A few days later...
"All suspects have been interrogated and cleared." Henry reported to Missio.
"Good. Release the suspects and keep surveillance over them for the next week." Missio replied, tapping his fingers on his table.
Henry saluted Missio and marched out of the lieutenant general's office. Missio groaned and leaned back. He closed his eyes, submerging himself in his own world. The music echoed in his ears like a sleeping symphony. Suddenly, the door flew open. Missio jolted up and Eira entered the room.
"Missio, the researchers will arrive within a week." Eira announced.
"Can we get them here faster?" Missio sighed.
"I'll ask them, but I don't think they will…You know how they are."
"I know – I know just…Fine." Missio asked.
She turned around, opening the door.
"Wait!" Missio exclaimed.
"Yes?" Eira turned around.
"Where is Mary?" Missio muttered
"Oh, she's still at the crime scene investigating it." Eira answered.
"Okay…you're dismissed." Missio waved at her.
She exited the office and closed the door behind her in a gentle manner. Missio leaned back in his chair, gripping it. He rested his body and his muscles relaxed.
'Now, I just need to get an answer from Krishna…'
***
In the control room of the REOC's special ops division HQ, Krishna was seated in a chair. He tapped the keys of the keyboard, projecting information onto the screen. Several readings appeared in the scene depicting the deputy's office. Krishna bit his lip.
'It was natural but how?'
He continued reversing the footage to a couple of hours ago. In the middle of the night, the deputy was awake, finishing off some paperwork. He waved goodbye to his fellow comrades and continued doing his duties. After some time, around 12 am, the deputy stopped. Krishna perked up. The deputy was silent for a few moments then…his shadow disappeared.
Krishna's eyes widened. Next, the flames lit by the candles also went out but there was no sign of wind. Then, a breeze swept past the office as the window creaked open. Then, the deputy dropped onto the table. Krishna paused the video.
'I got the answer, but I need to find out who did it.'
He reversed the video, slowing it down. After a few moments, he saw a shadow flash behind the window before it opened. He paused, reversed, slowed it further. The shadow appeared again and he stopped the video. He increased the brightness and contrast. Then, he saw a black blur flashing past the window. Krishna froze and then stood up, knocking over his chair.
The fall echoed through the control room making everyone turn their eyes at him. He rushed out of the room as the gazes of the scientists followed behind.
'…How should I tell this to Missio?'
***
A few minutes later...
Krishna burst through the door of Missio's office.
"Missio!" He shouted.
Missio startled, fell off his chair. He groaned and pushed himself up.
"God dammit…Don't shout like that!" Missio said, pulling himself up.
"I found something that might give some clues to this case." Krishna approached the desk.
"…And what is it?" Missio asked, sitting on his chair.
"I found a red-hooded figure zipping past the window of the deputy commissioner just before he was killed." Krishna started, placing his hands on the table.
"So…is he responsible for the murder?" Missio leaned back.
"…No…" Krishna replied.
"Then? What is it?" Missio urged.
"Well…that was all I could gather." Krishna awkwardly scratched his head.
Missio sighed, pinching the top of his nose. He thought for a moment before saying in a hoarse voice.
"Fine…go to news outlets and tell them to spread this info across the country. If possible other nations as well…" Missio said.
"Okay…See you, later." Krishna headed towards the exit.
"Oh, and by the way." Missio added.
"Yeah?" Krishna stopped at the exit.
"Meet me at the crime scene later. I'll call you." Missio swung back in his chair.
"Got it." Krishna closed the door.
***
In the police force HQ, in the deputy's office which was fully sealed off, Mary was quietly investigating the office. She paced around the room, checking each corner, trying to find any clues. After a few moments, she sighed.
"Haven't found anything…yet…" She whispered.
She had a gut feeling like an instinct that something was here – some clue that would help them in this case. She had checked the desk, the window, even the balcony outside it. Sunlight covered the wooden surface. Mary sighed and clasped her hands, puttering a silent prayer for a soul that had departed here. After a few moments, she let up her cross, lingering on it for a meant. She let go of it and began thinking.
"Where haven't I checked?" She asked herself, rubbing her chin.
Then, she snapped her fingers as she got an idea.
'The bookshelves!'
How could she have been so naïve as not to check the bookshelf. She approached the books and pulled them out one by one. From top to bottom, books were scattered across the office floor. After a few minutes, both shelves were empty. She placed her hands on her hips and scratched her head.
She felt defeated and tired and picked up a book. She sat down crossed legged, not wanting to sit in the place of a departed soul. She opened the first page of the book. Her fingers froze instantly. In the book, written in big bold texts was…
"Great afternoon, isn't it?"
Mary stared at the text for a lone time. After a few moments she flipped the page and again another piece of text was written on it.
"You'll find the answer in the next red book."
She instantly stood up and searched for a Redbook. Eventually, she found one and took a deep breath. She opened the page carefully. A chill ran through her spine. Her breath hitched. The writing was chaotic, written in a hand-scrawled manner.
"The prince shall take the blood of explorers on forgotten land of dragons."
And in a more formal writing written beneath the text there was a comment.
"It was really nice meeting you. Hope we meet again!"