Chapter Nine

  Part Three

  Benedict Rashe looked quite peaceful, lying on top of the metal operating table. The only thing that gave away he was dead, was the fresh stitching that were lined across his torso. The doctor was just starting to clean up after himself, when Line and Ali walked into the room.

  “Doctor” Line greeted.

  The doctor returned the greeting “Inspector”

  “Line” Hyde gave a nod.

  Line returned the nod but spoke to the doctor “Well? What did you find?”

  The doctor stalled for dramatic effect “Poison”

  “I thought so. I could smell something off in his tea cup”

  “Line. How can your senses be that good?” Ali asked.

  Line smiled “They just are. Do you know type of poison yet? Or do you need more time?”

  “No, I don’t need any time. I know this poison. Deaths Touch. Have you heard of it?”

  Ali answered “I haven’t”

  The doctor continued “It’s relatively fast acting. But also, relatively expensive. Deaths Touch is smuggled from a different continent, and you can’t normally buy it here. It’s almost untraceable once it enters your system, but if the victim is quickly examined it can be noticeable. The longer Deaths Touch is in your system, the harder it is to trace it”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Ali beamed “So we got lucky?”

  “Very lucky”

  “Where do you think the killer got it then? If it’s so hard to buy?” Ali asked.

  It was Hyde who answered “Probably from someone who doesn’t stay in one place for long. Because as soon as Deaths Touch makes an appearance, we would be sent to immediately arrest whomever sold it. Not only that, but it’s certainly been a while since we last dealt with Deaths Touch”

  “Ali, if you want to know more about Deaths Touch, I can tell you” Line said.

  “Tell me”

  “Alright. Deaths Touch is used by an assassination sect on that continent, named Nightshades. Nightshades are very similar to The Sect, and they are also aware of each other. It’s just that they made a deal a long time ago to not get involved in each other’s business, so they always distance themselves from each other. Hence why The Sect is more prominent here, and Nightshades are more prominent there”

  “And do you know what Deaths Touch actually is? I mean, what’s the poison made from?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve never actually had the chance to get so close to it before. But maybe after this case, I’ll be able to answer that question”

  “No you won’t” Hyde said “If there’s any more Deaths Touch lying around, I’d have to confiscate it”

  Ali tutted, but didn’t say anything else.

  Line smiled “I understand. Deaths Touch is dangerous, but I suppose it has to be for an assassination organisation to use it so much” Line turned back to the doctor “But what made you test for Deaths Touch so quickly?”

  “I always test for Deaths Touch first. Especially for the victims that have no visible marks of a cause of death on their body”

  “And why is that?”

  “It’s a requirement to test for Deaths Touch first. I’m not entirely sure why, I’m just told to do it”

  “Even I’m not sure why” Hyde added “It was the kings order”

  Line’s head tilted, but she didn’t inquire any further. It seemed like Hyde wasn’t one for lying, but it also seemed he truly didn’t know. But if that’s the case, then Line had no more questions to ask, or to answer. Except for-

  “Ali, what’s something that you have been wanting to do since yesterday?”

  “What?”

  “We’re going to the travelling market”

  Ali gasped “Wait, really?”

  “To solve a crime, Ali. Not to have fun”

  “Right, to solve a crime. Of course”