Declan
"I didn't properly introduce myself," I held out my hand in hopes of coming off diplomatically, considering the incident we had outside.
Zion, arched his thick yet angular eyebrow and looked down to my hand before he outstretched his own and shook mine. Instantly I felt a burn on my forearm, the same as hot steam against your skin when you were cooking. I had to clench my jaw to ignore it and felt relieved when he let go of my own.
"Detective Declan Killer," he said curtly as he rounded the large desk then sat down on the luxurious chair. I followed suit and took a seat on the chair opposite him. "You must get a lot of interest due to your surname. Homicide and Killer don't blend well together."
I pressed the tip of my tongue to the roof of my mouth and hummed. "I get questioned on that plenty."
We stared at each for a quick few seconds. Zion's eyes studying me whilst I made no attempt to look away like a coward. "What can I do for you, detective? I've heard you've had an interest in me."
"I'm doing my job," I tilted my chin up. "As you know there has been a rise of murders within your town. I have been allocated to a task force to figure them out. As your people are a great asset to the police department. I wanted to hear your take on the murders."
"The murders are unfortunate," he pressed his lips together and furrowed his eyebrows. "They have spread fear amongst a quiet and reserved community. Especially now that one of our own has been targeted."
"Nina?"
"Nina," he clenched his jaw. "She was a bright girl, a great asset to the clan. She was about to start interning for me."
"Interning?" I raised my eyebrows. "Are you not the chief?"
"I am the chief with a company," he leaned back in his seat. "It often calls my attention and that is why I am not within the reserve too much."
"What is it that you do?"
He chuckled, "I travel the world looking for hidden gems, diamonds and rare materials."
"So like mining?"
"Something like that."
"Have you known there to be any tension within the community?"
"Not that I know of. My father did a great job at ensuring that everyone got along well. There wasn't much for me to fix when I took on the role."
I nodded and looked around his office. "Why did you leave Enen?"
"The work I do and the studies I was pursuing were not available in Enen," he answered curtly.
Before I could ask him the next question, there was a knock on the door. Zion told whoever it was to come in and a woman, probably no older than twenty walked in with a bright smile on her face. Her blonde curly cascading down her back as she wore a simple black dress with matching loafers.
"Chief Zion," she curtsied and then greeted me as well. "Here is your coffee Detective and Chief your tea."
"Thank you Amara," he gave her a gentle warm smile which seemed to please her greatly as she curtsied one more time before she left the room quietly.
That was… strange. Did women normally serve him as if he was a king and blush as if he had just told them they were the most beautiful beings?
Zion blew on his tea slightly before taking a sip. I took a sip of my coffee and found my core being shaken to the extreme at how delicious it was. Without a second thought I greedily drank it, wondering what kind of coffee they used to get such a perfect taste.
"Would you like another cup?" Zion chuckled, pulling me out of my drinking.
"No," I quickly placed the empty cup down and cleared my throat. "If you don't mind me asking, where were you last night?"
A flash of something passed through his eyes that I couldn't quite describe. "I was caught up in affairs of my own."
"Such as?"
"Let's say I had a little accident that prevented me from attending the meet," he shrugged. "Why?"
"Out of curiosity," I dug into my pocket, pulled out my wallet, quickly searched for my business card and placed it on the desk. "If you have any information about Nina or anything else do make sure to give me a call."
He took it and read through it quickly before he nodded. "Will do detective."
My mind had a million and one questions I wanted to ask him but for some reason I just couldn't piece them together. Something in me was edging me to leave, begging me to just get out of my seat and walk out that door. It was a strange feeling.
The itch in my arm had only intensified the longer I sat in the chair. I was burning to scratch it but didn't want to come off strange. Not that Zion would have cared. He only had one eye vision and if I angled myself right he probably wouldn't see.
My eyes trailed his face, wondering what kind of accident he could have had that could leave such a deep and lengthy scar down his forehead to the middle of his cheek. On others it would have looked frightening, threatening but for him it made him look more intense. More purposeful.
He must have realized what I was staring at as he moved his face slightly so I caught his right eye. "My condolences about Detective Ian, he was a good man."
His words punched a gaping hole right through my chest and left me airless as I felt myself become drastically cold.
"How did you know Ian?" My hands moved to grip the armrest of the chair as I tried to keep a level voice but even I could hear how shaken I was.
"He, Malachi and I were close."
"He never mentioned you," I defyingly looked away from him.
"I guess I'm not worth mentioning."