REMI HOOD

Chapter 1

19 years later, Will

"Why is Noah calling us to his office at this hour?" I yawn. It is four AM in the US and I am not much of an early bird.

"I have no idea mate, it seems urgent." Finn replies dully. My partner in crime is not a morning person as well, we might as well be brothers even though we look nothing alike. My blonde hair, caramel skin and light-blue eyes are very different from Finn's jet-black hair, pale skin and brown eyes. I know we both are good-looking.

Because we keep in shape because of our job, of course. FBI agents. Both of us are from the UK, but we live and work in the US, after we got this opportunity.

"Ugh!" I groan as we arrive at his office.

Noah is sitting in his spotless desk and as expected, everything is in place. I think he has OCD or something I contemplate as I sit down with Finn.

"Good morning boys," he says energetically. "What did you have for breakfast?" Our boss doesn't look an ounce tired; he looks like he's ready to walk a runway. Noah is half British and half American, but he grew up in Britain, so he has a British accent, just like us.

"We didn't have time for breakfast because we thought this was urgent." Finn replies, his expression not showing anything. I swear he has the best poker face in the universe.

Noah smirks. "Well, I suppose this is an urgent matter... I'm assigning both of you on a case." He looks at us sharply before speaking again, "You both have proven to be capable of working together the past few years. You have not failed a case. So, why not?"

"What's the case, then?" I feel excitement rising and I'm sure Finn is feeling it too. My sleepiness is all gone now. Whatever case it is, we both can solve it.

"A good one. Your plane leaves today at two PM!" Our boss smiles at us.

"What? Where are we going?" I feel like a kid in Disneyland for the first time. I glance at Finn and we both share a knowing grin. Solving cases is our passion.

"Pack your bags, you're going to Maldives!" Our boss exclaims. "You can enjoy the beach and sea after you solve the case." he gives us a stern look as we both nod our heads in agreement. He continues, "This is the first time Maldives has ever called the FBI for help in history. Small country, small crimes, you know. Keep in mind, just because it's Maldives, doesn't mean the case is going to be any easier," He looks at us firmly. "You both should be really honored to solve this case."

"So, what is the case? Murder? Human trafficking?" I ask like a pregnant woman wanting to know the gender of her child.

Our boss chuckles, "This case is... Hmm... I'll say it's ancient."

"Ancient?" Finn asks, eyebrows raised.

"Nineteen years ago, there was a murder of a woman. No one knows what happened to the poor lady. After that, robberies started to happen. This person didn't even have a specific target! She or he steals from the poor and rich and this went on for almost four years.... Until the robberies stopped."

"That's good... Right?" I ask unsurely.

"Not really..." Noah squints. "I guess this person changed their motive or something. They started to kill citizens. Some innocent, too. Then they stopped killing, and the robberies started again, the pattern continues," He follows, "But this time, he or she started to steal only from the rich and supposedly corrupt people. Sometimes huge amounts of money would end up on poor civilians' doorsteps. Coincidence? That's up to you to figure out, boys." He grins at us.

"Interesting." I mutter.

"It had gone on like that for nineteen years. On the nineteenth anniversary of the woman's murder, another person was found killed and then another was... I could go on and on with the stats." Noah shakes his head.

"When was the murder anniversary?" I ask.

"Two days ago. A homicide detective from Maldives called me for help today, actually."

"Why didn't they call for help in all of those nineteen years?" Finn asks before I could.

Noah taps his fingers on his desk. "Believe me, I asked the same thing. The detective told me that everyone was fine with whoever was stealing from the rich, except of course the rich; they believed all rich people were corrupted and that they deserved it. It's a social class thing..."

"But... The murder before, did they not care?" I have so many questions.

"Like I said, that's up to you guys to figure out," Noah smiles. "Make sure this case is solved." He dismisses us.