A MAZE OF GREED

Knocking on the door, Ripon heard the permission to enter from the other side of the door. He opened the door to see Barret Addington sipping his evening tea with his golden glasses with a gold chain resting on his nose.

"Aah, Ripon. Come in. Have some tea with me."

He took another cup from the tray and poured the hot steaming liquid into it. After Ripon sat on the chair, he placed the cup in front of him.

"Good evening, Mr Chairman!"

"Good evening, Ripon! Have it. This is especially brought from the lands of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and tastes divine." Barret said while taking a sip.

"So what the mighty O'Dells had to say about the investigation? I hope their hospitability was not short of the expectations." He raised a brow at Ripon while leaning back in his chair.

Ripon's face did not change. It was always serious irrespective of the circumstances. As if it was set in a mould.

"There are some things to discuss, Mr Chairman."

Barret Addington was curious now. "Had Edwin O'Dell did something again?"

That was the prime probability that crossed his mind. He knew Lord Augustus was an ingenious man. He never hastened. His all steps were calculated and planned.

His nephew, on the other hand, was known for his reckless actions and decisions taken in a heat of the moment.

That young man was walking trouble for himself and everyone around him. More than Lord Augustus, Edwin was the one he saw as a challenge.

"He could have done something only if he was present for the meeting."

Barret frowned hearing that. "What do you mean?"

"Edwin O'Dell was not present for the meeting. Lord Augustus told that he was out on a journey regarding their trade."

"And you believed it?"

"I was not convinced." Ripon had ways with words. He would never give a direct answer.

"I had a meeting with Lord Augustus and Lester Wright."

The reunion of the O'Dell and Wright family after years of a gap was a talk in the elite circle. The O'Dells were the next to the royals. Some deemed them a potent competitor of the Council in a race of dominance.

The Wrights, though known for their healthy relations with the other Lords and the noble families, had a respectable position in the royals' eyes. And now that the two old friends reunited again, it was no surprise to see envy, threat and competition in the elite circle.

But that was not Barret's concern for now.

"What you got there?"

Ripon paused to take a moment assembling his words. Barret got a feeling that whatever the news was, it was not in his favour.

"Lord Augustus has not a solid proof, YET. But… he has drawn some conclusions and has some theories he is working upon."

"Interesting!"

"Mr Chairman, I think we should involve the royal family in this matter." Ripon suggested.

"And why we should do that?"

"Because Lord Augustus knows who is the killer. He is just working on gathering enough proofs."

Barret did not miss a hint of alarm in Ripon's voice. He was not a person to react without a reason. And if he is worried about something, then it could not be taken lightly.

"And?"

Barret knew there was more.

"And he thinks that 'they' have a support- a strong one. Lord Augustus said that he is not labelling anyone right away but his eyes and ears are everywhere. He knows who is supporting 'them'. And it will not take him too long to put two and two together." Ripon finally said.

A minute passed in silence except the ticking of the clock. Barret's mind ran faster than that clock's hands.

His passive face broke into a crooked smirk. "Then I suggest we should take a trip to the North. I need a changed weather and changed company anyway."

Ripon dabbed his forehead to wipe the invisible sweat. "Mr Chairman-"

"It is an order, Ripon. Let's enjoy this exquisite tea before it gets cold." He said while pouring his cup for the second time.

*

*

*

Sunday came by, and Rees and Thea had it planned beforehand. Rees picked up Thea from her home early in the morning. They went to the locally popular 'the baker's delight' to buy some pastries.

Thea was ecstatic and was looking forward to this day. She had a hard time keeping this day secret from Ruth.

Now that Edwin was calmer than before, Lester had entrusted Rees with another task. A task of amassing more information on Ruth.

The heavy dosage of highly concentrated wolfsbane potion had taken a toll on Edwin and his wolf. It had weakened his wolf so much that he had stopped coming out. His human form was drained out of energy. Edwin looked like a person who was suffering from a severe illness for a long time.

Rees had tried to ask permission from Lord Augustus to move Edwin back in 'the great manor', but he refused, saying the servants would talk if they see Edwin in such a state. Lord Augustus told as if he had seen Edwin after that day of havoc.

Edwin could talk barely, and when Rees tried to talk to him about it, he also refused to go back into 'the great manor' just now. So they had shifted him to the room that was on the first floor of the old building.

Lester spent most of his day with Edwin but he had not allowed Elsie to visit him, yet. He knew that she couldn't bear looking at her brother's this unpleasant sight.

"Rees, watch. There is a sewage line." Rees is startled at Thea's loud voice.

"Where is your mind wandering, Rees? Pay attention to the road. It is not your 'the great manor'." Thea chided him as they walked on the dirty streets of the Eastern part of Vincardine.

The passerby, especially women, gawked at his tall and muscular frame topped with a handsome face. Rees's strides were confident yet short to let Thea keep up with him. Though he was unfazed by the attention he attracted, Thea could not ignore it.

She had not told Rees about what Fannie had said about him. She was sure that it was all a lie or a misunderstanding. But her insecurities did not let her mind at peace.

"Love…"

"Y-yes?" Her eyes avoided meeting his in fear that he had heard her thoughts.

This mind-reading thing was a blessing as well as a problem for her.

Intertwining his thick and long fingers with her thinner ones, he caught her by surprise. A blush crept through her neck as she suppressed a smile that threatened to appear on her face.

Her eyes widened when his hot breath fanned the side of her face. "You should not forget that your fiancee is a werewolf and not a human. And do not stutter while speaking with me from the next time." He said near her ear, setting her body on a fire.

Thea sensed how people looked at them with wide eyes. These people were used to different kinds of human contact than what she shared with Rees. She even saw some women glaring at her with jealousy from the corner of her eyes.

'They should know whom he belonged to!', Thea scoffed haughtily but kept walking beside Rees.

They turned to a corner and saw the familiar building ahead. But Rees's eyes darted to its left, towards the wall of a nearby house. He could never forget that eventful night that turned his Master's world upside down.

Entering into the building, Thea led him to the fourth floor. It was Rees's first time entering that apartment building, but Thea had visited the place a few times before.

They stopped outside a door, and after a sideways glance at Rees, Thea knocked on it with her knuckles. They did not wait too long, for the door was opened by an old woman.

"Good morning, Mrs Payne!" Thea chimed with her bright smile.

Mrs Payne was surprised to see her on her doorstep but what caught her attention was the presence of a handsome man beside Thea.

Thea stepped forward and threw her hands around the lady's shoulders in a hug. Breaking her stare from Rees, Mrs Payne returned Thea's gesture with a smile.

"Oh, my dear! What a pleasant surprise!"

"Honey, who is at the door?"

Before she could respond, Thea pushed the door open and ran to greet Mr Payne.

"Thea?! Welcome, my child! Welcome!"

Rees cleared his throat to gain Mrs Payne's attention while he stood awkwardly at her doorstep with bags in his hands.

"Oh, I am so sorry, son. Please come in!" She invited him then closed the door behind her.

"Rees?"

After hearing the familiar voices, Ruth came out of the kitchen while wiping her hands with a napkin.

"Surprise!" He and Thea said in unison.

The only difference was Thea was truly excited, and Rees seemed like she had made him say it dramatically.

Ruth smiled and walked towards Rees. She had not expected him to come all the way here. It was indeed a surprise for her.

"Please, sit." She pulled the only chair that was in Payne's home.

The old couple looked embarrassed and troubled.

"I am sorry, we don't have-" Mr Payne began, but Rees politely shook his head at Ruth.

He stepped to sit beside Mr Payne on the floor, just like Thea.

"Rees... I mean Mr-"

Smiling warmly at Mrs Payne's shocked face, he said. "Please call me Rees, Mrs Payne. And I am here to see Mr Payne and not sit on a chair to attend a meeting."

Ruth smiled proudly, hearing his response, so did Thea.

"Oh, and here are some fresh flowers for the beautiful lady and the pastries from your favourite' the Baker's Delight' for the romantic young man." Ruth took the bags from his hand.

Rees was a charmer and well-spoken man. He never failed to impress a person with his words. The previous embarrassment and the awkwardness died down after his comfortable words.

"How do you know that is my favourite place?" Mr Payne was amused.

"Erm... I-"

"Ruth told me about your first date with Mrs Payne and why that place is special for you. She also told me that you three have planned to go there for a lunch." Thea was quick to cut off Ruth.

Ruth smiled sheepishly when Mrs Payne passed a playful glare her way.

"But I am sad to hear that."

"And why is that Thea?" Mrs Payne asked.

"because you did not care to involve me in your little group. I feel left out." She pouted innocently.

Rees only watched his mate in amusement. She was a sneaky creature, always finding a way to fit in everywhere, he thought with a small smile.

"Awww, my dear. Ruth, we should have thought about it before." Mrs Payne played along with Thea's tricks.

"We apologise, My Lady. It will be our honour to have your company for a while. Are you happy now?" Mr Payne teased.

Ruth saw that playful glint in his eyes after a long time, and she thanked Thea for that. She knew her friend had a unique way to make people happy and forget about their worries.

"Yes, I am happy now!" Thea giggled and rested her head on Mr Payne's shoulder like a kid. He ruffled her hair then patted her head affectionately.

Rees only watched that warm exchange between them, and a pang of guilt rose in his heart. He had missed on so much while getting busied with his duty.

Ruth's smile faltered when she saw his thoughtful face. And from the short smile on his face, she knew that something was wrong. She carefully neared him to touch his shoulder.

Rees looked up at her, and Ruth did not miss the sadness behind his brown orbs. She knew the meaning behind it.

"Why don't we invite Rees too?" She suggested aloud.

Mr and Mrs Payne looked at Ruth, then at Rees with surprised eyes.

"Of course, but... would you like that Rees?" Mr Payne asked hesitantly.

Rees belonged to a well to do family and was brought up around wealthy and sophisticated people. Mr Payne was not sure if he would like to associate poor people like them.

Rees's eyes lit up in hope. "I would love to, Mr Payne. Only if you allow." He added, not to put the old man in an uncomfortable position.

Mrs Payne smiled at him and patted his hand. "Why won't we? You are as welcome in our home and life as much as Ruth and Thea."

Rees's felt his heart warmed at her words. "Really?" He could not believe the simplicity of these people. How easily they got ready to accept him?!

"Of course, son! Honey, isn't it great that now we not only have two daughters but also a son to take care of us?!"

Those words were enough to brighten Rees's face, and his genuine smile made him look more handsome.

Ruth caught Mr Payne's gaze and mouthed a thank you, to which he reacted by a wink.