Chapter 3: Some Threads Connect
Martin slowly opened his eyes to find himself in a different place — the hospital. In that moment, he recalled the last words the Ghoul had spoken. Just then, Detective Karl entered the room, holding the letter that the Ghoul had sent Martin that morning.
Karl (in an angry tone):
"What is this?"
Martin:
"I had no choice. I had to meet him myself. He told me someone would die, so I rushed over there."
Karl:
"Fine. What did you two talk about?"
Martin fell silent, replaying the events in his mind. With a sad tone and a tear sliding down his cheek, he replied:
Martin:
"Jack... He killed Jack. Even though I wasn't late... He tricked me."
Karl:
"I know. He left a note saying Jack was never the intended victim — he was targeted from the beginning. The proof is the domino marked with the number 4."
Martin wiped his tears and pulled himself together. Staring at the detective with a look full of courage and determination, he said:
Martin:
"I'll catch him — wherever he is."
Karl:
"That's the spirit. Now, tell me what happened between you two."
Martin:
"I managed to gather several clues. First, he's not one of the four current suspects. His build and voice don't match any of them. Second, he's traveling to Germany — he has business there. But the problem is, according to him, there will be four more victims in the next four days. Third, there's a reason he doesn't want to kill me."
Karl:
"That opens a lot of questions. What's the connection between Jack, Arthur Luther, and Maria? Is the order of killings random — like, if he gets the chance to eliminate any of the six, he takes it? Or are the victims chosen in a very deliberate order? And if so, what's the common thread — religion?"
Karl (surprised):
"Religion?!"
Martin:
"Yes. When I asked him why he's doing all this, he said it was a 'religion'. But he never clarified what kind."
Karl:
"Our focus now should be the upcoming victims. I suspect they're among the original suspects — if the Ghoul isn't one of them."
Martin:
"There's a flaw in that theory."
Karl:
"What is it?"
Martin:
"If Jack was number 4, that leaves us with numbers 1, 2, and 3. And I highly doubt there's a number zero. I believe these murders are just a phase — a settling of personal scores. Once he's done, the real terror will begin. Possibly related to my parents' murder."
Karl:
"I agree. I'll inform the precinct. We'll take every possible precaution to protect the city. We'll plant officers everywhere."
Martin:
"I forgot to mention — he's watching me. The letter said: 'My eyes are everywhere.'"
Karl:
"Do you think he has accomplices?"
Martin:
"I doubt it. A person like him wouldn't work with anyone."
Karl:
"We'll investigate it. Now get some rest. You can leave the hospital this evening so you can attend Jack's funeral."
Martin:
"Alright."
Martin leaned back against his pillow, staring at the ceiling, thoughts racing. Would he be working alone? His mind was clouded with questions, but one thing was clear — he had to protect whoever remained.
---
Later that evening, Martin attended Jack's funeral, where he met up with Adrian and Starla, both drowning in grief. In a moment of silence by Jack's grave, a small bird landed on Adrian's head. He reached up to shoo it away, and the bird flew to a nearby tree. Adrian and Martin both watched it land on a branch — only to see him standing behind the tree... the Ghoul.
After the minute of silence ended, Adrian turned to Martin and asked:
Adrian:
"Was that... him?"
But from Martin's expression, Adrian knew the answer.
In a flash, the Ghoul vanished among the crowd. Shocked, the two rushed cautiously to the spot where he had stood. There, they found a note:
"Tomorrow at 15:00 in the afternoon...
Where the rich and artists walk,
My shops shine like jewels in their eyes.
This century, I am the elite's destination,
And today, I still live in the heart of the capital."
Adrian:
"He's challenging us... and the entire police force."
Martin:
"No... he's challenging me."
Adrian:
"Why you? Just because you met him doesn't mean he's specifically targeting you."
Martin:
"You knew about the meeting... But let's not talk about that now. We have to leave — he might be watching us from somewhere else."
They headed to the police station, where they found Detective Karl standing before a wall covered in photos of the victims and others tied to the case.
Karl:
"Any news?"
Martin:
"Yes. We found a new message from the Ghoul. Here — take a look."
Karl (after reading):
"He's mocking us. We have to stop him — whatever it takes. We now know where the next crime will happen. We just need to figure out who the next victim is."
Adrian:
"Have you solved the riddle, detective?"
Martin:
"Isn't it obvious? It's a famous place."
Adrian (reading the first line, shocked):
"Bond Street!"
Karl:
"Exactly. We need to prepare immediately."
Karl summoned all officers and issued a firm command:The next morning, the sky was clear as if smiling, promising a beautiful day. At exactly 9:00 AM, Martin hurried toward the house of Mr. Moriarty, one of the most renowned writers in England. When he arrived, he knocked gently on the door. The housekeeper asked who it was, and Martin introduced himself — but she refused to let him in.
Martin (to himself):
"That's expected. Mr. Moriarty no longer trusts anyone. All the recent crimes seem somehow connected to him."
Martin knocked again, but it was in vain.
Unbeknownst to him, someone was watching everything. Moriarty himself stood at his window, holding a cigarette and muttering,
"What does all this mean, Mr. Alexander?"
Just as Martin and Starla were about to leave, the housekeeper opened the door and said:
"Mr. Moriarty has instructed me to let you in."
In the lavishly decorated sitting room, filled with elegant vases and valuable antiques, the two sat waiting. Starla noticed a photo of Moriarty's family, yet the house felt empty — as if only one man lived there.
Starla asked:
"Does Mr. Moriarty have a family?"
The housekeeper, Eva, replied:
"Yes, he married a German woman, and they settled there. They had a son named Thomas. At first, he lived a happy life. But one day, twenty years ago, he was walking with his family. While his wife was trying on a pearl necklace at a jewelry shop, a man in a brown leather coat and a black hat entered. She felt uneasy, put the necklace back, and returned to her husband. When he asked why she came back so soon, she told him everything. Thomas turned to her and asked, 'Was that the man you meant?' Moments later, the man collapsed unconscious."
Crowds gathered around. A friend of his named Abraham arrived.
When Martin heard the name — the fruit merchant he lived with for three months — he sat upright in his "high focus" posture.
Eva continued:
"As Abraham carried the man on his shoulder, a doctor asked about his condition. Abraham replied, 'He's sick, bedridden, and his son is missing. He's been searching for a month despite his deteriorating health.' The doctor took them to her clinic. As they passed Mr. Moriarty, Abraham remarked, 'Your son looks like my friend's son.' Mr. Moriarty just nodded in sympathy."
Martin interrupted:
"How do you know all these details? There's no way Mr. Moriarty would tell you all that — and no reason he would."
Eva smiled gently:
"Good question, and you're right. But you didn't know that I was the doctor who treated that man. You're an impatient young man, Mr. Martin Grave. Let me finish the story so you'll understand everything."
Martin, shocked:
"How do you know my surname? I only told you my first name and the university I attend!"
Eva:
"That's obvious. You're the son of Mr. Victor Grave — England's top chess player 11 years ago. He was a respected figure, and I knew him well. We — the four of us — were investigating a series of crimes. The villain back then was the same one you're now pursuing. Your father was brilliant, a strategic mastermind, until one day, he lost terribly in a match to a boy named Alexander. After that, he quit chess. But he kept helping with the case — until the day he died."
Martin:
"Did you discover something about the Ghoul that we don't know? Is Alexander still alive?"
Eva:
"Let me continue, and everything will make sense — especially since you didn't spend much time with your father due to his work."
Just then, Mr. Moriarty descended the staircase.
Moriarty:
"Welcome, Victor's successor. I recognized you from the little knight piece pinned to your coat — your father wore the same. That's why I asked Eva to let you in. She's not a housekeeper — she's here because of the Ghoul. We still want to catch him, despite losing one of our own. You came because you heard I was going to Germany, didn't you?"
Martin:
"Yes! But how did you know the Ghoul would be in Germany?"
Moriarty:
"Listen to Eva's story — you'll understand everything."
Eva continued:
"After treating the man, I learned he was Victor Grave — your father. He had previously been married but divorced. He won custody of their child, Brian. But Brian wasn't happy living with him. Victor forced him to learn chess and was always busy. One day, there was a city chess tournament for children. Your father was invited to observe and advise. As he watched a thrilling match featuring young Thomas — showing great skill — he turned to his side and found Brian missing. He searched everywhere in panic, but couldn't find him. His health deteriorated from the stress. He assumed Brian had gone searching for his mother in Germany — but he didn't know she had actually settled in England."
A man came to the clinic with his wife and son and said:
"Sorry for the disturbance. My son says that man is the world chess champion, and he's a big fan."
Eva:
"As long as he's stable, it's okay."
The boy rushed to Victor. Due to the resemblance, Victor thought it was Brian.
Victor:
"Brian! Where have you been? I searched everywhere for you!"
Thomas:
"I'm not Brian. I'm Thomas — a big fan of yours. I played in the city tournament last month. You were there. I played to impress you!"
Victor, smiling:
"Really? Want to play a match together?"
Thomas agreed joyfully, tears of happiness in his eyes. They played for hours, both enjoying it.
Abraham:
"I hadn't seen him that happy in a long time!"
Inspired, Eva and Mr. Moriarty asked Victor to teach them too. That's how the four became close friends — bonded by the chessboard — until July 6, 1867, the day Victor lost to Alexander, an eight-year-old prodigy.
Victor's reputation collapsed. The chess world mocked him. He begged for a rematch. Alexander agreed. Victor lost again — miserably.
Alexander:
"Come back once you learn how to move the queen."
Victor left in shame. As he passed people, they whispered, "The third time will be faster." Even Thomas couldn't comfort him.
A week later, Moriarty received a letter:
"Prepare to see hell on the 17th."
He ignored it, thinking it childish.
On that date, Thomas was kidnapped. The kidnapper left a note:
"Doom awaits this city."
The police found no clues. Thomas's mother collapsed and died three days later.
At her funeral, the kidnapper appeared behind Moriarty with a knife and whispered:
"Don't turn around. If you want to see your son again, come to London."
The next morning, we packed and traveled. I wanted to work in London. Your father, having lost everything in Germany, needed a fresh start.
We parted ways after arriving and didn't reunite for ten years. When we finally met here, your father remembered you were in a chess club. It was time to bring you in.
We went to find you. On the way, we bumped into Abraham. Your father continued while we waited. Then a thief stole my purse. Moriarty and your father chased him. You stayed with Abraham and followed later. The thief ran into a park…
We saw nothing but his corpse — stabbed in the heart. On a tree nearby, a note pinned with a knife:
"I'm waiting for you, Victor… I'm in your home."
Your father raced home, found the Ghoul holding your mother's severed head.
Victor (screaming):
"Who are you?!"
Ghoul:
"Did you forget me, father?"
Victor (shocked):
"No… it can't be! Brian? Is that you?"
Ghoul:
"Doesn't matter who I am. What matters is I will avenge everything. You ignored me — and her — for your stupid game. Even when I ran away, you didn't notice!"
Moriarty interrupted:
"Your father searched all over Germany, to the point of collapsing from exhaustion."
Eva couldn't bear it and left the house, hiding nearby.
Moriarty continued:
"Your father, tearfully:**
'If you had told me you hated the game, I would've never forced you...'
Ghoul, removing his mask:
"Really? You expect me to believe that now?"
He stabbed Victor in a flash.
Brian, coldly smiling:
"Goodbye… greatest chess player."
Victor, dying, hugged him:
"I'm sorry, son. I just wanted you to be better than me."
Brian's smile faltered. He laid Victor's body beside the chessboard.
Moriarty:
"Brian passed by me and said: 'You and that woman will have your turn too.' But I saw tears in his eyes."
Three months later, Abraham died — another shock. We thought Brian would come for us, but he didn't… until now.
Martin (calmly):
"So that's how it is. But there are still unclear parts. We need to focus on the next targets."
Moriarty:
"You're surprisingly calm."
Martin (serious tone):
"Whether I'm calm or shocked doesn't matter. Who do you think the next targets are
Karl:
"Everyone, get ready. The Ghoul is targeting someone in Bond Street. We may not know who yet, but we'll seal off the area from the inside and outside. Place undercover officers to monitor the shops. Any suspicious activity — investigate
it. The Ghoul will show up at 3:00 PM, but that doesn't mean we let our guard down. He could already be hiding among the crowd."
The next morning, the sky was clear, as if smiling, promising a beautiful day. At 9:00 a.m., Martin was rushing toward the house of Mr. Moriarty—one of the greatest writers in England.
Upon arriving, he knocked gently. The housemaid asked who was at the door, and Martin introduced himself—but she refused to let him in.
Martin (to himself):
That's expected. Mr. Moriarty doesn't trust anyone anymore, and all the crimes are somehow connected to him.
He knocked again, but still no response.
Meanwhile, someone was observing everything. Moriarty was watching from his room's window, holding a cigarette, muttering:
"What does this mean, Mr. Alexander?"
Just as Martin and Starla were about to leave, the maid opened the door and said,
"Mr. Moriarty has ordered me to let you in."
In the elegantly decorated sitting room, with its precious artifacts and vases that added beauty to the place, the two waited. Starla noticed a picture of Moriarty's family but felt the house was strangely empty—as if only one person lived there.
Starla:
"Does Mr. Moriarty have a family?"
Eva (the maid):
"Yes, he married a German woman. They settled there and had a son named Thomas. At first, life was blissful, but twenty years ago, while they were out shopping, his wife was trying on a pearl necklace when a man entered the store—wearing a brown leather coat and black hat. She felt uneasy and left quickly, returning to her husband."
Thomas asked his mother,
"Is that the man you meant?"
Moments later, the man collapsed. A crowd gathered, and a friend of his, Abraham, arrived.
Martin, shocked to hear the name of the fruit vendor he had once lived with for three months, sat in his deep-focus posture.
Eva continued:
"Abraham carried the man and explained to a concerned doctor that the man was sick and bedridden, and his son had been missing for a month. The doctor insisted on taking him to her clinic. As they passed Mr. Moriarty, Abraham said,
'Your son looks like my friend's child.'
Moriarty just stood silently, offering a look full of sympathy."
Martin (interrupting):
"How do you know all these details? There's no way Mr. Moriarty would have told you such personal things."
Eva (smiling kindly):
"That's a fair question. But what you don't know is... I was the doctor who treated that man. You're quite impatient, Mr. Martin Greif. Let me finish the story so you can understand everything."
Martin (shocked):
"How do you know my surname? I only introduced myself with my first name and the university I attend!"
Eva:
"That was enough. You're the son of Victor Greif—the chess grandmaster of England eleven years ago. I knew him well. The four of us once worked together on a case involving the very criminal you're after now—'The Ghoul.' Your father was brilliant and strategic... until the day he played against a boy named Alexander and suffered a crushing defeat. That loss led him to retire from chess, though he stayed on the case... until his death."
Martin:
"Is there something you discovered about 'The Ghoul' that no one else knows? Is Alexander still alive?"
Eva:
"Let me finish the story first. That will explain your father's role and everything else—especially since you barely knew him."
Suddenly, Mr. Moriarty descended the stairs.
Moriarty:
"Welcome, heir of Victor. I recognized you from the small horse pin on your coat—it was your father's too. That's why I told Eva to let you in. She's not a maid—she's here for 'The Ghoul.' We still seek to catch him, despite losing one of our own. You came here after hearing I was heading to Germany, right?"
Martin:
"Yes. But how did you know The Ghoul is going to Germany?"
Moriarty:
"Listen to Eva's story. You'll understand."
Eva:
"After treating the man, he told me he was Victor Greif—your father. He'd been married before, but after divorcing, he gained custody of their son, Brian. The boy was unhappy; his father was always busy with chess and forced him to learn it. One day, there was a children's tournament in town, and Victor was invited to give guidance. While watching a thrilling match, with Thomas playing brilliantly, he turned and noticed Brian was gone. He searched frantically, believing the boy had gone to find his mother in Germany—unaware she had actually settled in England."
A man, his wife, and son arrived at the clinic.
Man:
"Sorry to bother you. My son recognized the man here as the world chess champion and wanted to meet him."
Eva:
"If he's stable, it should be fine."
The child rushed into Victor's room.
Thomas:
"I'm not Brian. I'm Thomas, your biggest fan! I played in last month's tournament—you were there! I wanted to impress you."
Victor (tearing up):
"Let's play, then."
They played all evening, both filled with joy.
Abraham:
"I haven't seen him this happy in ages."
Eva and Moriarty both learned chess afterward to join their children. The board brought them all together—until July 6, 1867.
That was the day Victor was defeated by Alexander—a child of just eight. The media ridiculed him, and he requested a rematch.
Alexander won again.
Alexander:
"I hope you come back to chess—once you learn how to move the queen properly."
Victor left the hall, ashamed. People whispered:
"The third time will be quicker."
Even young Thomas tried to console him, but Victor responded:
"Reaching the top is hard… but staying there is harder."
A week later, Moriarty received a message:
"Prepare to see hell on the 17th."
He ignored it—until that day, Thomas was kidnapped.
A note was left:
"Doom awaits this city."
Thomas's mother collapsed in grief and died three days later.
At her funeral, the kidnapper whispered to Moriarty, holding a knife behind his back:
"Don't turn around. If you want to see your son again—come to London."
Eva and Victor left Germany shortly after. Ten years passed. They reunited in Moriarty's home, talking about old times. Victor wanted to bring you, Martin, along. He was remarried by then, which surprised us.
One day, while shopping, we met Abraham again. Your father went ahead, and we were robbed. Moriarty and Victor chased the thief. You stayed with Abraham and followed later.
In the park… the thief was found dead. A knife to the heart. A note pinned to a tree with a blade read:
"I'm waiting for you, Victor... at your home."
Victor rushed home. In the bedroom… the monster held your mother's head.
Victor (screaming):
"Who are you?!"
Ghoul:
"Did you forget me… Father?"
Victor (shocked):
"No... Brian? Is that you?!"
Ghoul (furious):
"It doesn't matter who I am. I'll avenge the pain you caused me and my mother. You never cared about us! You made me play your stupid game, ignored me... and even when I disappeared, you didn't notice!"
Moriarty (interrupting):
"Your father searched all over Germany. He collapsed from exhaustion!"
Eva couldn't take it anymore and fled outside.
Moriarty (continuing):
Victor sobbed:
"If you didn't want to play… you could've just said so…"
Ghoul (removing his mask):
"Really? You expect me to believe that now?"
He lunged, stabbing Victor fatally.
Brian (smiling cruelly):
"Goodbye, greatest chess player."
Victor, dying, hugged him:
"I'm sorry, son… I only wanted you to be better than me…"
Brian's smile broke. His face fell into a shadow of grief.
He placed Victor's body beside a chessboard.
Before leaving, he told Moriarty:
"You and that woman outside… your turn will come."
Three months later, Abraham was found dead. We thought Brian was coming for us—but nothing happened until now.
Martin (calmly):
"So that's the truth. But there are still unclear parts. We need to focus on the current targets."
Moriarty:
"You're very composed… I didn't expect that after hearing all this."
Martin (with sharp eyes):
"Doesn't matter if I'm shocked or cold. Who do you think the next victims are?"
---
Meanwhile, the detective and police officers were on high alert.
Karl (checking his watch):
"11:00 a.m. Still four hours left."
He thought:
He wouldn't choose someone random. There must be a connection between past victims. But what is it?
We've investigated everyone, yet no shared factor… Unless they all knew him?
He smiled faintly, holding the Ghoul's message:
"You won't escape this time. You're in my grasp."
---
2:30 p.m. — 30 minutes remaining.
Everyone was in place. On a rooftop near Bond Street, the Ghoul was watching a doll shop.
Ghoul (to himself):
"I was meant to be human… but ended up as a shadow no one wants to remember…"
Suddenly, he felt a gun on his back.
Ghoul (without turning):
"You solved the second riddle, didn't you, detective?"
Karl (smirking):
"Yes. You used lemon juice as invisible ink to write: 'Among the jewels, dolls await their master.' Then wrote the visible message over it. Sunlight revealed the hidden clue."
Ghoul:
"I underestimated you… A mere pawn trying to become a knight?"
Karl (confident):
"Size doesn't matter if I can make a difference. Tell me who the next target is. One chance—or I shoot."
Ghoul (mocking laugh):
"Alright. I'll tell you. You know why I revealed my location? To make things more fun. Because the next target… is YOU."
Karl (shocked):
"Me?!"
Suddenly, the Ghoul punched Karl in the face, then followed up with more blows—one to the face, another to the gut. Karl staggered, unable to breathe, trying to dodge. He retaliated.
A fierce brawl erupted.
Adrian arrived on the rooftop, picked up Karl's fallen gun, aimed carefully. Karl noticed and kicked the Ghoul back. Adrian fired.
Bang!
The bullet struck the Ghoul near his heart.
Police rushed to the rooftop. The Ghoul stood up—laughing hysterically.
Ghoul (mocking):
"A trap? Letting me grab your gun, draw me into a fight, wait for the child to shoot… then the gunshot signals your men? Clever."
Karl:
"It wasn't my plan. Your opponent set that trap."
Ghoul (grinning):
"Martin…"
Suddenly—a sniper shot struck Karl in a vital spot.
Karl (in pain):
"Who fired?!"
Police scattered—some to grab the Ghoul, some to find the shooter.
The next morning, the sky was clear, as if smiling, promising a beautiful day. At 9:00 a.m., Martin was rushing toward the house of Mr. Moriarty—one of the greatest writers in England.
Upon arriving, he knocked gently. The housemaid asked who was at the door, and Martin introduced himself—but she refused to let him in.
Martin (to himself):
That's expected. Mr. Moriarty doesn't trust anyone anymore, and all the crimes are somehow connected to him.
He knocked again, but still no response.
Meanwhile, someone was observing everything. Moriarty was watching from his room's window, holding a cigarette, muttering:
"What does this mean, Mr. Alexander?"
Just as Martin and Starla were about to leave, the maid opened the door and said,
"Mr. Moriarty has ordered me to let you in."
In the elegantly decorated sitting room, with its precious artifacts and vases that added beauty to the place, the two waited. Starla noticed a picture of Moriarty's family but felt the house was strangely empty—as if only one person lived there.
Starla:
"Does Mr. Moriarty have a family?"
Eva (the maid):
"Yes, he married a German woman. They settled there and had a son named Thomas. At first, life was blissful, but twenty years ago, while they were out shopping, his wife was trying on a pearl necklace when a man entered the store—wearing a brown leather coat and black hat. She felt uneasy and left quickly, returning to her husband."
Thomas asked his mother,
"Is that the man you meant?"
Moments later, the man collapsed. A crowd gathered, and a friend of his, Abraham, arrived.
Martin, shocked to hear the name of the fruit vendor he had once lived with for three months, sat in his deep-focus posture.
Eva continued:
"Abraham carried the man and explained to a concerned doctor that the man was sick and bedridden, and his son had been missing for a month. The doctor insisted on taking him to her clinic. As they passed Mr. Moriarty, Abraham said,
'Your son looks like my friend's child.'
Moriarty just stood silently, offering a look full of sympathy."
Martin (interrupting):
"How do you know all these details? There's no way Mr. Moriarty would have told you such personal things."
Eva (smiling kindly):
"That's a fair question. But what you don't know is... I was the doctor who treated that man. You're quite impatient, Mr. Martin Greif. Let me finish the story so you can understand everything."
Martin (shocked):
"How do you know my surname? I only introduced myself with my first name and the university I attend!"
Eva:
"That was enough. You're the son of Victor Greif—the chess grandmaster of England eleven years ago. I knew him well. The four of us once worked together on a case involving the very criminal you're after now—'The Ghoul.' Your father was brilliant and strategic... until the day he played against a boy named Alexander and suffered a crushing defeat. That loss led him to retire from chess, though he stayed on the case... until his death."
Martin:
"Is there something you discovered about 'The Ghoul' that no one else knows? Is Alexander still alive?"
Eva:
"Let me finish the story first. That will explain your father's role and everything else—especially since you barely knew him."
Suddenly, Mr. Moriarty descended the stairs.
Moriarty:
"Welcome, heir of Victor. I recognized you from the small horse pin on your coat—it was your father's too. That's why I told Eva to let you in. She's not a maid—she's here for 'The Ghoul.' We still seek to catch him, despite losing one of our own. You came here after hearing I was heading to Germany, right?"
Martin:
"Yes. But how did you know The Ghoul is going to Germany?"
Moriarty:
"Listen to Eva's story. You'll understand."
Eva:
"After treating the man, he told me he was Victor Greif—your father. He'd been married before, but after divorcing, he gained custody of their son, Brian. The boy was unhappy; his father was always busy with chess and forced him to learn it. One day, there was a children's tournament in town, and Victor was invited to give guidance. While watching a thrilling match, with Thomas playing brilliantly, he turned and noticed Brian was gone. He searched frantically, believing the boy had gone to find his mother in Germany—unaware she had actually settled in England."
A man, his wife, and son arrived at the clinic.
Man:
"Sorry to bother you. My son recognized the man here as the world chess champion and wanted to meet him."
Eva:
"If he's stable, it should be fine."
The child rushed into Victor's room.
Thomas:
"I'm not Brian. I'm Thomas, your biggest fan! I played in last month's tournament—you were there! I wanted to impress you."
Victor (tearing up):
"Let's play, then."
They played all evening, both filled with joy.
Abraham:
"I haven't seen him this happy in ages."
Eva and Moriarty both learned chess afterward to join their children. The board brought them all together—until July 6, 1867.
That was the day Victor was defeated by Alexander—a child of just eight. The media ridiculed him, and he requested a rematch.
Alexander won again.
Alexander:
"I hope you come back to chess—once you learn how to move the queen properly."
Victor left the hall, ashamed. People whispered:
"The third time will be quicker."
Even young Thomas tried to console him, but Victor responded:
"Reaching the top is hard… but staying there is harder."
A week later, Moriarty received a message:
"Prepare to see hell on the 17th."
He ignored it—until that day, Thomas was kidnapped.
A note was left:
"Doom awaits this city."
Thomas's mother collapsed in grief and died three days later.
At her funeral, the kidnapper whispered to Moriarty, holding a knife behind his back:
"Don't turn around. If you want to see your son again—come to London."
Eva and Victor left Germany shortly after. Ten years passed. They reunited in Moriarty's home, talking about old times. Victor wanted to bring you, Martin, along. He was remarried by then, which surprised us.
One day, while shopping, we met Abraham again. Your father went ahead, and we were robbed. Moriarty and Victor chased the thief. You stayed with Abraham and followed later.
In the park… the thief was found dead. A knife to the heart. A note pinned to a tree with a blade read:
"I'm waiting for you, Victor... at your home."
Victor rushed home. In the bedroom… the monster held your mother's head.
Victor (screaming):
"Who are you?!"
Ghoul:
"Did you forget me… Father?"
Victor (shocked):
"No... Brian? Is that you?!"
Ghoul (furious):
"It doesn't matter who I am. I'll avenge the pain you caused me and my mother. You never cared about us! You made me play your stupid game, ignored me... and even when I disappeared, you didn't notice!"
Moriarty (interrupting):
"Your father searched all over Germany. He collapsed from exhaustion!"
Eva couldn't take it anymore and fled outside.
Moriarty (continuing):
Victor sobbed:
"If you didn't want to play… you could've just said so…"
Ghoul (removing his mask):
"Really? You expect me to believe that now?"
He lunged, stabbing Victor fatally.
Brian (smiling cruelly):
"Goodbye, greatest chess player."
Victor, dying, hugged him:
"I'm sorry, son… I only wanted you to be better than me…"
Brian's smile broke. His face fell into a shadow of grief.
He placed Victor's body beside a chessboard.
Before leaving, he told Moriarty:
"You and that woman outside… your turn will come."
Three months later, Abraham was found dead. We thought Brian was coming for us—but nothing happened until now.
Martin (calmly):
"So that's the truth. But there are still unclear parts. We need to focus on the current targets."
Moriarty:
"You're very composed… I didn't expect that after hearing all this."
Martin (with sharp eyes):
"Doesn't matter if I'm shocked or cold. Who do you think the next victims are?"
---
Meanwhile, the detective and police officers were on high alert.
Karl (checking his watch):
"11:00 a.m. Still four hours left."
He thought:
He wouldn't choose someone random. There must be a connection between past victims. But what is it?
We've investigated everyone, yet no shared factor… Unless they all knew him?
He smiled faintly, holding the Ghoul's message:
"You won't escape this time. You're in my grasp
2:30 p.m. — 30 minutes remaining.
Everyone was in place. On a rooftop near Bond Street, the Ghoul was watching a doll shop.
Ghoul (to himself):
"I was meant to be human… but ended up as a shadow no one wants to remember…"
Suddenly, he felt a gun on his back.
Ghoul (without turning):
"You solved the second riddle, didn't you, detective?"
Karl (smirking):
"Yes. You used lemon juice as invisible ink to write: 'Among the jewels, dolls await their master.' Then wrote the visible message over it. Sunlight revealed the hidden clue."
Ghoul:
"I underestimated you… A mere pawn trying to become a knight?"
Karl (confident):
"Size doesn't matter if I can make a difference. Tell me who the next target is. One chance—or I shoot."
Ghoul (mocking laugh):
"Alright. I'll tell you. You know why I revealed my location? To make things more fun. Because the next target… is YOU."
Karl (shocked):
"Me?!"
Suddenly, the Ghoul punched Karl in the face, then followed up with more blows—one to the face, another to the gut. Karl staggered, unable to breathe, trying to dodge. He retaliated.
A fierce brawl erupted.
Adrian arrived on the rooftop, picked up Karl's fallen gun, aimed carefully. Karl noticed and kicked the Ghoul back. Adrian fired.
Bang!
The bullet struck the Ghoul near his heart.
Police rushed to the rooftop. The Ghoul stood up—laughing hysterically.
Ghoul (mocking):
"A trap? Letting me grab your gun, draw me into a fight, wait for the child to shoot… then the gunshot signals your men? Clever."
Karl:
"It wasn't my plan. Your opponent set that trap."
Ghoul (grinning):
"Martin…"
Suddenly—a sniper shot struck Karl in a vital spot.
Karl (in pain):
"Who fired?!"
Police scattered—some to grab the Ghoul, some to find the shooter.
A second shot killed another officer. Chaos.
The Ghoul seized an officer, holding him hostage.
Ghoul (calmly):
"I hate taking hostages. But I must—because I have an important meeting soon."
Tension rose. No one dared move. All eyes locked on the Ghoul.A second shot killed another officer. Chaos.
The Ghoul seized an officer, holding him hostage.
Ghoul (calmly):
"I hate taking hostages. But I must—because I have an important meeting soon."
Tension rose. No one dared move. All eyes locked on the Ghoul.