Chapter 254 - Keeping a Paper Trail

Finn had been momentarily left in an office in the Plunes police headquarters. He paced the room slowly, looking idly over the plaques and minor decor around the room while he waited for the officers to arrive.

Just prior to this he had been far off to the north, in his office in the Noga City. It had been two in the morning, in the dead of the night when he received the telegram.

It was written in shorthand code, expressing the involvement of multiple Exalted in a small scale disruption, possibly involving Disciple level or higher participants. 

At that level the standard procedure was to report the disruption to Noga City’s headquarters. The Plunes police had also exercised their option to request assistance, a reasonable move considering the entire city only had two Exalted on staff.

Since the telegram indicated that the danger had passed and the situation was currently under control, Finn had opted not to bring any back up with him. The telegram was sufficient reason to have a portal between headquarters and the Plunes police department opened, and so here he was.

There was a knock at the door. Finn turned to see two middle aged officers. Though he had never met them before he knew their identities.

The senior with salt and pepper hair was Sergeant Park, an Astromancer Apprentice. Officer Gan followed, a Chronomancer Apprentice. Their records were unspectacular, their careers fairly peaceful. In the past they had relied on the military unit stationed in the region to respond to any dangerous Exalted situations, but those forces had been pulled out due to the recent events.

Finn met the gazes of both officers, nodding to them in greeting. From their countenance he could infer they knew who he was. The rumours of his accomplishments over the past few weeks were popular amongst the police force, the Exalted ranks in particular. He didn’t let them bother him, and in fact it was convenient at times as he found that even senior officers would listen to him and defer to him with respect.

“Good evening, Sergeant.” He said, “I’ve been sent by headquarters to assist with your investigation.”

“Yes, Inspector Mackenzie.” The sergeant nodded, shaking Finn’s hand firmly, “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“We’ve heard a lot about you.” Officer Gan said with a smile, extending his own handshake. “It’s an honour.”

“What’s the situation?” Finn asked, ignoring the compliment, “Is it still active?”

“There was a battle in the Linares plaza. It appears there were three Exalted involved. A businessman and his bodyguard, and a third unknown aggressor.” Bin said.

“We were notified of the disturbance at 2:03 and rushed to the scene. When we arrived at 2:05 the battle had already ended, with the unknown party having escaped.” Officer Gan added, with the temporal specificity common within his pathway. Finn glanced at a clock on the wall - it was 2:33.

“The bodyguard and businessman both sustained minor injuries. We apprehended and interviewed them. They don’t appear to be a threat.” Sergeant Park produced several sheets of paper, “Here is the record of the interviews. The businessman is a licensed Exalted by the name of Corbin Nao.”

Finn’s ears perked up as he received the papers without showing any expression. In addition to the interviews with Corbin Nao and Firuzeh, there was also an interview with the manager at the inn where Corbin was staying. 

Seeing the names of his fellow conspirators, Finn was not surprised. In fact he had half expected it, knowing that Char Char had been en-route to Plunes. Finn thanked his good luck that he had coincidentally been available to take the call. 

“How many observers?” Finn asked.

“It appears there were hardly any. The majority of the fight took place in the center of the plaza which was unlit. Only a few citizens reported seeing flashes of light and hearing shouting and explosions. We have told the citizens that there was a gas leak.” Park replied.

“The assailant is still at large?” Finn followed up, “Do you have any clues to his identity?”

“He is. We are still investigating, but at the moment we don’t have any leads.” Park shook his head.

Finn considered his options briefly, looking into Park’s eyes with a firm glare. From his read on the sergeant’s body language, he was not a brave man, nor did he have a problem with authority. His tone of voice was extremely cooperative as well. Finn was confident that the man had given a full and honest report. 

Officer Gan had an air of enthusiasm about him. He was younger than the sergeant, but still a good decade older than Finn. Since Gan entered the room he had been sizing Finn up, evaluating the inspector in front of him against the stories and rumours which he had heard.

“The bodyguard interview indicates a possible connection to the Spirit and Life domains from the assailant. It is likely that the assailant is related to the Fuha cult which we are pursuing.” Finn said decisively, “This case is now under the jurisdiction of Noga City’s Special Ops. All matters regarding this are to be considered confidential and reported only to myself.”

“Yes, sir.” Sergeant Park approved without hesitation. Behind him, officer Gan’s eyes shone with excitement.

The calculus of the scenario flashed through Finn’s head. 

If news of Corbin Nao’s involvement in this disturbance reached the higher-ups, they would most definitely investigate Char Char’s whereabouts. Finn did not doubt that his superiors were extremely sensitive to Exalted related activities of all the members of the Zhao estate.

These superiors were not the police Chiefs, but instead the Ministry and military, whose primary goal at the moment was the stability of the province. If it was just within the police force, Finn might have been confident enough to use his relationship with Chief Luan to sway opinions to his side. Unfortunately this was not the case.

Therefore, Finn had no choice but to minimize the traces of Corbin Nao’s involvement from the records, using his power as a Special Ops team leader to override standard reporting procedures. 

In the off chance that Corbin Nao’s involvement is discovered, though, I need my actions to look natural. Finn mused, making a plan to head to the Zhao manor after he returned to the capital, and report that Char Char was still there.

Thank the Lord that only Corbin and Firuzeh showed up in the Plunes official report. I won’t have to doctor these papers. It’s reasonable for me to treat this incident as a potential action by the Marked Devout cult. After all, Sansen Zhao was targeted by the cult during a ball at his manor…

“I’ll need to talk to Corbin Nao.” Finn said.

A few minutes later he entered the small interview room where Corbin had been left waiting. The short man looked rather roughed up. His hair was a mess, his face and hands were scratched up. There was blood on his nightgown, which he had evidently worn into battle.

The businessman raised an eyebrow as Finn entered the room, though he kept silent while Finn took a seat across the table from him. The door shut as they were left alone in the room.

“Hello Mr. Nao, I’m surprised to see you here.” Finn began the conversation in a friendly manner, “I believe the last time I saw you was at the Zhao manor… That was two weeks ago, wasn’t it?”

The conversation was supposed to be private, but Finn had no intention or need to maintain secrecy. It was common knowledge that they were acquaintances, so starting the conversation this way was natural. 

“Business is how it is.” Corbin nodded.

“I read the report. There’s no need for us to go over the tonight’s events again.” Finn said, “You said you didn’t know the assailant, nor did you have any clue to his possible identity or motives.”

“That’s right.” 

“Can you describe everything you remember about the attacker, his powers, anything strange that you noticed?”

Corbin gave a brief summary of the beautiful man, repeating what he had told sergeant Bin. 

Finn nodded, “That coincides with what your bodyguard Firuzeh said as well.”

He paused, his expression growing serious as he looked meaningfully at Corbin, “The report only mentions you, Firuzeh, and this unknown attacker. Are you aware of any other participants or observers of tonight’s incident? Any at all?”

Corbin hesitated. “Participants?”

“Yes, anyone at all that you think I should be aware of.”

Char Char was out there, somewhere. If there was any chance that her cover could have been blown, Finn needed to know.

“No, inspector.” Corbin replied.

“Do you think you require police protection at this time?” Finn asked.

“No, I don’t believe so.” Corbin shook his head.

“Very well.” Finn nodded, “You are free to go, then. I will be conducting a follow up investigation to locate your attacker. Given the nature of the incident, I would ask that you keep in touch with Sergeant Park during your stay, and notify him if you’re leaving town. If you are contacted by your assailant again, or learn anything that might help our investigation, I will ask you to get in touch with me through sergeant Park.”

“Will do, inspector.” 

Finn conducted a similar interview with Firuzeh, who answered in a similar, consistent manner. 

After completing the interviews he spent some time writing down his findings in a report. This report would not have to be submitted to anyone, but keeping a proper record would help keep him out of scrutiny in the off chance that someone took an interest in his trip this night. 

Once he was done he met with Sergeant Park and Officer Gan once more.

“Please notify your officers to look out for a man with the attacker’s description. He is to be considered dangerous and not to be approached or confronted.” Finn handed over a handwritten description which he compiled from Firuzeh and Corbin’s testimony, “I will be sending over some officers from my team shortly to conduct an investigation into this man. Please arrange a temporary office for them.”

“Yes, Inspector Mackenzie.” Sergeant Park nodded, “You’ll be returning to the headquarters, then? Officer Gan will telegram for a return portal for you. Do you need anything else?”

“No, that will be all.” Finn shook his head.

The first rays of sunlight shone in through the window, marking the start of a new day. Finn sighed softly to himself as he realized that he had been up for twenty four hours, and was likely not going to get a chance to sleep any time soon.

“Actually, I could really use a coffee.”