Crime At Northland Lake (Completed)

Investigation begins- Simon Mathews

9:00am, Saturday

Back at the police station, the junior officer rushed towards James as he came in. "Sir!" He called. "There's news for you."
"What's the matter Cole?" James asked, going to his desk.
"While you were gone, a man named Joseph Macmillan had come. He filed a complaint." Cole said.
"What was it about?"
"He didn't give much details about it because you weren't there. It's a similar case. His.. his wife is missing from last night."
James looked sharply at the junior officer and said, "There's the kick." He smirked.

The next day

"Nick McAllister." The young, handsome man said to the junior officer. "I just joined today. Mr. James said he'll meet up here."
"Oh, yes." The junior officer replied. "Please have a seat." Nick sat on the cushion comfortably. He looked around the building. Everything seemed so silent.

After a minute or so, Nick noticed an elderly man approaching towards him. "I'm James Carter, the head of this station." He shook hands. "So Mr. McAllister, you're from Scotland?" James asked. Nick nodded softly and handed over the file he'd brought with him.
James glanced over the papers and said, "So, you were the smart one in Scotland?" He asked.
"Um, I don't really know. I've always wanted to become a detective since I was a child, and the deputy in Scotland always appreciated my work." Nick replied giving a smirk.

There was a moment of silence with both the men lost in their worlds. "I've heard this place is not known for crimes. I believe my brain can get a break here." Nick giggled.
James looked at him sharply and gave the file back. "This file says everything good about you. I believe you are as it says." He said and Nick smiled back confidently. "Would you mind me if I give you a case to solve today?" James asked.

"Definitely not sir. As I said, I always enjoy myself solving cases. That's my job. But I'm surprised there's a case in this area. What's it about?" Nick asked, accepting a cup of tea.
"A man named Simon Mathews came up to the police station yesterday early in the morning. He reported that his wife has gone missing since Friday night. I didn't really choose to go deep into this case for reasons I can't tell. But then, another man named Joseph McMillan came to the station reporting a similar case. That started me to think that there might be a connection between the two. I want you to investigate this and find a solution." James explained.

Nick sat still. "What are you thinking about?" James asked. "You're not interested?" Nick smiled, indicating a positive reply. "Well then, I think you should start by-" "It's alright sir. I know where to start this." Nick interrupted. "This might be the first case in South Shields, but I've solved eleven cases like these in my career back in Scotland. I've got this in hand."

James hated when someone interrupted him. He was always used to being the superior one. But the fact was that he'd only solved a few case in his life. Eleven cases would just be too much for him.
"Sir, I would just need the information of what you know till now." Nick stated.
"Well I don't know anything." James grumbled. "I never started investigating the case. I suggest you to start from scratch. All I can say is that Simon Mathews lives near the famous old cottage museum and Joseph McMillan around four hundred meters from the country club." He added.

"I guess that's all I need to get started. I'll see you when the case is closed." Nick said and headed off. James shook hands once again, this time feeling unwanted. "What a brat-like detective. A bag full of attitude. Let's see how he solves this one." He thought. Nick wandered off and got into his sedan. He drove for a mile or so until he found Sams' Lodge. The place was always famous for pancakes. One of the only cafes where it was available in South Shields.

Nick had a hearty breakfast and headed off to Simon Mathews' residence. The residence, he thought, was huge for just two people. "What an isolated area." Nick thought. He rang the doorbell producing a screeching sound. The door was opened not even within a second.
"Yes?" The middle aged, black haired man asked.
"I am Nick McAllister from the police department. I've just joined here. I heard that you'd filed a complaint of your missing wife yesterday morning. I've come here to ask a few questions regarding that." Nick answered softly.
"Oh my gosh! Please come in. I was just heading to the police station right now to file the case once again." Simon pulled the young detective inside the house offering him a cup of tea, though Nick refused.

Nick slowly looked all around the house. He felt very cozy inside. The living room had a small TV with a traditional coffee table at front. The brown, rather 'dirty white' sofas looked like they hadn't been cleaned for years. Simon rushed to get a chair for himself and both sat comfortably near the dining table.
"Please Nick, you've gotta find my wife. I really need her back to me. Please." Simon started weeping.

"Well that's exactly why I'm here." Nick replied. "Now Mr. Mathews, I'm going to ask a handful of questions for what I need answers. And you're going to promise me that you'll tell the truth."
Simon nodded positively.
"I'd like to have an introduction about you and your wife." Nick said.
"Me and Sarah got married two years ago. I work as a journalist and she worked in Gen X, one of the most top graphic designing companies. She was always a hardworking woman and I really respected that. We always lived in South Shields as Sarah loved peace and silence in her surroundings." Simon wiped a tear down his cheek. "Everything was fine until this Friday night.." He stopped and dug his face into his palms.

"Alright now Mr. Mathews." Nick said, looking down. "Did you and your wife ever have any problems?" Simon confidently shook his head. "So she was happy?" The detective asked.
"Definitely. She was a sensitive woman but she would tell me if anything was wrong. I haven't even taken a picture of her just because she never liked it." Simon explained.
"So you don't even have a picture of her?" Nick questioned raising his eyebrow.
"Unfortunately no." Simon replied. "I know this really sounds awkward but that's the truth."

"Fine." Nick said. "Now I need an entire summary of what happened on Friday." Nick got his phone out and set a timer.
"Sarah had gone for work in the morning and I'd stayed at home that day." Simon said.
"You didn't find anything strange around your house?"
"No." Simon replied. "Sarah came back at around six in the evening. At nine she had to go to a club with her work pals. The club is around three miles away from here. I expected her to return by eleven thirty. My eyes were drooping, so I went to bed at around ten. Then at midnight-" "Hold on." Nick interrupted. "Does Sarah drink?" He asked.
"She's never touched drinks. Even if she sees anyone drinking, she'll feel nauseous." The man replied and continued, "At midnight I got a call. The person was demanding ten thousand pounds and told that he had Sarah with him. He told me-" "It was a man who spoke?" Nick interrupted once again.

Simon nodded, "He told me to come near the famous pine tree in Northland Lake and keep the bag of money there. Sarah wasn't home as well so I believed that she was in trouble. Blindly I took the money from the safe and drove to the lake. I reached there at twelve fifty-five or something. The first thing I noticed was a white Jeep that was similar to mine. Ignoring it, I just went to the pine tree. There was no sign of any living being there. I waited for some time and eventually kept the money there. I ran back to check inside the white jeep. Just when I thought I saw a lying body, I was attacked." Simon panted heavily after the long explanation.

"Hmm." Nick went into deep thought. "Did you tell the exact same story to Deputy James yesterday?" He asked.
"Yeah. But I was very disappointed that he took the matter very lightly and barely believed me."
"Now I hope you're telling me the truth, because otherwise I won't be able to help you." Nick said.
"I swear I'm telling the truth. Please believe me. I might not have any proof for this story but it is the truth." Simon became teary eyed.

"Okay." Nick nodded. "I don't think you know this but just after you filed a complaint, another man filed a similar one. His wife has also gone missing."
"What!" Simon exclaimed. "What a coincidence! Nick, I think both of these cases have a connection. If he filed a complaint yesterday, that means his wife also had gone missing on Friday night. There's a possibility." He said.

"Could be. It's too early to say. I haven't talked with the man yet."
"What's his name?" Simon asked.
"Joseph McMillan." Nick answered.
"Hmm." Simon thought. "Never heard of him." Both the men stayed quiet for a while until Nick asked for Simons' phone.

He glanced over it for some time and handed it back saying, "Fishy."
"What happened Nick?" Simon asked, frowning his face.
"Your entire call history has been cleared. I thought I can get the number of the blackmailer. Did you clear it?" He asked.
"No way. Even yesterday when James searched, the history was cleared." Simon replied. "I don't remember clearing anything from my phone. Maybe it happened when I was attacked. In fact, I don't remember anything after the heavy blow." He said.

"Now forget that you were attacked. Did you give your phone to anybody before me? Maybe that person might've cleared it." Nick asked.
"Yes I did." Simon said confidently. "I gave it to James yesterday."