Chapter Text
The empty road screeched beneath the vehicle as it drove past them. Remnants of damp water remained, enough to make Hudson irritated. No matter how well or how immediate these matters were, Hudson failed to remember how devious Luke was. He had thought that Luke would equal his desperation to climb up the social ladder. Regardless, he stood there irritated to have received a vague answer. How would he be supposed to move forward now that there is an indefinite lead to his goal?
The lead, however, isn't something to unravel. It is up to him to do what he can to gain information. Hudson knew enough that entering these untested waters would cause him far greater loss than success. Yet, it is not enough to stop him; not now when he had already dived deep.
A sigh ran out as he squared his shoulders in disappointment. Glancing at the man who was said to have valuable information. The white suit was now stained with red, unclear whether it was wine or blood. The same emerald-eyed man stared back at him with a smile Hudson didn't even dare to decipher.
"I know that look."
Callum started as if he knew the stakes. Of course he knew; the disappointment of having lost it all after thinking he got everything to win.
"Hit a dead end?"
Now that he mentioned it, Hudson didn't bother dismissing him. He could've walked past and ignored the man after knowing he had no benefit to his goal. Instead, he didn't. He cared enough to know what would happen if he let this gambler into his charades. Also, noting that it was Luke who brought him here says that there is more to this man. He decided to entertain the thought anyway.
"Seems like it, unless you refused to give me what I want." Hudson's huff of irritation was visible enough for Callum to evaluate the situation. He is that desperate.
"What is it that you want, really?"
A provoking question aimed precisely to test and assess Hudson's demeanor. Callum had cards in his sleeves; a gambler would never risk triumph without reading through his opponent. He then approached Hudson with an intention.
"And if I tell you, will you give it to me?"
Thus, Hudson bit back; after all, he is but a desperate man. A man enough to know the intention behind Callum's gaze. So, he did just enough of that.
A scoff went past Callum's mouth; he took a step back in retort. Hudson was well aware that he was playing a dangerous game. Aware of the fact that Luke had been tailing this man for so long, he decided to pass and allow Hudson to take the lead. That everything is for a reason. It made Hudson wonder about the intention behind it. Even if there is something the man in front of him wants, he would go and fulfill it in an instant.
"Alright, I owe it to you after all."
"That is rather quick,"
Hudson muttered back after the agreement. Albeit shocked, he had figured that if Callum was in a dangerous predicament, he would never spill information valuable enough to be targeted. So, he wondered what it was that made him change his mind so quickly?
"That is not something you should be worrying about right now. Do you want the information or not?"
Callum huffed, visibly annoyed that he had been caught right through the act; however, in his guts he just had to give him that. Hudson saved him; he had to repay it soon. However, Hudson isn't satisfied. He would never be satisfied with it.
Looking into the bigger picture, he hummed at the thought of how Luke decided to utter complete nonsense in front of him earlier. Also, how Callum didn't even bother giving the information when Luke was just here. Something is amiss, Hudson ponders. Clearly, he does not think that Callum does not trust Luke, is it?
"There is more to what you will give. Something tells me that you will not give it tonight."
"Correct. This is not the proper time nor place to give the information you desperately want."
Hudson hummed again about the newfound information. Signifying that Callum is tailed by the enemy he longs to catch soon.
"Does Luke bother you?"
The white-haired man shook his shoulders and sighed. Caught red-handed again. It was obvious; he knew that Luke was tailing him, but for whatever reason, Hudson took note of that.
"Yes. You, however, don't."
"Ah. Let me introduce myself. I'm Hudson. Pleasure to be your acquaintance. "
A hand extended between them. A silent agreement of what is to come. Both of the gentlemen couldn't back down now. They were well aware of that fact. Even when they're both chased out of Martin's bar, leaving them standing outside, with only the cold and scent of the rain left. The wind danced slowly enough for Hudson to take notice of how his emerald eyes flicker. Hudson is certain and would admit that maybe tonight isn't as disappointing as he thought it would be.
"Likewise."
The deal is sealed. Just like that, out in the open with crowds bustling around and the street packed. Hands intertwined as a witness.
________________
The door creaked wide open and dust settled in. It was already 10' o'clock, and Hudson decided to take matters too seriously to even bother sleeping. Now that he had successfully gained new intel, all that was left was to connect it.
He took a step into his old, run-down apartment. Taking off his brown coat in the process slowly tried to regain his composure about the events. Light flickered and illuminated his own space walking down the aisle; a juke box awaited him to play jazz.
Thus, it spun a slow melody that resonated in the room as he took cautious steps towards his workspace. At the same time, he figured it would take him too much effort. He deserved a puff of a cigarette to process his next move. The lighter flickered and smoke covered the patio. Hudson sat down with a grunt, feeling his shoulders relax at the texture of his leather sofa. Allowing himself to pour whiskey in the bliss of the aftertaste.
Even when his vision blurred for a moment, he held up his hands, taking time to look at the scars and markings of his past. Remnants of his fall left him to crawl and try to get it all back, and to think of the moment it left his mouth stinging. So, he poured more and inhaled more. He cannot dwell on regret now. He swore he would take it back. Not even the greatest spell could help him acquire the glory of becoming the greatest. This, however, he believed would lead him into the darkest path, something he felt he would belong in.
Now, the corkboard is filled with papers from different crime scenes. The movement of this mafia had trailed long enough. At this point, he had willingly gotten into this cat-and-dog situation with the mafia. However, it was long overdue. He now had a fresh lead to tail them. A piece to cut what's rotten.
Callum.
Hudson scanned the papers for answers as he recalled the conversation they exchanged. Something that he had read over and over again, but somehow, he had turned a blind eye to it. A single newspaper was released a week after the murder of the infamous father of Ms. Melania. He read it twice so that he could connect the clues he gathered. After all, it was Luke who suggested he read his papers thoroughly. Later, it was confirmed by Callum, who was giving him intel.
'Brenton. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the head of the Whitmore dynasty, renowned industrialist Sir Edward Whitmore, was discovered lifeless in his private library. Authorities confirmed the time of death as exactly 2:17 a.m., though the circumstances remain shrouded in mystery.
Residents nearby reported hearing the toll of the Whitmore estate’s antique clock moments before emergency lights pierced the fog. Investigators noted the clock had been halted at 2:17, its pendulum deliberately silenced; a detail some say was meant to be seen.
All it took was for Hudson to be wide awake and start scribbling the bolded information. He figured that Luke had a way of showing his intel, leaving something to catch on. Hudson decided he would bite what was in front of him. '
'Detectives found the French windows unlatched despite the night’s heavy rain, with muddy footprints leading inward. Strangely, the trail ended near the hearth, where a charred scrap of parchment was recovered. The fragment bore the faint outline of a compass pointing east, its edges singed as if someone had tried to erase its meaning.
Sources close to the family revealed Sir Edward had been preparing to announce a major shift in the Whitmore shipping empire. His final note to his secretary, scrawled hurriedly on a torn ledger, read: “The tide turns at dawn — look east.”'
As he finished his dots, he connected it all from the beginning to the end. Intentional or not, Hudson felt more perplexed about how Luke managed to slip past this unnoticed. Every piece that happened tonight made sense. That would explain his calm demeanor; he had been expecting Hudson's call, and he brought him into Martin's bar, where Callum happens to be. Luke deliberately led him into a trap the way he wanted.
'Cunning bastard.'
Hudson recalled the information Callum had given him.
"Listen carefully. The truth you seek is closer than you imagine, but it is veiled in shadows."
"These people are consumed by greed. They burn deeply and are rotten. I suggest you move discreetly."
"If you wish to know more, read the latest news. Until then, I will meet you at the east."
Hudson wasted no time when he saw that the clock had almost hit midnight. It would take him an hour to reach the east of Brenton. Acknowledging that, Luke hurriedly left them at a certain time. The warning he left in the guise of a blessing. Luke is way more ahead, and he is shoving it directly into Hudson's face. This made Hudson annoyed; unable to hide his annoyance, he marched down the streets, rushing to hail a cab in the middle of the night. Thus, even with that realization, something inside gnawed at him; however, he was sure he could not explain it well. It had something to do with how Callum left. Hudson swore he heard it right.
"And one thing: if you chase this only for yourself, I hope you won’t end up another name on its ledger. Greed keeps accounts for everyone."
Yet, Hudson ignored that warning.