The first chapter of the new story I'm starting with an OC as the main character not the standard Kingdom Hearts Story either hopefully it will be unique enough. Also just to say it now I own none of this
R
Daniel Ignis Renko sat outside at the Land of Departure. He had black hair, dark blue eyes, and a slight scar on his forehead.
He had failed the Mark of Mastery Exams and so had Terra. Aqua passed of course, she always was the prodigy and his father's favorite. He wasn't jealous of her though, she did legitimately have talent and deserved the award but for him not to get it after he defeated her in combat was a real blow. He didn't show enough maturity according to his father.
He never would it would seem, sure there was always another time but frankly Daniel was getting tired of working his ass off and never getting anything in return. He knew he was loved here and he had friends but now he was questioning whether or not being a keyblade master was really worth it. All you got was free travel which he had anyway. There was access to certain knowledge but that never interested Daniel, in his mind more could be learned through experience.
"Daniel" Terra was there.
"Terra" Daniel responded "can I help you?"
"The master sent me to find you" he said "he wants everyone in the main hall for an important announcement."
"I'll be right there" said Daniel. Terra turned to leave "Terra."
"Hmm?"
"The master is like a father to you right?" asked Daniel.
"That's right" said Terra.
"As a father how do you think he does?" asked Daniel.
Terra hesitated a bit "he's a wise man that does what's best."
"Have you ever considered that maybe trying to win his approval just isn't worth it, that maybe it's time to try something different?"
"It has crossed my mind once or twice but I'd be letting everyone down if I let go of my dream."
"Good to know" said Daniel. "I'll be on my way in a couple of minutes."
"Right see you there, I'm sure he'll give us both another chance."
"That he will" said Daniel, Terra left and Daniel made his decision. He activated his armor and keyblade glider and set off for another world. He traveled one way and then another using a large ship holding up a ton of planet as a reference of where to go next and found a random world to land on. He arrived and found a wrecked vehicle with a dying person inside it; "you" the person said "you aren't of this world."
"Nope."
"Then listen to my last request rather than conquer protect the place as my successor anything you need is in the trunk" he passed away. Daniel checked and before long inherited the position as a Private Investigator.
"Maybe this job won't be so bad" said Daniel.
Over a year later Daniel was driving in Philadelphia, he stopped outside the crime scene he'd been told about. He got out of his car into the rain. These days he had a black leather jacket with two white rings on each sleeve and a white x on the back, a white dress shirt with a black tie and black business pants. "Damn rain" he put his hood up "always sucks working in these conditions, but at least I'm expected now." 'Now I'm to find a Leuitenant Blake' he walked forward and noticed reporters already filming 'they seem well informed.'
"This zone is sectioned off sir, please step back" said a police officer.
"Private investigator Daniel Ignis Renko, Lieutenant Blake is expecting me" said Daniel.
"You have a license or something Mr. Renko?" Daniel got it out of his wallet and handed it over. One of them got on his radio.
"Okay Mr. Renko your clear" he got his license back.
"Good, is Lieutenant Blake at the scene?" asked Daniel.
"I saw him arrive earlier, he'll be around somewhere" said the police officer.
"Right thanks" Daniel went under the police tape and entered the crime scene. 'Soaking wet and on soil too, that'll mess up forensics.' Daniel looked around and saw a tent and off to the side under a cover there was a table serving coffee. Daniel went there first "excuse me, is the victim under the tent over there?"
"Yeah that's where it's being kept for now."
"Thanks, I'm also looking for Lieutenant Carter Blake, I hear he's here."
"Over there on the other side of the crime scene."
"Right, also is that coffee available?"
"Knock yourself out." Daniel tried some and knew instantly why it was free. He went over to the see Lieutenant Blake first, as customary to introduce yourself to the head officers before you went poking around.
"Lieutenant Blake, I'm Daniel Ignis Renko the Private Investigator, I went by your office this morning and I was told you'd be here."
"Right, if you're looking for rain and dead bodies you sure came to the right place, you tell that asshole with the bulldozer to stop for five minutes I can barely hear myself think over here" he ordered another officer.
"Yes sir."
"So you're the recommended specialist for dealing with serial killers" he sized Daniel up "well could be worse, the body is this way" he led Daniel there.
"So what exactly happened here?" asked Daniel.
"Some guy taking his dog out for a piss found the body about 6 o clock this morning, we don't know much more than that right now, based on what we've seen it looks like work of the origami killer."
"Do we have a time of death?"
"Based on the rigor mortis looks like 6 hours ago" said Blake.
"Alright then do ya mind if I look around the crime scene?"
"Be my guest" said Blake "come and see me back at the office if you find anything."
"Will do" said Daniel before heading to the tent. He opened the tent and saw the body of a young boy. 'No marks, likely drowned like the others, face covered with mud like the others and what's this' he opened the mouth a bit "a red seed" he took a picture of it and closed the mouth. "All the other victims here had them as well like those other 6 states. Then the Origami figure that's his call sign alright, and a small cut on the right thigh, looks more like a scrape actually. Perhaps the killer scraped him against something while moving the body? That begs the question, from where did the killer enter this area to ensure he wasn't seen and could get away quickly?"
Daniel left the tent and looked around and saw a hill past the railroad track that led up to the freeway. Daniel went over there and saw a small amount of dry blood on the fence; he got a picture of it and climbed up the muddy hill. Then he got a picture of some tire tracks 'maybe the killer's car.' He'd seen enough so he got in his car and drove off. 'Those red seeds again, that's the seventh state I've seen those in, just what do they have to do with all this, all those crimes were unrelated apart from being murders.'
Later on Daniel waited patiently in the police station for a meeting with the local police captain. Well patiently was a strong word.
"Excuse me will this take long?" he asked the receptionist.
"No the captain should be finished soon" she replied.
Daniel waited and waited, crossing and uncrossing his legs and finally the captain emerged "I'm off Charlene I'll look at the reports later. Cancel all appointments for this afternoon."
"Ok…oh captain; this is Daniel Ignis Renko the private investigator you were inspecting."
"Ah yes of course, the specialist in finding serial killers" he said only just noticing Daniel was in the room. "I'm in a bit of a hurry do you mind tagging along? We can talk as we walk."
"Lead the way" said Daniel. They started walking "I wanted to introduce myself before getting started but if this isn't timing-"
"No, no by all means go ahead, I just have to get to the press conference, we have them every damn day at the moment. Believe me it's not easy trying to come up with something to tell them but today fortunately we have good news. Have you met with Lieutenant Blake yet?"
"Yeah at the crime scene."
"He has his own methods but he's a good cop I'm sure you'll get on well together. Do you know how to tie a knot in a neck tie?"
"No but you can borrow mine" Daniel took his tie off revealing it was a clip on.
"Clip on ties now?"
"Well if I ever get in a fight I don't want to be wearing a make shift noose" said Daniel "most of the people I fight want to kill me no need to make it easier for them."
"I suppose, fine I'll borrow that one" he adjusted it so it wasn't easy to tell it was a clip on tie "No offense to your skills or anything but I would've preferred to not have outside help on this one but the press are all over us at the moment, that damn Origami killer came out of nowhere and now people are panicking. We heard you have a considerable talent for finding serial killers so it seemed the best way to not get the feds involved but make it seem like we're doing something in response. I tell you hundreds of killers in this damn country and we get the one exotic crazy one, flowers, Origami figures, and then the press find out about it and before you know it this city is the center of the universe."
"Sir I'm only here to catch a serial killer, the rest of it is none of my business" said Daniel.
"No, no of course not, I'm just asking that you make progress and fast, if your half as good as they say you are we should have the criminal in a week tops, and that's what we need, the press want a criminal and we need to serve him to them on a silver platter soon, or they'll be hell to pay."
"I can make that happen, if you give me the temporary authority to detain suspects and make arrests like an ordinary officer would I can do it with less issues."
"Consider it done, I'll make it official after the press conference" said Captain Perry. "Oh and go see Charlene she'll show you to your office. Check in on the press conference if you're interested it'll give you an idea on the political climate around here."
"Thank you, sir."
"Welcome to the club son" he said as he left for the conference room. Out of curiosity more than anything else Daniel sat down with the reporters. "The Body of Jeremy Bowles was found this morning on a patch of wasteland in the East End at about 6: 30 am five days after he was reported missing. An autopsy will be conducted tomorrow to determine the exact cause of death but going from first indications it would seem that he drowned. The state in which the body was found in suggests the methodology of the Origami Killer. The investigation should confirm this in the coming days. The Police are continuing to work around the clock to find the murderer as quickly as possible. I'll field some questions."
"You said the Methodology indicated another victim for the Origami Killer, can you be more specific?"
"An origami figure was found in the victim's hand and an orchid was placed on his chest. His face was covered with mud but there were no visible traces of violence on the body…go ahead."
"The Zodiac Killer was never identified, perhaps the Origami Killer will never be found?"
"I don't think there's much chance of that, for the moment the killer may think he's invulnerable but in the end he'll make a mistake and we'll be there to arrest him."
"Did the Killer leave any written evidence, perhaps a ransom note explaining his actions or anything like that?"
"No, he has not made contact in any way and we have only the murders to help us understand his motives. Yes, what is the question?"
"Some people say the police were slow to take an interest in these murders because the victims lived in poorer parts of the city. What do you say to that?"
"That's absurd; the police make no distinctions between victims based on their social class. It is true that the Origami Killer seems to choose his victims from more impoverished parts of town; the higher crime rate in those areas makes investigation more difficult. Time for a couple more…yes?"
"There are rumors that rather than rely on the FBI, Daniel Ignis Renko, a Private detective who is an expert at finding serial killers has been called on to assist in apprehending the killer, is this true?"
"You seem to be well informed…yes we asked Mr. Renko to assist us as a consultant in this investigation feeling his experience with catching smart and dangerous killers would help us end this investigation more quickly and prevent any more victims. We were planning on announcing this a few days from now but it seems that won't be necessary."
"According to certain sources the Town Hall has been applying pressure to avoid any mention of a serial killer in order to not have an adverse effect on the mayor's election campaign. Do you have anything to say on that?"
"Pure speculation, at no time has the mayor been involved in this investigation…except to support the efforts of the police force, of course. Thank you for your cooperation."
Daniel left the place 'well that was enlightening, I should get my office and straight to work.'
Daniel made it to the front desk and saw a donations basket for Larry's promotion gift.
"Nice watch" he said observing the gold.
"It's a present we offer for promotion to Lieutenant we've bought the same model each year for 20 years. It optimizes everyone's time and it's the kind of thing that always goes down well. You can contribute if you like we're still a few dollars short."
"Congratulate him for me" Daniel put a five dollar bill in the basket "now about my office, Captain Perry said you'd take me there."
"Yes, of course right this way" she led him to a room that looked like a dusty former utility closet that was too large.
"This is my office?"
"That's where I was told to take you" she said "if you need anything you know where to find me" she shut the door behind her.
"Well I did ask for a quiet place to work" said Daniel, he sat down and got out his keyblade and used it to lock the door and then he got out his laptop and set it up on the desk near the case files. He turned it on "okay now that photo I sent to Tire Track Analysis should be here right about, now" it turned up "93% chance of it being a Chevrolet Malibu 83" Daniel logged out and looked at the case file of the Origami Killer and set his laptop up to record "8 victims in the past three years, all boys aged between 9 and 13, no signs of violence, they all disappear from public places in broad daylight without anyone noticing, the corpse is found 3 to 5 days later drowned in rain water. So the killer is probably some kind of independent contractor, something with very flexible hours, the kind of thing he does would take a fair amount of time. Computer access public database show all known independent contractors in the city" the results came up "that's easily over 300 and I have no concrete evidence its one of them yet either, keep that file saved anyway."
"There is always a railroad line adjacent to where the victim is found and all victims disappear in the fall when it rains a whole lot. So if the victim is drowned in rain water the variable is how hard it rains, that affects how long the victim has to live. Computer check the forecast for this area" the internet opened and show the page "not good."
Daniel shut his laptop and went to the bathroom and after he finished he saw Blake and another officer questioning a Mr. Ethan Mars about his son's disappearance.
"Did your son have any difficulties Mr. Mars anything that might have caused him to run off?" he asked.
"His mother and I separated recently, Shaun didn't take it too well" said Ethan "but even so Shaun would not have run off without telling his mother at least, and I called her before I came here and she hasn't seen him either."
"Alright that's all the questions I have for you, your free to go Mr. Mars" said Blake "we'll continue to look for Shaun overnight. We'll contact you if we have any more questions."
"Do…do you think the Origami Killer…?"
"Listen your son's probably just run off, and he'll turn up in a couple of hours."
"But what if it is the Origami Killer?"
"Then anything that can be done will be done to get him back alive" said Daniel.
"Thank you" said Ethan before leaving. Daniel went back to his office and set up a presentation on what the police should look for.
When some high ranking officers attended the conference he started his power point presentation.
"Okay everyone, this killer is a master planner he doesn't act on impulse but plans out his crimes very well and always goes on a pattern as we've seen with the victims. In order to do this and still have income to go on he would need a very flexible work schedule, so he is very likely an independent contractor or something of that nature."
"What if he's on welfare?" asked an officer.
"I have taken that possibility into consideration though it's unlikely, people on welfare in general tend to possess low amounts of confidence and to pull this off the killer would need high amounts of self confidence, as a precaution though I'd like some officers with experience in poor neighborhoods to question those currently on welfare. Also I've had the tire tracks that I found at the scene analyzed and I've been told it's a Chevrolet Malibu 83, so it's very likely the killer drives that car, but it's also likely he didn't get it through legal means, so get the names of anyone registered to that car and talk to any independent contractors on that list, but keep in mind there's a possibility the killer didn't get his car legally so have officers report to anyone that has reported that car stolen recently, and inform whoever is in charge of traffic cameras to report any sightings of that vehicle at the city park near 4:15. We're on a tight schedule right now so we need to track something physical back to this guy; he knows how to get around without being seen this isn't the kind of killer that can be found with a manhunt."
"What do you mean we're on a tight schedule?" asked Captain Perry cutting off whatever Blake was going to say.
"The killer only hunts in the fall when it rains a lot, all of his victims are drowned in rainwater and reappear 3 to 5 days later, he puts them somewhere open to the sky that fills up with rainwater about 6 inches give or take 10%, in other words the harder it rains the less time we have to find the victim alive."
"Do you know how long we've got?"
"According to the forecast for this area about 72 hours" said Daniel "now there are a couple of suspects that seem more suspicious to me that I would like to talk to but besides that the car is the best lead to follow right now."
Daniel and Blake walked up to an apartment and Daniel knocked first and then knocked again with no answer "no answer, he must be elsewhere."
"Maybe we should have a look inside anyway" said Blake.
"There's nobody home."
Blake kicked the door down "there is now…"
"Don't we need a warrant to do that?"
"Call the cops" said Blake dismissively.
Daniel went in and the first thing he noticed was a ton of crosses on the walls and hanging from the ceiling "Nathaniel Williams must be a pretty religious guy" said Daniel.
"He's a god fearing idiot waiting for the end of the world" said Blake "we questioned him a few months back because he was causing a disturbance in the park. He was ranting and raving – said he heard voices. Got this idea in his sick little head that I was the anti Christ and that I'd come to earth to persecute him, real twisted."
Daniel had a look round and found a bunch of medication 'anti-psychotic medication and anti-depressants' he coughed a bit as he inhaled some dust "god this guy hasn't cleaned this place in months, or opened those windows." Daniel then found a sink completely full of dirty dishes 'This guy isn't the killer he's just a deeply disturbed man that's calling out for help in his own way.' "Blake we should go this guy isn't the killer."
"Good timing Nathanial" said Blake. Daniel got to the main room and saw the man there. "Just the man we're looking for."
"Angels and ministers of grace defend us" he said.
"I'm Daniel Renko, private investigator; I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"As god as my witness, I haven't done anything" said Nathanial.
"I'm not saying you did Nathanial, I just need some confirmation from you" said Daniel "now why all the crucifixes are you afraid something will happen?"
"The hour is nigh and the wrath of god shall strike men down! I'm preparing for the end of the world."
"Where do you work Nathanial, I heard you don't have a job but do you do work for hire work?"
"My sole occupation is praying to the all-merciful lord for the salvation of humanity."
"Okay Nathanial, one more question, do you remember where you were last Tuesday at 4:30 pm?"
"Here…I was here preying all day, I was alone.
"What about the voices Nathanial?" asked Blake. "Do you still hear the voices?" he approached Nathanial "we know who talks to you, don't we, Nathanial? We both know who talks to you."
"Don't…speak…that name!"
"Blake that's enough he's not the guy we're looking for" said Daniel.
"Maybe he's not, but what about this voice in his head?" asked Blake. "Huh Nathanial what does he say to you?"
"I can't talk about it, you mustn't talk about it."
"He orders you to find new prey doesn't he?! He needs more and more…"
"No…no you mustn't mention him, you'll bring him here!"
"Blake we still have another we need to question-"
"He told you to go and find that kid at the park, the voices tormented you all night long, you wanted them to stop, didn't you Nathanial?!"
"Stop, stop that is enough!"
"So you obeyed them to make them stop" Blake grabbed Nathanial "you took that boy with you and you drowned him! Isn't that right!?"
"Blake he's got a gun step back!"
"You are the anti-Christ!" Nathanial had a gun on Blake "I shall dispatch you to your father in hell!"
Daniel drew the gun he was given and fired hitting Nathanial in the chest. He used the phone to call for an ambulance reporting where the shot was and basic internal injury by discreetly using a diagnostic spell. Blake insisted they leave as they were short on time and Daniel cast a spell to keep Nathanial stable till the ambulance got there.
They sat in the car waiting for their next suspect to pass by.
"You know you reacted pretty fast there when he got that gun out, I take it that wasn't your first time?" asked Blake.
"I hunt down serial killers for a living, when you do that you've got to pull a trigger or two now and then" said Daniel "I've accepted it but I don't like it. There he is" they got out of the car.
"Miroslav Korda" said Blake.
"Yeah?"
Lieutenant Carter Blake I'd like to ask you some questions" Korda walked a bit and then threw his coffee in Blake's face and shoved Daniel aside and ran and Daniel gave chase. He pushed his way through light crowds and across the street where he jumped over a few car hoods. He then chased him into a grocery store, he put all kinds of obstacles in his way to try and impede him, from fruit to equipment. He even sent live chickens at him and then ran into the freezer at the back.
Daniel saw the place full of animal corpses hanging from the ceiling, too packed for a gun, he got out his keyblade and started cutting them down. "Korda surrender now or possible lethal force will be used" said Daniel. He blocked an attack that came from his side, and struck back with a blunt blow and then blocked another one and kicked him in the left leg and beat him over the head knocking him out.
Blake arrived and put his gun away "well it looks like we got our Origami Killer this time."
Daniel was hopeful but after a while of this job he knew better than to hope too much, his fears were confirmed at the station.
"I didn't do it I swear I didn't do it" said Korda in the interrogation room. "I've got nothing to do with that business I've never killed nobody!"
"Oh no, then why did you run away when they came to question you?"
"I already told you I forgot to report to my parole officer, I didn't want to go back to prison, when I saw the cops I panicked, I wasn't thinking straight!"
"We checked out his statement" said Blake's assistant "he has an alibi for at least three of the murders."
"Fuck that bastard was a perfect fit, shit!"
"Yet we've found some suspicious people that have matching cars and are tracking stolen ones, we should be able to narrow it down to around ten by tomorrow" said Daniel.
The phone rang and Blake's assistant answered "Ash …ok. Shaun Mars's mother is here, she'd like to speak with you both."
Daniel and Blake headed out and listened to what she had to say.
"It was a few months back – the middle of the night…it was pouring down…Ethan came home completely drenched at about 3…I asked him where he'd been…he spoke about drowning…the rain…he didn't make any sense…there was something…something in his eyes…as if it wasn't really him…there may be no connection but the next day, there was an announcement about another victim of the Origami Killer."
'Something seems off about this' thought Daniel. There were a few facts that weren't fitting into the puzzle here.
They headed to the office of Ethan Mars's psychiatrist "I'm Lieutenant Carter Blake this is Daniel Renko, according to our information Ethan Mars is one of your patients; we'd like to ask you a few questions about him."
"I'm sorry that's not possible."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I am bound by an oath of secrecy; I cannot discuss my patients under any circumstances."
"Doctor there is a child's life at stake, if Ethan Mars isn't guilty then he's involved somehow we need to know about him" said Daniel.
"Again that is not possible, now I must ask you both to leave."
"You need to cooperate for your own sake" said Blake in a threatening tone.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Just giving you some free advice doc" said Blake.
"In this case I have to agree, there's a chance Mars will come for you in fear of info getting linked if he is involved" said Daniel.
"I'm going to call in a complaint about this behavior" the psychiatrist picked up the phone.
"Doctor you are really pushing my buttons" Blake got physical. Daniel knew he couldn't intervene this time, there was a possible lead to the killer or someone heavily involved with him. Sometimes information was needed at all costs. Any problems with Blake's conduct could be settled in the report.
The psychiatrist finally started talking "Ethan Mars has had psychological problems since his first son died…he feels responsible for his death, a sort of morbid neurosis…he is haunted by visions of drowning bodies…a few weeks ago after one of our normal sessions I found this on the floor it must have fallen out of his pocket" he showed them a dog origami figure.
That settled it they got in the car and Blake announced for every cop in the station to hear over the radio that Ethan Mars was the Origami Killer but Daniel was still unsure.
"Are you sure you should be announcing that right now?"
"Of course, we've got a clear target; we need every cop out there!" They saw Ethan Mars's vehicle and Blake mobilized police forces to surround the place.
"That's affirmative Lieutenant we have everyone in position."
"Perfect nobody moves till I give the signal" Blake said through the radio "we nail him as soon as he steps outside."
"Right Lieutenant."
"We're lucky that patrol spotted his car" said Blake.
"None of this makes sense" said Daniel.
"What part doesn't, we ID the killer then bring him in that's how it works."
"Not that, Ethan Mars being the killer, it just doesn't add up, the murders started before Jason Mars died, and his wife only noticed strange behavior three months ago" said Daniel "and he contacted the police which the killer has so far avoided, none of it makes sense."
"We can work out all those small details when we bring him in, I'll make sure he talks" said Blake. "What the fuck is that girl doing there? If Mars comes out now she's gonna be in real trouble."
"Lieutenant what do we do?" asked an officer over the radio.
"Stand down, we can't tip Mars off" said Blake. They watched her carefully and saw her go inside the building. "She's going inside, maybe she lives there just as well we don't want anyone hanging around if Mars comes out."
They waited but there was no sign of him "what is he up to in there?" asked Blake "everyone wait for a 'go' on my word. Do you think he knows we're out here?"
"If he does we'll be waiting at the front door for a long time" said Daniel.
"Men keep a look out for any other ways out of the building, we can't have him escaping!"
"Yes Lieutenant."
"Keep ya gun loaded and cover me if that bastard runs and you get a shot, take it" he ordered Daniel "two men at the door, hold your positions, it's a GO!" they got out of the car and waited at the door for more men to arrive. "All ready, break it down." They entered and saw no-one inside. "Oh you must be kidding."
"Lieutenant, there's a man and a woman exiting through the alleyway" the radio came in.
"A woman, shit it's the same one that came in here! Everybody downstairs in the alley! Follow them!"
They all went around to the other side of the building and saw Ethan and his accomplice getting across the crowded car filled road slowly and heading into the subway.
"Don't have a clear shot" said Daniel trying to get past all the cars. The two suspects escaped into the subway by the time Daniel and Blake were halfway across. They made it into the subway and found a large crowd.
"Police business, clear out of the way!" yelled Blake.
"Blake they're on the escalator!" yelled Daniel.
"Police, stop or I'll shoot!" Blake couldn't shoot since there were too many civilians in the way and the two got ahead again.
Blake and Daniel pushed past as many civilians as they could and searched the crowd, they had both exits blocked they couldn't get far.
"Oh you must be kidding" said Daniel, as he watched the two suspects jump onto the tracks and cross.
"After them!"
"We won't make it" said Daniel; he was right since the train went past as soon as Ethan was up on the other side. The train finally past and there was no sign of either of them.
"Fuck, we were so close!"
'Maybe it's for the best though' thought Daniel. If Ethan was out there trying to find his son maybe he could help lead them to the real Origami Killer.
Daniel turned on his laptop that night in the motel he was staying at and turned to his mentor, when his predecessor died he was able to use all his journals to create a kind of personality construct from his memory, whenever he was stuck or just needed some advice he'd talk to him.
"Daniel it has been a while since you have needed to talk to me."
"It's a unique case, all the police are convinced the Ethan Mars is the Origami Killer" said Daniel.
"But not you, you believe he is innocent despite some of the damning evidence against him?"
"He just doesn't fit, the deaths started before his first son's death which was what started his psychological problems, his wife noticed nothing insane about him for years, and then he kidnaps his own kid knowing he would have to contact the police at some point something the killer has avoided doing, and all his actions suggest he works without any kind of plan which is completely different from the very organized killer I'm tracking it doesn't make sense. Everyone else is convinced it's him but I've looked and double checked all my facts, there is just no way Ethan Mars can be the killer."
"But you can't convince anyone of this until you identify the real killer, and you don't know where to start."
"You said it" said Daniel grimly.
"Then you don't need my help, you simply need to work backwards, you were doing everything right till Ethan Mars was suspected, you had the right leads as priorities, you need to simply shift their focus back to them to find the truth."
"Yeah your right thanks" he deactivated his mentor and got back to work. He checked the traffic camera videos that were sent to him. "Wait there, a Chevrolet Malibu 83 around 4:30, that could be the killer's car, can't make out the driver but the license plate I can track." Daniel tracked it down. "It was stolen from Philip D. Campbell, someone called Jackson Neville was suspected to have stolen it but there wasn't enough evidence for a conviction so the charges were dropped. Interesting, now let's see about this Jackson Neville" he searched through the police database. 'Jackson Neville, AKA Mad Jack. Involved in several cases of buying and selling stolen vehicles…considered extremely dangerous. Guys like him would attract a killer wanting a car that can't be traced back to him; it's a lead worth looking at.'
Daniel headed for his car but he swore he saw a strange guy wearing a black helmet like mask watching him for a brief moment. 'Either these late nights are taking their toll or something other worldly will happen soon.'
Daniel arrived at the city's junkyard that Jackson Neville owned. He saw the guy operated a bulldozer and as it said he was big. 'Big man with a criminal record, I can't take him lightly.'
"Hey!" he got his attention "Jackson Neville?"
"Who's asking?"
"Daniel Renko, private investigator currently working with the police, can we talk?"
"Follow me and make it quick" he followed Neville inside the large repair garage.
"I'm looking for the owner of the Blue Chevrolet Malibu 83, it was used recently by the Origami Killer, and it's been traced back to you, I really don't care how it got here I just want to know who you sold it to."
"Sorry man, don't ring a bell. I got a real bad memory for names…"
"How about this then if we find out you sold the car straight to the Origami Killer then you're looking at a very long stay in the big house" said Daniel.
"You try to scare me with ya big talk, I never saw ya car now beat it" he walked off.
'Either he has nothing to hide or he's the guy I'm looking for' Daniel decided to look around the place anyway. He found some blue paint on the floor and looked around and saw a strange kind of closet off to the side with blue paint at its feet. He opened it and saw Aqua tied up and unconscious.
"You looking for something" Daniel felt a gun to the back of his head "she came around a couple hours and was too curious for her own good, hands in the air!"
Daniel summoned his keyblade and knocked him back and had a fire spell charged up "you go for that gun and I shoot the gas."
"You crazy, you'll blow us all up!?"
Daniel let a fire spell loose and it hit just above Mad Jack's head "that's your only warning now talk, who did you sell that car to!?"
"You're crazy you're out of your mind!"
Daniel charged up another fire spell "alright, alright damn it! I don't know nothing about the guy. He wanted to get rid of his dirty car and get a new one with false plates. The masked kid he was with paid cash and I ain't the questioning kind. They said I was to drop the word to a guy called Paco down at the Blue Lagoon when the car was done."
"What about that masked kid Jack? Did he have a black helmet like mask?" asked Daniel.
"As a matter of fact he did and there was something else he told me now that I think about it."
"Out with it."
Jack shot dark lightning at Daniel taking him by surprise, Daniel blocked it with his keyblade and Jack tackled him to the ground and hit with lightning while he was down sending tons of pain "he said if anyone with a big ass key came sniffing around here I was to use this little gift to ensure they're taken care of" he stomped on Daniel knocking him out "permanently."
Daniel slowly came to and he was in his car with Aqua in the passenger seat. Daniel quickly found he was handcuffed to the steering wheel and Aqua was still tied up and unconscious. A large metal claw picked the vehicle up, and Jack started laughed as he drove the machine towards the car crushers. 'Not enough room to summon the keyblade in here' Daniel got as far to the left as he could and kicked open the glove compartment and kicked the gun towards himself and grabbed hold of it and shot it at the chains and grabbed Aqua out of her seat. The car was dropped into the crushers and Daniel summoned the keyblade and turned it into its glider form and broke out of the car holding Aqua tightly. He landed on the ground and pointed it to where Mad Jack should be.
Daniel turned around and blocked another beam of lightning shot at him. Jack charged at him and Daniel jumped out of the way and struck him in the back. Jack shot more lightning at him and Daniel sued a reflect spell and hit Jack with it and then slashed him across the chest and got Aqua out of the way.
"Come on that all ya got, I'm fighting one handed here" said Daniel.
"Oh I've got more than that" Jack roared and his muscle mass tripled.
"I had to jinx it" said Daniel. Jack charged at Daniel who dodged and ran still carrying Aqua, he couldn't deflect that much strength one handed. He stopped in front of the still running bulldozer.
"No place left to the run key boy" said Jack. He lunged at Daniel and jumped to the side and tripped Jack, Jack got up but part of his pants got caught in the bulldozer, he was dragged into it screaming with a bloody display.
"Well at least I got a new lead" said Daniel. He dropped Aqua off at the hospital and paid her bill upfront so she'd have no trouble. Then he got the address for the Blue Lagoon club and headed there.
He made his way to all the loud techno jazz or whatever music and approached a body guard as a really familiar looking woman went past him. "I'm here to see Paco Mendez, where is he?"
"There ain't no Paco here, get lost."
"See this" Daniel held up his temporary police ID "this is means I'm pissed and I can do whatever I want to you and get away with it badge, so think again."
"He's upstairs in his office" the guard said. Daniel nodded and headed that way and showed his ID to the guard at the top of the stairs before going in. He knocked on the office door a couple of times and finally went in. He saw Paco sitting in his office chair not facing him.
"Mr. Mendez?" there was no response. Daniel turned the chair around and saw a bullet wound on the guy's skull "of course. Can I get any luck today?" He summoned his keyblade and blocked an attack against his side. Some guy in a hat, trench coat and face cover had a sword to him. "I'll take that as a yes."
Daniel backed off to avoid a kick and blocked more strikes aimed at him. He counter attacked on one and drew blood, and then the enemy threw a wind spell at him and knocked him into the wall and then disappeared into a corridor of darkness.
"Other worldly indeed, alright calm down, calm down think like a private eye and find evidence" said Daniel calming himself down. He went back outside to the guard first. "Did Paco know the guy that came in here?"
"What are you talking about, no-one but you went in there."
"So he has free access to it" said Daniel, he went back into the office. "Hello what's this" he picked up a pocket from the jacket he cut into, "two receipts from the same gas station now that will help tremendously. Also Blood samples, unlikely they'll be recognized but worth a shot, and hello what's this" he carefully picked up a gun ".45 caliber 22 Glock" He took photos of everything he could and called the police about the murder and then left to get back to his laptop, he was getting closer he could feel it.
Back at the station though he wasn't getting much, the blood reports came back with nothing and he couldn't find much of anything.
"Come on Shaun Mars will die soon if I don't find that one thing that connects this puzzle together."
"All packed up?" asked Blake coming in.
"What?"
"Investigations over, we know who did it, so your services won't be needed anymore, can't say I'll miss ya too much" said Blake.
"The investigation isn't over Blake, there is no way Mars can be the killer I've looked up-"
"Mars is guilty case closed, now clean up and collect the pay on your way out" he left.
"I know Mars isn't the killer, but how do I prove it? Remember, remember what your mentor says any clue matters, there is something here that ties all of this together, I just need to calm down and find it" Daniel opened up his files again. "Okay I can start with pictures; maybe the ones I got from Blue Lagoon will have something. Two Receipts from the same gas station, in retrospect I should've analyzed that first" he entered that info into the geo-profiling system "okay that's narrowed it down but still 342 people live in that zone, not good enough. Now for the gun that should give me something, computer open internet and find any relevant information about the .40 caliber Glock 22. Okay the standard issue fire arm for most…law enforcement agencies…could the killer be a cop? Could it be Blake…no not possible he has alibi for one of the kidnappings, perhaps a retired officer then their pensions could easily sustain them while they engaged in criminal activity. Computer, how many current or retired cops live in that zone? Only one and he owns a warehouse…on the dock, somewhere isolated where you could easily have someone exposed to the rain to drown. The officer is Scott Shelby, a retired Police Leuitenant…wait that would mean he has a gold watch…" Daniel thought back to the fight in the office and for a brief moment while he was blocking the first attack he knew he saw a gold watch. "That's the best lead I've got then, if I'm wrong then Shaun Mars is dead."
Daniel packed up everything and left the station, he set up the GPS and drove there to the warehouse "That's the car that Ethan Mars stole, I'm on the right track" Daniel got out his keyblade and went through the door and saw Mars and Scott Shelby there.
"I've been waiting for a long time Ethan, waiting for a father capable of doing what mind could not, sacrifice himself in order to save his son, oh I searched and searched, but then I remembered you."
"All those murders just to find a father capable of saving his son?"
"Just to find a father?! Do you have any idea how it feels to be worthless in your father's eyes, believe me I've suffered just as much as my victims" Daniel turned off the recording that was all the evidence he needed.
"I've finished your damn trials now give me back my son!"
"He's there all you need to do is open the well."
"Freeze Shelby, put your hands up, your under arrest" said Daniel.
Scott shot first and made Daniel deflect it with his keyblade and then he went running. Daniel used the keyblade to unlock the well.
"What did you just do?!"
"There's no time, get him out of there!" Daniel ran after Scott up the stairs to the roof of the warehouse. He searched the roof and there wasn't anyone up there 'did he take a dark corridor again?' he walked around carefully and just sensed someone charging him a second too late, Scott tackled him and they fell to the junk conveyor belt below. Daniel got up first and got out his keyblade, Scott got out some large sword that looked like a bat's wing at the last minute and blocked the attack. Daniel struck him in the gut and pushed him back. Scott grabbed a piece of junk and threw it at Daniel, Daniel dodged and then a TV was thrown and he batted it away with the keyblade. Scott had recovered by then and they got in a sword lock, Scott overpowered Daniel with sheer muscle and flipped him. Daniel rolled out of the way of a downward swing and kicked Scott in the chest and threw a piece of junk at his face. Scott blocked it and stabbed downward with his sword, Daniel blocked with the keyblade and counter attacked him in the face knocking him back down. Daniel got up and had a fire spell charged "surrender."
Scott charged up a fire spell as well "I don't think so." He let his loose and Daniel fired his spell, they collided and exploded blinding them both. Scott recovered first and tackled Daniel to the ground. He then got a large hammer and swung it down, Daniel just dodged it and got a flat screen TV and used it as a shield to block three more strikes of the hammer and then he threw it into Scott's face. Daniel hopped right back to his feet while he had the chance and tackled Scott hard while he was stunned knocking him over the edge of the conveyor belt and into the junk crushing machine below.
The doors to the warehouse and Ethan Mars and another woman came out holding Shaun Mars alive. 'Another case solved' Daniel climbed down back to the ground to help deal with the aftermath.
It was announced on the news that the Origami Killer had been identified as Scott Shelby and had been killed in a massive police operation but further details were not yet ready to be released to the public. Daniel was paid as agreed and was offered a TV appearance. He wasn't able to make it though since he got another call for a case but he was known as a national hero anyway. That reputation would help him secure more cases.
He stopped as he was leaving in his new car, he saw Ethan, Shaun and Madison spending time together at the park, all as a family. He started up again as memories were interfering and headed on towards his next assignment.
Back at the hospital Aqua woke up.
"You're finally up" said the doctor.
"Where am I?" she asked then she remembered being attacked by that man.
"You're at the hospital, you took a nasty beating but you've healed well."
"I'm at the hospital?"
"Yes, the one that brought you here covered your medical bills after he brought you here so you don't have to worry. Just stay here till morning and we'll discharge you."
"Who was it that brought me here?" she should thank him at the very least.
"Check the news he should still be on it" he turned on the TV and Aqua saw credit being given to Daniel by Madison Paige. "First you and then Ven and now even Terra is a little unstable, but at least your still alive and you saved me" She then remembered why she had left in the first place, she had friends to get back and she wasn't going to let up on that, she was a keyblade master for a reason.
