The following day didn't bring light but dark clouds and a gloomy atmosphere. In Moriartys mansion, Alfie arrived before Vincent and bowed his head.
"Sire, your carriage is ready for your use." The butler helped his master in wearing the overcoat.
Vincent looked at the end of the hallways and questioned, "Did the governess arrive?"
"No, Sire. Ms. Barlow is yet to arrive. It seems the bridge near Timberport is under repair and she will have to travel the other way round," Alfie replied while following Vincent out of the mansion and to the carriage.
Vincent was already aware of the broken bridge's condition, which had taken place three days back. He stepped onto the carriage without uttering another word and left town.
The carriage reached Darthmore, where the headquarters of the Council was located. It was surrounded by thick and high walls, with only two entrances and exits through the passage of the gates guarded by men.
Noticing the expensive wood and polish on the carriage that belonged to the Moriarty family, the guards opened the gates and Vincent's carriage entered. The building wasn't to one's immediate reach and was instead covered around the forest, at the far centre, where the carriage finally halted.
The coachman pulled open the carriage door, and Vincent stepped out. Patton, the man who worked under him, quickly greeted him.
"Good morning, Mr. Moriarty," Patton offered a deep bow while Vincent noticed a few more carriages parked than usual.
"Is there a council meeting taking place to discuss Fowler's death?" He questioned, his coppery eyes moving across the place.
Patton nodded, "You have heard about it?"
"I am not deaf to not hear things, Patton," Vincent started to walk towards the large building. "Fowler is one of the men in the inner circle. It would be odd if there wasn't a meeting held."
Patton nodded before he said, "You are right about it. Though the woman was brave enough to kill him."
"They found the culprit? That's soon," replied Vincent, "That's quicker than one would get caught. Especially when you are killing a person like Fowler."
Vincent's long legs took long strides on the ground, while Patton tried to walk quicker because of his short legs. Patton said,
"I believe they are trying to figure out who hired the woman to kill Mr. Fowler. Who do you think is behind it?" He turned to look at Vincent with curiosity.
"You."
Patton's eyes widened, and he stammered, "M-me? But I d-did—"
A grin cracked on Vincent's lips and he asked, "Where is the meeting?"
"In the backroom of the ground floor," Patton released a sigh. Since he had started to work for Vincent Moriarty, he had gained more than ten grey strands of hair out of stress.
Vincent made his way through the clean white marble-floored corridors. On reaching the room, he stepped inside and took a spare seat. In the room were the other five members of the inner circle who sat in the front on one side, while the others sat on the other side of the room.
Mr. Morris, who was in the room, questioned, "If a man like Fowler's status can be assassinated so easily, how do we know that any of us are safe anymore? I demand an increase in punishment for these criminals."
"We aren't here to talk about people's safety, but on what caused Jones's murder," said a man who was part of the inner circle.
"Mr. Fowler's coachman said that Jones stepped out of the carriage and told him to wait. That he was going to meet someone. That he would be back. But as you know, the man never returned to the carriage," explained another person. "We have captured the person involved in it. A human."
"Did you get any answers from her?" Questioned another person from the inner circle, who had a thick moustache on his upper lip. "If we already have a lead, get all the information. It is obvious that it wasn't planned by a human. There should be more people involved in it."
"The human is being held in the dungeon of Raven's town."
"A woman?" A man huffed in the room. "What kind of a woman is able to pull such a stunt? Did you even capture the right person?"
Another person who had made sure to see the culprit be escorted to the dungeon stated, "We did, Sire. People saw the woman rip out Mr. Fowler's heart out of his chest. There was blood on her hands and clothes."
Vincent tilted his head and questioned, "Since when is a human able to rip another human's heart out, Mr. Keith?"
"It is possible. A similar case had been filed last year, where a human pulled out another human's heart," replied Mr. Keith.
"I think you are forgetting the word carved here. The man carved his neighbour's heart out with a knife. Not with bare hands," stated Vincent, and he offered a smile when Mr. Keith glared at him. It was because the other people didn't like when Vincent started with the 'know it all' on them.
"It is the words of the villagers and not mine," Mr. Keith replied to Vincent. He then turned to look at the inner circle members and said, "We already have a lead and we are trying to get an answer from the person. We will get it done by this evening."
"I hope you find the answer quickly," said another person from the inner circle. "It doesn't reflect well that a member of such a high position was killed. Also try to know what business Jones was upto, that he left his coachman. It was away from Raven's town."
A young boy sat at the same table as the other inner circle members. He looked annoyed with the discussion. His name was Clayton Turner. Though young in appearance, he wasn't a small boy, but seventy-three years old. He questioned,
"If the culprit was caught yesterday, what are you doing until this very moment? Find out from the human and others who saw him."
"If I may speak, Clayton," started Vincent, bringing everyone's eyes to him. He said, "It would be excellent if people who are present here in the meeting and people who are absent in the council meeting write to the Head of the inner circle on what they were doing since the last two days."
Noah, who was in the room, asked calmly, "Mr. Moriarty, do you believe that someone from here administered Mr. Fowler's murder?"
Vincent smiled at the Duke's question, "Not believe, but at least we can clear the names of the people from the suspicion list."
"You are trying to bring suspicions and doubts among us, Mr. Moriarty," stated Mr. Morris in a disgruntled voice.
"Don't be upset, Mr. Morris. This is a simple step, after all, we want to find the murderer of our very much beloved Mr. Fowler. He was a good man," the men in the room didn't comment on Vincent's words because Mr. Fowler, though human, wasn't someone people liked around here. "Unless you have an issue with it and are worried that your name might come up during the investigation."
Mr. Morris huffed before he said, "I have nothing to be scared of." Vincent gave him a grin.
"Excellent," said Vincent.
"I will expect everyone to send me the detailed report of what work and where you have been since the last two days in an hour. Submit them in my office right away," ordered Clayton before saying. "The meeting is now adjourned."
People in the room slowly started to disperse, and Noah came near where Vincent stood. Vincent offered a polite smile to Noah and said,
"I heard you didn't stay back for dinner? We do not offer poison to werewolves, if that was what you were worried about."
Noah stared at Vincent with his ever-calm expression, "My apologies for missing it. I was tired of entertaining the women at the ball. I needed to rest, Mr. Moriarty."
Vincent hummed, "True. You were quite popular at the ball."
"I didn't know you kept track of things, considering how you yourself were missing from the ballroom," Noah stared into Vincent's coppery brown eyes.
"Well, what can I say? I was the host, and it is necessary for me to see that every guest has been served well," Vincent responded with a knowing glint in his eyes. He then continued, "Though I am surprised that you noted my absence amid the crowd of women who tired you with their affection. Including my very dear sister. She's very smitten by you."
"She's a lovely lady," Noah complimented Marceline.
Vincent thoughtlessly played with one of his sharp fangs until it pricked and brought out a drop of blood.
"Marceline can be charming when it is needed," said Vincent, "In fact, she was waiting for you to send her some flowers. I have heard from my governess that you are a gentleman in such matters."
At the mention of Eve, Vincent noticed the slight change in the air around Noah. The Duke looked at him in seriousness and said,
"Genevieve is a kind woman. I hope she will be spared from the similar fate of your last governess. I won't sit quietly if something bad happens to her."
Vincent tilted his head to the side and replied, "What a friendly man. Maybe then you wouldn't mind having a cup of tea with my sister Marceline? You have upset her by not taking a bite of the mermaid's meat that she offered you."
Before Noah could say something, the vampire who looked like a small boy called, "Vincent."
Vincent and Noah stared at each other for a second more, before Noah offered a slight bow and left the room, while Vincent's gaze followed the Duke.
To not be able to eat mermaid's meat and refuse, "How fascinating." Vincent smiled before turning to walk to where Clayton was waiting for him.
