Orphaned Mystery: Case Unsolved

Chapter 1

5:53 pm

January 7th 2021, Monday.

Yorky’s Organisation for Detective Assistance

Christopher Street,

New York City.

'A week has passed since the case of Freddie Lorenz's death and the boy who went missing, and none of you have figured out who the murderer is?' Superintendent Sherlock chided the members sitting around by the table. All the detectives developed a sudden interest in their shoes.

'Sir, the murderer left no evidence behind. Whoever it was, he or she was careful' Agent Jessy spoke up.

'Yes, yes, yes' the disappointed superintendent replied. 'But we are more careful aren't we?' Agent Jessy and two more – Agent Skye and Agent Laura - looked away as they had come up with the same excuse themselves.

Sherlock sighed. Living up to his name, he was the best detective in whole world. But as he was already involved in another case, the mysterious murder of young Mr Lorenz was being solved by other high detectives. So far, the improvement was too embarrassing and too low to be made by professional mystery solvers. No clues had been retrieved and no evidence was found. Almost as if...

'Sir I think Freddie's murderer is probably the boy who ran away, Lucas was his name I think' Agent Drake spoke up, jarring Sherlock's train of thoughts. It took while to process what the detective was saying.

'You're saying that Freddie Lorenz, a sixteen year old boy – let me repeat that – sixteen years old, known for being level-headed, playful, lively, and loved by all of his siblings – was killed by his own younger brother, a boy who is barely the age of thirteen?' the Superintendent said slowly with disbelief, his tone full of scorn and disgust, adding emphasizes to make sure no one else had the same conclusions. Unfortunately, it was too late to get the idea out of their heads.

'You make a point, Drake. Why else would there be no evidence? At the scene of the crime, all the children except for Lucas were said to be downstairs. Only that one was upstairs' Agent Barry mused.

'Why didn't we think of it? It's so obvious!' Agent Skye exclaimed with adoration.

Sherlock looked around the table, ability to speak suddenly disappeared. He buried his face with his hands in shame. Here were the so called "best case solvers in the whole world" sitting in front of him, giving into the sudden and random conclusion of sibling murder, looking at Drake as if he was the best thing in the world since the invention of "Pen Pineapple Apple Pen" (yes, all agents in YODA loves that song, though Sherlock didn't know why). Sherlock had enough of it. He banged his hand on the table, silencing everyone and catching their attention.

'Listen to me' he said, his tone hardening. 'I am NOT going to accept Agent Drake's random decision of family issues unless there is evidence that the kid really killed his brother and ran away. There has to be more to the story. I am going to give you all five days starting today – yes, Barry I said five days so don't look at me like a dying duck. If I don't get a decent report with evidence and a whole scenario, I will close the case unsolved and you can go about your days with your reputation spoiled'

'Five days?'

'What?'

'That's impossible!'

'We haven't even made any progress '

'I'm sure it's Lucas!'

'It has to be'

'My precious reputation!'

Sherlock cut them all off with a sinister look. He wanted to end this as soon as possible. Then it occurred to him. Did they really want to solve this at all?

'So none of you volunteer to bring justice to an innocent boy?' the question was answered in silence. Sherlock shook his head in horror.

'Look, sir. With all due respect, it's not that worth worrying about. Will you for once listen to me?' Drake started. 'You didn't see the body or the room didn't you? There was no trace of evidence, no clues, and no-'

'May I volunteer?' a voice called from the door. The members at the table looked up and Sherlock's hopes of solving this case got even lower.

Agent Martin, the newest recruit of YODA, stood at the doorway. His long black trench coat flapped in the wind that came from the open window. The fact that his fedora kept falling on his face made him look even sillier. His height, his age (20), and his stature made him look like a kid pretending to be Superman.

A beat of silence followed his question. Then, to the superintendent's disgust, the other agents started laughing.

'You? Solve the unsolvable? Really? Martin, no offence, but you aren't exactly known for your skills. Go back to training, kid' Drake said between gasps for breath.

Martin lowered his eyes, and Sherlock felt bad. As new as he was, Martin tried hard - even when most of his attempts failed. It was a miracle he actually made it through training. But Sherlock could see that the young agent really wanted the case and seemed willing to solve it – unlike some people in the room.

'Why not?' Martin protested, although no one was really listening. 'I mean, it's not like you were going to solve it anyway. If I can't solve it in five days, you are going to close it unsolved. My reputation is the one being ruined. Not yours. What do you have to lose?' Silence followed his voice yet again. But this time it was one of deep thought.

Sherlock smiled secretly. Martin had read his mind, word by word. He could see that the others were persuaded too. The vote was unanimous.

'Alright, Martin' Sherlock decided. 'You may solve this case within the given time. By the end of 12th January, Tuesday, I need a full report that includes a whole scenario. If I don't get it by then –'

'Case is officially unsolved, and my reputation gets completely ruined. Got it' Martin didn't seemed fazed by the thought of his reputation – one which he didn't really have – getting lower than it already was. In fact, he seemed... excited.

'So I'll, just, be on my way then' Martin smiled. He turned around and left through the hallway. A moment of tranquility passed. Martin returned, a sheepish expression on his face. He ignored the snickers that came from the other agents as he made his way to Sherlock.

'So, umm, could I have the profiles of the people in the scene of the crime?' he asked the superintendent, his face bright red. The superintendent groaned and slapped his palm against his forehead. There was no doubt about one thing.

This week was going to be interesting.