Jazz Bar

prologue | x

"Oh, I'm telling you, Miss Detective! He'd come back home past dinner with a strong, funny smell... I make it out to be a smell of booze! Right in front of little Minji!"

The woman pranced constantly on the armchair with worry seen everywhere on her face. I did want to act more comforting for her, I really did. I just wasn't in my right mood, after I've been attending to all my clients since 12 in the afternoon.

I took a glance at the victorian clock hung on the wall beside my desk. The clock pointed at 11:45. It was almost closing time, though, the woman didn't seem to keep track on how late out it was.

"Ma'am, I'm afraid I'll have to lock up the place soon. We could reschedule a meeting this Saturday, or when you'd prefer." I showed her the calendar on my clipboard, pointing out dates with a ballpoint pen.

"Miss Detective! Or, should I say... Er, Miss Siyeon! Please, please, I need a spare of your time- er, hold on."

She rummaged through her purse. I supposed she was looking for something to show me. She took out a polaroid frame of what seemed to be her with her husband, whom the latter was the culprit she sought out to be in this case.

"This was him. Black tie, white polo, dark green suit and pants."

"Hmm." I paused for a moment, indulging in my thoughts.

"Oh, for the love of God, Miss Detective, I need more than what I have to go against him in court, and I need your-"

"When was this taken?"

"Wha-What? Sorry?"

"This." I lightly shook the photo, still in her hand.

"Ah, just a little after this morning, when he was almost off to work. We'd decided to go out on a stroll at that park, you see. Or, should I say, I had pushed him to. Though, he did act off to me."

"And you had conveniently brought a camera with you on your way."

"Honestly. I don't think that's relevant to this case, Miss Detective."

I carried on with pressing her, my jokes aside.

Soon enough, I had gathered enough of the information I needed from my client, having enough to start an investigation on our potential culprit. Though, I myself didn't seem to take track on time, either.

I took a look at the victorian clock, pointed at 12:05. It was already a little past midnight, and more importantly a little past closing time. I realized how I naturally wouldn't have thought of sticking around for this woman's case, especially at this late hour. I supposed looking at her worrisome face had sparked something in me. Who knows?

I had all of the information compiled in my notepad, with the polaroid photo I had asked for the woman to hand over to me. I went over every note I had jotted down- what he'd wear when going to work, when he'd usually end with work and what he'd usually do after; apparently he'd usually go to a jazz bar, being near the street where my office was located. Admittedly, it was convenient on my end.

"My, thank you so much, Miss Detective! I'm betting my last hope on you, so I could only trust that you're the right one for the job." I heard her call out.

"Ma'am, I assure you I am, for if I wasn't they wouldn't have let me handled the job at all."

I decided to begin my investigation first thing tomorrow night.

A/N: imma just call out sab_reyezz  and mango_0z  for rushing me to publish 🤧🤧