100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 189: The Skeletons IX

Fredricksen Estate, London

It was only 20 minutes ago when Marco Evans met Levi in Eastbourne Rd with a bag on his back. The sicked blond asked him to come earlier as he planned on dropping by somewhere on their way to the airport. Little did he know that the very place the blond wanted to ’drop-by’ so to say in the wee hours of the night was none other than the Fredricksen Estate.

His eyes had widened when the blond took a left turn into a long private road; enormous steel gates greeted them with guards waiting by the post. And for a second or two, Marco had no idea where they were until he saw the huge engraved sign on the side of the walls holding the gate. ’Fredricksen Estate,’ it said, and for a moment or two, he didn’t know why they were there.

Levi rolled down his window, a uniformed guard operating his post. Not that he was surprised, the family was probably struck with paranoia.

He shot the gentleman his best smile, "Good evening, Levi Jackson. I wish to speak with Ivan." he said casually while Marco watched the other man cautiously standing on his side. He could see the man was packing a gun behind his jacket.

The guard exchanged looks, and he rang the house through his walkie talkie after stepping away. The two nodded seconds later, opening the mechanical gates for them. The gates swung open slowly, and Levi thanked the two men as he drove inside.

He slowed down in front of the 14,000 sqft Tudor mansion with two front gable pavilions and large dormer style windows. A staff greeted them as they stepped out, and Marco felt like they were in a hotel as a valet took the keys from the slicked blond to park it. Levi brushed his hair in place with his hand, shooting the bearded man a look as he started fixing his old coat. The Irishman rolled his eyes; there was no need to be insecure in the presence of money. It’s just money; everyone has it, although, yes, admittedly, the Fredricksen happened to have tons of it.

"Feeling small, Marco?" he asked as a butler greeted them and ushered them inside. "You should have told me we were heading here." the bearded man whispered. "Would you have worn a suit instead?" the blond challenged. Marco wasn’t the type to dress up after all. He always preferred the laid back, functional look.

For a moment, the bearded man pondered on his question, "Of course not, but I would have worn my best coat." he said.

"Meh. you look fine." The slicked blond answered, entering the parlor, fully furnished with old fashioned mahogany furniture from the 1960s, antique vases here and there. Chandeliers hanging on the ceilings, wide windows with the garden’s majestic view lit with Christmas lights. Fancy antique trinkets filled the room, paintings on the walls above the fireplace, and maroon-colored Turkish rugs under their feet. All of which speaks of the family’s wealth. But what impressed Marco the most was the scent in the air; it smelt like Christmas, in his opinion. However, he did make a mental note on keeping away from the fragile items.

"Please take a seat, Mr. Fredricksen will meet you shortly." the butler said, leaving the two in the room and closing the door behind him. Marco felt out of place for a second or two; on the other hand, Levi casually took a seat on one of the chairs crossing his legs like he owned the place. Marco sighed, copying the man by taking the seat opposite him only very carefully.

Not even five minutes the door swung open, revealing Ivan, clad in his black dressing gown over his silk matching pajamas. "Mr. Jackson, Dr. Evans. Good to see you again." he greeted charmingly; why they were there in the wee hours of the night, he had no idea.

They shook his hand, exchanged short pleasantries; then, he offered them a seat.

"We won’t stay long." Levi informed, hinting at urgency. Their flight is in an hour after all. Ivan raised a curious brow, "I shall not ask for tea then." he commented, urging them to continue their business.

The slicked blond scanned the man before him, carefully observing. "Your sister left." he informed. No reaction, something he had expected.

There was a pause; one Marco noticed as both men stared at each other, expressions betraying nothing.

Ivan’s face cracked into a smile, "Yes, I am well aware." he replied casually as he took a seat across the two.

"Are you aware as to why she left?" the Irishman challenged. Ivan shrugged, looking back at Levi. "I do have a few ideas. She had a lot on her plate lately. Work, your sudden change in relationship status from complicated to...and well, there is also the matter of her sudden engagement." he said, then shaking his head. "But then again, her mind can reach places mine can’t even fathom of. So, I can’t be certain." he added, sending Levi a pointed look.

Marco’s jaw dropped, ’engagement’? His eyes darted from Ivan to Levi, who both coldly looked at each other. As though they were having a silent argument with just their eyes.

"Yes, work..." Levi trailed, baring his teeth and giving the older man a clipped smile.

"Wilson’s case, thank you for the tip by the way." he added in a lighter tone, recalling the anonymous tip they received before, resulting in Pattin’s swift arrest.

"And Congratulations." Ivan expressed, refusing to acknowledge the tip.

The mask of a smile on the blond’s face dropped immediately, "Tell me where she is." he said confidently, too confidently in Marco’s liking. They were at this dangerous man’s home, in his territory. He really should thread more carefully...at least for Marco Evans’ sake.

"I do not know where she is at this very moment, Mr. Jackson. But I do know where she’s going." Ivan stated a smirk on his lips. "Yes. So do I, and we’re in a hurry. Your sister is about to kill someone, I don’t know who it is, but I do know this person is in Hope." the Irishman shot back, trying to get on Ivan’s nerves.

Another pause.

Ivan’s expression remained calm, something the Irishman didn’t expect. He expected more if he was honest. Then it sunk into him. He knew all along.

"You knew." Levi seethed, tone judging. "You knew she’s plotting to kill someone. And you are letting her. That, I did not expect. At all." he sneered accusatively, causing Ivan’s jaw to harden at his snide comment. The conversation had gone longer than he originally planned, Ivan thought.

Ivan tilted his head, and something about his move made Marco’s skin crawl. "Do be careful with your words, Mr. Jackson." the man warned graciously; he wouldn’t want to break his deal with Anna by losing his patience and accidentally-in-purpose, killing the younger Jackson.

"Levi." Marco agreed, recognizing the change in the air. The tension was suddenly palpable. And it felt like they were standing right in front of a beast. Levi scoffed, "I don’t have time for this. Clearly, you won’t stop her. Let me. Give me the room number." he demanded, aware of the knowledge they two only shared.

But Ivan remained unresponsive; he had had enough of the both of them.

Levi stood abruptly from his seat, "Are you really gonna sit there, and let your sister be a murderer?" he snarled at Ivan, taking a step closer, bent slightly to meet him eye to eye. The younger Jackson was literally on his face. While Ivan calmly sat, leaning comfortably against the chair with his poker face still on.

A moment passed, and Levi knew coming there was a waste of their time; he returned to his previous spot, causing Marco to expel a sigh of relief that he stood at a reasonable distance from the dangerous man.

"But then again, maybe that’s what you wanted..." Levi started, "...finally, she’ll be a real Fredricksen. Welcome to the Family!" he continued in a mock tone.

Swiftly he blond turned his back, missing how Ivan gritted his teeth on that last blow.

Levi proceeded to walk out of the room, "Thank you for your hospitality!" he said, followed by Marco, who was warily looking behind them, aware of the glare Ivan was sending their way.

The Irishman got in the car that was waiting for them outside, angry. He was a fool to think that Ivan would do something to stop his sister. What a disappointment, he thought, driving towards the airport.

The two sat in their seats in the plane an hour later, "What do we do now?" Marco asked, turning to look at the blond.

"Hope." Levi replied quickly, leaning comfortably.

"Hope, she hasn’t found him yet?" Marco confirmed. Levi spared him a look, slightly annoyed. "Don’t be an eejit, Marco. I’m certain she’d found him by now." he said, closing his eyes to think. Then the message sank in the bearded man,

’Hope that she hadn’t killed the man yet.’