Dorian Mystery - Art of Murder

Chapter XV

'Dorian, it's been such a long time.' Kim greeted me and gave me a hug. She was that one detective that knew how I was thinking and always there for me. She had dark short hair and was around the same height as me, but she was also as smart as me.

'Hey, Kimmy, sorry for not calling you lately, but I got stuck in a case that it's beyond my ability.' I told her and started to tell her everything that has happened recently.

'Wait, Kan Trakh Lam, the Vice President of the Secret Services?' She asked amazed.

'Yeah, it's a rough case as I said. I am at a dead-end and I have no clue how to catch him.'

'I can try to find some dirt on him through the criminal records, but you might have a better luck on finding this through underground rather than official records.'

'What do you mean?'

Kim looked at me and smiled saying that the high profiles always have enough money to cover or delete their records or ugly past. But where would those money go? Definitely not at a charity event, so someone underground might have a clue who is Lam's personal handy man.

I sighed after realizing what she means. So I will have to ask again for another favor. And this time it won't come cheap.

Few hours later I was at Dominic's place - again - and explained to him what I need to catch Kan Trakh Lam.

'I am sorry, Detective, but what you are asking me it's not something easy, so I will ask you for something in return.'

'Let me know what is it and I will do my best.'

'I need you, when the time comes to get my daughter's photo from my dorm and to pull up the camera to launch the explosive. After it is done, please do your best to find her.'

I was shocked of this request. Why would he want me to do that? He never stated the reason why, but I accepted to help him find her.

He slightly smiled and told me that I should leave because he has another meeting soon.

At home, the paper consisted in a painted photo of a Vietnamese guy talking with someone. Was this my main suspect? I couldn't tell since I could not find information about him. The other person was someone that I never seen before either, but he seemed to be giving a bad vibe. Was this the mafia mob that was covering the tracks of my main suspect? I guess I will find out soon.

This case became weirder and weirder day by day. Ever since this Artist asked for me to be involved, I hadn't had time to reflect on anything else. He must be caught, I know he has, but it already lead me to an obsession that is not going to end soon enough.

So far I knew that it was a male over his 40s. He was either rich or had a high connection to Kan Trakh Lam, the Vice-President of the Secret Services, planning everything ahead he was an expert in espionage, covering his tracks and military equipment. He is assumed to have killed Junior's parents to influence him in the future to become Secret Agent, but failed to get him where he wanted after Junior argued with Trakh Lam on that night and left. And Shrevenport put me aside of the case after he received the photo from Dominic's house, but why would the Artist want me out? No, no, erase that. The Artist didn't wanted me out. I could tell from Denise's reaction that she was not aware I was discharged so it must be something else hidden.

And speaking of Dominic, what was with his request to blow up his place? And to find his daughter, I didn't even had a starting point, but he asked me to do it "when the time comes", whatever that was supposed to mean.

So the next question to look into was who notified Shrevenport about my encounter? I was testing lots of theories in my mind when a certain memory surfaced from the past. I thought it was forgotten already, but seems pain is never fading away for good.

***

I woke up in the car surrounded by water. Looking at my parents on the front seats, I realized it was too late for them. Was this the end for me? I closed my eyes and waited to be taken, but seems that someone up there still had some plans for me since I felt how the car was lifted up. I escaped without problems, but my parents weren't so lucky...

Wherever they are, I know they are watching me right now and are proud of what I've became.

It took several hours until I received a phonecall from an unknown number. I picked it up almost instantly and was shocked of this latest information. I rushed to the car and drove fast to Dominic's place. This was impossible. It just can't be. Reaching his place I jumped out of the car and entered his place. Dominic was laying on his back on the floor with a bullet mark on his forehead. Around him there were a lot of his grunts looking suspiciously at each other.

'What are we gonna do now, boss?' Asked one of them looking at me.

'I am not your boss.' I simply replied.

'Well according to his letter, you are our boss until the end.'

'What letter?'

He handed me a letter from the table and I fell on my knees when I've finished reading.

Detective,

If you're reading this, it means their plan succeeded and I am dead. I am sorry I can't tell you more, but you need to do that favor for me. Find her for me please. Don't let yourself distracted by anything else.

Oh and while you're there, by my dying wish I want you to become the new Mafia Boss until you find her. Best regards! Dom.

So he made me his clan's boss by the will until I find his daughter. I got back on my feet and put the letter on the table. I asked them all to leave except of that one guy he was trusting the most. It seems that it was Marcello. He was feeling better compared to last time at the hospital.

'How can I help you, Boss?'

'I need you to tell me where Dominic was holding his diary or anything that can help us out finding his daughter.'

'I'm on it! And Boss?'

I looked at him and he just thanked me for saving him. This simple thank you made my day. That's the reason I am helping out people. That thank you for making them continue their lives peacefully it was all that I needed. I went to Dominic's bedroom and took the photo of his daughter. Marcello came soon with a notebook and asked me when it's going to be blown up the building. Seems he knew a lot of him. I opened the diary and after finishing it to read, I had my leads to find his missing daughter.

'You can do it right now.' I said and left the room. I needed to find Giancarlo Chivaliere to get all the answers I needed.