Chapter 6

Adelmo broke the monotony of her usual routine and approached her with a curious expression. "How's business going and have there been any messages for me?" he inquired.

With a slight pause, she responded, "Business has been steady, Adelmo. However, there was something peculiar that happened today. That strange gentleman from yesterday paid us another visit, insisting on speaking with you. I informed him that I was uncertain about your availability." Having worked alongside Adelmo for several years, she was well aware of his infrequent appearances at the workplace, and even when he did show up, it was typically during the latter part of the day.

Adelmo furrowed his brow, contemplating the situation. He found it rather peculiar that this man was so persistent in his attempts to communicate with him. It was clear that the stranger's intentions were of great importance, as he continued to make an effort despite being turned away. The mystery surrounding this individual's motives intrigued Adelmo, leaving him eager to uncover the truth behind the man's relentless pursuit.

Adelmo couldn't help but ponder why the man specifically chose to approach him. After all, there were numerous other bookstores in the vicinity, some even larger and more renowned, which would seemingly offer a greater wealth of information on the subject at hand. What was it about Adelmo that had caught the stranger's attention? What knowledge did this mysterious individual possess that Adelmo himself was unaware of?

Seeking answers, Adelmo turned to Lana, hoping she might have gleaned some useful information during their encounter. "Did you manage to catch his name or any way to contact him?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued. Lana shook her head in response, her expression reflecting the unease she had sensed from the stranger. "No, but he seemed incredibly on edge, as if he believed someone was tailing him," she revealed. Adelmo's mind raced with possibilities, trying to decipher the significance of this encounter.

Determined to uncover the truth, Adelmo devised a plan. "If he happens to return, ask him to jot down what he needs or leave a message indicating when he intends to visit again," he instructed Lana. Every piece of information could potentially hold the key to unraveling the mystery that had unexpectedly presented itself. However, amidst their conversation, Lana suddenly remembered an urgent message from Nik. Apparently, Nik had called and expressed a desire to meet Adelmo at their usual meeting spot, a charming establishment known as New Orleans Cajun Cuisine, precisely at nine o'clock. The timing seemed too coincidental to ignore, leaving Adelmo with a sense of anticipation and a multitude of questions swirling in his mind.

Adelmo's heart raced as he approached his house, his mind filled with worry and anticipation. The scientist's words about the mysterious hair had left him with a burning curiosity, and he couldn't wait to hear more. However, as he stepped inside, his excitement quickly turned into shock. The scene before him was one of chaos and destruction. Papers were strewn across the floor, the couch was upturned, and shattered fragments of once beautiful lamps littered the room. It was as if a tornado had swept through his home, leaving nothing untouched.

Adelmo's eyes darted around the room, taking in the extent of the damage. Bookshelves lay toppled, their contents scattered haphazardly. Drawers had been pulled out and emptied, their contents carelessly discarded. It was a scene of utter devastation, and Adelmo couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and disbelief. Who could have done this? Why would someone target his humble abode in such a malicious manner? These questions swirled in his mind, fueling his determination to find answers.

With cautious steps, Adelmo ventured further into his home, his heart pounding in his chest. Every room he entered revealed more destruction, more evidence of a thorough ransacking. It was clear that whoever had done this had been searching for something specific, but what could it be? Adelmo's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. As he surveyed the damage, a sinking feeling settled in his stomach. The scientist's hair, the reason for his initial excitement, now seemed like a distant memory. The chaos before him demanded his immediate attention, and he knew he had to find out who was responsible for this violation of his sanctuary.

As he sat in his living room, pondering the audacity of someone breaking into his house, a wave of confusion washed over him. "Why would someone rob my house?" he wondered aloud, frustration evident in his voice. He couldn't fathom why anyone would target his humble abode, as he believed he didn't possess anything of significant value. Nevertheless, a sense of unease compelled him to investigate further.

With cautious steps, he traversed the rooms of his house, meticulously examining every nook and cranny. His heart raced as he surveyed his belongings, hoping to find them untouched. To his relief, he discovered that nothing had been taken. A mix of relief and bewilderment washed over him, as he realized that this wasn't a typical robbery. It dawned on him that the intruder must have had a specific motive, searching for something specific within his home.

Just as he was grappling with the mystery of the break-in, the shrill ring of the telephone pierced the silence. Startled, he hurriedly answered the call, only to find his friend Nik on the other end. As they exchanged pleasantries, Adelmo couldn't help but mention the recent intrusion. He recounted the bizarre incident, emphasizing that nothing seemed to be missing. Nik's voice filled with concern as he inquired about any potential losses. Adelmo's response only deepened the enigma, leaving both friends perplexed and eager to uncover the truth behind the peculiar break-in.

Adelmo's heart raced as he anxiously awaited the arrival of the police. The minutes felt like hours as he stood there, his mind filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. He couldn't help but think about how long it always seemed to take for the authorities to respond to incidents like these. It was as if time slowed down whenever they needed to file reports. Adelmo sighed, realizing that there was nothing he could do to speed up the process. All he could do was wait and hope that the police would arrive soon.

Finally, Nik arrived at the scene, his presence bringing a sense of relief to Adelmo. As they both stepped inside the premises, Nik's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of a break-in. Adelmo watched closely, observing the confusion on Nik's face. It was unusual for a robber to leave without taking anything valuable. The absence of missing items puzzled both of them, raising more questions than answers. Adelmo couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to this incident than met the eye.

With a furrowed brow, Nik turned to Adelmo one last time, his voice filled with a hint of skepticism. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. "Are you absolutely sure that nothing has been taken?" he asked, hoping for a different response. Adelmo reassured him, explaining that he hadn't noticed anything missing initially. However, he promised to thoroughly search the premises and inform Nik immediately if anything turned up missing. As they continued their investigation, both Adelmo and Nik couldn't shake off the lingering sense of unease, wondering what could have possibly transpired in the absence of stolen items.

It was nearing five o’clock, and the thought crossed his mind to swing by his book shop to check for any new messages. Nik turned to Adelmo and casually mentioned, “My shift is almost over. Once I’m done at the station, it’ll be time to call it a day. How about grabbing a bite at the restaurant?” Adelmo nodded in agreement, adding that he needed to stop by his book shop first to see if there were any important messages waiting for him before they could head out.

Adelmo assured Nik that they could still go to the restaurant, but he emphasized the importance of quickly checking his book shop for any potential messages. Nik, understanding the situation, replied, “Sure, that sounds good. I have a few errands to run anyway, so it works out.” With their plans set, they agreed to meet up in approximately an hour to head to the restaurant together. Adelmo wasted no time and hurried over to the bookstore before it closed to ensure he didn’t miss any urgent messages.

As Adelmo rushed to the book shop, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The possibility of finding a crucial message waiting for him added an element of excitement to his evening plans. Meanwhile, Nik took care of his errands, looking forward to catching up with Adelmo over a meal at the restaurant. The evening was shaping up to be a blend of work and leisure, with the promise of good company and perhaps some unexpected surprises at the book shop.

As he reached the book store, he found Lana in the process of locking up for the night. Lana greeted him with a tired smile and proceeded to share some intriguing news. She mentioned that a man from the police lab had contacted her earlier regarding a DNA sample. According to Lana, the man had discovered something unusual within the DNA structures and expressed his desire to conduct a more in-depth analysis to unravel the mystery.

Lana's revelation piqued his curiosity, prompting him to inquire further about the details of the DNA sample. He was fascinated by the idea of a potential breakthrough in the investigation, especially considering the significance of DNA evidence in solving crimes. Lana explained that the man from the police lab seemed determined to uncover the secrets hidden within the DNA structures, hinting at the possibility of a major discovery that could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the case.

Excited by the prospect of a new development in the investigation, he thanked Lana for sharing the information and expressed his eagerness to learn more about the DNA analysis. The mysterious nature of the DNA structures and the man's determination to unravel their secrets left him intrigued and eager to see what the future held. With a renewed sense of anticipation, he bid Lana goodnight and left the book store, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the potential breakthrough that lay ahead.