On the way, he met with Jake and Lyn and started to school along with them. On the way, they saw a person with a picture book and a rattle in his hand and who was wearing an army uniform.

“Eliwood, let's put your deducing skills to the test. What can you deduce from that person?” said Lyn.

Eliwood replied “ Other than the fact that he has 2 children, one of whom is a just born, I can deduce nothing else.”

“How do you know that?” asked Jake.

“The fact that he has a just born child can be seen by the rattle in his hand. The picture book in his other hand suggests there is also another child to be thought of, a just born child.” said Eliwood.

“Whoa, Eliwood. Good observation.” said Jake.

“Well, Eliwood's father is a professional detective, so we might say it runs in the family.” said Lyn.

“Hahahahaha…” everyone laughed collectively and then they reached their school premises.

Westfield,

Oakwood High School. 7 am.

They all go to their classroom.

“Well, I hope today will be better than any other day.” said Eliwood.

“Let's hope so.” said Lyn.

“I already hope so.” said Jake.

Then the bell rang, indicating the start of the 1st period.  Living after facing all those periods till recess is going through hell for, pretty much everyone in school.

“I don't realise how I survive school.” said Eliwood.

“I think it's got something to do with your best friends.” said Lyn.

“I'm pretty sure you're right, Lyn.” said Eliwood.

Recess.

“Do you know George, the cool guy of our school?” said Lyn.

“Yeah, I know him.” said Jake.

“He said he likes me. He said that i’m like an angel on Earth.” said Lyn.

“You must be really lucky for him to like you.” said Jake.

“I don't know about that, Lyn. Every boy talks like that to a girl.” said Eliwood.

“I hope you're not jealous of him, Eliwood.” said Lyn.

“What do you mean by that?” said Eliwood.

“I think you're jealous of him because he likes me too.” said Lyn

“I have only two things to say. One, why would I be jealous of him if he likes you? And two, what do you mean by ‘He likes me TOO’ ?” asked Eliwood.

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

“I know someone else who likes me too… or I think he likes me too.” said Lyn.

“Who is that unlucky fellow?” asked Eliwood.

Lyn was just about to reply when she was interrupted by Alex Cunningham, a classmate of Eliwood, approaching them.

“There was a robbery in my house yesterday night. I heard your father is a detective, so i came to ask for your help.” said Alex.

“I’m sure my father will help, come to my home after school.” said Eliwood.

After school, Jake, Eliwood and Lyn began for home. They parted ways, with Jake and Lyn asking Eliwood to not begin anything without them, to which Eliwood agrees.

Westfield,

Eliwood's home. 3 pm.

Eliwood, on reaching his home, sees police officials engrossed in a discussion with his dad, Lorenzo.

He quickly changes into some casual clothes and comes forth to listen to what the police officials and his dad are talking about.

“It's really a very queer business. I can make neither head nor tail of it.” said Watson, the police superintendent.

“A lot of things appear so at first, but when you change your angle of viewing at it, it appears to be something else.” said Eliwood's dad.

“What are you talking about, dad?” asked Eliwood.

“It's about the robbery at the Cunningham’s.” said Watson.

“It happened yesterday night, right?” asked Eliwood.

“Yes, but how do you know, Eliwood?” asked Watson.

“Alex told me about it, only that it happened yesterday night. He’ll be coming here shortly.” said Eliwood.

“Well, in that case, I could listen to the narrative firsthand.“ said Eliwood's dad.

Then Jake and Lyn arrived at Eliwood's house.

“I hope we aren't late.” said Lyn.

“No, you aren’t.” said Eliwood.

Just then, Alex accompanied with an elderly man arrived at Eliwood's house.

“I'm Alex’s dad. My name is Silas Cunningham. It was I who gave the statement to the police.” said Silas.

“Well, sir, please have a seat. If you could repeat your statement once again, it would be of great help to us.” said Eliwood's dad.

“I definitely will, sir. It happened so, that yesterday, I arrived home late due to some pressing business, me being a doctor. As I approached my home, I saw someone, who after seeing that I was approaching him, ran away from my house, towards the other direction, from whence I was coming. I immediat-”

“When were you coming home, sir?” asked Eliwood's dad.

“I believe, to the best of my memory, that it was around 3 am, for I looked at my watch after some time to see that it was 3:20 am.” said Silas.

Please continue.” said Eliwood.

“After seeing someone go towards the other direction, from my home, I immediately ran towards my house, for fear of my family's well-being. I reached home to see one of the windows, just beyond the front garden, open. I rang the bell, and after seeing my family safe, ran to the room adjourning the open window and looked for anything which I might miss. I saw that except a plastic bust of a lion, nothing else was missing.” said Silas.

“So, you're saying that the thief only took a plastic bust of a lion, and touched nothing else?” asked Eliwood's dad.

“Well sir, he did only take a plastic bust, but that's not to say he didn't touch anything else. The plastic bust was on a stand which I bought for displaying the bust. Other than that, the thief moved things here and there.” said Silas.

“What steps did you take after you saw that only a plastic bust was missing?” asked Eliwood's dad.

“Well sir, at first I couldn't make anything out of it. Why someone to enter a house to steal just a cheap bust is just something I can't understand. Then, I called for the police and-”

“And then we came to the scene and did a thorough check to see whether the thief really did not take anything else. But that's not the queer part, the queer part is that the plastic bust was found a few houses away, in a rundown house of the locality, smashed to bits.” said Watson.

“Smashed to bits?” asked Eliwood's dad.

“Yes, sir. Smashed to bits. I have already stationed a constable there. Would you like to come and take a look at it sir?” asked Watson.

“I will, Watson.” replied Eliwood's dad.

“Dad, can me and my friends tag along too? We won't disturb you.” asked Eliwood.

“Yes, son. You can. This can also be a test to you. Let's see if you pass or not.” replied Eliwood's dad.