Witch Hunter Robin Fan Fiction ❯ In Open Sight ❯ Hidden Ojectives ( Chapter 2 )

 

 Disclaimer:  Witch Hunter Robin doesn't belong to me. 

 

Hidden Objectives

 

            ;  Despite the bad timing, it was nice to see Bordeaux's night scene. It was teeming with citizens and tourists alike, even in November. The lights from the shops, clubs, and restaurants fell and rippled on the expedient taxi as its reflection skimmed every window it passed. Robin wished she could be exploring all of the destinations that flitted by, instead of being ferried toward the grim task before them.

            ; The morgue was housed within Charlemange Memorial Hospital, a bleak building befitting its inhabitants. It was simple, brick and plain, so much in fact, it appear generic. The only worthy attribute, of such a unpleasantly familiar location, was the clear directive signs. The medical examiner's office was located on floor B1, just a hall and a corner away from the elevator.  According to the name plate on the door the medical examiner was Stan Wipfli. Even though, the door was slightly ajar, Amon rapped gently as the door fled his assaults. A middle aged man with sandy brown hair and an effeminate face looked up from his work while answering in tired, but polite voice , "Come in." His office was small and perfectly square. The walls were an off white and the furniture was faded. A half-dead fern lurked in the corner . The room was clean but had a washed out look that usually accompanied illness. The poor lighting did nothing for the room's appeal. The bile in her stomach rose thinking about spending long hours in this office. Amon noticed her grimace, but said nothing.

            ; " Are you Stan Wipfli?" Amon asked, more out of confirmation than doubt.

            ; "Yes, what can I do for you?" Stan replied with what would have been confusion had he not been exhausted. He look his glasses off his nose and whipped the lenses on his shirt.

            ; " We are with the STNJ and would like to ask you a few questions,"  Amon said, showing Stan his badge. Stan nodded. Few people who knew the truth about Solomon, however almost everyone had heard rumors. Since they were no longer employed by the STN, Amon planned to use these nefarious rumors to his advantage,

           Propping his right elbow on the desk, Stan asked, " What would you like to know?" He motioned to the seats in front of the desk, but both of them remained standing.  

          " A child was brought in this evening. Have your finished the autopsy?"

          "  I have finished the preliminary report." he dropped his gaze, " The child exhibited may symptoms that correspond Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. So, I think it's safe to say that is the cause of death. Tragically I have seen several children lately."

            ;" Have all the bodies been in the same condition?"

           " No, some were worse than others, but all the deaths were sudden and occurred in the home."           

            ;" What time did tonight's body arrive?" Amon continued.

          " About 7:30,"

          " What is the estimated time of death?"

          " The nanny said she laid the child to sleep at approximately 4:00 p.m. The mother checked on the child at 4:45 when she arrived home from work, and the child wasn't responding. After several failed attempts at resuscitation, the hospital pronounced the child officially dead at 6:00 p.m. So the estimated time of death is between 4:00 and 5:30." 

          Amon nodded, looked at Robin and then back to Stan, " May we view the body?"

          

          They followed Dr. Wipfli into the cold, sterile autopsy room. The body, just a small bump under the standard white cloth, was on the table farthest the door. Robin readied herself as Stan slowly drew back the cloth. Viewing bodies didn't bother her, she being a hunter exposed her to a considerable amount of death and decay. This was different. This body was  a small girl, who could have easily passed for a doll, with raven hair and porcelain features. 

          "&nbs p;Camille Cholmondelay, Age: 19 months, Height: 87 cm, Weight: 19 kg, Hair: black, Eyes: green..." Stan continued to spout information in a monotone canter that implied he had repeated this information many time, but she wasn't really listening anymore. Robin circle the table, viewing the body from different angle, finally stopping at Camille's feet.

          " Amon, look at this." she said in a voice, just above a whisper. On the bottom of the girl's foot was a shapely bruise, that looked like a blobly X. "The stone axe," she gasped.  

         Amon turned abruptly to the medical examiner," Thank you for your time."

         As they descended the stairs, Robin glancing back at the building asked, "What now Amon?" He watched her swinch her face up at the increasing chilliness.

          " It's too late to do anything else tonight. In the morning, we will try to gather information on Father Andrew Dupont." 

 

 

*****

          The sun was surprisingly bright as the midday light streamed through the stained windows.  Robin smiled pleasantly, taking in St. Andre's grandeur. It looked nothing like the abbey she had left in Italy. Italy was too busy with the Renaissance to care anything about Gothic style, but she liked it none the less. She strolled to an empty pew on the right side near the middle, sitting a moment like a swimmer testing the water, before she knelt and clasped her hands in prayer.  She wore her old black ensemble, though on this occasion her hair was free. She stood out but that was her intent. Finally, she spotted him watching her, but she kept her head bowed. He was about 5'8, with dark curling hair that was a little long for a priest. It cover a good deal of his forehead and poked out in random directions. His eyes a matte blue, turned down at the corners giving him the illusion he was looking into the sun. His nose was rather long and pointed,sitting noticeably high above his full lips. As she recited "Our Father..", she realized she hadn't prayed in earnest in quite some time. She used to pray every morning, but the reason she now neglected the practice baffled her. Among other things, the child from last night, swayed in and out of her thoughts. She didn't know that child. Maybe it was just because it was a child. Amon didn't seem affected. She didn't know how Amon felt about children. It was a topic that never came up in conversation, but at some point should have. She supposed it will eventual, yet she wasn't sure she wanted to know his views on the matter. She sighed and rose from the pew in resignation. Her gait small and careful, dress trailing behind her, as she quietly made her way toward the cathedral exit. There was a boy in robes standing by the door, fidgeting with something she could not see. 

        "Excuse me." she said her hands in her pockets as she leaned forward slightly . The boy,startled, turned to face her.

        " Yes, May I help you?" His young face was wide-eyed with the intent to be useful. This amused her as she thought back to a time when she might have been seen in the same light.

        " What time does mass start on Sunday?"

        "10:45, Madam." his accent heavy as cream.

        " And who is the priest?"

        " That would be Father DuPont." the boy beamed, obviously fond of the Father.  

        Robin nodded in appreciation, and left the cathedral. Her work was done. Amon was parked in the rental car, a Renault Safrane, down the street, a couple of blocks. The car was a dull grey, and somehow conveyed a flatness. It didn't suit him.

       " I think, in time, he will reveal himself." as she spoke her eyes gazed off at something in the distance.

       " What makes you say that?"

       " He was at the alter all morning acting like he was doing important things, all the while, watching to see who was looking. He seem to have a bit of an ego, so he probably will want to show of or brag to impress upon newcomers how powerful and influential he is.  I didn't speak directly to him. Instead I asked a boy who was standing by the door a few basic questions. Despite not having communicated with him, I definitely caught his attention."

       "Good. I think it is best to lure him out slowly."

       " Amon?"

       "Yes?"

       " Can we get some breakfast now?" 

 

*******

 

       The corner cafe was like so many other in France, small and family owned. This particular cafe seemed to cater to the morning crowd, given that it was only open from six to eleven. At the moment, it was filled with a moderate amount of people, pleasantly chatting. Amon had chosen a table next to the west-facing window. The interior of the quaint cafe was sparse. A few painting of the country side hung on bare brick walls. The floor was a surface that closely resembled Mexican tile, as for the rest, the wooden tables were paired with various unmatching chairs. Yet to Robin it a cozy, welcomed hiatus from the unspoken rules of wealthier establishments' rigid designs.  Their waitress, Alain- as her name tag read, didn't speak English, but Amon knew enough French to order.

      " Amon, I didn't know you spoke French. Where did you learn it?" Robin inquired with anticipation present in her soft voice as the waitress left the table.

      Amon stared into his coffee,  still swirling with creme. " I once lived in Marseilles when I was young."

      " How long did you stay in Marseilles?" Though she had been with him quite some time, he hadn't revealed much about the past that pained him.

      " Five years."

      "Where did you go after those five years?"

      " To London. To Solomon's Headquarters."

      " So, you left because you were recruited?" She guessed.

      He smiled, " Yeah."

      " Of those years in Marseilles, who did you stay with?" She sipped the juice she order to go with breakfast, knowing this was starting to sound like an interrigation, but when would she get a more inviting opportunity.

      " My mother's sister, Jeanette la Fleur."

      " Your mother was French and your father was Japanese, but after they separated why did she remain in Japan?" She asked wide-eyed with comprehension.

      " I don't know, I guess she had her reasons."

      " How old were you when you left Japan?"

      " Twelve." Robin nodded, contemplating the subject. Amon's mother knowing herself to be a seed was probably aware of Solomon's power at that time, and had her powers awakened in France or any other part of Europe she would have been hunted and killed immediately. At that time Japan was a haven for witches escaping persecution, much like themselves...