Storage unit

September 14th X288

Ten days left until Florian’s televised award ceremony.

Dr. Ronaldo was rummaging through his mentor’s old documents at a storage unit outside Tarot Tori City.

After a few stakeouts, Ronaldo began to lose sleep. He couldn’t stop thinking about his mentor’s theories and Florian’s apparition vision.

“It feels like a dream. If only Dr. Steinsbrook were here. He would know exactly what to do to help Florian and Sergeant Honest.”

Ronaldo remembered his mentor’s last words before leaving Tarot Tori City all those years ago: “I’ve had enough with this city. There’s nothing left for me here. The clinic’s yours.”

“Where is it? The old theory of Dr. Steinsbrook on hypnotism was missing a factor. I remember reading his thesis. Florian’s apparition vision could be the very key my mentor was searching for.” He paused.

“I can only wonder where he is now. Probably on some beach, gazing along the shoreline, holding a briefcase containing the very thesis I’m looking for.”

🙠🙢

Later that day, Dr. Ronaldo arrived at the police station.

“I need to speak with the chief,” Ronaldo said.

That was when Officer Keen, the one with the fox spirit, approached Dr. Ronaldo.

“Get in line. You aren’t the only one that’s got a bone to pick with the chief,” Keen said.

“Did he put you on patrol duty again?” Ronaldo asked.

“Yep, this case with that Florian girl is not a can of worms; it’s a whole damn rabbit hole filled with them. Once we find a lead, we get more questions than answers. The same day I got the case, I was removed from it. It’s a complete mess right now,” Keen said.

“Keen! You will keep getting dropped from investigations if you keep blabbing that mouth of yours!” the chief said.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Yikes!” Officer Keen ran off.

“How’s Sergeant Honest?” Dr. Ronaldo asked the chief.

“He’s still in the hospital. He’ll be under our watch until this investigation is over.”

“How much longer?”

“I don’t know.”

“Chief, both Sergeant Honest Nowell and Florian Lilly Cobblestone are innocent. There’s plenty of evidence proving it. I also have years of evidence that can vouch for them.”

“I know they’re innocent. But we have to comb through everything. It’s undeniable that this incident happened. It wasn’t some ghost pulling a prank or a veteran with PTSD and issues with the mayor. Someone or some group orchestrated this,” the chief said.

“Chief, please put me on the case,” Dr. Ronaldo said.

“No can do. You’re literally the therapist of two of the suspects. Besides, you know how many officers are hungry for a chance at a case this big? Look, I appreciate you joining the force as a profiler. You even went out of your way to obtain a forensic psychology degree and a criminal investigation major. Hell, you are so overqualified I’m afraid the FBI will poach you from us. I just can’t put you on this case.”

“I’ve spent the past seven years assisting you any way I could. Please, don’t stop me from helping you now. Now, return the favor so I can help my patients,” Dr. Ronaldo said.

The chief let out a sigh. “You are not on the case, but that doesn’t mean I won’t share what I have with you. If you have any leads, you can bring them to me.”

“Understood.” Dr. Ronaldo followed the chief to his office to further discuss the investigation.

“A hooded masked man. Conveniently, we didn’t see anyone matching that description on any of the security cameras in the area.” He paused.

“The cameras did catch the group of girls, and Florian did occasionally turn around. Yet the cameras showed nothing in the general direction she looked. I started to believe all this was a delusion until we searched the charred restaurant.”

He frowned. “There was something odd about the security footage. The problem wasn’t that the footage was unsalvageable. The whole damn computer was gutted like a fish. The last time I checked, fire can’t pry open a PC, remove its hard drive, and smash it to pieces.

“This perp knew every security camera in the area, started a fire, planted fireworks to throw us off, entered the restaurant, injured Sergeant Honest, and destroyed the footage amid the fire. Speaking of which, we can return Florian’s phone now. The battery died as the notifications wouldn’t stop. I think it was the noisiest piece of evidence we’ve ever brought in.”

“I can return it to her,” Dr. Ronaldo said.

“I’ll leave it to you. As for Sergeant Honest Nowell, the assault victim, he was prosecuted for the death of his daughter nine years ago. He was ruled not guilty, as evidence showed it was most likely a boating accident. However, it’s our job to keep asking questions until we find the truth. We suspected that since he’s under your care, Dr. Ronaldo, Sergeant Nowell is still grieving his loss. The hypothesis is he might have had a breakdown and decided to kidnap Blythe Banquet. Did your patient state he was going to commit any criminal activity?”

“Absolutely not. Sergeant Honest Nowell is a proud veteran who served this country all his life. He’s sacrificed his mind, body, and future and continues to serve every day. He deserves a new chance at life, and I’m here to help him obtain it.”