Ten Years Ago

Chapter 1 : The Young Lady's Introduction

Time is invincible, that's what people say . But could it be vincible ?
A passion for late coming , a passion for anything that was proper for a psychopathic genius ,  both , were held by this woman .
Feeling restless, Charlotte Lavingham was the craziest woman in the whole street . She was said to be a psychopath , with no friends and only acquaintances. But in reality , she was just a normal young woman who simply longed for perplexing and intriguing cases . She was the self - proclaimed "greatest detective in the world" .
She had what she called a "useless" associate named Dr.Susan Murray , but , despite her being an incredible doctor and life-saving type of companion , Lavingham criticised her in every way she could find .
Despite having fame all over the country , she wasn't satisfied. She had solved cases that could be solved with facts , and never human psychology. Hence , she longed for a case of psychology. For the past few weeks she kept on rejecting cases that were being presented by Inspector Leese , and claimed that her next case would be a case that could be solved by psychology and nothing else .
She also wished there were a case where mystery and mist lay in a person's words .

Lavingham , sitting on a restaurant chair , waiting eagerly for her client , a Sarah Cuttering . The way she'd written her letter indicated that she was American. Lavingham didn't like the Americans much...but this case that she would be presenting might be interesting, so she might as well just wait...
And she arrived . Tall , young , elegant , rather pale , and and immensely full of life was this Sarah Cuttering , as Lavingham recognised her . It appeared that Miss Cuttering had seen Lavingham's pictures in google , for she too recognised her .
She came to the table where Lavingham was seated . Lavingham rose and shook hands with Miss Cuttering .
'I'm Sarah Cuttering . Are you Miss Lavingham ?'she said .
'Yes . Nice to meet you , Miss Cuttering. Please take a seat .'said Lavingham . They seated themselves.
'Well , Miss Lavingham , the reason why I've come to you is that I have a case that needs to be solved . I'm afraid it's rather bewildering when I ask you to solve it , but I am determined and have full faith in you .'
'I admire your trust , Miss Cuttering. Kindly present the case .'
'Well , first of all , my name isn't Cuttering .'
'But your letter says here , Sarah Cuttering.'
'I know . I genuinely wrote that letter . But Cuttering is not my real name . It's Brown .'
'I've heard that name before . Years ago , or something.'
'Yeah . It was the Brown case .'
'Oh , yes . The tragedy .'
'Yes . My sister was Lucinda Brown , and brother was-'
'- Julian .'
'Julian , yes .'
'You're American, but the Brown case was a murder case of an English person , wasn't it ?'
'Yes , it was . But I was only ten years old then . After my brother died , I was sent to my aunt's place in Chicago, where I eventually developed speaking the American accent . It was , after all , ten years ago .'
'Ah . But what is it that you wish to ask of me ?'
Miss Brown gave a sigh .
'My brother , Julian , was accused of murdering my sister . And he was arresting and sentenced to a life imprisonment where in the jail he committed suicide . What I want you to do , Miss Lavingham , is prove my brother innocent of the crime .'
Now , Charlotte Lavingham was amazed . A tragedy that happened ten years ago , was being brought now ?
'I understand your feelings for your brother , Miss Brown , but unfortunately I am in a situation where I cannot do anything at all . This case was solved ten years ago . Your brother did it . I'm really sorry.'
'A case of murder is always a case of murder whether it was left solved or unsolved . Whether it happened this morning or ten long years ago . I know my brother didn't do it . He wrote me a letter before his death , merely telling of his innocence. He swore , Miss Lavingham . He swore . I believe him . He might've been a very naughty young man, but he was innocent.'
'Look , Miss Brown, I understand your trust in your brother. But it was so long ago . If I ask the remaining suspects, then they probably won't remember much . And even if I do solve the case , what if the real murderer was your brother?'
'The lawyers would only find evidence to prove him guilty . But this evidence won't be actual evidence . That's why I need you to solve the case , Miss Lavingham . Even , if he's actually guilty.'
Charlotte Lavingham smiled at the brave Miss Sarah Brown .
'Very well , then .'said she .
'Thank you...oh ! Thank you .'