It was a bright, and happy Sunday afternoon. A chilled wind stole the dying leaves from their sleeping branches. It sent them swirling into the air until they dropped onto the sidewalk. Two men were strolling down that same path, kicking up the leaves as they did. One had a certain swagger in his step, but nonetheless was vexed by something.
"I don't understand it," he said looking around at the humming cars.
His companion did not look, but only said, "What is it?"
"How could I just let him slip through my fingers like that?"
The other gave a quickly vanishing inquisitive look, "A case of yours?"
The younger sighed, "Yes, an old one too. A whole year old."
"Why bring it up now?"
He looked his cousin in the eyes, "Because I saw him just last week. I could have arrested him right there! But he disappeared."
Presently the elder cousin stopped, "Who are you talking about? Or can you not?"
"No," he shook his blond, curly head, "It happened not too far from here, a little over a year ago.
"It was New Year's Day, and I was waiting for the three AM bus on the corner of Queen and Thirteenth, just around the block here. I waited long enough to tell that my bus was running late. But then, just as I was about to leave, I saw a girl running down Queen with a look of pure terror on her face, and chasing after her was a young man. I took a step towards the girl's path, and she ran up to me like I was her long lost father. Then he approached me. And let me tell you, just thinking about that man sends chills down my spine!"
"Come on, Rick," replied the other.
"Okay, he didn't look like a monster, but something about him just screamed kidnapper or serial killer.
"Anyway," he continued, "I looked him in the eye, and asked him what was up. Instantly the girl hid behind me and started to cry, begged me not let him take her away. The man looked as if he was about to grab her right then and run off with her. Instead he bolts off and down Thirteenth, and before I know it I was following him. I ran for a couple of blocks until I was able to grab him by the shirt collar. He turned around and gave me the worst 'Go to hell' look I ever saw, and pushed me away. Then he ran off again, but I have no clue as to where."
"A kidnapper got away, just like that?"
Rick nodded, "Just like that."
"How can I help?"
"Well," Rick began, "keep your eyes peeled for starters."
He put a hand on Rick's shoulder, "How about I help you with your case? You can let me read the file and I'll do what I can."
The other let out a hopeful breath, "Are you sure you want to?"
He nodded, "Just consider it a helpful hand from a cousin."
That night Johnathan sat in the light of his desk lamp, and read and re-read Rick's case file. The man's name was unknown, and his description obscure, save for his height. Even the girl he tried to kidnap could not shed light on the mystery. After a few hours of failed deducing he uneasily retired to bed. His worried mind tried to find refuge in dreams, but it only produced Johnathan's recurring nightmare. Where he's lost in every meaning of the word. The nightmare where he has thousands of foreign paths surrounding him, and he goes down the ones that feel the most familiar. It always ends with him finding himself in front of a stranger's house, yet he has the key.
In the morning Johnathan found himself laying on the couch in a cold sweat. He had been sleepwalking, again. The detective took a shower, washing away the memory of his dream. Maybe I should see a therapist about this, but who has the time? He dressed, ate, and caught a taxi to work.
During lunch Johnathan decided to pay his old friend Hayden a visit. They sat in Hayden's living room talking about nothing in particular when Johnathan thought he'd bring up the case.
"By chance, Hayden, have you heard of any rumors of suspicious people by Queen and Thirteenth.
He turned his head away to think, his face silhouetted by the light, "You mean by where Harry lives? I don't think I have." Hayden paused and a nostalgic look appeared in his eyes, "I remember how crazy he used to be in med-school."
He smiled inwardly, remembering the enthusiastic Harry, "Don't we all do stupid things in collage?"
"Oh, but the insane ideas he had! I'm surprised he made it to become a doctor."
Johnathan scrunched up his nose, "I'm sure he wasn't as bad as that."
At this Hayden let out a good laugh, "You don't even know the half of it!"
"And it looks like I never will," Johnathan said, looking at his watch, "I promised to meet up with my cousin after lunch."
"Well," said his friend with a smile, "see you around."
Johnathan said his goodbyes and head out the door to work.
That night, to Johnathan's dislike, was a sleepless one. His brain ached for another clue to help solve the case. Theories and superstitions popped up in his mind. The hours ticked by and still he remained awake. Why was this affair haunting his thoughts so? He didn't know.
Night turned into day, day back into night, and soon Johnathan was spending his Friday evening with Hayden. Johnathan watched as Hayden tried to carry a heavy bowling ball to the lane.
"Having trouble?" the detective asked.
"No," the other said as he threw the ball, striking nine pins. "See, I know what I'm doing."
Being his turn, Johnathan rose, "Why must everything be a competition with you? We're just bowling. Have fun with it."
"You preaching about having fun?" Hayden laughed. "You're the serious one. It's why people find it hard to approach you. Maybe if you smiled more, got out more."
"I'm out now, aren't I?" he replied, "And I'm smiling."
Hayden shook his head and chuckled, "Isn't your turn?"
Johnathan took his bowling ball in hand, and threw it down the lane. He watch as the ball slowly rolled from the center to the side, hitting only six pins. Johnathan returned his friend. Hayden was bent over, trying to fix his tight shoes.
"Speaking of getting out," said Johnathan, "you should have invited your wife. Isn't she lonely?"
"She's fine. Rebecca actually told me that she was planing to have a quiet evening to herself."
"I've been told it's hard to be a teacher."
Hayden sighed, "And she always tries to chew more than she can swallow. I wish that she would be more easy on herself."
"It's not easy to teach."
"No, no it isn't. But she pulls it off well enough," said Hayden as he left to get his ball and put it into his bag.
Another week passed by and still Johnathan was not any closer to solving to mystery. He once even devoted a whole day to trying to find the kidnapper. After, once again, coming up with nothing he thought it was better to relax than to collapse. Luckily for Johnathan, his friend Harry had invited him to a wine tasting. Being opulent man, Harry was known for his fancy dinner parties. And, being a good friend, Johnathan showed up to as many as he possibly could.
Glasses sang as the guests raised them in the name of health and good wine. Harry's fellow doctors and rich acquaintances laughed at his toast, and drank. Reclusive Johnathan sipped his with a grin.
"Only you would say something like that," said one.
Harry nodded his head and motioned a hand to Johnathan, "This guy will have your sides splitting if you get him going. He's great with jokes."
"Yeah," chuckled Johnathan, "bad jokes."
"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself! What about that one you told last time you were here?"
"What joke?"
"The one about your aunt."
Johnathan blushed, "It's a bad pun, probably the worst there is."
"Alright then," he then turned to a man sitting across from him, "What about you, Mr. Kingston? Any jokes or stories?"
And so the guests prattled on, but Johnathan could not keep his mind from his work. The evening passed into night, and Johnathan waited until he was alone with Harry. He needed to tell his friend of the possible danger he could be in.
"There's something important I must discuss with you, Harry," he said looking into the doctor's sparkling red eyes.
His signature, charming smile disappeared into his face, "Yes?"
"I wanted to warn you about a suspicious character that's been seen around here."
"Oh really?"
"A short man was seen trying to kidnap a child not too far from here. I'm not trying to spread rumors, Harry, I'm just worried about someone breaking into your house."
Harry smiled and patted his anxious friend on the back, "I'm sure if the occasion ever occurred I would be dumb enough to invite him in before he could shatter any of my windows."
Johnathan chuckled, "That you would." He sighed and glanced at the clock. "It's late, I should get going."
Harry showed the detective to the door, "Be careful."
"You too."
As time passed the temperature dropped, and the nights grew longer. Firs, Evergreens, and Pines alike were decorated with little colored lights. Failed predictions of snow were broadcast almost every week, as were Johnathan's attempts to try and herd his family back to town. So again Rick and Johnathan spent their Christmas together. It was spent in Rick's apartment this time, which was a nice change. Holly was draped around the windows and the air was filled with the scent of fresh baked goods. The two cousins sat around the faux-fireplace and told old Christmas tales of years passed. It was like all of the family had come back and were enjoying his uncle's famous pie. For the first time in a lone time Johnathan had a wonderful night, a night without thinking about the mysterious man.
The wondrous holiday passed, as did the lovely spring, and hard-working summer. The cold, romantic season of fall was upon them again. Neither Johnathan nor Rick was any closer to finding the man. Truthfully, it was rarely on Johnathan's mind anymore. Then on one particular November day Rick popped his head over Johnathan's computer monitor.
"Johnathan?" he said in an earnest manner.
"Yes?" he replied, turning around.
"There has been a murder, and it may have something to do with our case."
"What happened?"
He jingled his car keys, "That's for us to find out."
Johnathan came to the scene of the crime, the corner of Queen and Twelfth. As he stepped out of the car and saw that the gutters were brown with old blood. Mangled on the asphalt was the body of a man identified as Mr. Dan Kingston. He had been sliced open, his organs spilled, and his body an utter mess. Johnathan interviewed a young woman who had witnessed the murder.
Poor girl, she had only just started collage. To be so young and yet to see something so horrible. She had spent most of the time sobbing. Johnathan pitied her, she would certainly need therapy after the interview. She described the murderer as "short and ugly", much like Rick's description. The woman also identified the murder weapon as an ordinary kitchen knife. Continuing on, the poor lady apologized again and again for not stopping the man. Johnathan quickly cut the interview short, for the young lady was starting to have a panic attack.
Once again Johnathan was back at his desk, trying to decipher his clues. He knew this man was mostly nocturnal, or at least preferred to do his dirty work then. Evidence from Dan Kingston's body showed that the murderer was not particularly skilled in killing. Lastly he knew that this man was short and odd looking, and that he was frequently around Queen and Thirteenth. Not much for a detective to go off of, but just enough for a plan to start forming in his mind. He would find this man if it was the last thing he did.