---

Chapter One

-October 15, 2006-


Heavy velvet drapes covered the windows, blocking the hazy autumn sky of the New York skyline. The forest green lounge seat covered in files and paperwork was empty. A soft indention in the only section free of paper disclosed of a recent occupant. The missing occupant stood in front of the fireplace, with his hands spread delicately across ornate mantle moldings.

Pale milky blonde hair perfectly combed back from his face, only slightly showed the signs of a restless man in need of sleep. Pale blue marred the delicate skin around his eyes. The jacket normally closed at the waist was unbuttoned, hanging around his trim frame like limp wings. His expression betrayed no emotion but pain revealed itself in the depth of his gazing eyes.

Aloysius quietly let out a sigh as he looked into the depth of flickering orange flames. The past few days had felt like a never ending nightmare. Actually the nightmare had begun so much earlier than that, and now he was exhausting his resources and leads ever faster. Emotions carefully concealed whispered inside his mind. Everyone he'd ever really cared about... They were all gone, each and every one taken. Well not every one, his heart reminded him encouragingly. He had safely hidden one away from Diogenes.

Shifting his gaze from the fire, he realized that the feeling that for days now, the haunting feeling that maybe Diogenes might be contacting him soon had panicked him greatly. His restlessness had led to a manic search of what little clues were left from the disappearances. The way each woman had been taken was only a small part of a large puzzle. He looked at the maps and charts with translucent ice blue eyes, only to see the same notes and elusive patterns that only added to the enigma.

Walking over to the dense mahogany desk littered with files normally kept filed away, Aloysius retrieved a long sealed plastic envelope. Deftly he slid a pen knife across the opening, taking out a lush, wine-colored velvet box. Classic embroidery motifs adorned the outside in deep navy. He stood for a moment, holding the box carefully in his hands before slowly lifting the lid. The sticky scent of sweetness rose out from the satin depth, his sensitive sense of smell isolated oranges, expensive spices, poppy seed, and rich dark chocolate.

Seven days had passed and he still had nothing new. The box, without its original contents, only returned to him from the testing labs this morning. The report detailing the findings from the lab fanned over gruesome photos of a burned body. He had read them time and again combing over even the smallest detail but still nothing. Placing the box back on the table, Aloysius opened a small drawer with a small lock set in. Inside sat two other boxes, one shaped like autumn leaves covered in gold leaf, the other a carefully hand painted mauve oval in the Victorian style. A soft buzz, almost inaudible, drew Aloysius' attention. It announced an unknown, but not unexpected, visitor. Quickly the velvet box joined the other two, with another flick the hidden lock slid into place. Aloysius pressed unseen button on the desk. “Proctor, please show our guest into the parlor. I will be there shortly.”

The richness of the old mansion’s interior was a stark contrast to the outside environment of the nearby riverside neighborhood. A skinny boy no more then 14 dressed rags shifted uncomfortably in a pair of oversized sneakers. His blood shot eyes darted from chair to chair surveying the room, trying to decide if he should take a seat. The large heavy manila envelope held in his numb cold finger no longer seemed so important. The door opened again, only it was not the old butler who walked in but a tall man looking every bit like the angel of death.

The tall figure strode in briskly and gracefully. The boy look up into a pair of ice colored eyes expecting to see the disgust, that seemed to be the trade mark for regarding him with, but found none. There was gentleness that softens the sharp features and looked quite approachable.

“My name is Aloysius Pendergast. I believe you have a message for me.” Extending out his hand, Aloysius watched boy star at him with unveiled shock. After waiting a moment pointing to the large envelope he said, “May I see the message please?”

With the envelope raised like a shield against his chest, the boy handed it to Aloysius. It was light, with no marking on it what so ever. Flipping it over to examine the tab, Aloysius found it easy to open. A second envelope inside revealed the spidery writing he had come to regret seeing.


Ave, frater—

I’m sure that you have not been fooled, unlike those who work for the various government authorities. There is nothing else I care to disclose. The enclosed is the first picture of your nephew.

Diogenes.


Two black and white ultrasound images showed a fully formed fetus. The first was a general full body shot with the name of the hospital information as border. The last image was enlarged detail of the baby’s sex. Aloysius looked closely at the information on the confirmed worst fear.

C. Green 2005-10-15 Ridgemount Hospital


The clearly printed letters blurred as the world swam for an infinitesimal moment as the truth shot through Aloysius. Examining the image for details a second time told him what he already knew. This was real, no matter how many test was done to prove otherwise, it was not going to reveal anything.

The boy sniffed loudly, chancing a glance at the man dressed in black. Aloysius turned towards the boy, tucking away the papers back into the envelope. They regarded each other stiffly for a moment before Aloysius breached the silence.

“First I must thank you for delivering this to me. I know the weather has been awful today.” Aloysius gestured to the outside “If you like, dry clothing could be provided for you. Right now if you would indulge me please tell me how you come to deliver this to me?”

“I... I don’t know. All I know is that some nurse gave this to me when she came by the shelter around three. She told me to deliver this to Aloysius Pendergast at this address. She also said she would also give me fifty dollars to do it.” The boy’s gazed shifted from Aloysius back to the ground with an involuntary twitch.

“Do you know the nurse who gave this to you?”

“She comes around the shelter all the time.” Sniffle “Normally three times a week, to bring first aid supplies and check on old Joe.” Sneaking a glance at Aloysius, the boy dragged his sleeve across his face, smearing a slimy streak over his cheek.

“Should you have the need to wipe your nose again,” Aloysius produces a crisp white handkerchief, “use this instead.”

“Can I go now?” the boy asked, swiping the offered handkerchief. “Do you have the clothes? Can I have them now?”

“Of course you may. The clothing will be provided by Proctor, and he will also give you a ride back to the shelter. Would you like anything else? Food, perhaps?”

Proctor entered the parlor noisily, holding a stack of modest clean clothes. “Sir, shall I make any future arrangements?”

“Proctor, please do all that you think is necessary.” Turning towards the boy “I must now bid you goodbye, but I’m sure you will be in want of nothing with Proctor.” Aloysius walked briskly out of the room without another word.

Within the privacy of his study Aloysius took out a slim cell-phone and punched in an all too familiar number. Despite the calm appearance, his heartbeat sounded like a drum inside his skull. The long, elegant fingers gripping the phone were somehow paler then normal.

“Vincent...”

---