DANGER ZONE | Kenzou Tenma

Chapter 17: A dreadful visit

The following day felt like a different reality. It was strange to be back in Düsseldorf after spending multiple days in southern Germany - speaking to Doctor Tenma, that is. When I arrived at work, the same evening I came home, almost everyone had left the station already. But when the officer at the reception spotted me, he waved at me in a panicked manner. Confused, I walked towards him.

"Detective, something terrible happened!" I frowned, wondering what he meant. "What happened?" His words sent shivers down my spine.

"Mr. Mueller committed suicide!"

I rushed to his cell, followed by two of my colleagues. I still couldn't entirely process what had happened while I was away. Why did it have to be while I was out of town? Every time I was on a trip, something unexpected happened. It was frustrating.

"How could this even happen?", I asked the other policemen on our way to the cell. "Every possibility for a prisoner to harm himself has to be ruled out!" "We know, Detective..." I sighed. "We'll, it's too late, anyway. I didn't mean to snap at you." We stopped in front of the cell. Of course, it was empty.

"How did he die?", I asked the others while contemplating the small room.

"He hung himself, detective."

"... With a rope?"

"... Of course, Detective."

I had to take a breath. This was too much for me. "I can't believe it."

"We don't know where he received the rope, detective."

"But he had to get it from somewhere." I looked at both of them. "Did he talk to anyone else beside Officer Hermann? Did he have visitors or something?" "Yes, he had a visitor." That got me curious, anticipating my colleague's answer. "He was visited by his sister." "His sister?", I asked more indignantly than I should have. They nodded hesitantly. "Yes. A beautiful lady named Emma Mueller."

My jaw literally dropped as I stared at them for an eternity.

This can't be happening.

"... Emma Mueller?", I asked with a trembling voice, "The Emma Mueller that was murdered by Mr. Mueller?"

Slowly, it dawned on my colleagues. I leaned against the wall, trying to keep my composure.

"And you want to tell me that none of the officers noticed that sister was a fraud?"

Shit!

I knew too well what had happened. As a master of disguise, I was certain there was someone else who was disguising as other people. And I had a suspicion who that person could be.

I left the station earlier than expected. The incompetence of my own colleagues had me angry and I needed some time for myself. Just when I left the station and walked down the stairs in front of the building, I heard a voice behind me.

"Helene!"

I turned around and was caught by surprise - it was Finn. He had a wide smile on his face. "It's been so long since we've seen each other." When he saw my face, his expression changed. "A-Are you okay?" I nodded. "It's fine." "That's what you always say." He walked down the stairs, now standing next to me. "No matter how you're feeling."

He sighed.

"I guess you've heard about Mr. Mueller... I'm sorry, Helene. I wasn't working that day, so I-" "It's not your fault, Finn. Don't worry. We can't change anything, anyway." I tried to cheer him up with a smile. He still seemed concerned.

"You don't look well. Are you ill?" I shook my head. "I'm just tired. I guess I'm overworked, after all." "To hear you say that... I wouldn't have thought this in my wildest dreams." I chuckled. "It's a late confession." He was smiling slightly, but still seemed uneasy, after all. I decided to ask him.

"You look like you want to say something."

I guess he felt caught, because his eyes slightly widened as if he woke up from some sort of trance.

"Oh, right... I need to tell you something. I can't keep meeting you on Fridays." I shrugged. "That's fine. I won't have enough time for our meetings as well. How come you're busy, if I may ask? Do you have a girlfriend?" Apparently, I was right, because he looked away shyly. I couldn't help but smile at his reaction. "I understand. I hope she makes you happy." He returned the smile. "Thank you." "I hope we'll still see each other frequently, Finn. Perhaps we can catch up at work when I return from my next trip." "Another trip?", he asked surprised. "Where to?"

I grinned at the imagination of finally meeting a certain young man who was wandering through Germany as a phantom.

"To Munich."