Istanbul, Turkey.
A large city standing by the sea. This great city is popular for its natural beauty and its delicious food and tea. But another reason why this city is so famous, is because of its Detective Agency, which is situated somewhere in this city and it is one of the most successful Detective Agencies all around the world. Despite the fact that the Agency is still hidden, though people do not have any idea where the agency is located, it is the main attraction of tourists and journalists nowadays. They are trying to find out more about this Detective Agency.
A member of Team-D of this Detective Agency, Murad (Code name) is well-known for being the unbeatable and successful detective who never fails in solving any case. Mostly, after he joined the Agency, it gained fame worldwide. But no one knows anything about Murad's personal life. And how can they know? Murad is actually his code name and to ensure the fact that his identity will never be revealed to anyone, the Detective Agency has set everything as per he wanted.
At around 12:00 pm.
A black Subaru BRZ car arrived at the gate of a beautiful bungalow house. The front door glass slide down slowly revealing a handsome man wearing black sunglasses, sitting on the driver's seat. He looked outside through the front door window. He was looking at the bungalow house. A small but beautiful bungalow with a front yard with a colorful flowery garden and large trees all around the house. What a pleasurable environment!
After looking at the bungalow for some time, the man decided to get outside the car. He opened the door, got out of it and closed the door again. The man was wearing dark violet colored shirt, a pair of black jeans trousers and over the shirt, he was wearing a black over-coat, buttons were left opened. He took off the sunglasses from his eyes and glanced at the gardener working in the front yard where a flowery garden is. The name of the gardener is Baris who is the Second Investigator, also an Assistant of Demis. But he is hiding his identity just like Murad and working as a gardener at the bungalow home of Demis so that nobody can think he is an Investigator.
He smiled, walked towards the gardener and greeted him the way Turkish Muslims greet others.
-Assalamualaikum, Baris...
The gardener flinched hearing his voice. He was so busy with his works that he did not notice when the man appeared behind him.
-You almost gave me a heart attack, Murad. You shouldn't do that.
Murad chuckled loudly.
-Okay... Sorry for that.
At this, Baris started laughing.
-Ohh No no... it's nothing like that. Don't be sorry.
This time, they both started laughing.
-What is Mr. Demis doing now? Is he busy??
Murad asked Baris while taking his sunglasses into the pocket of his overcoat.
-No. He's in his study room actually, reading books.
Baris told him. He pointed his index finger at the bungalow house for Murad to see. Murad glanced at the bungalow again.
-Okay, Baris. Let me gossip a little with Mr. Demis.
Saying that, Murad winked at Baris. He smirked and nodded his head. Murad started walking towards the bungalow and in a few moments, he stepped inside the house. Entering the house, there is a large living room. In one corner, there is a fireplace where fire woods are burning and for that reason, the room is warm. Though it is not heavy winter nor snow falling, it is still so cold outside. There are two large red sofa in front of the fireplace with a small tea-table. There are two divans against two walls opposite to the other. Those divans are wrapped with golden velvet clothing with matching pillows. Above the head, there is a large crystal raindrop chandelier radiating golden light to enlighten the room.
Murad looked at every corner of the room and then he slowly headed towards the study room where Demis was. Demis is Master Investigator, Head of the detective group of Turkey. He has great role in establishing the T.I.A. Murad is working under his supervision. This morning, Demis called Murad and told him to meet him at his bungalow. That is why Murad is here. When he reached the doorstep of the study room, he heard Demis talking to someone via phone so he decided not to enter the room then and to wait for Demis in the living room. He was about to turn around when Demis stopped him. So Murad had no other choice but to enter the room.
-Okay, I'll call you later. Bye.
He cut the call and looked at Murad who was waiting for his conversation in phone call to be ended.
-Perhaps I disturbed you, sir.
-Oh no no... I was just talking to my wife. Anyway, Congratulations, Murad! Baris gave me the information a while ago.
Demis pressed the button of his table lamp that was on the study table and with that, all the doors, windows and ventilators were closed automatically. He looked at Murad only to see him looking at him with an expressionless look on his face.
-Thank you, sir. You're the one behind my achievement, sir. Credit goes to you.
-Oh no no no... your qualifications and your skills are the reasons behind your achievement, Murad.
Demis paused. And with a smile on his face, he continued,
-101 cases were solved by you till now, and not failure in any of them. It's your biggest achievement. I must say I'm impressed.
-Thank you, sir. But I don't think you summoned me at this time only to congratulate me. Am I right, sir?
Demis chuckled loudly. There was a slight smile on the corner of Murad's lips.
-You're indeed a genius.
-What's the case, sir?
Demis nodded his head but this time with a serious look on his face. Murad sensed that he was worried about something. But he did not ask him the reason behind his frustration. Murad let him speak out everything on his own.
-Hmm... a very dangerous case, Murad. Couldn't trust anyone else to solve this case. You're the only one who can solve this, Murad and I believe in it.
-Of course, sir. I'll try my best.
Demis smiled. He brought his smoking pipe in his mouth and then he let some smoke to emit from his mouth after bringing it back.
-But before that, answer my question, Murad.
-Yes, sir.
-What is the main attraction of France?
-It's Eiffel Tower, perfumes and for fine and pure arts...
Murad uttered this words very quickly. But Demis gestured him to stop in between his words.
-Indeed. But listen to me again, very carefully.
Demis told him. He nodded his head.
-What's the main attraction of France?
Murad remained silent for a few seconds. He knows the answer he will give is not the answer Demis wants to hear from him. So, he surrendered and opened his mouth to say,
-I'm sorry, sir. But I don't know the answer to this question.
Demis chuckled loudly.
-Well, of course, you know. It's just you don't remember. In that case, let me remind you. You've never seen my French wife, Kira. But still you know that she's an extraordinary beautiful lady and she likes to collect fine arts.
Murad nodded his head in approval.
-Yes, sir.
-She admires a French Artist. A well-known artist of France. His works are considered as 'Divine Paintings'. And his name is...
Saying that he stood up from his chair and started walking towards Murad. But instead of standing in front of him, Demis went towards the door of the room but stopped in his track as he found a flower vase to be not in its place. So he set it in its place. His eyebrows furrowed. He opened his mouth.
-NK.
Murad glanced at Demis over his shoulder. He was listening to what Demis was telling him very attentively.
-And behind every work of him, there's a dark mystery - this is what detective agencies believe, but found no evidence against him.
Demis turned around and found Murad staring at him. Demis sighed deeply.
-Kira desperately wants him to make a portrait of her.
Murad slipped his hands into the side pockets of his overcoat. His head down but he was listening to what his senior detective was telling him.
-I don't want her to go to that artist.
At this, Murad looked at Demis again.
-Because, whoever goes to him doesn't return. Because whoever becomes his muse doesn't return to their family. There are families who have complaints related to his works.
Murad glanced at the flower vase and asked him while staring at the vase.
-Sir, do you want me to solve this case?
-Of course. I want you to solve the case before she could go to NK with her request to make a portrait of her. Make her a medium too in solving the case if possible. I wouldn't mind.
Murad nodded his head in approval.
-I trust you, Murad. Don't let me down.
-Yes, sir.
Demis furrowed his eyebrows.
-And yeah, every important papers, documents and every little information related to NK will be in your hands by this evening.
-Okay, sir. Then I'll leave for France tomorrow.
Demis smiled softly.
-Sounds good. Okay, then, all the best, Murad.
Demis extended his right hand towards him. Murad grabbed his hand and shook it.
-Thank you, sir.
After a few minutes.
Murad stepped out of the study room. A new interesting case. But he never thought in his this lifetime, he would go back to France again. It was totally unexpected. But he was happy. A soft smile appeared in the corner of his lips.
To be Continued...