Dead and Missing

Goldberg, May 24th 12:00 A.M

An emergency call operator picked up the phone and someone on the other side was complaining of heart pain. The voice belonged to Andrew Calamas. He sounded like he was extreme discomfort. The dispatcher stated an ambulance was on its way and it will be there in a few minutes.

The ambulance was at the scene within five minutes, but it was already too late. Andrew was dead. The Marvin squad minus Daniel was close by and closed of the study where Andrew was found and noticed the knight immediately. This was no natural heart attack.

Goldberg, May 24th, 10:00 A.M

Daniel arrived at the scene. He saw the leader deep in thought. He seemed very confused.

"Aliester, is there an issue?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"Well, you know how Simon George works, yes?"

"You explained it to me yesterday. My memory isn't so terrible that I'd forget everything."

"Yeah. The victim was poisoned. He drank something. But we can't find any trace of it anywhere."

"That is odd. I thought Simon always left the murder weapon at the scene. Why would he take the poisoned cup? Wouldn't it be somewhere obvious?"

"We looked the place over from top to bottom, but there was no trace of it."

"But I feel as if that isn't the only thing troubling you."

"Huh, did you learn magic or something?"

"No. Just a hunch."

"Your hunch is right. Yeah, there is something else wrong, actually two things wrong."

"That's interesting. What else is plaguing your mind?"

"First, we only found one knight this morning and only one knight, it was at the scene of the crime."

"That is very intriguing, what else did you discover?"

"The victim has gone missing."

"What?!" Daniel stated with intense surprise. "What on earth do you mean?"

Aliester shrugged. "If you must know, we suspect that Simon George took the body from the morgue. His autopsy was scheduled to happen 30 minutes after arrival. So Simon must have disguised himself as a mortician and took the body. We just don't know why he did that."

"I see." Daniel nodded. "Should I go to the morgue to investigate?"

Aliester shook his head. "Wouldn't matter. Like I said, we don't even know what Simon looks like and we don't know what vehicle he drives or if the vehicle he used to get to and from the hospital was a rental."

"Seems like there is a huge amount of unknowns in this case." Daniel concluded.

Aliester nodded in agreement.

"Mr Marvin. What do we do?"

"We keep looking for answers, that's what we are supposed to do."

"But where do I look?" Daniel asked.

"How am I supposed to know?" Aliester asked. "Maybe you just need to take a little break. Im pretty sure you'll come across an epiphany."

Daniel nodded. "I understand."

"Hey boss." Stated a tall man with blonde hair and brown eyes. "I'm done writing my forensics report May I go to Everleason mall?"

"Hey Nathanial." Daniel stated.

"Hello Dan. Would you like to tag along?" Nathanial asked.

"Go ahead Daniel. Relax. The revelation you need will come to you."

"Like the other experts that failed to assist you."

"No need to be angry Daniel. Not every case is easy. There are problems that not everyone can solve." Aliester patted Daniel on the back. "I feel like you have got this."

Daniel nodded. "You're right, this case is very stressful, maybe I just need to relax a bit, unwind, and everything will come to me."

So Daniel and Nathanial went into Nathanial's car and drove off to Everleason mall.

Smooth jazz played on Nathanial's radio as he drove them there.

They arrived at the mall within twenty minutes. Nathanial led Daniel to the international foods section. Nathanial bought something really spicy from the Indian fast food place and Daniel bought some sashimi from the Sushi palace.

"I see you like seafood." Nathanial noted.

"I spent the first 13 years of my life in Fremantle. Seafood is unavoidable there since it's so close to the coast. I even know how to fish and gut fish and cook fish. My wife loved seafood dishes, including sushi. I learned how to make sushi from a great Japanese chef." Daniel elaborated.

"That's amazing. But my problem with food is that it's never spicy enough."

"Hang on. Dora Goldan has the same issue."

"You know Dora Goldan?"

"You don't? I learned about her from James Goldan. He's a judge, so being a detective connects me to him."

"Oh ok. Now that makes sense. Yeah, she and I have the same ability. Her's is rank A, I'm only a Rank C."

"I see."

"Well, let's eat."

Daniel and Nathanial ate up all of their food.

"Hey, since you're interested in mysteries, would you like to have a look at the game shop?" Nathanial asked.

"Well, sure. Sounds interesting." Daniel admitted.

So they began their journey. While they were walking Daniel noted that Nathanial was moving in an odd manor.

"What are you doing?" Daniel inquired.

"Having fun. I'm moving across the squares like a knight in chess."

"Oh. I see." Daniel stated. Suddenly the cogs in his head started to turn.

"Actually, there's a much more interesting place I'd like to visit." Daniel stated.

"Where's that?"

"The puzzle solver's annex."

Nathanial chuckled. "Of course you know the place. It wouldn't surprise me if you were also a member."

"I am a member."

Nathanial laughed a bit louder. "Of course. Alright, let's go."

Nathanial and Dan went back to Nathan's vehicle and Nathanial started driving Daniel over to the Puzzle Solver's Annex.

Could Daniel be onto something? Only time could tell.