Dorian Mystery - Art of Murder

Chapter IV

 'Hey, can you hear me?' A voice in the ethereal made itself known.

I tried to open my eyes, but this white light was giving me a headache. Where was I?

'You literally gave us a good scare.' The voice continued and after my eyes got used to the light, I realized it was Junior who was talking. He was patiently sitting right on my left side with a book in his hand and legs crossed.

'Wh...what happened?'

He looked at me and and approached to my face all of a sudden. Seeing him so close to my face, I've realized that even though he went through such a trauma, his beautiful brown eyes were always warm and caring. The people he has in his circle must be lucky to have someone like him.

'You don't remember?' He asked me while checking my condition with his eyes.

I whispered that all I remember was going out of the building and everything else was hazy. Junior sat back in his original spot, sighed and told me that the building I used to live into exploded. The cause was not yet to be determined, but forensics are quite sure it all started in my room and the explosion was so powerful that it impacted the whole building.

I tried to get up the bed after hearing this, but the pain in my back was telling me that I should stay where I am right now.

'I don't think you'll be going anywhere, partner.' Junior said while opening his book again to read.

Looking at him felt weird. Like he should be on the field or doing some research instead of waiting for me to wake up. Did I missed anything?

'Junior, there's something I need to tell you about this Artist.'

Junior lowered the book and asked me to rest before ruining my stitches, but there was no time for that. I interrupted him right away and told him what he needed to know: The artist planted a bomb long ago and pulling out that camera triggered the bomb. If it wasn't for that cable, I would've been sleeping with the fish.

'This Artist is always planning his next move. He is inspired by a book and he knows how to spy without being caught and to cover his tracks.'

Junior was approving everything while I was explaining to him how I made the connection between the book and the quote, how I got that text message and found that hidden camera. The young man grew concerned though when I told him my suspicions as the killer might've spied on me for a long time.

'If this guy was able to sneak into your office and plant that camera, how can we know he's not watching us right now?'

'What I believe is that he learned everything he could learn about me as a human. And he is using it as an advantage.' I said full of regrets as because of me so many people might've died that day, but I will find this Artist and make him pay for everything.

Few weeks later, I was finally able to get out of the hospital. It was plenty of time to think and analyze everything. If this Artist wanted me to get involved, then why he tried to kill me? Or was the bomb just a security measure in case someone else would've find it first or if it was turned to FBI first? I tend to think more about the second guess, which leads me to the following answer: The Artist was not thinking of what would happen if I would've find the device. He took a risky chance here as he has not planned for the device to be found by me.

I was walking to the police car driven by my new partner, but soon I came to realize that I had no home left. My apartment was destroyed in the fire and almost all my belongings are ashes right now. I was thinking how to get some more money when I entered the car and asked Junior if it was ok to sleep in his car at least until this issue was resolved. He looked at me stupefied and called me dumb.

'Bro, I got you covered. You can crash on my couch at least until everything is resolved with your apartment.'

He smiled when he heard how much I appreciate this gesture from him and started to drive few moments after. The road was a little bit painful, most likely because of some loose memories of my body remembering the hits. For once I was grateful I didn't had an item at my disposal. It saved my life today.

Many minutes after we arrived at his house. It was not an apartment. Just a normal house, with a normal green field and a normal garage. Seeing the transition from the city to suburbs, it felt so calm and relaxing how everything was in here. I got out of the car and followed my new host up to the living room. The place was very well taken care of. It was all clean and arranged like there was no one ever there.

'Make yourself comfortable.' He said smiling and helped me out getting to the sofa.

I was still analyzing his house. It wasn't that much impacting, but I wondered if this was actually the house where everything started for him.

'I know it's not a lot, but at least that's what I can do for you since somehow I feel guilty of dragging you into this whole mess.' Junior continued while taking off his coat to put it in the closet.

'You're kidding, right? There's no such thing as dragging me in this thing. The killer would've sent his message in a way or another.' I replied to him in a calm manner and it was the truth. Even if they wouldn't had came over, the Artist would've found a different way to express himself.

Junior analyzed me head to toe and asked if I was able to perform normal tasks like walking, eating etc. I told him that there's no need to worry about it, but if there's anything, I will let him know.

'Oh and thanks again for this, I will never forget it.' I told him while I was checking the pictures on the table. All of them had the same element: The child surrounded by a loving family composed by his parents. I felt sorry because he went through a lot and not many people can actually relay on his experience.

'Oh by the way, I got you something!' Junior clapped his hands and took out his drawer our next clue to be investigated: The patches with the portraits of the victims.