Look Behind You

Chapter 1: Persistence

Another normal day at the InfoDaily Newspaper, one of the largest newspapapers in Leerland. All personnel are busy as the new headlines were being coursed through each department. Phones ringing, keyboard clicks and shouting bosses can be heard through all floors in the building. But the busiest department of all is the Search and Investigation department located at the twelfth floor.Their main job is to collects facts on all potential news and investigate whether they are newsworthy or not, and the usual assignments are unsolved murders, missing persons, and other extreme cases. Other departments dub them as the "warriors" of the company, due to them being sent to places where "danger" is usually involved so it takes guts to work in the department. Local police however think otherwise, dubbing them as "wannabe's" who think they are better than the cops in handling such tasks.

The head of the department is Lecter Smith a.k.a Leonidas. Funny as it may, but the title definitely fits the man. He is ruthless and only respects people who do not succumb to fear. He fights toe and nail to find the turth in every story and would spare slack to no one who fails. But it doesn't only apply to his traits, it also applies physically as he looks the part too. Leonidas became the head of department at a very young age of 32 due to hard work. He was a celebrity agent of the department by then, solving many cases like a lone detective. He was then a cheerful guy, a handsome,rugged looking man and all the girls swooning to see him. After his boss retired early, he was instantly promoted to the position. But in just a few years, he gradually changed. Some of his agents have their speculations but are scared to say out loud. Not that they are scared of him, but they simply respect his authority. He managed to uphold  the department's reputation up a notch.

Today, he was looking at a picture of two young girls whose murders remain unsolved. It was ten years since their death and no evidence had been gathered except of the fact that both their necks were slit halfway. Autopsies show that they were made using a scalpel. No other proof existed, not even a single hair of their killer surfaced. What's more bothering is the fact that it happened in a village that has been uninhabited for thirty years, making it a bit peculiar for two girls to be hanging around as the area was surrounded by fences. Many people were wondering why the villaged was contained by the government, but Leonidas was one of the few persons  that know what exactly happened thirty years ago in that area. A both brutal and very scary story that was not permitted by the government to be broadcasted. They insisted that this is not for the public's eyes. Lecter reached for his drawer and popped two aspirin tablets in his mouth.

"It's time to open the doors again."

It was almost three in the afternoon and its almost time for the people in the S&I to have their break. Reno Sheer and Tracey Liss was engaged in a silent conversation about the latest headlines today. The two have been partners for almost four years now.  Reno was a graduate of journalism while Tracey got a bachelors investigative criminology. They first met in Burban University when they had the same class and from then on, they became great friends. Reno was the first to be hired in InfoDaily while Tracey subsequently joined after doing two years in local police work. The two had been promoted to Senior Team in just three years, most notably because of their case with the Dennis Stockholm murders. They busted the trail of the man while he is on the process of butchering three kids using a knife. Sadly, one of the kids was already dead when they got there. She was left bleeding in the bathtub. Her body was already bloated by the time she was discovered. The local police arrived thirty minutes later. It was the two's greatest achirvement, but Reno was racked of guilt because of it. If only they deciphered Dennis' location a little bit earlier, they could have saved the poor girl. Tracey slapped Reno and told him to accept the situation and strive harder. That seemed to wake him up and it made their partnership stronger.

Reno and Tracey are both in their mid twenties. He was a natural athlete with a fit body and handsome face. He was orphaned at a young age. His greatest asset was his eyes. They seemed to probe deep into your soul and they had this sad expression that makes you wonder what he's thinking about. All her female colleagues are making their moves on him but he doesn't show any interest, leading to a speculation that he's gay. A son of scientists, his math and science is at a different level which made eyebrows raise up because he took journalism. He never told anyone the reason why, and only a few people know it including Tracey. On the other hand, Tracey was a tad opposite to Reno. She was born in the slums near the outskirts of Leerland. Her poor parents tried to make a living by tilling the small spot of land her father inherited. When she was of age, she decided to study in Leerland and tried to find work there and got employed part time in an office. Her employer got wind of her history and decided to help her get through her studies by giving her free rent in their apartment. She was still young then. Tracey loves to talk to people (which is also of great use to her when she's in the field getting information) to the point that sometimes she annoys them. She has a cute smile, paired with a slim body makes her one of the prettiest agents in the building. She's charming and all but when it comes down to business, her aura suddenly shifts. She's a natural fact finder and a tough one to boot. Having mastered jujitsu and taekwondo at a young age, no one could make a bad move at her and not suffer a bruise or two.

The two are at their desk making their last report to send to Leonidas before taking their break when Elle Marx, Leonidas' assistant, approached them and beckoned to Reno to come.

"Lecter wants a word immediately."

Reno and Tracey looked at each other and he finally got up to go. "Be back ASAP, message you later." Reno said in a hushed tone. Tracey nodded and got back to her report.

As they make their way on the the floor to Leonidas's office, Reno couldn't help but notice Elle looking at her watch.

"Hurrying for break?" Reno asked

"Yes, any idea what The Spartan's gonna ask you?" she responded with a questioning look

"Nah, he didn't inform you anything? I'm surprised." he said testily.

"Hmm, must be an assignment then. Anyway, goodluck." she said half-heartedly and finally waved goodbye and went back to her office.

Reno was getting puzzled now. Lecter knew that he's on an assignment right now and there's no way he'll pull back any agent from fieldwork unless its something too urgent.. or too sensitive. Being in Senior Team has their own clearances also. Like the National Bureau, the S&I has its own heirarchy of information. Reno is too hooked up in his assignment right now and so close to breaking it that any further assignment added to his list might compromise his current one. Reno didn't want to talk to Lecter, not that he had any at all because even then, he didn't like him at all. They had their history, and it was a bitter one. He finally reached Lecter's office and knocked.

"Come in." A voice answered behind the door.

Reno opened the door and he saw Lecter swing his chair to face him.

"Hi kid. Have a seat" Lecter said, motioning him to the nearest chair in front of his desk.

Reno sighed, took the seat and answered.

"Hello.. Uncle."