“You know how long it’s been since we’ve had a good case?” Adrian asked. He rubbed his hands together and blew into them in an attempt to keep warm. Seeing his plight, I cranked up the AC setting to maximum and closed all the car windows.
“You mean how long since you’ve had a good case,” I said.
“Oh come on Peter. I know you love solving the murders as well as I do,” he said.
“I didn’t use to. No thanks to you, I’m now driving to a crime scene instead of finishing that presentation of mine. Which, by the way, is due this Friday.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you finish it. As long as it doesn’t have anything to do with constellations.”
“It’s a presentation on the unusual solar activity; how it’s been on a decline for almost four centuries.”
“Even better. Anything star related is my specialty.”
“Sometimes I wonder how you, a dude who graduated in theoretical physics, turned into a detective. Also, why a detective.”
“Solving cases is fun. Really makes you use your brain its maximum potential.” Adrian reclined back on his seat and shifted his position to a more comfortable one. “So who called you again? Rachel right?”
“Yup. She sounded very nervous.”
“Of course she’s nervous. She just found a dead body in her workplace. Who wouldn’t be nervous? Even seasoned veterans like us who see dead body all the time would be nervous to discover one where it isn’t supposed to be. Did she give you any details?”
“She hung up before I could ask her anything.”
“Shame. I just hope they don’t contaminate the crime scene before I get there.”
The roads were empty courtesy of Christmas. People would be with their families at home having a good time. The thought made me realise it had been a long while since I’d gotten together with my parents and sister.
The hotel Rachel worked at was in one of the suburbs about twenty kilometres away from the city. I considered it to be more of a motel. It was built right next to a six-lane highway with the entrance connected to a small road that deviated from the main one. As I cruised into the parking lot, I saw three police cars parked to the side. One of them I immediately recognized as belonging to Inspector Cuthbert.
“Ah, Cuth is here,” Adrian said. He had seen the car too. “That should make things easier.”
“Speaking of him; his birthday is next week. We should plan something,” I said.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve already planned a secret birthday party for Cuth at the police station.”
“You’re kidding.” I parked my car and turned off the engine.
“I’m serious. Everyone is in on it at the station. It’s going to be awesome,” he said, exiting the car. He eyed the hotel. “Come on. Let’s go see what the fuss is about.”1020Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCn5X3ieiF
