The atmosphere was quiet at the "Morning Light" cafe, where Klaus sat at his usual table, sipping a cup of black coffee. Rio sat across from him, holding a cup of warm milk, watching the passersby from the window with her usual calm. These were the rare moments of peace that followed the end of a difficult case and preceded the start of a new one.
Suddenly, Klaus's small phone vibrated on the table, making a faint sound. Klaus looked at the screen, and his smile gradually faded.
Klaus: (In a serious tone) It seems the peace didn't last long.
Rio: (In her quiet voice) What happened?
Klaus: (Puts his phone down) A call from Sergeant Elias. They have a strange incident at the studio of "André Kolts."
Rio: Is it a murder?
Klaus: I don't know, but Elias hasn't been this agitated in years.
A few minutes later, Klaus and Rio arrived at the studio of "André Kolts," a renowned sculptor known for his intricate metal works. The police had cordoned off the area. Sergeant Elias, a man with tired features and graying hair, stood in front of the door, his face showing signs of astonishment.
Elias: Klaus, thank goodness you've come. This is nothing I've ever seen before.
Klaus: (In a calm tone) What happened?
Elias: (Takes a deep breath) André Kolts, the sculptor. He's dead. But... come in and see for yourself.
Klaus and Rio entered the studio. The pungent smell of oils and paints filled the air. But what caught their attention was an unforgettable scene. André Kolts was dead, seated in his chair in front of an unfinished statue. There was no blood, no signs of violence. He looked as if he were asleep. But what was truly strange was the scene around him.
The floor was covered with thousands of red and white rose petals. The petals were arranged in an intricate pattern, as if they represented a star map. And the dead sculptor's hands, which were once strong, were gently holding a paintbrush, as if he were adding the final touches to his work.
Klaus: (Whispering in astonishment) This is not a murder.
Rio: (In her monotonous voice) Vital signs are unresponsive. He is dead.
Klaus: I know. But look at the scene. This is not the work of a criminal; it's the work of an artist.
Elias: (In a confused voice) What do you mean? We've checked everything. No poison, no internal bleeding, nothing. He just died as if he simply stopped living.
Klaus: (Bending down to examine the rose petals) These are not ordinary petals. They are not natural.
The rose petals were shiny, as if covered with a thin layer of glass. They were not natural but were manufactured in a complex way. Each petal bore a delicate engraving that could only be seen up close. The engravings were fine lines, very similar to ancient codes.
Klaus: (Staring at the petals, a faint smile on his face) It seems we are facing an opponent with a refined taste for art.
Klaus remained bent over the floor, examining the glass petals. The dim lights in the studio cast long shadows on his face, making his mysterious expressions deeper. He took a small magnifying glass from his pocket and began to study the intricate engravings on the surface of the petals.
Klaus: (Talking to himself) The lines here are not random. They are symbols.
Rio: (In her quiet voice) Is it an ancient language?
Klaus: (Shakes his head) Not a language. It's a code. Very similar to the codes that ancient sculptors used to place their secret marks on their works.
Sergeant Elias cautiously approached him.
Elias: Klaus, what did you find? Is this evidence?
Klaus: (Raises his head, his eyes gleaming) This isn't evidence, Elias; this is a letter. The criminal doesn't want to hide. They want to be understood.
Elias: (Nervously) What are you talking about? He's a dead man.
Klaus: Exactly. That's the point. Look at the body's position. The sculptor died holding the paintbrush, as if he were finishing a work of art. And this is no coincidence. These are glass petals, not organic ones. The criminal made them specifically for this purpose. This means that this work is not André Kolts's last work, but the criminal's first.
Klaus pointed to the intricate arrangement of the petals on the floor, which resembled a star map.
Klaus: This isn't just a beautiful scene. This is their message. This star map doesn't point to the stars in the sky, but to something else. To... places.
Rio began an immediate analysis. Her eyes moved quickly, following the intricate pattern.
Rio: (In her monotonous voice) If this is correct, then these engravings are not codes, but coordinates.
Klaus: (Nods his head) Exactly. Each petal carries coordinates, and the complete set of petals points to a specific place in the city. A place related to the victim.
Klaus continued to decipher the symbols, focusing on each petal. He pointed to a specific petal that had an engraving that only appeared under a certain light.
Klaus: (Whispering) Look. This engraving is actually a riddle.
Klaus picked up the petal and placed it under the light of a flashlight, and the engravings appeared more clearly. It was a short poem describing a place.
Klaus: "Where still water meets a faint fire, and souls sing of beauty that has faded."
Klaus looked at Rio, and a strange smile appeared on his face.
Klaus: This is not just a riddle. It's a hint to the next location.