Alastair slowly moved to the center of the bus stop and sat there quietly. It's still raining, and he can hear the falling of raindrops.
He sat there for a long time, looking at the people running in the rain and listening to the sound of raindrops.
He wondered, thinking, 'how cruel and greedy can people become..? Do one's happiness matters or satisfying the society norms matters..? Day by day, empathy is missing from our lives.'
Thomas left him there itself as he is well aware of this behavior of Alastair's. Even though he is a genius, his mentality and thinking are quite simple.
He believes everyone should have the freedom to do whatever they want. He never bothered about society's norms nor intended to follow them.
Sighing to himself, Alastair got up, then boarded a bus, and left from there. A person from the central bureau informed the same thing to Thomas.
Throughout the journey, Alastair kept thinking about his parents. Even though they died long back, he never forgot them. When he reached home, it was already 7 in the evening.
After coming into the home, Alastair just popped on the sofa in the living room and just stared at everything in the house.
Browny came and stood in front of him as if seeking his attention. Alastair still didn't notice and was in his world.
Suddenly Browny barked at him as if it is accusing him of not noticing him. Coming out of his stupor, Alastair looked down.
"Are you barking on me because I didn't notice you..?" Alastair asked, taking Browny into his hands.
Browny slowly whimpered and nuzzled into him. His whimpering is like a baby whining for his mother's love.
Alastair laughed loudly and patted on his head, saying, "sorry for not noticing you as soon as I came into the home. Hmm, what about I make a deal with you..?"
Browmny perked it's ears up as if signaling him that 'i am listening.'
Oh! you are interested in a deal, hmm, okay then whenever I came inside, you must welcome me every day, okay..?" Alastair questioned him.
Browny turned his head away from him as if he is not happy with the deal. "Wow! you are not interested after listening to me. you are so mean."
Browny still kept on ignoring him as if asking what he will gain from this deal.
Alastair was scratching his head, "Fine! Then what about I bring you out every time you welcome me home..?" This time Browny barked at him happily and licked his hand.
"You were pretending all this time, isn't it..?" he asked yet obliged to its request.
Thomas and Bellatrix stayed in the central bureau to close the case. Unlike Alastair, they have to local the evidence and handover to the court.
Mr. Richard's lawyer came and spoke with him, yet he failed in getting bail for him as he already half confessed his crime.
Since royal people involved in a murder, the head royal called to the central bureau and asked them to deal with the person as it fits according to the law.
Alastair lazily sat on the sofa for a long time even though Browny barked at him several times. He silenced it, saying, "I am in no mood to play with you or take you out. Why don't you keep me company..?"
Listening to his words, Browny stopped barking and stayed in his lap as if soothing him with its warmth.
Flinch came from the garden "young master, it's time for dinner. What do you want me to prepare..?" seeing Alastair, he asked.
"Say, Uncle Flinch. Do you remember how I was in my childhood..?" Alastair asked randomly, not even thinking about it.
"Haha, master, when old master bought you here, you were so quiet for days but eventually warmed up to them. Old misses liked you so much and loved you dearly. It was her who made you speak to them finally," Flinch looked at him as if adoring him.
He cleared his throat, "mmhmm, oho! Is it..? Hmm, I guess so. I am taking Browny out for a walk. You prepare simple dinner by the time we came back," and said, feeling awkward.
'Can't I be more reasonable than this. Who cares how am I in my childhood' Alastair walked into the garden carrying browny in his hands, murmuring to himself, almost biting off his tongue.
Browny is still very small to walk on his own, so Alastair carried him in his hands, showing around the garden and asked him whether he likes it too, which Browny uttered a happy "bow, bow," which sounded like 'ow, ow.'
Alastair laughed heartily and moved towards the wing placed in the middle of the garden and sat on the swing placing Browny on his lap.
'You know, my adoptive mother would have loved you at first sight. She would be so happy whenever you bark or run around the house,' Alastair said, looking at the stars smiling lightly.
Browny uttered a small 'ow' as if it understood his words. 'Hmm, becoming smart, aren't you..?' he ruffled its fur. He stayed there for some more time.
"Get inside, Alastair, it's freezing outside. Dinner is ready, go and fresh up," came Uncle Flinch's voice.
Alastair reluctantly moved inside, placing Browny on its small dog house he went upstairs.
Meanwhile, Flinch prepared warm milk for Browny and started making it drink as Browny cannot drink independently.
Bellatrix and Thomas still there in the bureau handling and recording evidence. Thomas almost lost his cool dealing with the lawyer arranged for Richard, but fortunately, Thomas didn't make things worst for him on his first day.
The night seems so quiet and calm yet so dark and oppressing. Alastair came down and sat on the dining table.
After Browny finished drinking milk, Flinch let it out for some time and went back to the kitchen. He served Alastair with a bowl of simple fried rice and an omelet to go with it.
"Come on, stop being so formal, uncle Flinch. Have your dinner along with me, or else I won't eat," stating Alastair crossed his hands on his chest as if he is trying into intimidating Flinch.
"Alas, you were the same in your childhood, you know. You always used to cross your hands like this when someone doesn't listen to you," saying Flinch emotional.
"Come on, stop crying now. You are becoming old, did you notice..?" not knowing what to say, Alastair randomly tried to change the topic.
Unable to refuse him, Flinch sat beside, and they both had dinner harmoniously.
While having dinner, Thomas called Alastair, "hey, Alas! what are you doing at this time..?"
"What will I do other than having dinner at this time..?" Alastair answered with a question.
"Tsk, tsk with a beauty like yours, you should be chasing after girls, Alas. Look at you having dinner..?" Bellatrix teased him.
"Did you call only to tease me...? keep it in mind when I start, you will be embarrassed like hell," Alastair casually commented.
"Of course not, we called to inform you about our regular gathering this Saturday," both replied in unison.
"Hmm, I remember, don't worry. I will attend for sure," Alastair said while chewing his food.
"Okay, then bye Alastair. We just got off from the duty, phew what a hectic day," Bellatrix commented.
"Of course, it would be hectic. Do you think it would be easier..?" Thomas countered her.
"Guys! Please disconnect the call and then continue with your arguments," Alastair stated in a matter of fact tone.
"What a mean guy you are..? Thomas disconnects the call.
This time Alastair had dinner peacefully and then washed his bowl. "Good night, uncle Flinch," wishing him, he went upstairs.
Flinch cleaned the utensils, then switched off all the lights in the downstairs and took the dog house into his room, thinking Browny might frighten in the night as it is still small.
He studied about a thesis on psycho killers for some time and then turned to see the time. He searched for the phone and then remembered that he forgot his phone.
When Alastair came down suddenly, everything became pitch black.
He can't even hear flies pester nor Browny's little barks. Sensing something will happen, his senses became high alert, and his eyes became sharp as waiting for its prey.
Those electric blue eyes were able to see keenly even in the dark. At first glance, Alastair didn't notice any movements, so he went into the kitchen to collect his phone.
When he stumbles upon the chair placed at the dining table, dark shadows started moving eerily in the night outside the garden.
Without switching on the torch, he slowly moved outside the kitchen and walked towards the garden. He moved very carefully that even his shadow is also not visible.
He noticed a strange thing inside the villa beside his house. He was confused at first, as he was unable to see clearly.
But when he moved closer, he understood something is happening inside the study room of the old general's villa.
Narrowing his eyes at that particular area, he called the security and informed the same thing. He was skeptical about how come there is power in that villa's study room when in the entire military community it's off.
Since he is the son of a retired major general, his phone number and personal details are highly confidential. Every member's information who stays in the military compound is secured and confidential.
No one should reveal these members' personal information at any cost.
The security personal reached the particular villa Alastair mentioned and checked everything. He immediately informed his superiors about the situation.
The mess they have made seemed like they were waiting for this time and well prepared. The older man's property papers were missing, and one of the intruders stabbed him in the abdomen.
The security head immediately called an ambulance and informed to the old generals' relatives along with his closest kin.
Naturally, this case fell in Alastairs's hands as he already cracked the royal murder case. Moreover, the old general is a close friend and mentor of his adoptive father.
The head of the current military special forces, Mr. Steven Billius, called Alastair and requested him to meet him as early as possible.
Alastair agreed instantly, not disclosing that he was the one who called to the security. He reached the special forces building, which is nearby the military quarters.
Partially the security of the military quarters maintained by this special force soldiers. When he reached the building, a soldier is already waiting for him.
On the way, the soldier briefed about the situation and the old general's condition.
'Power went off for roughly twenty minutes, which means the incident had planned with an insider involvement,' Alastair instantly concluded while moving to the top floor.
Steven is the grandson of the old general's daughter from his other wife, Rubiya, and raised to his current position purely depending on his skills and talent.
"I am sorry I bothered you at this time, but I can only hand over this case to you. After all, you are the general's most trusted close friend's son.
Looking at the man standing in a military posture, "you must be the old man's relative. If my guess is correct, you are suspecting someone from your relatives," Alastair concluded.
"Indeed, the genius detective consultant you are. I don't want to waste our time. So coming to the point, yes, your guess is correct. I can only handover to you because not all my relatives know about you yet," Steven said, giving him a brown color file.
"Hmm, interesting!" Alastair commented, looking at the official military sign on the file, "How is the old man" he further added.
"Fortunately, the cut didn't go deep, so operation is a success. Currently, my grandfather is still unconscious. I have already moved him to my official residence so that you can access the villa," Steven answered, giving him the villa's key card.