Criminal Case: Grimsborough

Chapter 29: No Smoke Without Fire-Part 1

A couple days later, Marie was getting her essential needs ready for when Jones takes her camping. She even went to visit James and asked him what the best camping spots were and he showed her a map of the forest that showed the best spots and away from restricted areas where fires can't be made. Jones even called her that morning to tell her that he'll set up their camping spot.

Just then, her cell phone rang to Luke Brian's 'I Don't Want This Night To End' and when she answered it Chief King told her that she was needed. After Marie hung up, she hopped on her motorcycle and drove towards the station and on her way there she thought, I wonder what case grandpa is assigning me this time?

(AN: Here's the song that's Marie's new ringtone. Enjoy😉)

As soon as she arrived at the station, Marie headed towards the chief's office and once she got there, she asked, "What is you need from me grandpa?"

"Marie, I happen to have a new case for you. The chief of the Grimsborough scouts has been found dead this morning by the children he was leading. It seems that Connor Sullivan and his scouts were out in the forest for their annual Scout Survival Camp and not one of them has touched the body. I need you to go to the scout camp straight away and figure this out. Also, if you happen to find your partner, kindly tell him that showing up to work is mandatory and not optional," King instructed the female officer and she saluted and told him that she's on it.

Soon, Marie took the police cruiser that she and Jones always ride in and headed towards the forest. Once she got there, Marie started looking around the camp until she heard Jones running towards her. She then scrunched her eyes at him and asked sternly, "Where the hell have you been?!"

"Sorry I'm late Marie. I overslept and I was getting our campsite ready. I hope the chief didn't notice. Plus, with all these ghost cases I've been having some trouble sleeping at night. And my gut is telling me that it's not going to get any easier," Jones explained to her and Marie just rolled her eyes.

As soon as Jones regained his composure, he looked around the campsite and when he saw the body tied to the bonfire wood, he said, "Murder during a survival camp would've never happened back when I was a scout. I'm telling you, things were a lot simpler back when I was a kid."

Marie then told Jones to stop reminiscing and then they started to investigate around the camp. Once Jones got a good look at the body, he made a disgusted face and said, "Every time I think I've seen it all, something even more disturbing shows up to prove me wrong. I mean, who in their right mind would be sick enough to try and burn people to death?!"

Marie also got a good look at the body and said to her partner, "From what the chief has already told me, Connor Sullivan was basically the scoutmaster of this camp. Which means he was basically in charge if everyone and everything."

Jones then told Marie that there are two scouts that they should talk to. Isaac Weston, who's an Eagle Scout and is practically in charge now that their leader is dead. And Ayden Young, who was one of the scouts who found the body. Jones said to Marie, "The poor lad is still in shock probably, but I know how good you are with children Marie."

Marie agreed to have a talk with the two scouts and then she looked at the ashes that were underneath their victim and she thought she can look through them for clues after she was done talking with the scouts. The first thing Marie and Jones did was talk to the two scouts and the first one she talked to was Ayden Young, who was still crying after seeing his leader dead. Marie then knelt down to the boy's level and she said, "Hello there Ayden. I'm Marie Holmes and I work with the police. And I was hoping if I can ask you a few questions."