Chapter 3: The Case of the Missing Manuscript & The Not-So-Subtle Wingman
A week later, the 99th Precinct was buzzing with a new, high-stakes case: the theft of a priceless, handwritten manuscript by Edgar Allan Poe from a secure exhibition at the New York Public Library. The theft was baffling. No alarms triggered, no security footage anomalies, just a missing, irreplaceable piece of literary history.
Captain Holt, standing before the squad, his expression as unreadable as ever, clapped his hands once. "This is not merely a theft. This is an attack on culture. Detective Peralta, Santiago, you have lead. Mr. Stiels, your unique… insights will be crucial."
Jake, predictably, was thrilled. "A real-life National Treasure! Nic Cage, eat your heart out! Are we gonna steal the Declaration of Independence next? Because I've been working on my Nic Cage impression, it's pretty good. 'I'm gonna steal the Declaration of Independence!'"
Amy, already buried in folders, gave a long-suffering sigh. "Jake, focus! This isn't a movie. This is a federal crime."
Adam surveyed the crime scene photos. The display case was intact, locks undisturbed. Security cameras showed nothing. "A Poe manuscript… secure exhibition… no forced entry… This feels like a locked-room mystery on steroids. Or a really well-planned magic trick. Definitely a magic trick. With a raven."
His mind, prompted by the [Knowledge & Insight Module], subtly shifted. He remembered a documentary he'd seen in his past life – not about Poe, but about antique paper, specifically dating techniques and the composition of inks from that era. There was a unique type of iron gall ink, common in the 19th century, that, under certain very specific atmospheric conditions or with certain chemical reactions, could briefly emit a faint, near-infrared signature. It was almost invisible to the naked eye and most standard security sensors.
"Alright," Adam said, walking over to the white board and grabbing a marker. "Forget how they got in. Let's focus on what they left behind. Even if it's invisible. Poe's manuscripts, especially early ones, would have used iron gall ink, right?"
Amy nodded. "Yes, a very common ink for the period."
"Okay," Adam continued, "so imagine a scenario: a thief, extremely sophisticated, knows about a rare property of this ink. What if they used a localized, controlled burst of a specific atmospheric condition – say, a precise temperature and humidity shift, or even a targeted, non-damaging chemical mist – that would cause the ink to briefly, for mere seconds, emit a specific infrared frequency? A frequency too weak for normal sensors, but strong enough for a highly specialized detector to locate, or even for a quick, invisible extraction through an incredibly small gap."
Jake stared, then blinked slowly. "So, you're saying someone basically made the manuscript glow with science-magic, and then vacuumed it up with a tiny invisible straw?"
"Essentially," Adam confirmed, a hint of amusement in his tone. "If you check the air filtration system near the display, or any faint residue around the edges of the supposedly hermetically sealed case, you might find trace elements of a very specific, rare compound – something designed to react with that ink. And if you have any thermal or infrared cameras monitoring the room, even if they showed nothing, I want to see the raw data. Look for a single pixel flicker, a ghost of a heat signature."
It was a long shot, but Holt's quiet nod gave them all permission to pursue it. Hours later, poring over granular data from the library's cutting-edge (but not that cutting-edge) security systems, Amy let out a triumphant shout.
"He's right!" she exclaimed, pointing at a screen. "There's a minuscule, single-pixel infrared spike. For three seconds. In the exact spot where the manuscript was! And look, there's a microscopic residue on the display case seal – it reacts to a special reagent! A potassium permanganate derivative! It's a key ingredient for a temporary ink reaction!"
The breakthrough was monumental. With Adam's lead, the team tracked down a notorious art thief who specialized in molecular-level extractions. The Poe manuscript was recovered intact.
Jake's POV: "Adam is officially my spirit animal. He just knows things! It's like he has a mental Wikipedia for weird crimes. I'm thinking of changing my middle name to 'Stiels'. No, too much. But maybe 'Stiels-Peralta'? Yeah, that's got a ring to it. 'Detective Jake Stiels-Peralta, solving crimes with pure genius and excellent hair.'"
[System Status Log: Major Case Solved - 'Poe Manuscript' Arc. Adam's Forensic Prowess Recognized.]
That same week, Barney Stinson, still mystified by Adam's effortless success with Emma Watson, decided to take matters into his own hands. He intercepted Adam at MacLaren's, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Alright, Stiels," Barney announced, sliding into the booth next to him. "Operation: Get Adam a Wingman, has commenced. You clearly have some… natural talent. But you lack structure. You need the Playbook. Luckily, I'm here to teach you the ancient art of the 'wait for it' and the 'high five.' We're going to hit on some women. Together. For science. For legendary science."
Adam took a slow, deliberate sip of his beer. "Barney, I appreciate the thought, truly. But I already have a girlfriend. A wonderful, intelligent woman named Emma. You know, the one I just asked out."
"Details, details!" Barney waved a dismissive hand. "This isn't about you getting a girlfriend. This is about teaching you to get a girlfriend. It's like training a prodigy. You have the raw talent, I have the refined technique." He spotted a group of women at the bar. "Alright, watch and learn. This is 'The Millionaire Astronaut.' Prepare to be amazed."
Barney launched into an elaborate, wildly improbable story about being an astronaut-philanthropist. Adam watched, utterly deadpan, as the women first looked intrigued, then confused, then slowly backed away.
"Fascinating," Adam commented, as Barney returned, slightly deflated. "I'm assuming 'The Millionaire Astronaut' usually ends with you explaining the intricacies of orbital mechanics to an empty bar."
"They just didn't appreciate the nuanced storytelling!" Barney insisted. "Okay, new plan. This is 'The Hey, Have You Met Ted?' – classic, but effective. Ted!" he bellowed across the pub.
Ted, who had been quietly sketching, flinched. "Barney, no!"
Adam, seeing a chance for some prime entertainment, stepped in. "Barney, allow me. I call this 'The Truth Bomb.' Watch closely." He walked over to a woman who looked vaguely bored. "Excuse me," he said, his voice calm and direct. "I've just spent the last twenty minutes listening to my friend, Barney, try to convince various women he's a millionaire astronaut. He's not. He works at a nebulous corporate entity and has an unhealthy obsession with suits. But he means well, mostly. And frankly, he's exhausting. If you'd like to escape before he launches into his 'guy who knows the guy' speech, I'd be happy to buy you a drink that won't require a background check to order."
The woman stared at him, then at Barney, then burst out laughing. "You know what? I appreciate the honesty. Sure, I'll take that drink."
Barney's jaw dropped. "What?! You just… you just told her the truth! That's not in the Playbook! That's... anti-game!"
Adam merely shrugged, returning to his seat. "Sometimes, Barney, the most shocking thing you can do is just be yourself. It tends to weed out the people who aren't worth your time anyway."
"The look on Barney's face was priceless," Adam thought, genuinely amused. "Mission accomplished: confused Barney, entertained myself. And I didn't even have to use the System. Just my natural, highly honed ability to deflate pomposity."
Later that week, Emma introduced Adam to some of her celebrity friends at a private gallery opening. Adam, usually cynical, found himself charmed by their surprisingly down-to-earth demeanor. He impressed them with his dry wit and his unexpected depth of knowledge on various subjects, effortlessly holding court on topics ranging from independent cinema to ancient philosophy. Emma watched him, a proud smile on her face.
[Relationship Status: Dating Emma Watson. Duration: 15 days.][System Status: Adam's professional reputation at the 99th is firmly established. His relationship with Emma is solidifying. Barney remains hilariously confused.]