Description

Having deciphered the location code, you wonder whether or not you should return to the precinct and inform the Captain. This is clearly more than a missing persons case. Simmons' seems to have left rather than gone missing, and whoever this Sydney is, she's involved too. And this mystery fellow leaving them the clues? Who is that?

Screw it, you've come this far. Best to see it through. Simmons and Sydney are likely to be at the data cache, deciphering the work that was left to them. But what if the strangers have already been there? The man from the apartment… the two in the precinct lobby… what if they'd already found Simmons and Sydney? Back in your cruiser, you program the location code into your navsys and set off towards the outskirts of the city.

At a small weigh station, just off the highway, you spot two vehicles covered with dirty rags and debris. A poor man's effort to disguise them from above, but fairly effective, you think. You approach with caution, fearing the worst for Simmons and Sydney. You've never met them--you only know Simmons through a photo--yet somehow, you feel strangely connected to them. You worry about them.

Moving through the door, a bell tinkles gentle in the frame. Dammit, hopefully no one heard that. What if the strangers were here already? Hand on your pistol, you head to the back of the station, the light from an overhead lamp shines gently through a cracked door. Leaning gently on the door, it slowly creaks open. You step into the room, scanning left and right, and notice one of the strangers silhouetted against the bright glow of a console screen in the corner. You begin moving towards him, when a sudden blow to the back sends you sprawling across the floor.

You turn over and point your gun, but the stranger above you kicks it from your hand. The stranger leans down and grabs you by the collar, lifting you up with ease and dragging you towards the console. Long brown hair swings freely around the shrouded face. Long hair?

"S," the stranger says, softly. "S, what to do with this one?" The stranger at the console doesn't even turn around. "I don't care, S. Whatever you want." He responds. "But S," says the first, "look at him. He's been following us, S. He shouldn't be here." Why are they calling each other "S?" you wonder. The man at the console turns toward you, and in the light of the console you recognize the gnarled profile of a distant friend. "Simmons?!" you shout. "What are you doing? There are people after you. I've been trying to find you."

With a heavy sigh and a shake of his head, Simmons turns back to the console. "I did ask you not to meddle, detective." With sudden realization, you look back to the stranger above you. Long hair. Soft voice. Sydney. Dropping your collar and standing up straight, she raises her arm, pointing your service pistol at you. For just a moment, you recognize something like sympathy in her eyes. Then the moment passes.

Thank you for participating in my second adventure puzzle presented by the Riddlers. If you'd like credit for solving it through the Riddler's Lair, please mention "RIDL" in addition to your comments here. Also, please let me know what you thought of the puzzle. Your feedback helps us write better puzzles for you. Thanks again, hope you enjoyed it!

PS: This is the augmented edition. Whatever that means.

Also, please don't add me for help. I'll try and hang out in Riddlers Labyrinth when I can.

53 Comments

cfriend

Reserved.

12 years ago