The Mind Engine

The Unlawful Interrogation

Chapter 6
Questioning with the Pseudo Criminal

"So, what's your name?" James asked. The gun was still in his hand, unaimed. His demeanor was, nevertheless, unnoticeable by the man in the mask. James places a hand on his owl shaped mask, and ripped it out of his face. A pale, blue eyed, short haired man. Arthur examined his mask, while James looked at the mask too, a voice modulator behind it.
"I will not reveal anything." Said the man. He was very, very stubborn. Arthur took a photo of his face, and sent it to Johnny, for checking up who this man was.
"Okay, believe me. We are not here to hurt you" Arthur said in a tone that was soft and soothing. Yet, the man, remained unaffected.
"Russian?" Asked James. His blue eyes suggested that he might be of Russian origin.
"Yes....how did you know?" Asked the man. James did not answer that.
"Where is mayor....." James asked creepily to him. His voice didn't change, yet his actions did. He was just in front of his eyes. The man who was tied up from toe to hand can not do much to get away. Only if he could trick the senior into opening him, because the subordinate can see right through him, like an open book inside broad daylight. James was still waiting for the reply.
"I don't know." Said the man. Monosyllabic voice. Arthur hated this.
"We could leave you right here right now, if you tell us why you said in the video to come here." Arthur said in the similar intriguing fashion, almost mimicking the man's rude voice.
"I did not." Said the man. Arthur held him by his collar in an instant.
"Don't bullshit with me!" Exclaimed Arthur with pure rage and anger.
"I am not lying, officer." Said the man, continuing his now, offensive monosyllabic tone. Arthur raised his hand to punch him. Just before he could, James held his punch.
"He is correct. The man in the video and the man in the phone call and this man, all three of the them are different". James released Arthur's hand.
"The real question in hand is that why was he doing what he was..." James said, looking at Arthur.
"I am an actor. A street level actor. I was paid to act like a criminal." Said the man.
"How much money was paid to you?" James asked.
"5000 pounds." Said the man.
James and Arthur shared a gaze.
"The kidnapping isn't a normal one. Not a ransom kidnapping." Arthur said. Yes, he was right. 5000 was not a normal amount anyone could pay.
"It was clear from the moment the video was received." James replied. "Why would a normal kidnapper wants to challenge Scotland Yard to find him.....". The man was hearing their conversation quiet clearly. He was not the only one who was hearing it.
"James and Arthur. Scotland Yard. Can confirm of Arthur but I don't remember the James Rodriguez being in Scotland Yard." A mysterious voice, from a speaker said to both of them. Arthur couldn't find the source, but James was standing just above it, looking at it.
"James Rodriguez....hmm...." Continued the man who speaking through the speaker. James knew it was the voice from the call. The same, creepy wicked voice.
"A polymath researcher in the King's. How adorable!" A sudden excitement in the creepy voice.
"Who are you!" Arthur screamed.
"Woah, woah, old man. You don't wanna know what happens to the old people who scream a lot" creepily said the man. "They go to the graveyard. Hahaha!"
"I am sorry, M11, I didn't knew...", said the tied up man.
"Shut up, Henry. You are an idiot. With a gun in hand, you could have shot both down, but look, you wanted to showcase your stupid acting skills." Said the man. "Anyways. James Rodriguez, you most probably solved the puzzle, right?"
"Yes." James replied. He turned and stared at the camera just above the ceiling.
"Well, then. I don't know why you think that I will lead you to mayor. I won't." Said the man.
"But I have a few demands, that if Scotland Yard can fulfill, I can return the mayor back." Said the man.
"What is it?". Asked Arthur.
"Note them down. Or use a recorder, if you have it, Arthur." Added the mysterious man. "Number one, release Jake Denver from the prison, forty eight hours, number two, release Henry from your captivity, half hour and finally, number three, ten million British pounds, as Bitcoins , into the account of Henry."
"Jake Denvers?" Arthur exclaimed with suprise.
"For the last one, you have, uh, 3 days." The man said. "And as for you, James Rodriguez, you ain't escaping me now."
"Don't deal with me, Lisa Boyle" James said in a cold voice. The line at the other end went silent for a minute and then the speaker went blank.

"What? How did you know the name? What name it was?" Arthur continuously questioned James.
"This case is not closing in Arthur, it's getting started." James replied. He went to open Henry from his rope. Henry was struggling but as soon as the moment came, he pushed James and ran for his life. James looked at him, when Arthur started to run behind him. James didn't. He went for the speaker and camera which was watching them. He picked up the speaker and brought it close to his mouth.
"I am coming for you, Lisa." James said, then dropping the speaker. The speaker instantly broke apart. He pointed the gun to camera, and the next thing Lisa saw was a blank video footage.
"James...James Fucking Rodriguez! You enter into my life again! I will destroy you!"

"Stop right there, Henry. If you run, we will have to take strict actions towards you." Arthur said, breathing heavily as he ran.
"That's when you will find me, officer." Henry said, running away twice as fast. James followed behind Arthur and matched his speed to his.
"Do you want me catch him. It is utterly useless." James asked.
"Yes, I..... would.... be grateful." Arthur said, stopping. James ran almost at the speed of an accelerating truck. He would catch Henry in no time.
"You monster! Henry said. He made a sharp turn and went for the car in the parking. It was locked. James came in straight after.
"There is no point in running Henry." James coldly explained to him.
"It won't take me more than an hour to find out where you live." James was not lying.
"You and your fake bullshit! I am not an idiot in the movies who comes in the words of the Scotland Yard. I am just an actor!" Exclaimed Henry so loud that Arthur could hear it. The police sirens were heard next. Both Henry and James looked at the direction.
"No point in running." James whispered in sheer wintery tone. "Arthur have already called them."
Henry looked to each direction in panic, to find something he could escape from. A bike, with the key on it. Henry's phone was ringing like crazy in front of Arthur, the name was....M12
"Don't get on the bike!" Said a female voice.
"Who are you?" Arthur asked. The call disconnected. Arthur saw James taking the phone from Henry and dropping it on the ground.

"You are so clever, James, aren't you?"

Lisa said, looking at the pathetic Henry falling right through James' set trap. Tables were now turned.

"No..." James whimpered. Henry ran towards the bike. James always knew that it would come to this. Henry sat on the bike, turned on its engine and started to drive. James ran towards Arthur's car and turned it on. Henry had already left. Arthur camed in, tapping on the window. James turned it down.
"Mind letting me in?" Arthur asked.
"No, stay right here. Inspect every corner of this park." James said, closing in the windows and driving straight out of the parking gate, following Henry. Arthur, enraged went to park inside.

"Hey, Linda. Good Evening, and also belated Happy Birthday!" Alex said in a cheerful manner. Linda was very happy to see him too. The two hugged each other and sat down on the, very 'romantic' place. Crimson-golden lights all around, slow and classical violin and piano playing romantic hits all around. It was much better than the atmosphere Alex was in from the last 2 days.
"So, how is the research going?" Linda asked politely.
"Great! You know, I will start my nerd talks" Alex said.
"No...tell me!" Linda exclaimed in joy. Alex wondered, that whether James would actually enjoy these kinds of things. Still, it was only starting of their relation. Both of them thought that they were made for each other.
"Uh, so you see, I am researching on this particular disease named Lupus-"
The two of them and everyone around them heard sirens all over the place. It was getting louder and louder.
Alex decided to ignore that. Everyone continued their work.
"So, what's been up with life?" Alex asked Linda......

James didn't knew that Henry was going exactly where Alex and Linda were dating, the Cupid Lord Café....