C14 White-Collar, Unsolved Murders.

"It’s a mess." Caleb jumped out of the driver's seat as he found the grounds of the upscale hotel crowded with people of interest in the investigation. "Gosh, the two officers' case isn't over yet. Now we have this."

Local authorities had sealed off the hotel lobby, forensic teams were conducting a crime scene, five ambulances were arriving, and journalists were scrambling like a school of mackerel for explanations.

Caleb ran with Bailey but was held up by the officers guarding the lobby door. They were given the go-ahead when Bailey showed her agency badge.

All of the hotel's working employees were gathered in the lobby hall, while the frightened patrons gathered in the bar. Authorized officers forbade any of them from leaving the hotel until questioned.

The Golden Royal Hotel was suddenly crowded when it heard the screams of a female hotel laundry worker who found nine bodies lying lifeless, covered in blood in the northern toilet hallway.

Caleb arrived at the restroom hallway, he joined the forensic team who were conducting an investigation. The sound of digital cameras and the rapid flashing of flashes captured the scene of the incident that would be collected along with ballistic evidence.

"Who is the victim?" Caleb asked between trying to catch his breath.

Ford seemed to be astounded, his eyes were wide, but he sighed deeply. Who would have thought to meet Caleb Halvard and Bailey Ashbourne for the second time here, such a rare stroke of luck, right? Bad luck anyway.

"Gosh, you again? Why did you come so early? This is under the authority of the bobbies; I doubt it has anything to do with the case you're handling." Ford quipped subtly. His eyes narrowed in disgust. "So, I beg of you. You two step back."

Caleb smiled fondly. He did not take offense to Ford's sarcasm, which often sounded sharp and rude. Instead, his eyes were focused on the dead bodies lying before the public toilet. "No, you moved faster than me. Of course, you are an exemplary officer, Capt. Well, let's just say it. With any luck, I might be able to help you solve this puzzling case."

Bailey picked up her pocketbook and entered the area where the forensic team was busy working, holding up her badge. Participating in investigating one by one the corpses that lay under her feet.

Caleb's eyes wandered, this time there was something interesting. Several bodies died with knife wounds to the head. It forced Caleb to think hard while the other four corpses were killed by suppressor rounds at close range. Examining the mechanical marks of the holes. Caleb knew it was the hallmark of a close-range strike.

[A headshot. Again.]

Caleb thinks hard. [The strike was close-range. That means they all know this suspect. The gun? Knives? Used at the same time? How is that possible? This is a high-class hotel. The security system is strict, but can he act here without any witnesses? So confident.]

"You're boasting too much. In fact, having you and your partner hanging around here — you're making us look pretty crappy, you know?" Ford growled a bit in exasperation.

"Indeed, Capt. We didn't intend that. If it wasn't an official order or if my case was less urgent. I would not have interfered with the investigation of your troops. So, who's the victim?"

Ford took a deep breath. Making sure all his team was working well. "Luca Pietro, and some of his people. Based on the receptionist's information, their group had been staying since the day before last. They claimed there was a confidential meeting with colleagues. However, no one knew exactly what kind of meeting it was, as it was held privately. One of the honored guests whose needs came first."

Caleb's eyes rounded perfectly, hearing the name Luca Pietro mentioned. It wasn't an unfamiliar name, in fact, Luca Pietro was on the target list in his 'dark book'. Caleb has been chasing Luca Pietro for a long time in relation to a case that happened ten years ago — White-Collar, Unsolved Murders.

Caleb remembers that case, he failed to expose Luca Pietro with his massive anonymous organization. Caleb carried out the secret investigation only with Bailey without being under orders from Sir Colter. During the confidential investigation he found many irregularities that 'may have been deliberately not followed up by interested persons'. A lack of supporting evidence, and Caleb was convinced that the court had executed the wrong suspect. Sacrificed to be the black sheep — if his name was right — Rhett Jameson.

Caleb's fingers noticed the fine hairs on his jaw. His eyebrows dipped; it was obvious he was deep in thought. [But Rhett Jameson was executed ten years ago. Could there be a pattern I hadn't noticed? Could it be that I was wrong?]

Caleb glanced at Bailey who quietly took out a plastic clip from her blazer pocket and seemed to be securing something without anyone knowing.

A female officer from forensics came in and put a note into Ford's hand. Medical points based on the provisional physical examination. Ford opened it, and Caleb scrutinized it from the corner of his eye.

The list of names of the corpses from the collected identities, were not familiar to Caleb.

"It seems that Luca Pietro and Diego Jax Martinez have more physical injuries than the bodyguards, huh?"

"It is obvious, Capt. The suspect had a grudge against them both. Diego was only doing his duty to protect his boss. This massacre was well-planned. The suspect must have been following the two of them or knew exactly what they were doing. Deadly stalker too." Caleb's eyes widened in aghast when he read the description of the stab wound in Luca Pietro's neck plus the Mozambique Drill shooting technique that didn't seem to satisfy the suspect. "That's horrible. Former elite forces? So tactical. Like an ex-special agent, huh, Capt.?"

Ford immediately closed the clipboard when he realized Caleb was stealing a glance at the local police's prominent information data. He cleared his throat, speaking sharply again. "Your curiosity is far too high, Mr. Halvard. You should mind your manners. This is our authority, and I reserve the right to expel you if I want to."

"Come along, Capt. I'm carrying official orders from Sir Colter." Caleb replied apologetically. Retaining his sweet smile. This time his question was aimed at drawing Ford's attention. "Oh, yeah. About that special closed-door meeting you mentioned, Luca Pietro — who was it with?"

"No one knows exactly, but according to witnesses, they came in groups. All of them appeared like prominent people considering the fitted suits they wore. Some of them have tattoos on the nape of their neck, I have no idea if it's some kind of scorpion or something. But the lobby security guards let them in without the need to report to the reception desk or the receptionist. This was because Luca Pietro asked them to be directed to a special hall. A sort of closed club. A place where jetsetters gather and spend their time. This hotel has that."

"Scorpions? Weird. Some kind of gangster or mafia? Since when has London been inhabited by such scum?" Caleb snorted in exasperation, in fact, his nimble movements so far were not enough to rid the city of such criminal dens. He nodded with knowing.

"This is an upscale hotel that must have a sophisticated security system and surveillance cameras. May I see it? I presume you've checked, yes?"

Given Ford's face appeared so disappointed when Caleb mentioned it. It's obvious. Ford did not have any leads on the suspect.

Ford smiled wryly as he found nothing in the surveillance footage. "Don't put too much faith in the surveillance camera. There's no footage or anything recording the suspect's actions. I'm beginning to believe that he acted in a detailed and thorough manner. He moves fast, capable of eliminating all traces of him. This man is extremely hazardous. Strangely enough, all the activities of Luca Pietro and all his subordinates were clearly recorded, including his special guests."

"I'm heartbroken to hear that, but I still want to see the surveillance footage. Allow me to see it, Captain Ford."

***

"Hey, what were you taking?" Caleb nudged Bailey's arm. They walked hand in hand to the security and surveillance system control room. Following the officer who used to stand guard before the monitors, Caleb mumbled.

The long silent hallways, just whitewashed walls with nothing but minimalist windows showing the back of the hotel. This place was more closed off and icy, less pleasant or luxurious than the hotel lobby which was bathed in golden light and filled with classy furniture.

"Oh, that's it. I've found something." Bailey answered while reaching into her blazer pocket. She pulled out a plastic clip into Caleb's hand. "I dunno what this is, but it looks like a seal medallion with strange symbols, and it's real pure gold."

Caleb grunted. His eyes glinted sarcastically. He flicked the part of the medallion that felt particularly hard and heavy. It clanged muffled. "Oh, my goodness. I thought you'd gotten something crucial. It's jewelry, anyway. When did you get into jewelry? I dunno if you're obsessed with this kind of consumptive stuff, right?"

"Let's see the back of it." Bailey chuckled. Her hand pointed at the back of the medal in Caleb's hand.

Turning the medallion to the back, Caleb winced. "What the hell is this? THE MI8?"

Bailey nods. "That's right, aren't you curious to see the symbols? It's familiar, right? I found it in Pietro's suit pocket."

Caleb's mind wandered; Bailey was right. This MI8 symbol was not familiar at all. He had seen it before, but where?

"Did you forget? Remember the White-Collar case?"

[Oh!]

Caleb's head seemed to be jolted up by a series of electric shock waves, his memories came back wide open, he laughed broadly. "Yeah, I remember! No wonder I felt so familiar. Does that mean that the investigation that was doubted due to lack of evidence is true?"

"Yeah, Luca Pietro and all those connected to him were involved. I know, you must have been thrilled that I hid it from the eyes of the forensic team. It's a different matter if it's found by them first. We definitely won't find the pattern."

Caleb smiles widely. His eyes twinkled in praise of Bailey. "You're encouraging me, partner. Well done. This could be the starting point for more investigations. I've been thinking for a long time. My instincts are not wrong. Many thanks, Ashbourne. You have saved my life. I'll go back and open ‘the dark book'. Even though it's not enough, and what happened in Switzerland back then. I'm sure it must all be connected."

"You owe me, as always." Bailey points at Caleb. "Meaning, the suspect they executed at that time?"

"Wrong. He's a victimized black sheep, and a disturbing one at that. I couldn't do anything about it. A young man's life is innocent and sinful. I can't let this happen. While the people who were actually involved are still running around and breathing free air today. My pathetic ineptitude. We know Luca Pietro's reputation, Bailey. Captain Ford explained that he would hold a special meeting with his trusted people. We just need more solid evidence."

"Here you go, sir." The security officer opened the door to the surveillance camera control system room for Caleb and Bailey.

This room is cooler than the long hallways. It showed the various buttons on the table board, and how to operate them. The rows of flat screens on the wall with all their sophistication made Caleb wonder why there wasn't a single clue about the suspect.

[It seemed so impossible. He's really like a ghost. But calm down. I'll definitely be able to unravel all of this.]

Bailey nodded, listening carefully to the middle-aged security officer's explanation.

"Who did you stand guard here last night?" Caleb asked with his eyes focused on the line of surveillance camera screens.

"There are two guards, me and Nick Barton. We also take turns resting. The breaks were about 15 minutes."

"That's a decent amount of time for someone who acts with practiced skill. You didn't see anyone enter the room?" Caleb murmured in a smoky.

"No, it's just us. You can see for yourself that this door is guarded by an access lock. Anybody can't enter it except us. I've been questioned, and I told the whole truth. May I go home? It's been a tough day. I'm exhausted."

Caleb smiled wide. "You've helped a lot, thank you so much. That's enough details. You may return to the lobby to join the others. I'm sorry, but you cannot leave this building until there is an official order from the local police. Got it?"

The security officer nodded disappointedly and then quit. Leaving Caleb and Bailey to continue their investigation.

Caleb's eyes rounded perfectly; he caught something that pounded his senses. He shrilled. "Hold a sec! Thats—! Try rewinding it, Bailey!"

***