Kirin Shadows: Kirin, #4

By Kaye Wagner

With Kirin under arrest and in waiting for trial, his apprentice Anna is left alone with his partner Jake to find a way to free him—chasing the clues the detective left for them around the city to lead them to the truth of his incarceration. However, under the pressure of time, it becomes obvious to Anna and Jake that not only do they have to save Kirin from a certain defeat in trial, but they also have to confront the looming threat of the Mad Bomber’s Ringleader, who is devising their biggest attack yet against the city.

Story 09: Lawless

Story 10: Hidden Lives

Story 11: Doppelganger

Story 12: Faith

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pendown Publishing
• Release date: Oct 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519901538

Book preview

Kirin Shadows

By

Kaye Wagner

Text copyright © June 2015, Kaye Wagner

––––––––

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission from the author.

Contents

Story 09: Lawless

Story 10: Hidden Lives

Story 11: Doppelgänger

Story 12: Faith

Author Notes:

Story 09: Lawless

Surrounded by the rush of the city, Marie leaned against the back of a parked motorcycle with a chocolate bar in hand and a thin digital tablet on the other, flipping through the pages that filled the flexible device, looking over the fine tailored dresses pictured on screen as she chomped on her chocolate sweet. There by her lonesome within the wild of the Middle City, she calmly looked through the pages of her digital sheet before hearing the sudden opening of a door and a shout of words.

Get on out of here, you trollop! a shout echoed out of the coffee shop ahead, grabbing the attention of Marie, who looked on in wonder to see her sister Anna stumbling out of the shop. We don’t know anything about that traitor! an old man said walking out with his cane pointed at her. And if you ever come around here again mentioning him, I’ll strike you down with my cane! he said raising his cane to the panic, then laughter of Marie as she saw her sister Anna cowering in fear before making a rush away from the cranky old man.

Please Sir! Anna said rushing through the outdoor seating arrangement of the shop before moving down the steps of its elevated platform. I was only asking for your help with Kirin. She said in frustration. I thought you were friends!

Friends?! the old man shouted in aggravation. Are you trying to kill me, girl?! Just because my shop serves customers with a smile doesn’t mean we’re friends! Now get out of here before I give you a good smack! he said swinging his cane in the air and throwing it towards the surprised Anna, who scurried away and ducked as she rushed onto the sidewalk to the surprise of the passing citizens.

Whoa! Anna said making her way past the shop before turning back to it. I was only trying to ask you to help your dear friend! But I guess that doesn’t matter to you anymore. she shouted in frustration before turning around. Geez, you would think I was telling them to testify for a serial killer. she shook her head as she approached the laughing Marie.

Well, Marie giggled. You kind of are, she said pushing off the motorcycle and walking up to Anna. Especially if the city is prosecuting Mr. Legendary Detective as a High Risk threat to the city. I mean, they won’t even let anyone see him in his cell. I heard they even placed him in solitary confinement for the past two weeks, they won’t let anyone near him in the fear that he would escape. She chuckled. They’re really treating him like he’s some A-Class criminal that just murdered a whole building of people. It’s really wild.

It’s not funny, Marie. Anna looked on in frustration. Anyways, how do you even know that? You didn’t even seem to care about him before but now you’re calling him by his name and even know his meal plans in his cell.

Well, I blame you for that.

Anna looked on in surprise. Why me?

Because you really didn’t tell me how fascinating he was. After our little adventure into the city last time, I had my own little binge in research about your detective friend on the ‘mesh’. And to my surprise, that little fem-boy is all the rage in all the forums and message boards there. You can’t go anywhere without hearing about Mr. Legendary Detective. And the most fantastic stories you’ll find about him too. The ‘net’ would have you believe him to be some sort of invincible genius swooping through the city to punish criminals of their misdeeds. Hah, she chuckled. They really think he’s a hero.

Anna looked on with slight embarrassment at the words she was about to say. Well, he kind of is. She said expecting the laughter of her sister, but not hearing it. I mean, you’ve seen him first hand when we met him, and you forced me to tell you all my stories these past few weeks, so you should know. The things he does are unbelievable.

Yeah, Marie smiled. But I do think gross exaggerations like him toppling sewer beast with his bare fist fits into that mold of being completely unrealistic.

Well, those people can lie on the mesh, but what I told you was true. He’s exemplary in all realms of knowledge and intellect. I never seen someone that adept at using their skills so easily and freely within any environment and at any given moment. She looked on in frustration. I wish I could be the same way.

Well, Marie stepped up to Anna, placing a hand on her shoulder. If he’s so skillful, why doesn’t he just find his way out of his cell and escape? He’s done it before, why can’t he do it now?

I don’t know. Anna said in thought. Maybe something stronger than him is fighting back against him, making it hard for him to get out of this situation.

Hey, Marie looked on skeptically. Don’t tell me you’re going to talk about what that crazy Mad Bomber girl said again, because it sounds like you are and what she was saying back then was completely insane and I’m tired of hearing you trying to explain it to me.

It’s reasonable if you take in account the evidence.

No it’s not, it just sounds even more crazy. A Shadow Monster Legend is controlling people’s minds to get girls to blow up the city? Unbelievable. Sounds like the reasoning of a delusional madwoman, which it is. Anna said unconvinced. Besides, I’m still puzzled on how you convinced father to downgrade her death sentence to community service and a year in a mental institution.

Father just believes in rehabilitation. Anna replied. So when I told him this girl had young relatives and her peculiar situation with the strange religious cult within the Lower City, he understood and did further research and came to that decision on his own to help reduce her sentence. So it wasn’t just my word.

Really? Marie looked on suspiciously. I doubt that. Father always had a soft spot for you, and you used it to your advantage. Just admit it. She smiled slyly. Besides, I bet you didn’t tell him the whole story. With her demented tales about Shadow monsters and gods roaming inside of her head, demanding her to blow up parts of the city. If he heard that, he would have second guessed letting that insane girl loose.

I told him everything and he believed me. Anna glared at her sister. Besides, what if she wasn’t lying about that. She said in thought. What if there was a Shadow Monster roaming outside of the city, tormenting it?

Marie sighed in disbelief. Please Anna, you need to stop believing this crap or it’s going to mess with your head. You’ll end up like that mad woman in a mental institute, you hear me.

It’s not about belief, Marie. Anna replied steadfastly. I have evidence of it, video footage, countless eyewitness accounts, not to mention the dead bodies to be accounted for. It’s not some demented thought if the evidence is there.

Then if it’s so real, then what are you doing here begging for help at local shops? Shouldn’t we be chasing a monster?

Anna shook her head in aggravation. Jake doesn’t see it that way. He has his own plans, and it doesn’t involve chasing ‘monsters’ as he would say. He rather us work on getting Kirin out from this case then figure all this out later with him.

Hah, Marie chuckled. Even he doesn’t believe you. And I thought the love between you two was growing.

Never mind. Anna pouted as she walked up to the motorbike. We should go.

Ah, Marie whined as she closed her digital sheet, folding its flexible face and pocketing it. I thought we were going to check out that lady friend of yours, her boutique.

Madame Shae? Anna asked as she took up a seat on her motorbike. We can’t, we have to go meet up with Jake, like I told you.

But you promised you would bring me to her store. That’s the only reason I’m out here, you know? Otherwise I would be out with Mother enjoying tea and biscuits on this holiday.

I didn’t ask you to come this time Marie. Anna grimaced. You forced your way with me after I told you about the Madame. Why are you so excited to see her shop anyways? Don’t you get enough of your clothes from those expensive shops in the High End Sector?

Yeah, but those shops and their designs are so passé. If you want anything hot and stylish you have to modify something drab you buy from those shops, or from what I’m hearing from my friends, you go see Madame Shae, who customizes dresses that fit the best. And if the word of mouth is that strong, you know I can’t resist.

Then we’ll go after we meet up with Jake. She said as the engine started up on its own, roaring to her presence while she mounted the vehicle. So hurry up and get on or we’ll be late.

Oh, Marie shook her head at her sister’s words. That questionable boyfriend of yours still got you hanging on every one of his words. she smiled as she sat behind the annoyed Anna. Even when you get absolutely nothing out of it, you still jump to his call.

I’m not jumping to his call. We’re both trying to help Kirin.

And you’re both trying a little too hard, if you ask me.

And what is that supposed to mean? Anna looked over her shoulder at Marie.

That you’re blind to all things concerning love, to put it simply. Marie looked on haughtily. Take it from me, your big sister, one that is well versed on all themes of love with a wealth of experiences to add onto it.

What experience, Marie? You don’t have a boyfriend either.

That doesn’t matter. Marie smiled smugly. I’ve played plenty of roles about women in love in my stage plays, so I know my fair share of romance stories.

Whatever. Anna said dismissively.

So, Marie continued. Let me tell you something I’ve learned after watching you and your boy toy. What you and Mr. Handsome Body have going between you two is weird with little to no romantic under tones. Sorry to say little sis, but I’m not feeling the vibes between you two.

Vibes? Anna said with a blank stare, knowing that her sister was still running with the lie she created to convince her to help her find her way into the city.

You know what vibes I’m talking about, Marie said with a sharp glance. And if you don’t, you just proved my point.

Well, will your ‘vibes’ help save Kirin? I doubt that.

Well, She said with a sly grin. These ‘vibes’ I’m talking about, they build atmosphere, set a sort of mood where romantic feelings can be expressed in the subtlest of gestures. From the passing glances, the careful touch of the body, and sweet words in between every curious exchange—romance abounds whenever they interact. The Springtime of love, I would say. She said looking Anna up and down. And I don’t see any of that from you now, especially when you’re interacting with him. It’s like you’re both in your own worlds, no sense of romance between you except for your mutual obsession with the boy detective. I swear, I  would much rather believe the both of you are more in love with him, rather than each other. She said giving pause to Anna, who glanced at her sister in thought of her words, feeling they struck a certain chord within her before she felt Marie wrapping her arms around her waist. Oh, woe is the girl that falls in love with someone who is already loved. Marie said looking over the still frame of Anna in confusion. So, Let’s go. I thought we were in a rush?

Ah, Anna said snapping out of her wandering thoughts. Yeah, let’s go. She pulled on the accelerator, moving their motorbike into traffic. Riding in between the racing vehicles, Anna made for a corner they were approaching and turned into the more open side streets. Making her way down there, she felt a tug at her side then the voice of her sister.

Where are we meeting up again? Marie asked as Anna took another turn at an intersection.

At the Courthouse, obviously. Anna replied as she increased their speed.

And what are we going to do there exactly? Marie said with a doubtful expression in her eyes.

What do you mean? I already told you before we went into the city.

Well, you were explaining things during one of my FATE matches online, so I don’t think I really listened to anything you said then. She chuckled to the aggravated bump of the back of Anna onto her chest. Hey! Marie looked on surprised. Watch it.

Then listen up. Anna shook her head while accelerating their speed as they raced further down the streets. Because you most likely didn’t hear any of the details of the plan Jake texted me.

Oh, Marie smiled. Texting buddies, are you? You never told me— she said to the sudden acceleration from Anna, throwing Marie back a bit. Whoa! Watch it. Marie complained before Anna replied quickly to her words.

Then listen! Anna said sternly.

Okay, okay, I’m listening. Marie said to the slow deceleration of the motorbike. Geez, you need to calm down with your sudden mood swings, Anna. We’re not kids anymore—you’re not going to just break a vase this time if you start swinging your arms wildly.

I know, so listen. Anna said as her eyes made contact with a large governmental structure ahead of them on the other end of the street. There she saw a large statue of a young solemn woman holding two broken halves of a mask on each hand as she was positioned above a fountain within a roundabout. We’re going to the courthouse. You see it?

Yeah. Marie said looking at the modernistic and uniform design of a common governmental building. And what are we going to do there?

To talk to the Inspector in charge of the case. We couldn’t get a hold of him ever since the arrest of Kirin, and he seems to be avoiding us from every angle, at least that’s what Jake has been telling me. So instead of setting up appointments and being cancelled and dodged from every angle, we’ve decided to catch him by surprise after he leaves a meeting here.

And you’re doing all this why? Marie said confused.

For information on the case, of course. We want to find out who filed the grievance complaint against Kirin.

Complaint?

Yes. Anna said as they approached the roundabout positioned in front of the active courthouse. Don’t you know the laws in this city? If I remember, you do have a history and law professor tutoring you this month, right?

No, no, no, Marie complained. You got it all wrong. The Professor is teaching me world culture and etiquette, nothing to do with the law. And besides, I’m not a criminal, so I don’t need to be worried about the intricacies of criminal dealings. I leave that to the lower class, as mother would say.

Well, Anna said in frustration. In order for the City Guard to apprehend someone that has not broken a law, you need a considerable amount of complaints delivered by the citizens of the Middle City. Only then can the City Guard arrest an individual who had not committed a crime. Once they arrest you, then they put you to trial for one of the frequented mentioned risks that the citizenry holds against you.

Oh, Marie looked on with interest as the motorbike made its way around the roundabout. That sounds like a rather collective process. I didn’t know the Middle City could be so civilized. She said with a sudden realization. How much complaints does it take for the City Guard to take action though?

Forty thousand. Anna replied as they parked their motorbike to the curb in front of the ascending stone steps leading towards the front entrance of the courthouse.

Whoa! Marie looked on with surprise at the number. "That boy must have