It was not long after that the police arrived at the Hotel Mossop. As much as Adolph intended to inform his employer before the police could confront him about Heinrich, the fact was that while he did succeed in doing so, the police had not been far behind. John Cortes, the leader of the Romani who worked at Herr von Fell's circus, had made a call to the police to inform them that Heinrich had escaped and slain Karl Albers that same time that Adolph had departed to find their mutual employer. With Mr. Cortes having told the police Herr von Fell's location, it was only natural that they would have around the same time.
Upon hearing about Heinrich, Captain Smith had everyone sent up to the suite, while he himself stayed in the lobby, Alexander by his side. Upon seeing the three policemen arrived, Alexander's ears perked up, wondering whom these three men were. Hearing Beelzebub's grunting, sounding rather agitated as the policemen approached, the Northern caracal wondered what these three men were that could make Beelzebub react in such a way.
The leader of the three men, a middle-aged man built like a barrel and standing at a height of five feet and eleven inches, addressed Herr von Fell, saying: "Herr Ludwig von Fell, I am Inspector Colm Thompson, this is Detective Yannick Williams and this is Constable Matthew Harris. We are here on account of the fact that your lion has escaped into the city and even killed a man in your employ."
"Yes, I know, Inspector." Stated Herr von Fell, as casually as if he was discussing the weather. "I can assure you I will track the beast down and kill him myself."
"Herr von Fell, we cannot allow you to search Toronto unattended with a rifle." Commented Detective Williams, crossing his arms as he stared at the pale foreigner, unable to take his eyes off of Herr von Fell's scar.
"That is perfectly fine, Detective." Herr von Fell said, now beginning to walk past the three officers of the law. "I have not hunted with firearms since 1876. For the past four decades, I have used the crossbow! Beelzebub, come!" The albino chimpanzee followed after his master, but not before giving Alexander a bloodthirsty look.
"We can't let you search the city unattended with a crossbow either!" exclaimed Constable Harris.
"And I, for one…" began Captain Smith, causing the three officers and Herr von Fell to all turn and look at him. "Will not trust this man to stop this man-eater. Gentlemen, I am Captain Kull Smith of Oshawa's Quebec Castle and eighteen years ago, I first met Herr von Fell in Tsavo."
"Bloody heck!" exclaimed Inspector Thompson, his eyes wide as he realized what Captain Smith was saying. "You don't mean to say you were present for the reign of terror of the Tsavo Man-Eaters?"
"The same, Inspector Thompson." Replied Captain Smith with a nod. "I, along with the late Captain Thorsen aided John Henry Patterson in the hunt for the Ghost and the Darkness, while Herr von Fell actively sabotaged our efforts to stop them so he could kill them himself."
"That glory was mine by right!" roared Herr von Fell. "That Irish pig Patterson had no right overstepping his place! Irishmen should be the hunted, not the hunter!"
"And…" continued Captain Smith, ignoring the Exiled Herr. "Herr von Fell's preferred hunting method, which I saw myself, involved sneaking up on his quarry from behind and slaying them while they slept. Let me ask you, gentlemen, is this the sort of man who should be allowed to go after this escaped man-eater?"
"Captain Smith raises an excellent point." Pointed out Detective Williams. "The capture or destruction of the escaped lion should be something that Herr von Fell is excluded from."
"Excluded from?" growled Herr von Fell, gripping his cane tightly. "I am the greatest hunter the world will ever know and you dare to exclude me from this?"
"Your preferred method of finishing your quarry says otherwise." Commented Inspector Thompson. "And I'll have you know, sir, I am Irish meself. So don't you dare use the term 'Irish pig' in me presence or say we should be hunted."
Alexander watched as Herr von Fell's eyes narrowed and his grip on his cane tightened even more. The Exiled seemed so close to assaulting an officer of the law and everyone present saw it. Watching as Inspector Thompson closed his hands and turned them into fists, the Northern caracal could feel the tension in the air.
When the Exiled Herr suddenly turned and exited the hotel lobby, Alexander watched with eyes wide and ears fully erect. That was it? Herr von Fell was just leaving?
As Herr von Fell opened the door, he looked back at Beelzebub who was just standing there, glaring at Alexander, as if he had forgotten the presence of the officers.
"Beelzebub! Come!"
Looking to his master, the chimpanzee looked once more to Alexander, before returning his eyes to his master, or more accurately, his master's cane. Slinking towards his master, like one of the foxes that would try to steal Alexander's kills, Beelzebub exited the hotel, only to briefly re-enter to retrieve Adolph, who was chatting with a hotel guest. When they did exit once more, Alexander let out a loud hiss, causing Beelzebub to turn for a moment and glare once more. They had not come to blows yet, but they would some day soon, perhaps even that day.