2025-01-15 05:57:57In a few minutes, Manchester arrived at Bellvue Manor, a grand estate nestled in the heart of the city in a simple vehicle similar to that of a police officer. His driver was also dressed in uniform making it appear as though it was official police business.
Along the way, Manchester had gotten a couple of messages from what appeared to be a research team who were ready to support him through the investigation, and as weird as it may seem, Manchester played along. After speaking with the security guard at the entrance to the manor, Manchester was directed to the living room by a butler, and there he met the wealthy man who seemed to have been waiting for him. "Detective Duke," He exclaimed, "It's such a relief that you are here." The wealthy businessman man with a receding hairline stood on his feet, stretching his elderly hand for a handshake which Manchester received with a warm smile. "How does he even know my name... " "Sit down." Mr. Richard Langley gestured to the couch that was next to him, "You have to help me, please. That is a present for my wife's birthday and there are currently just two of them in the world. I bought that last one for millions of dollars. And I have kept it safe until last night." "I will do whatever I can, sir," Manchester assured him and stood up Immediately, a detective's job was to investigate and not to sit for long, but first he wanted to hear from the servants in the manor. "Who guards the room where you had kept it?" He asked. "Atkinson," Mr. Richard Langley replied briskly, "He doesn't guard it, but his job is to check on it from time to time to ensure that it is there. I will send it to him... "No sir," Manchester cut him off but with a respectful tone, "I'd love to speak with others first. I have my reasons." Mr Langley quickly called for his servants one after another, and each of them was sent to the backyard of the manor to speak privately with the detective. Manchester asked numerous questions and took both mental and digital notes. And once he was satisfied with all the stories he had heard, Manchester requested to speak with the guard, Atkinson. As soon as Atkinson opened his mouth to speak, Manchester watched his expression. He wasn't just trained to search for clues but reading people's reactions was part of his job, and though not all the time, Manchester knew when he had spotted a potential suspect through their expressions. After listening to Atkinson's side of the story, Manchester nodded his head, his eyes fixed on the figure before him. "You said you were at the study during the time of the theft, you left your post for a few minutes to pick up notes and by the time you returned it was gone?" "Yes." Atkinson nodded, trying hard to hide his anxiety. "I'm afraid your story doesn't add up to all the ones that I have heard so far. The maid, Emma should be her name, spotted you in the garden around the time of the theft. Did you or did you not go to the garden at any time yesterday?" "I... I must have skipped that." Atkinson stuttered. It was difficult for Manchester to tell why the guard was so nervous, did he steal it? Or was he just scared to death by the trouble he has gotten himself into with Mr Richard Langley? "I took a stroll in the garden at around ten pm... "The same time you went to the study?" Manchester cut him off, his expression unreadable and his voice firm. "No," replied Atkinson, "I went to study afterwards, I passed through the garden." Manchester let out a slight chuckle, there were so many inconsistencies with Atkinson's story and it made Manchester uncomfortable. Even a toddler could hide anxiety from their parent when they did something bad, so why was Atkinsons making it so easy? "So you mean to tell me that you'd rather take the long way through the garden when... you know what, just give me a moment." Manchester stood from the table and walked toward the door separating the backyard from the rest of the house. He opened slightly and spoke to the butler who had been sending the servants to meet him. "Can I have Emma out here?" He requested and the butler reacted with a gentle nod. In no time, Emma was standing next to Atkinsons, and Manchester was seated opposite them with his stepped fingers on the desk. "Miss Emma, can you tell me who you saw in the garden, around what time? Also, were there any other details that you forgot to mention?" Emma nodded her head and took a deep breath, she acted like a lady trying to squeeze lyrics to a song out of her memory and after a few seconds, she said. "I saw Mr Atkinsons in the garden, but that's all that I can remember. I promise that I'm not forgetting any other details, sir." "All that thinking for nothing?" Manchester wanted to let these words out of his mouth but held his tongue. Right now his biggest suspect was Atkinson but for some reason, Emma was making it to the list. //System Notifications! // // Potential Evidence Detected!// It was rather uncomfortable to keep his eyes on the system's screen with these people in front of him, but with a single thought, Manchester requested to review the evidence. //Retrieving Security footage // //Please visit the manor security room to review the security footage// "Thank you, the both of you," Manchester spoke up after a few seconds of awkward silence. "I will send for you again." He stood up and left the both of them, his pace as fast as a cheetah. As soon as he got into the manor he said to the butler, "May I visit the security room?" "We have searched that sir, but all the footages were scratched out. That's why Mr Richard had requested that no one leave the manor until we know who is involved." "I know," Manchester retorted, "Mr. Langley already told me. But I still want to see it." "Any luck?" Came Mr. Langley's voice from up ahead, and Manchester walked up to him immediately. "I do not trust Atkinson," he whispered, "Neither do I trust Emma, or any other servants currently." He added stealing a glance at the butler who stood a few meters from them. "I would love to visit the security room."
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Mr Richard Langley led Manchester to the security room and asked the butler to wait outside while the detective did his job. Manchester could see a glint of anxiety in the butler's eyes and he took a mental note of that. As a detective, all kinds of reactions were important to him. With the doors closed Manchester was faced with two large monitors hanging on the walls, a desk with a keyboard and mouse, along with two chairs. He sat down and Mr. Langley did the same, watching the young detective skillfully scroll through the visual images on the screen. //Transferring security footage via wireless network// //Transfer complete // // You may select footage Vid_123 // Manchester scrolled down the screen and as soon as he spotted the videos, he clicked on it. It was a two hours long footage so he put it on fast-forward until he spotted someone in it. This footage was from a surveillance camera in the garden, and it was ten minutes to the hour of theft, it captured someone lurking be
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"I still don't believe you," Manchester's voice echoed off the walls after listening to Emma's seemingly made-up explanation."This is all nonsense especially after you said that you didn't hear anything and now you are saying that Atkinson was speaking with someone about a business deal ... we will settle all this at the station.//Do you wish to arrest the suspects?//"Yes."// Sending in the team //Within a minute, a knock was heard on the door and Manchester opened it to let the team of three cops into the room, and he pointed the suspects out to them. Emma continued to beg, and swear that she was saying the truth while Atkinson willingly offered himself to be taken away."Don't worry Mr. Langley I will get to the bottom of this before the end of the day..."Please do," Mr. Richard Langley uttered before Manchester could finish speaking,"In the meantime, I'd search for something similar in case I don't find it today." "Very well," Manchester nodded before walking out of the roo
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"When I was in the garden, I caught her listening to my conversation, and I had no choice but to tell her the truth. However, she was scared of getting into trouble too and wanted to tell Mr Langley. So... I threatened her... or rather I blackmailed her with something I'd rather not talk about if that's okay with you sir."Manchester shrugged, he couldn't care less about the blackmail."This is what I am going to do." He said,"You will remain detained until we find the necklace, since we have your phone coupled with what you just told me, this case would be easier to solve. If what you have just said is the truth, then the necklace must be in the manor somewhere."Manchester was about to leave the room when he remembered something and turned to ask him,"Is there anyone in the manor that you suspect? Someone that holds something against you enough to want to get you fired."Atkinson thought about this question for a while, but he shook his head when he couldn't think of anyone. "I
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Back at the Bellvue Manor, Mr. Langley was anxiously anticipating Manchester's return. "Does he have answers, has he found the the thief?", these questions ran through his mind and it was impossible to sit down. "Ah, Mr. Detective," he exclaimed the second the butler ushered Manchester into the living room. Mr Langley couldn't help but notice that both Emma and Atkinson came in along with him, and he started to question if they were innocent all along, or perhaps they had come to confess. "Do you have answers?" He asked, "Please tell me that you have answers. My wife's plane would land in an hour, and I'd have to go pick her up soon, so if you don't have answers yet, you can leave it while I... "We have answers, Mr. Langley, " Manchester interjected, his tone was firm and certain. He felt that it was rude to cut the man off while he was still speaking, but knowing Mr Richard Langley's loquacious nature, it was for the best. "So?" Mr. Langley asked, still standing. "Well, sir." M
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Now alone in the living room with the detective, Mr. Langley took a deep breath and stared at the young man in the eyes. "Is it true?" He asked, gesturing for Manchester to sit on the couch opposite him. "She left without a reason?" "Oh, that!" Manchester let out a faint smile. This isn't a subject he'd love to discuss with anyone, and the only reason he mentioned it in the first place was to prove to the butler that he could relate to the hurt he felt on the inside. "I'd rather not bother you with it, sir," He added before taking his seat and stapling both fingers together, "And your son?" Asked Mr. Langley, "Where is he?" Now, Manchester doesn't mind the show of concern, but he wishes that Langley would read his body language and end this conversation or at least change the subject. "I left him at the daycare," he lied "I'll pick him up on my way home." Mr. Langley soon noticed that Manchester had no interest in proceeding with this conversation, and he understood. It was
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//I am sorry // "It's alright," Manchester replied with a long sigh, he walked back into the hall to sit back for a few minutes, while booking a ride to return home. He had plans for the night, and that is because according to the doctors, Nelson would be discharged the next day at 5pm if there were no further complications. Which means, he needed to stock up on baby food, diapers and wipes. He had come to realise that he needed help with this child, because no matter how strong a man he was, a one-year-old was too much to deal with while doing some investigation. So he decided that he would call his mother and narrate the incident to her. He didn't want to tell her initially because she always warned him about his temper especially when it comes to marriage, so he feared that she might blame him for it. But then again, she is his mother and no matter how annoyed she was, she'd always be willing to assist. "Detective Duke!" Langley exclaimed when he saw Manchester seated by
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The party stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, and Manchester just couldn't wait for it to come to an end. He stole a glance at his wife now and then, but Mel didn't seem to do the same or notice him. It hurts so much how she appears to have forgotten about him entirely to the point that she acts uninterested even in his presence. Or was he overthinking the situation? Three hours passed and it was 8:45, the celebrations were officially over, but as expected, not everyone would leave immediately. A number of them wanted to see Langley and congratulate his wife, while others just sat back to enjoy a few drinks before leaving. The whole time, Manchester had been tracking his wife and Aiden Lamar's movement simultaneously, it was a difficult task but he was up for it. As soon as he got a chance, seeing that Aiden Lamar was less crowded by people, he approached the elderly man with a humble and polite greeting. "Good evening, sir." He stretched forth his hand with a war
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// Exp 1200/ 1000 ////Congratulations! Case 3, unlocked! //// Earn 600 Exp to unlock the next case////Exp 0 / 600 //Manchester knew that he couldn't proceed with this task until he had gotten some Intel from the Everglow company, so he put the case on pause and headed for the hospital to spend the rest of his day with Nelson.At past 5pm the same day, in a part of the city, the halls and decorations were all set up for Mr Langley's wife's birthday celebrations.It was her fiftieth birthday, so it is no surprise that he made it so elaborate and grand.From 5:30 pm, cars were already at the parking lot, and the chairs in the hall slowly got occupied until Mr. Langley and his wife arrived, marking the commencement of the occasion.He had hired a stand-up comedian to anchor the celebrations. As expected of him, the event kicked off with a few laughs, sarcastic roasts, and recognition of some important guests.At this time, Manchester showed up at the entrance, he wasn't bothered by th
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Manchester gazes at the wall, the building itself was a single-story structure, with a faded sign that read 'Research facility' in peeling letters. Maybe it was due to Sophia Patel's disappearance, but the environment gave off an eerie feeling as they walked further into it.When they entered her laboratory, Manchester was greeted by a middle-aged woman who was taking pictures of the area before their arrival. Her name is Kim and she is the lab director whom the security officer had talked about."Thank you for coming, detective," she said, shaking hands with the Manchester, she could tell by the ID hanging from his neck and the box in his hand. Plus, she had also requested one a few hours ago."We are worried sick about Sophia," she began, her voice dripped with sadness,"It has been three days and we have no idea what happened to her."Manchester nodded sympathetically, dropped his box on the floor and opened it up to take out his notepad. "Can you tell me more about Dr. Patel's re
12. I-need and overview of the area
Just as he has said to Mr. Langley, Manchester headed for the hospital first to complete the payment from Nelson's treatment and words couldn't describe the wave of relief that washed over him when all that was cleared.Nelson's health was a priority to him because losing his child just after his wife had left would eventually cause him to end up at a rehabilitation centre."We are doing everything we can, and he will be fine." The doctor assured him with a firm nod, before taking him to Nelson's ward for a few minutes.The one-year-old was yet to awaken, so Manchester did what always made him feel relieved, and that was to take Nelson's tiny hand in his, and talk to him as though he was awake and listening."Don't worry, I'll get mummy back home." These were Manchester's last words to his unconscious child before leaving the hospital to rest. However, Manchester's depression worsened as soon as walked through the front door. He wasn't coming home to his family as usual, but to an em
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Now alone in the living room with the detective, Mr. Langley took a deep breath and stared at the young man in the eyes. "Is it true?" He asked, gesturing for Manchester to sit on the couch opposite him. "She left without a reason?" "Oh, that!" Manchester let out a faint smile. This isn't a subject he'd love to discuss with anyone, and the only reason he mentioned it in the first place was to prove to the butler that he could relate to the hurt he felt on the inside. "I'd rather not bother you with it, sir," He added before taking his seat and stapling both fingers together, "And your son?" Asked Mr. Langley, "Where is he?" Now, Manchester doesn't mind the show of concern, but he wishes that Langley would read his body language and end this conversation or at least change the subject. "I left him at the daycare," he lied "I'll pick him up on my way home." Mr. Langley soon noticed that Manchester had no interest in proceeding with this conversation, and he understood. It was
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Back at the Bellvue Manor, Mr. Langley was anxiously anticipating Manchester's return. "Does he have answers, has he found the the thief?", these questions ran through his mind and it was impossible to sit down. "Ah, Mr. Detective," he exclaimed the second the butler ushered Manchester into the living room. Mr Langley couldn't help but notice that both Emma and Atkinson came in along with him, and he started to question if they were innocent all along, or perhaps they had come to confess. "Do you have answers?" He asked, "Please tell me that you have answers. My wife's plane would land in an hour, and I'd have to go pick her up soon, so if you don't have answers yet, you can leave it while I... "We have answers, Mr. Langley, " Manchester interjected, his tone was firm and certain. He felt that it was rude to cut the man off while he was still speaking, but knowing Mr Richard Langley's loquacious nature, it was for the best. "So?" Mr. Langley asked, still standing. "Well, sir." M
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"When I was in the garden, I caught her listening to my conversation, and I had no choice but to tell her the truth. However, she was scared of getting into trouble too and wanted to tell Mr Langley. So... I threatened her... or rather I blackmailed her with something I'd rather not talk about if that's okay with you sir."Manchester shrugged, he couldn't care less about the blackmail."This is what I am going to do." He said,"You will remain detained until we find the necklace, since we have your phone coupled with what you just told me, this case would be easier to solve. If what you have just said is the truth, then the necklace must be in the manor somewhere."Manchester was about to leave the room when he remembered something and turned to ask him,"Is there anyone in the manor that you suspect? Someone that holds something against you enough to want to get you fired."Atkinson thought about this question for a while, but he shook his head when he couldn't think of anyone. "I
