His Conundrums

Chapter 22

Finding Out

They're riding a taxi towards the reception hall. Sirius has been thinking a lot, checking every possible outcome from a small piece of paper they have. "In what way he'll be killed?" He asked himself.

"His allergies will kill him," he blurted out.

"What? How do you know?" Joe asked him.

"Have you noticed the envelope when he gave it to us? It's clear and unscathed. But when I opened it, the paper is a bit crumpled, which means there's something in the letter that makes him struggle a bit. I am sure that it's not about what's written on it. He doesn't know what it means. That's why he asked us for help," he explained.

"So you mean... is this something like our past case with Ms. Therese? Are letters the trend now for killers?" Joe asked, thinking it's better to stay away from letters if that's gonna end his life. 

"It's not related, though. That letter is different from this one. The paper seems ordinary. I think it's the ink that was used to write this code. It was mixed with berries, and they used perfume to conceal its scent. I saw Mr. Flipper's hands yesterday, and he's wearing gloves. How could he use gloves while working or driving? I think something happened with his hands, and he's trying to hide it from us. He might have some allergic reaction with berries," Sirius explained his findings fast enough as they reached their destination.

"I didn't know he's allergic to berries," Joe stated, as soon as they went off the taxi.

"No one knows, and that's how the killer warned him," Sirius said.

The place we're surrounded by a combination of white and peach fabrics. The smell of roses and baby's breath flowers filled the air. His bodyguards and a special security team also scattered in the area. Men wearing suits and shades are in every corner. Protecting his day from someone who wants to ruin it or him. One of his bodyguards stopped Sirius and Joe from entering the hall. Sirius took his ID, but Joe handed out an invitation to the wedding. 

"Where did you get that?" Sirius asked him as soon as they walked past the guards.

"I'm a thief," he replied, letting out a big smirk on his face.

"Mr. Flipper!" Joe shouted at the door of the reception hall. Everyone stopped from what they're doing, puzzled. They looked at these two people who suddenly showed up. Mr. Thomas Flipper was about to slice their cake in half when Sirius stopped him from doing so. Sirius took the cake shovel Mr. Flipper's been holding and smelled the smudge of icing at its edges.

"The icing was made with berries," he said. People started to murmur, and his wife started to worry about him.

"Thanks, detective." Mr. Flipper told him. Although he's quite confused about why Sirius knew about it, only a few knew about it.

The day that was supposed to be the most memorable and happiest day of their lives almost turned into a horrible death.

-0-0-0-

Sirius looked around along with Joe. They were searching for someone or something suspicious. 

"The culprit knew about his allergies, and maybe he's around here somewhere," Sirius told him.

Not long after, the event was done, and the visitors started to go home. Luckily, the mysterious man who sent the letter was not on the move and let the celebration end at least. Police also roamed around checking out.

"Do you want us to send more securities for your safety, Mr. Flipper? Of course, until the culprit's been captured." One of the policemen asked him when he was to entertain his case. Two of his three business partners were also with him to answer some questions.

"Deeply appreciated, sir," he said.

"Ok, we'll get in touch, and if we have some information regarding your case, we'll update you for sure." The policeman assured.

-0-0-0-

Sirius went to the hospital for his monthly checkup. He went a couple of minutes earlier than scheduled. He wants to ask Nate some questions. Nate's secretary let him through his office. He had time looking around before the doctor entered.

"You're early this time. How is it going?" Nate, his doctor, asked him.

"I'm good these past few weeks. I've been dreaming less about what happened before. I guess I'm starting to move on," he answered.

"Good! That's good to hear, Sirius," Nate smiled. Sirius looked him in the eyes, trying to seek answers in his face.

"Is there anything you want to ask or share?" Nate knew for sure there is and he's just waiting for a moment to ask him.

"Have we known each other before?" He asked Nate.

"I told you, I'm also your family's doctor," he said.

"How long do you know my parents?" He was still unsure if Nate tried to help him because it felt like there was something he's been hiding from him. Nate tried to calculate the years he's been serving the Welsch family.

"I knew your parents a long time ago, even before they took me as your family doctor," he said.

Sirius tried to remember where and when did he met Nate for the first time. He was trying to know if he ever made friends with him before because of those magazines he saw at his apartment. The gap between their ages didn't seem to be that huge. Nate was 6 years older than him. If they were friends or close enough before, why does it felt like they're both strangers now, having a doctor-patient relationship, or is it because Sirius was the first one to reject people when he was still grieving?

"Is that all you want to ask?" he asked him, which made Sirius came back to his senses.

"Yes," he answered.

"Okay. I think you're running out of medicines. I'll ask Stephanie to give you some," he said while giving his secretary a beep.