Case File: 0021 (Demo)

Chapter 1: Unfortunate Soul

It’s been a few days since March 21st the flight was scheduled to depart on March 25th. It’s already been almost 2 hours since I’ve left Italy for England. I had already contacted Flavia Riberio beforehand to ask and discuss in person. She agreed willingly.

I left the crowded airport, waiting outside for a small dodge aspen car colored deep green. I managed to spot the described car from a distance that was almost impossible to see with the amount of people in front of me. I managed to make it to the car door, opening it tiredly as I peeked in. “Flavia Riberio? Chief detective of UCLPD?” I asked, a black woman with brown eyes, beautiful skin, and well kept curly hair, smiled at me as I sat in. “Pleased to meet you, Andrea Lorenzo.” She said, with a thick English accent as she spoke. She had her hand out, which I openly shook. “Likewise. So, did you see the case files I sent about Case 0021?” I asked, her nodding in response. “I did, bugger left me speechless at how similar our cases are. Several countries apart and it seems like our killer is out on the run.” She said, beginning to start driving forward. “It’s strange, and I’m sorry for the urgent meeting. But I needed to start with you first. You got the other contact information, correct?” I asked, nodding in response. “I did. I’ve read about them before. O’Donald and Orlov I personally know.” She said, stopping when a woman and child were crossing the road. “But, I have read about you, Lorenzo. Amazing what you did to track down the suspect by using a gun casing and using gun residue. Outstandingly done.” She said, chuckling softly as she started to drive again.

She stopped in a police department parking lot as she stopped the car. “I’m going to warn you now, but our police department… is a bit of a nutjob.” She said, getting out of the car. I raised a brow and followed her. “I’ll… make note of that?” I muttered, a perplexed expression on my face. Once we had entered, the place was an absolute mess with everyone scrambling around, catching papers, and trying to be careful to not fall. I grimace at the sound of a chalkboard getting scratched. “Huh… nutjob..” I mutter, almost getting annoyed at someone doing a funny face at me. Flavia showed me to her office, which was surprisingly sparkling clean compared to the other entire department building which was scattered with people who were either insane or just incredibly tired. She sat me down on the other side of her desk, she sat down across from me before she opened a cabinet and slid me a paper over her desk. “Here, news about the case that came in yesterday.” She said, I immediately opened the file.

My eyes glazed over it before I raised a brow. “There’s… nothing in here.” I muttered, looking up at her confused. She raised a brow and snatched the file out of my hand. “There’s… supposed to be something in here, a piece of paper.” She mumbled, leaning over the table to look at the folder that was supposed to be holding evidence. “Theo! Mark off my office! It’s officially now a crime scene!” Flavia said, pulling me out of the office and closed the door. I was personally perplexed about what had happened. Why was the file missing? What was in there that someone desperately tried to hide so it wasn’t seen by Italian’s best detective. I tapped her shoulder. “Do you remember what was in the file?” I asked her, a little confused at what was happening. “Well… I vaguely remember the name Thomas Harbold. He was a former police officer here that also covered a similar case in 1923. He left shortly after that. It could be possible that he took the evidence with him to solve it himself.” I raised a brow. “Okay… So.. you suspect Harbold broke in here to get evidence of a case that he was dismissed from?” I asked. Flavia shrugged. “I’m only saying it’s possible. We just have to wait for the crime detectives to come along and make an evaluation.” She said, just as she said a couple of forensic detectives walked in and started observing the place. Every nook and cranny was checked, every book, every corner of the room. They couldn’t find anything serious, but there was a small note, partially burned, and it was covered corner to corner with the scribbled words: “Missed me!”