Disclaimer: I do not own King of The Hill.
(Greg Stokes's apartment)
Greg was sitting at his kitchen table with open files spread out on the table. Each contained pictures and information about the Sphinx's eight previous victims. This included the file from Cassidy's original case; the case where they met and after a few months began dating which led to them getting married within a year. Eight years they were married; like your average couple they had their fights, but they were harmless compared to some of the domestic disputes Greg had seen on the job, however despite the near story book marriage, it was Cassidy's music career that led to their divorce. Being a skill violinist had gotten her a lot of jobs playing in different orchestras; one time she spent half a year playing in London, but Greg was deep in an investigation involving a string of high-profile burglaries and assault. Being a detective seemed to clash with her love of music, so when she got an offer to play in New York they painfully called things off. Fortunately, they stayed in touch even when she returned to join the orchestra in Dallas. So, as for exes go, they were on good terms.
Ring
"Stokes," Greg answered after picking up his phone, "what do you got, Benson."
Greg shot straight up when Benson informed him that they found where the Sphinx had set up his kitchen.
(Tokyaki's)
Benson was standing in the middle of the restaurant as officers and crime scene investigators swarmed around him. Benson stared at Cassidy's body which the local medical examiner had loaded onto a gurney and covered with a sheet.
"I'm sorry, Greg," Benson apologized as he stared at Cassidy, "we didn't get to her in time."
Back at Stoke's apartment; Greg hung up after hearing what Sphinx had done to her and then placed his phone on the table. He stood there in silence as he processed the information in his head.
"He got to her," Greg thought, "that sick twisted monster."
Suddenly Greg placed his hands on the table where then in a fit of rage hurled off all the files onto the ground. He screamed and hollered as he began tossing random items around. Then just as fast at it started, his anger subsided as he leaned against a wall and slumped down to the floor in tears. His grieving was cut short when his phone rang. He answered the phone without even bothering to check the caller ID.
"Stokes."
"Hello, Detective Stokes," a voice greeted, "I assume you heard about what I did to your sweet and tasty Cassidy?"
Greg's tears were dried up by the anger that returned as the man he knew without a doubt was Sphinx continued to mock him.
"I warned you all those years ago that I would return, but you ignored me, and your precious Swan paid the price."
"Where are you, asshole, and no riddles."
"I guess I could do that for you," Andrew agreed, "I do owe you one after all."
"What do you mean?" Stokes asked
"If it wasn't for you than I wouldn't have found my next meal."
"I would never help you that way, now tell me where you are," Stokes demanded, "so we can end this face to face."
"You can meet me at Smokey's Café," Andrew instructed, "let's say in about an hour, that'll be enough time not only for the little Asian girl to wake up, but for you to be contacted by the Arlen Werewolf."
"Why involve him," Stokes wondered, "this is between you and me, Sphinx."
"I have my reason," Andrew vaguely explained, "the clock is ticking, Detective, bring me the werewolf and I might spare the little Laotian."
Sphinx ended the call leaving Greg questioning his next course of action. He knew right away who the serial killer was targeting next.
(Sugarfoot's)
Andrew chuckled as he dropped Cassidy's phone to the ground as he watched his new target exit the restaurant. His next victim was Connie Souphanousinphone; as Greg had deduced. She was with her father heading towards their rental car.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, Kahn Jr, but Arlen has better ribs than Dallas." Kahn confessed
"That's because Arlen gets there's fresh from the pork plant," Connie stated, "less time on the road."
"Although Sugarfoot's potato salad is a little…." Kahn began before something caused him to fall forward
Connie turned and gasped when she saw a man standing behind her father with a syringe in his right hand. She screamed before trying to flee, but the man was able to easily catch her and then inject something into her that knocked her out within seconds.
(Hill Residents)
"Player Two Wins!" the in-game voice declared
"YES!" Jade cheered as he jumped up from the couch
Bobby sat next to her still processing his defeat.
"How could I lose; my guy had a sword." Bobby commented
"You sound like Berry every time you beat him." Cameron said
Cameron, who at this point had giving up trying to convince Bobby to study, grabbed the controller from his hands.
"My turn, I'm going to crush you all."
Bobby got up to get something to drink when his cell phone rang. He grabbed it from his spot on the couch and to his surprise it was Connie.
"Hello?"
"Is this the Arlen Werewolf?" the caller asked
Bobby wasted no time and pressed the speaker button on his phone.
"What makes you think this is him?" Bobby asked getting his friend's attention
"I was informed that you, Bobby Hill, are in fact the Arlen Werewolf."
Everyone there was shocked that some random person had figured out Bobby's secret.
"Is this you, Mr. Gribble?" Bobby asked knowing Dale's habit of making anonymous calls with a badly disguised voice
"I ask thrice to both the Smart and The Foolish and then devour the latter, what am I?"
"Who is this?" Bobby demanded
"Answer the riddle."
The wolf pack exchanged glances, but none of them could figure it out. The caller then chuckled breaking the silence.
"It's okay, you can ask your good buddy Detective Stokes who I am," the caller said, "however, fail at my riddles again and I shall feast on the musician from the east."
The called ended leaving them all puzzled.
"What the hell is going on?" Berry asked
"I don't know," a baffled Bobby replied, "but apparently Mr. Stokes is involved."
"You should call him," Cameron suggested, "if this guy does know Mr. Stokes, then maybe he can tell us what's happening."
"I'll call him from my phone, so give me the number."
Cameron got out her phone and read out loud Greg's number; which Bobby then dialed. He then transformed just enough that his teeth were replaced with his wolf fangs.
"Hello, Detective Stokes," Bobby greeted in his deeper werewolf voice, "I was just contacted by some guy who claims to know you personally."
"He's telling the truth," Greg confirmed over the speaker, "he's a serial killer from my early days in Dallas; he called himself the Sphinx, for he asked his victims riddles and eat those who fail to answer correctly."
Greg explained how the Sphinx likes to choose people who are intelligent, which makes devouring them more satisfying. The wolf pack were shocked to learn that this guy had killed eight people in Dallas.
"When we have to stop him before he kills again." Bobby said
"Too late, he already claimed a ninth victim." Greg informed
"Who?"
There was a brief pause before Greg answered.
"Her name was Cassidy Swan, she was the only one I could save back in Dallas, but that bastard somehow found her here and…."
Greg was hesitant about finishing his sentence; but he figured that the werewolf knew what he was implying.
"Anyways, he has another victim already, a girl named Connie Souphanousinphone."
"WHAT!?"
"She's just a kid, I can't even imagine what that monster has planned for her."
"I think we should team up again, just like with the griffin," Bobby suggested, "do you have any idea where he might have taken her?"
"Smokey's Café." Greg answered
"I'll meet you there in twenty minutes." Bobby said before hanging up
Bobby's teeth returned to normal has he headed to the kitchen to grab his keys to the Cadillac. When he returned to the living room, he noticed that Jade was missing.
"Where's Jade?" Bobby asked
"Getting our gear ready," Berry replied, "you thought we would let you go alone?"
"Mr. Stokes already thinks were hiding something, it'll only confirm his suspicions if the Arlen Werewolf shows up with three teenagers."
"We couldn't prevent Joseph from dying," Cameron stated, "we're not going to let someone else you were close to get killed by a monster."
Bobby knew arguing wasn't going to make them change their minds.
"Fine," Bobby agreed, "you can come with me."
"Good," Berry said, "now all we need to do is to figure out how to kill a sphinx."
"Who says he's an actual sphinx?" Cameron pointed out
"With our luck he will be one." Bobby commented
Jade shortly returned now donned in her Crusader gear, along with extra outfits for Berry and Cameron, plus weapons. They got into the Cadillac after getting suited up and headed out towards the café.
(Smokey's Café)
We come upon a scene almost identical to the one in Dallas nearly a decade ago. Connie was restrained to a chair while Andrew stood near by sharpening his knife; only difference was that the room Connie was in had a lingering smell of smoke from the years that cigarettes were allowed in the restaurant. Connie couldn't help but gag as the residual odor entered her lungs.
"You could've at least tied me up in the non-smoking area." Connie suggested between coughs
"True, but your lungs won't get that faint yet delicious smoky flavor."
Connie, like all the Sphinx's previous victims, tried to break free from her restraints.
"Let me go, I haven't done anything to deserve this."
Andrew set down his knife and approached Connie.
"I know," Andrew admitted, "but, I developed a taste for violinist after eating Cassidy Swan."
"WHAT, NO!" Connie cried hearing the fate of one of her idols
"Don't worry, I have some left overs, I was planning on making a stew."
"You're sick."
"Its in my nature." Andrew stated
Connie continued to try and free herself as Andrew went back to grab his knife.
"What cult told you that?" Connie asked
"No cult," Andrew replied as he stood in front of her, "my kind has been doing this for centuries."
"So, you are with a cult."
Andrew smirked before he swung his knife and left a deep cut on Connie's left cheek. Connie cried in pain as Andrew brought the knife to is lips and then licked some of the blood off.
"What demands an answer, yet asks no questions?" Sphinx asked
Connie stared at him.
"Come on, sweetie, answer the riddle."
"A phone." Connie answered
"Good, two more and you're free."
"I doubt that."
The two of them then heard the engine of a car pull up. Connie saw an evil grin appear on Sphinx's face.
"They're hear."
Outside, Greg had exited his vehicle with his gun already in his hands.
"Time to end this once and for all." He thought
Suddenly he heard something coming up from behind him and quickly turned with his gun raised ready to fire. Standing before him was the Arlen Werewolf and the masked girl from the griffin incident. This time they weren't alone for there was now two new masked teenagers.
"It's just us." Bobby stated
"That's a real good way to get shot," Greg informed as he lowered his weapon, "I see you got some new sidekicks."
"As much I would like to make introductions; we need to save that Connie girl."
"Follow me."
Greg led the way as they approached the door. He grabbed the handle and then looked at the werewolf.
"I'm going in first," Greg began laying out his plan, "when I draw the Sphinx away, the four of you go in through the back and save Connie."
"Sounds good to me." Bobby agreed with the plan
Greg nodded before pulling the door open and barging inside. With his weapon once again raised; he quickly scanned the room.
"SPHINX, ITS DETECTIVE STOKES," Greg loudly announced, "I'M HERE YOU BASTARD."
"BACK HERE, DETECTIVE!" Sphinx called out from the back
After ten years Greg Stokes will finally confront The Sphinx. Will he get revenge for Cassidy? Can they save Connie? Is Andrew actually a literal Sphinx or just a sick twisted person? Stay Tuned.