Solomon Stone: Beyond

Chapter 9

Detective Stone can't believe of what he just witnessed. It defied everything that he believed in, it broke the laws of physics and medicine, and it was way beyond his level of intelligence. "What the hell happened? What was that thing?" He asked himself silently and repeatedly, while walking back towards his car, parked on the side of the street.

"Detective Stone?" Detective Sarah called his attention, but he didn't respond; he just continued walking towards his car like he doesn't hear anything. Not even a wink to acknowledge Detective Sarah's presence. Detective Sarah followed her silently; very much worried about her partner.

This is the very first time she saw Detective Stone act peculiar after saving someone. Before, every time Detective Stone solved a case or saved someone, his first reaction will be jumping out of joy, and then asked everyone to visit his house for a drink. But this time; he was different, and all of a sudden, acting like he was beaten by 10 professional boxers.

Detective Stone finally reached his car. He opened the door, went inside, and then sat for a minute. Detective Stone was still in shocked and puzzled of what he just witnessed. He slapped his face three consecutive times, "This is just a dream!" He said.

"What the bloody hell are you doing to yourself?" Detective Sarah asked puzzled, while standing outside of his car. Detective Sarah walked towards the passenger side of Detective Stone's car and went inside. "What is wrong with you?"

Detective Stone turned towards Detective Sarah and asked her to slap him. "Can you slap me?"

"What? Are you out of your mind?"

"No! Just slap me!"

Detective Sarah, slapped him so hard, it left a red spot on his face. "Goddamnit! That hurts!" Detective Stone said, in pain.

"Of course it hurts, what the hell are you thinking?"

"I'm not crazy, right?"

"I don't know, but you're getting closer to being one."

Detective Stone started his car and put his right foot on the gas pedal. He bumped onto a police car twice before even he got out of the parking spot. "Bloody hell! What's wrong with you? Are you taking drugs or something?" Detective Sarah asked, spinning her head.

Detective Stone continued to drive until finally, they reached the police headquarters. He parked his car at the underground parking and stepped out of the vehicle with Detective Sarah.

While walking inside the underground parking, Detective Stone held Detective Sarah's arm and stopped her from walking, like he wanted to tell something. "What is it?" Detective Sarah asked.

"Can you talk to me at my office?" Detective Stone replied with another question, then he let go of Detective Sarah's arm.

"Sure" she replied, puzzled and worried. She knew there is something wrong, but she wanted Detective Stone to be the one to initiate the conversation. It's very rare for Detective Stone to act strange, which is why she's very worried.

Both detectives continued to walk until they reached the elevator; they stepped inside, and wait until it stops at the floor where Detective Stone's office is located.

After several minutes, Detectives Stone and Sarah finally reached the 5th floor. The elevator door opened and both of them stepped outside. Detective Stone rushed to his office's door and opened it, and then both of them went inside.

When Detectives Stone and Sarah are finally inside the office; Detective Stone quickly locked the door, closed all the windows and the blinds, and then sat in front of a coffee table facing Detective Sarah.

"So, what is this all about?" Detective Sarah asked.

"Before I answer your question, can you promise me, that you will believe everything that I will tell you?" Detective Stone asked back.

"Try me!" Detective Sarah replied, giving Detective Stone an assurance.

"I saw him! I saw the criminal!" Detective Stone said.

"What? Why didn't you catch him?" Detective Sarah asked puzzled.

"I tried! I shot him twice in the chest with a rose bullet. He went down for second and then to my surprise, he stood up, laughs and vanished into thin air. After he vanished, I walked closely to his last position to check if my eyes were just playing with me, but he's not there. I looked for blood samples, so that I can take it to the lab, but I get nothing; all I saw that time was black inks spilled on the floor." Detective Stone said.

Detective Sarah laughed secretly, stood up, and walked towards the window. "So... you're saying..." Detective Sarah said, trying to stop her laugh.

"Why are you laughing? I saw that! Wait! You don't believe me, do you?" Detective Stone asked.

"I believe you!" Detective Sarah answered laughing hard.

"It's not funny! I just experienced something out of this world, and I did not even catch the criminal, so what is funny?!" Detective Stone asked, irritated.

"Because I won!" Detective Sarah answered in a very enthusiastic tone, while walking back towards the coffee table.

"Won? What on Earth are you talking about? Are we on the same page right now? You're getting me confused!" Detective Stone asked, while staring at Detective Sarah's eyes.

"Yes we are on the same page. I won, because right at this moment, I am 100% sure, that you will ask me to go with you, and ask for your father's help." Detective Sarah replied.

"Oh come on!" Detective Stone replied, ticked off. He stood up and walked in front of a bookshelf, scratching his head. "But you know what? You're right! I need to ask my father about this now; we badly need his help, and we must end this weird criminal as soon as possible. It's now or never." He added.

Detective Sarah stood up and walked towards Detective Stone's back, "So... When do we leave?" She asked, and then tapped Detective Stone's shoulder.

Detective Stone turned towards Detective Sarah and said "We will leave tomorrow morning".

Detective Stone may not admit it directly, but Detective Sarah knew that very moment, that her friend already accepts the fact that he cannot solve everything alone.

No man is an island, just like the saying goes. He needs to stop being egoistic, he needs to lower his pride, and open his mind that he cannot solve every crime in the world even if he is the best of the bests. Even his father knew that, the legendary Detective Lynch.