Chapter Text
“Archivist. To what do I owe this particular pleasure?”
The Head of the Institute’s voice rang out, its coldness masked by a thin layer of sickly sweet honey.
Jonathan nearly scoffed. And he thinks I can’t see past his little charade?
Nevertheless, he kept his composure. “I wanted to speak to you about something, Elias. In private.”
Elias Bouchard’s eyebrow cranked up like a drawbridge. “Very well. Close the door, please.”
John did so, his fingers hovering over the handle. After a moment’s consideration, he locked the door.
Elias gave an amused smile. “Is something the matter, Jonathan?”
“Certainly,” John replied, imitating Bouchard’s clipped tone. He pulled up a chair and sat in front of the large walnut desk, leaning casually on the armrest. “I want to talk about the murders.”
The other man looked slightly confused. “Murders? As in, more than one?” he asked innocently.
“Yes, more than one.” John smirked a bit. “You know, Gertrude Robinson and Jurgen Leitner. The ones you committed.”
Elias smiles— a dangerous, cunning smile. But he doesn’t deny it. “How long have you known?” he asked, leaning forward.
John stared into his eyes, a knowing smile twisting his lips.
It had been a plan formed on suspicion alone. That tiny, irritating voice of doubt in his mind. What was Elias’s deal? It had mused in the back of his mind months ago. He’s planning something. He has to be.
So John had taken it upon himself to find out what. But how? He couldn’t suck up to the man. No, that would never work. Plus, it wasn’t his style, and it felt rather humiliating. He could confront Elias? No, people like him would only sink deeper into their hole, covering their tracks with lies and half-truths.
Or… he could do what Elias wanted him to do. He could be the unsuspecting, curious Archivist. To all the world, naïve and foolish.
John smiles dangerously. “I never went to get a cigarette.”
Elias frowned at this. Why hadn’t he Known? He should have Known. That seemed like vital information the Eye would have given him. “So you listened in on our little… conversation, hm?”
John nodded. “It was very interesting. I learned quite a few things… but what I didn’t learn was your plan for me.”
Elias smirked. “And what makes you think I would tell you, Archivist?”
John cleared his throat. This was it.
“Because,” he said in a low voice, “I want in.”