So ACT II is about to come to an end (in like two or three more chapters)

I've only planned for there to be three ACTs in this thing so I guess we can say the case is coming to a close (but not too soon)

Anyways...Reviews are always appreciated and I wanted to get around to thanking the anonymous reviewers (I'd reply to them but they're never logged in ...I wonder why *sarcastic*)

ENJOY!

The following day, Francis had briefed Arthur on the reason why they had to go pay a visit to the head of the Braginski family. Remembering that Braginski had hinted a threat to the life of Lord Weillschmidt if their business was ever told to unwanted ears, Francis took care into lying and coming up with an alternative reason to the visit. While Arthur was in a coma, Francis dug up information on public knowledge where Lord Edelstein made an important business deal with the wealthy Russian family. He had reasoned with Arthur that it was a well-known fact that the Braginski family was a crime family but it was never able to be proven in court no matter how many times they were brought to it. Like all criminals, the Braginski family seemed to be one step ahead of the police department when it came to covering murders, kidnaps, threats and other devious activity.

And so, the two primary detectives returned to the Chinatown where they had met with the seer, Yao, and were directed to the Korean man at the reception desk. The perky fellow informed them that there was a car already waiting for them and all they had to do was step out at the back of the hotel.

They did as told and were seated in a car where they had sufficient privacy from the driver's ear to speak about the case.

"A lot of things have been happening ever since you joined the case," Arthur began as he fished through the papers he had brought with him, "So I'd like to recap on the new things we found since there might be something we missed. I want to start with Lord Ivan Braginski."

Francis nodded with a minimum of seriousness and started to inform his partner, "Ivan Braginski is reported to be a shrewd man with a stone face and a cold heart," He tried to act as if he wasn't basing himself off a personal encounter which was rather difficult but some how managed. "He seems to enjoy toying with government agents or officials by admitting to his family's notorious activity in a matter in which the one hearing said information knows the truth but can't prove it. He and his family have been brought to court over twenty times on the count of mass murder, trickery, breaking and entering, kidnapping, assault, assassination; basically anything you can think of, they were accused of it."

"Right, and no one was able to prove any of these accusations?" Arthur stated more than asked, "Suppose that this man was in charge of the death of Lord Edelstein, how would he have done it and why? We know for a fact he wasn't anywhere near the Edelstein mansion so he couldn't have done it himself."

With that question Francis began another lie weaved with a series of truths, "Aside from his clear but unproven criminal activity, Ivan Braginski is the CEO of a powerful empire of military technology in Russia; not only does he supply Russia with weapons but also neighbouring countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Mongolia, China and many more. With his international commerce comes a large, influential power over all those governments."

"But what does this have to do with the Edelstein family?" Arthur interrupted as he rubbed his temple, he was receiving a lot of information all at once, "The Edelstein family is in charge of a famous culinary industry that spans all over Europe and is making progress to North America. There's no reason for Lord Braginski to want to associate himself with such a department."

"Don't say such commoner-outsider things!" Francis schooled to Arthur's anger, "You just said the exact reason to why he would want to associate himself with Lord Edelstein and vice versa."

"I don't get it." Arthur groaned deeply.

"Lord Edelstein has commerce dealing with all of Europe which is slowly expanding to North America due to the tight relationship between the two continents," the Frenchman explained in a snobby tone of superiority. "Ivan Braginski, on the other hand, has commerce dealing with strictly the Northern and partially southern part of Europe as well as most of Asia. The whole point of having a successful industry is to have it expand internationally and gain more money, more power for whatever ambition the head of the organisation has in mind. From what I found out, Lord Edelstein was planning on expanding to Asia as well but needed a partner to do so for imposing European cuisine on such a closed up continent can prove to be excruciatingly challenging. Ivan Braginski is basically supplying all of Asia with high class weaponry and military technology and so has a big influence on the area, as I said before. He is steadily expanding all across Europe but at a slow pace; probably, to augment the pace of expansion and offer his goods to North America, he offered a mutual exchange to Lord Edelstein. He had something that Lord Edelstein wanted and the latter what he wanted."

Francis finally stopped explaining the business strategy the two had taken up to pull something out of his own folder and hand it to the Englishman.

"It was something that surprised most commoners because they didn't understand and so there was an article made," Francis explained briefly and handed the newspaper to his partner who began skimming it. The stack of papers contained the colourless image of Lord Edelstein and Ivan Braginski shaking hands, "It's basically an interview with Lord Edelstein since the interviewer was clearly to afraid to talk to Braginski. If you read the answers Lord Edelstein gives to certain questions, you'll see that he speaks as if there's something more than a trade of mutual interest of expansion."

"Are you aware of the criminal charges against Lord Braginski and his organisation as well as the rumours of putting those of no longer use to execution?" Arthur read aloud, "Does he actually do that?"

"Don't know; guess we'll have to ask him." Francis shrugged. "Read his reply."

"As you have said, they are but rumours." Arthur stopped immediately, "He doesn't mention anything about the criminal charges."

"Exactly, but keep reading." Francis persisted.

"However we have come to a clear understanding of the terms of this alliance we have put in place," Arthur paused before continuing. He had noticed how loosely Lord Edelstein spoke as if to tease the imagination of those who didn't understand or, almost, as if to warn them of something else. "Some of you do not necessarily understand the reasoning for a culinary empire to join the favour of a military empire and so I tell you all that it is merely in the mutual interest of international expansion. Nothing more."

"Nothing more…" Arthur repeated sceptically, "They may be words written on paper but it feels as if he's lying or trying to convince the others that nothing illegal is happening."

"That's exactly the case," Francis confirmed, "Now I wasn't necessarily there to deduce that for myself, but I trust in the feeling in my gut that says something else happened during that private meeting. Read the last question."

"Assuming you signed the terms of this alliance in the form of a contract, who have you chosen to be the witnesses?" Arthur read, he thought the question was bizarre but remembered the mention of the criminal past of the Braginski family and figured that the interviewer meant if they were people influenced by the Russian Lord or not. "Of course Lord Braginski has chosen his sisters to partake as witnesses but also a famous merchant from China. They are people he trusts completely and have a large influence on the business choices he makes. I too have chosen people important to me and that also have an important influence on my own decisions, my fiancée Lady Elizaveta Hédéváry and, lastly, my close friend and famed business partner Lord Gilbert Weillschmidt."

"So two of the suspects participated in a potentially illegal affair, hun?" Arthur assessed.

"Oui, not only that but Lady Hédéváry is taking the pills and so is erasing her memories," Francis pointed out gravely, "The only person besides her and those carefully selected by Braginski that can tell us anything about what happened in there is Lord Weillschmidt."

"And we all know how cooperative he is." Arthur snorted sarcastically as he sunk into his seat. "So, to resume, if Lord Braginski actually was behind the murder of Lord Edelstein it would have something to do with their mutual international expansion deal and, more likely, with the notorious business that took place during the alliance meeting. But how? How would he have done it?"

"I'm a little puzzled on that too," Francis, admitted with a sigh, he passed his hand through his hair. "I figured he might have sent an assassin or something but another idea came to mind. It's possible he was working with someone else to remove Lord Edelstein for a reason of some sort and that the deal was just a means of getting close to our victim to have an easier time of erasing him."

"That's pretty far fetched in my opinion," Arthur admitted, "I think the reasoning could be much simpler than that. Maybe Lord Braginski finally got the connections he needed to do whatever he wanted and didn't need Lord Edelstein anymore and just eliminated him."

"Perhaps but that's too simple." Francis argued, "Ivan Braginski is a smarter man than that, I mean, he did escape hardcore accusations from court more than twenty times. I don't think he would have ridded himself of Lord Edelstein so quickly after gaining said connections. Getting what you need in the name of an alliance takes time and the interview dates from two years ago."

"Well how long does it take? Two years seems sufficient enough." Arthur growled. Francis was getting on his nerve.

"Depends." Francis began, "If the connection is easily influenced, a matter of weeks of convincing from Lord Edelstein and Braginski would be set to go. However, it is Braginski we're dealing with and most people are weary of things involving him, and so convincing on the part of Lord Edelstein can take up to months. Then for Braginski to get whatever he wanted from said connection would take much longer since – if it whatever it is, is illegal – the association could uncooperative or reluctant and Braginski would have to find a way to get his way."

"Fine, point taken." Arthur sighed, "I guess we can think up more theories after we interview him."

"I'd want to interview his sisters too." Francis added before the conversation topic could be changed.

"Good idea," The Brit granted, "We'll also have to pay another visit to Lord Weillschmidt to ask him about the meeting."

Francis nodded. The Frenchman felt bad for lying to his partner and his love but he constantly reminded himself it was for his safety and protection. The incident at Arthur's apartment was deemed a criminal act and the pyromaniac has yet to be identified but Francis frankly believed that it was some sort of warning from either the murderer or Ivan himself. Whoever it was, he or she was linked to the case somehow.

"Come to think of it," Arthur started, "Why don't you put Lord in front of Lord Braginski's name? He'll find it insulting and it'll be bad for the image of our police department, let alone yours."

"Don't worry about it." Francis brushed off, I doubt he'll care.

Before Arthur could begin nagging his partner or suggest summing up the information of the other suspects, the driver stopped the car to indicate that they had arrived at the given destination. The two detectives stepped out of the car and observed their surroundings.

Merde, I forgot to look at the surroundings to remember my way here if I ever needed to come back… Francis cussed to himself.

When did it start raining? Arthur wondered as he shielded his head with his hands.

Finally, the two's gaze finally landed on the mansion looming above them menacingly, daring them to enter the daunting structure. To add to its creepy allure was the vegetation that had grown around it, having it seem abandoned and haunted. Vines gripped tightly the dull, grey, used bricks and decorated the contour of the small, shaded windows.

I don't remember it this gloomy… Francis thought, then again, I don't remember much from that time…

Pulling the two from their thoughts was the sound of the driver leaving them a few steps away from the dark doors of the home. The two exchanged looks as the car quickly disappeared on the beaten road surrounded by thick vegetation.

"I guess we'll have to count on the kindness of the Braginski family to get back to London." Francis concluded as he walked out of the rain and to the doors separating them from answers.

Arthur quietly followed and jolted as the door opened with a horrific creek without any knocking on the part of either of them.

"To forget one's purpose is the commonest form of stupidity." Toris greeted quietly, he gestured for them to come in. "His Lordship has been expecting you."

Francis froze briefly at the sight of Toris but brushed it off and entered the house alongside with Arthur who seemed slightly troubled by something.

"What's wrong?" Francis asked.

"Nothing…" He mumbled, "It's just…there was a nurse when I woke up, and she said the same thing to me before leaving…I told another nurse that walked in minutes after but she thought I was crazy…"

"What did she say to you?" The Frenchman asked dryly, he hadn't expected for Ivan to send someone assess Arthur and didn't like it.

"That I was crazy…" Arthur repeated, "Weren't you listening to me?"

"Not the second nurse, the first one." Francis specified.

"She just told me about everything that happened and my condition." Arthur answered slowly, he began to wonder why Francis was so interested. "Then she left, why?"

Francis shook his head, "Nothing." The famous detective turned his attention back to the young, Lithuanian servant. "May we meet with Ivan Braginski?"

"I'm afraid that Mister Braginski has left alongside his sisters the previous day," Toris informed monotonously. "They have yet to return. Until then, Mister Braginski has asked me to keep you occupied."

The twelve bells of noon suddenly struck grimly in the sinister home.

"You must be hungry," the boy concluded, "Please follow me to the dinning room where a fine meal awaits for you."

Without heading a word of protest, Toris lead the way through the dim halls of the mansion. Francis and Arthur were both on his heels, sticking to a close distance due to avoid the mishap of losing their guide in the darkness.

"Francis…"

Francis turned to the female voice that had called his name so sadly. He stopped and looked behind and caught the glimpse of a white dress disappearing into a room on the left. Tormented by an odd feeling residing in his gut, he trotted towards the woman, away from Toris and Arthur, unnoticed.

He reached the room and opened the door but found it empty save for a black Grand Piano. Inexplicably attracted to the instrument that seemed ever so familiar, Francis moved closer to it until his hand brushed against its freshly polished surface.

"Francis…" her soft voice rang.

"Ou est tu?*" Francis asked looking around the empty room.

He hadn't understood why he spoke in French before the woman appeared before him like a ghost conjured out of thin air.

She bore the softest, kindest smile of an angel descended from the Heavens; her hair was that of the purest gold shinning warmth in the cold room where they stood but what mesmerized Francis the most was her sapphire blue eyes and the love they demonstrated. He didn't know how but he knew she loved him and that he loved her in return, almost more than he loved Arthur.

"Je t'aime…**" She whispered.

The feeling was almost cruel. Without being able to control himself, Francis began to cry heavy tears and desperately reached for her. He didn't know who she was, why she was there, why she loved him and why he loved her but he knew he missed her. He knew he missed her so damn much and that, now that he had found her again, he wanted to hold her.

Found her again.

Again.

Why was that word there? He was positive that he never saw her before, that he didn't know who she was, that he didn't know anything of anything about her. And so the question remained, why had be found her again?

"J-je…je t'aime…" He stuttered pitifully as he reached to touch her cheek.

"Je le sais…***" She responded softly and leaned into his hand.

Her skin was soft and flawless, like a porcelain doll, but it held no warmth and that was how Francis knew she wasn't real. That's how he knew an illusion was pictured before him.

"Mais il faut que tu m'oublie…" She said as she began to fade away. "Parce que je ne te fais que du mal…****"

Then she was gone and Francis was alone in a room, with a Grand Piano. All he could do was stare ahead of him, where the beautiful angel had once stood and mourn her loss.

"Mais je t'aime…*****" He whispered to no one.

The door creaked open quietly, shortly after, and Toris peaked in. "Mister Bonnefoy, Detective Kirkland is awaiting for you in the dinning room." He cooed.

Francis quickly wiped his tears away and nodded. "Right, sorry." He mumbled.

"To forget one's purpose is the commonest form of stupidity." Toris whispered before leading the way once more.

I think I might have forgotten my purpose…

Arthur paced in the dinning room; he eyed the plates laid on the table and the content which they held. They all seemed to be from different countries; one of them contained a Quiche Lorraine decorated with parse accompanied with a side of escargot and red wine, which Arthur thought to be an odd combination. Next to said plate clearly depicting some of the most known French food was _ which Arthur knew to be typically from Russia with a glass of water. The same meal rested on the other side of the dish Arthur deemed was for Francis. At the head of the table was _ another meal from Russia with, again, a glass of water. Then there was a plate he assumed was for him, _ with _ to drink.

Toris had said that the Braginski family weren't present in the home but supplementary dishes on the table indicated that they were expected soon.

Very soon.

"Arthur Kirkland…" A voice that was all too familiar called from behind the British detective.

He turned to see the man that had called his name but Arthur found no one.

"The queer detective living in the shadow of the famous Detective Bonnefoy." The same voice joked from, again, behind Arthur. "How bothersome."

Arthur spun on himself just in time to see a silver flash dart for him. "He must disappear!" the voice yelled.

Arthur fell over due to the force of an invisible impact. Subconsciously, the spooked detective reached for the scar on his stomach; that voice had been familiar as were the words spoken.

"Look sestra, he's sitting on the ground." Stated a woman that had entered the room unnoticed with two other individuals. Arthur looked up and was stunned by her abnormally large breasts.

"How foolish," Said the youngest, "Perhaps he is still not well?"

Arthur looked at the youngest and noticed that she looked exactly like the nurse that had spoken to him.

Wait…that is her… Arthur concluded as he noticed the white ribbon.

"Da, that could very well be it," Spoke the tallest and only man amongst them, "He did partake in a rather shameful activity with our good friend Bonnefoy after being released from the hospital."

Arthur blushed without meaning to, What…how do they know—?

"That's right…" Remembered the one with the big breasts, "Our little Toris followed them to make sure…"

"Shh, sestra, you must not say." The man said in a tone filled with amusement and, vividly, cruelty. "If Detective Kirkland learns, he will send us to prison."

"But we can easily kill him now." Stated the youngest.

"Da, that's right, how silly of me." Chuckled the man, "But that would defy the whole purpose of inviting him over."

"Wait…you're…Lord Braginski?" Arthur mumbled.

The doors to the dinning room opened once more to reveal Toris and Francis.

"Ah, Detective Bonnefoy." Ivan greeted with childlike innocence. "Now that we're all here, perhaps we should dine, da? The food will get cold."

*Where are you? (in French)

** I love you (in French)

*** I know you do (in French)

**** But you need to forget me…Because all I do is hurt you (in French)

***** But I love you (in French)

** The notes Francis took can be seen in chapter 11 – Song of the Broken Record

I guess at some point, at the beginning of ACT II I said that I'd concentrate more on the case and mention Jeanne a little less...I'm not sure if I'm doing that but whatever xD I can never really do as I say or else I feel like...like it's already done and I don't want to write about it...

Though one thing is for sure, the next chapter will have the questionning of Ivan and his sisters and then there will eventually be a recap of all the information the detectives know (including what Francis found out when he interviewed Gilbert so many chapters ago - Chapter 11 (I think) to view his notes)

Anyways...

SEE YOU NEXT CHAPTER!