Right now. Behind Alois. A child is shrieking at full volume.

The piercing screech echoes against the airport's floors, lasting enough to join a cacophony of squeaking shoes, rolling luggage, and overlapping chatter. Alois winces at the deafening sound. Did this tiny human also happen to swallow speakers? Unfortunately, one of his ears still hasn't popped, although he wouldn't complain if it came with the benefit of blocking out noise. 

Well, it wouldn't be Port Roxbury without the racket, he laments.

Of all places that could give him answers, Alois didn't expect it would be his hometown. Although in the first place, with how hectic it tends to be, he shouldn't have discounted it so soon. Not when it already has a history of attracting questionable activity.

He keeps walking, searching for a familiar figure of copper hair and deep blue eyes. Claire. His eyes briefly stop at a row of colorful mats and stretching people…. Is that supposed to be a yoga studio? 

… Huh.

He spots her from afar a few moments later, standing with her arms crossed and legs shoulder-width apart. A deep scowl offsets her features. He understands that this is meant to be an intimidating display, but the power pose would work better if she wasn't so short. Squashing down a smile, he approaches her with a frown, making sure to look as equally upset.

"You know you didn't have to pick me up, right?"

"Shut up." She jabs his biceps. Hard. She's short, but she's strong. Another thing to lament.

On the bright side, his ear popped.

  "Woman, if you care, don't damage the goods."

"Is this the only way I get you to visit? Work?"

Alois looks to the side, rubbing his neck. He knew this question was coming. "Ah well. I was planning to..." 

"Sure you did." She moves to follow his line of sight. Which is funny because that would require her to jump. "That's why you didn't show up for Christmas and New Year, right?"

"You know criminals don't care, right?" He would also appreciate it if he could strike deals with crooks and ask for some time off. Unfortunately, the holidays make people way too relaxed and ripe for picking.

Claire rolls her eyes. "Yeah yeah, we get it, Batman. Come on. We have places to be"

She turns, ready to lead the way.

"Wait." Alois stops her and opens his arms with an expectant look. He'll wait if he has to.

She gives him an unimpressed look and huffs before leaning in for a hug.

On the way to the parking lot, they both catch up, asking each other questions long overdue. Calling Claire is fun, but it's always better to see her in person. There's still more to talk about by the time they reach their destination. 

  Claire gestures to a new silver Volvo sedan. "Behold." 

"That's yours?" He expected an old red Honda Civic with a suspicious dent at the rear.

"You would've known if you came last year," she grumbles, still, the corner of her mouth twitches. She looks proud.

Alois realizes then that she was probably saving the news for when he visits. He pats her head before he gets in, silently swearing that he'll try to stay around longer this time.

-

Port Roxbury city hasn't changed, in a sense that it hasn't stopped changing at all. Situated right at the coast, it welcomes all sorts of new blood, new culture, and thus new trends. As they drive to the precinct, Alois notes all the recent developments, feeling bittersweet. Growing up, Alois thought that he would never leave, not when he had so many memories attached to its locations. Aside from Claire and her family, he finds that he has fewer things to return to with every visit he makes. In a way, he's become as much of a stranger to the city as the city has become with him.  

"We're keeping everything down low, but obviously, everyone is excited." Claire addresses the elephant in the room. It's the first time their works ever crossed paths, although perhaps it was only a matter of time. Claire works as a detective for the Port Roxbury Police Department, whereas Alois is an agent for the FBI. Different hats, but similar professions.

"Good. I don't want to deal with the press." The Scarlet Spade's case garnered an annoying amount of media attention; any leaks in this investigation could blow it all over.

  "You think this is it?"

"Maybe. He's on the list." Elliot Merripen. A name he dug up during the fallout of Edenia's disappearance. Supposedly he's an accomplice of Edenia Pfieffer, and last morning, he was found dead in a van. "But it's too messy by Scarlet Spades standards." 

Unlike her persona of Edenia, the Scarlet Spades favored subtle means; the last thing they would do is to leave dead bodies lying around. 

"Hmm... So, it could be a fluke or someone messed up." 

"Exactly. Right now, it's too soon to tell." There's the case of another man, Samael Gallagher, who wasn't on the list. "You did a good job recognizing who it was right away."

Alois flew out as soon as he could after receiving the call.

"Oh, that wasn't me. It was Chief Vela."

"The Chief of Police?"

"Yeah…" Claire's tone softens. "Of course, it would be her." 

"..." Alois turns towards her and squints his eyes. Her head is tilted just a little. Is that hero-worship or–

"I would've noticed eventually, though." Whatever it is, she seems to snap out of it, voice gaining some spunk. 

"Of course, you would. I trust you."

"You should. I'm the one behind the wheel."

Alois chuckles. He missed her.