Chapter 4 ~ How Could This Happen ~

• ~ How Could This Happen ~
• There was a rap at the door when the Earl of Lancashire bellowed, "Come in!" As Aiden entered, William looked up from his desk. "Shut the door!" he ordered. He watched Aiden closely, waiting for him to sit down and present the information he had found on Rosa Erickson.
• Placing the file on the desk of the contestants The Game Master had picked. "I was not wrong in my original search for Rosa Erickson. She met all of your criteria," Aiden stated, forcing himself to maintain eye contact with the Earl of Lancashire.
• "I sense a 'but' coming," William's tone was low and dangerous.
• "I apologize for my tartness! And hope that you find it within you not to take my head for my foolhardiness." Aiden replied, exhaling deeply. He knew his master hated it when someone beat around the bush. "Rosa Erickson is her legal name, but her birth name is Niamh Rosa Lancashire." He noted the puzzled expression forming on The Earl of Lancashire’s face. "Miss Erickson legally changed her name just over a year ago. Under the name Rosa Erickson, there are no social media accounts associated with her, she appears to have nothing going for her." He swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. Aiden then continued, "But when I researched Niamh Rosa Lancahsire, things were different. I found her address, social media account ... though rarely used. I also found direct and extended family members." he glanced down at the papers in his hands, "Arthur Lancashire has three children: Ive, Vera, and Lewis, and is married to Violet Volklov. Miss Erickson has gone to great lengths to hide the changes that she has done."
• Aiden watched as William began rubbing his chin, deep in thought. Continuing, "If you give me more time, I can find out more information on Niamh Rosa Lancashire. To be honest, I’ve never had an issue finding information on anyone before. Yet, this Rosa Erickson has left me with more questions than answers." Aiden handed the printed pages to his master.
• Taking the pages from Aiden's hands, William skimmed through the information. "Make your search as quick as possible. The jet is scheduled to land in two hours. I want this information before Miss Erickson arrives."
• Aiden nodded with a broad smile on his face. "Whatever she is hiding, it won't stay hidden from me for long. I've never met anyone who could completely hide their identity!" He spoke with confidence.
• 'What are you running from Miss Erickson?' William thought to himself as he watched the door handle twist.
• As their conversation drew to a close, Charles strolled into the room. "I knew I had seen Rosa before!" he declared, placing his laptop on the desk, opening it, and turning the screen around.
• "What is this?" William examined the screen, reviewing each line and picture displayed.
• His tone was low, "The family was here, signing in under our surname!" Charles exclaimed, leaning back in his chair, astonished that they had extended family living across the ocean.
• Scoffing, "How is this possible?" The Earl of Lancashire hissed.
• "Let's calm down a second!" Charles squared off his shoulders. "First, Mam got a hold of Delphina; there is no Erickson or Lancashire associated with a coven. However ..." Charles braced for the outburst he expected from his brother. "There are plenty of Erickson's and a few Lancashire's within the Canadian Tribunal." He pointed at the screen.
• There was a still picture of the whole family getting ready to enter the mansion. The two men clearly showed their connection. When William looked over the females, none of them had the same appearance. Yet William could clearly see the family resemblance to the youngest female.
• Charles continued, "This family was supposed to be investigated," he added, shaking his head with regret. "However, at the time there was the dispute going on with the Scottish Tribunal." Charles looked at his laptop and then at his brother. "By the time negotiations had finished, I had forgotten all about them. I should have ..."
• "They were here?" The Earl of Lancashire repeated in disbelief.
• "Mam had seen the family as well!" Charles admitted. "They appear as human as anyone else. One thing led to the next, and Mam decided to let them go that day, they visited the Mansion," he said, his tone low, wishing he had anything else to say to his brother other than this.
• "I can't tell if I am angry or excited!" William shifted in his chair. "I am angry because we all appeared human before the curse took effect." He pushed the air out of his lungs, "and yet our bloodline has thrived well in foreign lands." William gestured his sight to Aiden, "Make sure you get me that information as soon as possible," William instructed Aiden, as Aiden exited the office. "And make it a detail investigation, pull out your resources if you have to but get me everything you can!"
• Charles and William exchanged glances at the door, and after a few seconds of silence, the sound of footsteps faded away. "If Mam saw them as harmless, then that’s how we will view them! At least until we gather more information," William watched Charles nod his head in agreement.
• "Do you want me to dig around? Maybe call the Canadian Tribunal to see what they have to say about this unexpected surprise?" Charles suggested. He glared at the teenager who was on the screen.
• "You said you saw them!" William pondered his brother’s words. "What was your impression? And I don't want you parroting Mam's opinion."
• "The little one, Rosa ... she was cute. She asked question after question. You know how much Bridget loves it when children are curious. From what I gathered, the family was a loving unit. They only admired the scenery and history that Lancashire Mansion had to offer. What caused Rosa to change her name in the last decade, I don’t know. I suppose we will find out soon enough," he concluded.
• "With Aiden looking into Rosa's history, we should have everything needed before the hunt begins. Unless Aiden runs into issues, I don't think you need to do anything." William closed his brother's laptop. "Cute!?" he said with a smile. "Puppy-dog cute or dining-level cute?"
• Charles snatched his device from the desk. "Feck off, William!"