分卷阅读3（2 / 2）

“We didn’t,” Igora agreed.

Felix turned around, rolling his eyes at her. “The man in the bedroom,” he said.

Phillips blinked. “Marwan Zivantus?”

“We are working the missing persons case for his daughter, Bertrice Zivantus.”

“And you think it’s possible the two cases are connected?” Phillips’ face scrunched in disbelief.

Stramitz raised her brow. “Rich Pureblood’s daughter goes missing and a week later he’s killed in—” she motioned obtusely “—an oddly bizarre and violent manner?”

“It’s probable the two incidents are related,” Felix offered and then walked away.

They headed back to the office, and Igora knew they needed to make sure the case stayed in their control. She barked out a list of things for Felix to finish, sent out her inquiries to the other DMLE offices, and requisitioned all the necessary supplies for a long haul stake out. When Archie Eversworn finished his shift, they’d be ready to find out what he was most definitely hiding.

Harry couldn’t believe it. Ron was going to kill him. He’d somehow managed to screw up his first ever assignment. Eight months, eight bloody months, completely wasted. As he walked back to Travertel, he allowed himself one small beacon of hope. Maybe he’d be able to salvage something. Maybe there was still a chance, another angle, another job—

The echoes of his conversation with Valentine made him cringe.

“They think it’s connected to something bigger,” the hotel manager whispered as they watched Investigators Zaha and Stramitz leave.

Harry blinked, unsure what he should or shouldn’t say. He was still questioning his decision to maintain his cover despite his instincts—internally screaming he needed to do something. But there was also a suspicion in his gut that told him that what happened in the penthouse had nothing to do with his case. There was also the scene from the fourteenth floor which still had him reeling. “Like…criminals?”

Valentine scrunched his face and gave a slight shake of his head. “No. Say…while you were in there, did you see any type of animal?”

“Animal?” To be honest, Harry wasn’t sure of anything that he saw. They walked to the employee locker room and stopped. “Like a dog?” Harry blurted. Then he remembered the kneazle. Before he could say anything, Valentine had raised his hand.

“No, not a dog.” Valentine studied Harry and then abruptly added, “Also, you’re fired.”

“What?” Harry burst. “Why?”

Valentine began walking back to his office, and Harry followed. “You’re just too involved in this,” the older man replied.

“I was just doing my job!” Harry said, trying not to raise his voice.

“That remains to be seen.” Valentine blinked back at him.