COMMONPLACE

P.S. I still need to fix typos so please bear with it for a while, THANKS

Characters:
Protagonist: Detective Dylan De la Cruz (I know the family name sounds so pinoy^^wahahah)
Confidant: Maestro Steven
Lady L
Antagonist: "Errol" and Jerry




All had been well in the little town of MontKi they've got the top detective and is on his best trails.
He'd been born there and never left that place, save for call of duty.
He lives in Rusty Manor, as villagers call it, it is his late grandmothers manor. It was given to him in her will.
He never complained about it like he complains about many things. He has no friends of any particular, like any other stubborn geniuses in the world. He's well known for being a great detective and the annoying one and cares less about this. I do think he has friends but keeps it between them.

Three in the afternoon is the time when people walk around parks and shops. Not knowing that in dark corners of that afternoon crimes are being committed.

I visited Detective Dylans house that afternoon, to have coffee and a little chat with him. My day had been boring and knowing him he always has interesting stuffs in his life. He permits me be there as long as I dont say a word, and here I say chat.
Chat between the two of us means him talking all the time or silence between us. Today was quite different for he allowed me to say something and suggest.
"Ah there you are Steven...Sit down please."
With coffee cup in my hand I roam around pacing and listening to him intently. I was leaning near the window pane when I saw a young lady in light blue dress pacing up and down the street in front of Dylans gate. Without saying a word he replied my thought.
"Leave her be, if she wants to inquire she'll come." He said in a cool deep voice. He resumed his reading and left me still watching the young lady. An hour had passed and she was gone.

I was asked to accompany him the next day. He had not been called for days now and wants to occupy his mind with other things. Dylan not only a Detective he used to be a Professor at a famous University, but his detective works demanded time, he then sacrificed his profession to follow his career. He said students these days are unbearable, most heads are empty, there are few whom he has his eye on to be professionals someday but most of them are airheads and only got money that’s why they were admitted to the University.
Though unlike other geniuses he doesn’t like chess, he said it’s all boxed. I don't know if he said that to humor me or he really think so. I like chess but I'm not a chess wizard, I'm just a simple music teacher. He would sometimes ask me to flip the dust of his upright and play Beethoven for him. That is when he appreciates me and my presence.

Today the lady came once again but unlike yesterday she darted directly inside the house.
"Sorry for intruding at this hour Mr. De la Cruz," she turned to me and said, "Maestro." She continued with a curtsy then came towards Dylan. She whispered something and to that Dylan ran towards the room under the stairs. Upon his return he was holding a bundle of clothes and gave it to her. They must have seen my confused face for both smiled at me.
He escorted her to his room and went back to me. We resumed our talk as if we did not have a guest.

At the middle of our chat about politician whom he knows very well to be corrupt, we were interrupted by a sudden appearance of a young boy who shook Dylans hands with such strength and smiled at me. I didnt realize who he was until he was outside.
"Was that the lady...?" my words faded away with Dylans smile. I was fooled, I did not even realized the clothes which she was wearing.
Perhaps my mind was too occupied about the politicians which he wont reveal to me. Dylan is a good six feet and the lady barely reached his shoulders, he had to lean so she could reach his ear. So how his clothes could fit her? He explained to me that it was his old clothes, when he was young. He was keeping them for important events such as this. I wanted to ask him about this little affair but he started another conversation that was not easy to resist listening to.
The third day of our meeting how ever proved to be a bit daring and somewhat confusing on my part. The Lady came in restless and shaken, different from the cool poised lady yesterday. Her agitation made a huge difference on her face, her all rustled and hands clasping left hand over right and then right over left. Dylan just stared at her from the corners of his desk. “Oh don’t you try to deduce Mr. D. I don’t need that right now.” Dylan smiled and leaned towards his bookcase and read a small book covered in black velvet with no writings or title. She stood up and finally started, “Is it okay to speak…I mean Maestro, excuse my rudeness.”
“Its okay Miss L.” said the detective and nodded her to sit down. “She’s a detective also and a very discreet one. We are one of the few who could see her true appearance, since she disguise herself a young boy detective who’s ready to run just about everywhere just to solve his case. My dear Maestro do you remember the old lady we were talking to just the other day and the young boy whom I acquired my last clue about a year ago it was none other than our dear miss here. ” I was surprised at this, there are still those people who wear disguises and are very good at it.
She started, “Well, I don’t know about having those disguises again or continuing my career. But enough about that I’m going to start telling the story to where even you detective doesn’t know. You see detective after you have put down the criminal master mind I am being haunted by his clients and minions. Well I have been putting some of them in prison, while you did most of them. But that’s not the real reason why I am being haunted, it is for the reason that I am the heir to the Criminal Masterminds chair. Yes don’t be shocked detective because this had been hidden since I was born. He knew that he would be compromising my safety and would hang in balance, so he asked my mother to leave the town to have me there and announcing that they are now divorced. Although I have a step brother and lots of cousins it is I whom they chose to take the seat. My step brother is not really quick witted and my cousins although some of them are at their prim of knowledge none would take over since I am the direct heir and at my fathers request or they would rather have me killed to take that chair. I thought I was hidden for safety but in truth I was kept secret to be his successor, incase someone gets even with him.
I did not like this idea at all, even though I was given the best tutors at home. Growing up, my mother would tell me about him, his good side and the bad ones. She would tell me that whatever I chose to be its okay.
Now I am being haunted and chased by all of them. Some had that notion that since they cant make me their leader they’d have to kill me since I know their faces and that I have worked for a young detective. Luckily they don’t know my disguises so it gave them hard time chasing me and I can still roam around and do my duty, not until now that my step brother came and saw me just putting on my wig. He got startled at the sight, I was too clumsy and too confused these days I cant think straight. I get sick then recover afterwards or restless, I think I am losing it. Now my disguise and work are at risk. And yes D that is why I came to borrow some of your clothes as disguise. I don’t want to cause uproar.
So now as much as I hate to say this but could you take the case? I swear to help in every possible way I can”
She turned to see the window and thrust the curtain down, she began pacing the room with her hands under her chin while the latter observed her with at most interest. I had to break the silence for I could not bare it.
“Why don’t you sit down Madame you’re starting to get pale.” She thanked me and sat down burying her face into her hands. I offered to make coffee for them and found some biscuits to serve.
“I have to go, thank you for the effort Maestro but, I really must go.”
The lady left without touching the food I served.
I turned to Dylan with questioning eyes.
“I am thinking about it Maestro, I have been the cause of her plea.”
He faced the ceiling for a while then closed his eyes, and his fingers drumming on the table, a sign that he is in deep thought.
After hours of sitting down he stood up and went out without saying a word. He left me and I was obliged to wait, I suppose.
She’s been coming in and out of Dylan’s manor in disguise that out of five I only get one right answer. I got used of her coming in disguise that I have mistaken a butcher to be her and when I said Miss he punched me real hard, it broke my nose, and it gave Dylan the heartiest laugh I have ever heard from him, I bowed down.
Our Lady friend had been giving us brief synopsis of her future minions and their operations. I was glad when she mentioned that they are crumbling down without someone to guide them. After that she came no more and I was dismissed from coming back to the manor.

Weeks later I got an invitation from the elite wanting me to conduct at their party of announcing the lost heiress of some sort. I was glad at this feeling honored in fact, I haven’t been into events since I entered the university. I met with the orchestra and rehearsed.
It was Friday night, finally, the moment that I have been preparing for. Of course since I was given two invitations I intently invited Dylan, although I doubt him appearing at the ball.
On my way to the ball, I saw our Lady friend outside my window, wearing a rather ragged young boys clothes holding a satchel. It was quite chilly so I let her in, “Can I change here?” “Of course you may, come in please its very cold outside.” “On your way to the ball?” “Yes…Yes I am.” I said proudly, breathing in deeply. To be honest I am nervous and didn’t want to show this to the Lady.
She immerged wearing a red dress dropping down to the floor. She looked like a fairy under the red rose. She blushed a little and then thanked me, answering my thoughts probably. I was still stunned by her beauty and didn’t get to reply, she left rather hastily. I guess seeing her in dirty clothes and then coming out in a red gown was like magic.
At the party I saw many faces I knew and didn’t know, everyone greeted everyone as always. I prepared my orchestra and got them started playing.
After the third music somebody tapped me on my shoulder and there he was. “What? Its like you’ve seen a ghost Maestro. I’m still alive you see.” He said this without any trace of smile in his face. Then he stared at me and chuckled. “She visited you, didn’t she?” “Excuse me, who?” “Oh you know who.” I turned to see the lady in red and answered “Ohhh, yes she did. Why? She visited you?” When I turned to receive his answer he was gone.
The arrival of the heiress was finally announced, everyone was waiting expectantly.
I was literally stretching my neck to see her when I saw Dylan beside me. “Did you meet the heiress?” I asked him. “No, who do you suppose she is?” “Oh come one Dylan, you can’t fool me, of course you already knew.” I stared at him, he was honest, he didn’t know. I guess he was too busy with his case that he neglected current events such as this. “So that’s why you’re here, you’re curious. You’ve never been curious at things like this, unless there’s something to do with your case, then that would be a different matter, so which is it?” “My…my maestro you’re becoming a detective, good for you.”
I started the music as the heiress descends the staircase.
And there she was, at first everyone saw her red shoes for the rest of her body is covered by veil of darkness, but who she was that’s what startled me.
“Lady Lucia Fara Monte Lava. Only daughter of Lady Adelle Monte Lava.”
Its her, our lady friend. I turned to see Dylans face and he was as startled as I was, although he was suppressing it, I am pretty sure he’s surprised to see her.
I greeted her personally and she thanked me for accepting her invitation. I was about to tell her where Dylan is but he left. “Well Maestro its time for the last music, and my last case.” I didn’t know what this meant but I think she’s going to settle down and live peacefully, confident that Dylan will put it to an end.
By the end of the ball she was suppose to say few words but she was gone, said that she wasn’t feeling well and that she deeply apologizes for the inconvenience.
“Lets go!” Dylan dragged me by the arm without waiting for my answer.
We reached one of the darkest part of the town, lucky for us we found a perfect hiding place, from whatever he wants us to hide from. There I saw dancing shadows and bellowed fight between two people. I could not hear much of what they said but the fight went like this. “I told you to stay away now,” “Now that you have accepted your faith this means you’re accepting us as well,” said the latter that was wearing rugged clothes and firm grip on the mystery person. “That doesn’t mean a thing, I am stepping down as soon as he arrives.” “Don’t you be fooling us sis, if you don’t want to be like father then you must be shut!” He was really angry and I was looking at his piercing eyes that I did not notice who he was talking to. “I promised I wont tell where your hide out is and I intend to keep that promise. All I want you to do is leave me out of this.” “We cant sis, you know that we can’t. You’re the one they want not him.” “Well I guess you wont have any choice now.” There was a long silence and the latter said. “I will tell them I did not see you sis, but just this time, but if they find out, I wont be responsible for it.”
He went back to the darkness where he came from and I saw Lady Lucia weeping alone. Few minutes and we heard angry mob shouting and one really particular, “Run!!!” with such force no one could deny of hearing it.
We stayed there with Dylan still got a firm grip of my hand, stopping me from rescuing the Lady. “We must save her,” I told him but he did not answer and tried to conceal ourselves from them. Everything happened too fast and most especially I saw the frail crying Lady became an army of kicks and punch. She was very well taught of different self defense according to her punches and hooks.
I turned to see Dylan whose hand finally let go of my hand. He was smiling while saying this, “Marvelous isn’t she?” I didn’t know what to say so I joined him watching our lady friend kick twenty gangsters. One by one she gave them each a kick or two with a bit of punch for side dish. She was really amazing, I could never do that, and here I thought she was helpless and needed our help. “Are you enjoying this?” I asked my companion. “Just a bit, see there Maestro, that’s what you call art of deception. But of course the gangster already knew what she’s capable of so they would never go unarmed yet they would never go farther by killing her. They clearly wants to make an impression.” I swear his eyes were glittering with excitement watching the Lady defeat them all.
However during this fight Dylan must have noticed some changes on the Lady’s stance that I mistook for her being tired. “Lets go Steven.” And he only mentions my name when he’s delighted, angry or serious. We aided the Lady, well he did most of the helping while I was making my way to search for the lady.
Finally somebody cried retreat and there they went. Dylan followed them few meters away from us and secured the premises from surprise attacks.
There I was kneeling beside our fallen heroine. I never saw her got hit anywhere fatal. Although I did saw her falling once or twice when someone was trying to hit her then the one she’s talking to stopped them picked her up and punched her directly into her stomach after that the retreat was called. They were just trying to scare her.
Looking at her I saw something was really wrong, beyond hurting stomach and all. I had to bring her to the hospital but she asked me not to take her there. Without waiting for Dylan, I brought her to an apartment she told me to, one of her hiding place I suppose. Then she let me call for a doctor, a specific one. After that I never saw her. When I came to the apartment the next day she was no longer there. No use in searching for someone unknown and hiding.
Dylan told me to leave her be, so I did.
Although this was clearly arranged I could not seem to keep her out of my mind. I know there was something I must’ve missed that night. I did a little training in case of emergencies like this, but I can’t seem to put my finger on it.
During that week I did not see either one of them. I came into days of battling with my self. Pacing up and down my apartment sustained that thought in my head.
However Dylan landed on a case and needed my assistance, what he meant by assistance that is, but it proved to be interesting.
Police had been rattling about the mysterious disappearance of one of the richest person known in this country. No trace or what so ever. He just disappeared after attending the ball. The car he was supposed to ride was still there and waiting for his arrival, but hours had passed and everyone was gone.
His disappearance was kept secret to everyon.
Since all the detectives called could not solve this case they were hoping Dylan could.
Everything had to be detailed. From whom he arrived with, who he was dancing with and until who he was last seen with. One claimed he saw Mr. Errol, we’ll be calling him that, with Lady in red dress like our lady friend. It brought my thought to her once more, but seeing the look on Dylans face he meant not to talk about it.
After our little chat with the officers, we headed for Mr. Errols mansion and started snooping around for more clues. I remembered Dylan telling me before about a rich man going to be assassinated some time this year. They’ve been planning this for a long time and are careful about their moves. But we never thought this would start out like this.
The next morning a letter was delivered to us without any name just addressed to both of us. It ran this way:
Fear not about his life, he is still alive. He just escaped from a scandal he’ll be in you know. Prepare for this Fridays announcement.
It had no signature. After I read it to myself he took it and sniffed it. “She’s clever but not clever enough.” “Do you mean the lady in red who supposedly kidnapped out client?” I asked him with at most interest. “No silly, our lady friend.” “So she’s our suspect then?” “My dear maestro you do not follow, she’s solving the case.” “Then what do you mean about being clever?” “You ask too many questions, is there something bothering you that you could not tell?” Again he read my face straight out. “Nothing important really. I just thought since I’ve got nothing this month I should write this event. Just this once don’t worry. I’ve always wanted to write a story.” He kept his silence but his eyes carefully examining me. He sniffed and said, “I said interesting cause she did not wear any perfume when she wrote this. I tell you maestro that even when she’s wearing a disguise I can smell her perfume. It is very odd that she’s not wearing one, which only means she’s not in the city, the letter has no stamp…she sent this through her helpers. What’s odd is, since she accepted her seat as the lady, why would she go somewhere far when she has duties to do, unless she trying to hide…trying to hide from someone or something and yet she’s solving our case, who asked her to do so? But this does not concern us at the moment, I have to visit someone maestro, you can stay here if you want and try writing that story of yours, I fear this is going to be an austere one.”
He left slamming the door.

Staying in this manor gives me the air of being alone but not really alone. Knowing things about old houses, it has secret passages and ghost stories people tell. And this manor is the perfect model of a haunted house with Dylan as Count Dracula.
What could he be possibly up to right now? And what did he mean about the message and the perfume? This Friday she says…it’s the day after tomorrow then. Over and over I kept tossing this in my head but nothing good came out, just anxiety and restlessness. I swore to my self that when Dylan returns I’ll squeeze the whole case out of him. Not only that I had to write this so he would not think I lied to him about writing the case.
Hours have passed and the door remained shut. I am all tired but this excitement isn’t helping one way or the other. I guess whichever comes first I still win.

A tap on the shoulder ensured awakening. I saw Dylan leaning on the wall with his right and his left hand dangling with streaks of blood pouring.
“What ever did you do to yourself? Why did you not go to a hospital?”
“Good morning too Steven!” he said while catching his breathe.
“I expect explanation young man? Come here sit down, let me mend that then we’ll go to the nearest clinic.”
“Yes mom.” Both of us laughed.
After few bandages he started, “I saw her and she shot me.”
“I can see that judging from this.” I said keeping a firm grip on his arm. “Wait she did? Well obviously, but why would she shoot you? I mean…” “Because I was following her.” “Well she could have asked you to stop. Hang on how did…ha! She’s clever than you, but you with a disguise how could she…I am officially confused.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Who are YOU talking about?”
“Maestro I am talking about the lady in red.”
“So was I.”
“Who did you imagine?”
“Well our lady friend, the letter sender of course who else. Who could it possibly be?”
“No, no you got it wrong, I was talking about the lady whom Errol was with.”
“Oooooh…sorry. So what about her?”
“I think she likes me…”
“Ha! Quit joking.”
“I haven’t finished my sentence yet, I think she like me dead.”
“That explains the shot very well.”
“You see Maestro, I found it very curious why Lucia wants us to wait till Friday? I remembered there was a restaurant a street not far from here that is called Friday. It was a long shot but I still tried. And it seems I was right. I followed her as far as the highway could take us, but it seems like someone warned her about me so it wasn’t the track she’s suppose to take.”
We called it a day since he refused me taking him to the clinic.
It was five in the morning when I woke up and went for a walk, Dylan assured me that he was going to be fine and will just be taking a day off.
I didn’t know how but I was spacing out and found my self entering Friday Restaurant, beady eyes staring and drunk people singing songs that are out of tune. They should call this a bar rather than a restaurant. According to the owner, they turn this into bars from ten in the evening till six in the morning. So it seems they operate twenty four hours a day.
During the rest of the day I chatted away with student musicians and other artist at the park who were playing for a charitable institution. In short it wasn’t a surprising day but proved to be pleasant.
Friday, finally the day I have been waiting for. I went to Rusty Manor and saw that the mailbox was full of letters from police, civilians and other concerned parties known. I placed them all at Dylan’s console, one envelope drawn my attention while I was checking them one by one. I brought it upstairs thinking Dylan was there, but he wasn’t. I saw him from his bedroom window, he was scowling at something on the ground, he could not possibly be gardening so I went down to check.
He was playing with a Siamese cat who strayed into his yard.
“Oh Steven, anything interesting?”
“I found this in your mailbox and more, you can find them on your console table.”
“Burn them.” He said while taking the envelope from my hand. Opening it I saw numbers. He then smiled and clinched his fist in blithe of excitement. I took the partially crumpled paper and couldn’t help but be confused, it says:
3-4-4
3-6-6
3-1*-1
4-2-2
4-4-2
“What does this mean?”
“Ohh! You’ll know soon enough.”
He was literally dancing his way inside the house.
He asked me to wait in the library. From his pocket he drew another paper. “Tadah! Now we’ll know what she wants to tell.”
He bent down on the paper and said “asterisk is zero, which means”
It as followed by ten minutes of silence and he smiled upon the numbers which seemed to me lottery numbers. I was thinking my self when, “Mayor!” I was taken aback by his sudden remark. He went out hurriedly and seemed to have forgotten my existence.
So he literally left me wondering and came back with an old man dirty and shaking. He only asked me to take care of him and make him stay in the guest room but never let him take a bath, odd as it is I followed his instructions. He again came back with another, about same height but more clean and is known, the Mayor.
I shook his hand and greeted him, again Dylan asked me to take him to the other guest room next to the first one and asked me to not let him out. Once again he left and came back with an arm full of police men and a police woman who seemed to me the commanding chief.
Dylan asked the police to wait for him in the hall and went into the dirty mans room.
“Everyone meet the mayor of our town.” He presented the dirty man.
“Is this some kind of a joke to you Detective.”
“No it is true, I am the mayor.” Said the man presented while shaking.
“How?” I asked.
“You wait here.” Dylan insisted to the police and took him away from our sight.
He came back with the Mayor in clean clothes.
“Mayor!” One of the police exclaimed.
“Of course it is I.” but he sounded arrogant and more firm.
While we were talking to the mayor and his safety Dylan reappeared into the room with another mayor.
“Mayor meet Mayor.” It seemed to us like a man was made to face a mirror but his reflection had a softer face while the latter was of horror.
“Care to explain Detective.”
“Why of course but first…” with such speed Dylan took one of the police’s handcuffs and pounced at the other Mayor who was about to stabbed his reflection right in front of the police.
“There that’s better,” Dylan said while straightening himself and started, “He’s our real Mayor, Mayor Gerard and that’s his twin Jerry. Now Jerry kindly tell us your story.”
Jerry story proved to be childish and was only provoked by the Mayors plan of candidacy in a higher position, he, Jerry was hidden from the public since he was seven. They had a tragic accident and people thought Jerry died but he lived. He grew with a poor family who treated him as their own. He was filled with love but he grew with anger and revenge in his heart. Fame and fortune blessed his real family while he was left there to rot and die. He made his way to follow his family working as mechanic and all sorts of job he could find as long as he gets near his family. Having the chance he abducted the Mayor’s wife, revealed himself to the Mayor and threatened to kill his wife if he doesn’t switch with him. He had to keep the real mayor so he employed him as a helper but forbade him to clean his face so no one would recognize. He learned the way of politics from him and felt he needs him no longer and decided he should die. Mayor’s wife escaped and was left to wander the streets as a crazy lady and died yesterday. This angered our real mayor and left him in despair. He was about to kill Jerry in his very chamber when Dylan arrived. It was working well for Jerry if he comes out alive that night, he’ll have his twin brother imprisoned and no one will bother him no more but it turned out to be the other way around.
How Dylan found this out no body knew and he would not tell.
“The case was too easy, it only required physical strength.”
“Where does the lady in red comes here?”
“Ah it is connected, first we’ll have to wait for the messenger and I am going to tell you, it is hitting two birds with one stone as you call it.”
The messenger came as expected but he brought different news.
“Where are we going Dylan?”
“I think our Lady friend needs us, the Lady in Red has to wait besides Errol will be relaxed for a while and is compelled to hiding till he is called.” I did not know what he’s talking about but it made me feel reassured.
I followed him to all sorts or corners I have never been, he chatted with few of the idlers and bid them good bye.
From a distance, not that far from the corner we were concealing ourselves I heard a cry of anger.
“We’ve been through this sis. Why don’t you just accept your faith?”
Silence filled the air with just gasps and sobs were heard.
“No!” a firm answer of Lady Lucia, “Besides cousin Rick is coming.”
“You know what cousin Rick is capable of, he might sabotage our group.”
“Our group?! Since when was I part of your group?”
“Since you were born sis. You’re the first born and you must accept it.”
“Enough! If you still insists this I swear to you brother all of you will be exposed to the police. Live me be, I don’t want to be part of fathers mistakes.”
It looked to me like the same conversation that I have seen before, only now no body attacked her. The all obeyed her brother’s request.
“I will not stop sis, I will try to convince you.”
“You know my answer will be the same…and brother, don’t blame me if you and your colleagues fall down one day.”
I whispered to Dylan that maybe we’re not really needed here, but he only told me we might need her help.
We met with her casually as if we weren’t watching her and directly headed for one of Dylan’s apartments now an office. It still is fully furnished and well taken care of. He chose the three bedroom office he has and it very well told us home is not an option.
She listened to Dylan’s explanation intently.
“The lady in red is Errol’s lover, and this secret is a secret that must be kept. Now Jerry, who still worked for Errol as one of his driver, knew about this secret, he bribed Errol to help him become Mayors underling. He then talked to the Mayor trying to impress him about Jerry being an excellent mechanic, thus he hired him not knowing he’s his long lost twin brother plotting to kill him for thirty years or so. He kept his secret until anything happens such as being imprisoned, what ever plans they have made we’ll find it out.
Jerry’s instruction to Errol is to pretend to be the one who’s going to be killed which is also an advantage to him since he can start a new life somewhere without any suspicions. But now since both of them are compromised and Errol knows I know he’s alive and knows I might give them his hiding place, he is torn between becoming a witness or an accomplice. Of course he can choose to escape for good yet he knows I can track him wherever he goes. So he breaks up with his lover no matter how she makes a scandal he doesn’t care anymore since he found out that his wife is going to have a child. And ah.. here he comes.”
“Good evening Errol.” Dylan addressed him as he entered the room. So was I right Lady Lucia.”
“Yes.”
“And you were the one who helped him hide, and probably talked to the Lady in Red to not make any scandal. I, forgive me if I’m wrong, but I believe you paid her a huge amount enough for her to start a new life, did you Mr. Errol?”
“Yes she’s now far from here. You promised to keep it a secret Dylan.”
“Yes but I don’t think it is going to be kept for a long time since you must tell the judge the whole truth. I am sure your wife will understand now since you chose them over her. Oh before I forget Mr. E, your wife is in the hospital, congratulation you have a son. You’ve been away for so long you haven’t witnessed your wife looked like she swallowed a whole melon, so don’t miss this part this.”
He thanked him and our Friday ended with a great news.
“Steven don’t you think this case was a bit boring since our Lady friend here knew everything and we’re left to tell the story and not really went into action.”
“Don’t be harsh, forgive him please do.”
We were gathered in his office drinking hot coffee and our lady drinking warm milk.
“Since when have you learned to wear black Lucia? And drink milk? How very odd.”
“I have to go back now, excuse me gents.”

Dylan did not try to stop her so I did.
“Please do stay its already dark and your supposed minions might be waiting for you…”
“Relax Steven she’ll be alright, you saw how she blew twenty men.”
Lady Lucia’s fist clenched and she darted directly towards Dylan and punched him directly in his stomach.
“See what I mean.” He said chuckling and breathing with pain.
“Serves you right.” I told him. Then Lady Lucia turned to me
“Careful there Steven is not a trained fighter. Run Steven!” He said laughing. She glared at him and sniffed.
“Thank you for your kind offer Maestro but I really must go,” but before she could turn around her legs went weak almost stumbling if not for the chair and my arms for support.
“You must stay I insist. Don’t worry I will guard you from Dylan.
“Please Steven you won’t stand a chance on me and you know that.”
“Yes but she’ll be awake before you drag her out of the room.”
“Hmm… you have a point there. Okay, okay, she can stay, but don’t you think I forgive you for taking the thrill off my case.”
I have never seen Dylan so cheerful in making fun of both of us so I decided to leave him be.


Morning came and everybody was awake. I was awakened by their fights and a slam on the door. It was best if I stay a bit longer in my room a while longer till the air is light enough to breath. Although I was really hungry I waited for an hour or till my nose picked up the scent of a delicious meal. I was about to go out when I heard the door slammed open.
“Are you alone?”
“What are you doing here brother? How did you find me?”
“I had my men follow you, so you are going to tell the police after all.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know perfectly what I mean, you’re here with that detective aren’t you.”
“Its not what you think.”
When I opened my door she ran towards the stairs to where I was. He was holding a knife and was pointing at us.
“Who’s he?”
“Don’t get him into this he’s just a musician and knows nothing about this.”
He advanced the stairs with knife still pointing. He was going to grab her so I pulled her away behind me. Dylan was right I know nothing of combat or any self defense technique.
Out of no where Dylan grabbed him by the collar, his knife wounding my arm while his other hand grabbed Lady L for support, I tried to grab Lady L’s hand but I stumbled backwards. When I stood up there were blood everywhere, Dylan ran after Lady L’s brother and I still dizzy towards her. She hit her head and knife deeply in her leg. She was bleeding mad. I was helping Lucia up when Dylan returned with Diego all cuffed up.
“Don’t let him see me!!!” Lucia screamed with all the strength that’s left. This remark stopped us staring at her. I didn’t know what this meant and who’s this meant to till Dylan came out dragging her brother away.
Quickly Lucia pulled the knife off her leg, ripped her dress and tied it unto her wound.
She pushed me away when I told her I will bring her to the nearest clinic. Told me this will compromise everything and that she had to leave. Limping she called out for her butler from the window.
When Dylan finished blindfolding Diego and was about to enter his office, Lucia shut him out and shouted at him to leave. None of us understood why she acted the way she did. She was already suffering from pain yet still has the strength to slam the door and push it when Dylan was forcing his way in.
“This is my office!!!! Da…” I am pretty sure Dylan stopped him self from cursing.
I did not know what to do, I’m not thinking of taking any sides but at my position here imprisoned in this room, it seems I have no other choice.
When I tapped her shoulder she was almost going to punch me, she was really mad, her eyes were piercing that I could not look at her directly. What drove her into this madness?
Suddenly she was coiled on the floor, twisting in pain.
Surprisingly she permitted me to carry her to her room but not let Dylan see her.
Outside Dylan brought Diego to the police and went back about half an hour after the Doctor left.
“The office reeks with medical stuffs!” He complained yet he never saw the doctor come out of the door.

That night I heard footsteps from outside my door so I came out and saw Lucia. When I turned on the light I saw her seated in front of the empty mantel. She was about to light it to keep the room warm.
Soon as the fireplace was lit, still silent, she sat right in front of it and held her hands to keep it warm. At that moment I wanted to ask her about earlier but seeing her face, silent and blank I did not dare to.
So instead I took cookies and warm milk from Dylan’s cupboard and gave it to her. A book was left on the table so I took it for some light reading.
From the corner of my eyes I could see her tossing the cookie from side to side and only playing with the glass of now cold milk. Her hair was all over her face, I could not see any expression till a sudden gust of wind blew from the crack in the window. She was crying.
“Could you please tell me whats wrong?” Finally having the guts to ask her.
“I really want to go home…” Seeing her like this made me forget how strong she is, something must have happened to make her shaken like this.
I did not know how and why but I scooped her from the floor and hugged her tightly then settled her on the sofa and said no more.
I was staring at her when Dylan came in, he roughly pushed me away and took Lucia’s hand by the wrist. She tried to struggle but to weak to win.
He suddenly dropped her back to the sofa staring at her angrily, he was breathing heavily and was clinching his fist and at any moment ready to punch a giant.
Finally with such weak voice she said, “Please don’t stare at me like that. Be mad at me, ask me to leave but please do not be silent…” her voice faded as tears fell like pearls from a broken necklace.
I understood nothing of this conversation so I kept silent.
“Leave now!!!!!!!!!!” he said.
I was about to stop her when she darted towards Dylan and whispered something I could not catch, just one word.
“…………………father……”
She was about to open the door when Dylan still petrified at her words said, “I don’t care.”
“That’s why I did not want you to know.”
“What the heck is going on here?” I asked both of them still confused at everything.
“How many times did THAT almost died because you did not tell me first hand?” He asked.
“I thought you did not care!!!”
I was completely ignored, not one of them could hear me.
She opened the door and slammed it as she went out.
“What the heck was that Dylan? Are you going to let her leave just like that at this hour? Not to mention the future minions who wants her dead.”
Again I was ignored. He went back to his room and slammed it.
“What’s this? A game of who’s the loudest door slammer?”
It’s already an hour since she left and it is starting to rain. I battled with myself and finally tried to follow her, wherever she went? I don’t know and I don’t care. I am determined to bring her back.
The rain was making it hard for me to search further. I could not see the road clearly and lights were blurred under this condition.
I tried to shelter for a while in a bus stop when I saw her at the corner shivering. She wont be able to fight me now, I told my self, so I hailed a cab and brought her back to Dylans office since that’s the only place I know where her dry and warm clothes are.
Inside the cab she told me the truth, she said there’s no use in hiding it. I was so furious about it and can’t wait to punch life out of Dylan.
When we arrived, Dylan must have heard us, he was already by the door when I opened it.
Punched him good in his face, odd that he didn’t try to block it, he saw it coming before I even lifted my fist. He already knew what that was for and said, “You found her and now knows it, good! Now you can play family now.” I was ready to give him another punch when he added, “Oh come on, we all know how you like her, good luck to both of…” A slap on the face stopped him.















Years later:
“…and that’s my story Maestro…say…where Dylan, I must be talking to him.”
“Ah here he is.” I told our guest.
Then from out of now where, well technically from under Dylans table,
“You’re the murderer, you cam here to tell us that someone murdered your brother and that you have an alibi but the truth is you made them drink a lot and told them over and over that you never left. Waking them up every thirty minutes you say, but you only adjusted the clock to make it look like only thirty minutes have passed but in reality it was an ample time to murder your brother, knowing that no body was there of course, and come back. You’re saying where’s the proof? I am guessing you have forgotten to change the clock back to it’s original time, because you had to come back and make sure he’s dead hearing his voice over the phone when he called you. More evidences will be present there of course.”
There was a long pause after that little voice spoke. Even our guest was left stunned by that presentation.
From other the chair it came out, the owner of that little voice… “Right father?” with arms extended towards Dylan, he lifted her up with a smile on his face and whispered, “Don’t ever let your mother know what you did or we’ll both be dead.” Both giggled. “I heard that Dylan, and Sophie no more games with you okay?” and by games I think she meant solving crimes. “Yes mom.” She took Sophie from Dylan and went into the kitchen.
The guest was escorted by Dylan to the prison. Lucia came back, I was my first time visiting them since the night I punched Dylan on the face. I had to leave the next day it was very urgent that I wasn’t able to bid farewell.
And not knowing what happened after that makes me curious.
“What?” Lucia asked me.
“What ‘what’?
“What do you want to ask?”
“You’re still…oh well…what made you stay with him after all those things…you know before I left?”
“What made me change my mind was when Sophie was born, I was alone that night at home when I started feeling the pain. I didn’t know who to call or what to do, I was crying. When I was all prepared to go to the hospital a doctor came darting inside my room telling me it would be okay, she was with two nurses, at first I was afraid it was from my late fathers ‘friends’ but she wasn’t, I knew her she was Dylans older sister and the other two were their cousins. She said she was transferred here and happened to be on the rounds giving papers and emergency kits to everyone when she heard me. After Sophie came out, she said she had to leave and finish her duty.
I didn’t know how to thank her, but her smile made me think I already thanked her, although I didn’t know how.
There under the moonlight shinning from my window I saw Sophies face, she was smiling, I didn’t know what to name her. I fell asleep thinking.
And when I woke up I felt Sophie was no longer in my arm, I was scared but could not move, my eyes were half open at that moment. I was about to sit up when I heard a voice, ‘…I’m sorry I could not be with you, but if I could I would be the happiest father…but I’m afraid I’m going to mess it up. Shhhh…don’t tell your mother I said that…ha! You should be named Sophie, you look like a little princess and Sophie sounds like a princess’ name…why are you smiling? You like the name or you’re making fun of me ‘cause I’m using lousy words? Which is it? Answer me? Are you making fun of me? Stop smiling you creepy child…’
Then he laughed softly and full of heart, the kind of laugh I’ve never heard from him.
‘…stop smiling, it makes me think you really understand me and its creeping me out. I’m giving you back to your mother now. Good night.’
He kissed her on the forehead and brought her back to me.
When he was at the door Sophie cried…”
When I heard her story it made me ask my self ‘do I really know Dylan?’ well all I know is he never ceases to surprise me.



The End… (December 19, 2011)



Thanks for your spare time^^ thanks for reading this amatuer story of mine^^ please post your comments...and If I sill have typos and gramar checks to do^^
THANKZ!
(I'll update the ending probably this evening...right now it'll stay like that....)