Markhum had seen many things in his life . From the suffering he endured under his stepmothers cruel treatment and stereotypical eyes always judging his very blood , ready to report a mistake , but because of this he thought himself a flawless being , unblemished nor tainted by their accursed world .
Such a mental construct could be argued to be wrong , yet wrong had no place in his world . Only his rule prevailed , anything he said went whether by force or murder . He never feared painting his hands the colour of hell .
No .
He grew up a noble . One who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty if it meant a job well done .
He had many thoughts by the time Maddison had called him . He had originally been in the slums finishing off a man who couldn't pay back his debt. He had returned home and washed his hands in the sink , the mirror above him reflecting his face .
All he saw was a child forced to adapt the only best way that could ensure his survival . Whether that left him looking lost at the person in the mirror everyday , he didn't care , what mattered was that he could survive each day to see his face looking back at him . The water provided more of a comforting lie that the blood washed off his hands . But deep within he knew his white pristine hands were edited with the blood of all the lives they took and no amount of water or soap would ever remove that .
He was cruel and twisted . Finding peace in the sound of bullets robbing lives , the screams that would sound an orchestra in hell . He was good , providing Satan his personal orchestra free of charge .
The call from Maddison had given him a good reason to take a break . It had been long since he had a formal outing that didn't end up business. So he agreed , knowing Maddison wanted information from him regarding the strange circumstances surrounding his cousins death .
The moment he entered the booth he had already seen the hole in the wall . The restaurant owner was an old friend of his and was happy to rent him a booth on short notice to supposedly " Improve his social skills ."
Seems Maddison was quick though . He chuckled and chose not to acknowledge it anymore . After six glasses of water , that was when his supposed "partner" decided to burst through the door . He did a quick scan of him , he was a looker for sure , probably turned heads when he walked .
He faked being disappointed at Maddison then eventually laughed it off . He could see Maddison was trying to get on with the questions but he enjoyed freely talking much more . When he asked Maddison " What's your story ? " He saw Maddison go still at the way the question would require more thought than shallow ones randomly asked to fill the space . Markhum carried a weight and that weight could be felt in his every word , he did things with purpose not out of the blue .
The question had provoked him the same way when he was asked it by someone . He assured him he could take years as it took him too but he was also subtly hinting that hopefully their "friendship" would be long-term.
It was later the waiter leaned closer to Maddison's ear and whispered something. Maddison's ear took a cherry red colour, he wasn't liking the way Maddison's attention was of him even if he knew the waiter was informing him about the hole in their booth . His obsession with having control over everything from people's actions to their emotions , he had a script and all they had to do was just follow it .
He wasn't a hopeless pessimistic person .
No.
Quite opposite .
He was probably the most optimistic person you'd ever meet , but that was because the world owed him not the other way around . Yes , he was insulted when Maddison thought he'd be dumb enough to miss the obvious hole in the wall , but hey , he'd make that impression as long as it lowered his guard .
Afterall , a city with lowered gates is the best surrender you could give him . The feeling of knowing you saw no way out , he'd made you acknowledge your defeat and accept it with open arms , the desperation and breaking of your pride to lower your walls was the best scene you could offer him .
Their food arrived twenty minutes after Markhum was sure if his plan . The food was as good as his usual visits , courtesy of his friend , the owner specially cooking it .
" You know Maddison, I had the owner specifically cook the meal for us ." He said waiting for a response at his blatant show of money .
" Really ? " I didn't know , no wonder it's so delectable." Maddison calmly responded . The answer did nothing but elate his ego further .
" You can start the questioning, I think I'm about ready now ." Markhum said allowing Maddison to commence his interrogation.
" How close were you and the victim ? " The opening question was .
" Me and Sam were not close per say." He answered.
" Did he often get into trouble ? "
" Yes , he had many debts to pay , one to me even ."
" Did he have any sexual relationships ? "
" He did. The girl you found him with and his wife ."
Maddison grimaced at the image of that .
" Did he have children ? "
" Yes . Devon snow , but he's not part of the family tree . He's a bastard born out of wedlock taking his mother's name ." Markhum disgustedly responded.
" Did he have grudges with anyone or anyone with grudges towards him ? "
" Many people held grudges towards him . He had never really been nice to people...you know ."
" Did you know any of his previous professions that were questionable by law ? "
" Well , last I heard he was employed as a chemist at a factory of sorts in the slums , but that's a family rumour made by my fifth aunt Heather who has been with my second aunt his mother who also -"
" Okay I understand ...family drama ." Maddison says cutting him off .
" Why is it a rumour though ? " He asked curiously .
" Well , if know if my cousin had the education and degrees for that . He wasn't a smart man , most he could achieve was being a brick mover for a noble ." Markhum explained proving as to why it was highly fake .
" Why do you speak and act like a noble if your family are commoners ? " He asked finally looking to satisfy his curiosity.
" Well , see that's the OTHER ....half of the family . It's quite complicated, something about the King bestowing is the highest honour of something and great grandfather's having fights about a document , then their sons having inheritance fights about everything . All I remember is one of them lost and that's how we had my cousin's line of poverty born . "
Maddison was sure he was listening to a drama , but he'd file the story for later .
He knew he was right about the man being a dead beat but the condescending tone in which he used to address him was outright rude . " You should respect the dead a little more . Especially considering this one's a close family member ." Maddison bitingly said , holding back the urge to lecture such a man on the importance of family , regardless of whether they're dead or alive , respect doesn't go.
" Why should I his incompetence killed him , none of it me fault . He didn't deserve respect nor did he receive it alive and dead . " Markhum said . It was the harsh truth of this dead man's life before and after.
" You'll end up like them then . " Maddison said out of the blue .
Markhum was taken aback by the ominous statement. The wording throwing him off , he's cousin had died alone , so what was the need of Maddison using " they " for one person.
Markhum scoffed and just put it at the a back of his head , to eventually mix with all the useless thoughts and information.
He'd missed the subtle warning in those words .
Death was never a patient hunter .
His cousin was average at most and died average .
They had finished eating somewhere along the way , the former comfortable silence now filled with underlying tones of awkwardness and anger .
" I think I should leave now , it's half past eleven, I have some plans that require my physical presence." Maddison said getting up .
" You don't plan to pay for the meal ?" Markhum asked , though he was joking as he had already paid for their food in advance .
" You took me out so ..." Maddison responded , the unsaid words being 'he was obligated to pay ' .
" Well , I indulged you in more than just mere food Markhum. You even hurt my feelings somewhere along the way . Plus being in my presence should be more than enough 'privilege' ." Maddison added , proceeding to exit the door with a wink to his victims family member.
Markhum felt as if he was high . As soon as Maddison left , a feeling of euphoria came upon him . Maddison's scent danced in the booth , singing to his hunger , entrancing his focus . He was grateful that Maddison had left the time he did , he wasn't sure he'd much self-control left of he stayed even a second later .
However his scent led to next door , affirming that he hadn't come alone . " Seems someone needs to be taught what happens when you bend the rules ." He said to noone smirking .
When Maddison had exited the booth , he came to Louis just closing his booths door . The mission was a success , they got new leads that were workable and him some unsolicited information but still data.
They both were walking toward the exit . The former tension between them returning . Maddison was truly sorry and just wanted to deal with the case , with a partner whom he was atleast on talking terms with .
However , he wanted the apology to come from him as his friend not partner in the case , so he mustered up his courage stopping a few feet infront of Louis, raising his eyes , opening his mouth .
" Louis, I'm - "
A hand was randomly slung over Maddison's unprepared shoulders , making him try to get his footing back .
" Maddison it's not even give minutes of us apart and your stopping this dashing gentleman . Do you perhaps know him ?, he was in the booth before is I think .... number nine if I'm correct ? " He said mockingly .
Maddison felt a shiver run down his spine . They'd been discovered , and now Markhum was probably here to rub their stupid plan in their faces if the smug look he had going on his face was anything to go by .
Maddison was about to explain . " This is - "
" I don't know him my , but I suggest you rein in your friend , he's quite 'THE' flirt ." Louis said looking into Maddison's eyes as he put emphasis on flirt , walking past Markhum and Maddison in the act .
" You'll answer me honestly as soon as we're in the room . Do.Not.Lie.To.Me , otherwise you'll be seeing my cousin a bit early ! " He said , his voice dangerously low as he aided Maddison in walking to the private room he booked before he had interrupted them .
The waiter who had previously warned him mouthed to him that all he had to do was knock three times if he needed "assistance" .
As soon as they were in the room . Markhum wasted no time .
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This chapter was quite long because I felt bad for not updating , but pls understand I'm still in school and this term is a busy one .
Watch out for the next chapter . Things are gonna go down .
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