Murphy

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I took one final look around the office, noting the tiny pebble that remained unturned. There was a marking on it, as if something had leant on it by accident.
I closed the door behind me, leaving the office with deep respect. There was nothing worth following up on here, apart from Rawlinson...but I didn't have the heart to return to that group after how I had acted.

I was ready to leave, to tell everyone that the case was still cold...until I spotted something in the corner of my eye.

A sealed crate with the words 'fragile' scraped on the side, next to a rucksack.
The curiosity got the better of me and I carefully tore the open the side.

Inside were layers of packaging paper and bubble wrap...what was in here?
After a while of digging, I discovered two very large objects. I pulled the first one out.
It was a motorised model of Murdoch, bright orange and smiling, with wires poking out of the eyes. It was neatly kept for a while, clearly, but it seemed that as years passed, that wouldn't cut it.

I reached in once again and felt an odd shape. I pulled out a model that I just couldn't recognise. It was of a small tank engine, with quite a lush beard. His eyes were wide with wonder and he was draped in a sweet sage livery.

"Who's this then?" I pondered aloud before coming across a note. "To..." The name was scratched out. "Thank you for your service during the pre-production of 'Thomas And The Magic Railroad', and we anticipate that it will do well in the cinemas. Although these two did not make the final cut, we hope that they will make a return in future instalments.
Love,
Britt Allcroft.'"

I stumbled back a little and stared at the models. Murdoch was created as far back as 1999? Who was this little tank engine?
Judging by who he was packaged with, I was willing to bet that Murphy would be a good starter question, maybe this was tied into the case. Well, there was only one way to find out.
I packed the little engine into the rucksack, slung it over my shoulder and silently crept out of the studio....but I couldn't help the feeling that I was being watched.

***

I soon found myself in the middle of the town square, sitting at the platform. This location really was beautiful, especially the trimmed bushes. I had read a sign earlier that said that Murphy would have a goods train stopping here soon, and I awaited my chance to talk to him.
And that chance soon arrived.

A long dark engine slowly steamed into view. I flew off the bench and waved my hand like a mad person, causing a young woman to look at me oddly.
Murphy slowed down and stopped at the platform and he watched me run up to him.

"Kin ah hulp ye?" Murphy asked with a smile, showing off his scottish accent. "Ye look a little...excited."

He had a much stronger accent than I could have imagined.

"Oh, yes you can! I'm reporting for a news station and we're investigating a case, one about a young woman going missing. She worked for Allcroft Studios, does that ring any bells?"

"Aye," He pondered. "Cannae remember her name...She wanted me in that tellybox show, bit ah got placed oan th' backburner."

I took off the rucksack.
"I found something at the studio that I'd like to show you - if that's okay of course."

"Och, ye shouldn't be in there. Very unstable." Murphy added a smile.

I pulled out the model of the little tank engine.
"Does this ring any bells?"

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