Chapter 5 - Finale
868 Words
The mayor nodded. What was there to lose, after all?
“Well, Warden, do you hear me? Could you confirm that I am who I am?” He said.
“Yes, M. Go ahead.”
“Good. Well, my good people . . . is that how they say it?” He leaned to the Mayor. “No.” He had his answer.
“Okay . . . Technically, that was just a lie. I wanted to gauge the level of interest and seriousness that I would get by making such a bold statement.”
“Now, Chief Police Officer of the Law. It is your duty and your sworn oath to uphold justice no matter where it resides; am I correct?” asked M. The CPO nodded in compliance.
“Very good, then by my name, I hereby place the Mayor, and every person who had a blank face when I made that statement, under arrest. You are to take them all into custody and await me while I interrogate each and every single one of them.”
“That's just absurd. Are you done now?” the Mayor said. Unamused by what M said. He waved so that the security would escort M out of the place.
The security turned to him and hand cuffed him.
“What are you doing?” asked the Mayor.
“Look, we're not sure, but this is M for goodness sake!”
“As the Chief Police Officer, I hereby place . . . everyone who M just called out under arrest.”
“Very good. Oh, and Natalie, just wait a little longer. I'll be right with you just as soon as I clean the streets of this . . . foul politics,” he winked at where Natalie was seated.
“Let's go,” the Warden quickly urged Natalie.
“Where?! I want to go to him,” Natalie said with dizzy eyes.
“It's not safe. M has just waged war on whatever society was after him and you,” his tone brooked no argument.
The CPO came close to M. He wanted to make sure that M knew what he was doing, but more importantly he wanted to take a glimpse at the man behind the legends.
“M, are you sure of this?” He asked.
“Look, there was no other way than to face this head on. Something this big and this powerful could not be organized by a puppet.”
The CPO smiled. He felt confident that this is the person who they hail as the greatest detective in the world.
“How do you know that every person who didn't react to your announcement was involved in this?”
“Human nature. Man cannot control his initial reactions no matter how trained. When I mentioned the society, granted many of them tried to hide the fact that this wasn't the first time they heard the idea, but I am confident that, with this, we can quash this.”
The CPO didn't have any more questions and proceeded to comply with M's request.
***
It wasn't very long since the outrageous announcement that M had, that all of his suspects were spot on. The conspiracy involved high ranking officials working in the government, as well as important key businesses that aided the very foundations of the city.
Although they tried hard to withstand M's deductive abilities, nearly all of them failed to give him a challenge as they fell prey to his genius intellect. Within weeks, corruption ceased to exist in Ganea with the society exposed, and the city celebrated M, the world's greatest detective.
Yet, the songs of praise meant very little to him as his heart was only beating for one purpose, and that was his reunion with Natalie. He made his way to the Warden's house where he had entrusted him with keeping her safe from allegations.
“Warden, are you there?” M was talking on the phone.
“Yes, M, Natalie is home and well. Are you going to see her?” The Warden asked.
“I'm on my way. Listen . . . thank you, for everything.”
“There's no need to thank me, M, you've done the city a tremendous service by uncovering that damn society. We should be the ones thanking you.”
“Well, you can thank me all you want, but I only need to see just one person right now.”
M reached where the Warden's house was located and marched through the door; his heart beating faster and faster at the thought of holding Natalie again. He entered and his facial expression changed dramatically. He could not believe what he was seeing. Natalie's lifeless body was hanging from the ceiling.
M could not speak any words as he took careful, disbelieving steps towards her body. He saw an envelope on a table near her. He picked it up and took out the letter that it held.
He was shocked as the letter, once again, turned out to be blank. M fell on his knees with his face tilted towards Natalie and he then realized that he had lost everything.
- Writer
