they gave you a make-up exam for tomorrow morning, about nine o'clock."

"Appreciate it, sir."

"So, what's your next move on the Hremorson case?" Wheatland asked Navi.

Navi heaved a sigh and sat straight in her chair to look at him. "Well, it looks like we'll have to wait for Link's girlfriend to get back to us," she said. "Hopefully, it'll be sometime tomorrow."

"What about interviewing her friends and teachers?" Wheatland asked.

"We took care of that, sir, but none of her teachers noticed anything suspicious. We can go to her other friends tomorrow, but I cannot say I have much hope at this point."

"Maybe, but you still have a job to do."

Navi nodded and reached to one side to open a desk drawer. "Yes, sir."