Bloody Riddle

XV : The Truth is Revealed Pt.2

He didn't realize how long he had asleep, James just didn't care. But the sound of coming footsteps caused him open his eyes. David filled his gaze, standing proudly, arms crossed over his chest, and the smile never left his face.

"Morning, sunshine." James didn't react.

"What do you want?" David smiled. His hand reached into his pocket, pulled out a syringe. James didn't struggle when the injection landed in his neck.

"That's, so you can't struggle."

"How can I struggle if my situation like this." He pointed at his body.

"Peachy."

David grabbed the ties that tied James's hands. The bonds untied, James fell on his stomach. The face lands on the floor. James wanted to hit David in the face, but he couldn't. He just gave a glare that David didn't take seriously. "Don't expect me to be kind, that what you said to me."

James couldn't move when the drugs started taking effect. His body was limp, the muscles could not move. "Come on, you can walk on both feet, I can't drag you on."

David led James up the stairs, out of the basement to the bathroom. James stared at the main door, hoping all his might to rebel. David realized that, He knocked James to the floor, kicked him in the stomach. "It's useless."

David dragged James toward the bathroom, closed the door, kicked it with his foot. James tremble more when his body put into a tub filled with water that was not too deep. David turned on the faucet and cold water struck James's weak body. Under the shower, James's body shivered. Water hits like a rain of bullet.

James almost lost his consciousness and drowned in the tub until David pulled out James's body, which was already wet to the floor. James didn't fight it. Her consciousness faded and fell asleep. "Drowning cat." David stood up and left the bathroom, leaving James unconscious there.

After locking the bathroom, David walked into his room half wet. He knew the consequences of taking James out, but he also didn't mind playing with someone's hopes.

The reflection in the mirror made David smile. From the reflection he looked at the shelf behind him. Smile getting wider. He walked over to the shelf, opened a black cloth covering it.

"You'll see your brother soon, Julia."

**

She doesn't know what came over this time, but her little feet guided her back to James's home. They have lost track of the detective for two days. There has no further development about who has kidnapped James or where they have gone. Armed with a minimal proof doesn't help at all. Karin sighed again. She has to stay focus. The house door not locked. Karin walked in, stood at the door, petrified in the silence.

A lot of things have happened lately. What should he do now?

She doesn't know what to do now.

Karin remembered that small office room. She went in there, turned on the light, found the room was exactly the same as before. But a photo on the table caught her eye. Two women and a man. Karin knew it was James. The smile of the woman Karin knew as Julia Floyd.

Karin turned the photo over and got a neat handwriting behind it. 'For the beloved mother and Julia.' Karin smiled bitterly as she sat on chair. So this is all about family. James just wanted to avenge his sister's death. Karin feel terrible for him.

Karin got up from the chair. His footsteps stopped when his foot accidentally stepped on something that nearly made him slip. He went under the table, found a piece of paper.

Karin frowned.

David E.?

Who is that? Karin stopped. Could it be that James was trying to tell who the culprit was? Karin had debated to herself if it was true.

Karin opened every drawer, looked for James's laptop and she found it. She hurried from James's house to the office.

He had to find evidence. They were racing against time.

**

Karin stepped quickly into the office. When she opened the door to find Louis sitting in Philip's chair with his back to her.

"Sir?"

Louis turned to look at Karin, who had just patted her on the shoulder. Louis was a little surprised.

"Sorry, I'm a space out. What's wrong, Karin?" Karin displayed James's laptop in front of her face.

"I think I found fresh evidence." Louis's expression changed.

"How?" Karin took her chair and sat down at the desk and opened James's laptop.

"Actually, it's a bit funny, because I went back to his room again, slightly scrambling the contents. Then I looked under the table. There was a paper with initial David E. You know who he is, sir?"

"David. E? I never heard him mention that name, don't-" Louis stopped in the middle. Karin looked at his superior and nodded. They think same. Maybe this David. E is the killer, and James tries to tell them.

Louis grabbed a nearby computer and started typing quickly. Moments later, a screen appears with a list of names.

"Holy..." Louis curse. Karin shifted her chair and stared at the screen. "Whoa, how can we find out who is the killer if many people are have the same initials." Louis typing again.

Karin turn on James's laptop try to click file manager but somehow it's locked. "What the!" She groaned.

"What?"

"It's locked, all of it." Karin pressed various buttons. But the result is zero. The screen remains unchanged. Karin bit her lower lip, irritated.

"Looks like we should ask him for help." Louis sighed.

"Him? Who?" Louis stood and looked at his subordinates.

"Karin takes James laptop, we'll use my car to get there." Karin puts her laptop in her bag and follows Louis.

"Sir, who do you mean he is?" Karin asked.

"Have you ever heard of a case about someone hack the police station database?" Karin got her head thinking. "The Black Hack case?" Louis nodded.

"The hacker broke into the security system and stole various police data for his own interests, but then he caught and now he's in the prison."

Karin swallowed, hugging James’ laptop with her arm. "We'll visit him."

**

Louis parked his car and climbed out while Karin following behind. She stared in awe at the magnificent building. The white color of the walls with the old architectural style makes the building give the impression of dark but still elegant. Louis smiled.

"This is your first time here." Karin nodded. "Then come with me."

Karin followed Louis from behind. They entered the building and found a large hall.

Louis walked over to the two men sitting behind the reception desk. One man turned and stood.

"Can I help you, sir?" Louis pulled out his badge. The man nodded. Louis put back his badge in his pocket.

"Who do you want to meet?"

"Earnest Vigo, this is part of the investigation." the man picked up the phone and dialed a number. Karin just paused, still admiring the building.

"Sir, please this way."

Karin and Louis follow the officer through the hall.  They guard every place and exit by two guards. Almost at each stop they have to check. That's the procedure.

The officer showed them a room. They were told to wait inside. Not long after, the door opened and a blond man came. Both hands in handcuffs. But strange his face doesn't show that he's a criminal.

"Well, it's been a long time." the man shook Louis's hand. Louis replied. Karin who sat in the back stood up. The man peeked from Louis’ shoulder and smiled.

"And who's that beautiful woman behind you, Lou?" Karin stepped forward to shake his hand.

"Nest this Karin, Karin this Earnest Vigo." a smile spread across Ernest's face. "What a cute name." Karin smiled sheepishly. "Have a seat my friend." said Earnest pointing at the chair. They finally sat down. Ernest leaned forward.

"This is a surprise. So what can I do for you?"

Louis copy Earnest move. "James is missing and we need your help.”