Friend or Foe? Alice Mackenzie Kerning's Debut - Chapter 1

This is a story I have written. It's the first murder mystery I have written in a long while. I hope you will review it, love it, share it with your friends, and most of all enjoy solving it alongside Detective Alice Mackenzie Kerning.


Enjoy:)


Introduction

The masked person snuck back to the Sushi Bar, silent as night and with the speed of a hare. He took the knife off the table, nodded to himself, as if confirming something and stuffed in his pocket. Then he took off again, silent as night and with the speed of a hare. ‘Must not be seen, must not be seen.’ He thought as he ran, feeling the cool night air and yet being unable to enjoy it. The deed must be done tonight, before hesitation took over him again and missed the chance.

Tonight, it was to happen tonight.

He must do it.

He rang the doorbell. The very next day, he picked up the local newspaper like he always did and the very front page read “MARILYN KORR FOUND DEAD.”

Chapter 1, Alice Kerning 

               “Now aren’t you glad we took a vacation?” Marianne teased. Alice rolled her eyes as she stretched, then rolled her shoulder blades and said “We should never leave the hotel again. I’m getting tired of playing around all day.” Her voice came out lethargically as though it was a very long night, and a long night it had been indeed! Marianne insisted on going to one of the local pubs to have a drink or two, and two drinks became three, then three became four and four became five. Alice ended up dragging a very drunk Marianne back to the hotel, attracting too much unnecessary attention from the other guests. And now, the current Marianne who seemed to have forgotten the details of their previous night was thumbing through the guide book again looking for more famous restaurants and bars. ‘Oh my my my, what a big eater.’ Alice thought, sighing. She hoped they brought enough money to last them through the week; otherwise the lady beside her might cause them to go broke again.Alice Mackenzie Kerning ran a detective service. With her wavy hair dyed an extremely light purple with a braid at the side and her brilliant blue eyes, she loved every bit of mystery-solving. However, despite she and Marianne, her secretory and assistant helping the police a lot they did not earn much, mostly because they have not had a case any larger than a simple case of ‘Who’s the Thief?’ Marianne suspected that it was due to their reputation, but Alice reminded her that they were, as a matter of fact, quite famous in the police department. Then, Marianne had to remind her that they were never asked to solve a murder case, and then a dejected Alice had no mood to do anything since. How they ended up on vacation was still a mystery to Alice, for all she knew one day after sitting in her office doing nothing except waiting for a phone call about a case when Marianne came in, put down tickets and smiled at her announcing “We’re going on a vacation!” Without even giving her a chance to ask where, when and how or even just look at ticket on her table when Marianne grabbed the ticket, tossed her a luggage and exclaimed “Let’s go!” before leaving her in the dust. All of a sudden, after a stomach-lurching train ride, they reached their destination and booked into the hotel.And two days of fun later, Marianne had to go and get herself drunk. However, she woke up in the morning without so much so as a sign of a hangover, which both amazed and shocked Alice. And now, they were going to a village to try some more food and explore. ‘The only good thing about this trip,’ thought Alice ‘is that it was kind of fun.’ They walked into the village, expecting a bustling town but only to find a rather quiet village that had a sad atmosphere lingering in the air. Alice wondered what had happened, but Marianne seemed to not have noticed as she entered a restaurant in high spirits for lunch.As she spooned piping hot omelet rice into her mouth, Alice could not help but overhear a conversation of a waitress and two other customers behind her.

“Yes… what a tragedy…”
“She was such a good girl…”
“How sad…” they said, and Alice’s curiosity took over her and she called the waitress over and asked “What happened here? You said something about a tragedy.” The waitress looked at her strangely and laughed, saying “You’re not from around here are you?” She said, with a bitter smile. Alice nodded, and the waitress sighed. “It’s such a terrible thing! A tragedy indeed! Oh, it’s so sad I almost wish I could forget it forever.” She said dramatically, and Marianne asked “What happened then?” The waitress sighed again and said “Such a tragic tale, that it should happen here, in our town! See for yourselves!” she pulled out a copy of ‘The Sandy Times’, and handed it to them. Alice read the headlines, and it grabbed her attention and pulled her in like a small child drawn to a candy store.

“MARILYN KNORR FOUND DEAD!Marilyn Knorr, 20 years old, well-known for her flower shop and great personality was found dead in her bedroom at three o’clock in the morning on the Fourth of September. Investigators say that she was most likely stabbed in the stomach by a blunt object and died. However, not much has been revealed as investigators are baffled by the situation. No blood was found at the scene except on the victim’s body, and tests have shown to only be Marilyn’s blood, and no possible murder weapon was found.Marilyn was very well-liked in Sanditreath for her sweet personality and kind voice, not to mention her beautiful looks. “Marilyn is a very nice person! I don’t understand who and why anyone would want to kill her.” Says her best friend Wendy Strauss, who was in tears after the news was broken to her. The owner of the ‘AkiFuyu’ Sushi bar Hanamura Mukuro also commented that Marilyn frequented at his stand and the last time he saw her was at the bar. “I was talking to Kirin-san when Marilyn-san stood up, bade me farewell in her usual cheerful demeanor and left.”  It was a tragic incident that almost nobody seems to be able to solve, and investigators have marked the case as ‘Unnatural’”

“Well that is tragic.” Marianne said, and the waitress nodded. “Keep the paper is you want.” She said, and left to attend to other customers. Alice looked up from the paper, eyes sparkling and exclaimed “This is it. This is our big case! If we solve it we are sure to become famous!” Marianne’s face lit up. “Yes! Our reputation will get better!” she said, clapping her hands together. “Um… did you say you were willing to solve the case?” A girl in a pink dress with a ribbon around the collar asked slightly shyly, and at the same time, uncertainly. “Yes. We are.” Alice said, still glowing with excitement. The girl looked relieved and said “Oh thank goodness! I really wanted Marilyn’s death to be brought to justice, but nobody seemed to figure out who was the culprit. I’m Wendy, Wendy Strauss.” She said, smiling and shaking Alice’s hand. “Alice, Alice Mackenzie Kerning of the Mackenzie Detective Society. You may call me Detective Mackenzie. Or just Alice I don’t really mind.” Alice stood up and shook her hand vigorously. “You’re still sparkling Alice.” Marianne said, smiling serenely. “So you say that Miss Carroll is also a detective?” Alice asked, walking with the short-haired girl. “Yes,” Said Wendy, leading the way. Marianne decided to go back to the hotel as she wasn't feeling well. “Kirin is also a detective, but she’s quite inexperienced. Her company hasn't been open for more than a week.” As she said this, Alice chuckled and said “Much like me. My dad passed the company down to me a while ago. But our reputation went way down. Perhaps because people think the great Mackenzie’s daughter can’t do as well, so this is our first murder case.” She laughed sheepishly. Wendy merely smiled. Perhaps it was because she was simply glad that someone was willing to help solve Marilyn’s case. No matter what, Wendy was still her best friend. From their earlier conversation, Alice learnt that Marilyn’s parents have passed on a few years ago, and lived alone. So almost every day Wendy visited her to bring food and sometimes presents. It was a rather nice life, and they were very close. What else would one expect from childhood friends? They had known each other head to toe since they were eight-year-olds. So when the murder happened… well she had no idea what to do. She was simply devastated, unable to believe it, not wanting to believe it. She could not believe that her best friend had died, a friend she had known ever since she was a child. Who had been there for her when there were bullies? It was Marilyn. Who was it, when she fell down and skinned her knee did not laugh and instead put a plaster on for her? It was Marilyn. Who helped her settle her rent when her pay got cut? It was Marilyn again. So when Marilyn’s parents died in that car crash, she tried her best to be there, to comfort her, to make her smile. She even attended their funeral, even though she didn't know them well. But before she could repay for all those things Marilyn did for her, she died. So to her, bringing her death to justice was the least she could do to repay her friend. That was her reason. “So this is it?” said Alice, looking at the structure, scrutinizing it. “Yes it is.” Wendy said, smiling. “Looks really different from mine. Darn it I really should have a renovation. Pity Father would never allow it.” Wendy laughed. Then she knocked the door of a new-looking building with a large signboard that said ‘Kirin and Co. Detective service’. A cool voice said “Come in.” And so they did, stepping over the threshold and entering the office. “Hello and welcome to my office, I assume you have a case?” Said Kirin, with a small smile and calm voice. Kirin looked no older than eighteen, and had sleek black hair that fell at her shoulders. Alice shook her head, but continued to smile and say “No, I’m here with a request.” Kirin looked slightly more intrigued, and she leaned over and asked “Oh really? What about?” Alice’s smile melted away and formed a more serious look, and then she leaned over Kirin’s table and said “I want to team up. Let us solve Marilyn’s case together.” Kirin's face changed to become more serious. “Are you joking? You want to work with me?” Alice nodded. “Yes. You are the only other detective that lives in this vicinity. You know this place like the back of your hand. The main thing is that you’re a detective who knows this place. A very good way for me to solve this case.” Kirin did not answer. Instead, she stood up, and walked to the window. Then she turned around and said “Alright, I’ll help. But know this: I have already started working on the case. I planned to ask an experienced detective to help. I hope you fit the bill.” The tone of her voice was what Alice admired. Full of a zest for mystery, confidence and yet, calm. It reminded her of how she used to be. Alice smiled and walked over to shake Kirin’s hand. “Alice Mackenzie Kerning, of the Mackenzie Detective Society.” She said, smiling. Kirin’s face lit up. “I've heard of it! Oh how I admired Detective Mackenzie. Are you related?” She said, completely out of the image she had just painted of herself. “He’s my father. I took over the company a year ago. Call me Detective Mackenzie, or just Alice. Or you may call me Detective Mack, whichever works for you.” Alice replied, and Kirin said “Heard about you too! You solved the case of one of the biggest robberies in your city, didn't you? By the way, I’m Kirin Carroll. I’m inexperienced, but I am willing to learn. I look forward to working with you, Detective Mackenzie.” Alice smiled, and said “Same to you. Now let’s go over all that you know, shall we?” At this moment, Wendy mentioned that she had to get back to work, so she left the two detectives to their investigation.“So what have you found out?” Alice asked, seated very comfortably in the chair across Kirin’s table. “Well, for what we know, based on the news report we know she was stabbed. It is never mentioned how many times, so let’s assume she was stabbed once and died. Secondly we know that the area around her was clean. Apparently, Marilyn put up quite a fight if the perpetrator had to clear out the evidence. Now this is the part that puzzled me. Where is the murder weapon?” Kirin summarized, and then Alice looked at the newspaper article she had kept in her pocket. “Well then, we have a few people to question right now don’t we? You’re one, for example.” She pointed to Kirin’s name. “What, I’m a suspect now?” She sarcastically asked, then sighed. “Fine, go ahead.” Alice smirked a little. “Alright, let’s start with this. What were you and Hanamura-san talking about? I mean this is a curiosity question don’t mind me.” Kirin then rolled her eyes, and said “We were talking about food. Muku-san is a very absent-minded person, so we were talking about a recipe that he came up with and I told him to write it down.”

“And so you did. What is your relationship with Marilyn?”
“We are sworn enemies.”
“And are you aware, Miss Carroll, that by saying this you make yourself a prime suspect?”
“Indeed I am. But even I would feel sad if she died. Now I have no one to compete with. I have no rival and I can never beat her again. Why do you think I am even bothering to investigate her death?”
“True. Now where does Marilyn live? Near your place or far from your house, and please specify how near or how far.”
“Nearby, she’s my neighbor.”
“And so she is. I’m done, got all I need.” Alice pulled a pen out of her pocket and clicked it, and took out a notebook. “Now, repeat all that.” She smiled, and Kirin stood up in utter shock, confusion and indignation. “Why?”
“Protocol. To check for lies, that’s something you should learn.” Alice smirked a little. Kirin rolled her eyes, and then she asked in a challenging tone “And how in the world is that going to help?” Alice sighed, turned to Kirin and said with an exasperated smile “If you were lying, you cannot remember clearly whatever you said. That’s because stories made up on the spot cannot be registered as the truth by the mind just yet. Telling it twice helps it to remember indeed, but it only works on short lies. Now the truth will be like retelling a story one has read many times. And the truth is registered in your mind and you can remember what happened when asked to recall that memory. Now remember that, and do not assume you are the best detective just yet, you have a long way to go.” Kirin seemed to have run out of words, and just nodded. “Now, I want you to repeat what you have just told me.” “How did it go?” Marianne asked, in the inn they checked into in Sanditreath. Alice sighed and plopped back down onto the bed, rolling about a little then she propped herself back up on her elbows and said “No good. Turns out Wendy went out of town today after work and Hanamura went on a business trip a day after the incident, before it was reported. But I think Kirin wrote to Hanamura already and he’s on his way back.” Marianne seemed to consider all this, and then she spoke “Don’t you think it makes both of them quite suspicious?” Alice rolled over on her back. “Nope, Hanamura as some of the locals described him, was very absent-minded and he had to go home straight after he closed the shop or he’ll forget how to. Wendy was already away two days before; I confirmed that when I looked over the exit files at the toll booth.” Marianne then said something that got Alice thinking through the night “But if you’re trying to cover up something, don’t you think it’ll be more logical to get to the exit files at night to input a false entry? Couldn't you have made use of your condition that people know you the best for, which is absent-mindedness?” 

Café Barista - A Short Story

It was a cold, dark, rainy night. I have very unfortunately misplaced my wallet and my umbrella, and I'm simply walking along, wet and cold, through the rain to see if any kind soul would lend me a dollar for my bus fare. For this sort of weather, it was the perfect setting for a horror film. I looked at my watch, and to my dismay, the second hand went "tick", and it was midnight.

Sighing, I continued walking and asking any passerby for a dollar, but in Singapore, nobody would ever lend you a dollar at midnight. I didn't stop walking though, willing myself to believe that one kind soul will lend me some money. Walking in the dark, I saw the lights of a shabby Café signboard flickering. "Café Barista" I read out loud. The shop looked closed, all the lights inside were out. I have walked past this shop many times, I know that there were hardly any people who visited this Café. In the fast pace of our working lives, most people wouldn't know this place existed. I was about to walk past it when suddenly a young lady, possibly in her twenties, swing open the doors of the Café and upon seeing me, exclaimed "Don't just stand there! Come in! You're all wet and cold come on in I'll make you a cup of coffee." And she ushered me inside.

I put my very soaked jacket on the heating vent as she instructed, and she lent me some of her clothing to wear while waiting for mine to dry. She made me a strong cup of Caffe Americano as I sat and watched the rain pour down outside. I saw her disappear inside the changing room but a few minutes later she came out, wearing her uniform. "My name's May, what's your's?" She stuck a hand out for me to shake. "I'm Alice. Thanks for letting me come in here." I replied, shaking her hand. "You're welcome. I just didn't want to see someone walking out in the rain like that. What happened?" May asked, and I told her the tale of how I lost my wallet and how my cellphone died and that I didn't have an umbrella. "I see, poor you. Is anything the matter? Why were you even out so late?" She asked again. I'm pretty sure May was just trying to make conversation, but I hoped I wasn't taking out any of her time. "I have night school. I work at a coffee shop over at the other end. It doesn't pay very well, so I'm trying to get a job interview." I was wondering why I just spilled out one of my greatest worries out to her. She was a complete stranger, and yet... "I know how you feel. It took me a while to get this job here, but it's pretty good to work here." May stared out of the window. I took a sip of the coffee. It warmed me up quite quickly and it was by far one of the best brews I tried before. "Am I troubling you? You look like you're about to leave the shop." I asked. "Oh, no! Not at all! I live upstairs, so it gets a little lonely here but at least I get free access to breakfast and morning coffee." May said, and even though she said something about being 'lonely', she didn't sound sad in the least. Her voice had this bubbly and cheerful ring to it that made me like her immediately. "You know, if you're looking for a job, you can do an interview here. We're currently lacking people ever since our best worker resigned." May said, smiling at me. Surprised, I stared at her for a while before replying "I would love to!" May gave a little cheer and said "Yay! Welcome to Café Barista! Where all our workers are fun and insane!" She laughed, and I had to laugh too. The coffee was great, and her company made me wish I didn't need to go home to my lonely apartment.

My clothes were dry after a while, and May lent me an umbrella. But before I left she placed a few coins in my hands, asking me to take care on the bus ride home. It didn't take a genius to realize those were her tips, and before I refused she giggled and said "See you tomorrow morning!" And shoved me out the door. Really, what kind of person does that? But very quickly, May became my friend.

The interview went smoothly. Due to my job experience their boss hired me on the spot and I could start work that day. The boss was a cheerful and kind middle-aged man. He was also quite a humorous man and liked to joke around sometimes. He also played the piano. To my surprise the pay was way better than the one at the coffee shop down the road, and I must say getting free access to coffee was great.

I'm glad I met May. That night in the rain automatically made us best friends.

So now, I live upstairs with May too. I gave up on the apartment. Until we both find a suitable house together, we'll keep living in the Café. But I think we might just live there until the day that this business ends. Why? Well, if it's raining heavily, and you're wet and cold and have no money for a bus fare, we'll be there. We'll make you a cup of Caffe Americano, and we'll keep you company until your clothes dry. Then we'll give you some money for a ride home. Don't worry, you won't be troubling us.

And if you need a job, welcome to the Barista Team. Have fun working here, we're insane.

Oh, and by the way, my name's Alice. I'm dating one of my coworkers who's May's brother. And I must say, he's one of the best people you will ever meet. So have fun working here! Our doors are always open for you.

Even when it's cold and wet.

Being a "So-and-so"

Okay, I'll admit it. I do feel like the busiest person in a company. I'm the one who is so laden with stuff that people forget my name.

"Hey uh this who ah please do this for me."
"H-huh? But I have to do-"
"Thanks! Oooh, Candy Crush!"
"Wait wait wait I can't do this! Come back!"

Basically what happens. So now, I think my name might be "This who". Or "So-and-so".


Okay, maybe I'm not in a company.
I'm not even working yet.

I'm a student in a group project. A group project where office politics come into play. The group leader is the boss, the other two are like Managers. One is nice and the other just mimics the boss. And me? I'm the poor admin.

So imagine this scenario. The admin was asked to take a picture. She does, but then the requirement of the submitted picture is a photoshopped object. It doesn't matter what, just photoshop something. But as luck would have it, the admin's photoshop sofware has spoiled. So she contacts someone in another department for the software, but the person isn't sure when she could send it. Suddenly, the boss steps in and asks her why she hasn't sent the picture. The admin explains that her software has spoiled, and the person in the other department has not replied her pertaining the issue of the software. Now here comes the twist.


The boss suddenly tells her that the picture was for a marketing project and he starts scolding her for not doing it on time. Ironic isn't it? A Admin being scolded for a Marketing error. It wasn't like she was in marketing. Anyway, the boss decided to let her have another day to complete it, and asks her for her summary on the place she was supposed to take a picture. But the admin had never received instructions on the summary, and quickly does it so that the boss wouldn't scold her further for not doing her job properly.

The next thing she knew the Manager(The bad one) was accusing her for copy-and-paste work. The boss, being good friends with this manager, decides to back her up and scold the Admin. The summary, as the boss said was too long, and lacked the correct points. And suddenly, the issue of sincerity of wanting to contribute comes up. The Manager, let's call her Manager X, questions her intentions and asks if she even intended for things to work. The admin replies that if she never wanted the project to succeed she wouldn't attempt to help. Manager X then calls the other Manager, call her Manager Y, and asks her to do the work on the admin's behalf. Manager Y is the admin's good friend, and agrees. But the admin does not want her friend to do it on her behalf, and so she edits the work and re-sent it. End Of Story.

Basically that's what happened in my group project. Sad right? I was accused, then I was made to do something not asked to do, and then I realized.

They did nothing.

Ab-so-lute-ly nothing. I have to admit that was the best trick ever. And now, for the real happening.

It all happened on Whatsapp actually. I told you the scenario, and I promise you it was a hundred percent true. What was different was that the boss and Manager X were using such harsh words, and their English was so bad I had no idea if they were scolding me, accusing me or making a statement. Really. And Manager X wasn't even in the conversation, she was basically an extra. I believe the accusation was :

 "Then it just shows that you are not even sincere about this work by this attitude. You don't even wish to contribute is it?"

I don't know if I should laugh at her lousy English or cry because of the accusation.

And this is coming from someone who doesn't even hand in her homework.

Well to her, HARK WHO'S TALKING.

Really, if you want to accuse someone, look at yourself first. Kay I'm done talking to you now.

I was really pissed at it, and believe me, I think they weren't even serious about this work. But thank god for Manager Y. THANK YOU, REALLY THANK YOU. I lied in the scenario, we barely know each other. I'm so damn happy she agreed to help me. She told them not to pressure me any more, even if they didn't listen to me I'm glad she spoke up.

So now I want to ask a few things.

Does this happen often in a group project? Are office politics like this? Is this even reality?

Because if all of this is true, what a sad, sad world we live in.

I want everyone to get along, is that too much to ask?

I just want a normal life.

I just want us all to get along and let the project move smoothly.

That's all I ask.




~ Kyo-chan