THE ARMAGGEDON: MAN EAT MAN

CHAPTER XVII

Around the city, panic was cleaving in faster by the day. At first, everything just started as a rumor. With the rise of strange murder cases within the city, the rumor was proving to be true with every second that passed. Credonia was slowly becoming a bleeding nation. People tensed but businesses and everything else ran normally.

Besides the treacherous homicide cases, the journalists had their share of making the detectives’ life a living hell. Besides those in the law enforcement; investigation and reporting came with the job as well. What a better story to tell than strange homicides? It was for that same reason they craved the story and that still required them to keep off.

The more news and information they revealed about the cases and in relation to the Armageddon rumor, the faster things could escalate. It was not one of the wise moves and decisions. Therefore, besides the unknown monster that the police were trying to deal with, they had journalists and reporters on the list. They needed to minimize and or prevent damage the media was causing through instilling fear to the people.

The worst part of the endeavor was they could not do away with the journalists and reporters. That would have made things even worse. Journalists are amongst the most stubborn groups of people. Trying to stop them makes them louder. They just had to work with them and try to convince them not to put much detail in their reports.

Being one of the best detectives, Jean was keenly following up on people’s reaction to what they already knew about the rumor and the homicide cases. She managed to find herself someone in the media to help. They needed to tame the information that was getting out to people. She managed to get rid of most reporters and journalists.

Her claims in support of the idea was less safety of people at a crowded crime scene. Moreover, they did not know for sure why the killer was killing people in such a hardnosed manner. A manner that was attracting so much attention from the public.

As they had all that to deal with, there were still other equally bizarre things going on in the city. As they sped to the crime scene, another vehicle from a much higher security agency in the government raced with a different mission. It headed to the same part of the city but along the adjoining street. It parked just a couple of blocks from the crime scene.

The vehicle was unique though. It was not the normal, Toyota Axio, detective and cop cars that one would expect to see in the event of such incidences or in patrol with the police. It was one of the famous and luxurious Toyota Prado cruisers used by the president’s watchdogs and, highest ranks of security within the government. The kind of security that ensured the president was not prone to danger and every other security department performed to expectation as was required.

If you must know, they were not there to help solve the murder but the murder was somehow the reason they were there. The two men met at a restaurant at the main junction of the street. They positioned themselves strategically where they could see all that was going on at the crime scene without suspicion.

As they sat, one could think they were surely waiting for someone or something very important or on one of their scouting protocols prior to a presidential event. They seemed not in a hurry. If keen enough, one would notice their tactical seating posture facing the crime scene. They made scarce glances at the crime scene using the peripheral of their vision taking turns carefully to remain unnoticed.

Their discussion during the short period was quite interesting and ambiguous though. Definitely, it was about the crime and or in relation to national security, so you might think. The talk revealed no details beyond the obvious because of how discretely they talked. As the highest level of security, they had the best training. If anybody was to understand, what the two men were talking about and anticipating done, it had to be someone from the squad.

“How far and good are things?” asked Agent 1.

“All is good and on schedule. Nothing is out of hand yet if all is handled just the way it was said to be handled,” responded Agent 2.

“Compliments from the boss for the good work done. He also needs to know how you are handling the panic situation of the public.”

“There is nothing to worry about. All is on point and the detective had that sorted. She did everything.”

“We would not want the public in panic yet. It is too early for that. You have to keep the Agent up to speed and have him and his partner maintain that.”

“I here that this case about the dead body might have a new set of eyes,” asked Agent 2.

“It sure does. It’s one of the reasons we are here but as you know, we are far much above the case so we watch and learn from a distance.”

“Very well, let’s wait and see who these faces are. It comes with the job I suppose. We must do a stakeout every now and then. It gets to be the crowning part of the academy.”

“It was also the hardest and needed special people and attention.”

Detective Jean and her team finally arrived at the scene. It was crowded with police officers. They gave them the report and kept them up to speed on the developments to the solving of the murder. They also gave the possible clues discovered at the scene.

“Detectives,” called Randy the Officer in charge.

“Yes Randy. We got here as fast as we heard what happened. These two are with us. They will help in the case so answer any questions they might ask. What are we dealing with and how bad is it?” Jean responded in question.

“Well, definitely, it’s the same killer, but, I'm afraid this time, it is a little bit more complicated.”

“How complicated are we talking about Officer?”

“The some-more complex codes type of complication I'm afraid. Take a look at this.”

Officer Randy told her while handing her a tablet to look at the pictures of the body. The detectives looked at pictures shortly and proceeded to the scene.

“Well Officer, good thing I brought myself a translator. He will help us understand the codes. Which way is the body?

“This way detective,” Randy directed.

“Come with me. (She said to Jonas and his father) Do not stay behind; we need both of you in with us. As you have heard, they are more codes to be cracked.”