Chapter 4 - Kenny’s family situation.

"I sprinted toward the exit. Just as I neared it, I heard footsteps behind me. Instantly, someone spoke to me from my left side, terrifying me to the point where I lost the strength to speak. I could feel that person approaching closer and closer.

My legs weakened, and I struggled to walk. What could I do in that moment? Frightened, I turned my head left to see who the person was, but, Mr. Arthur, believe me, if you see the person's face, you'll be scared too." Kenny paused, fear evident in her eyes, still unable to overcome the terror.

Quickly, I handed her a glass of water.

"Calm down, Miss Kenny, calm down. There's no need to fear. I am here. Your father is here. So, compose yourself. Now, drink the water, take a deep breath, and calm down," I reassured her. I understood her fear and the importance of her calming down to share the details.

Kenny gulped down the water, took a deep breath, and regained composure. After a few minutes, she resumed speaking.

"Sorry, Dad, Mr. Arthur, but just remembering that face terrifies me," she confessed with a guilty look.

"Don't worry about it. I understand how challenging it is for you to describe that face. Still, you need to stay strong, Miss Kenny," I told her softly, recognizing her current state of terror. Patience was key in handling this case delicately.

"Sir, your coffee is ready," a waiter announced, bringing the three cups of coffee I had previously ordered.

"Thank you," I acknowledged the waiter and turned my attention back to Kenny. "Miss, Kenny, please drink this coffee and calm down. After that, we will resume our discussion."

"Hello, Mr. John. Why don't you tell me about yourself? I believe you are a cook. I noticed a chopping mark on your right hand. It usually occurs when someone holds a heavy chopping knife with a golfer's grip, thumb and forefinger forked over the join between the knife's blade and its base. This led me to guess that you are a cook," I explained how I deduced his profession.

I must say, this level 2 detective skill is impressive. Arthur could never observe this much with the level 1 skill. The thought of upgrading to a higher level excites me, but I must maintain my composure in front of the client.

Looking at John's face, it was evident he was very surprised after hearing how I deduced he was a cook.

"What can I say, Mr. Arthur? I am very surprised by your skill. Seriously, I am disappointed in Mr. Mark for not taking my daughter's case. However, now I am confident that you will be able to solve my daughter's case. My wife, daughter, and I have been living happily. Two years ago, my wife suddenly fell seriously ill. She loses consciousness from time to time, and despite visiting many doctors, none could diagnose her illness."

"A month later, her condition worsened, and we admitted her to Vena Hospital, one of the best. We needed a considerable sum for her treatment. As you correctly guessed, I am a cook, owning a small restaurant. My daughter, who was in college, started working part-time in the Jain shopping mall when she saw the financial strain her mother's treatment required. Apart from my restaurant and home, I sold almost everything for money. We need at least 1 million for the treatment, a substantial amount for a small family like ours. The doctor gave us a 2-year time limit. If we can't collect the money within these 2 years, my wife's life could be in danger."

"In these 2 years, we've managed to gather almost a million dollars, and tomorrow we will give this money to the hospital for my wife's treatment. Yesterday, Kenny was thrilled that her mother's treatment would start. She mentioned she would be late due to the rush in the shopping mall. I close my restaurant at 10:00 p.m., and as always, yesterday I closed my shop at 10:00 p.m. when I suddenly got a call from the hospital about my daughter. They told me that someone attacked my daughter. I rushed to the hospital and found her with a bandage around her head, visibly scared. Upon seeing me, she cried, and after calming down, I advised her to contact Mr. Mark. Having read about him in the newspaper, I promptly suggested she contact him. That's how we came here," Mr. John detailed their family's situation and how they arrived.

"Don't worry, Mr. John. I will solve the case," I assured him with confidence. Something ignited in my heart. My heart urged me to solve this case at any cost.

At this moment, Kenny had finished her coffee and had significantly calmed down.

"Thank you, Mr. Arthur, for the coffee and sorry for wasting your time. I will now tell you about the appearance of the person who is threatening me..."

To be continued...