Private Investigator Hais sat at his desk, his mind racing with thoughts of the missing trio. Logan, Conal, and Orson had disappeared without a trace, and their families had hired Hais to find out what had happened to them. His investigation had led him to Erik, a student at the Red Palace, and today he was finally going to meet the man in question.
The investigator stood up from his desk and left the building. He had received permission from the Red Palace to interrogate Erik, and he knew he had to move quickly before any more time passed. He hailed a cab and got in, giving the driver the address of the Red Palace.
As the cab moved through the busy streets of New Alexandria, the scenery began to change. The towering skyscrapers gave way to more modest commercial buildings and offices until they eventually stopped in front of the Red Palace, the tallest building in the city.
The Red Palace was a stunning sight, made entirely of red glass that gleamed in the sunlight. There was a sizable garden all around it with trees, flowers, and smaller structures. The palace was a symbol of power and wealth, and only the most important figures were allowed to enter its premises.
As Hais got out of the cab and approached the entrance, he couldn't help but feel in awe, but that feeling soon gave way to disgust for the people who were working and studying there.
A stern-looking guard greeted him and requested his identification. Hais presented his credentials, and the guard checked them before allowing him to enter the palace.
Hais couldn't help but be astounded by the facility's opulence as he made his way through the halls. The floors were made of polished marble, and the walls were adorned with paintings and tapestries. The palace was filled with students, each engrossed in their studies, and Hais couldn't help but feel a sense of envy for the education and opportunities that they had.
<They don't deserve all of this,> he thought.
Hais was lost in thought when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see Amanda Smith, the Red Palace receptionist, standing behind him with a professional look.
"Welcome, Mr. Hais; I've been asked to bring you to the room where the interview will take place. Before going, I must ask you: Do you have any weapons on you?" Amanda asked with a polite smile.
"I don't," Hais replied. Amanda nodded understandingly and changed the subject, not wanting to make Hais uncomfortable. She knew it was important to respect his boundaries.
"Good. Then follow me, please."
Hais followed Amanda as she led him through a series of corridors, the primary color of which was red. He couldn't help but notice the grandeur of the palace and the sense of history and tradition that seemed to emanate from every stone and tile. It was incredible how much money these guys wasted on simple corridors.
As they walked, Amanda turned to Hais and asked, "May I ask what brings you to the Red Palace and why you want to talk with Mr. Romano?"
Hais hesitated for a moment before responding, "I'm here on a private matter. I didn't think you would be so bold as to actually ask a citizen's private matter."
Amanda's expression shifted slightly, and Hais could tell she was not entirely pleased with his response.
"I didn't want to offend you, Mr. Hais. I understand the need for privacy," Amanda said carefully. "But please be aware that the Red Palace values transparency and honesty. If there is anything that you can tell us, we would appreciate it. In the end, the truth will come out, and the Red Palace will find out."
Hais nodded, acknowledging Amanda's warning. He couldn't help but wonder what the Red Palace knew or suspected anything about Erik. Probably they didn't care, as the three kids were not that important, and they probably didn't even know who they were.
As they reached the small room, Hais took a deep breath and prepared to speak with Erik, knowing that he had to tread carefully in this hallowed institution. He entered and sat before a desk, waiting for Erik to come, to the sound of a clock ticking at regular intervals.
***
Erik sat nervously on the edge of his bed, tying his shoelaces and trying to calm his racing thoughts. He didn't know why he had been summoned to meet with a private investigator, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with the deaths of Logan, Conal, Orson, or Nathaniel; after all, that was the only reason why someone like a private investigator would have wanted to talk to him. He had thought he had been careful and had covered his tracks, but now the fear of being found out was gnawing at him.
He had gone to great lengths to ensure that no one suspected him of having anything to do with the deaths of the three boys. He had disposed of the bodies, erased all evidence of his involvement, and even planted false leads to throw off anyone who might come looking for him.
But now, as he thought about the meeting with the private investigator, he couldn't help but worry that he had missed something, that somehow he had left a trace of himself behind. He tried to calm himself down, reminding himself that he had covered his tracks meticulously, but the fear of being caught gnawed at him like a persistent itch.
As he slipped on his Red Palace uniform, Erik took a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart. He knew he had to keep his cool and appear calm and collected in front of the investigator. He couldn't let on that he had anything to hide and couldn't give away any clues that might lead the investigator to suspect him.
With a final glance in the mirror, Erik took a deep breath and headed out of his dorm room, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead.
Erik stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the ground floor, his mind racing with thoughts of what he might say to the private investigator. He ran through all the possible scenarios in his head, trying to anticipate the questions he might be asked and how he would answer them.
He knew he couldn't lie about certain things but couldn't reveal the truth. Moreover, his story needed to be consistent with what happened during the murders. He had to find a way to skirt around the edges and give just enough information to satisfy the investigator's curiosity without giving away too much.
As the elevator doors slid open and he stepped out into the hallway, Erik could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He had never been so nervous in his life, not even when he faced the thaids, as he had at least a certain degree of control in those cases. He took a deep breath, stepped into the hall, and headed toward the meeting room.
After a short walk, Erik finally arrived in front of the room. He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and stepped into the room. There, he saw the private investigator sitting at a small table, his back to the door. The man was tall and lanky, with long arms and legs that seemed disproportionate to the rest of his body. He was older than Erik had expected, with a scruffy beard and a mop of curly gray hair that hung over his ears.
As Erik approached, the investigator turned to face him, and Erik saw the man's face for the first time. The man had deep-set eyes that seemed to bore into his soul. He wore a faded brown suit that looked like it had seen better days and a pair of scuffed-up boots that had seen more than their fair share of pavement. Erik wondered how he could dress this way despite being in summer. The man's unkempt appearance and disheveled hair basically suggested that he might be homeless or down on his luck.
But despite his scruffy appearance, there was an air of authority and wittedness about the man that made Erik sit up a little straighter. He could tell that this was someone who had seen his fair share of issues and knew how to get to the bottom of things.
"Mr. Romano, I presume?" the investigator said, his voice deep and gravelly.
Erik nodded, feeling a lump form in his throat. He had never been interrogated before, and the sight of this seasoned investigator was making him feel more than a little uneasy.
"Please, have a seat," the investigator said, gesturing to the chair across from him. "I'm Private Investigator Hais. I've been hired by the families of Logan, Conal, and Orson to find out what happened to their children. And from what I understand, you had a long history with the three kids."
Erik swallowed hard, feeling a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He knew that this was going to be a long, difficult meeting.
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