Devoured- Chapter III: Bane and Grift

3


Berlin. After three days, Sir Markus Strauss arrived at the Council’s main office, which is popularly known as “The Block”. Large brick walls, they called “Blockade”, surrounds the main structure that is situated at the middle of the square lot. The main office building’s architecture was archaic-gothic, which made the structure looked like a huge courthouse.

Strauss then went straight to “The Block”, as he walked on the brick-pressed walkway. His mind was full of worries. Thinking, that for three days, another event must have happened. And he is unaware of it.

As he entered the building, a man approached him. A man wearing the usual black suit, sporting a mustache, and on his left hand a cane. He smiled at Sir Strauss as he seen him entering the premises.

“It is such a surprise seeing you here in Berlin, Markus!” the man spoke in a glad tone. “It had been a long time.” He added as he walked towards Strauss.

“Could it be you? Alfonse Freil?”

“So it seems.” Freil said, as he laughed. He coughed up, held his fingers up his mustache, twisting it as he spoke; “I’ve just been promoted as Deputy Chief, Criminal Investigative Division.” He gave off a smile, and asked, “Anyway, what seems to trouble Aüzwerth this time of year?”

“Murder.” Strauss uttered.

Freil anxiously looked at Strauss and said, “Murder?”

“It was not an ordinary murder.” Strauss added.

Freil was surprised. Aüzwerth was then a perfectly peaceful town, as he could recall. He had lived there most of his life before working as an officer. He reached for his inner pocket, brought out his silver watch-locket and exclaimed, “…its just about time.”



Freil led Strauss to the CID’s office inside the huge, complex building of “The Block”. As they entered the room, a male officer welcomed them. He was in his late twenties, a tall, well built, and fairly handsome man, yet strikingly odd, and mysterious.

“I figured you might be here already.” Freil then said.

The man just nodded and said nothing. He turned his back on the two and started walking towards the table, sat down on the neatly cushioned chair, and sipped on his nicely brewed coffee. Freil and Strauss joined him at the table. The man just stared bluntly at the two.

“Nonchalant as usual.” Freil said as he broke the silence. “I wish you could be more enthusiastic.” He added.

The man just brushed off his shoulders, grinned and said, “What’s new?”

Freil sighed. He then looked at Strauss and introduced him, “This is Baron Heinrich Leizt’s right-hand man, Sir Markus Strauss. A good friend of mine.” Freil gave a big cough, and said, “Markus, meet Detective Inspector Armand Bane.” He added.

Strauss extended his hand courteously, yet Bane just nodded as he stated, “Well, I suggest that we skip to the details, unless of course, if we haven’t got a case.” 


                                                    ~o~o~oOo~o~o~


The afternoon went on as the three talked about the mysterious murders in Aüzwerth. Strauss had stressed the bizarre findings. No blood spilled, no flesh wound on the victims’ bodies, no murder weapon of any sort, and no signs of resistance. The bodies were all dried up. Consumed. Yet they had just died for two to three days. Strauss then stated, “It was beyond our comprehension.”

Hearing such remarks, Bane oddly smiled and exclaimed excitingly, clasping his hands together, “Quite interesting, I might say.” He carefully looked at the two, “Well then Sir Strauss, when shall we leave?”

“I’ve never seen you too eager before, Armand.” Freil remarked as he finished his coffee, and stood up, “Very well, I’ll put you in charge of this case.”

“Great! Then detective—“ Strauss as he stood up, “We’ll leave as soon as you got yourself ready.”

Bane then stood up, and quickly paced towards the door, when Freil stated in a loud and clear voice, “Bring Sasha with you. She might learn a thing or two.”

Bane gave a sigh and frowned, as he walked out the door. He thought it was too much. In the end, bringing a rookie detective could bring him more trouble. She might get in his way. Nevertheless, he couldn’t do anything about it.



Three hours passed. Detective Bane was all packed up and ready. Sir Strauss was well rested and prepared for the journey. The only thing that kept them from leaving was rookie detective Sasha Grift. Bane slowly grew impatient. He paced back and forth, trying to calm himself. After a while, Bane stopped, as he heard footsteps, as if it was in such a hurry.

“I am truly sorry. Have you waited too long?” The woman panted, as she tried to catch her breath.

“You’re just in time.” Bane stated sarcastically. “A little more and I could have hatched an egg.” He added.

Strauss examined rookie detective Sasha Grift. She was a vibrant woman in her early twenties, blue-eyed, auburn-haired, slim figured, and attractive, though she was a bit uncouth and naïve.

“It was all so sudden. I apologize for the trouble.” Sasha explained.

Bane just nodded and turned his back on Sasha. He paced towards the carriage where Strauss had patiently waited. Sasha sighed as she displayed a sad face. Without turning around, Bane momentarily stopped and exclaimed, “Don’t be too gloomy. Be quick. We got no time to spare.” gently waving his right hand, then continued to pace towards the carriage.

After hearing such remark, Sasha was enlivened. She quickened her pace exclaiming, “Aye!” as she headed towards the carriage.

“So? Shall we leave for Aüzwerth?” Strauss asked as he wore his short round-hat, and added, “We have to hurry. For things might worsen as we speak.”

Bane said nothing. As he usually does, he just nodded. The carriage started to leave. Sasha sat silently beside Bane, who was smiling, calmly clasping his hands.

“Pray lest we make it on time. Or everything would be in vain.” Strauss stressed.

Bane grinned, looked outside the window of the carriage, as he stared at the sky, which slowly engulfed by darkness. “There will be a good moon tonight.”