Shadow

Imagine a case where the last hour of a dead person's memory can be recovered.

Even when unconscious, the last sound they heard can be recovered.

That would really help investigations, yeah?

The Last Scene Extractor has just been approved for investigations.

---

June 11th, 2018

The applause filled the hall.

Samuel Reed stood on the stage, holding the award that represented years of dedication and hard work.

To everyone watching, he was the detective who solved impossible cases.

A man respected for his intelligence, discipline, and ability to uncover the truth.

But behind the applause was a name he could never escape.

A name that followed him everywhere.

His father's.

To most people, Samuel Reed was not just a detective.

He was the son of a murderer.

His father's name had become a symbol of fear and disgust. Even years later, people remembered the crimes, and they remembered that Samuel carried the same blood.

Some believed darkness could be inherited. That the sins of one generation could follow the next.

Samuel spent his entire life proving them wrong.

He joined the police force not to escape his father's shadow, but to stand against it.

While others saw his family name first, Samuel saw evidence first.

Later that night at 9:27 p.m.

Victor's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen before answering.

"Detective Hale."

A voice came through the speaker.

"Reports of an illegal street race on Faloria Street. We need officers on the scene."

Victor sighed.

"I've already signed off for the day. Send the nearest patrol unit."

He ended the call and tossed his phone onto the table.

---

A few streets away, Samuel's phone rang.

He answered immediately.

"Reed."

"Illegal street race on Faloria Street."

"I'm on my way."

He grabbed his keys, put on his jacket, and headed for the door.

---

Meanwhile, at 9:54 p.m., Faloria Street echoed with the roar of motorcycle engines.

The crowd lined both sides of the road, cheering as racers sped toward the finish line.

The leading motorcycle shot across the line first.

Cheers erupted.

The rider removed the helmet.

Long, beautiful hair fell onto her shoulders as she ran a hand through it.

Several boys surrounded her, laughing and celebrating.

Standing among them was a striking young woman whose elegance seemed completely out of place in the middle of an illegal street race.

At a glance, anyone could tell she didn't belong in a place like this.

Across the street, a young man on a delivery motorcycle watched with interest.

He smiled.

"A girl beating all those guys..." he muttered.

"She's interesting."

The distant wail of sirens cut through the noise.

Someone shouted,

"Police!"

Within seconds, the celebration turned into chaos.

Motorcycles roared back to life.

People scattered in every direction as police vehicles raced onto Faloria Street.

---

Three days later, Detective Victor Hale entered Samuel's office.

The expression on his face immediately told Samuel something was wrong.

"We have a missing person case," Victor said.

Samuel looked up from the files on his desk.

"How long missing?"

"Three days."

Samuel waited silently for more information.

Victor placed a folder on the desk.

"No phone activity. No bank transactions. No credit card usage. No recorded movement. Not a single camera captured him leaving, arriving, or even passing through the city."

Samuel opened the file.

The missing person's photograph stared back at him.

"Who reported him missing?"

Victor paused.

"His younger sister."

Samuel studied the details again.