Recurring to the past.

It's risky to guess who kidnapped my daughter, but since I'm certain it's a personal vendetta against me, I can already have an idea of who did it. It's a tedious situation, but the sooner I do it, the better.

That's how I decided to go to the penitentiary where the most deranged person I've ever faced is held. When I arrived, good old Nixon had already arranged the permission for me to enter. Even though it was midnight, the guards let me in regardless. That's the power of the organization that's helping me.

They didn't search me for weapons or put me through any routine procedures. I simply entered and headed straight to the cell where the person who had to give me answers was located.

I walked confidently through the penitentiary corridors, eyeing the cell where that guy was, to my surprise, sitting on the bed with his back turned. But when he heard someone approaching, he turned to see what was happening.

There he was, looking me in the eyes, and as I suspected, he showed no surprise. He just stood up and approached the bars, staring at me intently.

"Well, well, what a surprise. The toughest cop in the city wants to pay me a visit. Must be that you want me to give purpose to your maniacal decisions," he said mockingly and with a sarcastic tone.

"Cyrus Valtair, you scumbag. I came all the way here just to break your face, didn't I? Where is my daughter?" I said with great aggression. He should be grateful that there's a bars and guards behind me preventing us from getting closer.

"Oh, my friend, long time no see, and you're still spouting so many nonsense. I think you need a retreat, don't you?" he says calmly.

"Don't give me that. You know very well that I've already retired. In fact, you seem to know more than you should, don't you? You're still pulling the strings from the inside, and now you want to harm me. It's better that you tell me where my daughter is!" I say, grabbing his shirt and slipping my hand through the bars.

"Hey, you can't do that," says one of the guards, but he is held back by his colleague.

"Let go of me, idiot. I know you're disturbed and obsessed with me. We went through great things, but you're not my concern right now. I don't have anyone," he says in a tone that attempts to sound serious.

"If you don't want to cooperate, fine. I'll have this door opened right now, and you and I will have a lively chat," I say, but before I can do anything, a guard appears in the hallway.

"Mr. John, Colonel Nixon needs you on the phone," says the guard who appears on the scene.

I stare fixedly at this man who has committed many crimes in the past. I know he has something to tell me, but when it comes to Nixon, I have to drop what I'm doing to listen to him, especially because he always tells me things that are helpful. So, I let go of this idiot without saying a word and leave the scene, but with the intention of returning.

Nixon was on the phone at the penitentiary, so I pick it up and listen to what he has to say.

"John, I have some bad news. I think this isn't about you. Your daughter has been kidnapped by a criminal gang that has been doing this for a while," says Nixon.

"What do you mean? Why do you say it has nothing to do with me?" I ask, confused.

"This gang that kidnapped your daughter is the one we've been investigating. We know this because Luna tracked the van, and it turns out it's stolen. This, coupled with the fact that this gang is involved in human trafficking, I dare say it was a terrible coincidence that they targeted your daughter," Nixon comments.

"It must be a damn joke... Please, issue an alert that we're looking for this gang and my daughter. We can't waste any time. I'll be in touch," I exclaim as I think about what to do next.

"Understood."

After talking to Nixon, I understood that I had to do something that wouldn't make sense if I had told my self five minutes ago. But I have to believe Cyrus when he says he has nothing to do with this case so that I can leave here as soon as possible and make the next move.

So, I tell the guards that I have to leave now. As I have to cross the hallway where Cyrus is to exit, I see him, and he's still at the bars, looking at me with a cynical smile, but I'm not interested in the slightest. He's just one criminal among many that I brought to this place.

I leave the penitentiary and head home. It's been an hour and forty minutes since I last saw my daughter. I can't waste any time, so my next destination is my house to gather some things I need before heading out again. All of this will have a solution, and I will take care of it.

When I arrive and before stepping out of the car, I inject myself with a bit of morphine, just to stay alert. I haven't done this in a long time, so I can't afford to rest until I see my daughter by my side.

I enter my house and start typing on my large computer setup. If it's about the gang that has been causing trouble in the city, my first step will be to approach their rival. They will provide me with enough information to figure out where I can find them and put an end to them.

Alright, I can understand what the leader of that gang needs. It won't be easy, but for my daughter, I'll do whatever it takes. After grabbing what I need from my house, I head out and embark on my journey once again in this justice-hungry city.

While driving, my phone rings. I check who it is and realize it's Luna, so I answer instantly.

"Hello, John. We have the alert ready, it will be big enough for the city to realize that a kidnapping has occurred. I'm just calling to let you know," Luna says.

"Well, I appreciate you doing that. Do you have anything else that can help me?" I say, hoping for some luck in her response.

"Well, I'm still trying to trace the car they escaped in. If it weren't for you getting the license plates, I wouldn't be able to do this at all," she replies.

"Of course, but now I need you to help me with something. Stay alert for instructions, I'll call you soon," I tell her before hanging up.

I end the call and proceed to make the next important call I have to make. The second most important woman in my life is about to receive some very disheartening news, so I have to be somewhat gentle. But when it comes to my ex-wife, I always end up acting differently.

"Hello, Enora, I apologize for calling you so late," I say through the phone.

"Jhon? What's going on? I feel unease hearing your voice, excuse me for saying it," she says with a hoarse voice.

"I'm truly sorry, but we have a big problem. Our daughter has been kidnapped," I say, being very direct. I hope I didn't sound insensitive, but I don't have time to deal with her.

"What!? Jhon, what the hell are you talking about? My daughter is at the festival. Don't give me these lies," Enora says, trying to comprehend because she knows very well that I don't joke about these things.

"All I can tell you is that it has nothing to do with me, but that doesn't mean I'm going to leave her alone. I'm about to rescue her, so don't worry, she will be with us," I say, trying to make her understand that this can be resolved.

"This is serious... Jhon, my daughter must live. She has to be with her mother. She wants to build a family, to see the world, and you're not going to stop her. So if you have to give your life to save her, you will. But I want my daughter back, Jhon," she says, crying and filled with anger.

"I'll keep you updated. You know very well that I never lose," I say after telling her this, and then I hang up.

Being honest with myself, I should have lost many times. There was never a reason to do my job so well, but this time is an exception. They won't be able to defeat me here, so I must get my daughter back... It's just another job.