IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! Three quick, classic cases.

ON THE EDGE OF DEATH, PART FOUR

REFLECTIONS, PART TWO

Now the three of them were running to the first floor. Having received no explanation from the detective for all the hurry, merely understanding one word out of five he was mumbling, Alice was left to get to his same level of comprehension on her own. She grabbed the note out of his hand while it was being held up – he was gesticulating even more than usual. The text revealed the existence of a first clue, which wasn't in Mrs Keene's paper. "Does Mr. McKinley have the first clue? Did he hide it from us?"

"Hide it? Hide it! That refined gentleman had not worn a single piece of clothing since breakfast when we knocked, I doubt he had the mind space to elaborate any kind of action, other than the one he was performing with his companion."

At least she'd gotten a response. A vague one, still nowhere near an explanation, but a response nonetheless. Robert had been busy all morning, which must have meant that he wouldn't have known if he'd gotten a note. "So, we'll have to waste some time looking for it..."

"No, the notes were all slipped under the doors of the respective rooms."

"But we would have seen it if it had been there, wouldn't we?"

"He picked it up before opening up for us. I need smarter observations Alice, don't fail me now of all times."

Working for him was the most fulfilled she'd been in her adult life, yet a complete nightmare at the same time. She hadn't seen him so hot-tempered before, though. "Well, it's hard to make smart observations on the fly, while running, having gotten no explanation whatsoever, Mr. Alderton."

"You should be able to in this job, it entails dire and time essential situations."

"But you're the detective, not I..." cried she, out of breath. "Have I misunderstood my position?"

The detective halted, causing her to almost trip on a step, and to stop ahead of him.

"You're right. I am expecting too much of you. My apologies."

For some reason she couldn't comprehend yet, her heart sank. Alice's instinct told her to correct the mistake; breathless as she was, that proved not possible. Alderton had moved on before the assistant could fully compute what had happened.

"I doubt the perpetrator expected us to come here, he might have accounted for a couple of officers at most, which puts us at an advantage. We're... I'm faster than the group he targeted, plus I have competent help. I'll catch up, unless he speeds things up. Robby, you're on time!" he called out, upon reaching the first floor.

"I told you..."

"Yes, whatever. Give me the note in your pocket, please."

"How did you..."

"It's urgent, Rob! Come on!"

The man sighed, and got the desired object out of its predicted place. John snatched it out of his hand.

"I am no monster, least of all unreasonably cruel. I want to give you a chance, a first step toward redemption. If you all collaborate once more, you can make it right. This note contains the first of three clues, and three warnings. After the last one, you'll get your final judgement.

Heaven is Appalled; Can we bear the Knowledge of its Neverending discontent, or will we End up Yielding to the weight of our sins?

When I die, I hope God will be kinder to me than his creations ever were.
A Familiar Face"