Chapter 172. Please, Don’t Fold So Fast Ch 172. Please, Don’t Fold So Fast |
Though Aiwass had other places to hide, none matched Bishop Mathers’s home.
It was safe—no one would investigate—and comfortable, with clean quarters and meals from Mrs. Mina, whose cooking impressed even Aiwass’s picky palate. As an Iris native, her culinary skill outshone most Avalonian fare.
Crucially, the house offered ample newspapers. At Sherlock’s request, Mina bought stacks daily, beyond just The Glass Steps, including tabloids.
Sherlock argued that, despite their exaggerations and lies, tabloids held value. They reported what The Glass Steps skipped, and a single line could hide vital clues.
So, at Mina’s insistence, Aiwass and Lily stayed.
The only issue was limited guest rooms, forcing Aiwass and Lily to share one. As his devoted maid, their closeness made this fine—even sharing a bed wouldn’t raise eyebrows.
After confirming Aiwass’s safety, Haina returned to her dorm, relieved she’d checked with Sherlock first instead of rushing to Dean Meg.
Discovering Aiwass calmly playing chess with Sherlock after begging for help would’ve likely earned her a scolding.
After Haina left, Aiwass and Sherlock played more chess before Sherlock resumed work.
“Don’t underestimate ash,” Sherlock said. “Sometimes, it’s the case’s most critical—or only—clue. Experienced criminals erase evidence but overlook details like ash on the floor.
“If you confirm someone smoking Iris’s ‘Jasmine’ was recently at the scene, even without other evidence, you have a lead. With suspects narrowed, it could be the only proof.
“The Bureau handles more mundane crimes than Transcendent cases. This book will streamline their investigations, boosting efficiency.”
“You’re not even Bureau, yet you care more than Chief Kent,” Aiwass quipped.
Sherlock was clearly bored.
Coincidentally, so was Aiwass, waiting for events to unfold. He joined Sherlock’s project, helping with the paper.
Sherlock, delighted, offered to co-credit Aiwass, who declined. “I’m just helping out. I’ll be busy soon.”
“Just for a day’s work,” Sherlock chuckled.
But Aiwass’s help lasted exactly that—one day.
By Thursday morning, a shocking headline in The Glass Steps caught him off guard:
“Chief Justice Bran Boca Turns Himself In?”
“…Huh?”
Aiwass blinked, then read further:
Tommy Lloyd, Lloyd Society President, arrested for 21 counts including murder, attempted murder, coercion, smuggling dangerous goods, and corpse desecration.
“…What?”
Aiwass was stunned.
Reading closely, despite vague details, he pieced it together: Boca surrendered first, setting a trap. Tommy took the bait, attacking Boca and getting caught red-handed.
As a high-tier Transcendent leading demons in an assault, only top figures like Great Guardian Saint George or Grand Arbiter Meg could’ve stopped Tommy. Boca’s surrender, as Lloyd Society VP and Noble Red member, offered a goldmine of intel, luring such heavyweights.
With Tommy nabbed by them, no amount of external maneuvering would free him. The Glass Steps, run by Master Janice, reflected Queen Sophia’s stance. Listing Tommy’s 21 charges openly signaled no chance for appeal—pressure on Lloyd Society to abandon futile efforts.
Good grief, my fake death worked that fast?
Aiwass wanted to show Sherlock, but the speed was dizzying. He’d fled Wednesday morning; by Thursday, both were jailed.
Slow down, guys!
Aiwass had hoped for prolonged chaos to muddy the waters for his planned hit on Minister Droste. Instead, Tommy and Boca’s swift downfall stabilized Avalon instantly.
“…Wait.”
Aiwass realized a problem.
Without a messy struggle, they might expose him. Boca, invested in Aiwass, might stay quiet, but Tommy would likely spill to spite Boca and prove his innocence, claiming Alastair wasn’t his.
Even if Tommy didn’t talk, memory extraction would reveal Aiwass.
His brow furrowed.
Being a demon scholar was a PR nightmare, thanks to Noble Red’s vile initiation rites, designed to bind members with blood guilt.
No Noble Red demon scholar is innocent.
This made proving his innocence tricky. Revealing his shadow demon would expose his entire plan.
What now? Beg Isabel for a royal pardon?
“…No,” Aiwass decided. “There’s another way.”
Thankful for his backup plan, he stood, changing clothes. “Get ready, Lily. We’re going out.”
“Where to?” Lily followed, surprised. “This early?”
Both were stronger at night.
“We’re short on time,” Aiwass said, slipping on his Noble Red ring, eyes narrowing. “We’re going to silence someone.”
(Chapter End)