Chapter Text
Once the formal paperwork had been completed and I was released from police custody, who other than Ms. Simms would be waiting for me?
For whatever reason, I’d nearly forgotten she was even at the trial. She came up to me, tears in her eyes, and pulled me into a hug before I could even object. I couldn’t find the energy (or care) to push her away.
“Lord Barok… I’m so sorry.” Was the first thing she said.
I didn’t know how to respond, nor if I was even capable of trying. She pulled away, sighing as she took me in, “You look exhausted. Let’s go home.”
I’m not sure if I uttered a word to her all day.
I went home, I took a bottle of wine from my study and drank it in the bath, then… I believe I just crashed in bed and did not move for the rest of the night.
No, Asogi came by, needing somewhere to stay. Part of me wondered if he knew I was drunk when I let him in. If he did, he’d best not mention it.
Most of the next portion was only bits of memories that were filled in for me by Ms. Simms.
The next day I drank in my study, and took out all the photographs of Klint. I couldn’t stand to look at him anymore. I shoved them into a box and told Ms. Simms to store them somewhere I couldn’t get to them. As much as they hurt me, I still wouldn’t want to destroy them in a rage.
It was on day 3 that I ran out of wine in all of my rooms, and went to the cellar only to find that my keys were replaced with a note.
As per our updated contract, I have noticed a problem, and have taken away the key to the cellar. Do not try to break in. This is what is best for you.
I stormed into the kitchen, absolutely and irrationally angry, to confront Ms. Simms.
“You’re drunk even now .” She argued after a fit of my nonsensical rambling, “You are not fit to drink any more.”
“I’m not drunk!” I lied, then added, “You know that I have a glass every night before bed to help me calm down-“
“I will bring it to you. I will bring one glass. That is all you will get.”
“You cannot understand the pain I am going through-“
“I know it’s not the same, but your family took me in when I was 16. I went to Klint’s wedding. I went to your graduation, and I went to every funeral. And I mourned at every funeral. So I feel like I’m one of the only people who can somewhat understand the betrayal you must feel. And it’s going to drive you to drink, just as Klint did the first time, upon his death. And this time, it might end in something worse than that x across your face.”
I was so angry that I was damn near in tears. But I knew that there was nothing I could say in response on my side, so I simply stormed outside, and found my feet leading me to Klint’s gravesite.
I’d rather not recount the partially-drunken yelling (and probably crying) that took place there for far too long. All I know is, eventually, Ms. Simms intervened and got me calm enough to go back into the house.
It was only the next day, while recovering from a nasty hangover, that Ms. Simms informed me of a visitor. Lord Thom Pritchard, a man my parents were dear friends with many years ago.
I did my best to make myself presentable, then headed downstairs to accept his company.
He looked different than I remembered him; smaller, older, but not necessarily in negative connotations. He smiled, “A pleasure to see you after so many years, Barok.”
I must look a fright. “Yes…” I tried to think of something else, but the headache was too much to think through.
“Are you doing well?”
What a loaded question. “As well as I can be.” I lied. I could probably be handling this better, as a grown man.
“That’s all you can ask for.” He conceded, “I wanted to let you know, I am being considered for Chief Justice.”
“Oh. Congratulations.”
“Oh, I didn’t come to be congratulated; but thank you. I meant that, were I to be elected, your position would not be in jeopardy.”
“Is this because of my parents, or your actual opinion?” I blurted out, regret stirring in my chest as soon as it left my mouth.
“I assure you, it is your integrity as an attorney alone that made me reach that decision.”
“Well… thank you.”
“Of course. I hope to see you soon. And if you need anything, here.” He handed me a card with his address written on it, then left without another word.
~~~~
Sure enough, he was appointed, Mr. Asogi was allowed to continue his apprenticeship under me, and I was given a distraction from my thoughts. An escape.
The first thing I did upon entering my office was take down the portrait of Klint. It didn’t deserve to hang in this place of justice anymore. I ordered movers to take it to my manor, where I told Ms. Simms to put it in his bedroom. Where I wouldn’t have to see it.
I stayed absorbed in my work when I could, but not long after I’d been allowed back in the prosecutor’s office, I received a letter from Albert.
Dear Barok,
I read what happened! My goodness, are you alright? I know you were acquitted, but gosh, your entire government was practically overthrown! Will you get your job back?
And now that the whole reaper business is dealt with, I’d love to come back to see you and discuss this in person.
Do let me know
-Albert Harebrayne.
So, I had to do my best to conjure up thoughts in my surprisingly empty mind.
Dearest Albert,
I am fine. I have my position back.
If it is your wish to come back, you may. I can house you, if you like, but I am up to my neck in paperwork at the moment. I cannot guarantee that will change by the time you arrive, but I will try to set aside at least some time for you.
At the very least, you deserve to know the truth that the papers do not know.
Send me a telegram if you decide to come.
I got a telegram; he’d be here in a week’s time. My heart felt strangely light at the thought.
But that was a whole week away.
I dedicated myself to my work, almost intoxicated by how effectively it kept my negative thoughts at bay. If I can’t use alcohol, I suppose I’ll use work as a distraction.
It wasn’t exactly the most wise thing to do, and I knew that, but I found it difficult to pull myself away. To the point where I spent a night here or there at the office, and eventually, two. I hadn’t really consciously realized it.
I didn’t even know I’d fallen asleep until I felt myself shaking, and in an instant I was upright, with my pistol in my hand, pointed at… Lord Pritchard.
Regret and embarrassment washed over me harder than it ever had before, and I quickly put the pistol down, “My sincerest apologies, sir.” I found myself bowing my head much like Asogi, simply because I didn’t know if I could bear to look at him.
Especially when he was silent. “Go home.”
That earned him my visual attention, “I assure you, My Lord, I did not mean to-“
“You are a cautious man. The fact that you were face down in your papers and did not hear me enter, nor call your name, is highly disturbing to me.”
God, maybe I have been in the office too long. “It was a momentary weakness-“
“It’s a self-inflicted weakness, I am certain. If I asked security if they’ve seen you leave this building in the past 48 hours, I am sure the answer would be no. Do you contest this?”
I couldn’t respond. I simply looked down. I heard him sigh heavily and fall into silence, clearly thinking about something, though my brain was far too sluggish to try to predict his train of thought.
“You will go home right now, and you will stay there for at least 1 week.”
“1 week?! ” I couldn’t even find it in me to be embarrassed by my outburst, “There is quite a lot of work to be done. The prosecutor’s office needs me-“
“I and Mr. Asogi will divide your work when he comes in.” He asserted, “Now, no more excuses. I’m not going to watch you work yourself to death.”
“With all due respect, My Lord, I’m not-“ I shut my eyes as my voice seemed to just stop, and took a deep breath, trying to put my thoughts into words that weren’t too pathetic. “Work keeps my mind off of things.”
“If you keep running from those things, they’ll never leave you. You need time to process this-“
“How could you know what I need?!”
To my surprise, his expression softened. “Because I am a person who is capable of empathy. You are at the end of your rope, Barok, and as your father’s friend, it is my responsibility to prevent you from reaching an early death.”
“What if sending me home ensures it?”
“If you continue to make threats like that, I’ll have you committed to an asylum to ensure your safety. But I don’t believe you mean it. I believe you’re just desperate.”
He was plucking my deepest thoughts from my mind and laying them bare for the world to see. And truthfully, had I been in my right mind, I knew I wouldn’t have said the things that I did. I felt my face heat up in embarrassment and anger for the first time in years. “ Please don’t fight me. You have people at home who can help ensure your safety. And if you ever feel unstable, you know where I live, and you are welcome anytime.”
I was sent home without another moment’s delay.
Thankfully, Albert arrived the next day, so I was able to meet him at the docks. Part of me was (albeit irrationally) afraid that some Reaper copycat would try to take his life in revenge. Or mine, though I didn’t value it as much.
Still, I breathed a sigh of relief when I caught a glimpse of his cloud of blond hair in the crowd. “Barok!” He called as I walked to greet him, “I didn’t expect you to meet me!”
“Yes, I, um… I decided to take a vacation from work, after all.”
To my surprise, his face flushed, “You didn’t have to do that for me- ”
“I assure you, I needed the break anyhow.” I knew it was true, but it was difficult to admit. I grabbed his luggage for him, “Shall we?”
So, we boarded the train, and before he could control the conversation, I asked how he was faring since I last saw him.
“Well… it hasn’t been the easiest, with my reputation in shambles. One of my old professors contacted me and asked if I’d like to work as his assistant while I tried to find my next big project.” He admitted shyly.
“Does it pay enough?”
“I suppose so.” He shrugged, “Luckily, he doesn’t really need me until a few months from now. I’ve really just been doing busywork to justify being paid.”
“You are a bright man, Albert. I’m sure the world will recognize your genius soon.”
Once again, he turned bright red, “Hopefully.” He looked down, and in the moment that I couldn’t think of anything to say, he asked the question I wasn’t equipped to answer, “How are you faring after everything that happened?”
“I am… good enough.” I said with the confidence of a child lying to their parents for the first time, “I have many things I need to tell you, but… now is not the time.”
“Of course, of course. Whenever you’d like.”
Silence fell over the train car. “Where will you be staying?” I finally managed to ask.
“Oh, the Waterloo Hotel. I’ve already booked there.”
They must be paying him very well.
Once we reached his hotel, it was near supper time, so we went ahead and had dinner together, with maybe a drink or two, but nothing out of control. It started to feel similarly to how we used to interact; things started feeling more natural.
When I watched him close the door to his room, I noticed my heart was trying to flutter out of my chest. I’m sure it’s the drink.
~~~~
It turned out, he was not being paid very well, because I received an urgent telegram from Albert the next morning that just said, “Help at hotel.”
I rushed over with my heart in my throat, my mind coming up with every single horrible situation I could think of until I saw him in the lobby. “Thank goodness you’re here!” He exclaimed as I was in the middle of sighing with relief, “I-I’m so sorry, but they charged much more than I thought they were going to, and I don’t have enough to pay.”
After all that worrying.
“I’ll find a way to pay you back, I swear-”
“I don’t care about that.” I cut him off quickly, still trying to release the tension from my chest, “When you say help, it puts situations more dire than being short on money to mind.”
Realization struck him with widening eyes and a gasp, “I’m so sorry! God, I can’t seem to do anything right, can I?” He chuckled with a nervous smile.
“You are fine, Albert.” I paid the bill, then returned to him in the lobby, “It might put my heart at ease if you were to simply stay with me during your time in London. If that is… agreeable. ”
“You don’t have to do that, I can take care of myself-”
“I know I don’t have to, but I would like to. So what do you say?”
I was immensely grateful he agreed.
Since we still had his luggage, we figured the best course of action would be to take it to my manor, get him settled in, perhaps eat lunch, and then plan for the rest of the day.
Of course, I could not simply walk him to a bedroom. As soon as we stepped through the front door, he commented on how similar everything looked to when he was last here, admiring the small details of the hall, then the sitting room, then getting interrupted by Ms. Simms, whom he also hadn’t seen in ten years.
It took a while before the conversation came to a close, only because Ms. Simms mentioned that it was around lunch time and asked if we wanted something. So, she went to cook, and we went towards the stairwell. Only, once again, Albert pivoted to the archway that led into the music room.
“Do you still play, Barok?” He asked as he lifted up the cover over the keys of the grand piano.
“I haven’t touched it in years.” I admitted, praying he wouldn’t ask me to.
He hit a note, and I cringed at how out of tune it was. “Someone’s definitely cleaning it, but… it probably needs to be tuned, doesn’t it?”
“I’m sure. If I were to ever use it.”
“Is there any reason you quit?”
I averted my attention, my mind going back to all those music sessions with Klint and his wife, Alina. Without his cello and her harp or voice, anything I could play felt empty. And really, I hadn’t played for myself in years before that . I practiced what I had to, but the only time I ever truly played was when I had fellow performers. Without them, there was not only no point, but it would never feel right again.
“Shouldn’t that be obvious?”
Perhaps it was a little harsh. But after that flood of memories, it was the only thing I could think of. “Oh. Right.” He cringed, “I’m sorry-”
“Let’s just-” My tone still felt angry. I took a deep breath, and tried again, “Let’s just get your things settled.”
~~~~~
The first day was about as awkward as I could have possibly imagined. I managed to get him to talk about himself for a good long while, and I was more than happy to just listen. Although, once he ran out of things to talk about, he once again brought things around to me. That was when things got very awkward, because I had absolutely nothing of value to catch him up on from the past 10 years that didn’t involve bringing the mood down significantly.
“Well, you’ve become one of the biggest prosecutors in London. That must come with some stories?”
“Not particularly.”
“What about that 5 year break you took from the courtroom? What did you do then?”
Oh, good God… “Well, I got divorced.”
He gasped, “Oh Heavens, I completely forgot about that! I’m so sorry for bringing that up, you don’t have to talk about it at all, again, I should’ve thought about-”
“It’s not that sensitive of an issue, Albert.” I tried to reassure him, but my tone sounded more like a father scolding a child. Why do I have so little control over my tone these days? “We just jumped into a marriage because of societal pressure, and didn’t love each other like we thought we did.”
“Ah, I see… I can’t blame you for leaving the courtroom after all that. The papers must’ve been brutal.”
“I don’t particularly care about public opinion.”
He sighed, “I wish I could feel the same. But the public opinion directly influences the Scientists’ opinions, and well, obviously, they think I’m a lunatic.” He laughed, his voice uncharacteristically shaky, “I suppose it’s my own fault, though. I followed a foolish dream.”
“It is not foolish to be ambitious.” I blurted out, a sentiment I had never subscribed to before. Mr. Naruhodo struck me as quite foolish the first time I saw him, simply because of how ambitious he was. Although in retrospect, it was that very ambition that made him the extraordinary man that he turned out to be.
“I suppose not, but you have to admit, my ambition blinded me to the truth.”
As much as I hated to put down my dear friend… he was correct. Instantaneous telekinesis was a scientific impossibility, and any scientist that looked at it objectively knew it as such. “You were tricked into believing that it could be true. And if it were true, it would have changed everything we know about practical science. That kind of deceit could have happened to anyone.”
He looked down, “I don’t know. But there’s no point in dwelling on it. I’m here for you, after all.” His face turned bright pink, “Well- and to tour the Great Exhibition, of course!”
“Of course.” What about him saying he was here for me makes my heart pound so quickly? Why should that affect me?
Once we bid each other goodnight with plans to see the Great Exhibition the next day, Ms. Simms came in with my nightly glass of wine, and I dropped my pride to ask if she could bring a second one.
“For Mr. Harebrayne or for you?”
“For him.”
She glared at me, “Why isn’t he here to receive it, then?” Of course, I had nothing to say to that. She stepped in and closed the door behind her, “One of your dearest friends is here to see you. What about that makes you want to drink?”
That strange feeling in my heart whenever I look at him hasn’t gone away, even after 10 years of distance. “It is stressful.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. “I am not used to entertaining.”
Once again, she seemed to size me up with that sharp glare of hers. “I will bring you half of another glass. That is all.”
I was not about to push her.
~~~~~~~~
The Great Exhibition was possibly even more stressful than the day before. Instead of simply feeling awkward, I was constantly looking over our shoulders, watching for any signs of potential ruffians who were displeased with the work of “The Reaper.”
All while trying to be engaged with whatever exhibition Albert was dragging me to.
Yet for some reason, I struggled to peel my eyes away from Albert as he excitedly rambled on about a new exhibit that inspired him, as he scribbled illegible shorthand notes in his notepad with a burning passion. Just like back in university, something about Albert was just different. Dangerously so.
I was amazed by how long he ran around from exhibit to exhibit with absolutely no visible pain. I tend to believe I am a fairly fit person, I stand in court often all day, and walk crime scenes. There are many office days, but not enough to hinder my physique. But my legs and back were burning simply from walking around for a day. I suppose I have been doing more office days than not recently.
“Are you quite alright?” Albert asked me suddenly, pulling me from whatever thoughts I’d just been having.
“I am fine, yes. What makes you ask?”
“You look… restless. I kept noticing you looking around us all the time, but now you’re just blanking out and staring into space.”
I haven’t been paying attention, have I?
“I apologize, I just-”
“It’s nothing to apologize for! Just- if you won’t say what’s wrong, I can’t help you.”
“You do not need to help me.”
“But I want to.”
He’s starting to sound like Ms. Simms. “I am sore. That is all.”
“Oh, well that’s an easy fix.” He grabbed my arm, much like how women grab men’s arms as they walk, and pulled us through the crowd and to an empty bench before I could even protest. “There we are.” He sighed once we’d both sat down, then admitted, “Now that I’m sitting down, I’m quite sore, too. I didn’t realize it while we were walking around.” He laughed.
It seemed he only realized after a beat of silence that he was still holding my arm, because he quickly and quietly pulled it away, leaving my arm cold and empty. There was a heavy silence before he asked, “Why do you look around so often?”
He’d caught me in the act, and I hadn’t even realized I was doing it until he asked. “I have quite a few enemies. It is not rare for them to attempt to enact bodily harm.”
“You’ve been attacked before?” I nodded, “That’s what the x on your face is from, isn’t it?” I just nodded. It was better than the real story, “I’m so sorry, Barok. That’s terrible.”
“It is a fact of life now.”
“I just can’t imagine it. You were so… aloof back in university.”
I shrugged, “I was forced to grow up.”
“And you shouldn’t have been.” I found it impossible to meet his eyes. “Well, I suppose that’s the end of our great exhibition adventure for today. Shall I hail a cab?”
It was clear he was trying to give me a break from walking, but I wasn’t about to let him out of my sight. “We may as well do it together.”
Luckily, his energy had begun to seep out, too, and dinner was pleasantly quiet. We both went up to bed earlier than it is probably normal, but of course, I was unable to sleep.
Those strange feelings I’d had towards Albert back in University were back in full force. At first I’d written it off as excitement or anxiousness about seeing an old friend, but there was nothing friendly about how often I recalled the feeling of his arm on mine, or the glimmer in his eyes as he spoke about something he was passionate about.
Once he leaves, I’ll have to cease communication with him again.
From there, the thoughts spiraled back to where they’d been the past several months. After a while, I ended up just getting up and heading down to the sitting room. I lit a log in the fireplace to try to add warmth to this miserable room, put a record on, and positioned myself in an armchair.
It was only a few moments after I got settled that I realized I’d played this very piece with Klint and Alina. Not only that, but the singer wasn’t anywhere near as good as she had been.
For just a moment, I allowed myself to remember them in a positive light. I imagined the three of us in the sitting room (where the piano had been at the time) rehearsing for no one in particular. I recalled the sound of Klint’s cello, Alina’s voice, and the vague feeling of the keys under my fingers.
I wonder if he’d already committed his first murder by that point?
And it was ruined.
Why did he have to do that? Wasn’t he supposed to be a pillar of justice? How did he become corrupted so easily?
I didn’t notice there was moisture in my eyes until I heard a creak in the hall. I quickly rubbed my eyes, hoping it would simply look like irritation from rubbing them instead of puffy tears. It’s probably Ms. Simms coming in for something.
Of course it was not. It was Albert, in his little pale blue nightgown, his blond hair puffing up like a little sheep, “Oh. I’m sorry, I’m probably intruding, aren’t I?”
“You are fine.” My voice was much more wobbly than I wanted it to be. I cleared my throat, “Was there something you needed?”
“No, I just-I went to the washroom and I noticed your door was cracked, and then I heard the music.” I shouldn’t have put on that damned record. “Have you been crying?” His bluntness never ceased to catch me off-guard. At my hesitation, he cringed, “I shouldn’t have asked that. I’ll-I’ll leave-”
“No, Albert-” I wasn’t sure why I was calling out to him, but the thought of him leaving twisted my heart even more than it already was. But he was the last person I wanted to see me like this. “You may stay, if you-if you want.” Where have my words gone?
He came in and carefully sat down on the sofa. I started to reach over to turn off the gramophone, but he stopped me, “I remember hearing that piece from somewhere… Maybe my professor was playing it in the lab..?”
Was he over while we played it?
Now that I was thinking about it, he was. He was over, along with some of the extended family, and Klint had wanted to show off his new cello. Yes, we had played this piece for them, hadn’t we?
“You heard it here.” I managed to say.
He gasped, “That’s right, you played it!” After his initial excitement, he cringed, “That’s the problem, isn’t it..?” It wasn’t a question that needed to be answered. He knew. But he didn’t know everything. “I’m really sorry, Barok.”
A large knot formed in my throat, one I had to fight against before I could speak, “I suppose now is the best time as any to tell you. If you’re alright with being awake for a while?”
“Yes, yes of course. Whatever it is you want to tell me, I’m right here.”
“Before we do, allow me to make some tea.”
I took the break to try to regain the bits and pieces of my composure that I could pick up off the ground, so by the time I came back, I felt more prepared. I cut off the music and let the tea loosen my throat.
Then, I told him everything. I told him how the trial went. I told him who defended me, who prosecuted me. I told him the truth of the Reaper and the truth of the Professor.
“My God… I would’ve never thought that Klint was capable of such things, even under that pressure.”
“Neither would I.” I answered gravely.
“And… he asked Mr. Asogi to duel? ”
“That’s what the note says.”
He looked at me strangely, “You don’t believe it.”
“I believe he asked Detective Asogi to kill him.” At his surprised look, I added, “They were both excellent swordsmen. Both of them would’ve had multiple wounds, but the only wound on either of them was the one that killed Klint.”
“That is logical… What about Lady Alina? Why did she disappear?”
That’s when I had to explain the whole situation with Sholmes’s partner and the birth of my niece. “Wait, that little girl with the pink hair?!” I nodded, “Well-did Mr. Sholmes know about that?!”
“I assume so. Dr…” I realized, with great shame, that I didn’t even remember his name, “his partner told me this after court, so it’s not public information. She does not know.”
“That’s a very difficult situation, isn’t it?” I nodded again. “Well, what do you plan to do? Are you going to fight for custody?”
At that, I scoffed, “The child is living a perfectly happy life. There is no point in bringing her down with me. Plus, I would be putting her in danger.”
“I suppose so… but don’t you want to see her?”
“I don’t know. I would be surprised if Sholmes would even allow it.”
“That is a problem. You could always just ask.” At my glare, he laughed, “I see you still don’t like confrontation.”
I felt my face heating up once again, “Only when it’s unnecessary.”
He frowned in thought, almost pouting, “I don’t know if it’s unnecessary or not. He may be expecting you to say something. Surely he knows the Doctor told you?”
“I would guess so. But… why would he wait for me ?”
“Maybe to see if you have any interest? And if you don’t he’ll just… allow you to keep doing what you’ve been doing. I mean, he knows you just learned all of this, yes? Maybe he’s giving you space.”
I scoffed, “I doubt he’s emotionally mature enough to make a decision like that.”
At that, he looked at me strangely, “Do you have some sort of problem with him?”
Do I? He hasn’t really done anything horrible to me. In fact, he was the majority of the reason I was found innocent. If anything, Asogi should irritate me much more. “He is just an irritating man.” I finally said.
“He is quite a handful, as far as I could tell.” He chuckled, “But seriously, you might should say something.”
“I will think on it.” I didn’t like the look Albert was giving me. It was something akin to pity, a look I wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of. “I’m sorry to burden you with all of this tonight.”
“No, no- not at all, Barok! I’m happy to be here for you. Seriously.” A knot started to form in my throat once more. I just nodded in silent thanks. The silence spread throughout the room until it was broken by his yawn, “Gosh, it’s nearly 2 already. We’d probably better at least try to get to bed, shouldn’t we?”
“You’re probably right.”
With that, I extinguished the fire, walked Albert to his room, and bid him goodnight.
~~~~~~~
The next few days were filled to the brim with activities. Whether it was going to the shops, museums, parks, or London attractions, we hardly had a moment to stop and think.
I only realized on Tuesday morning that I was supposed to be back at work by now, but now it was too late, especially considering that Albert was leaving Wednesday. Besides, Lord Pritchard said at least one week. I won’t be in trouble.
We spent the day out and about in London again, only returning early enough for dinner with Ms. Simms. We had to wake early the next morning to take Albert to the docks, something we were both clearly dreading.
After dinner we retreated to the sitting room, where Albert quietly asked, “When do you think I’ll be able to see you again..?”
“So long as you are given permission to leave work, you may come whenever you wish.” You should be pushing him away, you fool.
He looked down and sighed, “It’s just… this has been the most fun I’ve had in years, Barok. I’ve really missed you.” He looked up and into my eyes, and I was overcome with such emotion that I had to break the gaze. My face was heating up, my eyes were stinging, and a knot secured itself tightly in my throat. “I-I’m sorry if that was untoward.”
I shook my head, my mouth unable to formulate my thoughts into words. The silence that settled was deafening. “Well, um- I wish you luck with, well… everything. You’ve got quite a lot on your plate to deal with once I leave, don’t you?”
I nodded and swallowed, only somewhat clearing up the knot, “I think I may publicize it.”
“The truth of the Professor?” I nodded, “If that’s what you feel is right.”
“Klint only wanted to hide it for my sake. But I feel dirty keeping his secret.” Somehow, talking about my brother being a murderer was easier than talking about my feelings with Albert, “I think I will.”
“Please just-” He stammered for words for a moment, “Stay safe, Barok. From… everything .”
It felt like no time before I was seeing him off at the docks. Quiet words, exchanged awkwardly. Both of us were holding something back, though on his side, I have no idea what it may have been.
Watching him leave tore at my heartstrings, but I knew it was for the best that he left me behind. Hopefully he’ll go back to Germany and just forget all about me.