The Choice in The City

"It's always the Butler, Or Maid in this Case"

 --7:30 AM, Central Station--

Jack walked into the Station and walked up to the main desk. The station was a noisy environment, the sounds of typewriters, phones ringing, and chatter all around, along with the sound of the city outside. An officer at the main desk turned around from his work, "Good Morning Sir, How may I help you?" He asked. Jack was still a little nervous, "U-Uh, y-yes I'm here for my first day as a detective, finished at the Academy a few weeks ago." Jack replied. "Oh yeah I got the memo too, Dodge right?" Asked the Officer nicely, He passed a shoulder holster and a SFPD Police badge on the counter, "Here you go pal, Holster and badge, you should get your firearm from the Captain, He's in the Briefing room for morning assignments." The officer continued, "Good luck on your first day detective" the officer said in a kind way. Jack made his way upstairs towards the detectives offices, where the briefing room was located. Jack knocked on the briefing room door, and with hearing "Come In", He slowly walked inside.

Inside the briefing room was a simple layout, Tables lined up with a mix of detectives sitting down in chairs and officers standing in the back. At the front of the room was a podium, chalkboard and the Captain looking at Jack with a curious look. "You the new guy, Dodge right?" "Yes Sir" Replied Dodge, with a little more confidence in his voice. "Great, I'm Captain Monroe, find a seat Dodge and I'll get you up to speed" Dodge sat down in an empty seat next to another detective who gave Jack a little smile. Maybe my nerves will calm down. Jack thought to himself. "Alright boys, we got a Break-In at an Estate near Chinatown, Since it's a simple case, Dodge I'll have you assigned for your first assignment." Captain Monroe explained, with a more serious tone than before with his cheery greeting. "Dodge, I'm partnering you up with Santino," Captain Monroe indicated to an older detective, around late 40s, maybe 48, sitting in the row behind Jack. "Santino is almost close to retirement, So maybe he can teach you a thing or two so you can take the helm." Monroe glanced at Santino, "Any objections?" "None skipper, have him do all the hard work for me" Santino jokes, as the room chuckles. "Alright alright, Gents, go out there and lock some bastards up, dismissed!" Captain Monroe finished, as everyone began to move out of the room. Jack and Santino walked downstairs together to head to the crime scene. "So Santino..." Jack asked, "Got a first name?" "I'd prefer you just stick with 'Santino' for now, You?" Santino asked in response. "Jack Dodge" Jack replied, "Alright Jack, let's have some fun today" Santino said with a sharp grin. As they walked outside a Coal-Black 1947 Dodge Sedan waited outside. "Woah...nice ride" Jack said amazed. Jack knew how to drive along with having a license, but he never had a car of his own, He usually took the cab or the city streetcars places. "Sure is, Department issue too" Santino replied as he tossed the keys to Jack, "Your driving Dodge, I'm getting old" Santino said in a joking tone. "Yeah No problem, you know where we're going?" Jack asked, "Sure I do" Santino replied, "Big House right near Chinatown, Can't miss it". Jack started the car, turned on the siren and pulled out to drive towards the crime scene.

--8:13 AM, Crime Scene--

Jack and Santino pulled into the House driveway and got out, then they were greeted by an Officer, "Morning Detectives," greeted the Officer, "Good Morning, Dodge and Santino, We're here for the break-in" Jack replied. "Sure thing, I'll walk you in and tell you what we got so far" the officer responded as all 3 began walking towards the Huge House. The house was kind of a Japanese style mansion, with gardens and stone statues here and there. "So, what do you got?" Asked Jack. "Family by the Name of Okada lives here, small family, Father, Mother, Son and Daughter. They reported they were robbed of some things" Explained the officer as he pulled out a notepad, "They're missing some jewelry, the basics. Also the Father, He said he's missing some 'Important' documents." ''Any idea what they could be?" "He won't spill, says they're 'Private', We've questioned the Family, The son is out of town and the Daughter is out back, She won't talk to anyone." The Officer finished with a sigh. "Well, Guess I'll question the Daughter, Santino wanna take a look around?" Jack replied, this would certainly be a strange first assignment. "Yeah sure, Go question the daughter Dodge, I'll stick around here if you need me"

Jack walked towards the backyard to a huge Japanese style Garden. Then, He saw her. The daughter...was the most beautiful girl Jack has ever seen. With solid Red hair in a sort of bun with a single strip over her left shoulder. She sat there patiently as Jack walked up, trying to stay calm. Jack thought he was sick, that he had to call in sick, even on his first day! But...Jack was oblivious that he was, in fact in love. Even before Jack was to sit down next to her, "I said I'm not speaking to any of you." She had spoken in a stern tone. Jack was caught off guard but sat down beside her, "Ma'am, I'm detective Dodge of the San Francisco Police Department, I'm just here to ask some questions and find out who broke into your family's home." Jack spoke to her in a calm and low tone, "For the record, may I have your name please?" "Akane Okada, 21 years old, But you can call me Akane..." She responded in an equally calm tone. "Akane...It's such a fitting name for a beautiful girl, and we're even the same age..." Jack thought internally. "So, Akane may I ask you some questions?" "No you may not" "Please Ma'am, It'll help me find your family's belongings" "So what?" Then, Jack's stress got the better of him, "Oh Come on I can barely even ask a beautiful girl questions and it's my first day too! You got to work with me here!" Jack said in a panicked rant. "Oh Shit! I just yelled at my first suspect! I AM SUCH A IDIOT" Jack yelled at himself. He sat down with his face in his hands. "S-sorry you had to see that..." Jack whispered. Akane just stared, and then started giggling out of nowhere. "Oh Mr. Dodge, You're too much!" Akane said between her giggles. Jack just sighed thinking how much of a fool he made himself look. Akane then took Jack's arm and led him towards the garden, "Come on, I'll answer your questions during our walk." Akane said with a calming voice, "T-That would be very nice Ms. Okada" Jack replied nervously. He had never been this close to a girl before, not even as much as even taking a walk with one, especially with such a beautiful girl.

After the walk, Akane answered Jack's questions along with them getting to know each other a little better. "So Jack, any idea how you will find who robbed us?" Akane asked in a kind way. "I might have a idea" said a voice behind them, it was Santino. "Hey Dodge, any leads? See you two have gotten quite close eh?" "Cut it out Jackass" "Only kidding". Jack sighed, "Got anything from the house?" "Not much to go on, The father didn't really have a lot of enemies, except for the maid, A miss Jessica Hamilton." Santino replied, It was obvious that both Jack and Santino were stumped. Jack then asked, "What about the maid?" "She didn't show up this morning" Akane piped up. Santino then shook his head, "Guess we gotta find Ms. Hamilton now, Ms. Okada, could you tell me a little more about your maid?" As Santino and Akane were talking, Jack headed into the back alley where all the trash was, maybe to find evidence. "HEY SANTINO, AKANE COME BACK HERE!" Jack yelled from the alley. "What's up partner? Saw a rat?" Santino said to tease Jack. "You know how you said we now gotta find the maid?" "Yeah?" "Found her"

There in the Dumpster was the maid, Jessica Hamilton

Dead with a gunshot in the head.

Akane screamed and ran into Jack's arms and Santino covered his mouth, trying not to throw up.

"This is no longer a simple Robbery, It's a Homicide now"

To Be Continued....