Chapter 4: Nearest Death Day

The moon's lucent glow was dark and still, watching the scene at the hotel with its iridescent light. It glooms over Stephen's silhouette as he sat on his bed with confusion painted on his face while shadowing over Hawk's body lying unconsciously still on the ground. Thoughts lingered in Stephen’s mind, as more questions were unraveled by tonight's events. "Is the mask dangerous? Is that the main reason they killed Stella? Or did Hawk lie about it?" Stephen's thoughts began to quiver as the roosters started to crow and sing, the light that glimmers from the moon is no more, all but left is the tangerine glow that says the night had already dawned.

With the shades from his bedroom windows began to vanish, Stephen realized it's time to move. He cautiously handcuffed the killer’s hands and bound his mouth and eyes causing him to be frantic and struggle vigorously. Stephen struck him in the neck in response, leaving Hank unconscious and unmoving. "You are no use of me squirming" Stephen muttered in his sighing breath. After that, he started packing and gathered his belongings, and started loading his car's trunk. Moments after, he carried Hank's unconscious body and cuffed him in the backseat of his car. Stephen decided to bring Hawk to the Special Intelligence and Elite force headquarters (S.I.E.F), located in Belgranna. He did this because he thought that calling his friend for help would not be ideal since someone in the S.E.U might try to listen through the operator again and that his friend; Felix Kirk, which was experienced in dealing with bigger cases and is high-ranking that also works in S.I.E.F, would be the most appropriate person for the case.

...

Stephen left Vastile City and traveled back to Belgranna, the drive was long and excruciating, mostly because Stephen's mind wandered aimlessly while Hank's muffled cries can be heard banging on the backseat of his car - hindering him to think properly. Stephen took a path secluded from the main road to avoid the problematic attention that the muffled cries in his background would bring. When he finally arrived at the S.I.E.F headquarters, he entered a heavily guarded and private property. There, he was blocked by a few armored guards.

“I am detective Stephen from the B.I.C.F Belgranna Station. I came here to see Felix Kirk, and I have a suspect with me.” Stephen explained in a stern voice while showing his license. The guards exchanged glances.

“Where’s the suspect?” Asked one of the guards.

“In my car. Go take him.” Stephen commanded casually while smoking his pipe. His firm voice and the cold demeanor of his engulfing eyes made the intimidating gesture that compelled the guards to obey his words. They immediately carried Hawk who is no longer resisting due to his exhaustion, out of the car. “Fine, you ma–.” Stephen abruptly went inside without waiting for the guards' approval. The guards immediately transferred Hawk's helpless body into their truck to take him to their prison cells.

Stephen entered the building and strode towards the elevator. People there all seem to have their own destinations and are busy while the guards roamed around the building, covering every floor. Stephen immediately went to the third floor and navigated through the office rooms and desk workers, some even asked him if he would like some assistance but he promptly ignored them for he already knows where he is going. On the right side of the building is where Kirk's office resides, as soon as he could get a glimpse of it his pace fastened, and when he arrived, he abruptly knocked on Kirk's office door which was already open.

“Please come in,” Felix said while looking at some papers while sitting comfortably in his chair, feet on his desk. Stephen respectfully walked inside the office as soon as he heard him. Felix Kirk is a tall guy with a regular haircut which was complemented by his formal attire; glasses with a white dress shirt with matching black trousers. As soon as he looked up, his eyes widened as he was surprised by Stephen’s presence.

“Detective Stephen! If it isn't a long time no see.” Felix said as he adjusts his glasses in disbelief. He then stood up and extends his hand to meet Stephen's hand for a handshake.

“Hey, Felix. I see you are surprised by my visit.” Stephen greeted as he shakes hands with Felix. “I suppose you have a purpose?” Felix went back to his office chair while fixing his glasses.

“Yes. I brought a suspect with me.” Felix gave a questionable look at Stephen.

“So, what about the suspect?”

“I have this case. Well, it’s not actually ‘my’ case, but -.” Felix interrupted Stephen. “Don’t even try to reason out Stephen. I know you too well... Just tell me what is the case all about, and I’ll help you.” Stephen began from the start and told Felix the entire situation he's in; from Stella’s death to having to deal with a killer. He explained the things he discovered and what he knows about the S.E.U, and to back his claims he showed Felix the picture of the Mask engraved with a logo of S.E.U.

At Felix's revelation of his friend's deeds in the past week, it was clear that Stephen needs the help of the S.I.E.F headquarters, especially when they’re handling a situation about a big illegal organization. This made him accept Stephen's proposal without a second thought.

“Let us handle this case, Stephen..."Felix said while leaning at his desk, tapping it with his fingers. "For now, it’s safe to stay here in our headquarters for your protection,” Felix said concerned that there might be more assassins tasked to kill him. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” Stephen said reassuring Felix. Felix just nodded while Stephen leaves his office.

When Stephen left the headquarters, he drove his car to go home, but his guts told him there is something crucial he's missing. It was his friend Nate Clarkwell. "How can I forget something so important?!" Stephen clutched his steering wheel. The thought that if the S.E.U sent someone to kill him then they must've sent someone to kill Nate as well. He swiftly navigated from neighborhood to neighborhood, as he fears his friend's death may be inevitable.

As soon as he reached Nate's house, he quickly went inside. The whole house was trashed, with the shattered plates and fragments of glasses filled the floor like a speck of glittering dust illuminated by the light from the outside moonlight. Tingles ran through Stephen's spine as to he might be late and Nate might be already dead. Stephen went to the living room where some chairs were broken - almost as if it was used for defense. On one of the countertops, hangs a phone handle, signifying that Nate tried to call for help.

Upon navigation, Stephen heard panting and running noises from the backyard, Stephen quickly hurried his way out when he suddenly bumped into someone. It was Nate, looking paler as ever did, the only color in his pale face was his blood greased cheeks that came from his bleeding forehead. "Stephen! A crazy woman tried to -.” Without finishing Nate’s intense explanation, Stephen ran outside, as he saw a shadow move behind Nate - there he immediately saw the killer that resembled a woman; black-tied short hair with a matching full black outfit. She appears to be holding a double-edged knife with both hands that looked weird but has a dangerous shape, that could easily scathe their necks in one fell swoop. However, the woman retracted her knives and tried to retreat as soon as she saw Stephen, but to Stephen's mastery, he was able to quickly apprehended her by forcefully pulling both of her arms. Nate quickly followed up by getting her knives.

Stephen firmly held the killer's hand pulling it while applying force in her back using his right foot. After that, he asked Nate if he could get the gun in his holster, and point it at the killer. “Try to resist, and the bullet is yours,” Stephen whispered in her ears with a firm voice as he lets go of her, allowing her to fall to the ground. She eyes the two men that looms over her with disgust.

Stephen reached down in his belt to get handcuffs and begins to cuff her hands. “How did you know?” Nate asked while pointing the gun at the killer.

“I was attacked the other day.” Nate looked at him with disbelief.

"It was a big case after all, just what have you gotten me into?" Nate tried to chuckle in response but there was a clear hint of nervousness in his trembling voice.

“I’ll tell you, but first let’s get to the car.” Stephen dragged the killer to his car, while Nate points a gun at the killer while gripping the double-edged knives he got earlier. Stephen sat in the backseat with the killer being held by him, once again eyes and mouth of the killer were bounded with a sheet of fabric, while Nate took the driver's seat. Even though Nate was injured they decided that it would be better for him to drive, because that way Stephen will be able to apprehend the killer if she tries to escape, since she looked to be more experienced than the other killer Hawk.

“Where are we headed to Stephen?” Nate asked as he starts the engine.

“We’ll bring her to the headquarters.”

“You mean – the S.I.E.F?” Nate asked again looking through the dashboard mirror.

“Yes. I brought the other assassinator there. His name is Hawk. He told me that he works for the S.E.U, and the Mask...”

“Yeah? What about the Mask?”

“Well, it belongs to them. Stella just found the Mask and considered it as a rare artifact., and that’s obviously the reason why they killed her.” Stephen explained.

“So, we were right. The chandelier was all set up. They killed her that way to make it appear like an accident.” Nate summarized in a serious tone of voice.

“And the B.I.C.F Vastile City station – really considered it as an accident,” Stephen said sarcastically.

“Yeah. I can’t believe that they’ve been fooled by something so obvious.” Nate agreed. There was silence for a moment, but Nate was curious enough and asked another question.

“So why would they want to kill us?”

“Because we know too much. They probably listened through the operator.” Nate looked at Stephen with fear through the mirror, the probability of someone listening to their calls might have frightened him.

"There was no other way they could've known," Stephen said looking at the dashboard mirror where he can see Nate's attempts to focus on the road.

“Right. That’s the only way.” Nate started to sweat as feared he participated in something he shouldn't have. Stephen felt bad but he knows Nate would help him even in the dangerous times as they are brothers by choice.

...

When they finally arrived at the headquarters, Felix was leaving the building, they quickly called out to him.

“Oh! Stephen and Nate? What’s the matt- Wait, Nate! Why is your forehead bleeding?!" Felix gasped as Nate and Stephen exit the car, the muffled cries can be heard in the background, in which Felix ducks for a better angle to see what is squirming inside the car.

“We brought another suspect here, a woman. Nate was attacked this evening.” Stephen explained.

“Well hell yes. The brat tried to slit my throat - it was my death day. Thanks by the way Stephen.” Nate followed up

“No problem pal.” And they fist bump. Felix chuckled a little bit while looking at Nate's bleeding forehead. "Good call Stephen. Let’s meet the suspects when they’re ready.” Both of the detectives agreed.

...

The interrogation room is big, bigger than the interrogation room in B.I.C.F's department. Stephen and Nate were watching and listening outside the two-way mirror, while the two suspects were waiting inside the room without knowing that the detectives can hear them.

“You messed up big time, Hawk.” Said the other aggressively.

“Same to you, Wolf.” Said Hawk sarcastically.

Felix entered the room while fixing his glasses. “Good evening Hawk and Wolf. I must say, both of you are sued with Attempted Murder. I am certain you know why we’re here, and if you lie... Well, your case 'will' get worse." Felix said in an intimidating manner, he seems to be a good negotiator but a dangerous kind. Hank and Wolf just looked at each other uneasily sweating.

"Our task force can easily know everything.” When Felix said this the whole room seems to turn cold - the interrogation is about to begin...

After few minutes the interrogation has made some significant progress since the suspects weren’t too hard to interrogate. They were constantly blaming each other but eventually revealed the truth. Felix uncovered the S.E.U's headquarters coordinates which are located in Grachland, and what does the organization does, in which they only knew little. But the only information they wouldn't disclose is the name of their head, the leader of the organization.

After countless hours of interrogation, Hawk and Wolf were extremely exhausted but alas they still wouldn't disclose the name. Until Stephen steps in to interrogate them. Turns out, behind the two-way mirror where Stephen and Nate were watching, Stephen was researching who Hawk and Wolf really were. So, Stephen has an idea of how to draw out the information in a manipulative manner.

Stephen Steps close to Halk and began to whisper to him. "Turns out you have a brother must be confined in the hospital," Stephen whispered in a threatening manner. Hawk looked at him with anger in his eyes.

"What the hell do you mean!!!" Hawk screamed with his deep angry voice.

Stephen chuckled in response, looking at Hawk amusingly.

“So, who is the big boss?” Stephen's eyes glimmers as he states the question once more in a loud manner. Hawk's eyes are filled with hate, he knows that he must say the boss' name. After a while, he gestures at Stephen to come, in which he whispered something to Stephen.

"Well, that wasn't hard, was it?" Stephen said patting Hawk's back. "Relax, I made some calls, your brother is safe." Stephen continued, smiling at Hawk. Hawk began to be more composed and relieved.

After that Stephen went inside again to meet Felix and Nate, both of them filled with curiosity as to what just happened. "Turns out his brother suffers from a rare disease in which certain circumstances can cause the child to go into comatose. In this case, unfortunately, his brother had an attack and went into a coma yesterday, and I knew Hawk would be so worried if his brother was brought to the hospital or not since his brother can die easily if not provided the medical needs." Stephen Explains thoroughly.

"Damn, remind me again to never lie to you," Nate said chuckling.

"So, what did he tell you? Who's the boss?" Felix asked.

“His name is Walter Müller.”

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