The next day they had an early start and head out of the house by 9:30. First, th
ey went to the Common Death Department where the records of all deaths since it’s opening were maintained. The department had started 200 years ago and was sure to have records of Patric’s parents’ deaths.
When they went there, they were informed that his parents’ names were not there. This upset Patric, because when they had buried his parents’ bodies they had ensured that they informed all the Death Departments in US and some outside of US were informed too. They thanked the receptionist and left the Common Death Department.
“What can we do now?” Patric asked. He looked extremely worried.
“We can call the Union of Death and they will be able to check their database to figure out whether your parents’ name is in the records at any of their offices”, said Sharon.
Patric nodded his head and said, “Let’s do that. Let me get you the number!”
On checking with the Union of Death, they discovered that his parents’ names were recorded at none of the Death Departments. They had hit a dead end. Just when Sharon thought there was no other way to get the certificate, Patric’s eyes lit up and he screamed out, “Oh my God! We are tackling this the wrong way. Obviously we aren’t going to be told by anyone even if the records are there with them. Let’s head to the 
Burger King next to my house and ask the manager there if he knows of any Death Department close to his store. I think I remember seeing one around there and I also remember visiting them to give them the news of my parents’ death myself as they were located so close by. We have either ways been at this since morning and I am starting to get hungry. We could grab a bite at Burger King once we speak to the manager there. He has been around here for years and he knows the area in and out. I think he will be able to help us with this!”
Sharon agreed with a nod of her head.
When they parked outside Burger King, they saw that the manager was not sitting outside. Patric walked in and asked a young boy at the counter to direct him to his manager’s office. They were guided into a small but neat cabin. Before entering the room, Patric ordered them some burgers and fries with Coke and said they would come to the table in 5 minutes. They kept their coats in a corner table and knocked on the door that had a sign board reading, “Mathew Perry, Manager”. A harsh and commanding voice ordered them to come in. Mathew turned out to be a soft-spoken person who only spoke with a harsh tone to strangers. He was very helpful and informed them that the Death Department they were looking for was just a couple of streets away. He gave them the address on a piece of paper. They thanked him and headed out to their table to enjoy their meal. When they requested for the bill, they were informed by the young boy from behind the counter that the bill had been taken care of by the manager.
They stepped out and got into the car and drove towards the Death Department, following the directions given by Mathew. They found it in no time and when they went in, they were informed that Patric’s parents’ names were on the record with them. The manager of the place introduced himself as Stephen. He then informed them that a man, 5ft tall, black eyes, brown hair and slim built, with S.F tattooed in italics across his neck, came in and asked him to delete those names. But he found it wrong to delete the names as he knew Patric’s parents’ personally. This man went to the Union of Death and got them to delete the records of his parents’ death from the database by paying them lavishly. Stephen seemed very angry and clenched his teeth as he spoke.
Patric recognized the person as Smither Francis from Stephen’s description of him. Once they stepped out of Stephen’s shop, they headed out to a nearby restaurant for a hearty dinner. Completely stuffed, they pondered what they should do next. Patric suggested, “Why don’t we g
o to the grave yard in which my parents were buried?”
“Ok” said Sharon. They drove to the graveyard in which his parents were buried. The graveyard was completely deserted as it was pretty late. No one was around for miles and all they could see were tombstones.
They were able to find the graves easily. The grave of his father was to the l
eft of his mother’s grave. His parents’ names were engraved in gold. They could not find a single clue in the graveyard. They only found Patric’s dad’s watch next to his grave. Patric picked it up and said, “Let’s take this to the police station first thing tomorrow morning. I suggest we go home and get some rest for now.”
They headed back to Patric’s and were soon asleep. The next day, they woke up early to a healthy breakfast made by Patric’s cook. They got dressed, ate and headed to the police station. The cops were unable to find any fingerprints on the watch. It looked like someone had wiped the watch clean of any fingerprints before placing it next to the tombstone.
Patric was pretty disappointed on hearing this. They stepped out of the police station for a coffee and discussed what they could do next. Sharon suggested that they revisit the Death Department near his parents’ home. They decided to make a quick stopover at Stephen’s store and then head back to get some rest. The day was pretty hot and they were tired from all the driving. When they reached the Death Department and walked in through the door, they saw a young man of about 25 years behind the desk. Stephen seemed to be nowhere in sight.
On inquiring, this boy, who was 5.5 feet tall and plump, told them that Stephen, his dad, was unwell and resting today. He also spoke to them of the man who came in and tried to get him to delete the records. He told them how his father had shooed the man away and how he had gone on to get all the records erased at the Union of Death.
Now Sharon was pretty sure that Stephen’s story wasn’t a lie. But she decided to test the kid to ensure that they were both describing the same person, which was Smither Francis. So she asked him, “and how did that person look?”.
The kid had a worried expression on his face as he went on to describe Smither Francis, 5 ft tall, black eyes, brown hair and slim built, with S.F tattooed in italics across his neck.
“Yes, that’s him!” Patric said.
“Do you know him?” asked the young boy.
“Yes, and no!” replied Patric, “I have never seen him but know him by his description.”
“Oh! Okay! Is he an enemy or something?” the boy in the counter, whose man was Nick, asked.
“Yes, maybe!” responded Patric.
The boy’s interest in this whole affair worried Sharon. Warily, she asked Nick, “Nick, why does this concern you so much? Do you know him?”
“I know him…” said Nick. As he said he said it, two well-built men came out of nowhere and grabbed Sharon and Patric, carrying them away. The men placed handkerchiefs covering both their faces. In no time, Sharon and Patric lost consciousness as the chloroform on the handkerchief started having its effect.
They were trapped with nowhere to go!
