Solved

“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”- Albert Einstein

Nothing was making sense. Everything was wrong.

My old friends said the first case was supposed to be the easiest so either they lied or I’m just the unluckiest rookie.

My partner Tim, who’s been doing this for thirty years, is stumped. His wrinkles are deeper, his hair is growing grayer, and he’s been without sleep for eighteen hours.

When I tell him to go to bed he only reply’s with a grunt and, “I’ve never left a case unsolved and if the victims are still alive we have to help them. There are things you should start learning rookie and you better learn them before you can’t.”

I get why he’s upset, who wouldn’t be. This crime just didn’t make any sense.

Was it a taunt at us?

Was it supposed to trick us?

Was it just too hard for us?

It started simple but led to everything which concluded as nothing. Red lines made spiderwebs on the evidence board. Piles of useless evidence and empty coffee mugs drowned the room.

Was there even a crime?

Was there more than one crime?

We kept looking at the evidence in the small office we shared. White walls and wood floors outlined the room. Multiple evidence boards and boxes decorated the space and in the middle of it all were two desks. Tim’s was covered in paper and memories while mine was empty and new.

“Ok then, if you’re not going to rest lets go over the case again and see if we missed anything.” I said.

“What is there to go over? Everything we know proves we know nothing.” Tim sighed, “but we’re going nowhere right now so it couldn’t hurt.”

“Alright, we were called in on a home invasion. When we looked at the house it was ransacked though it appeared as if nothing was taken but we can’t verify that until the Andersons come back, which of who we aren’t able to contact.” I stated, “Mr. and Mrs. Anderson weren’t answering the calls we’ve been sending and no one can find where their two kids are either.”

“Right, which is weird. Also the house had a lot of valuable items. Which means whoever broke in was looking for something important to them rather than take anything worth money and must have some connection to the family.“ Tim stated.

We paused in thought. Replaying every detail in our heads.

“This isn’t going anywhere! We need to get in contact with the family to learn more. Until then, everything here is useless!” I shouted, knocking over a stack of papers from Tim’s desk.

Silence filled the office. Thoughts of doing nothing and causing pain and doing something and wasting time battled each other in my brain.

This didn’t seem real.

Real?

“Hey Tim, what if the break in was staged?” I asked, staring at the photos of knocked over furniture and open drawers that hanged on the evidence board.

Tim perked up.

“What do you mean?” Tim asked, hopeful for a lead.

“What if everything in the house was only meant to look like someone broke in? It was all fake.” I paused, “the crime wasn’t in the house but someone needed it to look like it was. Why though? Whatever they did could have gone unnoticed for so much longer if they didn’t go to the house.”

Tim was nodding along to words, he agreed but like me he couldn’t finish the idea.

A knock at the door broke us free from our spiraling thoughts. I went to see who it was. To my surprise it was Kate, meaning good news was coming. Kate never wanted to be the bearer of bad news.

Kate and I were in some of the same classes during high school and college and are good friends. She’s slightly shorter than me and has short light brown hair.

“The lab found something strange. In the areas that have been trashed it seems at least one item there was stolen from a nearby store.” Kate said.

“So the unsub knew about this or placed it there to do what? Make the Andersons look like the bad guys.” I wondered.

Tim stood up from his desk with a surprised look on his face, “well rookie looks like you were right, it was staged. Now, lets go see what the Andersons were up to.”

I sat parked outside the Anderson’s house. Their tall, white house out-shining the rest of the neighborhood, stood still and quiet. We spent the rest of the day interviewing everyone from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson’s work, their kids school, and their neighbors and everyone said the same thing.

“They were the perfect family.”

Tim said I looked tired so he made me sit the next interview out, so I sat in the car watching the neighborhood, watching the sky change colors, the street lights turn on. Watching nothing. A few minutes go by and next to the Anderson’s house a hooded figure quickly runs by into the house.

Finally something was happening.

I got out of the car and quietly walked up to the house. The person was inside, somewhere. As I got to the door I drew my gun. My heart started pumping. I slowly entered the house, watching for movement.

If this was one of the Anderson’s coming back why were they being so sneaky? I walked through the hallways watching my step for knocked over items. I was tempted to call out or turn on a light, but my brain told me it would end badly.

The quiet was filled by my racing heart and deep breathing. I’m starting to rethink my decision to come here. Tim doesn’t know I’m here and I’m chasing a shadow in the dark. I finally decide to give up and head back to the car.

I hope Tim isn’t there.

Behind me a light turns on. I turn around. It’s seems to be the tv coming from the living room at the end of the hallway. I head in that direction leaving behind all logic that’s saying not to go there. The tv is filled with static and quiet voices. I get closer to the tv to figure out how it had turned on. But deep down I knew what had happened.

Footsteps thump behind me.

“You know it’s rude to interrupt people.” A man said swinging something towards my head and before I can do anything I’m hit. My gun flies away from me. Everything stops and before I realize it my head hits the hard tiled floor. I know I need to move. To get help. But I can’t move, I can barely keep my eyes open. Help won’t come now. There are only two outcomes of this situation and one of them isn’t pretty.

I realize the man is speaking though my ringing ears and clouded head is making it hard to hear.

“Try to stay away from the house unless your solving... cops can’t do anything... so you’ll help them... if I need help... won’t do anything... they’re even worse...” the guy said.

While the guy continues to complain about something I try to glance up. Maybe I’ll get lucky and see his face, maybe Tim will burst in here and arrest this guy, maybe this is all a joke.

Maybe I’m not about to die.

Maybe I should just try to look.

The guy’s hood blocked most of his face and my fogged mind made it hard to focus but from what I could see the guy looked to be in his late twenties to early thirties, he had a scar on his chin, and he looks panicked, tired, hopeless.

“Hey! Keep you’re eyes to the ground. You know what today’s plan is over thanks to you and I’m not happy with that. Tell your partners to stay away or something that can’t be undone will be done.” He said, sanity being undone with each word.

He finished talking with a finale blow to my head making everything go dark.

Why am I so unlucky?

What did I do?

I wake up, sitting in a chair, and after a few seconds I realize I’m in a car. I turn my head to the driver’s seat and see Tim.

That’s good I’m not dead, but Tim doesn’t look happy.

Tim notices I’m awake and a small hint of relief washes over his face.

“What were you thinking?” Tim asked in a voice more worried than mad.

I didn’t know what to say and no matter what I did Tim would be upset.

“I saw someone run into the house and I went to look.” I answered, hesitantly.

“And you were knocked unconscious by them. Come on, rookie you should of called for back-up, you should have called me, you shouldn’t have gone in there alone.” He shouted.

“I know but I got more information.” I said hoping that news would make him happy.

“Ya, and what good would that information be if you were dead.” Tim said.

We sat in silence. My head was still aching as I tried to sort through the events that happened before I blacked out.

I messed up.

I could have died.

Not even case solved and it could have been over. I turned to the window and watched the road move with us.

“When I found you a flash drive was next to you and your gun was emptied of bullets.” Tim said.

I turned to him.

“I don’t think the unsub had any plan a killing someone at least not now. The unsub did want the flash drive to be found.” Tim stated.

“Before I blacked out the guy was ranting on about cops doing nothing, them helping someone else, them being much worse. He was talking about some plan.” I said, “I even saw some of his face.”

Tim turned to me. Shocked.

“We’ll finish this conversation later.” Tim said.

It was clear he had not expected something so great, though what I saw probably wasn’t good enough.

“Hey Tim, why wasn’t I taken to the hospital?” I asked.

“Because you weren’t dead.” Tim said with a slight smile.

Back in our small office with some takeout we sat at Tim’s computer ready to watch whatever was on the flash drive. Kate was here too, I haven’t told her about what happened earlier today, but I feel like she knows something is up.

Tim attached the flash drive into the his computer’s USB and a file came up. The file was filled with business reports and ideas from ClintonDesigns of how to boost profit and the number of customers, all of it seemed like it would work.

“Hey Tim isn’t this the same place the Mr. and Mrs. Anderson work at?” I asked.

“You’re right. Kate search for all employees, even recently fired ones, and see if any of them was working with The Andersons on boosting the companies status.” Tim said.

“On it.” Kate said starting to type away on the laptop she brought with her.

“Rookie what could you see on the unsub’s face?” Tim asked.

“Not much. He looked to be in his late twenties to early thirties and had a scar on his chin.” I answered.

“Got that Kate?” Tim asked.

“Yes though there are still too many people on the list.” Kate said.

What over clues were there? What else did this guy say to me?

“Try employees that’ve been arrested.” I said, “this guy didn’t seem to like the police for something involving the Andersons.”

Kate gave me a suspicious look. I knew I would have to tell her.

“I got someone! Charles Darwin. Thirty five years old. Was fired four months ago for an aggressive argument with his boss and the Andersons. Two months after that he was arrested for vandalizing a police station after filing a report on the Andersons for stealing. No investigation was done.” Kate explained with delight.

“Do we know where he lives?” Tim asked.

“He doesn’t own any property but his brother ,Chase Darwin, does and he lives fourteen miles away from here.” Kate answered.

“We know what we’re doing tomorrow everyone get some rest, we’re going to need it.” Tim said, getting up and leaving the office.

I followed his lead with a yawn but was stopped when Kate grabbed my arm.

“James what happened today?” Kate asked, worried.

I stared at her, not sure what to say, “nothing you need to worry about.”

“James this is you’re first case, just please be careful.” Kate asked.

“I’m always careful.” I replied with a smile.

That didn’t seem to please her, maybe because we both knew that wasn’t true. It’s hard to be careful when you run into bad luck everywhere.

“I’ll be careful, I promise.” I said.

That seemed to make her feel slightly better. She let go of my arm and we both left the office.

Why did I say I promise?

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. It was Tim. I wiped the sleep out of my eyes and answered.

“Hello.” I said.

“Be ready in fifteen minutes, I’m coming to pick you up.” Tim said, hanging up.

I began to get dressed. Black coat, white buttoned shirt, dark pants, and running shoes. After fifteen minutes there was a knock at my apartment door. I opened it to find Tim standing there. He was wearing a brown leather jacket, blue shirt and jeans, along with a pair of old boots.

“Look who’s dressed all fancy.” Tim said with a smile.

We headed to the car and to my surprise there was someone in the passenger seat. He was wearing a dark purple shirt and black pants. He had a deep tan and black hair. He looked maybe to be in his early thirties.

“Is this the rookie?” The guy asked.

“Yes.” Tim replied.

“I’m Mark and I can do pretty much anything.” He said.

“Now that’s over, rookie hop in the back and we can start getting a move on.” Tim said.

I got into the backseat which was little small but manageable. Tim started the engine and we were off to Chase Darwin’s house where hopefully Charles Darwin was too.

About an half hour later we arrived at an old, small house. Trash was all over the yard, which was dying. There weren’t any other houses around.

We walked up to the front door. Mark stayed back taking pictures of the area, seeing if anything looked strange.

Tim knocked on the door and a few minutes later a man opened the door.

He looked tired and sloppy. His brown hair looked like it hasn’t been cleaned for some time and his glasses had a slight crack in them.

“Chase Darwin?” Tim asked.

“Yes?” He answered, confused.

“Do you know where your brother, Charles Darwin, is?” Tim asked.

Chase got a worried and shocked look on his face.

“What’s this all about?” Chase asked.

“He’s a suspect for a home invasion.” Tim answered, showing his badge.

“That doesn’t make any sense. He would never steal. You must have him confused with someone else.” Chase said, stumbling on his words.

“We don’t think he actually took anything, just made it look like he did so we may find something he placed there. Does the name Anderson mean anything to you?” I asked.

Fear flashed across his face.

“I’m sorry I don’t know anything.” He said closing the door.

Tim put his foot between the door to stop it from closing.

“We have a few more questions if you don’t mind, may we come in?” Tim asked.

“Sorry I’m really busy.” Chase said backing away.

Right when Tim grabbed the door knob Chase quickly sprinted to the back of the house. Tim pointed for me to go around as he followed through the house. When I got to the other side I found Mark pinning down Chase and Tim standing at the back door.

“Next time watch where you’re going you could of broke my camera.” Mark complained.

“Get off me! He didn’t do anything wrong. It was the Andersons, those thieves. They’re all fake. My brother is innocent!” Chase yelled, struggling.

“Calm down and you can tell us all about it.” Mark said.

That seemed to make him calm down. Mark got off him and helped him up.

“Now, how about we all go inside and tell us why your brother is innocent.” Mark said.

Chase nodded and we all headed back to the house. We all sat down in the living room where two couches and one chair sat. Trash littered the floor and a gross smell made it a little hard to breathe.

How could anyone live here?

“So why don’t you tell us why your brother is innocent.” Tim said.

“Ok, it all started when my brother and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were tasked with trying to make the business better and more profitable. He was invited to the Anderson’s house when he happened to see some papers of selling stuff, like really bad stuff, to multiple people. When he told me I didn’t believe him at first until a few weeks later a letter was sent to us saying if we told anyone we would be killed.” Chase started.

He took a few deep breaths.

“After that my brother found a way to cut back prices on supplies and raise the quality of the supplies. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson found out and stole all his work. When he confronted them about it he got a little to worked up and punched Mr. Anderson. He didn’t press charges but Charlie did get fired. He went to the police but they didn’t even try to do anything. So he took things into his own hands.” Chase finished.

Moments later the sound of tires rolling on the dirt grabbed our attention. A few seconds later a phone started ringing. It was Chases. He answered.

“Hey Charlie, what’s up?” Chase asked.

“Who’s at the house?” Charles replied.

“Some people who want to help.” Chase answered.

“Cops! Chase you know they can’t do anything. They’re just trying to get you to turn on me.” Charles said.

“No, they want to help. I just explained everything to them.” Chase said.

“Hey Charlie if what your brother is saying is true then we can help you, but you’re going to have to talk with us face to face.” Tim called out.

There was a pause.

“I’ll talk to one of you if my brother comes along.” Charles said.

“Ok where?” Tim asked.

“Come outside so I can see you all.” Charles said.

“We are coming out.” Tim said.

We walked outside through the front door. Mark in front followed by Tim, then me, then Chase.

“Who do you want to talk to?” Tim asked.

“The one that came out right before my brother seeing that we already met.” Charles replied, “send them both to the truck so we can talk.”

I gave Tim a worried glance and he only replied with a nod.

Great unlucky me gets to go into a random truck to talk with the same person who knocked me unconscious before.

Charles hanged up. Me and Chase both went to the truck and got into the back seats. The engine was off and the doors remained unlocked.

“So you wanted to talk, lets talk.” Charles said.

“Um, so you’re brother said you found evidence the the Andersons were selling stolen items and later you were threatened not to tell anyone. Then after that the Mr. and Mrs. Anderson stole your work and took all the credit resulting in you getting fired. Is that correct?” I asked.

“Ya, now you can go arrest the Andersons and I get my job back.” Charles said.

“Actually we haven’t been able to contact any of the Andersons. I’m wondering if you know what happened to them?” I asked.

His face was filled with surprise and shock.

“They’re missing?” Charles asked.

“Wait you don’t think my brother had anything to do with it?” Chase asked.

The worry in their voices made it clear Charles didn’t do anything to the Andersons, unless they are just the two best actors in the world.

“I don’t think you did anything related to their disappearance.” I said, “but they are missing and we can’t prove your side of the story until we find them.”

Charles leaned back in his seat with a sigh.

“Just when the cops believe me the Andersons decide to disappear.” Charles laughed, “just great.”

Without a warning Charles punched the middle of the steering wheel sending a startling honk throughout the yard. Mark and Tim started jogging over to the truck and Chase was trying to calm his brother down. I tried to open the door but quickly realized it was locked.

“Don’t move! We aren’t done yet!” Charles shouted.

“What else do you have to say?” I asked.

“You got to promise me something.” Charles said, calming down.

“What?” I asked.

“If I turn myself in you have to promise you’ll find the Andersons and investigate everything my brother told you and keep him safe. Those people may come after him because he told you all everything.” Charles said.

“Ok we’ll do everything we can.” I promised.

After that he unlocked the door and exited the truck with his hands up saying he’s turning himself in. Chase and I both got out. Tim was handcuffing Charles and Mark was reading him his rights.

Why didn’t this feel right?

Later that day, back in the office, Kate and Mark were both typing away trying to find the Andersons, though the looks on their faces show it’s not going to well.

Charles sat in an interrogation room with his brother talking. We agreed we’d keep Chase here until we know it’s safe for him to go home.

“No one at work has heard from them and their boss says they never asked for time off.” Kate shared.

“Their kids teachers say the kids haven’t been showing up to school and were given no reason why.” Mark shared.

“The Anderson’s relatives haven’t heard from them in a long while.” Kate shared.

“Their neighbors haven’t noticed anything out of the usual until the break in was called in though some have said their house seemed a little more quiet than normal.” Mark shared.

“If they were selling something bad and something went wrong, maybe one of the customers wanted revenge?” Tim thought.

“Revenge seems like a good motive but that doesn’t help us find where they are.” Mark said.

“Hey rookie you’ve been quite. What’s going on in your head?” Tim asked.

“I’m just thinking of how the Anderson’s house looked like when we first went there.’ I answered.

“And what have you come up with?” Tim asked.

“There car was still there unless they had another one that wasn’t registered to them, I think they were somehow forced into a car. But there wasn’t any signs of a struggle inside the house.” I replied.

“Maybe the unsub threatened one of the kids life and that’s how they got them all in the car.” Kate said.

“The unsub couldn’t have been driving though, the father could of overpowered the unsub at that point.” Mark said.

“So the unsub made one of them drive and told them if they disobeyed any orders they would kill them all.” Tim said.

“That still doesn’t help us find them, we only know how they were taken.” I said.

“Right but with a family of four versus one person the unsub may not want to be driving for to long and sense no dead bodies have shown up they must still be alive in a hidden location.” Tim said.

We went back to our own thoughts. I needed to clear my head. I walked out of the room and headed towards the break room for a glass of water. It was late in the afternoon and exhaustion started to affect me. Just as I was ready to go back Chase entered the room.

“Oh hey Detective.” Chase said a little startled.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“Oh no I just needed a break. Seeing my brother in handcuffs is a little traumatic. I mean is it really necessary, he turned himself in I don’t think he plans on running.” Chase replied.

I didn’t know what to say.

“Actually there is something I need to get from my house.” Chase said.

“Ok, I can ask Tim if it’d be fine.” I said.

“That isn’t needed. I think it’ll be fine for one quick visit.” Chase said.

“Maybe I can come with you. You’re brother did ask us to make sure you stay safe.” I said.

Chase didn’t seem happy that I was going to come with him, but I guess he didn’t want it to be a big deal so he agreed I should come too.

After about another half-hour drive we arrived at his house. I decided to stay in the car while Chase went inside to get whatever he needed. After a few minutes I decided to get out to see if everything was alright when I noticed something from a small basement window. It looked like movement but I couldn’t be sure unless I was closer so I quickly hurried across the yard and crouched next to the window.

There were brick walls and concrete floors. Everywhere was dark inside except for a small spot in the middle of the room where a lightbulb hanged from the ceiling. There was definitely movement down there and from more than one person. I then realized that one of the people down there was Chase and he seemed to be yelling though I couldn’t hear a thing.

Maybe if I got closer?

As I got closer to the window, I accidentally hit it, making a quiet thud.

Chase then looked towards the window and I think he saw me. He quickly left from my view and I decided to get back to the car. By the time I was seated in the car Chase was coming out and didn’t have a good look on his face.

I quickly got my breathing under control and wiped the fear off my face.

Chase got in the car and slammed the door.

Act like nothing happened

“So you got what you need?” I asked.

Confused, Chase said, “oh ya, I have it so we can go back now.”

“Yes. Hey are you okay?” I asked.

“Oh ya, um, maybe I shouldn’t have came back something could of happened. I mean when I was in the house I thought I saw someone through the window.” He replied, slowly.

“Oh, do you want me to look around?” I asked, starting to get worried.

“No, no I think it was just my imagination.” He said, relief washing over his face.

“I think you’re right. I didn’t see anyone from here.” I said.

“Right.” Chase said.

Our conversation was over leaving us both with worried faces, though I couldn’t tell if it was an act or real.

We headed back to the station in silence.

When we arrived, Chase went to talk with his brother and I went to find the team.

How was I going to explain to them what I just saw and did Chase think I knew something?

If Chase really did do this how would his brother react or does his brother already know?

No he couldn’t have known.

Then why would his brother do it?

I entered Tim’s office where everyone was still working away trying to find the Andersons.

“Where have you been?” Mark asked.

“Uh, Chase had to get something from his house so I went with him.” I answered.

“Was everything okay?” Tim asked.

“I’m not sure. I think we need to have a look around his house.” I said.

“Why? You don’t think they did it?” Kate asked.

“I saw Chase talking to someone through the window that led to the basement. I couldn’t see exactly who he was talking to but it was definitely a group of people.” I said.

“Why would Chase do it? It would only make his brother more likely to go to jail and make it harder to prove what he said about the Andersons.” Kate asked.

“It couldn’t hurt to look and if James is right-.” Mark paused.

Chase walked into the room.

“Oh hey detectives, uh, how’s the case going?” He asked.

“We have a lead.” Tim said.

Fear shot up Chase’s face.

“Uh, so where do you think they are? I want to tell Charlie the good news.” Chase asked.

“Not too far from here. In an isolated location, maybe abandoned. Probably in a basement.” Tim said, slowly.

With each word that came of Tim’s mouth fear and anger fought each other on Chase’s face, all while trying to remain calm.

This guy must be the best actor in the world.

“We even may know who did it. We just need to know why. Why do you think someone would abduct the Andersons, Chase Darwin?” Tim asked, slowly.

The tension in the room kept building and by now the calm on Chase’s face was gone, leaving behind no trace of it and only fear.

All it takes is one more word and we all knew this would take a turn for the worst.

Chase was the unstable bomb and Tim was trying deactivate it by blowing it up and if he made even the slightest mistake everything was going to explode.

“Why would you do it?” Tim asked.

Boom.

Chase ran to the closest person, which was me, grabbed my gun and aimed it at my head. With his other arm held me still making struggling useless.

Chase was bigger and stronger than me with and had a gun aimed at my head.

Unlucky as always.

Everyone else in the room bolted up and drew their guns, trying to aim at Chase, though me being his human shield made it look more like them aiming at me.

“Chase you know this only makes you look more guilty, right?” Tim asked.

Chase held the gun tighter.

“I don’t care you seemed to have figured it out before all this. How did you know?” Chase asked.

“I’m not sure if I should answer that.” Tim replied.

“Then how about I be detective for a moment. This guy was spying on my.” He said, digging the gun further into my skull. “I knew I should have done something back at the house.”

“What would your brother think if you pulled that trigger?” Mark asked.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. He’ll hate me for everything I did.” Chase cried.

“Putting the gun down is a good way to start to get back his forgiveness. If you put down the gun eventually he will love you again the same way he does now.” Tim said.

“Ya, well eventually is too long to wait, so why not have some fun first.” Chase said.

This was it.

“Sorry James.” Mark quickly says.

A gunshot rang through my ears as a sharp pain sliced through the inside of my left leg causing me to fall to the ground. Behind me Chase is also falling to the ground yet it seems like the bullet went into the middle of his leg.

I hit the ground hard and my leg erupts in more pain. I bite my tongue and grunt in pain. Before I realize Mark is pulling me away and Tim is kicking the gun away from Chase.

“First time being grazed by a bullet I’m guessing.” Mark laughed.

I shot him an angry look which only made him smile.

“Would you rather be dead. Besides I said sorry.” Mark said.

Mark leaned me against Tim’s desk and looked at where he grazed me.

“It’s a bit further left then where I was aiming but it’s still only a graze. Put pressure on it while I get some bandages.” Mark said.

I look over to Tim who was handcuffing Chase and Kate who kept looking over at me. She’s probably upset that I wasn’t being careful and got hurt.

A while later Tim and Mark went to Chase’s house to find the Andersons.

The whole family was in the basement like I said and they are now being treated at the nearest hospital.

Chase took the blame for everything and now Charles is freed from all charges.

An investigation into the Andersons is being opened and after a few hours of questioning Mrs. Anderson confessed and now Charles says he’s getting his job back with a large promotion, while Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were fired and will be doing a lot of community service and paid their bail so they won’t have any jail time. I didn’t know anything else of their case’s information.

Charles’s brother is going to jail, for how long, depends on the trail. The Andersons decided to move to a different state because they wanted to forget all the bad decisions and memories.

And after all that Case_001 was solved and closed.

Later that evening, while I was clearing the office of everything to do with the case, Tim came in and began to help.

“So how was your first case on the team?” He asked.

“You know what, I don’t have an answer. Being shot wasn’t fun but the case was solved so you tell me was that good case?” I asked.

“Well it depends how you look at it. I’ve been doing this for about thirty years and every case I’ve had has been different. Everyone thinks differently and everyone acts differently. This being a good case for me would be no deaths and a solved case. So I guess I would say this was a good case.” Tim said.

“I guess you’re right.” I said.

We finished clearing the room for the next case to eventually come up.

“Rookie the cases don’t get easier to handle and sometime you do loose someone. I hope you understand that if you’re going to keep working with this team.” Tim said.

“I know that.” I said.

“Go home and get some rest, you’ll need it for this job.”

I left the office and got on a bus that led back to my small apartment. The night sky was filled with light from the city.

My leg would be fully healed enough for me to go back to the field in a few days. I was ready for the next case.

Ready for anything.