Final Challenge by Al Cooper

you have out there today ...
     
       Hanson stared at the picture carefully, but the face of that individual meant nothing for him. Marvin felt compelled to lend a hand.
     
    -           Do you recognize him? ... Look closely, it is not easy, in fact it was very hard to me . Pay attention to his eyes and his sharp ears. If you identify it I'll pay you a beer.
     
    Hanson was slow to react.
     
    - Damn, Marvin! Have you brought a photo album of youth? This guy is Sheridan, when he was younger. By sure!
    - Exactly. It also took me to recognize him, even though I played with advantage.
    - Where did you find the picture?
    - At his apartment, it was the only interesting thing I found.
    - Only? I don’ t think this photo get out us of any trouble.
     
      This time it was Marvin who finished his beer and stared at Hanson, smiling. Hanson knew that the attitude of Marvin was the prelude to something important he had to say. So he returned his glance.
     
    - Come on, Marvin. You don't let me drink this beer in peace! I think the least you can do is dropping your bomb as soon as possible.
    - I have found Sheridan, just because of this photo. At first I explored in psy chiatric and in the files of persons who have disappeared recently, without success. Then I realized that sometimes , unfortunately, too often, trees we don’t let see the forest and I had an attack of lucidity.
    - And I'm getting a fit of impatience.
    - I t’ s Owen. Sheridan is Owen.
    - Are you sure?
    - Yes
    - The one that disappeared more of five years ago?
    - The same. I contrasted his photo. Also, I confirmed that he came a year ago on a flight from Manaus, Brazil, in the heart of the Amazon.
    - I can’ t believe it! No way!
    - As more you'll wonder at the instant you know when this picture was taken.
    - Twenty, maybe thirty years?
    - Just because I managed to recognize the picture, because, as you've seen little or not hing to do with the Owen that we met in the park. The picture was made just two months before his disappearance.
     
    Hanson stared Marvin with astonishment and disbelief face.
     
    - So much must have suffered this man to be so deteriorated in so little time! - Hanson snapped. They laughed a good time. Marvin enjoyed especially those strokes of humor o f his mate in the most tense moments -
    - Yeah , his appearance was that of an elder!
    - Well, I think it's time to write the damn report.
    - Let it stay for tomorrow, okay? I think that is fine for today. We have already suffered too many emotions.
     
      Marvin asked Gary two beers more.

XVIII
     
     
    They wrote and delivered the report to the boss the next day. They soon hear d from him, he called them to his office only a few hours after. Every time they had to approach the domains of the boss felt like helpless children unfairly treated by his father. But this time they could breathe easy, they had gone too well their duties.
    As they entered , they didn’ t need to wait to be directed speech. He had very bad aspect, even worse than usual. He looked them in an inquisitive way with a background of contempt. What had to come then almost leftover, the storm lurked to fal l in torrents over their heads. It was clear that that man felt a special sympathy for them , this time there seemed no reason to anger, they had made significant progress in one case for which no one would have a penny.
      The boss seemed to be reading the report, when in fact he had long ago read it. Rather it seemed he was looking for an excuse to throw a speech.
     
    - I suppose you remember the ultimatum that gave you the other day. - Were his first words to the agents -
     
    It had started even worse than predicted by their bad omens. He sighed deeply and continued.
     
    - You had on your hands the opportunity to prove if your medals from the past had been collected in a fair and meritorious way - Hanson looked away trying to contain his anger. The boss sighed deeply again before continuing - You have had i