More weeks had past, but it seemed like countless years. What Bob and Katelyn didn't know was that someone besides the regular police forces, was watching them right under their noses, with no trace of evidence left behind. The particular team's headquarters was located in secrecy, so that not even the military or president knew where they were. However, it was legal in doing this, since they had permission a long time ago, almost three years back to be exact. This team is unstoppable and will take anything into a game of risk, formed by two very familiar people.
None other than the greatest known detective throughout the world and her partner: Skylar and Marg.
What's that you say? You thought they had been killed three years ago? Well, that's what they want you to think.
Marg came back over from the coffee maker and set her roasted cup of elegance down on a napkin, not to get stains on any of the desks or monitors. Putting her forefingers on her temples, she began to rub slowly in circles, calming down her train of thought. The young detective however was too busy stacking a toothpick tower on her checkerboard layout to even notice. Still, she could sense tension in the room with the people. Marg's phone buzzed in her pocket and read a new text message sent by one of the agents currently investigating outside the building perimeter. Before putting in back in her jacket, she pressed a button and it deleted any data from the previous message.
"Skylar, there's been another disappearance in the N.P.A" she informed her partner while searching through her notes.
"I see, by whom?"
"Hopefully the real suspect of course."
Skylar adjusted the toothpicks gracefully one by one, "That's a very good point in your way Marg. The police will be tracing the suspect if the hostage is still missing. So, it protects his interests of other well-known hostages, and if it is in fact our prime suspect, I can narrow this case very sufficiently."
Marg pondered the thought for a minute.
"By the way Marg, have you been able to determine his whereabouts yet?"
"Not yet, just that he thrives in Capital University from time to time to visit the professors, but nothing beyond that," she sighed.
"Well that clinches it," Skylar said to herself.
"Please explain if you will."
The detective seemed to be thinking aloud for Marg to hear so she didn't have to explain her thoughts, rather than putting it in other terms, "Michael, you never change. You always over look the most important things because you let your emotions get the better of you. Or perhaps, you're not even involved in this case. It could possibly be someone else, but not likely. I suspect you of being the second Kidnapper…"
The duo tested theories on where the current location of Bob might be at this point, since none of their spies could track down anything. This pushed Skylar's thoughts even further, which is why she suspects of Michael being on the case as well. The monitor screens surrounding flashed as an unknown caller tried to contact them. Before any one of them picked it up though, Skylar traced the phone number back through histories and finally found the identity: it was Bob.
Marg nodded for Skylar to pick up her headset and answer it, being protected from being traced by the disguising of her voice, " I am pleased to meet you prime suspect number one, my name is Skylar."
Bob gasped a little on his end of line only because he thought the number that Michael had given him wouldn't work, "Skylar. Why does that name sound so familiar? I know I've heard that before."
"I told you that my team wouldn't rely on you that much without casualty. But, that's a bit of an understatement. The N.P.A and S.P.A.C have expletively asked that I had run this investigation, not you. Having said that, we are now solving this case dead on target. I feel something is missing though. After receiving the information, I believe that there is a possibility that solving this case could lead to the arrest of our prime suspect, and such I am willing to give you my full support," she spoke assertively.
Bob didn't know how to respond still with all this information compiling into his head all at once, he kept thinking to himself, "Leading to the arrest of the prime suspect? Who is she, and why does she have so much confidence in her voice? It's almost…familiar."
The detective broke the silence, "Is there a problem with that?"
"No, it's just following the disappearance, one person has been kidnapped and we believe that the same person is behind it. He's arranging for a trade in New York."
"A trade? The person for the evidence so far I presume. Yes, that would make sense since the hostage is one of our members."
"Precisely," he tried to keep his answers simple so the mysterious person couldn't read what he was thinking between his chosen words.
"Understood. I'll have the rest of our organization on standby for now, but also they will be working on the basics. Plus, I can monitor the city with our assembly. Or, on second thought…" Skylar dismissed the call mid-sentence in case of her plans would get leaked through the system. Pondering, she decided she would wait until tomorrow before contacting him again.
The next day's afternoon rolled around the corner, and they went back again to where the team started. Marg decided to prompt her partner in for her opinion, "If you don't mind Skylar, I would like to hear your thoughts on this, pertaining to evidence and the phone call from last night."
"The current suspect is foolish, and over confident, not to mention unusually cooperative with their agency. So much that I believe that he's working hand in hand with them."
"You think so?" Marg perked up.
"That would make the second suspect our target, or they could be the same person…"
"What? You can't be serious?"
"Yes I am. Having said that, I'll admit that I'm only 7% certain. Don't worry though; making assumptions is part of any puzzle or investigation. If wrong, I owe you an apology."
"What do you think is going to happen to us now?"
It was Skylar's turn to sigh, "It looks like we've been disbanded with our suspects."
Few seconds had passed before the system starting beeping again, "Skylar! One of our suspects is coming towards our room, what should we do?"
"Let him in, he already snuck past security, I know a way we can fool around him," she sat with her back towards the door, sorting out her decks of cards, "Suspect 2, welcome."
Due to aggravation, Michael whipped out his gun in lightning speed aiming it at the back of Skylar's head. In defense, Marg also held her gun up pointed at him, "Drop your weapon!" One of the guards came back to the room as soon as heard the guns click.
"Everyone please, put away your essential police certified weapons. Having to cause a riot in here would solve nothing," Skylar stated calmly.
Marg spoke, "Skylar, with all due respect, he's one of our prime suspects."
"Please don't make me say it again. Remember, our primary objective is to catch our kidnapper, but we all know for sure that he's a suspect, and we know how to handle it."
Michael put his gun back in his coat and smirked to himself, "It seems like everything is going as planned."
"Yes, we've pretty much figured out who this vile person is, it's mostly thanks to you," now it was Skylar's time to smirk at the thought.
"Arrgh! I'm not just some tool you can use to solve your little puzzles with," he sighed and gained his composure back, "Anyway, I've only come here for that suspect photo of me."
"If you want it so bad, than take it. I have no use for it; it's just a memory of when we were growing up as kids together now. Is that the only reason you came here Michael?"
"Skylar, let's get one thing straight, I have no right to be suspected."
The detective paused and considered it for a brief moment, "Yes, I suppose…"
"At the same time, I just can't take this and run. That wouldn't be right. I've come to share information with you; the N.P.A is acting secretive. Something isn't right; I suggest you have a look into it."
"Fine, since you mentioned it I will reduce your chances of our prime suspect down to 43%." "Something isn't right here; it doesn't feel like the full story."
As Michael turns to walk away and is heading out the room, he stops in his tracks, and said aloud, "Skylar."
"Michael."
The young rebel snickered, "I wonder which one of us is going to reach our prime suspect first?"
"The race is on."
"We're both headed towards the same destination. I'll meet you there."
She smiled to herself as her rival carefully stepped out of the private room, "Mhmm, right." After Michael had left, she now had some time to think to herself concerning the case. "Hmmm, taking all this information, it has come to my conclusion that our 2 prime suspects have one full potential, being the person who is making all these innocent people disappear, and anyone in their way. But no, something's strange, why would Michael be our prime suspect? I find it illogical how he would be manipulative and have a precise enough mind to do that," she sighed, "I suppose there is only one way to classify that. And that's to see him in person with any allies or acquaintances that he has. Even though I would be risking my life, I wouldn't care if it meant justice."
She had made her decision, "Marg, please contact me to the number that we listed as the N.P.A."
"Right away."
Bob answered on the other line, knowing it was the same person he was talking to before; he decided to answer simply, "Yes?"
"I thought you should know that I think number 2 is an imposter. We were able to interrogate him for a while, and I would like to have your opinion in this also, between our 2 suspects who do you think is the prime? Your agency, or him? I'd like to know."
He sighed, knowing this was coming sooner or later, "By process of elimination, suspect 2 hasn't had much kidnappings in your area as they are in my area. So, I am assuming that you think that one of our members is the prime one?"
"I'd thought you might say so; I've reached the same conclusion."
Attempting to cover up the headset microphone without making any noise, he ordered Katelyn, "Check the handbook to see if it's true or not."
However, the teenager heard over on the other line since their speakers were up at full volume, "Ah, so you have one? Is that so? I think I'm beginning to get the picture now very easily. In other words, you have an assistant there with the handbook that is on the prime suspect's behalf." A long pause was heard on the other end, and she continued, "If there's a problem; I suggest we verify it this way. I'll page you in to meet with our group, and bring any allies or supporters that you have. I will have a place picked our tomorrow. Does that sound fine?"
"Errgh…If I answer based on my feelings alone, knowing that I'm the prime suspect here, it will only make me look worse in front of everyone." "Could you please wait for a moment, we need to discuss your suggestion," he spoke into the microphone then swiveled around in his chair, "O.K, what are your thoughts?"
"It depends where she chooses to see if we can make a move or not, but I think that we should go ahead and take our chances," Katelyn thought carefully.
Bob put the line back on, "Very well, just tell us tomorrow where you want to go and what time we will meet."
The call was ended.
Two more days go by since the last phone call, and the S.P.A.C decided to put their plan into place after the agents researched all night. Marg swivels around in her chair concluding her task that she had been given to carry out before confronting the enemy, "Skylar, I've done what you asked, it seems to be just a normal handbook."
"Good. Well, let's begin," grabbing her headset she paged the N.P.A.
"Yes?"
"I want to meet you," she got straight to the point.
"What?"
"There is something I must show you pertaining to the kidnapping incidents."
Bob was a little taken back by this plan, "But don't you suspect me of being the Kidnapper? Do you think it's wise to reveal yourself to me?"
"That's true, but I can't actually put myself in danger unless I physically show myself. Furthermore, actually revealing myself would prove something, and that will bring this case to a close."
"Alright fine, as far as I'm concerned, the sooner you realize that I'm not your prime suspect would be the better."
"I'd like to lay out some ground rules for the meeting."
"We're willing to go along with whatever you want."
Skylar paused for a brief minute and continued, "First, I want to have all of our "investigators" from both teams to be present, in other words, everyone from the N.P.A and the S.P.A.C should be gathered together to take part in this."
"I understand. That's not a problem."
"As I mentioned before, there were a total of three members of the S.P.A.C, but one disappeared. So, there will be two attending from my group including myself. Is this acceptable?"
"OK Skylar I understand, I also have two including myself."
"Very well, that's fine. Now as far as the meeting place," Marg clicked a button to send the picture over to the other line's monitor screens. Skylar explained the image, "A warehouse, on the outskirts of the southeast side of Columbus, that's been abandoned for some time. I've taken the liberty of purchasing it, if this arrangement is fine with you, then we'll use it." "How about it Kidnapper? With a location like this, you can do anything you have planned for Marg and me." "One more thing, bring the handbook, but, I don't want you to carry it. That should be quite obvious to you."
Bob followed along, "Right, I understand."
"Then that's all left is to arrange the time and date." "All of the disappearances usually occur around 1:00 A.M or so. If we take his movements into consideration…" "Say, three days from now, on the 23rd of January at midnight."
"Midnight? That's the exact time I would expect her to pick. Skylar is obviously aware of what the patterns are in the timeline." "That's fine by me; the time doesn't really concern us," he added for good measure.
"Well then, midnight, three days from now."
"Sure," the student answered before hanging up the transmission. Clenching his right fist with passion and excitement he spoke to himself, "Skylar…"
"Kidnapper…" she spoke to herself as well, as if they could hear their own thoughts from miles away.
Both thinking the same thing in unison, they raise their voices, " I know exactly what your plan is, and I'm going to win!"
She turned to her partner, "Marg, will you be able to make it in time?"
"Yes, I will be there for your full support."
"Alright then let's do this, shall we?"