Chapter 1

It was a sunny Monday afternoon in Sangrove, and Jay had just gotten off work.

He intended to visit his parents who lived in Sagos, which was a town about 60 miles or so from Sangrove. Jay had already packed all his belongings he was taking with him in his car's trunk, and after he was sure he had locked the house, and properly set up the house security system, he got into his car, and revved his engine to life.

Jay was excited for his trip home, because he hadn't visited his family for several months now, and he was dying to meet his parents and siblings again.

Jay had reached the border of Sangrove crossing to Sagos, and just as he was about to cross the border, his phone suddenly ringed, and Jay being the law abiding citizen he is, carefully pulled up at the side of the road, and then picked up the phone call.

Jay's face gradually contorted into a sad frown, the more he listened to the person he was speaking with over the phone, on the contrary though, the person on the other side of the phone was beaming with a smile, showing his pearly whites while talking animatedly to Jay.

By the time he was finished with his phone call, Jay was feeling frustrated and sad because of what the person he was speaking with over the phone told him.

The person over the phone was Jay's colleague, who had just called him to let him know that there's a new case at the office, and that their boss wants them to take over it, because the detectives that were given the case before failed woefully at getting any information on the case.

On any normal day, Jay would have been as excited as his co-worker if he wasn't planning on visiting his family that very day.

Jay was contemplating on whether or not he should ditch the case and visit his family, while he was in deep thought, a call came in on his phone, and when he checked the caller's name, he wasn't very enthusiastic about answering it, but nonetheless, not having any other choice, he picked the call.

After Jay picked the call, a loud booming voice could be heard over the phone. It was Jay's boss, Mr. Fox.

The man informed Jay that he needed him in the office as soon as possible, and apologized for the inconvenience even though he was in leave, and that he was handing he and his colleague the case, because he knew they were more than capable.

Jay could only comply, and utter an "I understand sir" as a response, and when his boss hanged up, he groaned while dramatically moving both hands down his face. He figured he should call his Mum and let her know that he couldn't come anymore, because he had work.

He pulled out his phone and called his Mum.

"How are you Jay? Are you on your way yet? I'm already making some of your favorite dishes, and I also have a special surprise for you." Jay's Mum's voice could be heard over the video call, while she showed her son the dishes she was preparing for him as a welcome gift, with family members showingupinthe frame every once in a while.

Although Jay knew it wasn't his fault, he couldn't help the gnawing guilt he felt, he didn't want to disappoint his family. They had been waiting in anticipation for him to visit them for several months now.

Jay's mum noticed the odd look on her son's face, and with a concerned looked on her face asked "Jay, is everything ok?" Jay was suddenly brought out of his thoughts,  when he heard his mother's voice, although hesitating for a bit, he finally gathered up the courage to tell his Mum, saying "Mum... I have something to tell you", "Go on" his Mum encouraged.

"I'm not going to be able to come home for a while, something came up at work, and my boss said it's really important, I wish I could come sooner, I really do, but I'll find a way to finish the case faster, and come home as soon as I can." He stated, while he watched his Mum's reaction, which was one of sadness for a bit, and then turned into an understanding smile.

Jay was perplexed as to why she was smiling, and asked in a confused voice, "So, you're not mad at me?" His Mum replied saying "Of course not, why would I be mad at you? If anything I'm extremely proud of you." Jay looked up at his Mum, a bit taken aback at her words, he smiled and told his Mum to greet everyone for him and hanged up.

Jay, although still downcast, turned the car keys, and the car roared to life.

...

It was around 6pm when Jay got to the office, with his belongings in his trunk still in tow. He got out of his car, and entered the building, when he got inside, he saw his co-partner, William Stolz waiting for him outside his boss's office, pacing around and looking quite restless.

When William spotted him though, he immediately stopped pacing, with a wave of relief washing over him, finally relaxed, and took a breather. Only after sighing satisfyingly, did he start reprimanding Jay on why he was so late, and that their boss is probably going to skin them alive, or something along those lines.

While William was still busy reprimanding him, he had made his way over to the front of his boss's office,  and knocked the door, which earned him a scowl from William.

They eventually both entered their boss's office, and the trio went over the case, and the details, and soon enough it was handed to them. Jay was groaning inwardly at the case, because the clues were so vague, it was almost as if someone had ripped out all the pages in a book, and left only the first and the last pages. If Jay was being honest, he was frustrated, now he understood why the other detectives that were given the case couldn't handle it. As if to validate Jay's frustration even more, William, who is usually cheerful, easy going, and talks animatedly almost all the time was looking frustrated and confused.

Both colleagues went home with a copy of the case's details, after deciding to brainstorm the next day. Jay finally got home by around 7:40, and with a heavy sigh started unpacking his stuff from his trunk. He finished around 8 or so, and ordered himself dinner. When he was done it was around 9:40, and with a deflating sigh, he turned off the lights, and drifted off into a deep slumber.

Author's note:

So what do you guys think the big mystery case could be about? And don't forget to vote if you like the story, thanks and have a good one!

- Esho Oyinkansola.