Chapter 4: Encoded

     "Get ready. We're gonna start today." He said, Voice altered by a mic on his neck tie. The room was dark, the people around his couldnt see his face.

     "Boss, Aren't you scared?"

     "Why would I be? They're just careless movie detectives who overlook things. To them this is a money game." He sipped his wine and licked his lips. He nodded.

     "Leave them a note this time. A little code." He ordered.

MHOREIN's POV

     "Detective Tyler, Good Morning." I greeted him as we strode towards the entrance of the police station.

We quickly entered the police station. I saw Chain on the distance and stopped infront of him, Tyler stopping as well.

     "What happened?"

     "Well kids were-" Tyler was about to answer when Chain interrupted him.

     "Four kids were reported missing at the same time and same place."

     "What? How is that even possible?" I asked.

     "I'll explain, Miss Prina is waiting for us." He gave me the folders and lead the way to the police detectives' office.

     "Good morning, Detectives." Miss Prina greeted us. I nodded. I saw familiar faces, Other detectives.

     "Miss Prina."

     "I suppose that Chain already told you?" Her elegant and sophisticated voice was music to the ear.

     "He told me what happened, But not the full story."

     "Well, The kids were reported missing at 9:19 A.M. They were all at East Leounet's park."

     "No one noticed how four kids were possibly kidnapped? Seriously?"

     "Not one, sadly." I sighed and whispered.

     "Jesus Christ, these parents..."

     "Yeah sure, We'll take the case." She nodded.

     "Without the rookie."

     "But we need Aiden-"

     "No." Elegance to strictness.

     "Alright, Fine. We'll report back to you as soon as possible." And with that I left the office.

     "Why were you with Tyler?" Chain asked.

     "We ran into each other at the entrance." I saw Chain raise his left eyebrow while looking behind me. When I turned around I saw Tyler walking towards me.

     "Hi, Detective." He smiled.

     "Hey, What's up?"

     "Nothing, Just checking you out- I mean just checking on you." What the hell? Does he think that's cute or something?

     "The hell did he just say...?" I heard Chain whisper, Very aggressively, behind me.

     "I... Im good. Im fine, Really."

     "Oh? Good for you. Uh... Chain." Chain stood beside me and raised one eyebrow.

     "Uh so, It's true? You two are dating." Tyler said.

     "For two years, buddy. So back the fuck off." I looked at Chain. His eyebrows are arched, fist closed shut while biting his lower right lip.

     "Calm down, Honey." I looked at Tyler.

     "It's been two weeks, man. I already told you I was taken. Sorry." I gave him a lop sided smile. Jesus Christ, He's been bugging me for a date for weeks now.

     "I mean, Even just coffee? C'mon Mho-" He didnt get to finish his sentence when Chain's fist landed on his face.

     "She fucking said no!" I took Chain's hand.

     "Language, Hon." And dragged him out the police station.

     "God damn that guy. Ugh. Fucking asshole. You told him like a hundred times already!" He slammed the car door shut and crossed his arms. I just laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

     "I swear to God, I have never been so happy to see someone get punched in the face. Fucking hell." I laughed again. I gave him the folders back.

     "Can you read it for me? We're going east." He opened the folders and I started the car.

     "Angelo Fuentes, Carlos Anthony, Diane Dela Silva and Bryan Vyd were all reported missing at the time this morning. The office got calls from the parents. At the same time around 9:30 A.M.

     "In other words, Four kids were gone missing at the same time and same place?" Chain nodded. I made right turn.

     "And no one fucking noticed." I sighed. 

     "Age?"

     "13."

     "All of them?" He nodded.

     "Yep."

     "East is at least half an hour away." I said. Chain just looked out the window.

It was a pretty quiet ride. I parked near the park's gate and got off the car.

With Chain trailing behind me, I entered the park. As expected it was closed.

A guard walked toward us.

     "Park is closed today, kids. Sorry" I pulled out my I.D.

     "We're Leounet detectives." I explained.

     "Oh, okay. Sorry for that." He opened the gate and lead us in.

     "Real tragic case here, Huh?" I looked at him.

     "Yup."

     "Well, I'll leave you pro's here." And with that he left.

     "Honey. Look." I looked at Chain.

     "What?" He gave me a piece of paper. I looked at it.

     'aiyrg kwiybwr -Acros'

     "The hell is this?" I asked him.

     "Looks like a kid's scribble... Since you know, We are at a park." I said with a hint of sarcasm.

     "No. It could be a code."

     "A code? Chain, We're detectives not fictional characters- hm." I looked at the note. Looks like it was written by an adult.

     "No... That cant be possible."

     "Well atleast keep it." I looked at him as his phone rang.

     "It's miss Prina." He asnwered the phone. Visible confusion and frustration struck his face.

      "What? Alright, Ill inform Mhorein right away. Thank you." He put his phone back in his pocket.

     "Four more kids in the south." My eyebrows arched.

     "More kids are missing?" He nodded.

     "What the hell is going on? This shit sounds like some crazy crime scheme." Chain looked at me. I looked at the piece of paper and tried Rot13. Doesnt work.

I took out my phone and looked at my keyboard. I translated the letter forward. Nothing. Backwards?

     "Hm..." My eyes opened wide with realization.

     "Motherfucker- It says South Leounet."