TALES OF CRIME AND FICTION.

The Agency issued a Warrant for arresting Ralph and even for taking proper steps to give justice to the victims' families. It was somewhere near 10 o'clock and both of us were accompanied by Kevin and were headed towards Ralph's house, some five or so police cars behind us, following us to arrest the criminal.

"How? What? What is happening, why are we headed towards Ralph's house? I mean with five police cars?" He asked us, confused

"Yes, apparently," Matt said seriously, the car swiftly drove through the busy roads of London.

"So, is he the criminal?" Kevin asked,

"Yes, tell me Kevin how long have you known one another?" I asked him

"He cannot be the criminal, he has been a very good friend and member of this group for a long time, and we are all faithful to one another. I am sure there must be a mistake Detective" Kevin confessed

"There is no mistake, we have all the proof we need and anyway it had to be someone from inside the group because no one apart from you and your members knew about the snake and that it was inside a high-security vault that only you seven could pass." Matt went on

"How could he betray our group so easily without thinking twice?" Kevin leaned back on the seat.

"Well, the criminal groups make undeniable offers," Matt suggested

"What possibly could he want so bad as to take the life of five innocent people?" Kevin murmured

"Well, he'll be the one answering that question" I answered

"Well, he technically didn't kill anyone, he just issued the murder weapon and after that, he made another wrong decision to report to the gang that two people are solving this case and they are at the bottom of it already."

"When did he do that?" Kevin inquired

"The night we introduced one another, he seemed pretty anxious and then you parted with him inside the forest. I placed an unnoticeable camera on one of the trees near the crime scene because I knew that the gang hadn't left their signature yet and they were going to now, on the crime scene and my haunch was correct" Matt jumped on his seat, a beaming smile on his face.

"Okay, let's make sure we arrest the criminal before we land ourselves in a car accident Matt," I told him, putting my seat belt on.

"I cannot believe my ears," Kevin said sadly.

"You and your group will, however, be questioned in the court. I am sure you won't go to prison but you will have to pay a heavy fine. After all, you are Britain's best and most widely known research group, MetaX7." Matt went on

"I feel ashamed even to call myself the leader of that group!" He exclaimed

***********************

Ralph Kenny was his full name. He was the fifth member of Britain's most famous and high-ranked research group, MetaX7 led by Kevin Hardy. The group was educated on a geographical and zoological basis. They also hosted many high-level seminars as well. One of the members, Jane, was a principal of one of London's best geographical and zoological colleges. The whole world knew the group very well and that was the reason why it was very hard to arrest Ralph Kenny. He was one of the most valued members of the group and this is exactly why we needed Kevin on our side.

After driving, for what seemed like an hour, we reached the street which was Ralph's residence: Knightsbridge Street, London's poshest street, a home to fashion stores, many renewed department stores and for wealthy individuals, bankers and so on. On either side of the road were huge skyscrapers, lush buildings touching the sky, large bungalows'. The street was a dream! Police officers rarely came here, that's why when our car entered the street with five police cars behind us, we became the centre of the whole street's attention. People whispered to one another as we drove on, guards peered at the cars, confused. We drove on, swiftly, Kevin guiding us. After many twists and turns, we came to a very luxurious and grand villa. We got out of the car.

"This guy seems to be fit, what possibly could the gang have offered him to commit this horrible deed?" I asked Matt

"Well, we are going to find that out very soon," Matt said, looking at the Villa with observing eyes.

The Villa was huge, there was firstly a well-tended garden, and then further there was a large gate. There were a total of three terraces, it was painted black from the outside, I supposed there were many rooms inside there too, it was obvious. It was graceful yet elegant, magnificently built with a perfect combination of glass, wood and brick. It was just fantastic. The police got out of their cars as well.

"We need a warrant to arrest this man, Miss Allison, he seems rich!" Said the Officers

"Got it right here." I showed him the warrant. The street had many other villas as well, and before our entrance, it was perfectly silent but we entered with a loud siren of a police car so now, many people were peering from their terraces, gossiping with one another. Some came out of their houses and stood in front of their gates.

"Come on before we attract more attention and he runs away," Matt said and without waiting for a reply he went walking towards the lard gate and pressed the bell. We waited for some time, then Matt rang the bell again.

No answer.

He rang again.

No answer.

Matt signaled Kevin to call out to him. Kevin stepped forward,

"Hey!" He shouted out "Ralph!"

No answer.

We waited but, no answer.

"RALPH!" Kevin shouted again, then finally came an answer

"Yes, coming" Came a barely audible voice from behind the doors. Then after a few seconds, the door opened slowly. Ralph showed up, his hair all messy as if he had been sleeping, he was wearing a t-shirt, half buttoned and a pair of jeans. His eyes were half red, with deep dark circles underneath them. He looked at us and then at the officers and his color flew away rapidly.

"W-what is this?" He asked Kevin.

Without waiting for an answer, without waiting for anything, Kevin jumped up on Ralph, holding his collar with both hands, he shook Ralph with force.

"Why?" He whispered to him, his eyes mad with anger "Why did you do this?"

"Do what brother?" Ralph tried to move away from him but Kevin held him tightly. He pushed him back and Ralph went flying backwards.

"WHAT DID WE DO TO YOU? WHAT DID YOU NEED SO BADLY?" Kevin shouted as he walked in.

"Kevin, stop it!" Matt commanded in a firm voice, I looked at him: I had no idea he could get that firm. Kevin stopped, his fists still clenched. Ralph stood up and we entered the house. As we entered the house, we realized that its state was even worse than a poor house. There was a room, a huge room that seemed to be sitting. The sofas were on the right side and the other side was filled with shelves and then there was a staircase right in front of us. The white sofas were stained with oil stains, newspaper and other papers were lying around the room, and there were many glasses broken near the sofas. The books were out of the shelves, many empty dishes were lying here and there.

"What is wrong with you man?" Ralph asked, "And why are you entering this house?"

Ralph looked at each one of us, savagely. Then he jumped on Kevin but before he could reach Kevin, Matt raised his hand in between them both, Ralph stopped and looked at Matt angrily. He grabbed Matt's hand and tried to fold it but to my surprise, Matt stood straight and his hand stood firmly between the two members. Then Ralph stopped and looked at Matt, Savagely he laughed.

"Matt Jones!" He said to him "I know you"

"Good, we won't have to wait in introductions" Matt replied with a smile and then he was serious again and then he pushed his hand forward with force and Ralph went flying backwards, He fell on the floor with a loud thud!

"They warned me about you" Ralph got back up, a savage look on his face "They told me that you'd come flying to the smell of this case like bees to garbage!"

"Well that is true but the bee and garbage do not suit this situation Ralph" Matt replied to him "You do know that you just confessed that you did a crime, by saying that 'they warned you'."

Ralph gave a laugh and walked forward, he stopped when he was completely joined by Matt. Matt made a disgusted face as Ralph opened his mouth to speak, I could infer that a stench came from his mouth.

"Who are you? You have to tell that and you are no detective, Matt Jones!" He said.

Matt stepped backwards "You are under arrest Ralph Kenny for providing a gang of criminals with a deadly weapon." He said

"What proof do you have?" He asked him

"I have every proof to arrest you," Matt said

"No, you don't!" Ralph jumped on Matt but Matt swiftly stepped aside.

"Yes I do and we also have a warrant. Ralph Kenny you were found making the signature of the gang in Dalby forest at the crime scene!"

"YOU CANNOT PROVE IT!"

"I can actually and I am interested in knowing why you did this. I mean you seem to be a very rich man then what did they offer you that you broke the trust of your friends and landed not only yourself but your group members in court as well?"

Ralph looked at Matt angrily "I answer to no one!"

"Fine, answer to the judge!" Matt said and then tied his hand behind his back "Arrest him!" He said to the officers and went walking towards the door and stood in it "And Ralph, if they told you about me, you won't test me by running off!" He threatened Ralph "And will keep you wretched mouth shut!"

Matt's voice raised, his eyes burning, his hands tied behind his back, his face strangely dangerous.

"What do you think?" Ralph said as the officers handcuffed him "You know what they are up to? Do you think they do not know what you have been doing?"

"Where did you get this information, Ralph?" Matt asked him "They surely didn't tell you this all."

Ralph gave a smile like a mad man "I know what you are up to Matt Jones, you are looking for...."

For he couldn't complete the sentence. Matt looked at him with confused eyes and then there we all saw it. Blood started oozing from his mouth, oozing so badly, that he fell coughing on the floor. The white floor started to fill up with blood.

"NO!" Matt ran towards him "No, no, no!"

Ralph lay down on the floor. Matt sat down next to him.

"Call an ambulance Allison hurry!" Matt shouted, I took my phone out and called the ambulance.

Ralph was coughing badly, the blood was oozing from his body very fast. It was a horrible scene to witness.

"What is happening?" Kevin asked kneeling next to his friend "What is happening?" He asked, placing his face between his hands. His voice broke.

"What did you eat you foolish man?" Matt whispered to Ralph

Ralph smiled a painful smile "They told me, to mysteriously tell you this but now you know!" He coughed, "So, I'll tell you, they said that you'll never find the person you're looking for!"

"Allison!" Matt shouted

"I have called they are on their way Matt," I told him

Ralph laughed "Why did they kill me? My secrets will be buried with me!"

And with these words, a last cough he did and then his head fell backwards, his eyes opened in terror, his hand on his lungs. His body stopped moving in front of us.

"No, no, no!" Matt said desperately and checked his pulse. The ambulance stopped outside the door. But, Matt threw his hand aside and stood up angrily, His hands covered in blood, his suit half dirty. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands on it then he threw the handkerchief on the floor and angrily went towards the staircase. The doctor came hastily inside the room,

"He is dead!" They said by just looking at him.

"Thank you for telling us that!" Matt said as he went on, his voice deep, angry and annoyed.

The police officers stood frozen with dread near the body and Kevin sat there, his face in his hands. I looked at the scene in front of me. A million questions ran through my mind. Starting with "Who was Matt looking for?"

"Doctor" I looked at the man who had just told us that Ralph had died "Please take him to the Detective Agency of London. Two officers will accompany you there."

Then I turned towards Kevin "One of you officers, please take this poor man to the Agency as well, he is in shock"

Then everyone started to do what I told them, the doctor called for a stretcher from the ambulance, three officers went out to start their cars, and one of them took Kevin with them. Two officers stayed behind with us. I turned away from the drama scene and took out my phone to call Dr. Michael.

"Hello Doctor" I greeted as he picked up the call

"Allison," He said

"Doctor I am sending a body to the Forensic lab, please make sure it gets there properly and then try to go through it, I need reports in two hours," I said

"Another murder?"

"The killer just got killed"

"Okay, let me see what I can do."

With these words, the call disconnected.

"Officers" I turned around to call the three officers that had left, and one of them came inside "Make sure, that this body reaches safely to the Agency and so does this man."

"Yes Detective" He replied and went outside.

"You can also leave," I said to the other two, they nodded and left.

Now I turned for the staircase to go after Matt. I climbed the stairs, they were made of wood, each stair delicate and yet very dirty. I climbed them slowly. Climbing the stairs revealed a wide space with three rooms, two together and one opposite to them. There was a black carpet on the floor of the space, there were many frames on the wall, a few broken. I went towards the space and examined every broken picture, they were tilted, their glasses broken, and the thing was that these pictures weren't of people, they were of different abstract arts. There was also a broken vase lying in the middle of the carpet. The doors of two rooms were closed, and one door was open: the room opposite the two rooms.

I reluctantly peered through the half-opened door. I didn't see anything or anyone there. So, I opened the door, gradually. It revealed to be a large study room. A study table at the further end of the room, filled with papers, thrown here and there. Many shelves, from some books, were taken out and thrown on the red carpet that covered the floor. The room was no less messy than the whole house, its carpet was stained, and its wallpaper was torn down. Next to the study table was a large glass door that led to a terrace. I walked inside, I noticed some broken glass pieces on the carpet as well. I went straight to the terrace. There I saw Matt standing, his hands in his pockets, his hair even messier than before, half of his suit drenched with blood. He was looking straight ahead, straight at the villa in front of this house. The terrace was surrounded by glass borders and there were three pots of dying plants in there. I came and stood next to Matt. The sunny morning turned into a cloudy afternoon as the weather went overcast. The cold wind hit our faces as we stood in the open.

"Did you find anything?" I asked him.

He took out one of his hands from his pocket and moved it in front of me and his hand I saw a small, glass bottle, inside it was half filled with a strange red liquid.

"Is this poison?" I asked him

"Tetrahydrozoline," He said to me

"Tetra-who-what?" I asked him

"Eye ointment" He replied "His eyes were red remember, he must be allergic to some smoke or dust or maybe chlorine."

"So he drank this?" I asked him

"He didn't drink this Allison, something else was added to it, something that killed him through his eyes. He didn't take his own life, his life was taken. It was all planned."

"How come?"

"He died exactly when we saw him when we were about to ask him why he did this? What offer did he get? What possibly could they offer a rich and famous person to commit thievery that took the lives of five people?"

"So, he had no idea that they would kill him?"

"No!" Matt kept the bottle inside his pocket and then walked back inside, I followed him.

"Were you looking for someone specific?" I asked him

He didn't reply, there was a short silence.

"Well, the killer just got killed and you cannot arrest his killer because it has to be the Gang." He said to me

"Well yes."

"What happened downstairs?"

"I sent the body back to the forensics lab for analysis and I've sent two policemen with the ambulance to make sure the body reaches the lab...."

"There was no use for sending the two officers with the ambulance, none will blow the ambulance away because Ralph holds no evidence. The most you can do is figure out how he died, he took all the secrets with him to his grave." He said, "What about Kevin?"

"I sent him to the Agency too, with a policeman, he was in shock."

"Yes"

"What now?" I asked him after a short silence.

"I look for the snake, that's what" He replied, moving out of the room. I followed him.

We both came down the stairs. There was still a puddle of blood where Ralph lay. The two of us were the only ones in the horrible place. We both went outside. People were still on their terraces and many had now come outside.

"Media will be here soon" Matt told me

"The police will take care of that," I told him

"You should report them to come here."

"Hmm," I said and we both went towards the car.

We sat inside and Matt started its engine.

"I'll drop you off at your office," He said to me, as he reversed his car and turned it.

It was now somewhere near 11 o'clock. The sky was filled with clouds and fat droplets of water started to fall on the car. The traffic had increased and the roads were starting to get packed. We drove in silence. My mind was racing with questions, now I was way more confused than I was when I met Matt. I took some glances at him to try and figure out what he was thinking but it was as difficult as pointing colours out in darkness, to even have a haunch of what he was thinking. His face showed no expressions at all, he drove in silence, his eyes fixed on the road.

After an hour, which seemed like forever in the silence, we reached the building of the Agency, standing white against the black, cloudy sky.

"So, this is goodbye," I said to him.

He stopped the car. "Yes, it was a very great experience working with you Miss Allison" He said to me with a beaming smile.

"It wasn't very great but it was extremely confusing working with you" I said to him "You have confused me with a million questions and you are just leaving like this without even giving me a clue to answer these questions to myself."

He laughed and then looked at me "Better not to answer them, Allison, you do not want to get involved in me and my mysteries, I live in a separate world of danger in which I cannot include anyone. You might have a million questions, starting with Who even am I?"

I looked at him, "Yes, some more complex than that. I will try to answer them though for you have taken away my sleep for many nights, my curiosity has always taken the better of me."

"Curiosity is a wonderful yet very dangerous thing and yet now it is my only companion as I move forward in my problems." He replied

"Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help you? You said you needed my help, I ever got to know what help was it that you needed from me?"

He looked at me, a glint of regret in his eyes "Sorry to leave you in confusion Allison but You cannot help me for now."

"Okay suit yourself, I'll answer my questions" I told him with a smile and opened the door to get out. I stepped out of the car, a few droplets hit my head as I closed the door.

"So where are you headed now?" I asked him through the window

"To find the snake, that is my only lead for now." Then he sighed "An Agent's job is never done" He whispered to himself and unfortunately for him, I heard it.

"Wait what? You are an Agent?" I asked him

He looked at me, his eyes wide, and then he laughed out.

"Which agency?" I asked him "Oh My God!" I said and turned around. "Matt Jones you...."

I turned around but I saw no car behind me. I looked ahead, and there I saw the car driving swiftly into the darkness of the clouds. As I looked at it, he waved a hand from his window and that was all I saw before I went back inside my Agency.

The story hadn't finished yet, Doctor Michael's analysis told me that Ralph died through his eyes, some poison was mixed with an eye ointment he used, called Tetrahydrozoline. The poison was revealed to be a normal rat-killing poison. The MetaX7 was left in shock after Ralph's murder and they had to give a huge fine according to the law. Kevin was depressed and he committed suicide a few days after his hearing in the court, his team chose a new leader after a few months and MetaX7 became MetaX5 for they never chose anyone else, they now had trust issues as far as I know. After a few months, things became normal again, my life became just as busy with paperwork and other things. But no such strange murder occurred anywhere with a stranger coming and offering me his or her help.

And so ended the first and, from what I thought, the last case that I solved with this mysterious personality. He accompanied me when I was completely confused and he unaccompanied me when I was completely confused with questions. It was as if I was once again thrown into the darkness, but his darkness was special, and very interesting and I wanted to laugh. Many questions surrounded me: Why was his life so dangerous? A million questions went through my mind every time I thought about Matt, all starting with one "Who was he?" I thought this was my first and last meeting with him, a secretive, dangerous person. But, little did I know that life had other plans for me and this case had not finished yet, it was still unsolved for the real killers were never found we could barely find out why were these murders committed. It was solved from the front but what no one ever knew was that a man, somewhere in this huge world, was still trying to solve this case completely, running after the real criminals.

THE END.