Chapter Text
Hugin might have felt rather guilty about how unrefined his reaction had been, had the memory of the biscuit's taste not lingered so vividly in his mouth.
For a moment, the three of them just stood there like statues, waiting for Ms Eliza to offer some sort of reaction and finally kick the ball back into their court, giving them the chance to smooth over their rather undignified response.
However, of all the possibilities his mind had managed to conjure, the one he now saw had not yet crossed his mind.
Hugin’s eyes widened ever so slightly as Ms Eliza smiled in understanding. He exchanged a quick, uncertain glance with Rex, then with Officer Alwin. The three of them turned back towards her, only to find Ms Eliza chuckling softly behind one hand, her eyes bright with unmistakable mischief.
"There's no need to spare an old woman's feelings," she said, folding her hands neatly before her, her composure never wavering. "I'm well aware of their texture."
Pardon?
Hugin’s mind went blank. For several seconds, he could do little more than stare at Ms Eliza in open disbelief as she sighed, closing her eyes with a small, knowing smile.
“It’s just that my son’s friend brings me these whenever he visits. Silvian asked him to check in on me, since he lives in Silvernia, as my son’s work is currently very demanding and has taken him abroad for longer than usual.” She opened her eyes and looked up at them, something soft settling across her features. “I haven’t had the heart to tell the boy that his biscuits are a touch on the dry side.”
That’s an understatement.
Hugin could say with complete confidence that he now knew what it was like to have sand in his mouth.
But he digressed.
“However,” she continued with a smile, “I’ve learnt that, taken with tea, they can be quite tasty!” She beamed at them with the expression of someone who had grown accustomed to the biscuits’ taste and texture rather than someone who genuinely enjoyed either.
Hugin suspected the other two officers had noticed the same thing, as Rex bowed his head, deftly creating a way from Ms Eliza’s offer. “Thank you for your lovely hospitality, Madam,” he said, “but as officers on duty, it would not be professional of us to accept.”
Hugin shot him an incredulous look just as Rex and Officer Alwin turned towards him at the same time, both wearing equally flat expressions. Yet the faint glimmer in Rex’s eyes told Hugin that the Superintendent was rather interested in seeing how he intended to extricate himself from the situation.
Hugin gave him an unimpressed look before turning back to Ms Eliza’s eager face; easily arranging his own features into a calm smile, he tipped his top hat in her direction. “Madam. My deepest apologies, but I have already eaten, and I fear my stomach will not manage any more.”
Ms Eliza sighed, though a smile remained upon her lips. “I fully understand, both reasons.” Her gaze moved between them, her smile deepening. “I suppose it is simply a pleasure of mine, caring for younger people. Thank you so much. Truly. May your day end in calmness after all this chaos.”
The three of them nodded to her, though only Hugin offered a small smile. Each gave his own farewell, which Ms Eliza returned with another smile and a wave before gently closing the door behind them.
Rex led the way as they turned to leave, Hugin following a step behind on his right and Alwin on the opposite side. By the time they reached the stairs, they had fallen naturally into single file, with Hugin following Rex and Alwin bringing up the rear.
They had barely reached the fifth floor when Hugin could no longer ignore a question that had been silently grinding at the back of his mind. “You said that the moment the kamera captures whoever is making the footsteps, an alert will notify us, correct?” he asked, watching Rex.
The Superintendent gave no indication that he had heard him, but that didn’t discourage Hugin as he continue. “Isn’t that a bit counterproductive? What if a stray, or a bird, crosses the kamera’s line of sight?” He asked in a casual tone.
There had to be more than what Rex had explained, but Hugin had long since learnt that allowing people the freedom to explain matters in their own way was far more productive than revealing what he already suspected.
People tended to volunteer considerably more information when they believed they were filling in the gaps themselves.
The silence lingered even after Hugin stepped onto the fourth floor behind Rex, making him all the more aware of Officer Alwin’s footsteps following close behind. The sound was enough to raise the fine hairs along the back of his neck, but Hugin refused to let the officer see how much his presence unsettled him. Instead, he kept his attention fixed on Rex as they continued down the stairs.
At last, the Superintendent began to explain. “The explanation I provided to Ms Eliza was a simplified summary,” Rex admitted.
Hugin had already deduced as much, but kept the thought to himself and allowed the man to continue.
“I see no reason to overwhelm a civilian with the finer details, especially where Navy technology is concerned.”
Easily recognising that Rex would keep his cards close to his chest, Huginn’t not waste a second. “Could you overwhelm me?” he asked. The eagerness in his voice was perhaps a touch too pronounced, while his choice of words was certainly less than ideal.
Hugin regretted it almost as soon as the words left his mouth, but he refused to let it show. He watched as Rex stopped one step below him before turning to look back over his shoulder. From beneath the brim of his cap, the Superintendent regarded him with unmistakable judgement and faint bewilderment where Rex’s brows drew together as though he were trying to determine whether Hugin had genuinely said what he heard he had.
Hugin merely blinked down at him, wearing an expression of such complete innocence that Rex looked seconds away from gaping.
Seeing as he had already dug himself a grave, Hugin all but decided to slid into it.
“What?” he asked, giving a small shrug. “I did sign the non-disclosure agreement, didn’t I?” He feigned further innocence as Rex gave him one final, lingering look. The Superintendent drew a slow breath before turning back towards the stairs and continued downwards, though not before casting Hugin one last deeply judgemental glance over his shoulder.
At least he was answering the question.
“Exceptionally in your case, I’ll explain in more detail,” Rex began. “The kameras capture all movement, yes. However, for the alert to trigger, the ‘intruder’ must enter all four kameras’ lines of sight simultaneously.”
Hugin’s attention sharpened. He stepped onto the third floor as something clicked into place. “So, wait — the reason you had me going round adjusting the angles and positions was to make sure all four points met at one particular spot,” he said, wording it more as a statement than a question.
He followed Rex towards the second floor, his attention divided between the Superintendent ahead of him and Officer Alwin’s measured footsteps close behind; the officer near enough for Hugin to hear every deliberate step, though he kept his gaze fixed on Rex.
“But how can you be so certain the intruder will step on that exact spot?” Hugin asked.
The question stopped Rex short, and Hugin halted two steps behind him. Officer Alwin came to a quieter stop in the back, but Hugin scarcely noticed. His attention remained fixed upon Rex’s back as he waited for an answer.
After another silent moment, Rex finally turned halfway, his steady carmines met Hugin’s curious one.
“I am not,” he answered simply, making Hugin’s interest sharpened. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he studied the Superintendent; uncertain whether he liked the fiery spark that had kindled within those eyes, brightening them towards crimson before settling once more.
Flexing his right hand, Hugin became acutely aware of the dampness gathering inside his gloves. His palms had begun to sweat, and he watched carefully as Rex’s eyes widened, holding his gaze with an intensity that set Hugin’s heart beating a touch faster than he would have liked.
Anticipation, Hugin decided. Anticipation brought on by the realisation that he had unwittingly placed himself upon a trapdoor, with Rex’s hand already resting upon the lever and merely waiting to pull it.
“But you should be,” Rex said calmly, “seeing as it was you who showed me where the spot is. All I did was follow your instructions.”
Bloody hell—
Hugin drew a slow breath and ran his tongue over his teeth, keeping his mouth firmly shut. He refused to look away from Rex, denying the man the satisfaction of any reaction beyond the empty smile he kept on his face.
As the implication of the deduction he had provided earlier, now used as the blueprint for positioning the cameras, began to settle in his mind, one simple fact became clear.
If it turns out to be wrong—
“So, if the spot proves to be wrong, that is on you, Detective,” Rex continued before turning fully forwards again. His posture remained unchanged as he resumed his descent towards the second floor. “I did tell you. This case is yours to handle. The Constabulary’s sole concern is to see that you fulfil the contract you signed and provide enough assistance to safeguard the citizens.”
Hugin remained where he was, not moving immediately, almost able to hear the word checkmate in Rex’s voice where his pause gave Officer Alwin the opportunity to pass him without so much as a glance, the man slipping neatly into Hugin’s place behind the Superintendent.
And although Hugin could see how, in that moment, it might seem he had no grounds to argue against Rex, as he had truly done nothing he hadn’t openly told Hugin he would do. That was, if he hadn’t understood something about Rex that shifted the way he viewed the man who spoke the truth while concealing an even deeper one.
No longer bothering to suppress the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, Hugin straightened before briskly following the duo, his steps carrying more confidence than before. As he stepped onto the second floor, Hugin wasted no time in replying. “What an honour, Superintendent,” he said carefully, a faint note of sarcasm threading through his voice.
The remark brought Rex to a halt before the Superintendent could set foot upon the stairs, stopping Officer Alwin as well. Unlike Rex, however, the officer glanced back towards Hugin, while the Superintendent merely listened, his eyes remaining fixed upon the steps ahead.
“I thought you said you didn’t trust me,” Hugin added.
Rex’s stern gaze snapped towards Hugin’s smug expression as Hugin come to lean over the railing, bringing their eyes level with one another.
Rex didn’t so much as blink. “I fail to see what that has to do with any of this,” he replied, his voice measured.
The corners of Hugin’s lips lifted.
“Didn’t you say so yourself?” he began slowly, tasting each word on his tongue. “The Constabulary is here to ensure the safety of its citizens. If you’d had the slightest doubt that my deduction might cause even one per cent of harm, you wouldn’t have used it to set the kameras.” He couldn’t quite suppress the self-satisfied smile tugging at his mouth.
Rex, meanwhile, looked as though he were holding himself back from strangling him.
“You trusted me,” Hugin added, settling his right cheek against his propped fist, his elbow resting comfortably upon the railing as he watched Rex closely, waiting for the slightest reaction.
There was none. Rex merely stared back at him, his hardened, assessing carmines fixed upon Hugin with an intensity that made the silence feel almost oppressive.
Hugin parted his lips slightly before stealing a brief glance at Officer Alwin. The Navy officer stood watching the exchange with a contemplative air, his brows drawn together by barely an inch. The subtle movement would have gone unnoticed by a less sharper eye than Hugin’s.
His attention returned to Rex just as the Superintendent finally broke the silence.
“What exactly is it with you and whether I personally do or don’t trust you?” Rex asked, sounding almost as though he were posing the question to himself rather than to Hugin. His eyes moved over Hugin’s unchanged expression with a critical air. “As far as I’m concerned, half, if not all, of the Constabulary trust you. Some are even willing to find gaps in their direct orders to aid you.” He stated it so plainly that Hugin’s heart gave a brief, unwelcome stutter.
Rex knew. Or, at the very least, he knew more than he was letting on.
Hugin kept his smug expression firmly in place as the last thing he wanted was to provide further evidence for Rex’s words. He could only hope none of the officers would be punished later as perhaps Rex had merely been informed of their actions and had no direct proof, but until Hugin knew otherwise, he had no intention of giving the Superintendent anything more.
Instead, he seized upon the part that interested him personally, steering the conversation away from just how deep his connections with the Constabulary, and with Chief Lorin, actually ran.
“Well…” Hugin began to rise leisurely, Rex’s eyes following his every movement. Beside him, Officer Alwin’s gaze hardened, narrowing just enough to betray the scrutiny beneath his otherwise composed expression.
Hugin kept his attention fixed upon Rex, choosing his next words with care.
They were not alone, after all.
“I find myself much more at ease when I know I can trust those I work with in the field.” Hugin stepped forwards, moving behind Officer Alwin before beginning his descent down the narrow stairwell. He took each step at an unhurried pace, passing both the officer and Rex without so much as brushing their shoulders, all the while acutely aware of their eyes fixed upon his back.
Three steps below, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder at Rex. “It does rather lessen the feeling of being stabbed in the back, Superintendent,” Hugin added, a faint smile touching his lips.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, nor did either look away. Then Rex took a step down, and Hugin understood the silent instruction; Turning forwards once more, he continued his descent, soon catching the sound of one set of footsteps behind him, followed by the barely audible shuffle of another.
He was about to step onto the first floor when—
“Officer Alwin.” Rex’s stern voice stopped him mid-step.
Hugin turned to look back, only to see Rex passing him and coming to a halt a few steps ahead with Officer Alwin following without hesitation, stopping at Rex’s left. “Go on to the front of the building and tell the officers there that they’re allowed to go ahead, including you,” Rex added calmly.
Oh-ho… Hugin watched with caught expression as Officer Alwin’s body stiffened. For a moment, the officer looked as though he might retort, but whatever words had risen to his tongue were swallowed. He merely nodded. “Of course, Superintendent.”
He moved off at a slightly slower pace.
Hugin watched him descend alongside Rex, who remained where he was until Officer Alwin had made his way further down the staircase. Only then did Rex begin to move, and Hugin fell into step behind him, understanding the silent instruction with ease.
It wasn’t long before Hugin heard Officer Alwin reach the ground floor; his footsteps seemed deliberately softened against the carpet, yet Hugin could still distinguish each one. He stopped two steps above Rex, who had come to a sudden halt in the middle of the staircase. From there, Rex had a clear view of Officer Alwin below, while Hugin could only piece together what was happening from the sounds reaching him.
Soon, the footsteps drew closer to the entrance. The door opened, and Rex's gaze remained fixed upon it.
Five or so seconds passed before it finally closed.
Hugin could not help wondering whether the two officers had merely exchanged a glance, or whether Officer Alwin had lingered in the doorway, listening for something, only to find there was nothing to hear.
Catching the movement below, Hugin lowered his gaze, only to meet Rex's burning stare. The Superintendent's annoyance was plain now, no longer buried beneath the layer of professionalism he had maintained so carefully.
“You’ve certainly got some nerve,” Rex said, his voice quieter now, though no less firm, as he turned fully towards Hugin. His gaze remained fixed upon him. “You want to talk about stabbing someone in the back? How am I supposed to know you won’t stick the knife in mine, detective?” He all but dragged the title through his teeth as he leaned closer. Something hard settled behind Rex’s sharp eyes, concealing whatever he was feeling as his stare bore into Hugin’s; refusing to let him look away.
Huh… Hugin blinked, a soft breath escaping him before he stepped down one stair. Rex barely moved, keeping his eyes fixed upon him.
Hugin tilted his head to one side, allowing the motion to travel through his shoulders as he placed one foot on the same stair as Rex. The movement brought them level with one another, leaving them facing each other from the side. “I believe the answer here is…” Hugin began, his voice calm. “We can’t know for certain, can we?” A small smile touched his lips as he leaned an inch closer.
Rex’s eyes narrowed. Hugin could almost feel the man searching his leisurely, half-lidded gaze for any hint of dishonesty, but he was confident he would find none. His expression carried the same quiet sincerity as his words. “One simply has to take the gamble and see what happens with the trust placed in the other’s hands,” Hugin continued, keeping his voice low and even.
He watched Rex draw a slow, deep breath through his nose. The Superintendent was clearly neither satisfied with the answer nor particularly inclined to agree with him.
That was fine. Hugin knew his words would hardly work in his favour, but that scarcely mattered. He merely needed to set the stage for what he wanted to say next.
“You know that saying?” Hugin asked, not really expecting an answer. Bringing his other foot onto the stair, he straightened fully until he stood shoulder to shoulder with Rex whose eyes immediately snapped upwards, fixing upon Hugin over the brim of his cap.
Hugin in turn let a soft smirk spread across his face and matched Rex’s posture, standing just as straight beside him. “Fool me once, it’s on me. Fool me twice…” His smirk deepened.
“It’s still me.”
Rex’s brows furrowed. Confusion flickered behind his eyes, briefly easing some of the tension in his face before it returned as he studied Hugin’s expression. He was clearly searching for any sign that Hugin was jesting, but Hugin knew he looked every bit as convinced as he felt.
Even so, Hugin was still mildly surprised when Rex actually took the bait and gave him precisely the response he had hoped for.
“What sort of twisted version of that quote did you read?” Rex asked, his voice carrying a note of genuine disbelief. “It’s, ‘Fool me once, shame on you — fool me twice, shame on me.’”
Hugin’s grin widened. He leaned down until his eyes were level with Rex’s, his pulse quickening at the uncertainty of what he was facing. He used his height just enough to tower over the other man, the brim of Rex’s cap brushing against the brim of Hugin’s top hat.
Neither acknowledged the closeness. They simply held each other’s gaze. Hugin felt his own eyes sharpen as Rex’s darkened, the Superintendent’s stare narrowing with a clear refusal to yield whatever silent contest they had found themselves caught in.
Not that Hugin was trying to make it one. He merely needed his next words to be remembered.
“My apologies. You see, I never quite liked that quote, because it’s me who chooses to place my trust in you, and it will be me who bears the blame if I allow myself to be fooled. Even if you fool me twice, thrice, a fourth time, and so on.” Hugin lowered his voice to little more than a whisper before descending another step. Rex’s eyes followed him, never leaving his face.
A daring smile tugged at Hugin’s lips. He adjusted the brim of his top hat, his voice returning to its usual tone. “Tell me if I’m wrong, Superintendent, but isn’t the blame ultimately on the person who placed their trust in someone else? For ignoring the red flags and choosing instead to believe?” Hugin asked as he continued down the stairs sideways — Keeping his eyes locked on Rex, each step was measured, his body angled towards the Superintendent as he descended. “It’s not hard to understand that every person knows when another is deceiving them. The question is whether they choose to ignore it or not.” Hugin finished speaking as he finally turned away.
Descending the remaining steps, he gave a small shrug as he went. “So… fool me once, it’s on me for trusting you…” He let the words trail off, the second part leaving his lips a little softer.
“Fool me twice… it’s still me for continuing to believe in you.”
Silence settled between them.
It was a bitter victory, Hugin thought as he reached the ground floor, the now-familiar entrance to the residence directly ahead of him.
He took his first step towards it, only to freeze when a body brushed past him. His heart jolted at the unexpected movement as something dark and red flashed through his peripheral vision on his right. Hugin snapped his head towards it, momentarily caught off guard — He had heard nothing from behind.
He and Rex exchanged a look where the Superintendent’s eyes held their usual firmness, though something more contemplative lingered beneath it.
Hugin’s eyes widened slightly in quiet surprise as Rex passed him; barely catching the man’s muttered, “Insufferable,” before the Superintendent continued towards the door.
Hugin drew a deep breath as the moment settled in his mind. Then he shook his head and easily fell into step behind Rex, bowing his head as he adjusted the brim of his top hat. The small movement conveniently concealing the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
By the time he looked up again, his usual carefree calm had settled comfortably over his features. His eyes fell easily upon the entrance door, now standing wide open.
Hugin made no attempt to suppress the private smile that touched his lips. His chest expanded as he stepped outside, drawing in a deep breath of crisp autumn air, he pulled the door shut behind him before descending the steps, the quiet of the street broken by Rex’s calm voice.
“Officer?”
The single word caught Hugin’s attention at once.
There was more contained within it than the word itself suggested, an unspoken question tucked neatly into its delivery.
Hugin’s eyes found Rex at the bottom of the stairs, standing opposite Officer Alwin whose back was as straight as Hugin remembered, his expression carefully guarded and devoid of emotion as he faced the Superintendent.
Hugin stepped off the stairs and settled into a relaxed stance a pace to the side, leaving the two officers to face one another.
“I’ve sent everyone ahead, back to the Constabulary, as you instructed, Sir,” Officer Alwin replied, placing a hand over his heart before bowing his head. He straightened to his full height once more, his gaze unwavering as he met Rex’s eyes, answering the silent question of: Did you do what I asked?
Yet as the silence stretched between the two officers, it became increasingly clear to Hugin that Officer Alwin had no intention of answering the question beneath it.
What are you doing here?
Whether Officer Alwin was aware of the unspoken question or not, Hugin couldn’t tell as much as he couldn't determine whether the officer’s decision to remain had stemmed from the depth of loyalty he held towards Rex or from something else entirely.
Rex held Alwin’s gaze for one last, lingering moment where the officer remained perfectly composed beneath his scrutiny, his posture unchanged and his expression giving nothing away.
At last, Rex released a barely perceptible breath, apparently deciding not to dwell on the matter. His steady gaze shifted towards Hugin instead, who caught the movement of the Superintendent’s left hand slipping inside the right side of his cropped coat and—
A sharp fwip cut through the air.
“…”
Huh?
In what felt like the blink of an eye, Hugin found himself staring at his own gloved fist, held barely inches from his face. He flexed his fingers as though to reassure himself that it was truly his hand, only to feel the distinct weight of an object pressed against his palm. Judging by the subtle sting spreading across his skin, it had also been thrown with considerably more force than necessary.
Hugin blinked and lowered his hand while the sudden pounding of his heart against his ribs betrayed nothing in his expression.
He drew several slow, measured breaths, forcing his pulse back under control and disguising the effort as nothing more than his usual breathing where he slowly open his palm.
A circular object of harden silverium rested within it, no larger than a pocket watch. Its mirrored centre reflected a remarkably clear image of Hugin’s bewildered expression, his eyes slightly widened as he examined the strange device. His thumb brushed along its small, ridged edges, giving the object the rough shape of a sun.
“S.R.R.,” Rex said evenly, drawing Hugin’s attention back to him; His calm gaze settled on the device in Hugin’s hand as he continued. “Or just the ‘Relay’. It will start beeping the moment all four kameras activate simultaneously. Once that happens, you’re to come here immediately.”
Hugin’s heart gave another sharp jump when Rex’s eyes snapped towards his, hardening as the Superintendent narrowed them slightly. “Do not lose it.”
Hugin held his gaze for a moment, staring into those darkly lit carmines, before straightening, where only then did he realise that his shoulders had risen without him noticing. Letting them drop again, he flashed Rex a mocking salute as a small smirk curled across his face. “As you command, Superintendent.”
His smirk widened when Rex’s lips parted, drawing in a subtly deeper breath. The Superintendent closed his eyes and tipped his head back ever so slightly, rolling his neck with the motion, he brought himself forwards to face the street ahead. Hugin could practically picture the quieter exhale that followed.
Rex straightened without wasting another second. Clasping his hands behind his back, he set off down the now-familiar street without another word, not so much as a glance over his shoulder. The message was clear enough: now they waited.
Officer Alwin understood the second message as without hesitation, he turned halfway to follow, but before he could take another step, Hugin pushed past the tension tightening in his chest and stepped forwards.
“Ehm, Officer Alwin.” His voice stopped the man mid-turn, where beyond that, he didn’t moved much. He merely shifted his head until his set eyes locked with Hugin’s own, partly widened ones. The look alone said enough.
If Alwin had been allowed to act on what was plainly written across his face, Hugin suspected he would have arrested him there and then.
Yet, an invisible leash held him back.
Hugin swallowed as his eyes flicked past Officer Alwin’s side towards Rex’s retreating figure. His view was cut off almost immediately when Officer Alwin stepped into his path, forcing Hugin to look down into those unwavering green eyes, and took a small step back so they wouldn't stand too close
“How may I be of assistance, detective?” Officer Alwin practically spat out the title. His tone carried such detachment where it was clear the man cared little, if at all, about the answer. He stared up at him with bored eyes, his hands clasped behind his back in the same manner as Rex.
Unlike Rex, who still carried a youthful air of restrained impulsivity, Officer Alwin seemed to possess a presence shaped by experience. Hugin placed him in his mid-to-late thirties after a closer assessment of the faint lines across his forehead and the tiredness settled beneath his eyes.
There was nothing restless about him. Officer Alwin carried himself with the quiet composure of a man who had spent years in his profession and learned to keep his reactions firmly under control.
And that, in turn, put Hugin more on guard.
He met the officer’s gaze where he quickly noticed his brows had furrowed slightly, almost concealed beneath the shadow of his cap. Almost. Hugin’s sharp eyes still caught the movement, along with the subtle change in the man’s expression that told him Officer Alwin knew exactly he had been assessing him.
Not that Alwin had lacked opportunities to assess him in return.
Hugin smiled faintly and lowered himself a touch, keeping his expression relaxed. “I just wanted to know, seeing as you appear to be rather close to Superintendent Rex, whether you happen to know the address of his office?” A small compliment woven into the question. Perhaps it would loosen the man’s tongue, but it didn’t.
Alwin barely moved. If anything, the boredom in his eyes deepened, accompanied by the faintest trace of irritation, where Hugin thought his question had reminded the officer of something he did not liked before the expression disappeared beneath a layer of visible scepticism as the officer looked him over.
“Even if I did,” Alwin said, his voice registering in Hugin’s mind as light timbre, “I see no reason to give it to you.”
Ah. Hugin kept his eyes on the officer. So he doesn’t know.
The deduction was easy enough to make. If Officer Alwin had known the address of Rex’s office, Hugin suspected he would have carried himself with a little more pride. His posture might have stiffened, his chin lifted. There would have been some small, involuntary show of satisfaction at possessing information Hugin was trying to obtain.
Instead, there had been irritation — not at being asked, but at not knowing the answer himself.
That would explain the brief flash of annoyance before the man had concealed it behind scepticism. Whatever relationship existed between him and Rex, Officer Alwin clearly disliked being reminded that there were things about his superior that even he didn’t know.
Ah well. Suppose I'll have to go with Plan A then, Hugin thought, not letting it touch the small smile on his face, instead, he tipped the brim of his top hat. "I understand." He set it back on his head, adding with a calm smile, "Thank you for staying behind to answer my question."
He wasn't surprised by the expected scepticism that deepened in the man's eyes.
"What is your business with the Superintendent?" Officer Alwin asked, prompting Hugin to let a flicker of deliberation show on his face. Weighing his options, Hugin thought he could cover it with technicality and get the officer off his back, even though the man would remain suspicious. Or…
He could speak honestly and potentially get the officer to tell him what little he knew and make him more suspicious — though Hugin assumed that amounted to nothing, since Rex, as the highest-ranking officer currently in the Constabulary, would be most likley the only one aware of his office address, save perhaps Chief Lorin. Even so, Hugin knew Officer Alwin was unlikely to offer him anything further even if he answered honestly — just as he knew Rex would very unlike have shared the address assigned to his own office with the Chief.
Retaining his stare with the officer while keeping his smile, Hugin parted his lips to give his answer — but before he could, Rex's raised and firm voice resonated like thunder over the street, making both Hugin and Officer Alwin stand straighter, even though the tone held nothing but the silent command: Come.
"Officer Alwin!"
At the call, Officer Alwin cast one last sidelong look at Hugin before turning back and marching towards Rex, who already stood distance away, his back straight and posture unchanged — only now turned halfway, visibly waiting for his man to close enough of the distance, before turning away again and letting Officer Alwin catch up with him.
Hugin watched the two retreating officers as he thumbed the edges of the “Relay," a slight worry flashing behind his eyes as he hoped Officer Alwin was petty enough to let whatever bitterness he felt towards Hugin outweigh the loyalty he held towards Rex, and not tell him what Hugin had asked.
With a sigh, Hugin pocketed the device into his trousers and began walking after the officers, who were now too far ahead for anyone to assume they were associated.
With his sharp eyes focusing on Rex's retreating figure, Hugin allowed himself a tired exhale.
The last thing he needed was for the man to start sniffing around the reason Hugin was asking.