When they finally reached the institute, Emerick was mildly relieved. He had the strength to push the cart without too much trouble, in fact it had been a pleasant work out, but the coarse wood had left small blisters and a few splinters in the palms of his hands. Jacoby would doubtless scold him over it. Anticipating the possiblity Emerick would engage in some form of hard labor during his investigations, the butler had warned him to bring gloves. He hated it when Jacoby was right.
"Thanks for your help," Emerick stopped Rathus as they finished punching in, handing him back the card he'd been lent. "Sorry for the trouble."
"You're welcome," Rathus said with a shrug, then elbowed him playfully. "Pleasure to help... even if you're fucking the boss."
"Only if she lets me continue," Emerick laughed. He tried not to feel possessive when he saw the sadness tainting the orc's playful expression. Rathus was definitely in love with Trixie, but it was clear he had given up any hope on that romance some time ago.
"Who knows with Trix," Rathus shook his head. "She's stubborn. That said…" He shook his head and let the thought drop before he finished voicing it. At his side, Titus looked ready to throw another tantrum.
"I hope I'll run into you guys again soon," Emerick gave them a nod. He was turning to go, when a commotion caught his eye.
Down the hall, bodies parted as a beautiful young woman glided down the hallway, flanked on either side by larger male orcs who seemed to be acting as bodyguards. Emerick stared openly, as did everyone else present, as her snowy hair cascaded down her back falling neatly to where nine fox tails flowed behind her, and her slender frame and modest curves made every step she took a dance. Her Sapphire eyes flitted to him for a moment, and he thought she frowned, but they slid to his side where Rathus stood and at once her face was glowing with such a radiant smile he wasn't sure what to make of it.
"I've been looking for you," She said, jutting her bottom lip out in a coy pout. Emerick had to admire her technique, she was on par with some of the most talented courtesans he'd met. Just looking at her, he could tell this was one of the full-blooded orphans at the institute, though she was better dressed and fed than any of the orphans he'd met to that point. Idly, he wondered what her story was.
Before Rathus had a chance to respond, she grabbed him by the front of his shirt, pulled him down to her and smashed her lips against his. Emerick watched, stunned, as she entangled herself with him as she kissed him viciously, albiet passionately and left him no option but to kiss back. He half expected her to start stripping him. The scene was so erotic, he almost missed the black briefcase she shoved into the orc's hands before she pulled away. Released, Rathus looked both bewildered and dazed, leaving Emerick with the impression this wasn't something that happened regularly.
"I figured Trixie wouldn't show," The fox woman sighed, eyes flickering towards Emerick again. "I did try to warn her… but alas she is as stubborn as ever."
"Huh?" Was the most articulate response poor Rathus could formulate.
"I've been wanting to do that for a while now," She said with a wink. "Figured I may as well, since Trixie isn't here and I doubt I'll get another chance. Oh boy she's going to be furious when she finds out." She giggled to herself at the thought.
"What's going on Hilda?" Rathus finally found words. "What was that for?" She gave him a flirtatious smile, then pecked him on the lips again by way of response. Rathus went rigid, and she laughed, dancing away.
"In any case, that should help him," She gestured to Emerick, "with his inspection I mean. I had been planning to petition the court once I had enough to present an indisbutable case, but… well let's just say this is easier. Seeing as how this place isn't long for this world, I'm leaving. I just wanted to say goodbye. Send my regards to Trixie." So saying, she and her body guards waltzed the rest of the way out of the building, leaving stunned silence in her wake.
"Guess this is for you?" Rathus's eyes were glued to her though she was long gone. Nevertheless, he managed to hold out the black brief-case to Emerick, who took it and promptly began inspecting its contents.
There were a number of records that were all highly incriminating. Wax seals, certificates, transaction logs, and many other important documentation was arranged inside. It was no wonder Emerick hadn't found any of it when he raided the office that morning, it seemed Hilda had acquired it already. What was more, she had documents as old as a decade. He realized with a frown that he needed a way to get the case out without being caught with it at the door. They were a lot lazier about check out than check in from the looks of it, but there was still someone posted at the exit and he would stand out if he carried it.
Glancing around, he glimpsed Jacoby lounging against a shadowed wall near the entrance to the main office. Whether he'd left and snuck back in, or remained in the school the whole time was any one's guess, but one way or another it was convenient he was there. Emerick let out a low whistle to catch his attention, then tapped the brief case sharply. Satisfied Jacoby was ready to move, he tossed the brief case into the air, and smiled as it abruptly vanished.
"What was that about?" Titus demanded, rounding on Emerick with murder in his eyes. "You make a habit of throwing away important stuff?"
"How do you know it was important?" Emerick questioned. "Did you see inside of it?"
"Hilda said it was," Titus responded. There was a noticeable lack of slugging going on, which Emerick took to mean Rathus was still too preoccupied recovering to handle Titus.
"She said it would help me with my investigation," Emerick replied, a wicked idea forming in his mind. It was low, but at that moment he couldn't help it. Besides, Titus had been rude and hostile all day. He had been content to let Rathus handle him, but with the older orc brother preoccupied Emerick decided it was about time to get some petty revenge.
"Yeah, doesn't that mean it's important?" Titus huffed.
"I suppose," Emerick replied. He hadn't answered his second question, but based on his behavior the younger orc brother was in the dark about the brief case's contents. "I mean, It will be helpful… but it's rude of you to call out a woman's efforts to be discreet."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Titus demanded.
"I assume she wanted me to deliver the contents to Trixie in private," Emerick teased, enjoying stringing the gullible orc along with his fibs. "I mean, they were meant for our next date."
"Date?" Titus went rigid. "They?"
"All chosen in excellent taste, I might add. It will indeed require thorough investigation to decide which of those lacey beauties looks best on Trixie," Emerick sighed dramatically. He smiled in satisfaction as his meaning sank in and Titus's face glowed in a blush.
"She gave you underwear?" he choked. "Like… sexy underwear?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Emerick taunted. He was amused for a moment, Titus's expression was well worth the ruse. That said, visiting a lingerie boutique to get a few items for his little lover would be enjoyable, especially if she actually agreed to wear any of it.
Then, Emerick's mood plummeted as he was hit with an abrupt realization. Between the contents of Hilda's brief case, the information Rathus had given him, and everything he'd already uncovered for himself, there was no way he could fit in a second romantic night, not if he was going to effectively catch everyone with their hands in the pot… so to speak. He would have to move hard and fast, which meant bed wasn't even a likelihood, let alone sex and shopping.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to impose again," Emerick sighed and turned to Rathus. "Your girlfriend has given me quite the handful."
"Not my girlfriend," Rathus snapped, finally coming out of his daze.
"Sure, sure," Emerick waved his hand.
"What do you want?" Rathus asked with a sigh. He glanced to Titus who was still stuttering incoherently. "And… did you break my brother?"
"He was asking for it," Emerick replied. Then with a sigh, he added, "But never mind that. I need you to pass a message along to Trixie. I'm not going to be able to meet her tonight. I would like to reschedule to meet her tomorrow morning in front of the institute. Also, let her know that my offer still stands at the price we agreed on."
"Sure," Rathus replied. "We can pass that along."
"Why bother?" Titus snorted. Emerick was mildly disappointed he had already recovered. "All we have to do is keep quiet, and it'll make you look bad."
"You don't tell him that," Rathus slapped a hand to his face. "Whatever. I'll make sure she knows. She'll have our heads if we don't and she finds out you sent word."
"I love your honesty," Emerick laughed. "I'll leave my fate in your hands then, my good fellows. Hopefully I can speak with your boss tomorrow." He waved, then followed the crowd of kids that had begun exiting the institute. There was a lot of work to accomplish before morning.