Click! Clack! Click! Clack!
Jen typed away on her computer, her sharp reddish-eyes glued onto the brightly lit screen. For hours now, the Head Detective had been hidden in her neat office, busying herself by sorting through the information her young assistant, Yuu Lyor, had managed to scrap up for the most recent murder investigation. A quick glance behind her confirmed that, yes, it was still dark out, with the moon just barely able to peek its white face through the thick clouds and over the rooftops of the normally-busy square that her office was situated in.
‘Where is that baboon?’ she thought furiously, abruptly ceasing her task. She was tired of shuffling through the same ten files over and over again. Being the efficient (and, apparently, humble) detective that she was, Jen had finished her initial task of sorting the gathered information hours ago. Sitting back in her chair, Jen sighed heavily and ran a hand through her neat, black locks, crossing her arms over her chest once that was done.
Her eyes glanced around her office, fruitlessly searching for something -anything- to occupy herself. She didn’t want to admit it. She didn’t want to admit that she was starting to get worried for her overly competently assistant. After all, how long did it take to just interview someone? Knowing Yuu, it would not take over 4 hours and 45 minutes. Clearly the young woman was either slacking-or something had happened to her.
“Ahhh!” Jen cried out in frustration, suddenly kicking herself away from her desk and allowing her rolling chair and slam against the wall behind her. She ignored the rattling of her many framed diplomas and certificates threatening to fall to the floor. Jen had other things to think about than worry for the destruction of her fantastic, recognized (Remember, this detective is a humble one!) accomplishments! “When I get my hands on her, I will have scold her for thinking this all time wasting is acceptable!”
Her eyes snapped onto the yellow sticky-note taped onto the side of her computer, and she snatched it up.
I’ve arranged an appointment with Ms. Sakamoto as you have requested. Today, at 9:00 p.m., I plan to meet with her at your favorite cafe to conduct the interview.
I will return as soon as she has answered all of my questions. It should not take more than 2 hours.
Yuu’s neat script stared back at her, mocking her with it’s message. Two hours, she had insisted. The blonde would only be gone for two hours. It was now close to 2 o’clock! The audacity she had to making Jen wait this long!
Roughly, the detective stood from her chair, barely stifling the string of swears that bubbled up when she nearly collapsed, pins and needles prickling at her numb legs. Through sheer persistence and grit, Jen ignored the pain in her legs, crossed the office, grabbed her coat from the coat rack, and exited the room, allowing the door the slam shut behind her. The sudden sound frightened the secretary, who stared at Jen wide-eyed as she stormed passed. She had not known that the Head Detective was still in the building.
The late-night staff quickly made way for her as she walked by, knowing better than to disturb her when she had that look on her face. Jen was determined. And, when she was determined, there was little that could actually stop her.
The cafe was, unsurprisingly, closed when she arrived. However, that didn’t stop the frustration (and worry) from coming up. Jen sighed as she stood in front of the dark cafe, hand on chin as she thought about what Yuu would have done next.
‘Get the woman comfortable. Treat her to a drink, maybe some food,’ her thoughts supplied. ‘Then, if she was still nervous, try some small talk. Once she’s nice and comfortable, slowly incorporate the questions into the conversation. Don’t let her know that you’re trying to figure you out...’ This was getting her nowhere. Yuu would have left the cafe immediately after the-Wait....That smell...That all-too-familiar smell...
Taking in the direction of the soft, early morning breeze, Jen quickly followed the opposite direction to find the source of the sudden disturbance. Now she will gladly admit that, yes, Yuu’s sudden disappearance was very troubling and she was worried for the young woman. After all, she was her assistant, and for anything to happen to her would be a tragedy in itself. Not to mention the worried relatives she would have to deal with when they found out-
Jen froze as she turned into a dark alleyway, the blood draining from her face.
‘It’s just like those cheesy murder mystery movies my sister likes to watch...’ Jen couldn’t help but think. And, indeed, the scene might as well have been ripped from a murder mystery. As she had entered the alley, the clouds had parted, allowing a bright ray of moonlight to illuminate the scene before her.
Two still bodies lay in a pool of blood, laying on top of one another. From where she stood, for her shock refused to allow her to step any closer for now, Jen could vaguely recognize Nadeshiko Sakamoto on top, the very person Yuu was supposed to interview that day. And, underneath her, though it was hard to tell since Nadeshiko’s dress and hair did an excellent job hiding the other from view, was none other then Yuu Lyor.
Overcoming her initial shock, Jen steeled her emotions and quickly made her way over to the bodies, though she knew there was little for her to do without gloves. Taking a closer look at the two without disturbing their positions or locations (she was also careful not to step in the pool of blood that surrounded them), she that Yuu had something loosely gripped in her right hand.
Further more, the clipboard that the blonde had brought with her was found quite a distance away. Jen made note of this.
It was then that she whipped out her cellphone, knowing better than to delay the discovery of a crime scene any longer. She dialed 9-1-1 and waited.
She didn’t have to wait long.
“Hello? This is 9-1-1, what’s your emerge-”
“This is Detective Jen Star,” she quickly cut her off, her voice firm and impatient. “There’s been two murders. I need a team here. Now.”
“Where’s your location, detective?”
“Café du Lait.” Jen then hung up and waited, her emotions a mix of both anger and sorrow at the sight of her now-dead assistant.
