5. INTERLUDE
The 52nd floor of the building was heavy with usual traffic of people, it was early in the morning, employees hustling bustling to reach their cubicle after an eventful weekend. There remained a static buzzing in the background, people droning out in their chairs. Interns bustled around, juggling cups of coffee and whatever errands they had been assigned. Yet nothing was of noteworthy except a man in black tuxedo marching through people out on his way. Occasionally, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, but it was useless—he was drenched. At last, he reached the elevator, available only to employees or those with access to the upper floors. Taking a deep breath was not enough to slow his rapid beating heart. There was neither calm in his heart nor in the news he had to deliver.
Thankfully he was the only one on the elevator, he had enough time to compose himself and try to formulate his news. The elevator dinged on his floor. Taking a deep breath he stepped out, squaring his shoulders ready to face the storm. The floor was nearly empty except for the guards standing at every turn leading to the door. Standing in front of the door felt like standing on the edge of a cliff hung by a delicate thread.
Knock knock
The door swung open from inside. Taking decisive steps inside.
"Mister Blackwood theres been contact from Rose." said the man.
The figure sitting in the armchair in the dark with ruffled hair and rumpled clothing, with a palm to his forehead sighed showing his exhaustion.
"What does Rose has to report now, Richard." a timbered voice called out.
Richard readied himself to deliver the news.
"Mister and Missus Anderson are no longer here."
"They are on a vacation?" asked Mr.Blackwood tiered and confused still rubbing his palms to his eyes relieving the tension between his eyes in the still dim light. Papers scattered on the desk telling long work hours.
Richard cleared his throat trying to draw attention to himself.
"They have passed from this world." Richard made clear.
Nathan Blackwood slowly turned his head blinking slowly as if registering the words. Slowly shock registered his face then a myriad of emotions passed settling on numb sorrow.
"Does the old man know?" inquired Nathan slinking back into the chair.
"As far as we know we are the first." Nathan nodded, opened his mouth wanting to ask something.
"Also you nephew is presumed alive, his body is unaccounted for along a maids."
Nathan got up so fast that chair almost tumbled, coming into the light his young features twisted into snarl.
"Start searching every nook and cranny, filter every street and building. I need my nephew back-in-my-arms."
"We have extended our search parameter, looks like someone is deliberately loosing trail."
"I doubt that this is the work of the old man. Do everything possible before he gets wind of this. Put Rose on standby. We need to be there first." Nathan walked to the door wrenching the door open with fore it rattled, loosing his tie walking out.
Richard followed him a few feet behind fearing the fool who would try keep him from family.
Now Nathan was not someone who let emotions cloud his decisions, but the news of his only remaining blood family's death did it. His sister older by decade and half, was a callous and vindictive woman, who steered clear of his path most of the days. Being born to their parents late in their age, he had been spoiled more than her. There had never been a cognitive memory of her in his memory of childhood, every time he saw her was during the balls, galas and charity. By the time he was twelve she married a man as harsh and emotionally detached as she was.
There parents died two years ago, that was the last time he saw her, wearing a black blouse and simple skirt, wearing their mothers silk gloves. The way she resembled their mother made his heart ache, so he averted his eyes listening to the priest drone about. Maybe he should have talked with her, or even looked at her more, burn her face into his memory. He did not do that and he had regrets, burying family had never been easy.
Nathan hated the Oldman, his sister's brother-in-law. His godfather. Best friend of his parents, who's son his sister married. Who vanished after his parents died without a word, leaving him stranded. William Anderson. The CEO of the Anderson's Corp. The man behind numerous innovations, research projects, and inventions—made possible by his wealth. Nathan hated him so much that, if given the chance, he would embrace him and break down in tears.
Well things aside he had a nephew to find.