"Your wife? Wait, you're married?" Das took a step back, disbelief evident in his eyes. How could such a man be married?

Sylis showed his ring to Dad as proof. He inspected it sort of like how women sometimes look at each other rings, comparing them to theirs. "This is a women's ring," was all he had to say.

"I know. I don't wear it a lot at the office because I don't need the attention," Sylis lied through the skin of his teeth but the intern was none the wiser as Sylis continued. "Plus, that is not the problem, my wife is going to be murdered by the shadow killer."

It seemed that Das' brain had stopped working because he just stood there, looking at Sylis. When he finally came to, the first words that came out of his mouth were, "Are you sure you're not crazy?"

Sylis might have laughed if he wasn't busy playing the drastically worried husband role. "I'm not joking. Shadow is going to kill her." He had yet to prove that Shadow was going to kill her but the words just slipped out. All he knew was Oliver was supposedly killed by the shadow killer, he had no physical evidence to support his claim. Only his mind, which might not be believed after his madman performance just a few minutes ago.

His main goal was to find and protect Lilin and Piper Cozbi.

"Das, I need to inspect apartment 49B." Sylis' aqua eyes were swimming in depression. Das noticed this and asked why.

The spy looked up to the empty balcony and then back to Das. "Because that is where Lilin and Piper live—or should I say lived."

Without explaining anything, Sylis ran past the crowd and police and then up the fire escape. The female officer who was near the middle of her life shook a fist at the two men before letting a bird fly into the air.

Das—who was clumsily speed-walking toward Sylis—put his palms in front of the lady, trying to calm her down. "I'm so sorry!" was all he could manage before picking up the pace and jogging up the stairs.

When the Indian intern made it to the second floor, he was met with the sound of a gun.

"What are you doing!?" Das yelled. Everyone from below hears the glass shatter and screams erupted.

In a cool tone, Sylis answered, "I needed an entrance." He brushed some of the still hanging glass with his suit arm and took a wide step inside.

Das weakly entered after Sylis, his curled hands laid close to his chest. "Why are we breaking and entering into Lilin and Piper's house." Das did not know these people, but he wanted answers.

The apartment still showed signs of life.

"Why are we breaking and entering into Lilin's and Piper's house?" Das did not know these people, but he wanted answers—and quickly. They were breaking the law right above the police.

Stlis didn't answer at first. He had begun looking around the house. The apartment looked half clear or any life and half used. It was almost as if someone had lived in and had not unpacked everything into the new house.

He stopped walking halfway into the main room which happened to be near the dining table. "Because they are my wife and daughter."

Das' eyes widen. "You not only have a wife but a daughter too?"

"Does anyone live here?" Sylis turned to make an inquiry, his voice never changing from the calm, serious tone though mentally he was more nervous. He felt as if he were on the field as a spy once more, looking for information on how to take down the bad guy. But how he was looking for clues to where the Cozbis were. It didn't seem likely that they were still living in the apartment anymore.

A little surprised by the question, Das answered, "I don't know." After thinking for a little bit he replied, "I don't have that information. I could go check downstairs." He turned to use the way they had entered but Sylis made a suggestion.

"You can use the door, but there are a lot of—." Sylis paused. He had turned to point at the door, but something was off about it. Something very noticeable. "What's wrong?" Das could detect that something was up. He followed Sylis to the door.

"The lock," was all that Sylis said.

"They are all gone."

The additional lock fixture was all removed. Sylis could place his finger on the existing lock holes as if he were attempting to put his fingers into the nail holes of Jesus Christ post-crucifixion. His fingers gently slid across the door frame where the locks were.

"What are you talking about?" Das couldn't see it. He couldn't see all the tiny details. He would have to learn.

Sylis faced him, his hands at his sides now. "Go downstairs and get me my information...please." His tone was not demanding, but he thought he would add the requesting word for the intern. He did just see him shoot through a balcony window door.

"Okay..." he said weary, but then he said the word again, but this time with confidence and a firm head nod. "Okay, Sylis!" He turned the door and left.

Sylis let out a sigh of humor as the young adult left. He was so innocent, and childish. But now that he was alone, he could focus on looking for clues.

He scanned the main room. One thing that he could not see but feel was how cold the room had gotten. At first, he thought it was because Lilin and Piper had left, but one look at the air conditioner would tell you that it was freezing. Only a mere 13 degrees.

Why was it so low?

Was it a clue?

Would they even leave him a clue?

Sylis took note of the coldness and the number it was as well. His brain said that anything abnormal was important.

The next thing he noticed was a steaming mug on the dining table. It was still warm even in the cold climate in which it had been living for how many days. It was weird and also impossible unless someone had been here recently. But whom?

Sylis looked around him as if the person in question was right behind him. He was alone. Was it Oliver?

He left the German flag-colored mug alone but noted it in his brain.

He passed the couch which had his suitcase sitting on it. It looked as though it was just waiting for him to use it. He noted it but did not think it was that important.

First, he went into Lilin's room. He did not
remember really going into the room.