The Water Lily

The white building stood like a snowflake in a desert. It was so out of place, that it was always the first thing noticed about the city. Not that the city was known for anything else. It was unlikely the city would have ever been on the map, if not for the church of the Water Lily. It was still within memory, if you were older, a time that the city was only a town, and nothing more.  

The white building was a symbol of growth. It was also the case for the most expensive religious artifact ever known; the Water Lily. The Water Lily was best known for being the last piece of God’s gift. Which was supposedly a necklace given to his only lover? It was quite sad that the necklace remained, and was given a name, but the woman was never known.  

It was this building that Sanec Barker stood in front of now. Looking into the high glass paned windows, sure that the shapes were supposed to be images, but unable to make them out. He glanced up the stairs and put his paw forward.  

Barker was a detective and the only of his kind on the squad. Not quite the only dog, but most surely the only Doberman. This fact made him even more noticeable around the precinct, which settled just right with him. Better to stick out, lest you be lost in the shuffle of things.  

Barker stopped a brief moment and fixed his collar. It was nothing fancy, but he had spent his first full paycheck on the suit. This act had been years ago, but it still fit him quite nicely.  

He looked over the outside of the building again. He was sure he wasn’t missing anything. He had viewed the building a hundred times, if not more. He was just being careful, it was better to leave nothing behind.  

He started to move up the white stairs again. He wondered at the effort it must take to keep this building clean. He had played a part in that cleaning once before, but he didn’t bother to think about that now. Instead, he continued to the two white doors.  

At the top of the stairs, he could hear the voices of other detectives in his squad. He picked out Psitticus quite easily. His voiced squawked, which made sense, with him being a parrot and all. Barker put his paw on the handle of the door but stopped hearing a new voice.  

“The room has no windows. It also has no real door.” Barker held his pause. The voice was not one of the detectives. “What do you mean it has no door?” That voice was Lucky. “Well, it has another type of entrance,” The other voice replied.  

“I am not sure we are following,” that was Psitticus again. “Well, come on it is easier if I just show you.” Barker took the cue. He wasn’t going into the room yet. He turned and plopped down on the top step.  

It wasn’t his style to go into the room with the other detectives. He liked to see things alone. To get a feel for the situation on his terms, plus the room wasn’t that big of a secret.  

Every year, thousands of people lined the street out in front of the church. They did so with hopes of being part of the chosen few. Every year for the past three hundred years the day of the Water Lily was celebrated by the church. And every year hundreds of families were chosen to be blessed by the Water Lily.  

In a ceremony that would last most of the day, the gem was placed in a bath of water. It was then removed quickly, and placed back into the supposed impenetrable room. The water was transported into the main section of the church. The blessed families who had the fortune to have pew seats were then blessed. The word fortune here not meaning luck, but quite literally the funds to buy the pews, Barker wondered how holy this could really be. 

Barker checked his watch. The families would be arriving with the sun. It was four in the morning. The police had less than two hours to figure this out.  

“Nothing in there, we could stay here for hours, but there is nothing there.” Psitticus was saying. Barker stood dusting the back of his pants. The doors to the church opened and Barker started to move up the stairs. “Morning gentlemen,” he said to the two men.  

Lucky looked down at his feet. The man had trouble making eye contact with anyone; especially Barker, who always held his head up high. “Well, you have missed the grunt work, Barker.” Psitticus was never one for a greeting. His attitude matched his feathers; loud! “Good to see you too,” Barker said while fixing his collar.  

“There is nothing in there,” Lucky said to his shoes. “Well, that would seemingly be the case. Which is why the church has called us in the first place,” Barker said. Lucky kicked at something imaginary with the tip of his loafer.  

Barker turned back towards the parrot. “Quit being cute, did you not get the call? Were you doing something more important than your job, Barker?” Psitticus had a gleam of anger in his eye, but that was always there.  

Barker shrugged, “Just figured I could clean up what you guys messed up.” Barker didn’t stand on the pier any longer. He brushed passed Lucky, even though there was plenty of room. He then pushed open the white church doors. It was now his turn to evaluate.  

2.

The inside of the church left nothing to be desired. The pews were stripped in a trim of gold. Barker guessed it was real. The men and women who paid to sit here funded their golden thrones. He moved out from the overhang by the doors. Here in the middle of the chapel, the ceiling rose at least fifty feet overhead.  

Barker would have been amazed at the structure, but he had witnessed it all before. He didn’t even bother to think on the mosaic above him. Instead, out of habit, he ran his hand across the back of a pew and moved towards the altar.  

“Can I be of any assistance, sir?” Barker recalled the voice. Without turning he knew it must be the Priest. He noticed something else about the voice, it wasn’t from the city. Barker turned and rearranged his collar.  

“Of course,” he said with an over-enthused voice. “I am Detective Barker.” He held out his paw. The Priest was white-haired and thin. That wasn’t what stood out to Barker though; it was that smell of cat that lingers in the air. Barker almost pulled back his paw but held a respectful professionalism instead.  

“Detective? Not with the prior group?” the Priest asked. Barker shook his head, as the cat took his paw and shook. The handshake was brief, but Barker felt all the more disgusted for it. He thought of wiping his paw on his suit but refrained due to the white hairs. Instead, he mocked leaning on the pew and rubbed the stray hairs into the lining.  

“You see, unlike those detectives, I will actually be able to solve the case.” The Priest laughed like he had gotten an inside joke. Barker stood stone-faced because he was not a comedian. The cat laughed alone for only a brief moment, and then pulled on the hem of his sleeve, looking rather abashed.  

“Yes, well, of course. You will want to see the room of the Water Lily then?” Barker restrained from walking past the Priest. He, of course, knew where the room was. Instead, he nodded and followed.  

“Where do you originate from, Priest?” Barker asked with an emphasis on the last word. The cat did not turn from his stride. “Just over the mountains,” he answered. To Barker this meant nothing. There were many mountains everywhere. Barker couldn’t place the accent. Maybe Jalint? 

“How long have you been here?” Barker put on a conversational prose. The Priest turned into a small hallway. “This will be my first celebration of the Water Lily. I have done many mock celebrations. This will be the first year with the actual gem.” The cat sounded excited and nervous. “Unless the gem continues to be lost that is.” The excitement had left his voice altogether with the last statement.  

When they stopped in front of a small white panel, Barker knew they had arrived at the room of the Water Lily. He could have opened the panel on his own, but instead, he waited for the Priest. “This has never been shown to another population of people. You and the other detectives are the first aside from the church to ever see this panel open.” Barker nodded.  

He was unsure if the cat had meant to impress him. He hated to inform the cat, but he was not impressed. The door was a simple hatch lock. It wasn’t even difficult to find. The off-white portion of the panel was a push spring. If you put the right amount of pressure onto the spring the door opened. If pressed too hard, or too soft, then the door would set off a silent alarm to the Priest’s sleeping chamber.  

The Cat pressed his paw into the small section. The panel clicked and the Priest moved it to the side. “Simple, really,” he said. Barker nodded. To think this was their special guard. Oh, how lucky he must be to see it.  

He pushed passed the cat. He would have to dry clean his suit later. Inside the room was much the same, very unimaginative. Barker ran his paw across the wall. His hand came back with more white hairs. Cat’s shed like leaves in the fall, he thought.  

The center of the white room produced a small pedestal. It would have normally been the home to the Water Lily. Today, it was as bare as the white walls surrounding it. Barker paused before it and gave the room another glance.  

It really was a shame that the room was so dull. Barker had witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the Water Lily, and this room did it little justice.  

“So, the gem was just gone this morning?” Barker asked, not turning from the stand. The cat had not entered the room with him. “Late last night or early morning, it is not allowed for a timepiece inside the church.”  

Barker turned. He had not known this small fact. That bugged him. He didn’t like to not know the small details. “No way to tell the time?” Barker asked. He tried to remember any device on the walls of the church, but there had been none. “Why?” Barker asked. The Priest shrugged. “It is not in the cannon if you look for it. Rather it is a custom of the Water Lily. There is no time that the Water Lily is not the most important piece of our lives.” 

He wondered how many followed this custom. It seemed rather pointless to Barker. Then again, he had never been accustomed to any religion.  

“I see, why don’t you step into the room and show me where you were standing.” Barker waited a moment for the Priest who looked nervous. “I am afraid I cannot do this.” He said. “Do you not believe in the floor either? Can you not tell me where in space you were?” The cat shook his head. “Of course, we believe in temporal resolution even without a timepiece. We are also aware of spatial dimensions.” Barker grew impatient. “Then?” the one word was enough to convey aggravation, Barker hoped.  

He waited and as he did he adjusted his collar. The habit was old, but one he could not break. “I cannot enter the room with you.” Barker dropped his paw from his neck. “There is plenty of room,” he said and waved his hand. “I see the space. It is another custom. Only one person in the room of the Water Lily at any time,” he said.  

Barker stopped from sighing. This church was about as annoying as any other. “Fine, then just inform me with your words.” The cat instead pointed and Barker stepped into the appropriate spot. This was all for show. Barker didn’t need to know where the Priest had stood. How would that even help? It was just to give his madness a form. A method if you will. Something of substance; to sink one’s teeth into.  

He shook his head up and down. The cat would believe him to be in some deep thought. Barker moved around the stand. “Anyone else with you?” Barker leaned down and noticed brown hairs at the bottom of the stand. “No, like I said only one into the room at a time.” Barker nodded. “Of course, just protocol.” He looked up with sympathetic eyes to the cat. It was always good to have their trust.  

“So, you came from the mountains? Lonely trip?” Barker asked as he stood and dusted his pants. “You could say,” the Priest replied. “Where did they hold you up?” Barker asked conversationally. “Priesthood comes with its perks. I am staying in the eastern lot. They gave me the biggest house on the block. Those who praise the Wife of the Goddess are rewarded.” Barker nodded.  

He may not know the quirks, but he knew the cannon. He had made sure to skim it before arriving. It was part of the reason he trailed the other detectives. That and the night before had been a busy night.  

“Well, I think I have seen what I came to see.” Barker reached out his paw and shook the Priest’s hand. “What do you think will happen?” the cat asked.  

“I think we will find who did this. A gem worth that much leaves a trail. Many things leave a trail. You just have to have the nose for it.” Barker gave the cat a wink. “If all else fails, we can just dig up a bone to put into the water. Those thousands of people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.” The Priest looked at Barker with a nervous pretension. “I jest,” Barker said and patted him on the shoulder.  

Barker started to move alone down the hall. “I already have a plan, my dear man. Welcome to the city. I have a feeling you will be here a long time.” He turned the corner and moved through the chapel. The sun had risen as he threw open the doors. The crowd had gathered. Soon they would be in frenzy. Barker soaked in the rays of the sun.  

3.

The Priest hadn’t been stretching the truth. The house that was allotted to him was gigantic. Considering the Priest had no family, Barker wondered what he occupied the space with.  

Barker had left the church and made his way straight to the neighborhood. Those brown hairs were not from the cat. That meant someone was in the room the night before.  

At first, Barker thought the hairs could be his, but on closer inspection, they were far too light. That meant someone was there before him; someone he hoped that the cat knew.  

Barker stepped from the taxi and paid the driver. “No tip?” the cabby yelled towards him. “Go back to school,” Barker said without turning around. He heard the wheels screech as the Taxi drove away. He paid it no mind.  

The house was white with a grey roof. The church had a strange affinity with the color white it seemed. Barker moved towards the sidewalk and paused a moment.  

He couldn’t be sure what he would find behind those curtains. It could be anything, or it could be nothing at all. He adjusted his collar and started the trek up the path.  

Instead of barging into the residence, he gave the bell a ring. He half expected no one to answer. The Priest was clearly still at the church. Probably pacing himself to death; in that white, dull room.  

The door latch clicked. The handle turned from the inside. A maid? Barker wondered. The door opened half way. “Can I help you?” came a man’s voice. Barker moved in closer. The man was clearly a cat as well. His brown fur struck Barker immediately. “A few questions,” Barker stated and flashed his detective star.  

The cat opened the door to full mast. He looked around the neighborhood. “About what?” he asked nervously. Barker motioned to be let into the house. The cat reluctantly moved to the side. With a second glance into the open world, he shut the door behind them.  

“Somewhere we can sit and talk?” Barker asked. He wanted to scope the house a bit, but he could wait till later. “The sitting room,” the cat motioned to be followed.  

The sitting room turned out to be a small cozy room. It was lined with cushioned chairs along each wall. Barker wondered at anyone having this many guests. Then again, this was the Priest guarding the most expensive gem in the world.  

“You can sit anywhere you would like,” the cat said. Barker picked a chair overlooking the hall. The cat moved to sit as well but paused. “Would you like any tea?” he asked. An odd choice of beverage, Barker thought.  

Tea was a southern appeal. He tried to locate a range of mountains in the south in his head. The cat stood nervously before him. “No tea,” Barker said, motioning for the cat to be seated.  

“I understand this to be the house of…” Barker realized he never caught the name of the Priest.  

“Tiam,” the cat said. Barker smiled and nodded. “Yes, the Priest.” Barker did not like to be corrected. “Yes, it is indeed the home of Tiam, the Priest,” the cat answered.  

“May I ask what relation you are?” Barker flipped out a notepad. He didn’t need notes. He didn’t care what the cat had to say. He had other goals for this visit, but the book made for a good show.  

“A friend,” the cat replied and shifted with a nervous tension. “A live-in friend?” the cat looked around the room. Barker noticed the lack of eye contact. Something was making this cat very nervous.  

“A comfort from home is all,” the cat said. “I see, and what kind of comfort do you provide?” The cat stood. “I think I will get some of that tea. Are you sure you would not enjoy a cup?” Barker shook his head no. The cat slunk out of the room.  

Barker stood and watched the cat from the doorway. He turned into a room further down the corridor. Barker turned the opposite direction. He had spotted stairs on his entrance to the home.  

Taking them two at a time, Barker came to the landing. There were several doors to choose from; Barker did not know the layout of the home, so he chose randomly. His first choice was a poor one. A small single shower bathroom; he closed the door gently.  

Moving down the hall he opened up three more room; all were bare of essentials. The fourth door though was something much better.  

Barker peered into the room with a single bed. Along either wall was a small oak dresser. Barker moved in closing the door behind him. He moved closer to the bed. It was neatly made but was clearly slept in. The pillows were mashed by many nights of heavy heads.  

Barker looked over the pillows. The revelation hit him like a ton of bricks. On one pillow was the white hair of the Priest cat. But on the other was the light brown hair of the cat downstairs.  

This was more than a friend, Barker thought. An excitement he could barely contain crept over him. It was enough evidence to go on. He turned looking over the rest of the room. He paused on a single piece of folded notebook paper.  

He unfolded it and read: 

 

The journey will kill me. I cannot imagine a moment without you in my arms. A lifetime is not worth living if you do not follow me. I know it to be wrong, but what is right, if my heart breaks into pieces, I will not live a moment. You are the glue to my world. Please consider the journey. 

Love Tiam, 

 

Barker had found the pot at the end of the rainbow. He knew the story now. He tucked the note into his pocket. He closed the door gently and moved down the stairs.  

The cat stood at the bottom waiting for him. He was holding a single glass of tea in his paw. “What were you doing, sir?” he asked, but never made eye contact.  

“I had an urge to use the bathroom. I could not find one on the lower level,” Barker lied. “I will be going now. I have everything I came for.” The cat looked relieved. He dropped the worry from his face. “Oh, I am glad I could help,” the cat said. Barker shook his head and stepped back into the open world.  

The sun still shone in the sky, and Barker again found himself elated by its rays.  

4.

The precinct was nothing fancy. They were sanctioned by the regular patrol by a partition. Barker on a busy day could still hear the scanner ramblings. He was accustomed to bringing in earplugs now. They also came in handy when Psitticus was rambling on.  

Barker walked in through the side door. It jammed in mid-swing. “Hello?” he yelled in through the crack. “Sorry about that, Barker,” Lucky said. He jumped up from his seat and moved the filing cabinet. “Just forgot to shut the drawer,” he said and looked quickly away.  

Barker didn’t bother to talk with him. He looked into Psitticus’s office. The Parrot was screeching into the phone. Barker moved towards the door.  

He didn’t bother to knock. Psitticus was the head detective, but only out of default. Barker sat down across from him.  

Psitticus stopped in mid-sentence. “Can I help you, Barker?” he asked. Barker leaned back. “Oh no, at your leisure, sir, I am sure your mother has very important evidence for a case.” Barker smiled.  

“I will call you back,” Psitticus paused and looked at Barker. “I love you too, mom,” Psitticus hung up the phone. “This had better be good, Barker.”  

Barker adjusted his collar. It would be good for Psitticus to gather up some anger. Barker thought maybe a good heart attack, and he could just report to himself.  

“Well, if you’re not going to talk, then you can go.” Psitticus started. Barker interjected. “I solved the case. While you were sitting in the office chatting.” Barker propped his legs on the desk. Psitticus didn’t look less angry. In fact, he was probably more flushed now.  

“You solved the case?” Psitticus stumbled. His face didn’t look very convinced. “Indeed,” Barker said. He made sure to avoid eye contact. He knew how much Psitticus hated that fact.  

“The case of the Water Lily?” Psitticus asked. Barker leaned forward. “Unless there was some other secret case, then yes, that one.” Barker flashed his long white teeth. Psitticus grunted and leaned back.  

“You know, Barker, you are unconventional. That would bother a lot of people. Your ego is bigger than deserved. You are insubordinate. These things would bother a lot of people.” Barker tried not to smile again.  

“I, on the other hand, see your work. You may put on a front, but you really dig down deep.” Psitticus stood to his feet and moved around the desk. He tapped on the glass and motioned for Lucky to join them.  

“Lucky, Barker here has solved the case.” Lucky looked down with shame on his face. “I tried my best, sir.” Psitticus wasn’t listening to Lucky. No one ever did.  

“So, let us hear the deduction. I want to know every detail.” Barker could tell Psitticus still had no belief in him.  

“I need two things from you, Psitticus.” Barker slammed his legs down onto the floor. “One, I need time in the church alone. I need you to control the crowd. Because when I announce the culprit, there will be trouble.”  Psitticus nodded. He wasn’t committing, he was still just pushing Barker’s buttons.  

“Two, I need you to file the paperwork to retire. Because I should be running this place,” Barker stood and patted Psitticus on the shoulder. “Oh, and Three! The culprit is at the Priest house. You may want to gather him up first.”  

He didn’t stick around to hear what Psitticus had to say. He would lay into Lucky. The poor guy was the grunt of the operation. Barker didn’t care though, Psitticus was gaining on old father time, and soon Lucky could just stay at home.  

Barker walked out the small precinct again into the sun. He was pleased with how nice the day turned out to be. He stretched his arms and walked up the sidewalk path.  

He would meet the others at the church. Then he would solve the crime. It really was just a fantastic day. 

5.

Barker had to wade through the gathering crowd. He was almost shocked no riots had started. Usually, by now the church doors would be swung open. The Priest would ramble about some nonsense. Then the gates would be opened to those whose pockets ran deepest.  

Instead, the white doors stood closed. The white building vacant; aside from one scared Priest. Barker parted another small group.  

They didn’t bother with him. Their attention was on those doors. Rumblings were starting in small pockets, but mostly it was a calm wait.  

Barker moved up the stairs and into the smallest section of the crowd. Here the crowd started to push back. This would be the section of individuals who had paid to enter. Barker pushed them back, flashing his detective star.  

Some saw the badge and moved. Other’s grumbled and stood their ground. Barker didn’t care about their protest. He pushed on the handle of the church. It was locked from the inside. He pounded on the door with his paw.  

“Open up, Tiam! This is Detective Barker.” The crowd behind waited with baited breath. “Tiam, I need to speak with you now…” the door began to open. Tiam stood with stress apparent upon his face.  

“Hurry in, detective,” he said, not bothering to look at the growing crowd. Barker threw his paw into the air. “All will be explained soon,” he announced and moved into the depths of the chapel.  

“Have you found the gem?” the Priest looked disheveled. Barker thumbed his collar. “You have a nice home, Tiam,” he said moving towards the golden lined pews.  

“Excuse me?” the Priest said. Barker turned, running his paw across the backing. “Oh, I was just commenting on your living residence.” Tiam looked confused.  

“I am not sure why you are talking about my home detective?” he said, rightly confused. Barker nodded. He then reached into his pocket pulling out a small, folded paper.  

“I took a trip out to your neighborhood. It is a nice place. Good neighbors, I assume?” he said, flipping the paper into his other paw. Tiam’s eyes followed the paper.  

“The neighbors are fine, yes. I am not sure what this has to do with the Water Lily?” he said. Barker closed his hands around the paper.  

“The doctrine of the Water Lily church does not allow for marriage by a Priest, correct?” Barker asked. Tiam nodded his answer. “I thought as much. It also does not allow for relationships, correct?” again, Tiam nodded. “I see, and yet, I found something quite interesting in your residence.”  

Barker paused and opened his hand again. Tiam’s face looked even more stressed. “How does your congression feel about same-sex relationships?” Barker asked. Tiam didn’t answer. “You see, I am for them. I say to each their own. If one loves another, then love away.” Barker fiddled around with the paper again.  

Tiam was silent. His eyes glued to the paper in Barker’s hands. “The people outside, do they feel the same?” Barker asked. He started to unfold the item in his hand. He could tell by the look in Tiam’s eyes, that he recognized the writing.  

“I do not know how you got that, but this is my personal property,” Tiam said, his paw rising to grab the paper. Barker refolded the paper and placed it in his pocket.  

“I thought as much. Now the way I see this situation concluding is one of two ways.” Barker relaxed his shoulders and leaned against the pew.  

“The first way and I do prefer this. The first is you go silently with me. You admit to stealing the gem. You go away into protective care. You live your days out in some remote location.” Barker tapped his pocket. “Or two, and really this is gruesome. I walk out those doors and convince a thousand people you stole the gem. Because I don’t need anything more.” He patted his pocket again. “A foreign Priest, with a foreign lover; it is basic work. The crowd will be able to place the evidence together on their own.”  

Tiam shook his head. “I didn’t do it.” He said. Barker shrugged his shoulders. “No one ever does.” He said. Tiam adamantly shook his head. “They will believe I didn’t do it!” he was bordering hysterical.  

Barker patted his pocket again. “I am afraid not Tiam. People are very unforgiving. Better to count your losses. I’ll tell you what. You go in quietly I will even let the brown cat walk free. No one will be the wiser of your relationship.” Tiam stopped his head shaking.  

“You will keep silent about him?” Barker shrugged. “I can do at least that.” Tiam paused a moment. Barker pushed off from the pew. “We can go through the back way. I am sure you will be wanting to avoid the crowd.”  

A few minutes under the twenty that Barker had asked for, Tiam the cat walked through the back door of the church. Waiting outside was detective Psitticus with a look of shock on his face. Barker passed the cat to the bird. “You will find him very open to questioning,” Barker said. Psitticus nodded and took the cat.  

“Remember your promise, detective.” The cat said. Psitticus paused. “Promise?” he asked. Barker shrugged and turned away. “I will calm the crowd. Move them on their way.” He said. Then he turned into the rays of the sun, walking back towards the front of the church.  

6.

The Priest, Tiam, confessed to everything an hour later. Barker wrote up the report. Lucky was instructed to drive Mr. Brown Cat home. He would be leaving for the mountains by nightfall. The others were still confused how he fits, but Barker kept his word.  

Tiam was taken off to some remote lockdown. Barker would never hear from him again. As for the Water Lily, it was long gone from the church. It would probably make someone a lot richer someday.  

“Good job, Barker,” said Psitticus. Barker looked up from his report. “When have you known me to fail?” Barker said. The parrot shrugged. “Like I said, Barker, if it wasn’t for your track record, you would be a homeless beggar.” Psitticus moved around to the other side of the desk.  

“Lucky has not made it back?” he asked. Barker looked up again. He didn’t keep track on the dopey fellow. He shrugged. “Do you see him?” he added.  

“Just strange, that house isn’t but ten minutes from here.” He flipped open his phone. “No calls,” Psitticus looked out the window. “Oh well, probably just traffic.” He put his phone back into his pocket. “Good job again, Barker,” he said and closed the door to his office behind him.  

Barker sighed and leaned back. He had finished the report already. He was just not interested in the conversation skills of that yapping bird.  

He looked back making sure Psitticus was comfortable in his chair. His head was down, and his eyes shut. That meant he wasn’t moving for the next few hours. Barker stood and grabbed his hat. Fixing his collar, he stepped out into the night air.  

The rays of the sun were gone. Barker had solved another case. Soon things would be different for this little hole in the wall. Barker swung his coat across his shoulders and walked off into the night.  

 

7.

News Day Report: 

A fatal car crash has been reported: 

 

    Detective Lucky was found in a single car accident this evening. His remains were identified by his Chief, Detective Psitticus. Any other details will be forthcoming soon.