Luka's bright voice immediately filled the office through the speaker.
"Good morning, Mr Freeze."
Eamon pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Afternoon, Luka. It should be around that time on your side."
"Close enough." Luka laughed.
Eamon could practically picture him leaning back in his office chair, feet probably resting somewhere they shouldn't be.
The two had known each other for years. While Luca Law Firm specialised in forensic accounting, offshore banking disputes, and corporate fraud investigations, Luka himself had somehow managed to remain annoyingly cheerful despite spending most of his life chasing financial criminals. More importantly, he possessed one of the most talented investigative teams Eamon had ever worked with.
Which was precisely why Eamon had contacted him. If anyone could untangle the web of shell companies and hidden accounts surrounding the Blackwells, it would be Luka. Truthfully, Eamon doesn't expect any results soon; tracing offshore transactions often takes months, sometimes even years.
Yet Luka had called.
Could this mean he had found something?
Before Eamon could ask, however, Luka spoke first.
"Any news about Hadeon?"
The concern in his voice was unmistakable. Strangely, it eased something in Eamon's chest. Having more people worrying about Acheron could only be a good thing.
"A few sightings. Mostly at bars and clubs, the usual places." Eamon leaned back in his chair.
"And?" Luka asked, feeling there might be more to the story.
"He rarely appears alone; he has a considerable security detail."
A burst of laughter erupted from the other side.
"Does he think of himself as some sort of tragic celebrity?" Luka sounded thoroughly entertained. "The Blackwells really do enjoy theatrics."
"I suspect it's intentional." Eamon tapped his pen lightly against the desk. "They want him to appear vulnerable, a poor victim who needs protection."
"They will try just about anything."
"Hm."
The line quieted briefly.
"I suggested assigning security to Acheron as well, but he refused"
Luka sighed softly. "I can understand that."
Eamon's gaze drifted toward the rain-washed city outside his window.
"He probably wants to feel normal."
"Especially now that he's attending university again."
The mention of university made Eamon think of oversized sweaters, coffee, and silver hair illuminated by warm lighting.
Luka's voice pulled him back.
"Hadeon hasn't attempted to contact him?"
"No."
"Nothing at all?"
"Nothing."
The silence that followed felt heavy. Eamon slowly rotated the pen between his fingers.
"Which concerns me."
"Because?"
"He isn't doing anything."
Luka hummed thoughtfully.
"And you think that's suspicious."
"I know men like him." Eamon's expression hardened."They don't simply disappear."
People like Hadeon plan and prepare endlessly, and if needed, they could wait endlessly for the right time.
"He's doing something."
Luka was quiet for several moments. "...You think he's waiting for the trial."
"Most likely."
Neither of them liked that possibility.
The line fell silent once more.
Finally, Eamon cleared his throat.
"You didn't call me just to discuss Hadeon."
A laugh sounded.
"No, unfortunately, I also have actual work to do."
Eamon rolled his eyes.
"I found something."
The pen in Eamon's hand stopped moving.
"What kind of something?"
"The interesting kind." Luka sounded almost offended that he even had to ask.
"Our team managed to trace several unusually large transactions."
Eamon straightened slightly.
"It took some digging."
"And by digging, I mean several investigators lost sleep, and one threatened to quit."
"But..." The smile in Luka's voice became apparent. "We found it."
Eamon remained silent; the slightest hint of anticipation settled in his chest.
"To make a very long and painfully boring story short, the investigation team managed to track a suspiciously large transfer of money. Whoever handled their finances knows exactly how to cover their tracks."
Luka let out a low whistle.
"They moved the funds through three different countries and funnelled them through six separate companies. Shell corporations, false invoices, layered transactions... the whole package."
"If I didn't know any better, I would have thought the transactions belonged to entirely unrelated corporations."
"But eventually..."
"We found the thread."
Eamon's grip tightened around his pen.
"The shell companies all lead back to the same network."
Luka paused briefly, as if he wanted more drama.
"The Blackwells."
For several seconds, Eamon said nothing.
Months.
Months of dead ends.
Months of chasing rumours.
Months of finding absolutely nothing.
And now...
A weakness.
It wasn't enough to destroy them. Not yet, at least, but it is a beginning.
Eamon slowly exhaled. Relief spread through him so suddenly that he had not realised how tense he had become until now.
"This isn't directly connected to the Blackwell patriarch," Luka continued.
"But it proves the network exists."
"And once you know a door is there..." A grin practically radiated through the phone. "You simply have to kick it open."
A faint smile finally appeared on Eamon's face.
"Thank you, Luka. You've helped more than you realise." His voice was quieter than before.
"It's not a problem. I have to say though..."
"The people laundering money for the Blackwells are impressive."
"Disturbingly impressive."
"If not for my unparalleled brilliance, devastating charm, and superior intellect... They probably would have remained hidden forever."
"You truly are one of a kind," Eamon commented.
"Thank you." Luka seemed to take the comment as a compliment.
Eamon let out a quiet sigh. Despite himself, the tension headache from earlier had eased slightly. For the first time in months, it finally felt like they were moving forward.
"Towards the beginning of next year, we'll be travelling to Brumere for a visit."
Eamon leaned back slightly in his chair, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Finally taking that holiday?"
A soft laugh crackled through the speaker.
"Holiday is a generous word. Mateo threatened to go by himself if I didn't take some time off." Though Luka laughed, Eamon could still hear the lingering exhaustion beneath it. The past few weeks had been difficult, and fear had carved itself into every member of their family.
"It'll be good to see all three of you again."
"It will."
Silence settled between them for a moment, comfortable and warm. Eamon found himself drifting back to that day more than six years ago. He stood at the airport, which had been crowded and noisy. Mateo had stood beside Luka, one arm wrapped around their little boy. The child, barely two years old at the time, had clung to Luka's t-shirt before letting go briefly to wave at Eamon. Then, just as quickly, his tiny hand grabbed hold of Luka's shirt, and the other seemed to want to pull Mateo closer.
The memory brought a faint chuckle to Eamon's lips.
"Elio is already 8 years old."
Although they spoke frequently over the years, it had still been six years since they had last seen one another in person.
"Can you believe it?" Luka sounded both proud and horrified. "I swear he was learning how to tie his shoes yesterday."
"Time moves too quickly."
"It really does."
Eamon glanced at the rain-speckled windows of his office.
"It has been... what? Six years since we've seen each other in person?"
"Six?" Eamon repeated in disbelief. "He probably won't remember me."
"Remember you? No."
Eamon sighed.
"But," Luka quickly added, amusement colouring his voice, "he definitely knows who you are."
"Oh?"
"I talk about our university years all the time."
"I pity the poor child."
"he has memorised the Mr Freeze story by heart."
Eamon pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Please tell me you've left out certain details."
"Absolutely not."
"Luka."
"He even imitates your expression."
"Luka."
Luka burst into laughter, loud and genuine this time.
It had been far too long since Eamon had heard him laugh like that.
When his laughter finally subsided, Luka spoke again, his tone turning lighter.
"So, when are you finally going to join me in parenthood?"
Luka only asked offhandedly. Over the years, Eamon had always answered in one of two ways.'When I'm less busy,' or he simply changed the topic altogether. This time, however, there was a brief pause.
Eamon lowered his gaze to his hands, an image surfaced effortlessly in his mind. Acheron stood amidst a garden bathed in warm afternoon light, Nimbus nestled comfortably in his arms. Soft greenery framed his figure, and a gentle smile graced his delicate features.
A warmth spread quietly through his chest.
"Hopefully soon."
Luka nearly dropped his phone. "...What?"
Eamon's smile deepened slightly.
"You heard me."
The strain and exhaustion in Luka's voice vanished instantly, replaced by poorly concealed excitement.
"Good. That's... that's really good to hear."
Eamon could practically picture him already running to find Mateo. Probably preparing to celebrate the night away, he shook his head, unable to suppress his smile.
A sharp knock on the office door cut through the moment.
"I should get back to work."
"Fine, fine. But don't think you're escaping future questioning."
"I look forward to it."
They exchanged their goodbyes before the call ended, the office suddenly felt much quieter.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Stella stepped inside. As always, she looked impeccably put together. A sleek tablet rested beneath one arm while she carried a coffee flask in the other.
"You're finally here." Eamon looked at her in confusion. "I arrive at this time every morning."
A small smile curved her lips. "I'm aware. I was merely trying to lighten the mood."
He stared at her. "...That was a joke?"
"It was."
"I see."
Ignoring her entirely, Eamon folded his hands on the desk.
"What brings you here?"
Stella took a seat opposite him, her expression gradually becoming serious.
"The Blackwells have managed to compromise another judge assigned to Acheron's proceedings."
The warmth from moments earlier faded immediately. Eamon exhaled slowly, mentally preparing himself.
"What did you find?"
"The judge was recently gifted an all-expenses-paid vacation through a resort with indirect ties to the Blackwells. Around the same time, he made several unusually profitable investments."
"He was tipped off."
"Most likely."
It had started raining again at some point, soft tapping against the window vibrated throughout the room.
"Can we file a motion to dismiss?" Eamon finally asked. "Or should we use the information to pressure him into recusing himself?"
Stella straightened in her seat.
Over the past year, Eamon had changed. He still held himself to a strict moral standard, but he was no longer hesitant to step into the grey if it meant protecting those under his care. In some ways, he had begun to resemble his father.
"This time we have enough evidence to file a motion." She hesitated.
"But?"
"The Blackwells also paid off one of the court guards."
Eamon's expression darkened.
"That will be much harder to prove."
For several moments, he said nothing.
"Then make him resign."
Stella nodded her head slowly.
"If we cannot remove him through official channels, pressure him from every other direction."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Keep eyes on everyone connected to Acheron's case." His voice became colder. "Judges. Court staff. Police officers. Forensic teams. Security personnel."
The Blackwells' influence spread like roots beneath the earth, hidden and invasive.
"We cannot afford a single oversight."
Stella agreed quickly.
Eamon's gaze shifted toward the window. Beyond the glass, dark storm clouds were slowly covering the sky.
When he spoke again, his voice was quiet but unwavering.
"This isn't simply about winning a case anymore. It's about keeping Acheron safe." A fierce determination burned within Eamon's eyes.
Stella was a little taken aback; it was not merely a lawyer sitting before her but a man who wanted to protect someone precious to him. She saw a man protecting someone precious.