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Oct-28-2008 02:14


...

“He’s just gone!”

“What do you mean gone?”

“I mean gone, detective, disappeared without a trace.”

“Barry Grant? Gone?”

“…”

“And what do you expect out of me?”

“What should I expect out of you?”

Nov-4-2008 04:49


***

Wu had handed Clift a letter received by Obelisk’s field office through Shanghai’s local post. It was a reply to a letter he sent earlier to the Director of The Closers, Mr. R Anstett:

“Dear Mr. Garrett,

I would be glad to help out as I can.

Kindly refer to Mr. Yoyo or myself for further instructions on access to The Closers as you would need an invitation from an Agency Director or Officer.

I would also advise you to investigate Barry's movements at the race track in Shanghai: A public arena where there should be no access issues.

Yours,

Ran”

Clift swallowed, he could not believe his immense luck. Already he’d received very clear directions, a helpful hand and support from both Yoyofoshow and Director R Anstett.

He could hardly utter his instructions: “Take me to The Closers Headquarters Wu, immediately. I can rest and have something to eat later.”

Nov-4-2008 11:12


Yoyo was driving.

After a hard day’s work at The Closers, researching the Barry Grant Case, Yoyo and Director Anstett decided to take Clift to one of the finer restaurants in Shanghai for a wholesome, well-deserved dinner.

Clift had spent the whole day at The Closers gathering information at Barry’s old office. It was Barry's very first office: a small, windowless office with the bare essentials. Desk, chair, stained couch, lamp, beat up rug, and a dead potted plant. Apparently The Closers was the agency where Barry first started.

The Closers was to Barry what Obelisk is currently to Clift: Home. Barry Grant's name was plastered on the door of the small office. The office's size was well-suited for a rookie �"perhaps a little smaller than what a witty rookie could bargain for.

There weren’t any items of any personal significance though: Barry must have cleared off before moving on to his next agency.

Clift had come across a heap of information having worked 11 hours straight at The Closers. After all, his visit would only last two days and he did not want to overstay his welcome. The information he’d come across was mostly personal but some articles of information he felt were related to the case.

Clift had gotten a very good feel of how Barry started out: Who were his friends and who weren’t. He had uncovered a slight rivalry between Barry and Director Anstett over a common love interest, but he felt that was neither here nor there. He has also found notes and reports carrying out instructions by Director Rhiemma Moon, who seemed to have been very fond of Barry: The way a big sister would look out for her younger brother.

Yoyo was clearly Barry’s buddy and helped him whenever possible. Ms. Reese Withers was also another good friend and so were various other detectives in the agency, existing and past.

Nov-4-2008 11:15


However, the single person who seemed to have meant the most to Barry was Miss Andrea X. Clift had kept it to himself but he had uncovered various letters, messages and telegrams from and to Miss X, that Barry must have held very dear to his heart.

Much like Clift, Barry was an adventurer from the get go: a professional, but similarly reckless rookie.

Clift’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted: The pack had finally arrived at the Golden Garden Restaurant.

Nov-5-2008 07:10

The headwaiter passed each of the three men a menu and left them. ‘So what do you want to know about her?’ yoyo asked, speaking into his menu.
‘Excuse me?’ Clift stammered.
‘You heard me. Andrea- I can tell your thinking of her. She had a way; you could always tell when someone was thinking of her. Plus, you kicked up so much dust in Barry’s office it was impossible not to realize what or who rather you where searching. All I want to know is why? Why is she of such great interest to you? I know people who have lots of information about missing people I could set something up. But I want to know why are you searching for Andrea and more importantly why are you searching for Barry Grant!?’

Nov-5-2008 07:59

Ran looked at the waiter as he brought over the drinks.

He gave a small shake of his head and quietly said, "you can bring out the private reserve tonight". With a quick bow and a hurried exchange in the back room the two bottles were replaced on the table.

"Slighty dusty with age like me" Ran smiled at the rest of the table, "but like a fine wine... " trailing off with a quirk of a smile.

"This is something I would have served at a dinner with Barry and Andrea during our time together. Those were 'interesting times' as our hosts would say."

"If you do have questions you would like to ask me feel free Clift. I have not been in the public eye for a while, but I do still keep in touch with interesting people."

Ran sat back and sipped his wine as he listened to Yoyo and Clift's converstion.

Nov-5-2008 11:42


Clift cleared his head.

He was slightly shocked at first that both Yoyo and Ran could so easily read his mind, but he was similarly reassured with them not being able to read his heart.

The seasoned detectives, veteran detectives even, he had before him knew the ‘what’, ‘who’, ‘how’ and ‘where’ �"but not the ‘why’. Yoyo could read the information Clift was sorting through in his head. Ran could sense the eagerness and intense interest Clift burned with. Yet, they could not tell what propelled Clift to embark on such an elaborate investigation, so dangerous, so early in his career and so uncalled for.

Clift took a sip of his wine, but as always it ended up being a gulp �"his could never really master his table manners when he was excited or nervous. He needed the wine. Tonight he was somewhat nervous, having been welcomed by two highly experienced detectives who agreed to give him their precious time. Clift started to speak at last. “Thank you both, Yoyo and Director Anstett, for being so welcoming and understanding to my investigation.”

Ran smiled. Yoyo nodded. They were both well beyond the need for excessive pleasantries. Yoyo suddenly repeated one his earlier questions, still not looking directly at Clift, seemingly more focused on his menu: “So… what do you want to know about her?”

Clift took his bait willingly. “Anything really, she seems to be the single most important person in his life at the time of his disappearance and any insights or information about her may lead to him.” He glanced at Ran for a fleeting moment before continuing. “Was she really that strikingly beautiful? What about her made Barry so-“

“And why do you want all this information? Why are you searching for Barry?” Yoyo’s question drew the bottom line.

Nov-5-2008 11:42


Clift was somewhat bewildered at first, as if he himself was not sure why he embarked upon this wild investigation. He looked to Director Anstett for guidance. Ran smiled. “I recommend the Da Zha Xie, or Hairy Crab, Mr. Garrett. It is a special type of crab found in rivers: A rare delicacy in Shanghai.”

Clift deduced the difference between Ran and Yoyo. Ran was at a point in his career where has over even the ‘Why’. He was genuinely interested only in offering help, whereas Yoyo, though a seasoned detective, still had the need for answers.

Clift felt helpless. He could not give Yoyo any closure or any real answers. The waiter came, Clift suddenly realised. “I’ll have the Da Zha Xie.”

Nov-5-2008 11:58


***

The waiter at the Golden Garden cleared the plates.

Clift felt recharged and reenergised having had possibly the most delectable and exotic meal in his life. Ran had altered the course of the conversation through dinner. They spoke candidly of Barry, especially the early days of his career: His quest for detective gear that was both gentlemanly and effective, the mishaps and mistakes every detective makes at the beginning of his career, his flirtations and many ‘innocent’ brushes with the many female detectives he worked with and many other stories of his bravery and chivalry in aiding his colleagues.

“Speaking of female co-workers,” Clift broke the casual talks steering the conversation back to business and looking to Yoyo with a serious nod “I will tell you why, Yoyo, I need any information I can get about Miss Andrea X. In order for me to uncover the mystery behind Barry Grant’s disappearance, I need to research his personal life.”

Yoyo looked to Ran, and Ran gave him a shrug. Clift spoke to defend himself against an unspoken objection. “I am sure that as a detective you will understand that sometimes it is very important to delve into the personal life of the subject of a case. Betty, Barry’s sister, is the wife of a friend of mine. She has handed me a huge responsibility. Barry Grant is not just a missing person: He is a legendary detective who led by manners and example that many will follow for years to come. I need to find him and bring him back to life.”

Yoyo looked at Clift neutrally and asked. “So what about his personal life do you want to know?”

Clift took out the list he made back in New York of the women in Barry’s life and passed it to Yoyo and then Ran. “Having searched Barry’s Office for eleven hours today, I can safely say that out of these six women, only one really matters in this investigation."

Ran smiled. Yoyo sighed. Clift asked. "What can you tell me about Miss X?”

Nov-6-2008 06:11

‘She fell off the face of the planet with pretty much every other detective in existence. I dare say it, but you’ll have a harder time finding AndreaX than Barry Grant. Andrea was a tough lady, and Barry, well lets just say he needed a little more cushioning; but compared to Andrea who wouldn’t?’ Yoyo took a slow drink from his glass in between sentences. ‘Still; the point stands, you won’t find her unless you get some help, I don’t know where she is but I was never that close to her. Ran on the other hand may…’

Nov-6-2008 07:10


Clift turned to Ran.

Director Anstett was deep in thought, but he finally decided to comment. "Perhaps we should get going, Clift. I know you're planning on an early start tomorrow, and you have a full week of work ahead of you."

Clift Garrett emptied his wine glass and got up, as the three gentleman got ready to leave the Golden Garden Restaurant back to The Closers.

***

**Shanghai, The Closers Headquarters, 0716 hrs (local)**

Clift Garrett went into Barry's old office, again. It was his fifth day on the job.

'This place hasn't been touched in ages,' Clift thought as he noticed a few new cobwebs 'never mind, better get back to work.'

With that thought, Clift put on his gloves and started working Barry's old office. If there was anything to be found to help Clift further in his case it would be here: where it all started, where Barry found his way as a rookie and became a world-famed detective.

Clift was hesitant to go through the remnants of Barry's past and personal life, but he was on a case. He had to find Barry, and in order for him to find Barry he needed all the answers in the world and then some.