2025-01-14 03:18:50A few minutes passed and Manchester's eyes fluttered open, the room was still blurry and a wave of dizziness washed over him. He just lay down there staring at the kitchen ceiling that he could barely see, his mind reeling with thoughts.
"Am I dead or alive?" He remembered taking a pill to relieve himself, but at the moment he felt worse, his head hurt so much and he couldn't tell if he was hallucinating but a holographic screen flickered to life before his eyes. Manchester wasn't startled, he just closed his eyes and tried to relax, whatever that thing was he knew it wasn't something to worry about. But then all the incidents over the past two days flooded his mind and Manchester suddenly remembered why he had come back home in the first place. He sat up Immediately, holding his aching head and hoping that his vision was better. He could thank God now that he was alive and had learnt a valuable lesson about pills. But then again why was this holographic screen still in front of him? //The I-Mode System is online now // //Detective Manchester Duke, please select a case to begin// "This is not a good time for me to see things," he thought to himself while rubbing his eyes and trying to get up. But then the mechanical took him by surprise. //Please select a case to begin // "What are you?" He thundered, getting upset with an entity that he couldn't even see, "This is not a good time, okay, so if someone is playing a prank on me, just stop it okay?" //This is not a prank, Detective Duke. I am a system. And from the records I see in your memory, you should know what I mean by that // //I am an investigating system, and I am here to help you regain your position as a detective and not just that, but also make you... "Hold up!" Manchester interjected, his voice dripping with curiosity, "You are an investigating system and you want to help me get a job?" //I will give you a job// "Will you pay me for it?" // Yes, I have linked the system's bank account to yours so I pay you for every completed investigation. But that is not all // "Is it a coincidence or you just came at the right time?" Manchester was suddenly very excited. Of course, he knew what a system was so there was no need to go further into the details. He didn't learn about them from a storybook or movie, but from a government-funded project to recreate something similar for a reason that they were yet to know. Manchester's biggest guess at the moment was that the system could be real, or he was being used for the experiment but that wouldn't make any sense since he got one inside his apartment without even going through any tedious procedures. "Look, I am very desperate right now, I will take any case right now just let me make something to clear off a few bills, no matter how little." His voice was calm and solemn, as though he was begging for a little change, "Problem is, my licence has been revoked... //I have sorted out all of that. Just select a case to begin // "No status?" //No, it's not like you will read them anyway. You will get to understand as you go. I'm just trying to assist you here. But in return, you might have to do something for me// "That's fine," Manchester retorted and heaved a sigh of relief, "What are the cases?" // There are numerous cases. Your planet is full of them, some are more difficult than others. Most of these cases are locked, but with enough points, you can unlock them as we go // "So much for it not being a game," Manchester whispered under his breath, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Okay, I am ready. I'm guessing that a certain number of points is required to unlock other cases, you will equip me with all the skills and equipment that I need but that's after completing the quest right?" //correct// "And then I get paid?" //Correct// Manchester closed his eyes and took a deep breath, there was one thing on his mind and it was a prayer. "I pray this is not a dream." His eyes shot open and with a newfound determination he said, "Alright, so what do I have to do?" Just after he asked, a list of cases appeared on the screen, most of them were locked, but case number one and number two were default cases. However, Manchester's eyes still scanned the list, despite being locked he could read their titles, and for some reason, he couldn't just wait to get there. "The Starlight Serenade Necklace Theft." He mumbled, it was the first case on the screen. His instincts told him that this was the case he needed to start with, so he focused his mind, and the system responded. // Case 1 Selected: The Starlight Serenade Necklace Theft // // I-Mode System Initializing Investigation Protocol.// Manchester's eyes widened as the system began to feed him information about the Starlight Serenade Necklace Theft case. He saw images of the necklace, a stunning piece of jewellery featuring a rare diamond surrounded by sapphires and rubies. // Case File: Starlight Serenade Necklace Theft // // Location: Bellvue Manor, residence of wealthy businessman, Richard Langley // // Time: 22:00 hours, last night // // Suspects: None confirmed, but several individuals were seen near the manor around the time of the theft // // Please proceed with the case. Your official system driver is waiting outside to take you to the location // Manchester's mind began to whirl with possibilities as he scanned the case file. Despite an empty suspect list, he could already picture a few potential suspects, including Langley's business partners, rival collectors and so on. But he'd have to get there first. // System Recommendation: Begin by interviewing Richard Langley and his staff. Gather more information about the necklace and the events surrounding the theft. // "I already know to start with that."
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I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 6. I- don't trust Atkinson
In 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
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 7. I- will tell you what I heard him say over the phone
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
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 8. I- begged him
"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
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 9. I- know who it is
"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
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 10. I- am sorry sir
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
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 11. I- can win you back home, Mel
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
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 12. I-need an 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
I-Mode: Becoming A Famous Detective With A System 13. I- might have use for Mr. Langley's party afterall
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
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65. I- think you love this baby more than I do
As Manchester stood before the lady who was now back home, his heart was crushed as he watched the tears drop from her eyes. In as much as he wanted her to get some answers on her husband's whereabouts, he didn't expect it to be a picture of their burnt car with a statement confirming that he died in flames. "I am so sorry," he muttered because it was the only thing he could say. Certainly, nothing can console a woman who learns that she lost her husband to this kind of accident three months later. Both her kids stood next to her, their hands on their mother's shoulder while they stared at the pictures in her hand. Tears clouded their eyes, and they trickled down their chins at intervals. "He shouldn't have left," she said, "He should have just stayed at home; he would be alive today, wouldn't he?" While the family grieved, Manchester excused himself and returned to his car, parked in front of their apartment. He sighed heavily after taking a seat behind the steering wheel.
64. I- found the subject's car
The entire crew, consisting of over thirty policemen in cars and motorcycles, went in search of the car that Manchester had shown them. They followed the alternative route, which they assumed the restaurant's owner had taken, and a search along that area is nearly similar to searching for a needle in a haystack. Both sides of the road were covered in thick forest, stretching a few hundred kilometres. Upward on the left, which mostly consisted of rocks, and downwards on the right. It'll take a twenty-minute drive through this lonely path before getting to the highway, which is why most people avoid it. Usually, the road is closed down for most of the year due to how lonely it is but it reopened from November to February when it gets a lot busier. Another reason it was closed down was because of numerous reports of car theft and robbery along the path, which is not a surprise. "It has been over two hours," Manchester sighed heavily, "No signs of his car anywhere yet; we've drive
63. I- promised his wife an answer
"So tell me, where did he say he was going?" Asked Manchester; he couldn't care less whether she put her hopes on him, after all, he couldn't be one hundred per cent sure that he could solve the case. "To the restaurant, towards the evening," she replied, "He said he wanted to see how it was doing and check on the kitchen wares that needed to be fixed. I remembered the manager called to tell him that one of the cookers was faulty, so he was going to check that out." "Alright," Manchester nodded and noted that down, "And did he call anyone else before leaving?" "I'm not sure," she replied, "If he was going to call anyone at all, he'd call our repair man to come and take a look at the cooker and get it fixed, but he certainly didn't make that call at home, maybe he did it on his way, I don't know." "Hmm," Manchester muttered and took another note, "How long is the drive from your home to the restaurant ." "Ten minutes, it can be shorter, because we live really close to
62. I- am willing to give you answers
Manchester wasn't sure how to begin that investigation; he left the court feeling overwhelmed, which is surprising, especially knowing that he is a detective and solving mysteries is what he does. On his way to the station, his mind was occupied by negative thoughts, like what if Nelson wasn't truly his son and he had no choice but to let the kid go? What if the result were true?Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a notification, and while driving, Manchester picked it up with his left hand and stole a glance at the screen. "The four culprits will stand before the jury in a week, they will be detained until then. Once again, thank you so much, Mr. Manchester, for this; your name would appear on the headline newspaper in no time." As Manchester read through the messages, a smile crept upon his face, but just then he realised that it wasn't over yet. He still has to find the restaurant owners to mark this task complete and get paid. But he had no clues to work with, and with the c
61. I- am the one you want
"Hello, who is this?" Mel asked; her tone was soft and welcoming. She laid back on the bed, wrapped in thick duvet, after giving up her plans of going to the mall. "You can't tell from my voice, Mel, can you?" asked the voice from the other side of the phone. Mel raised a brow, sat up and put the phone on speaker. "If I could tell who you were from your voice then I wouldn't be asking." "I'll make this introduction very short, Mel; this is Cain, Cain Hycinth; remember me now?" Mel's jaws dropped in shock, her eyes glued to the phone screen as if she had seen a ghost. Just a few days ago, Manchester had called her concerning this man, and now she is receiving a call from Cain himself; what does he want? "What do you want?" She cut straight to the point, "I don't even want to know how you got my number; just tell me what the hell you want. Let's end this call as soon as possible. I'm pretty sure that you have succeeded in taking Nelson away from Manchester and you want to rob it
60. I- bought you that time
The courtroom was thick with silence, the kind of silence that weighed in Manchester's chest like a damped wood. His heart raced with every passing second as they all waited for the judge to come in. Once she was in, Manchester was directed to the defendant's table; he took a deep breath and held tightly onto its frame while tapping his foot on the floor at intervals. Across the room, Cain sat with a smug, his arms were folded as he anticipated the result. The judge leaned forward, her expression unreadable as always. She adjusted her spectacles, and after the introduction was made by the bailiff, she read from the paper on her desk. "After a thorough examination of Paternity test conducted by an independent laboratory, and in consideration of testimonies and submitted documentation, the court finds that the child in question, Nelson Wilfred Duke, is not the biological son of Mr Manchester Duke." These words hit Manchester on the chest like an atomic bomb, he felt the explosion in
59. I- swear I'm not trying to buy you with money
When he was close by, Roger noticed a car that had just driven out of where he was going, and he couldn't help but wonder if Valerie was inside it, and with who? But then again, he just kept driving until he parked at the front of her apartment and stepped out. This was the first time he visited her without a gift, not even a flower. He knew that she would ignore them anyway and probably not even let him into the house. Ding dong The sound of the doorbell was heard from inside as Roger pushed the button. He took a deep breath and waited until she unlocked the door and opened it "Valerie," he muttered with his jaws dropped in shock, not because he hadn't seen her in a while, but because there was a child in her hand. 'could she have been married without my consent, long enough to have a child already. But it's only been two months since I last saw her, so this can't be her child, then whose?' "What are you doing here?" Valerie frowned, "Who gave you my address... oh damm
58. I- will be Mr. Mel Brettel
While driving away from Valerie's apartment, Manchester noticed that another car drove in and parked just at the same spot where his car had been. Out of curiosity, he decided to linger a little to see who it was. However, he failed to realise that he was in the middle of the road, even though it wasn't a highway. He kept an eye on the car until a figure emerged from the driver's seat, a man. Before he could begin to ponder who this figure was, a car honked very loudly behind him, causing Manchester's body to jerk involuntarily. "Damm that's too loud." He muttered, before gently releasing the break and moving out of the way. He would have loved to stay a little bit longer to get a glimpse of the person's face, but he remembered his appointment and just drove off. "It might just be someone coming to find out why she moved from her parent's place." He thought. ****** Earlier, in another apartment twenty minutes drive away from Valerie's home, a young lady stood at the door, block
57. I- might pick him up at night
"Here goes nothing," Manchester muttered as he proceeded to press the doorbell after standing at the door for nearly five minutes. There was no reason to be nervous, but Manchester was, and that was why it took him five minutes to press the doorbell that was right in front of him. "Just a second!" Valerie's voice answered from inside. While waiting for her, Manchester took a deep breath; he really hoped that she hadn't moved out of her parent's house just because of Nelson because that would surely make him feel terrible. He just had to wait to confirm from her first before jumping to a conclusion. "Good morning!" Valerie greeted with a warm smile as she opened the door to let Manchester in. She was still dressed in pyjamas, and her hair was still a mess, but she had a cup of brewing hot tea in her right hand. "Classic," Manchester thought. "Uhm, you live here...now? I thought I was coming to pick you up and take you home before leaving Nelson with you." Manchester posed his qu
