The entire city was on a lock down and the world was watching in daze. The way those people were killed, it was barbaric and the location where their bodies were left hanging, that was a message. There was nothing on the CCTV network, no eyewitnesses. It was as if the bodies appeared out of nothing.

It wasn't only the local police but the international law agencies that have come up to look into the matter. The ministry had expressed their intention to let the international agencies intervene as well. This was a shocking situation and the Mayor was akin to an ant on a hot stove.

Jinn Haso was simply fucked up, he was afraid that when the international agencies come in, they would leave no stones unturned and he would be caught up in the mess. Meanwhile, the CEO of the Advance Media was sitting on the chair, the only piece that wasn't broken. He was in the office all night long and now he just received a news that his brother was among one of the people who had been killed.

When he saw the pictures of the situation his brother's body was found in, he was enraged. The rage was so high that he thrashed his entire office. He learned that the international agencies were about to be involved, so he was stunned once again.

....

Leo and the family was sitting in the living room, they were watching the news on the TV. In the cold winter, they all sat in the living room as Clara stoked the flames in the fireplace. Snow asked, "Love, what now?"

Leo shrugged and replied, "We will collaborate with the international agencies, after all, we have all the material we need in hand. After that, we will pay Matilda Luger a visit. Turns out she has forgotten what happened the last time."

The people looked at him and shivered. It wasn't the cold that bothered them, but the fact that Leo could say such things while he was coloring an elephant with Lily. The little girl suddenly pouted and said, "Baba, you colored outside the line. Miss Verse will deduct my grade."

Leo replied, "What?! For this shallow thing? Wait, I will correct it."

Snow shook her head as he turned to look at the TV back again. It was a usual thing for the two of them.

...

Two days were long and slow, people stayed at their homes, and caught up with a lot of things. Leo caught up with his pottery and sculpting hobbies. Lily decided that she wanted to cycle in the garden covered with Snow, and the family followed her.

It was the evening of day two when a black cruiser turned up at the door. The guard who attended the main gate asked, "Who might you be, Sir?"

The middle-aged man took out his identity badge and flashed it for him before he said, "Can you answer me now? Is Mister Cardinal at home?"

The guard smiled and said, "Yes, he is inside, but allow me to inform him before I let you in, Officer Dunham."

As soon as he said this, another guy accompanying Officer Dunham, asked, "How dare you obstruct us?"

The guard looked at the man and his smile vanished, replaced by a cold gaze. The guard said, "A few days ago, our Young Miss was subjected to an assassination attempt. We are only asking reasonably for you to wait a few minutes. My partner has already handling this."

The officer furrowed his brows and said, "Do you know that we are from the International Police?"

The guard wasn't deterred, on the contrary, he placed his hand on the holster on the side, and asked, "Do you have a warrant? Do you have a written permission that you can approach Mister Cardinal?"

His tone cleared the fog, and the stance was obvious. He wouldn't mind shooting the man if a conflict was to occur. At this moment, Kyle walked over and said, "Tel, stand down. Sir has invited these gents inside."

Tel nodded and opened the door before he stood back. Kyle gestured for the people to follow him, and they did. The two officers couldn't help but observe the surroundings and Officer number two said, "Mister Cardinal sure knows how to spend money."

Kyle didn't even bother to acknowledge them as they walked through the paved path before reaching the door, and then pushed it open to lead the men inside. They stopped at the door sill as Clara appeared with a professional smile and said, "Guests, please take off your shoes and put on these sliders."

Officer Dunham raised his brow and asked, "Can I ask why?"

Clara replied calmly, "The shoes contains germs and to prevent Madam..."

Before she could finish the sentence, Leo said, "Clara, let them come in. Clean up later."

The voice attracted the attention of the two officers, as Leo stepped forward and shook hands with Officer Dunham and said, "You might be officer Dunham."

The latter nodded and said, "I apologize for disturbing you at such hour but it was urgent as we wanted to clear up some facts."

Leo nodded and said, "Please come in."

He then turned to look at the second guy and the later said, "I didn't expect Mister Cardinal to be such a refined man."

Leo gazed at the man indifferently and replied, "So, did the Shrine family pull some strings to get you on this task, Mister Mark Shrine?"

The second officer was someone that Leo knew from the homework on Shrine family. Mark Shrine smiled and remarked, "I thought you had three heads and six arms. To go against my entire family because of what Harry did. That's a bit too much."

Leo looked at Officer Dunham and asked, "Is it necessary for this person to be here, Officer Dunham? Had my guards knew his real identity, he wouldn't be allowed inside."

Officer Dunham frowned, how could he not know what was going on. He took a deep breath and said, "Officer Shrine, please wait for me in the car, it won't take long."

Mark Shrine was shocked, he could not process that his partner would say such a thing. He said, "Come on, Danny, you know that I have no links with that family anymore."

Officer Dunham shook his head and replied, "I trust you with my life and you know that but if something goes wrong here, the department would definitely not hold back from dragging you down. You know how some people have been gunning for you."

Mark Shrine clenched his fists and glared at Leo, he opened his mouth but Leo said, "I would be very careful with actions and words if I were you. Please leave, Officer Shrine, I don't welcome you, and I am aware of my rights as well, I can ask for an officer change if I find it necessary."

That was it, bottling up all the negativity, Mark Shrine walked out of the house and Leo gazed at Kyle. To ensure that the latter goes back to his car only and not try to sniff around.

Then Leo led Officer Dunham to the couch and asked, "What would you like to have? Some Cognac, or some tea?"

Officer Dunham shook his head and said, "I am fine, on duty, I cannot have any alcohol. Water would be fine."

At this moment, Lily came over imitating the sound of a train, and suddenly froze when she noticed Officer Dunham. Then she looked at her father, who was smiling at her dottingly and blushed a little before regaining her composure, and approached the table with a mug and a tray in her little hands. She placed it on the table and said, "Good evening, Sir. Please have some hot chocolate. I made it myself. It is very cold outside."

That said, she smiled before dashing back into the kitchen. Leo said, "That's my daughter, please try it, she has mastered making hot chocolate for all of us."

Dunham chuckled and took a sip out of courtesy and asked, "Mister Cardinal, I would like to ask you a few questions. It is off record, please don't mind."

Leo nodded and Dunham continued asking him about the meeting with the mayor and Leo agreed rightfully before he said, "Yes, I did meet him upon his invitation. He wanted me to convince the CEO of my small security company, Simon Silence to investigate the Blood Eagle Traffickers."

Dunham raised the brow on hearing the name, and Leo said, "The news were all calling them like that."

Dunham nodded and asked, "So, did you carry out the request? Did your men look into the matter?"

Leo shook his head and replied, "No, they didn't. We had no information to go in and endanger any of our people or alerting them. Simon Silence told me that he wanted two days to find some method if not they intended to reach the authorities. However, before that could be done, someone else took action."

Dunham nodded and asked, "So, please don't mind but can you give me an alibi about where you and your guards were on the night of the incident?"

Leo nodded and said, "The CCTV around my houses and my house have all been working, you are free to look into them, and my guards were all here as well. As for Simon, while I am sure that he is not involved, you can check in on him. We will cooperate with you."

Dunham sat down for a bit more before he said, "Fine, thank you for your time."

Leo stood up and they shook hands before the young man escorted the officer to the main gates.