Carson Maxwell : Detective In Time [Incomplete]

Chapter 1 - An Unexpected Surprise

The Prime Minister's disappearance were all over the paper, the media were all around, asking everyone who were invited to the conference, none of them responded. It was only a matter of time until they knew I was in the conference. They were all outside of my office door. I answered all of their questions with the same thing: I don't know. But something was still in my mind for a while now, where have Andrew gone off to? Because of my concern for my friend, I took the case. The files the authorities gave me were...blank! They shouldn't have bothered to make a blank file, honestly!

"So, where do we start, Mr. Detective?", Lucy seductively asked.

"To be honest, I have no idea where," I softly answered.

Just then, a letter arrived.

To Carson Maxwell,

Hello, old friend. I hope you've been well. As a fellow investigator, you must've heard an item known as the Astral Box. It is rumoured to kill all who dare open it. I am aware of this reputation, but when my curiosity is piqued, I simply must investigate. That is why I am glad to tell you that the killer box is finally in my hands. I took a lot of research before I dare to open it, of course. But I must admit that my curiosity is simply overpowering. In the unlikely events that should happen to me, please finish the work I have started here.

Your father,
Alexis Randall

"Your father? Alexis was your father?", Lucy shockingly asked. There was a pause for a moment. Then I spoke...

"You do know he's joking, right?", I said, "It's impossible for an annoying person like that to be my father."

Just then, someone knocked on the door. A very soft knock.

"Come in.", I said. The door opened wide and through it was a familiar face. It was another old friend of mine, Simon Randall.

He's the fellow who helped me with my first case, in which I almost got killed. It was a murder case. If you haven't noticed it yet, he's the younger brother of Alexis Randall.

"Top of the morning, lad!", Simon greeted, from the top of his lungs.

"Good morning, Mr. Simon! How can we help you?", Lucy greeted, and asked.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask of you two," Simon said.

"Yes? What is it?", I asked, assuming it's not another prank.

Simon looked at my hand, shocked to see me holding a letter.

"Hold on, don't tell me Alexis already notified you!!", Simon squalled, not like a bird.

There was an awkward silence in the air. No one spoke, no one flinched, nobody moved a muscle, we were just standing there, like statues. Until Lucy stated,

"We received a letter from your brother about the Astral Box."

"So he did notify you already...", Simon said, with such a sad face, " I came here because of the same thing, honestly."

We didn't speak any longer, we had to hurry. He joined us as we rushed to the stairs up to Alexis' apartment. But as soon as we got there, we found out that the door was locked.

"Hold on, I have the key right around...here...", Simon said as he searches his pockets.

He showed to us the key and unlocked the door. We opened the door and...

Alexis greeted us, as a corpse.
"Brother! Brother!", Simon shouted.
"No, Alexis...", I said softly.
"W-we're late!", Lucy said.
"Quickly, we have to notify the police!", I said as I took the phone on Alexis' desk.

After about a minute, one of the police officer showed up. He has a grumpy face and a bulky body. He looks rather...strict. He went near Alexis' body and took a deep look into it.

"So, you're the ones who found the body, eh?", the officer asked.

"Yes, officer," Simon said.

"Then it must mean, that you're the culprit!", the officer said, pointing at us.

"That makes no sense, you're talking nonsense!", Lucy shouted.

"Officer, when we came here, the door was shut tight.", I informed.

"Hmm... Then it must be one of those locked room mysteries, then!", the officer excitingly said.

As I was observing the room, I spotted Alexis' hand, closed tight, as if he was holding something. I opened his fist and found a green paper. It was a ticket for the Train of San Pablo, a luxury train that only the wealthy and famous can ride on. Seeing as it is an important piece of information, I hid it in my pocket stealthily.

"Well then, you may go home now! We'll take care of this case.", the officer said.

We walked out as if nothing happened. Simon didn't speak, he just saw his brother dead! He must've been shocked!

"Come on, we have somewhere to be.", I said.

"Somewhere? I thought we only had to go here!", Lucy responded. I showed them the ticket that I found.

"You don't want a ride? Well, too bad.", I mockingly said.

"W-where'd you get that?", Simon asked as his voice were trembling.

"Let's say I found this on Alexis' hand..."

"What are you, an imbecile!? Give it to the cops, you idiot!", Simon shouted as he tries to take the ticket from me.

I pushed him away," Chill, chill. You don't want to see the town Alexis went to?", I mockingly asked.

He kept thinking about it. After all, he was quite curious about where his brother went.
He gave a deep sigh, "Alright, I'll go with you."

"Sure, but not a single word to the authorities, alright?", I clarified. Both of them agreed and we headed to the train station.

But, Alexis' death still bothers me. What happened to him? Could it be just an accident? Or was he murdered? What secret lies ahead of our journey?