Chapter 14

The news of the kidnapping of an injured police detective should've made the evening news. However, not a word from any of the news outlet or a peep on social media. Rosya concluded that the hospital wouldn't want the negative press or the attention. At least they wouldn't come chasing after them. For now. With that concern out of her mind for now, she decided to center her attention on Gustav. He was still to make a full recovery.

"You worry too much," Ansem said. "He'll be back on his feet in no time."

"Why should I believe you?" Rosya replied. "What did you give to him? How am I sure it won't worsen his condition?"

"He would be in worse condition if we had left him in that butcher's shop masquerading as a hospital."

"How do you know that? And who are you anyway?" Rosya asked.

"Oh, where are my manners?" Ansem smiled and made a courtesy bow. "my name is Ansem, and I'm a purveyor of curiosities. Nice to make your acquaintance."

"He's more than that."

Rosya turned and saw Gustav on his feet, resting against the frame of the door.

"What are you doing up?" Rosya rushed to help Gustav stay on his feet. "You should be resting."

"I feel like I rested enough," Gustav smiled. "I have to get back to work."

"How can you say that? Don't you know what delicate condition are you in?" Rosya snapped.

"I know," Gustav replied. "But I can't..."

"Can't what?" Rosya asked. "You no longer have a case to work on. The captain shelved it."

Gustav couldn't believe his ears. "The captain did what?"

"While you were in the hospital, I asked the captain if I could take your case. But he told me not to pursue it, because he didn't want any other of his detectives to get injured."

Gustav looked at Ansem inquisitively.

"It could be possible they ordered him to do that," Ansem replied.

In all the years Gustav had worked for captain Baker, he knew the man wouldn't kowtow to the orders from the Central Police Plaza. He would bump heads with them and allow his detectives to follow the leads wherever it would take them.

Then, Gustav remembered this case went beyond the murder of a young woman. His circle of trust was growing smaller and smaller.

"Not that would stop you, right?" Ansem flashed an impish smile.

"Can you at least wait for you to recover a bit more?" Rosya pleaded.

Gustav gazed at Rosya. He wanted to tell her that there was no time. But he couldn't tell her more about her safety. However, looking into her green eyes that reflected a look of genuine concern for his health and safety, that perhaps he should listen to her.

"Fine. I'll rest for one more day," he said under his breath. "But I'm going to close this case."

"Good enough for me," Rosya replied with a smile.

Then Gustav turned his attention to Ansem. "And you. When did you learn where I live?"

**

A day had passed after Ansem and Rosya rescued Gustav from the hospital, and still no news of the event anywhere. This information blackout was strange for Rosya. However, it was for the best. It allowed Gustav and Ansem to plan out their next move. She still didn't know what exactly was going on. One of Ansem's comments made her deduce that something was going to happen. Something big.

The two men spent their time on the computer, tracking a signal, without much success, though. They were clearly breaking several laws by doing so. But this was no longer an official case. But she had an idea that would help them. But that would mean she would be breaking the law as well.

She had taken a bow to uphold the law, but to break it to bring someone to justice?

To distract her mind from those thoughts, Rosya turned on the TV, hoping that would be enough.

Mindlessly switching channels until she landed on an interview show with a familiar face as one of the guest. It was doctor Becker doing an interview.

"Today we have the honor of having Dr. Clive Becker. A talented surgeon, author and brilliant educator." The host introduced Dr. Becker.

"Thank you for having me," Becker smiled politely.

"Today we're talking about your new book, A human soul, a not human body," the host began. "That's quite a controversial title, don't you think, doctor?" The host and the audience laughed.

"Yeah, some would think that." Becker let out a short laugh.

"But tell us, doctor. What do you mean by that title?"

Becker crossed his fingers, smiled and began to explain.

"As a man of science, the question of the soul. The spiritual nature has been a fascinating subject to me. Theology states that God not only imbued man with the breath of life but also of the soul, an intangible aspect. Which made me wonder, is it possible for a nonhuman body to have a soul?"

"Like if animals have something to a soul?" The host asked.

"No, not at all." Replied Becker. "I'm talking about imbuing an artificial body with a soul."

"Whoa, that sounds an awful lot like occultism, doctor." The host chuckled.

"The occult is just a buzzword," Becker explained. "The knowledge we have today was considered occult knowledge in the past. If we keep this attachment to old knowledge, we will never reach the next step."

"And what is the next step?" The host asked, a little concerned.

"Better medicine, better technology and longer lives." Becker said in a lively manner.

"We all can agree that something to look forward to," the host nodded in agreement.

"I know that voice."

Rosya turned her head and saw Gustav standing at the threshold of the door to his bedroom.

"Hey, Gustav. That's the man who operated on you." Rosya explained. "Possibly you heard him before going into the O.R."

Gustav's expression on his face was one of sudden realization. "That's not where I heard it."

"Then where did you hear it?"

Gustav recalled the fight he had with the Spartan, the night that they kidnapped Natalya. It was the same voice that taunted him. That memory was enough to make him feel sick.

Rosya rushed in to keep him from collapsing on the floor. "Gustav, what's wrong?"

"Detectives," Ansem said. "What's the policy of one your kind gets injured on the job?"

Gustav and Rosya pondered the question.

"They send us to the nearest hospital. Why?" Gustav replied.

"The hospital where they took you. How far is it from where detective Rosya found you?" Ansem asked.

Rosya drew out her phone and access her map app. She began scrolling and couldn't hide her bewilderment.

"This map says that the closest hospital was three blocks away." Rosya said. "But they sent the hospital Gustav to is much farther away."

"Those bastards," Gustav growled. He stood up and stared at the TV. Becker was still doing the interview. "He's behind this. I know it."

A sharp pain shot throughout Gustav's body , dropping him to his knees. A pain like no other. It was a thousand needles bursting through his skin.

"The hell is wrong with me?" Gustav groaned.

"Gustav! What's wrong?" Rosya tried to aid Gustav, but was at a loss about what to do.

"You! Do something!" Rosya begged Ansem.

Ansem knelt and ran his hand over Gustav's back. He focused all his energy on searching for the source of the pain. The elixir he had given Gustav should've taken care of all his pain. What there something he missed? Injecting more mana into his hand, he came close to the source of Gustav's pain. He finally found the source, but it moved when it sensed his hand.

They had implanted something inside Gustav, and he needed to extract it before it killed him. Ansem was low key, impressed with the resourcefulness of The Council and those that worked for them.

"Detective, I'm going to lay Gustav on his back."

"What are you planning to do?" She asked.

"I'm going to an exorcism, of sorts." Ansem explained.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rosya replied. "But it if would help him, I'll help you."

"Then go to the kitchen and grab a knife." Ansem instructed.

Gustav did his best to lie on his back and remain still, in spite of the pain. With every second that passed, he felt like he was going to break like a porcelain doll.

"Whatever you're planning to do," Gustav groaned. "Be quick about it."

Ansem channeled all his mana into his hands. With one hand, was going to use to find the thing inside Gustav, and with the other, to extract it. Meanwhile, Rosya stood at the ready with a knife she took from Gustav's kitchen.

The thing that was moving inside Gustav was fast. So, Ansem had to act faster. It was risky, but he was going to try a spell he hadn't used in a long time. In his mind, the face of a clock appeared. Its hands began to move slower, and everything around him followed suit.

"Time Manipulation," He said under his breath. "Halt the flow of time."