Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 2159: Brainstorming

Adam and Genevieve headed toward the laboratory on the second underground level.

He deactivated the hidden mechanism and unveiled the secret wall. Meanwhile, she comfortably sat on the experiment table, the bottle of wine in one hand and a glass in the other.

"Let’s start from the beginning," she said as she poured herself some wine. "You entered the headquarters without any problems, correct?"

"Correct." Adam leaned on the table beside her, arms crossed and gaze glued to the investigation board. "The guards recognized Voss’s face, and everyone behaved as though nothing was amiss."

Genevieve was still in awe of how Adam had infiltrated one of the most secure buildings in Davos.

She knew that he had been a spy for an organization back in Tron. But she didn’t know Adam’s skills in espionage were so remarkable.

"And then you headed straight to the records office?" she asked.

"Some minor detours on the way to map escape routes and prepare contingency plans," Adam said.

"Then I asked the keeper for Morgan’s arrest records. He directed me to the appropriate shelves, and I found what I was looking for."

"Darling, please be more specific." Genevieve took another sip.

"I approached the keeper," Adam said patiently. "I asked for the case files. He asked me for a case number. I said no. Then I told him the keywords. Leto Morgan and Havel Norwood."

"And you believe this to be the most suspicious part, yes?" Genevieve squinted her eyes.

"Yes." Adam nodded. "Something about the way the old bastard reacted."

"Gut feeling, then?"

"Yes."

"Were you acting as Garrick Voss would have acted?" Genevieve asked. "You only observed him for a few days, after all."

Adam fell silent. That was certainly a possibility. "I can’t be sure."

"Let’s consider it for a moment," Genevieve continued.

"First, you might have made a mistake while impersonating him. Something as simple as greeting someone differently, asking an unusual question, or displaying unfamiliarity with a place he frequented could have aroused suspicion. Let’s not forget. Watchmen are trained to sniff out suspicions like hounds."

"I considered that." Adam nodded. "But Voss wasn’t particularly sociable. I deliberately kept my conversations short."

"Even so, you might have overlooked something. You can’t replicate a man’s habits perfectly after watching him for only a few days."

Adam nodded a little reluctantly. "But that still doesn’t explain why they acted so quickly."

"The keeper might have recognized that you were behaving strangely," Genevieve explained. "Or perhaps he knew Voss well enough to realize something was wrong. We might never find out."

She suddenly spoke in a low voice. "But you did ask for records concerning a particularly sensitive case. You believe this point to be the most suspicious. And so do I."

"So the records keeper reported me just because I asked about Morgan, hm?" Adam said thoughtfully.

"After tonight’s conversation with Michael, I believe this theory a lot more," Genevieve said.

"Two factions within the City Watch," Adam murmured. "One of them—the larger one, it would seem—does not support the Witch of Davos. They seem to be loyal to the previous Known Lord."

Genevieve finished the wine in her glass, then poured herself some more.

"Perhaps they’ve been specifically monitoring anyone looking into Morgan’s arrest or Havel’s disappearance. Either someone has gone to considerable lengths to keep those records buried, or they’re also proactively looking for the same thing that you are."

Adam made a face. "I’m not searching for whatever item Morgan or Havel Norwood seem to have a clue about."

Genevieve simply stared at him with a dubious look in her eyes.

Adam looked away, a little embarrassed.

Genevieve continued, "Maybe the records office has some way of flagging inquiries into certain cases. You might not have realized that your investigation had already attracted attention."

Adam nodded. "That would explain the speed of their response."

He replayed that day in his mind. "There is one other thing," he murmured.

Genevieve gestured for him to continue.

"One of the guards who was escorting me," Adam continued, "seemed surprised to see me there."

"There, as in the records chamber?"

"No." Adam shook his head. "As in the city."

"Hm, yes." Genevieve nodded. "You had assumed that Voss was out on a private errand."

"It would appear that he might not have been," Adam murmured. "Maybe the Watch sent him on a mission? And that’s why those two guards were surprised to see me there."

Genevieve was silent for a long moment. "When I spoke to Michael earlier, he all but confirmed that the Watchmen do not secretly carry suicide teeth with them."

Adam was silent.

"That’s what makes this so strange," she continued. "It’s barbaric! The Watch is a respected institution in Davos. Their jurisdiction and duties are confined to the city. They aren’t soldiers operating deep in enemy territory, where the risk of being captured and forced to divulge secrets is high."

She shook her head, frowning.

"Why would ordinary Watchmen need something as extreme as a suicide tooth? What secrets could they possibly be carrying that would warrant such a precaution?"

Adam turned to Genevieve and said what had been on his mind:

"You don’t think... Garrick Voss was a spy, do you?"

"A spy in the City Watch?" Genevieve rubbed her arms. "It’s not unlikely. You should know it best."

Adam nodded. "I think he was a spy. And I also think he wasn’t the only one."

A tense silence settled between the couple.

Genevieve glanced at him, concern evident in her eyes. She did not like that Adam was treading in such dangerous waters.

"What are you planning to do, Adam?" she asked.

"I’m not sure," Adam said. "I need more intel."

He turned his attention to the investigation board, his gaze settling on the information about Havel Norwood. He wanted to brainstorm a few ideas with Genevieve about what could possibly be going on in the man’s villa. But he noticed that she was way beyond tipsy now.

Adam sighed and positioned himself in front of her. "Come. I’ll take you upstairs."

"Ah, such a gentleman!" Genevieve gasped before wrapping her arms around his neck and climbing onto his back.

As he climbed the stairs, Adam asked with a faint smile, "I’ll be going on a few missions this coming week. Wanna come with me?"

"What kind?" Genevieve whispered in his ear.

"Clearing out some mercenary camps," Adam explained. "Iron Covenant."

Genevieve thought for a moment. Then she smiled mischievously.

"I will," she said, "but only if you agree to complete a mission for me."

Adam was amused. "Pray tell."

Genevieve whispered something in his ear.

A few moments later, Adam’s cheeks flushed bright red.

He sighed dramatically. "I suppose I have no choice."

Whatever Genevieve had whispered to him certainly made him quicken his pace toward the bedroom.