Philomela sat in front of a table covered in case files. Photos of crime scenes, shady deals, and half-captured images of the unknown leader.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOBaEIokh6
Her brow furrowed.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nRqrzbmph
They were always there. Always one step ahead.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxC5Dr3DiQ
"How did they slip through every damn time?" she muttered.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxbCWqmsx2
Just then, someone slid into the seat across from her.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cavYK727C
Philomela looked up, startled. A shady looking woman-wearing something to cover herself, sharp eyes, a presence that felt too comfortable in the shadows.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm72Rx4Xam
"Who—"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawmrJ97tNv
"A friend," the woman interrupted. She leaned forward, tapping one of the photos. "Or an enemy, depending on what you do next."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe0Me0ueP3
Philomela’s spine straightened. "Excuse me?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1i2IlErdu
The woman smirked. "Relax, Duchess. I'm a private investigator. And I know things about her that even the police don’t."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgUQrbNdCf
Philomela studied her. A former investigator? That could mean many things.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGbtZ190IR
"Why would you help me?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGmoEPKLjp
The woman shrugged. "Let's just say... I have unfinished business and decided to help out the little Duchess."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA96WzKdQNx
She slid a small USB drive across the table.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozNlXnTcXO
"You want clues? You’ll find them in here."
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7npPQaigiv
Philomela’s fingers hesitated over the USB. She looked up.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUoWgkoBd1
"And if I don’t trust you?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWO7uX46sA
The woman grinned. "Then, Duchess, you’re already missing out."
This is clearly a snake tempting Eve to eat an apple.
With that, she stood and walked away, leaving Philomela staring at the tiny device in her hands, she clutches it and puts it in her purse.
In a dimly lit room, a large screen flickered to life. The security feed showed Philomela sitting at the table, fingers hovering over a USB drive.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqPxB8ljdl
She was hesitating.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOtHX8bWjR
The mafia leader smirked, swirling a glass of wine between their fingers.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZXkKiJb0r
"Oh, Princess… what will you do?"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zDPv4owz6
They leaned back into the chair, watching as Philomela glanced around, deep in thought.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvISxlk7P01
They could almost see the wheels turning in that brilliant little head.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq4r36SwHw
The investigator had made her move. Now, it was Philomela’s turn.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHg716H4Tx
"Do you really think you’re in control, Duchess?" They murmured.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurdynud83N
Their eyes gleamed as they reached for the phone.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKxzMKvIMk
A message was typed.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9nHwt22kt
Unknown Number: Play the game well, Princess. I’d hate for you to get lost.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgNmeEWEYV
She pressed send.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR0OeL9Q9b
Back on the screen, Philomela’s phone lit up. She saw her stiffen.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFYf1XNuom
They laughed, from the otherside of the screen.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaFoJz4u04
'I'm waiting, darling♡.'
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZiC55tRrP
Philomela grips her phone in anger.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZlV15wTs7
"Why are they being like this?" Darling here, darling there, this woman.
She types a message back
'Just wait till you see yourself behind bars.'
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskr7w1396h
Then press send, then almost not a minute passed a notification pop up.
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvTXypkCf2
'If you can or I might as well be your darling♡.'
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxOq5Sc5ze
"What kind of a criminal texts like that?!"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZtIbxAUne
'Would you please stop texting me like that.'
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazdWpnmj3O
'Why wouldn't I? Darling♡'
'Because you are a criminal'
'So what, you like it don't you?'
Unable to reply further, Philomela turned on her phone's airplane mode.
Their POV
"Looks like she is to flustered to answer me, look at how cute that face is..."
"All mine"
156Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQorWGDVQwI
