Chapter 3: Uninvited Guest

Stephen wanted to know more about the Mask and the logo, so he called Nate. “Hey Stephen, anything going on?” “Yes. Definitely. I wanted to ask you a favor, you’re in the station, right?” Stephen answered through the phone while looking at the picture of the Mask. “Yes, and what favor?” Nate asked quickly. Stephen explained the situation, he discussed about his findings at Stella’s mansion. “You discovered a hidden room, and a missing artifact? Brilliant. So, what about the logo?” “Yes, speaking of that, I wonder if you could search any files about the S.E.U? That would be a great help.”

“I’ll call you when I found something.” Nate does his best to find data about the S.E.U logo. He went in a dim room that’s full of old documents. Boxes are labelled and filled with files. He moves quickly around the room and searches everywhere. Nate opens some files, and finds nothing. An hour has passed, Nate lost his hope finding anything relevant. He is about to give up, but he continues to search for more. Some time later, he notices a dusty and old box hidden at the very end of the shelf. The box seems to be insignificant. He pulls out the box, and it contains some files about the unsolved crimes in the 1940s. Nate rummage through the box, hoping that he would find a file about the S.E.U.

Later, he found a slightly wrinkled paperwork entitled “Seeing Eye of the Union (S.E.U)”. As soon as he found the file, he called Stephen.

“Found anything?” Stephen asks with excitement. “It’s not a lot but, S.E.U means Seeing Eye of the Union, and it exists way back in 1941.” Nate stated curiously. “Well, that’s it?” “Yeah. Nothing more.”

Even though there are no further records about it, both detectives realized that the organization exists way back in 1941 – when the Second World War is still happening. And because of the name and timeline – it might be connected to the Nazis. “This is definitely a confidential topic, and a dangerous one. We’re talking about a big – Nazi fanatics - organization. You’re still going to investigate?” Nate asked apprehensively.

“I’m not sure…” Stephen answered hesitantly.

“That means ‘Yes’. I said this once and I’ll say it again. Don’t get caught and be careful.”

After their conversation, both detectives became aware. Thoughts lingered in their minds. What if the S.E.U is really a Nazi organization? Does that mean that they intentionally killed Stella? Was the Mask that Stella keeps belongs to the S.E.U? If that’s so... the Mask is very valuable that it would kill a person for its possession. But what if the organization does not exist at all? What if it was really an accident?

Stephen tries his best to discover more. He investigates the town hoping for more information. Stephen knows the danger he puts himself into, his curiosity and ambition drive him to meddle more into this case. He became wary, looking for hints of threats.

He spent days of investigating. This organization is too confidential that he found nothing, but he felt something while he investigates. He felt that someone was monitoring him. He noticed a tall guy with a fit body. The shady guy followed him everywhere. It turns out that Stephen and Nate, were not the only ones who knows their investigation. Someone who works at the S.E.U was listening through the operator while they were at the phone.

Walking down the street, Stephen acts normally so that the stalker will not be scared away. He casually stayed at the coffee shop, drinking his coffee and smoking his pipe. He bought groceries at the small market, his walks appeared to be relaxed as if he was not wary at all, and later - he went back to the hotel. The whole time he did his casual activities – the shady guy was nearby. There are no further leads on his investigation, so he thought that his stalker might know something about the organization - or might be connected to it. He made a conclusion that the organization is attempting to kill him.

The next day, Stephen went outside with his long black umbrella and his pipe. He steadily looked around and immediately noticed the stalker. The stalker followed him as he walked. Stephen leisurely walks as he goes to the coffee shop. “Good morning sir! It’s nice to see you again! Have a seat, and may I take your order sir?” The maid greeted him. “Thank you. Can I have an espresso and bread rolls please?” “Sure, no problem.” When the maid brought him his orders, he casually sips his espresso and read a newspaper. His stalker patiently watches him at a distance. Moments later, Stephen finishes his meal, paid, and walked outside. Then goes in an open phone booth and intentionally called Nate. The stalker seats on the bench next to the phone booth - pretending to read a magazine - so that he could eavesdrop Stephen’s conversation.

“Uh... Hello Nate?” “Hey, what’s up?” Nate answered. “You know, I just wanted to inform you that I will be going home.” Stephen talked loudly. “Oh cool. When exactly?” Nate asked incredulously. “Tomorrow, in the afternoon.” “Well, that’s good to know. See you at the station Stephen.” “Thanks pal.” He ended the call. The stalker clearly heard the conversation as Stephen talked loudly. After this event, he went back to the hotel.

Stephen wasn’t really going home. This is a part of his set up. He pretended to call Nate and only made a schedule that will be known by the stalker, so that the stalker will be forced to come out and make a move. He knew that they planned his death before the day that he leaves, so he was prepared for whatever will happen. Therefore, the stalker must act his murder tonight while he’s asleep, or tomorrow in the afternoon. Either ways, Stephen was ready for the attack.

As he predicted, the stalker - not just a stalker but an assassinator - quietly went into his room at night time. The killer quietly and cautiously lock-picked the door, he sees Stephen sleeping and his clothes are lying on the floor. The room is dark where one can barely see. The killer looms out of the darkness and slowly sneaks closer. When he was next to the bed, he readies his knife – but someone’s hand clutched his arm, preventing him to strike. It was Stephen. The fake person on the bed was only a bunch of pillows covered in a blanket. The killer is startled and starts to lose control. Stephen acquires the weapon. The killer tried to fight but Stephen is a better fighter than him. He tried to strike an uppercut and a right hook, but Stephen successfully defended himself – he even wounded the killer.

The assassin was defeated, he might even die of exhaustion. The S.E.U organization have underestimated Stephen’s abilities and sent one assassin for the detective. Stephen interrogates and frightens the killer by aiming his gun at him. The killer had no choice but to answer Stephen’s detailed questions. “What’s your name tough guy.” Stephen asked frigidly while aiming his gun. The killer was hesitant to answer, but he immediately answered as soon as he sees Stephen points the gun. “Hawk! My name is Hawk…” The guy has a gray hair and fierce eyes with pale skin and wears a black mask. “And who sent you Hawk? Do you work for the S.E.U?” Stephen asks calmly but his face was terrifying. “Yes, I recently work for the S.E.U…” “Say, Hawk. What do you know about the Mask?” Hawk clearly doesn’t want to answer, but again, Stephen is scarier. He has a face of a murderer. “The Mask originally belongs to the organization and Stella Appleton accidentally found that Mask and considered it as a rare artifact…I only heard that it has a special ability, but I don’t know what.” Stephen was dazed by his revelations. It was at that moment he realizes; this case is bigger than he thought.

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