Magic As We Make It (Book 1 COMPLETE)

Chapter 11

It was late by the time MacIntyre walked through the department doors. Officers scurried around like ants on an apple. He brushed past them to reach his friend waiting for him by the main desk.

"Flirting again?" MacIntyre said. He was trying to be playful, cheer himself up, but Alan looked at him with a pale face.

"At a time like this?"

"I, uh..." He wasn't sure what to say. That Alan wasn't in his usually happy-go-lucky mood chilled him.

"Let's go. We've been waiting for you." Alan said goodbye to the desk attendant he'd been chatting with and led the way to the captain's office.

"Is, uh, Amelia's fiancé here?" MacIntyre asked.

"Of course."

MacIntyre fidgeted with his clothes and combed through his hair with his fingers. He was restless and Alan laughed at him.

"What're you doing?"

"Nothing."

"Don't bother unless you're going all out."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see." Alan knocked on the office door and the captain called them in. That was when MacIntyre realised what his friend had meant.

Sitting opposite the captain was a man with reddish brown wavy hair that seemed to rest perfectly across his face, as if placed there by a god. He had creamy skin, eyes like honey, and dark red lips like cherries. He wore a dark blue suit jacket held together with a single, gleaming golden button. He had a silver tie with a golden tie pin, a black collared shirt with gold collar pins and a chain running between them. The entirety of his lapel was covered in golden floral embroidery as well as a half dozen shimmering golden brooches. A pearlescent handkerchief stuck out from his breast pocket as if waving hello. "Evening, gentlemen. My name is Judas Phillim," he stuck his hand out for a handshake, revealing a dark red suit lining up his cuff, "and on behalf of the Kalestas Household, as Amelia's soon-to-be husband, I humbly thank you for your efforts in locating my beloved."

MacIntyre was stunned. He shook the man's hand and, at the captain's behest, took a seat.

"Mr. Phillim is here to advocate on the Kalestas Household's behalf," the captain said. "He's helpin' fund the search."

"That is correct. Amelia's parents are prominent members of Empire society, and so are unable to make the journey here on such short notice. Especially in times like these, what with the war looming and all. With myself being a businessman, I have the unique ability to travel wherever I want, whenever I want, so I've come to show my support."

"I thank you again for comin', Mr. Phillim. It's an honor. We won't leave a single stone unturned."

Judas turned to MacIntyre, a sly sparkle in his eye. "May I ask you something that's been bothering me since I got here?"

"Go ahead," MacIntyre replied.

"You were assigned to Amelia's school as the liaison officer, correct?"

"That's right."

"And then on the first day, you were especially assigned as her bodyguard?"

"Yes."

"So where were you the night she was taken?"

MacIntyre looked away and grimaced. He felt like he was being accused of a crime. "I was on leave. Alan was supposed to—"

"Oh, no, that won't do. Passing off your responsibility to someone else and then blaming them when something goes wrong? What kind of policeman are you, Cst. MacIntyre?"