Bab 121: Chapter 114: A lost cause?
The search to who had attacked the mayor and the mayor candidates' residences had come to a standstill. Clues had been wiped and cleared off. Traces had led to either a dead end or had been cut off.
As much as Lachlan hated to close the case, it doesn't stop him from trying to look for more clues privately. Although there had been disagreements and dissatisfactions in regards to closing the case, there was nothing Lachlan could do when Hilliard himself, who was currently hospitalized, requested to close the case. It was fortunate that he was not at death's door as he only suffered less than major injuries.
Hilliard also knew that despite his request to close the case, Lachlan would send out his packs to look for more clues. He knew there was a deeper story to this and the latter would not stop until he found what it was. The reason as to why Hilliard wanted to close the case was because he wanted the attackers to lower their guard down, thinking that Hilliard and Lachlan gave up on the pursuit.
With Hilliard and the other mayor candidates being injured and only Zant was left with very minor injuries, it was announced that Zant will become the acting mayor for now. Even if it was announced that Hilliard won the votes with Zant as a close second, since the former could not take his position straight away, Zant will hold the fort for a short while.
The people in the prospective candidates' residence were busy as they rushed here and there, trying to sooth down the chaos happening there. It was hectic, to say the least. The medics were busy as well as they had to go in different groups to treat those who were injured and bring those who had major injuries back to the emergency. It was fortunate that the major injuries weren't that serious, rather it was more of a need for treatment using the appliances in the hospital.
Lachlan was currently in the hospital private room where Hilliard was admitted. At that moment, the latter was sleeping soundly after being sedated with medicine after he complained of being too much in pain. He looked down at the sleeping man with a grave look on his face.
Shortly after, a man appeared beside him. "Alpha, we have found clues to the attacks. However, we need your presence at the scene."
Lachlan nodded, without taking his eyes off Hilliard. He then turned around and ordered, "Tell Fergus to assign more policemen to patrol and to guard this room and the other rooms." The other rooms held the other candidates who had been injured during the attacks.
"Yes, Alpha," the man said before disappearing.
Lachlan turned back to Hilliard, who was unaware of things happening around him as he was still sleeping. Soon after, Lachlan left the room without another word.
-----
Fergus, at that time, was in Zant's house, together with a couple of his subordinates. The place was in disarray after the attack where furniture were strewn all over; there were broken chairs and tables, as well as debris on the ground. Even the marbled floor was cracked.
Zant was talking with some of the volunteers who had come rushing after the news was spread about the attacks. Although the government official had warned his subordinate to not spread the news as they did not want to cause panic, they had underestimated the local grapevine which was more up-to-date and faster.
He thanked them for their help and smilingly reassured them that things will be back to normal. The volunteers admired the man's warm personality and it made them want to help him more. They too reassured him that they will help to clean his place.
Noticing someone was standing behind him, Zant turned around and smiled when he saw Fergus and the other two policemen. "Oh, good day, officers," he greeted. He then scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he looked around him. "I apologize that I couldn't entertain you in this mess."
Fergus shook his head. "It's alright, Mr. Zant. Instead, we would like to ask a few questions in regards to the attack and I hope you will cooperate with us," he said.
Zant blinked his eyes in surprise. "I thought the case was closed?" he inquired curiously.
Fergus frowned, wondering who had told him about the case being closed. "We need your statements for our reports," he answered instead, not answering his question.
Seeing the serious look on Fergus' face, he knew that there was no way out of this, Zant can only back down and answer every question shot to him. Inside, he inwardly gritted his teeth, his heart burned with annoyance and hatred. He didn't like this feeling of having to bow down to a bunch of mutts. But recalling the Lord's words, he had no choice but to submit. Or he would have blown these mutts to smithereens.
More than an hour later, Fergus and the other two policemen left Zant's residence and returned back to the headquarters.
Lachlan was already in his office, reading the reports that were sent to him in regards to the attacks.
"Come in," he said out loud when the door to his office was knocked.
"I've returned, Chief," Fergus announced as he stepped inside the office.
"What did you find?" Lachlan asked, not looking up from the reports.
Fergus took a seat across Lachlan and immediately started talking about his findings. He talked about how the attacks came nearly at the same time as the other attacks, how they basically targeted the candidates. However, according to Zant, the only reason he got unscathed was because he was in his basement at that time and the assailants couldn't find him in time.
"Basement?" Lachlan repeated, his eyes narrowed.
Fergus nodded. "Yes. Apparently, that's where he stores all his wines. He was about to get some of his best wines to share with his supporters when they came.
"And there was a lot of testimony that supports him," he continued grimly.
"And how was he?" Lachlan asked again.
Fergus let out a frustrated sigh and just shook his head.
"Continue with the investigations. There's got to be something!"
"Yes, Chief!"
-----
The Kendall Residence.
Erick and Amber were in the kitchen, where Luella had prepared some 'snacks' for them. Amber could only raise her eyebrows at the 'snacks' that were prepared for them. There was a big bowl of nachos with an equal size bowl of dipping sauce, hot dogs and french fries on the table. If these were just snacks, she wondered about their dinner. Although she had joined his parents for dinner, she wasn't sure whether that was the 'actual' dinner that they usually had.
Erick pulled out a chair for Amber and said after she sat down, "I'll go grab some drinks for us."
Amber nodded as she stared at the spread of food in front of her. Even though there was a lot of food, she wasn't complaining. She loves eating anyway.
She grabbed an empty plate that was on the table and scooped some nachos on it. She then scooped some dipping sauce onto the plate. While she served herself, Erick came with a huge jug of lemonade and two empty cups.
When Erick sat down beside her, Amber handed him his food and she continued to get some food for herself.
She rolled her eyes when she caught Erick discreetly scooped more nachos and grabbed more hot dogs.
The two had a pleasant conversation between them, with a little bit of flirting in-between. There were times where Erick got a bit annoyed at Luka for trying to get Amber's attention away from him. He kept prodding against Amber, wanting to be patted. Amber, in return, had coo-ed and fed him some hotdogs.
Two hours had passed and finally, Luella had returned home, looking tired. The two teens were back in the living room, watching the TV when the latter had arrived home.
Looking at her haggard appearance, the young couple looked confused and were a bit worried. "Did something happen, mom?" Erick asked.
Luella blinked her eyes as she was trying to sort out her thoughts in her mind. It was a hectic at the packhouse. With the rogues still roaming free, the tension at the packhouse was strained and taut. No one there was able to rest easy as they did not know when the rogues would attack next. Although it was predicted that they might attack during the election day, they did not expect that they had the audacity to attack the candidates' houses. This proved that the man or group behind them were strong.
Looking at the two teenagers, who were looking at her with concern, her heart warmed. It was because of these people and the other future generations of the pack that she and the other elder shifters worked so hard to bring peace to the pack and also to the town.
"Nothing, it was just busy there but everything's fine now," she white-lied, putting on a smile on her face.
Seeing how his mother wanted to close the topic, Erick just nodded and turned back around to face the television. Amber nodded too and followed suit.
After the two had looked away from her, Luella turned around and headed straight for the kitchen. At that time, her face turned grim as she recalled what Paccia had told her of what had happened. It seems like the Luna needs to be involved now. She had enough of these rogues.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone