A Game Of Cat and Mouse

                                    

                                          
Mature Warning!
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A Game Of Cat and Mouse
Chapter 24!
January 1997 - The Ministry, Los Angeles
The last two weeks had passed by quickly in Italy, the holiday season was soon over. A New Year had fallen upon the world. Albany had enjoyed spending time with her Father and the ghouls, they had celebrated the Krampus season together like a family for once. Gifts had been exchanged and food had been eaten, they toasted marshmallows over the burning Christmas tree that had been burnt on the 25th of December like it did every year. It had been a pleasurable experience without her Brothers being around to dampen the spirits. No drunken fights or arguments, it had been an enjoyable New Year too. But good things always came to an end. Albany soon returned to Los Angeles, she had rejoined her Brother back in his office. The working week had been hard, she had many folders to file and errands to run. The diary was back logged, the photocopy room was untidy and the coffee machine needed cleaning. She now understood why Terzo told her he needed her assistance when she first took up the clerk position in his department, he was an unorganised boss. 
Albany waited outside of the elevator, her finger twirled around the troll doll's hair she was holding in her hand. She had brought the games night's trophy with her, she had won it five times in a row now. It was games night with Copia on the fifth floor, she hadn't had the chance to see him since she returned back to this unholy place. He wasn't even in the elevator on Wednesday morning which was odd. His rats were active around the Ministry, he had sent her welcome home note and pod of Lavazza. She was beginning to wonder if their last meeting had been awkward, but there would be no games night if that was the case. 
The elevator doors slid open, she entered it and pressed the fifth floor button. The doors closed and the elevator moved upwards, the familiar humming sound filled her ears. The elevator soon pinged and the doors slid open, she immediately entered the hallway. She could see a light creeping through the lounge's doorway Copia used for games night, she was looking forward to seeing him again after the weeks they hadn't seen each other. Entering the lounge she stopped dead in her tracks, she was surprised to see Copia sitting on the arm of the couch, his gaze was lingering on the fireplace. He was dressed in his black cassock, his beretta was hung on the side of the armchair across from where he was sitting. He looked lost in his own thoughts, he hadn't noticed her presence yet. Albany watched him for a couple of seconds before she cleared her throat, his attention was soon upon her. She smiled and took a few steps towards him, he immediately jumped to his feet.
" Hello, I'm happy you are here now!" He said before he approached her. " You look very well, how was your holiday and New Year? Did you have fun?"
" It was nice, thank you. I really enjoyed visiting Italy and the family, it was fun." She replied, her grip tightened around the doll. " How was the Krampus season here? Did you have a New Year's Eve party? Hopefully my Brothers weren't too unruly."
" It was quiet, I spent most of my time with my rats." He replied. " Sister Imperator hosted a soiree, I was invited to her New Year gathering at her Beverly Hills mansion. I did see your Brothers there, but they were on their best behaviour."
" Sister Imperator owns a mansion?!" She asked, she raised an eyebrow at him. " That sounds elegant! Did everyone have to wear a costume since it was a soiree?"
" Ummm maybe, I cannot tell you that..." He replied.
" Okay, keep your sordid secrets then." She said.
" But I didn't do anything sordid..." He said.
" I'm joking." She said.
" Okay, cool." He said.