The Council assembled at 9 AM sharp the next day. "Nicholas Vincent," the Chairman began, "we commend you on your capture of Malkov. I trust you have dealt with the condemned?"
Nicholas nodded.
"Very well. For this feat, we present to you the promised reward. Would you like to have a simliar arrangement for this one as well?"
Nicholas nodded again. Most of the money would be deposited in Eliza's bank account, and he'd take a small amount for himself.
After the usual formalities, Nicholas got the green light he'd been looking for.
"Hunter Nicholas Vincent, the Council gives you the authorization to find and apprehend the rogue vampire, Baron Terrence Oliver."
"On what charge?"
Without missing a beat, the Chairman responded. "Rape, attempt to murder, bribery and treason."
Nicholas quite liked this Chairman. Unlike the old fool who had been in the seat before Nicholas was even born, this one was decisive, strong willed, and quick to respond.
He bowed low. "I'll leave right away."
* * * *
Now that the Council had openly approved of his search for the Baron, Nicholas had access to more resources than before. He could look up information on the Baron in the archives, and even ask the lab if it was possible to trace him electronically. Of course, the Baron would have covered up his tracks quite well, but he would have also realized that his current location, wherever it was, was no longer as safe as it used to be.
The Baron himself started trembling when he heard the news. As much as he was careful to hide himself, he was deathly afraid of Vincent finding him. He knew that his death would be fifty times more painful than Malkov's, despite being a vampire. And trying the old strategy again would be a terrible plan. Vincent had cleverly hidden his wife somewhere far away, and even if he hadn't, The Golden Tooth would be keeping a constant eye on her.
He cursed. This was not how things were supposed to happen...
"P-please st-stop," the woman whimpered.
"Oh, I wish I could, sweetheart, but your husband should've stayed away from my affairs."
"D-don't talk about him like that!" She said with surprising conviction. "H-he's a good man; he's only d-doing what's right! And when he finds out what you're up to-"
"He won't. And you won't be telling him either..."
He had to do that for the greater good, to protect himself and his fellow vampire corporates. He hadn't counted on Vincent killing all thirty-four of them, however. The Baron himself had barely escaped alive.
He set the letter down on his desk and began rubbing his forehead. Now what do I do?
* * * *
Moscow, again. He loved the feel of the harsh snow on his face. It made him feel alive and alert.
One day, he would bring Elizabeth here. She loved the snow almost as much as he did.
The first thing he did was go to the estate agency that sold houses only to the richest of them all. He was allowed to show them his badge, but there was a chance that some employees were working for the Baron. So, he went as a prospective client.
"Good Morning, sir. How may I help you?"
"I was told there were some villas south of the city for sale...a distant cousin of mine lives in one of them, and he had mentioned it a couple of years ago."
"Why yes, we do have some properties available, Mr...?"
"Leo Petrovich."
"Oh, then you must be related to Mr. Alexander!"
"Yes, that's my cousin. I wanted to meet him, but I lost the address. Could you lend me a copy?"
Easier than any other disguise job I've done earlier, Nicholas smirked.
But as he approached the villa, he had a bad feeling.
The door was locked. Breaking the lock, he stormed through all the rooms. The Baron was two steps ahead of him yet again.
Nicholas swore loudly.
At the same time, the Baron was boarding a train to the east, from where he would take a ship to Japan. The Baron laughed aloud. I'm two steps ahead, yet again.