Crimson Ties

Friday, October 11, 2024

Solara, Solstice, Bog Bay City

Chrysalis Academy

They arrived at her office. Evelyn's office radiated an old-world elegance, where each piece seemed carefully selected to assert both tradition and authority. Among the imposing dark wood bookshelves, overflowing with tomes and leather-bound volumes, her desk held a few personal touches that softened the severity of the space. In a polished glass cabinet near the wall, a series of delicate porcelain ballet cups were on display, alongside other cups of various styles: a simple, white ceramic mug, sturdy and unadorned, and a finely crafted tea cup with a crackled glaze, its pattern resembling veins of silver.

Evelyn gestured for Vince to take a seat across from her desk, and without waiting for him to settle, she poured two cups of tea from a delicate porcelain set. Vince observed her movements, sharp and deliberate, as she placed one of the cups in front of him, her eyes never leaving his.

Evelyn Rhys was a woman who commanded respect without a word, her every movement calculated, precise. She was tall, with an aristocratic elegance that matched the imposing architecture of the academy. Her skin was pale, almost porcelain. Her raven-dark hair pinned neatly back, not a strand out of place. Her features were finely sculpted—high cheekbones, a straight, narrow nose, and lips that held a perpetual hint of disdain, as if nothing and no one quite met her standards.

Her eyes, however, were what held Vince's attention the longest. They were a cold, piercing blue, the color of glacial ice, and they watched him with a calculating, unyielding gaze. Her eyes seemed to miss nothing, as if they could strip away pretense with a single look. Though her face betrayed little emotion, there was a quiet intensity there, an intelligence tempered by the unspoken authority that came with her position. Evelyn's clothes were as meticulously chosen as her words—a tailored, dark suit with subtle, intricate embroidery along the cuffs, a crisp white blouse, and a single, elegant ring on her finger. Her attire was severe yet refined.

As she placed the teacup in front of Vince, her slender fingers moved with an almost detached precision. Her gestures were deliberate, refined, as though she moved through the world with a carefully maintained control.

"Now," she began, her voice cool and controlled. "You're here to talk about Hannah Kensington. I'm sure you've heard that the academy is well-regarded for its privacy. We protect our students, i can't let some male... man, running around the campus, asking question. Detective, as you would expect. And that includes maintaining discretion, especially in matters such as this."

Vince leaned forward, trying to steady the rising tension in his chest. "I need to know what you can tell me about Hannah. What's been going on with her recently? Any changes in behavior, anyone she's been associating with? Anything that might help me understand why she's gone missing."

Evelyn's expression didn't shift, but there was a slight edge in her voice as she replied. "Young women have their secrets, Detective. I'm sure you understand that."

She leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping the rim of her teacup as she regarded him with an almost clinical interest. "Hannah is a bright, ambitious student. She's well liked by her peers and respected by her teachers. But like all girls her age, she's in a phase of... self-discovery, shall we say? I can't speak to any specific incidents. She's been a model student, to my knowledge."

Vince's mind raced as he processed her words. There was something off about her tone, something she wasn't saying. He had the distinct feeling that Evelyn wasn't telling him everything. But before he could press her further, she added one detail that caught his attention.

"Of course, this isn't the first time a girl has... disappeared for a time. Several years ago, we had another student who went missing for a brief period. She returned, of course, with no explanation. But that was quite a different case."

Vince's eyes narrowed. "And you're telling me that was it? No investigation? No follow-up?"

Evelyn's lips tightened, the first hint of discomfort flashing across her otherwise impassive face. "It wasn't necessary. There were no further issues, and the girl returned. That's all I can say on the matter."

Vince leaned back in his chair, absorbing her words. There was something there—something he didn't have the full picture of yet.

He stood up, but as he moved toward the door, Evelyn's voice stopped him. "Detective Kane, I suggest you proceed with caution. The reputation of this academy is built on discretion, and I would prefer to keep it that way."

Her eyes were cold, her tone almost a warning. "There are consequences for anyone who tries to disrupt that balance."

Vince felt the weight of her gaze as he turned to leave, the subtle threat hanging in the air. She was warning him—threatening him, perhaps—but there was something else there, too. A hint that Evelyn Rhys might have more to hide than she was letting on.

As he walked away from the academy gates, he couldn't shake the feeling that this wouldn't be the last time he'd find himself up against her. Evelyn Rhys was more than just a headmistress—she was a player in this game, and he needed to figure out what role she was really playing.

Looking back over his shoulder, he saw her figure standing by the window of her office, watching him with a calculating gaze. The image of her lingered, sharp and unwavering. Vince knew this was only the beginning.

He walked back to his car, the distant hum of the academy fading behind him, but Evelyn's intense gaze still felt seared into his mind. The rain had softened to a light drizzle, misting over Bog Bay, adding a sense of foreboding to his thoughts. He settled into the driver's seat, took one last look at the imposing structure of Chrysalis Academy, and let out a slow breath.

So, the headmistress wants to play hardball, he thought, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel. Fine. I've dealt with stone-faced gatekeepers and closed doors before. Hell, it wouldn't be a case worth its salt if someone wasn't trying to keep me out.

Vince started the engine, glancing back at the school one last time in his rearview mirror. You can keep your secrets for now, Evelyn. But if you think I'm just another cop you can intimidate, you've got another thing coming.