The Matchmaker (Katnest)

Chapter 1: The Case

"Kat, I don't know if I can put this on you. This case is more...intense...than a wafer clock hand. People have died, Kat."

"Inspector, I've dealt with murder before. Please don't underestimate me."

"Fine. Just... please be respectful when interviewing them, alright? They're broken. They've lost everything."

"Of course. Good luck on your side of the case, inspector."

Katrielle was met with a quick click on the other line as she set the phone down. She took a deep breath before regaining her usual chipper smile, her default 'professional' expression. It was 9:30 AM as of now, the early hours of the agency's opening time. Ernest should be in the agency's kitchen by now, preparing some tea.
Sherl was asleep on the main room's couch, snoring, yipping and growling in his slumber.

"Good morning , Sherl." Kat spoke. Sherl grumbled quietly before popping his head up, one of his floppy ears flipping over his head.

"Morning, Kat." He said tiredly.

Katrielle leaned over to straighten his long ear.

"Have you had breakfast?" She lifted his ear up and whispered, earning an annoyed bark from Sherl as he jerked away from her.

"Can't do that in my sleep, can I?" He said, free from her annoying touch.

"I beg to differ. I've done that plenty of times." Katrielle giggled a bit. Sherl huffed.

"You're more abnormal than a talking dog, Kat. You need to curve your habits."

"I'll consider that, Sherl." She chuckled.

"Ah, Good morning, Miss!" Ernest's voice rang as he opened the kitchen door with his hip, holding a tray of tea and
scones. Right on cue, just as Kat liked.

Katrielle smiled as she looked at him. "Good morning!" She chirped.

"Have you eaten?" She asked as she took a scone.

"Haha, of course, Miss!" Ernest set the tray down on the table in front of the couch.

"Perfect. I have some news." She said as she grabbed today's newspaper.

She unrolled the paper and revealed the front page of the paper to Ernest and Sherl.

"We'll be investigating this!" She grinned.

Ernest raised an eyebrow and tilted his head.
"The Valentine's day sale at the bakeshop, Miss?" He asked in confusion.

Kat blinked and looked at the paper.
"Oh, how did that make front page? Hold on." She flipped through the pages.

"Ah, this." She held out the paper again to the other two and Sherl nodded.

"Ah, that seems more illegal."

"Indeed. Wait, murder?!" Ernest gasped.

"Murder indeed, Ernest." Katrielle nodded. "Specifically, The 'Star-Crossed' killings."

Ernest swallowed. "Star crossed killings, Miss?"

"Mm-hm!" Katrielle nodded. "A series of murders committed by 'The Matchmaker', a killer who abducts individuals who have had difficulties with their significant other. For instance, if a married couple had been arguing for sometime, The Matchmaker would kidnap the husband or wife. The Matchmaker seems to see it all as a game, sending tapes to the individual that contain threats that if the person doesn't rescue their lover, they will be left to rot after endless means of torture." Katrielle rolled up the paper as she explained. Sherl was wide-eyed as he listened, while Ernest looked distressed.