~ C H A P T E R T H R E E ~
The typewriter was placed on the table next to the bathroom door, and the fireplace is in between the bookshelves. Stephen continued to be preoccupied of searching for some clues. Later, he noticed an article on the table, and a bulletin board that was hanging above the typewriter.
The article was entitled "A Writer's Dream" and there's nothing more about it.
He then noticed another motto written in one of the notes "A writer's dream, is a dream all writers have. A miracle inside their imaginations."
Stephen was perplexed after reading these obvious motto's - and thought that these are the biggest hints that he had. He was standing in front of the bulletin board while tapping his feet.
Minutes later, he remembered a book that he once read - he recalled the phrase "Every writer's dream is to write without having to worry about the hassle of marketing and self - promotion. It's to focus on the craft. All writers dreams of one day, being their own GATEKEEPER."
He mumbled the phrase carefully as if rearranging a puzzle piece, then his eyes widened. Stephen impulsively reached the typewriter and typed down the code "gatekeeper".
A small thud can be heard from his right, he looked and noticed that the left bookshelf next to the bathroom door began to move - opening an archway that appears to be a hidden passageway. Stephen was astounded by his discovery. He gazed with his eyes wide open; as if he saw a dead body on the scene.
He reluctantly entered the hidden room, for there might be something in there that he wouldn't expect. He descended the stairs and began to manage through the dark hallway, and in the end, a room full of dust-filled artifacts protected by its clear cases which is being held by a pedestal with its corresponding names.
Stephen realized that he's inside Stella's private artifact room.
There are artifacts in the room that was not shown at the exhibit, and these artifacts are extremely rare and valuable. Perhaps these items are kept as secret?
Stephen wandered around the room and observed quietly. When he came further in the room, he noticed an empty pedestal in the middle of the room with its case being clean.
He immediately understood that one artifact was missing.
~~~
The next day, Stephen woke up with his heavy eyes and sluggish movements. "Same town....Fourth street....Second lot." He recalls himself of the conversation he overheard about the address of Maria Eve, so that he can locate the place and once he gets there, he will ask Maria about the empty artifact case.
Stephen - once again - went to Dark Rose Town. He found himself at Maria's office and knocked on the door.
"Hello? Who's there?" Maria asked without opening the door. "Good morning Ms.Maria. I am Stephen Weissman, a detective from the B.I.C.F police. I came to ask you some questions, if you don't mind?" Stephen greeted and showed his license through the glass peephole. Maria was satisfied enough of the detective's license that she invited Stephen inside her office.
She offered Stephen a seat and asked if he would like some coffee. "Thank you, Ms. Maria - " "I'll be fine with just 'Maria', Sir." She smiled and sat on her small office chair.
" -and I'm Stephen. Nice to meet you." Stephen extends his hands to shake Maria's, which she promptly ignored. Stephen just stood and awkwardly smiled to himself. "So, what are the questions that you want to ask me, Sir. Stephen?"
"I came here to ask you about the information of Ms. Stella's collection." Maria's face became solemn. "I'm afraid that's a vital topic, Sir." Maria repudiated the question. With her response, Stephen decided to tell her what he found in Stella's Manor.
"I investigated at Stella's home." Maria glanced at him - rejecting to look at him attentively. She pretends being busy by touching some random papers, her body tensed up as her glasses slides down from her nose.
"I went to her husband's room, and discovered a hidden passage. The password was 'gatekeeper'."
"How? How did you - "
"Long story. I saw many artifacts there. They seem to be very important....and rare."
"Yes, they are." Maria agreed.
"Worry not, I closed the passage when I went out so the artifacts are safe." Stephen said to reassure Maria, but his gaze went cold and serious. "One was missing."
" - one was missing?!" She gasped incredulously.
"I must know the missing item at the last row - in the middle. It might be connected to Stella's death." Stephen stated frigidly.
Maria immediately searched for the files. She opened the table's cabinet and pulled out a basket filled with labelled documents. Later, she found the file of the missing artifact and gave it to Stephen.
There was a picture attached to it. It was a disturbing black Mask with big staring red eyes, and a creepy smiling thin and wide red lips printed to its face. The Mask seemed to be very old. Stephen raised his eyebrows and gave a questionable look at Maria. "Yes, Sir. That's the item." Maria reassured him.
~~~
Stephen observed the picture intently, he saw a logo written in the Mask. It was "S.E.U". He asked Maria about the logo. She then searched her desks, but found nothing.
If Maria doesn't have a complete file about this Mask, then it seems like Stella didn't want the artifact to be disclosed to anyone, not even her assistant...
Stephen asked Maria if he could have a copy of the photograph, which Maria agreed to.
He was distraught, thinking about the logo on the Mask. However, Stephen was certain it was stolen.
And that this case was bigger than he expected...
~~~~~