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 was next to him,

"You have to help me, please. That is a present for my wife's birthday and there are currently just two of them in the world. I bought that last one for millions of dollars. And I have kept it safe until last night."

"I will do whatever I can, sir," Manchester assured him and stood up Immediately, a detective's job was to investigate and not to sit for long, but first he wanted to hear from the servants in the manor.

"Who guards the room where you had kept it?" He asked.

"Atkinson," Mr. Richard Langley replied briskly,

"He doesn't guard it, but his job is to check on it from time to time to ensure that it is there. I will send it to him...

"No sir," Manchester cut him off but with a respectful tone,

"I'd love to speak with others first. I have my reasons."

Mr Langley quickly called for his servants one after another, and each of them was sent to the backyard of the manor to speak privately with the detective. Manchester asked numerous questions and took both mental and digital notes. And once he was satisfied with all the stories he had heard, Manchester requested to speak with the guard, Atkinson.

As soon as Atkinson opened his mouth to speak, Manchester watched his expression. He wasn't just trained to search for clues but reading people's reactions was part of his job, and though not all the time, Manchester knew when he had spotted a potential suspect through their expressions.

After listening to Atkinson's side of the story, Manchester nodded his head, his eyes fixed on the figure before him.

"You said you were at the study during the time of the theft, you left your post for a few minutes to pick up notes and by the time you returned it was gone?"

"Yes." Atkinson nodded, trying hard to hide his anxiety.

"I'm afraid your story doesn't add up to all the ones that I have heard so far. The maid, Emma should be her name, spotted you in the garden around the time of the theft. Did you or did you not go to the garden at any time yesterday?"

"I... I must have skipped that." Atkinson stuttered. It was difficult for Manchester to tell why the guard was so nervous, did he steal it? Or was he just scared to death by the trouble he has gotten himself into with Mr Richard Langley?

"I took a stroll in the garden at around ten pm...

"The same time you went to the study?" Manchester cut him off, his expression unreadable and his voice firm.

"No," replied Atkinson,

"I went to study afterwards, I passed through the garden."

Manchester let out a slight chuckle, there were so many inconsistencies with Atkinson's story and it made Manchester uncomfortable. Even a toddler could hide anxiety from their parent when they did something bad, so why was Atkinsons making it so easy?

"So you mean to tell me that you'd rather take the long way through the garden when... you know what, just give me a moment."

Manchester stood from the table and walked toward the door separating the backyard from the rest of the house. He opened slightly and spoke to the butler who had been sending the servants to meet him.

"Can I have Emma out here?" He requested and the butler reacted with a gentle nod.

In no time, Emma was standing next to Atkinsons, and Manchester was seated opposite them with his stepped fingers on the desk.

"Miss Emma, can you tell me who you saw in the garden, around what time? Also, were there any other details that you forgot to mention?"

Emma nodded her head and took a deep breath, she acted like a lady trying to squeeze lyrics to a song out of her memory and after a few seconds, she said.

"I saw Mr Atkinsons in the garden, but that's all that I can remember. I promise that I'm not forgetting any other details, sir."

"All that thinking for nothing?" Manchester wanted to let these words out of his mouth but held his tongue. Right now his biggest suspect was Atkinson but for some reason, Emma was making it to the list.

//System Notifications! //

// Potential Evidence Detected!//

It was rather uncomfortable to keep his eyes on the system's screen with these people in front of him, but with a single thought, Manchester requested to review the evidence.

//Retrieving Security footage //

//Please visit the manor security room to review the security footage//

"Thank you, the both of you," Manchester spoke up after a few seconds of awkward silence.

"I will send for you again."

He stood up and left the both of them, his pace as fast as a cheetah. As soon as he got into the manor he said to the butler,

"May I visit the security room?"

"We have searched that sir, but all the footages were scratched out. That's why Mr Richard had requested that no one leave the manor until we know who is involved."

"I know," Manchester retorted,

"Mr. Langley already told me. But I still want to see it."

"Any luck?" Came Mr. Langley's voice from up ahead, and Manchester walked up to him immediately.

"I do not trust Atkinson," he whispered,

"Neither do I trust Emma, or any other servants currently." He added stealing a glance at the butler who stood a few meters from them.

"I would love to visit the security room."