Although it seemed to be a simple task, it's turned out to be impossible. I've spent three months trying to find the File thief but I still have no concrete ideas of who it is. I think I'm close though. If only because I have a seemingly solid lead for a change.
Finally. Here at last. The Carstel Estate. That walk was a killer. Especially that hill. I guess that's why it's called Kileria Mountain. Oh great. A nice long driveway. Oh and there's a staircase up to the doors.
Before I rang the doorbell at the gates I gave myself a minute to collect myself and catch my breath. However, when my finger was a centimetre away from the button the gates swung open. I guess she knows I'm here.
The door opened as I took the last step, revealing a young girl, around 20. I wonder if she's a maid or Miss Carstel.
"Welcome. If you wouldn't mind following me to the study. Is there an official reason for you being here? I don't normally receive the pleasure of a Boler Head coming to my home. Especially not the Head of Agents."
She was leading us down hallways lined with tapestries depicting beautiful and far off places. Places with waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, flower-filled meadows with streams cleaving them in half. I was so distracted by the enchanting landscapes that I hadn't heard what she was saying. And when she stopped I almost ran into her.
"Here we are. This was the original study. My parents didn't like using it though so it became mine."
She opened the door and went straight over to the little seating area. Not toward the desk to my surprise. The study could have counted as a mini library with the number of books filling the floor to ceiling shelves on three of the walls. The fourth wall was to our left and had a large fireplace, guarded by two statues. There was a desk near the back wall and the seating area was in the middle of the room and included two plush couches and a low wooden coffee table. With one glance, I could tell that the furnishings were of the finest quality.
Eliza sat down on one of the luxurious couches and gestured for me to sit opposite. I gladly took the offer. I was so tired, from looking into the case. And that massive walk.
"Would you like some refreshments?"
"No, thank you."
However, she still ordered for some to come.
"Now then. What was it that you wanted to ask me?"
"What do you know about the Attacks and Disappearances? Or anything that might relate to them?"
As soon as I asked the questions, she became even more nervous. She looked around and was fidgeting with her clothes, the couch and the pillows. After an uncomfortable minute of silence, the maid came bearing a large tray filled with the requested refreshments and some little cakes. The interruption had Eliza looking visibly relieved.
"Ah, thank you, Cora. Would you like anything Miss Nylergria?" She has already started to pile some of the teacakes onto a plate for herself. She was avoiding the question and not even trying to hide it.
"Thank you for the offer but I've had a large breakfast. Would you please answer my questions now?" I was starting to grow impatient. Even more so when she continued to avoid the questions by starting to eat one of the cakes. Only when she finished did she deign to answer.
"I know as much as everyone else. Only what has been revealed to the public. Someone has been attacking research institutes and taking everyone but one. The one person left behind was dead and barely recognisable. I know that it happens every thirteen weeks and that we've only had one attack this year, at Dralkin. That it started four years ago and there are only four attacks each time. I know every institute that has been attacked, Arydas, Wofiti, Milucha, Colprat, Oybrae, Gralve, Fucabu, Tarki, Uual, Hilgran, Sarvip, Zin, Dralkin. I-I know that my parents were victims to one of the first Attacks. My father was dead and my mother Disappeared." She'd started confident, defiant and sad but by the end, only the sadness remained.
I started to feel horrible as I listened in. I felt horrible that I had pushed her but this is my job and I have to shove my feelings aside to do it well. Even if it breaks me to break them. Or even kill them.
"Are you sure you don't know anything else? Maybe a friend told you something else?" Annoyance had begun to creep into my veins. I'd just gotten my first solid lead and it was already going cold. Though I suppose she could just be an accomplished liar.
"No. I haven't heard anything else. But why is it, if I may ask, that you are so interested?" She was now appearing worried.
I bit the inside of my cheek, "I have reasons to assume that one of your friends stole the files on the Attacks and Disappearances." My lie was smooth, rolling off my tongue as if it truly was the truth.
Eliza rapidly paled and mimicked a fish. It appeared she wished to say something but couldn't quite form the words. "I, uh, I may know something about that. And, um, you're wrong. It wasn't one of my friends. They wouldn't dare even think that." Nervousness has crept back into her voice and posture as the words finally but reluctantly spilled out.
"And? What is it? Who did it?" I knew that my directness and the force of my voice made it worse but I didn't care. I was so close. She was either going to turn herself in or name who did. However, my eagerness didn't keep me from freezing at her next words. Soft and confusing as they were.
"It was me...I-I stole the Files. No one else. No one else even knew anything about it. Not my friends, my classmates or colleagues either. I thought I could try to stop others from the loss of loved ones, family and friends..."
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