~ C H A P T E R F I V E ~
Stephen spent days of investigating. This organization is too confidential that he found nothing, but he felt something while he investigates. He knew that someone's monitoring him. He noticed a tall guy with a fit body, a young adult. The shady guy followed him everywhere, but he didn't think that Stephen noticed him.
It turned out that Stephen and Nate, were not the only ones who knows about their investigations. Someone who works at the S.E.U was listening through the operator while they make a phone call.
~~~
Walking down the street, Stephen acts normally so that the stalker will not be scared away. He casually stayed at the coffee shop, drinking his coffee and smoking his pipe, he bought groceries at the small market, his walks appeared to be relaxed as if he was not wary at all, and later - he went back to the hotel.
The whole time he did his casual activities - the stalker was always there.
There are no further leads on his investigation, so he predicted that the stalker might know something about the organization - or might be connected to it. He made a conclusion the the organization is attempting to kill him.
The next day, Stephen went outside with his long black umbrella and his pipe. He steadily looked around and immediately saw the stalker.
The stalker followed him as he walked. Stephen leisurely walks as he went to the coffee shop. It was a cozy little coffee shop, and it was recognized for their great coffee recipes.
"Good morning, sir! It's nice to see you again! Have a seat, and may I take your order sir?" The maid greeted him. "Thank you. Can I have an espresso and some bread rolls please?"
"Sure, no problem."
When the maid brought him his orders, he casually sipped his espresso and read a newspaper. His stalker was patiently watching him at a distance. Moments later, he finished his meal, paid, and walked outside.
Stephen went in an open phone booth and intentionally called Nate. Who knows what he's up to?
The stalker sat on the bench next to the phone booth; pretending to read a magazine - so that he could eavesdrop Stephen's conversation.
"Uh... Hello Nate?"
"Hey, what's up?" Nate answered.
"You know, I just wanted to inform you that I will be going home." Stephen spoke loudly. "Oh, cool. When exactly?" Nate asked incredulously. "Tomorrow, in the afternoon."
"Well, that's good to know. See you at the station Stephen."
"Thanks pal." He ended the call. The stalker clearly heard the conversation as Stephen talked loudly. After this event, he went back to the hotel.
Stephen wasn't really going home. This is a part of his set up. He pretended to call Nate, and that he would go home to Belgranna - and only made a schedule that will be known by the stalker, so that the stalker will be forced to come out and make a move. He knew that they planned his death before the day that he leaves, so he was prepared for whatever will happen. Therefor, the stalker must act his murder tonight while he's asleep, or tomorrow in the afternoon. Either way, Stephen was ready for the attack.
~~~
As he predicted, the stalker - not just a stalker but an assassin - quietly went into his room at night time. The killer cautiously opened the door, he saw Stephen sleeping and his clothes are laying on the floor. The room was dark where one can barely see. The killer loomed out of the darkness and slowly went closer.
When he was next to the bed, he lifted his sharp and long knife - but someone's hand clutched his arm, preventing him to strike. It was Stephen. The fake person in the bed was only a bunch of pillows covered in a blanket.
The killer was startled and starts to lose control. Stephen got the weapon. The killer tried to fight but Stephen is a better fighter than him. He tried to strike an uppercut and a right hook, but Stephen successfully defended himself - he even wounded the killer.
The assassin was beaten, he might even die of exhaustion. The S.E.U organization must have been underestimated Stephen's abilities and that's the reason why they only sent one killer for the detective.
Stephen interrogates and frightened the killer by aiming his gun at him. The killer had no choice but to answer Stephen's detailed questions.
"What's your name tough guy?" Stephen asked frigidly. The killer was hesitant to answer, but he immediately answered as soon as he sees Stephen point the gun.
"Hawk! My name is Hawk..." The guy has colored gray hair and fierce eyes with pale skin, and wears a black mask. "And who sent you Hawk? Do you work for the S.E.U?" Stephen asked calmly but his face was terrifying. "Yes, I recently work for the S.E.U..."
"Say, Hawk. What do you know about the Mask?" Hawk clearly doesn't want to answer, but again, Stephen is scarier; he has a face of a murderer.
"The Mask originally belongs to the organization, and Stella Appleton accidentally found that Mask and considered it as a rare artifact... I only heard that it has a special ability, but I don't know what."
Stephen was dazed by his revelations. It was then that he realized, this case is bigger than he thought.
~~~~~