As much as Detective Fraulein believed in the justice system, she hated how long it took to get a straight answer. While waiting for proper results from forensics, she tried to keep herself busy and try to think of all possible avenues that lead to this case. Some roads to the answer seem more brighter than the others, but even then she felt she was stuck on some unseen crossroads and can't move forward.
Her mood turn took a turn for the worst three days later.
"Stone, don't do this to me."
"Sorry Detective. I'm not god.”
In the detective's office, Professor Stone hesitated to tell his companion what she wanted to hear. Might as well rip off the band aid, he thought to himself, and said what he found out.
"The murder weapon only has two sets of finger prints. The victim - who was likely trying to pull it off - and Kim's. No one else."
"Three days. Three days of waiting, only to go back to where we started."
"That's the issue."
"Huh? What do you mean Stone?"
Prof. Stone handed one of many folders he carried with him. Not wanting to overload his friend, he decided to show them one by one, "Just two finger prints. Yet the belt itself was brand new, fresh off the shelf new. Wouldn't you think, there be some residual finger prints of manufacturers, shipment, and store clerks."
"...Not to mention random customer touches."
"Exactly. But the belt was wiped clean, sterilize with some cleaning chemicals we found out. Now it's clear the killer didn't want anyone to trace the murder back to him, to become a pure ghost--"
"So, why would Kim bother rubbing his fingers all over. Even if it was him and he had a change of heart, he should have worn gloves..." Detective Fraulein reared back in her chair, listening to the heavy creaks whenever she bounced against the back of the chair, "The cigarette butt? There should be some D.N.A. to give us a breakthrough."
"Yes, and no." Prof. Stone cleared his throat, earning a groan from his companion. "Good news, we were still able to recover a D.N.A. sample. Bad news: no criminal record."
"Another needle in haystack."
"Which is why I am here. I wanted to ask, on your progress with the Beagle Point Gun Club."
Detective Fraulein froze, as if she heard someone called her fat. All colour drained from her face as she turned in her seat to pick something up. It looked heavy, she had to keep whatever it was on the floor behind her desk.
With a heave, she placed a mountain of paperwork onto her desk. A heavy FLOP, like a huge bird died of a heart attack and fell in front of her feet.
Prof. Stone whistled, "Busy girl."
"Don't." Detective Fraulein hissed and she shuffled through the paper. "Beagle Point Gun Club did host a race gun tournament, roughly last year. Following the key chain gave me AT LEAST 50 names. Majority of them are officers from precinct or other stations in town, forest rangers, highway trooper, even retired from the force."
"Well that's easy."
"...Explain, before I take you to the club for target practice."
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
"I mean," Prof. Stone tried not to chuckle, "You narrowed it down to 50 names. And we have one 1 D.N.A. sample. All we have to do is just compared them to their medical records."
"Stone, it's not that simple and you know it. 50 of those names are still some level of law enforcement. If we mess up, and none of them match the cigarette butt, what do you think would happen? Huh? If the press doesn't make a noise about it, I am sure those 50 accused names would have a word about it."
Prof. Stone chewed on the insides of his cheek. "That is a conundrum. Any way we can narrow it down? Before we start pointing fingers."
Detective Fraulein slapped a hand to the pile of paper work, "I narrowed it down to 15 names so far. Hell, I even got my superior and his superior in this list. Just imagining how I am going to arrest them is making me sweat harder than Niagara Falls! Do you got any miracle for me Stone? Anything?"
Prof. Stone wished he had the answer. He felt the solution to this whole problem was right in front of them, but it was either invisible or they are looking in the wrong direction. Although he was fond of puzzles, missing an obvious hint is always the worst feeling.
Unfortunately his thought were cut off when a knock came at the door. Detective Fraulein gave a tired 'come in' and Officer Roland stepped in carrying a large plastic box.
"Sir, ma'am," He would give a curt nod. "This is the, uh, plaster mold, from the tire tracks we found at the uphill crime scene. Automotive Forensic said it's a common tire brand, almost every car uses it so--"
Detective Fraulein's shoulder sag and waved a hand to have the officer drop it on her desk. It took a bit of juggling as her desk was covered in all sorts of paperwork, so he had to sit it on to of some stuff with a flop.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Something on your mind, Officer Roland?"
"Huh? Oh, no ma'am. Just...It's nothing. I'll return to my duties." Officer Roland gave an awkward bow and he turned to the door to leave.
"Wait, wait, wait," Only for Prof. Stone to reel him back in. "No need to be shy. Speak your thoughts. I mean, we've all hit a dead end. What's the harm in brain storming."
"Er. Well," Officer Roland rubbed the back of his neck. "I felt like I've seen these tire tracks before. I could be wrong."
Detective Fraulein rolled her eyes, "You just said this tire brand is common, right? Surely you would have seen it in a traffic case or two."
"That's the thing, ma'am, I think I saw it only a few days ago."
"...Go on officer."
"Y-yes Ma'am. Uuuh..." Officer Roland snapped his fingers and his eyes brightened, "Kim, and his girlfriend. After he gave his report, he mentioned he saw the killer's horse wagon--Er, vehicle."
This suddenly made Detective Fraulein sit up in attention and Prof. Stone raised an eyebrow with intent.
The officer said, "I thought he was joking! There were at least five blue cars that day and he never gave me the make or model. But after he left, I checked the parking lot and saw tracks through a puddle that matched the plaster. I didn’t think much of it until today. Same blue car, same tracks. Just wasn't sure if it was coincidence or...Sirs? Ma'am?"
Silence fell. No one could meet each other's eyes, the weight of their thoughts heavier than words.
Prof. Stone volunteered to break the silence, "Do you have any idea who the vehicle belongs to?"
"Definitely not a visitor. The vehicle is parked for employees only. I-I can go and check our registry."
Detective Fraulein added, in a near hiss, "Discreetly."
"Y-yes sir. Yes ma'am."
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