Detective Series: Reed Bryst

"Sir! Something happened with your daughter!" I heard my secretary said as she ran towards my office.

I immediately stood up upon hearing her voice, my forehead knotted because of her action.

Something happened?

I looked at her, her eyes were filled with fear. I've never seen her like this before.

She walked near me. Her sweats are seen, she is in tension.

"Straight to the point." I ordered.

"Aisling is lost. She was kidnapped." She said.

"What?!" I reacted in a dreaded voice.

I'm rich, I have a lot of business rivals but why would they bring my daughter up to the problem?

"Sir, Ais was last seen by their school gate. She was picked up by a white van, they were the suspected kidnappers." She added.

I started walking back and forth. Ais is my only daughter. I cannot afford to lose her.

I let out a sigh the moment a picture of someone entered my system. This can't be, he couldn't be the one responsible for the crime, well I'm hoping that he's not.

My secretary looked at me.

"Any further details?" I asked.

"They said not to call anyone. If we send the cops they will immediately kill Ais." She said weakly.

I can tell that this secretary of mine is having a hard time.

I've known her for years, her mind is innocent upon such crimes.

My office was then filled with silence. No one dared to talk. I'm feeling nervous. I'm not sure of who the culprit is.

A few seconds passed and someone entered my office. He is carrying a package while he is smiling widely.

He looked at me.

"Good day Sir, this package is sent for you." He said while walking towards me.

I signaled him to stop.

"How did you get up here?" I asked him.

Everybody knows that the security system here is tight. No one can enter easily.

"Through the door Sir." He answered.

A sarcastic one...

I continued to look at him. My eyes are serious, I'm facing a lot of problems so don't expect me to smile.

"What's inside the package?" I asked again.

He smiled even wider upon hearing me. This courier is creepy.

"Shall I open your memorial plan Sir?" He said as he smiled devishly. With hands moving swiftly, he took his gun out and he made the bullets rain towards our direction.

"Ellaine duck!" I told my secretary immediately. She followed my order.

I lowered myself to avoid being shot. I made myself fit under the desk of my table, I cannot die. Not now, Ais is in danger.

I immediately grabbed my gun in my lower closet. I reloaded it as fast as I could. And there, I shot the man but we exchanged bullets through our body. I wasn't able to move away, my shoulder is shot.

But the man fell down, his blood started to flow. But neither could an unrighteous man die early.

"I'm your nemesis

You will never find out about the thesis

Seek through the parentheses

I'm a snake

A traitor in our own kindred

The water by the ocean shall turn red

You will be nothing but dread." He said.

Before he could lose his breath he smiled once more and he said.

"My life is paid in full, I wouldn't mind dying. I'm sent to start your end. A messenger of sly elapid..." He said before he sighed his last breath.

Sly elapid? This is a serious case. I've never encountered code names before. Could this be a gang?

Ellaine looked at me. She moved out from her hiding place.

"Sir, Ais is in danger." She said.

I know, but how can I save her without knowing where to start?

Ellaine walked towards the dead body, there she picked up a box. The package that was supposed to be delivered.

She opened it, I watched her as she open it.

It was as a size of a shoebox. After unwrapping the package there she pulled out an envelope.

It was a brown envelope. She looked at me.

What could this be? My curiosity is bugging me out.

I signaled her to move closer to me. She handed me the envelope. The moment I held it my heart stopped beating.

The content of this envelope could give me hope or kill my chances.

I took a deep breath and then I started to break the seal.

The moment I pulled out the content of the envelope my tears started falling. It's containing a picture.

Who could do such thing? Do tell me this is a nightmare.

Ellaine took a peek from the picture and she gasped with a shocked expression.

I couldn't believe this, my princess doesn't deserve this. She is being treated like a slave.

Even worse than a slave.

I saw my daughter's arm with a tattooed name. It was written through her flesh. She is badly wounded.

"Sly elapid..." I read the name written in her arm.

My anger rose up upon mouthing that name. I'll make him pay!

I slammed the table with my anger. I groaned my frustrations out.

"UGH!!!" I swear the owner of that code name will pay. He'll regret the day that he messed with me.

I started making a mess. Ellaine just watched me. I turned the table down. With all my force I slammed the chairs to the floor. I wouldn't mind breaking all of this.

When I felt tiredness I grasped for air. I looked at Ellaine once more.

"Sir, anger won't lead to anything better." She advised me.

She is right, but this feeling can never be kept. I must let it out.

The room was filled with silence the only thing that could be heard was our breathing.

My phone suddenly rang. I picked it up from my pocket. I looked at the call register, this number is new.

I answered it immediately.

"Anger shall be your enemy

This is my epitome

You'll pay for messing with me." A deep dark voice said from the other line.

My anger rose once more.

"Who are you?!" I asked.

This is no time for joke or pranks. Swear, he must talk. I'll hunt him down.

"How can you hunt a hunter down?

A prey can never defeat his predator

A deer can never poison a snake

I'm your nightmare born to make your life miserable." He said.

This conversation creeps me out. How did he know my thoughts?

I looked around.

I closed all the open curtains. After closing them all, I went back to talking to him.

"I'll ask you again, who are you?!" I shouted.

I'm losing my patience.

"A puzzle is made to be solved

Look for the clues

I'll be found by the hue

The red between blue." He answered.

"Answer me!!!" I said with frustration.

I took a glance at the screen and there I saw the call officially ended. I threw my phone.

This is not making any sense, but for someone who can understand this it will be easy.

Why didn't I think of him? How dumb was I?

"Call he son of the senior detective, hire Reed Bryst." I ordered.

He is the only one who can help me.

Reed's P. O. V.

"Ren! Are you out of your mind? Why did you take the client?!" I asked him with frustrations.

He just rolled his eyes on me. Really? What an attitude.

I eyed him seriously.

He knows I'm in vacation. I've been taking too many cases. I forgot the meaning of rest.

He crossed his legs then he looked at me.

"Let me finish first. This is not just an ordinary case. Remember Mr. Callahan?" He asked.

The moment I heard that name my world immediately stopped revolving. He still has a bad effect on me.

I decided to sit down as well, I faced him. Tension is forming inside me. I've never felt this is years.

"The father of Aisling Claire Prendia..." He said while smiling.

Upon hearing that name, I closed my eyes. I don't know what to react, I'm having mixed emotions.

I tried to regain my composure. I looked at him once more.

"And?" I asked him.

His face turned serious. I can sense that he's not telling a lie. Through his eyes, there are peculiarities.

"She is in danger." He said.

Upon hearing those words, my heart stopped beating. It has been years since I've heard of Claire, and what a luck, this is a pretty ironic way to remember her.

"Continue..." I ordered him.

He handed me an envelope. I opened it and there I saw a picture of someone's arm. There is a tattooed fresh scar. I read the written text.

"Sly elapid?" I said.

My anger rose up, do tell me that this is not Claire's arm.

I looked at Ren once more.

"We've never met anyone under that codename." He added.

This name is quite new to my hearing. I felt sudden chills upon realizing that the life of Claire is at sake.

"Continue, what do you know about the case?" I asked seriously.

This is business, someone's life is at stake.

"She is kidnapped, then Mr. Callahan met a man. He is disguised as a courier.

He tried to kill Mr. Callahan but he failed. After that, someone called." He answered.

He pulled out a paper from his pocket. He handed it to me.

"Those were the poems recited by the following men." He added.

I read them silently. I felt sudden nervousness.

This case is a serious one. But who could do such thing? I know that I was hired to answer the same question, but being a detective was never easy.

"You'll take the case right?" Ren asked me.

What else could I do? I'll carry someone's death as a burden. Especially, I know the victim personally.

But deep inside I know that I have this agenda in my heart. Reed, you are over her.

"Surely." I answered.

He nodded. I stood up, but I have a bad feeling about this. As if we are facing a big and complicated case.

I wanna drop this case down, but knowing that it's her life at sake, I must reconsider cancelling my week off.

I walked back and forth. With my hand placed on my chin I started to think.

Mr. Callahan is known for his business rivals, the suspect could be anyone. But we can't accuse them, not without further prooof and evidence.

I continued walking back and forth. Silence filled the room no one dared to talk. Ren knows about my rules. If I'm busy solving a case, don't bother to interrupt.

Sly elapid...

"Alas!" I shouted as a thought came to me.

Ren looked at me.

"You solved it already?" He asked.

"Not quite, it's only a clue for the mystery." I answered him.

I hurriedly grabbed my coat and pulled Ren out of the chair.

"Stand up, we have a mystery to solve." I ordered him.

He followed me, but even before we could go out, the house phone rang.

It made us stop our steps. Who could this be? I walked towards it. I answered the call.

"I see... you solved the clue fairly. Indeed you are not born as a humdrum." He said over the other line.

The voice is so dark and deep. I never heard someone with a voice like this.

"Who are you?" I asked with a serious tone of voice.

"I'm sly elapid

Smart as a fox

Deadly as a snake." He said before he ended the call.

I dropped the phone as well. I looked at Ren once more.

How did he know about my steps? This Sly has connections.

"So, where are we headed?" He asked.

I'm not sure. But base on this "sly elapid" he is quite dangerous. I have no further details regarding the suspect but I think this case is a tough one.

"Let's go to the library." I ordered him.

We then went out. The library is isn't far from here. We won't bother walking. In fact it'll give me time to think.

"You're still in love with her, are you?" Ren asked.

I didn't bother to look at him.

"Hmm?" That is all that I can say for now. I'm not sure of what to feel.

Years had passed, who would know that her father would be my client?

I heard Ren's soft chuckle. Typical Ren...

Still making fun out of my life.

A few minutes later we've reached the library.

Without wasting any time I entered the building. There, I went to the animal section. Slowly I scanned every book that I see. Ren didn't bother to follow me.

Where could that book be?

I continued browsing and alas! I found it!

I held it and I opened the book. I continued browsing through the pages.

My hint must be right. I wish it is right.

After turning a few pages, I saw a letter stuck between pages.

I knew it.

The clue is in between the map of the ocean. The personality of the red sea, where the deep blue river of Nile turned Red. In short, the answer is in the history book of Israel.

I read the content of the letter.

To Reed Bryst:

It won't take long before you can solve his clue, but the mystery is just getting started. I'm having fun torturing Ais here.

Debts shall be paid

Her father's life is the credit

Her blood will be the down payment

You'll continue to lament

Eganrac dove will fly upside down.

I didn't bother to mouth the poem out loud.

Just as I suspected, this case is a serious one. But I have a lot of reasons why continue in solving this mystery.

What we have ended years ago, but I know that I'm still hoping for something good to happen between us.

"Ren, let's go." I said as I grabbed Ren's arm.

I dragged him out of the library. I need to hurry, there is no time left to waste. This case is an urgent one.

"Hey, hey, I know that Claire is in danger but you don't need to drag me like a child." He complained.

I let go of my grip and I allowed him to freely follow me.

My steps are bigger than usual, I'm in tension. This is quite a strange feeling for me. I've never felt this for years. Well, specifically the moment she left I've never felt such emotions for quite a long time now.

She is the only reason for my agitation.

I knew that Ren couldn't catch up behind my back. I can hear him gasping for air, such a wimp.

Next time, I'll train him like an athlete. I need a companion who cannot hinder my actions. Nonetheless cope up with me. But Ren never hindered me anyway.

"Where are we headed?" He asked me. We are still walking.

"To the place where chaos is a friend." I said.

What a perfect timing, we've reached our destination. We stopped in front of the "Carnage Crow Casino". Just like what the letter said.

The inverted dove, crow and carnage was just spelled backwards.

"Are you sure you wanna enter that building? Remember what happened last time?" He asked.

Of course I do. I had fun slamming chairs and breaking their properties. Not until dad came and scolded me.

"This is for our client." I said.

Strong emotion is seen through my voice. I don't want Ren to notice that, everyone knows that I'm over Claire. But actually I'm not sure if I really am.

The building is at the other side of the road. We need to cross it. The main floor is filled with security guards. I know I'm banned for entering that building.

Think Reed, think. How can you enter that building without getting caught?

Alas! I need a disguise.

I looked around and there I saw a boutique. There are different clothes that they offer.

Maybe that'll do. I looked at Ren. He raised an eyebrow on me.

"What? I know that look Reed, that's not good. I'm not gonna dress up as a lady, not again." Ren immediately reacted.

Pfft. I remembered what happened last time. That was the most unforgettable moments of our lives, fun for me but Ren treated that night as a nightmare.

"There is no saying no. You know our rules." I said.

He just rolled his eyes on me.

Is he a gay? He always does that.

"Besides this is for our client." I added.

I know that deep inside me I have a question, a confusion which needs answer.

I cannot say it directly, but the moment that I heard that Claire's life is at sake, my heart palpitated. As if I'm nervous upon hearing her name.

"For our client or for your love?" He asked while trying to hold his laughter back.

Ren is really good when it comes to teasing. Too bad for me.

***

"Are you sure about this?" Ren asked while trying to loosen the zipper from his gown.

He is wearing a fitted red gown, and a 5 inches heels. It's a good thing his body is not that buff. We'll disguise ourselves as a couple.

I'm wearing an old man disguise. A black Armani coat and a pair of eyeglasses to hide my look. Pretty much no one can recognize me.

We are ready to cross the street. Ren is having trouble with walking but the gown and his look fits him perfectly. As if he can be a woman forever.

"You owe me a hundred bucks." He said in a very serious tone of voice.

I might have pissed him off.

He clinged himself in my arm. Acting like a couple we crossed the street.

When we've reached the building's entrance the guards looked at us. Eyeing us seriously.

I'm feeling a bit nervous, but there are still chances that we'll pass through.

I smiled at the guard and he smiled back. What a nice fellow.

"Have a nice day ma'am and sir." He said as he opened the door for us.

We entered the building. And there, the biggest gambling institute was seen. Bright lights and loud noises filled the halls.

The operation haven't changed at all. There are still dirty gamblers playing with cheats and tricks.

I looked around, what could be the clue that I'm looking for. Or is it even a clue.

My eyes immediately stopped and stared at the painting of a big crow. It's black and it's eyes are painted red as blood. Something in it caught my attention. As if there is something different from it.

I moved away from Ren, I left him at the bar. He can protect himself anyway.

My instinct is telling me to take a look.

Without any hesitation I went on my way towards the painting. Something is up with it, I don't like art pretty much but I can tell that something is different from it.

My footsteps were big, no time must be wasted.

When I've reached the painting I stared at it once more. Analyzing every bit of detail present in the painting.

With my right hand placed on my chin, I scanned it carefully. I cannot miss a single detail. My eyes narrowed as I stared at it.

Alas!

In the painting there is a snake. Which means, the owner of Carnage Crow could know who Sly elapid is!

I think I'm getting closer to the mystery. I know I'm hired to solve such things but this case is different.

I immediately went back to Ren at the bar area. But when I've reached his place, two guys went around him.

I smirked. He's quite attractive when dressed like that. No one can tell that he's a man.

Ren stood up, I went near him as well.

"Do you need anything from my wife?" I asked the men around Ren.

They looked at me with an embarrassed expression.

"Nothing sir." They said as they moved out.

After they successfully left Ren I went near him. He is standing by the bar table.

"Have you found anything yet?" He said while whispering.

"I did, and this mystery is just getting started." I answered him.