Vicki was reading herself for the day, she has already bathed and took her breakfast. Now she was scanning her wardrobe for something decent to wear. Only a green tee and a black jean looked suitable, she wore her two favourite colours after a very long time. Ricky didn't like that combination so she didn't wear them that much in recent past. She hurriedly wore them and looked at the mirror, "guess, I look younger in these." It was almost after a month that she looked directly at her reflection. She came out of her house to board her car. Suddenly a very melodious song was heard, a homeless man was singing a song along with a old Spanish guitar, in front of him there was an old hat, stood upside down, well meaning people helped him by putting donations in it.
She listened carefully at the song,
Everyone is searching for a new world,
How hard it seems, though they don't care
Jumping over the fence, over the birbed wires.
Not knowing, what lies in future.
We've been running for an eternity,
Without hope, remembering despair.
Being swept around by crowd ,
I let go the hand ,I trust.
Now I smile with a frown,
I'm miserable deep down.
When my mask overflow with tears,
I wear a new mask.
In the battlefield I still walk on
the pressure of failure weighs like a ton.
Yet the dream is there in a faraway cape,
Despite my clumsiness, I'll surely reach there.
"There you go, old man." Vicki tossed a buck in his hat.
"Thank you, Miss." the homeless man replied.
Vicki felt very free and liberated after hearing the song, yes she also has a dream lying in a far away cape, she needs to navigate through this storm , she has to sail through this gale.
(Chief Hamada's office)
It wasn't any regular incident that a rookie detective will frequent chief Hamada's cabin at 9.30 in the morning.
"Sir please, she is insane and violent. I can't work with her." Timmy almost pleaded.
"She has solved 100 cases in last 4 years, she is the ace of our department, though I must admit that she can be hard at times, but you should thank your luck that you got such a partner."Hamada replied without any interest in Timmy's plea.
"But she always insults me, calls me names and vents her anger on kick-boxing arena. She is….." Timmy was interrupted by Hamada, "Look, kid. That girl had a lot to deal with, her father killed her mom and sister right in-front of her eyes, now her partner is also killed. She blames herself for letting all those things to happen. She needs your compassion, if you can't provide that then stay out of her path, don't try to make her more miserable."
Timmy didn't knew that Vicki had this sort of a hard life, "Well, I can at least stay out of her way, and not bring these issues up with her anymore. Yeah, that should do it."
"Now go to your desk Turner, you have a lot to do." Chief Hamada indicated that Timmy should leave now, Timmy came out of the room with a lighter heart.
(Two days earlier)
"Miss. Heather, that guy has again threatened Samuel." Robin Corby was boiling in excitement as he conveyed the message to the young store manager.
"Somebody is playing a dirty prank on Sam, who the hell alerts their victims beforehand?" Heather looked disapprovingly at Robin. "You guys just need to focus on your work, tell Sam to rehearse the phrases, the Astroguy seems to be hit among the children."
"Okay, Mam ." Robin affirmed his young, blonde manager.
(Strange links)
Timmy was scanning through the file, suddenly a certain photograph captured his imagination, the name was Ricky Gomes. The person in the photo looked very similar to him, he has seen this face whenever he has looked at the mirror, the only difference that this person had reddish brown eyes and coppery red hair unlike his blue eyes and brown hair.
"That's why she is so much pissed at me, I look like her dead partner, I remind her of all the times she had with him. Such a fucking luck I have." Timmy thought to himself, his train of thought was interrupted when he heard footsteps and whistling. In a green top and black jeans pant, the current bane of his existence Victoria Valentine appeared.
Timmy was anxious, he didn't know that whether having a conversation will ease things or complicate things more. A sly smile graced Vicki's lips, "Morning, Twerp. Don't worry, I won't bite you for no reason." She bared her shark teeth to emphasize her point.
"Hi…., morning, Vicki" Timmy blurted, "If she wasn't that scary she would really be sexy, what? Bad thoughts, bad thoughts." Timmy mentally scolded his brain. Vicki laughed teasingly at him.
Vicki opened the file, then it struck her, "Monica Petrovich, I've heard it somewhere before…" suddenly Vicki clenched her teeth, "Twerp, go to section three and ask for the file of Richard Valentine."
Timmy got up from his seat , he knew better than angering his senior partner.
Third section was the place where old files were being stored, Lucy was the person handling that section currently. "It would be a matter of mere minutes." Timmy thought.
"So you need the file of Richard Valentine?" the blonde woman asked Timmy while handing over a old red file, "Not actually, Vicki is the one who needs it."
Lucy responded with snarl, "Looks like the daughter wants to know more about her father. Like father like daughter."
"I didn't get it, come again?" Timmy was astonished.
"If you want to live get away from her, otherwise you'll just end up like Ricky, that woman is a living death goddess, whoever comes closer to her dies in the end. Poor you…."
Lucy was going to continue her Vicki bashing but a certain red haired woman stopped her by giving her the coldest of glares, "Looks like the twerp has already got acquitted with the blonde. Twerp take the file and come really quick. "
Timmy followed the orders without questioning Vicki, while leaving the room he heard, "Listen Blondie, if you value your life you'll keep your mouth zipped."
"Man, she is scary." Timmy thought while getting back to Vicki's desk.
Vicki came in hurriedly, "Twerp, we need to investigate another case, move fast."
Timmy obliged like a loyal puppy, the two almost ran towards Vicki's car.
(The Victim is Astroguy)
"Have you ever heard of "Stars and the Universe" twerp?" Vicki asked while her eyes were fixed on dodging the traffic.
"If you mean that mall which sells NASA merchandise and hosts sky watching events then yes." Timmy asserted.
"Looks like you know geeky stuff, yup you're right. They also has a mascot "Astroguy" who is very popular among kids, now somebody attacked the person, who was on mascot duty and stabbed him. The victim is rushed to the hospital, the police is baffled so they referred it to our department and Hamada referred it to me." Vicki stopped her briefing.
Timmy's mind again drifted from the current case "Father of Vicki? What the hell Lucy was talking about? Vicki's father was a criminal? Why does she need to open the file again?"
A sudden brake forced Timmy out of his thoughts, they have arrived at the spot, "Stars and Universe."
Stars and Universe was a big shopping mall, still their usp was NASA merchandise and the weekly free stargazing programme. Heather was the youngest person ever to adore the post of the manager of this prestigious establishment. Currently she was in mood to cherish her achievement infact her post felt like a thorny crown. The employees were standing in a line while the inspector of the local PD was securing the premises.
"I'm Victoria Valentine and this is Timothy Turner, we'll be investigating the case." A fairly built female with fiery red hair and a blue eyed brunet male entered hurriedly.
The local police inspector briefed the duo about the case,
Today around 10.30 the incident happened , the regular person playing the Astroguy Samuel was feeling severe abdominal pain and loose motion so Timantha had to fill in his place. The old maid was moping the floor outside the change room. Timantha changed up into Astroguy and came out around 10.30, suddenly Miss. Gibbons saw a person in a blue trouser and green shirt attacked the Astroguy and shouted "Die, Samuel." He held a huge knife and thrusted it in the belly of Astroguy and then left running. Miss Gibbons created a racket and everyone came out, the ambulance was informed be Ms. Heather, then the police were knife was left embedded in Victims abdomen, there were no fingerprints on it, the attacker also wore a ski mask. The CCTV didn't covered that place so there is no footage. The CCTV's on entrance and exit caught nothing abnormal on that stipulated time frame. Only six persons were not in the CCTV footages at that time, they are Heather, Ron, Robin,Samuel,Veronica and the maid .
Vicki heard the whole thing with absolute attention, and then announced "Everyone, we need to record your statements, and someone please show me the CCTV tapes, Timmy record their statements. This is probably an inside job.", "Hey you," Vicki pointed at the inspector, "Do a search for the clothing of the suspect, now." The inspector started to carry out the command.
"I told you, they will suspect us." A blonde employee named Veronica screamed.
"Nope, we have to cooperate with them, even if they suspect us, we have to do it to catch the attacker." Robin reasoned.
Timmy asked to himself "Why did the attacker attacked Timantha while she was wearing the costume? They could have easily attacked Samuel in the night, they mixed up between Samuel and Timantha only for that costume."
Vicki again snarled, "To prevent splattering of blood, you need to learn a lot Timmy."
(Skill sets of the twerp)
(Heather)
The first one to be interrogated was Heather. A spacious backroom was setup as the impromptu interrogation room. The list wasn't a big one, it only consisted five persons, Heather, Robin, Remy, Veronica and Samuel. Still Timmy thought he might add to the list.
"Your name and age?"
"Heather Salt . 24."
Your occupation?
"Store manager."
"Where were you at the time of the incident?"
"I was in a meeting with Robin and Ron from 10 to 10.30, we had to stop our meeting when we heard screaming ."
"What were you discussing?"
"Plans to restructure the shopping bay."
"Why did Timantha had to play Astroguy today?"
"Well Samuel is the one who plays Astroguy, Timantha is our reserve candidate in this regard. Today after coming to work Samuel felt a very strong abdominal pain with loose motion, he was in no place to play Astroguy, so Timantha filled his place."
"Did anyone had a rivalry towards Samuel?"
"Now that you mention it, Samuel told me that someone was threatening him over phone, I thought it was just a prank, but under current circumstances it doesn't seem so."
"Hmm…..how many times was he threatened? Did it happened before you"
"Twice. No, first threat came on his cellphone, while the next one came in the bar, where Samuel was also there with Veronica and Robin."
"Fine, please send in Robin."
(Robin)
"Your name and age?"
Robin Corby, 27.
"Your occupation?"
"Customer sentiment analyst ."
"Where were you at the time of the incident?"
"I was in the meeting with Remy and Heather, we were discussing some remodelling of our shopping bay."
Why Timantha had to play the Astroguy?
"Well our regular Astroguy Samuel was down with severe abdominal pain and loose motion, so naturally she had to fill in."
Well, did anyone had any rivalry with Samuel?
"No, no. Samuel is a very good guy, but guess what somebody is threatening him over phone. Once over his cell phone and once while we're celebrating Veronica's promotion in bar."
Did you guys got any ideas, from where the call could have been made?
"Yes, but both were made from public phones, as they came directly in Samuel's mobile we just called back the number, then somebody in both situations verified that this is a pay phone's number."
"Ok, please send in Ron."
(Ron)
"Your name and age?"
"Ronald 'Ron' Owen, 36."
"Your occupation?"
"I'm the owner of this mall."
"Where were you at the time of the incident?"
"I was with Heather and Robin, we were discussing about some restructuring of the shopping bay."
"Did Samuel had any rivals?"
"Nope, he is a great kid."
"So you didn't hear about those threat calls he was receiving?"
"Nope, I don't poke y nose in their personal lives."
Fine send in Veronica.
(Veronica)
"Your name and age?"
"Veronica Starr, 22."
"You occupation?"
"I'm like the in-charge of toy section."
"Where were you at the time of the incident?"
"I was like checking up on Samuel, he was like so sick, I had to check on him. The commotion woke him up, shouts like a boar."
"Hmm, why Timantha had to play Astroguy?"
"Timantha was like reserve bencher, when Sammy, yeh..Samuel got sick she was the only viable option."
"Did Samuel have any rivalry with anyone?"
"Like no, he is such a cute, ye..nice guy. He won't like harm a fly."
"What about the threat calls?"
"No clue about those, those came like, only twice, once over his phone and once on my party."
"Why did you throw that party?"
"Like I just got promoted as the in-charge of Toy section with Timantha, so it's like my celebration."
"Did both of you threw the party jointly?"
"Like no, Timantha is very pessimistic and antisocial, like an old hag, she is like penny pincher."
Fine, send Samuel in."
(Samuel)
"Detective Turner, can you please do it faster, I've to hit the bathroom yet again."
Before Timmy could react to this legitimate request, the door of the room busted open and a frowning Vicki came in.
" you have to wait a little longer, Timmy go on."
Samuel somehow seated, and with a pained expression he looked at Timmy, Timmy ignored his pleading eyes.
"Name and age?"
"Samuel De'Cox, 21."
"Occupation?"
"I'm the sales employee and Astroguy."
"From when did your abdominal issue popped up?"
"Around 9.30, I had a coffee with Veronica at 9 as usual at 9.30 abdominal pain with loose motion set in."
"what were you doing at time of the incident?"
"I felt very weak due to pain and fluid loss, everyone advised me to take a nap in the back-room, this very room. So I took a nap from 10, the commotion woke me up, on waking up I saw a very astonished Veronica while rampant commotion in the hallway."
"So you were being threatened by someone?"
"Yes,ohh. please I need to use the..."
Samuels plea was cut short, "Shut up , you know that you are also a suspect, so I think in your best interest you will co-operate with us, Maurice come in." Vicki's cold voice made Samuel Jittery.
A gloved nerdy pathologist came in, Vicki stated "Maurice take a sample from Mr. Samuel's stool.
Samuel left with a hung head with accompanied with Maurice.
Timmy handed his notepad to Vicki, "All of them seems to have airtight alibis. Only suspicious person is Samuel."
Vicki nodded in disagreement, "You surely are a mismatch for me, you'll always be a level lower, Twerp."
"Again, twerp is back." Timmy sighed, "Um..Vicki I need to question the maid also , so..."
"Do whatever you like but you have 20 minutes to impress me with your deductive skills." Vicki stated with a deadpan expression.
Timmy hurried towards the restroom, probably the old maid would be found there.
"The twerp has some skills, but are they enough? Well 20 minutes to figure out." Vicki smiled, she has already cracked the case. She strode towards the drinks corner, a carton of pink lemonade is peeping through the cooler.
Timmy talked with for three minutes, "This is a new development, probably there is more than meets the eye, 20 minutes, why she have to be like this, is it all a game for her?"
Timmy un-mindfully strode towards the toy section, suddenly he saw Heather, Robin and Veronica were carrying some stuff.
"It's hot and the a.c is also down, Veronica you should take off your jacket." Heather suggested Veronica, while trying to wipe of some sweat from her fore-head. Veronica was drenched in sweat, yet she replied "I'm fine, besides like ,I've a hidden cold, I might contract an infection if I took it off," Robin and Heather looked at her with astonished eyes.
The realization hit Timmy like a truck, "I'm such a fool; this is such a simple case, that's why that person's alibi fails."
Timmy dashed towards the announcement room.
Vicki was looking at her watch, "Any minute now, if Hamada was right about him then it is just mere seconds..."
A loud announcement broke her attention,
"Attention everyone, This is Detective Timothy Turner; all the suspects please gather in the back room."
Vicki instructed "Inspector , be prepared, we will have to make an arrest.", "Certainly, Mam." the inspector obliged.
Timmy was standing in the room while the six persons mentioned above were being seated in the big sofa. Vicki was leaning on the coffee table, while Inspector guarded the only entrance from inside.
Samuel was glaring at Maurice, if looks could kill Maurice would be dead 10 times by now.
Timmy with a very cold voice started the resolution of the case, " From they very first instance this case looked a bit odd. If someone had a grudge on Samuel, then why they would threat Samuel in the first place? This would only jeopardize their plan."
Samuel stood up "So are you suggesting I'm the culprit?"
Timmy replied, "No, infact the Culprit used you to throw of the investigation, a racket was created as Samuel being targeted, so if Timantha dies in the supposed cross-fire then nobody would think she was being targeted. Culprit used this to her advantage."
Heather and Veronica looked little flustered due to the mention of the pronoun.
Robin and Samuel screamed in unison "Both of them has airtight alibis and we can vouch for them."
"Yes you can, but one of them doesn't have an airtight alibi any more, do you know that the corridor linking with changing room and the back room is out of CCTV coverage?" Timmy added with a smart chuckle.
"So what, anybody can kill her and hide ..." Samuel stopped suddenly, "Veronica,...you were there when I woke up." he looked at Veronica anxiously.
"I had a chat with the maid , she told that Veronica had told her to mop the floor around 10.20, if she wasn't there nobody would have heard the culprit screaming, "Die, Samuel." so it would be a little hard to think that Samuel wasn't targeted." Timmy finished his sentence, to search for a drink, Vicki threw the bottle of pink lemonade to him. He gulped it in a single try.
"Ahh...so the culprit created an illusion that Samuel was being targeted and even made sure there was a witness who have heard the culprit screaming that phrase, so even if the original target was Timantha nobody would dare to think she was the main target, everybody will think that the poor girl died due to a mix up." Timmy continued, "But, to make Timantha wear that Astroguy costume one has to make sure that Samuel is unwell to discharge his duties, hey , Maurice tell us about your pathological test?"
Samuel's face became beet red, "Samuel 's stool contained traces of a very potent purgative." Maurice concluded.
"So suffering an abdominal pain and loose motion is due to a potent purgative, now Samuel won't do this to himself as then..."Veronica screamed on top of her lungs "What the hell you are insinuating? Samuel can poison himself and carry out the attack as you have said." Samuel looked at Veronica with pure astonishment.
"If he does that then he is an idiot, he was running for the bathroom every 5 minutes, he wouldn't able to carry out such a methodical attack, by the way , you are sweating why don't you open your jacket?" Timmy smiled teasingly.
Veronica gulped and then tried to run out of the room, but Vicki caught her left arm and with a picture prefect judo throw threw her on the ground, then she rode on Veronica and unbuttoned her pink jacket, her's was a both side wearable with the inner side being green,"I'm pretty sure her trousers are both sided too." Timmy concluded.
Vicki added on, "You were fondling your breasts during this whole time, you have hidden the mask in your bra. for sure."
McCarty handcuffed Veronica, "Looks like I'm done for, yes I killed that bitch." Veronica screamed while drawing daggers with her eyes.
"What was your motive?" Timmy asked, though he had a fair idea. Veronica pointed towards Samuel with her cuffed hands, "That bitch and I, we both knew each other from our early days, we both once were professional sluts, then we moved out from there, when I was going to start afresh with Samuel, that bitch demanded money from me, she threatened that she would expose my past..." Veronica broke down with tears, McCarthy guided her out, suddenly Vicki's mobile phone rang,
"Yes, speaking."
...
"Ok."
Timantha has succumbed to her injuries.
(Not so Twerpy?)
Timmy and Vicki were standing outside the mall, the afternoon sunrays drenched both detectives, Timmy looked at Vicki, Vicki smiled at him.
" told me that you questioned her in the first place right after I went to interrogate them. You figured it out then and there." Timmy was really astonished and was having a fan-boy like awe.
"Yes, the area around which the crime was committed, wasn't regularly cleaned, ,yet that was being cleaned today just before the attack happened, so I asked the cleaner, she told me that it was Veronica, who told her to clean such a place which they clean only once in a year.. I figured it then and there." Vicki smiled cheekily.
"Yes, I also got it, when I went to question her." Timmy stated.
"You did good, you have some raw talent, but you need conditioning, I take back what I said to you earlier of being a piece of shit." Vicki smiled.
"So,..." Vicki yanked the brunet by his collar again, "Look, twerp. You have some skills, that doesn't make you him. Don't dare to cross the line." Her eyes were glaring, yet to him she looked beautiful and for the first time Timmy's eyes blown his cover, they revealed admiration."
"Just as obdurate like him, still sharper than him. He is surely better than I expected, but is he as understanding as him?" Vicki's looks got toned down with her thought.
"Um...Vicki, people are watching." Timmy almost whispered.
Vicki let him go, Timmy smoothed out his collar, then proposed, "Shall we have ice cream?"
"Yes, the bill's on you, twerp." Vicki replied with a smile, "Yes, I've got my sailor, now I can chase the dream of the faraway cape." After a long time Vicki felt happy.
Heather is not my OC, she was created by Salty Jack. The song is inspired from Kibouhou the opening track of Spiral:bonds of reasoning.