'What did you just say?', asked a surprised Steven Blazing.

'There are no other suspects.', repeated Detective Walker.

'You need sleep, Walker. Come by tomorrow morning and we'll talk.'

Steven Blazing hung up.

'You go off to sleep too, Bolt, I daresay tomorrow will be interesting.'

The night didn't seem like it was passing.

The next day, we had hardly finished our breakfast when Detective Walker marched in. He was dressed in police uniform again. Poor dude, he's gotta wear that ALL THE TIME. I couldn't wear it for more than an hour, it looks so... uncomfy.

'Well, what's this about? What other suspects?', demanded Walker.

'Pray take a seat, Detective Walker. Would you like some coffee? No? That's too bad, our Charlie here makes brilliant coffee.'

'In that case...', said Walker, looking at me.

'On it.', I said, and prepared to make another cup. Anything to not let this get awkward.

After Walker gave his coffee a sip, he spoke again.

'So? Elucidate about The Other Suspects.'

'I am really quite disappointed in you, and in the police force in general, Walker. Yesterday, you sounded so surprised to hear me talk about other suspects, which is ironic, considering you people have lots of sources to gather info. Yet, it seems, I AM THE ONE providing it. I can name three other suspects right now. Martin Marks, Ann Haley, and Harry Tyler. '

'Who are these people?', demanded Walker.

'Martin Marks is the father of Seth Marks. Seth was caught selling drugs by Michael Turner and was put in prison. It seems he messed with the wrong people in there, because Seth was found killed in prison, all evidence wiped clean. His mother, unable to accept the loss of her son, hanged herself a week ago. Martin is all alone now. This may have been revenge. Interesting point to note, Martin Marks is an ex-hunter, which means he's very handy with a knife.

Ann Haley was caught in a hit-and-run case a few years ago. She would still have been a free woman had it not been for the extreme knowledge of Cassie Turner about cars. She brought Ann Haley to justice. Ann Haley was recently released from prison. Revenge, once again.

Harry Tyler is the brother of Bernice Tyler. She was arrested by Cassie, once again, for double homicide. She had no hopes of ever coming out. She slashed her wrists in prison. Bernice Tyler was the only family Harry had after their parents' demise. Yet again, revenge.

And of course, let's not forget about the three exes. ', said Steven Blazing, finishing his dramatic monolog.

Detective Walker was astounded.

'This is astonishing. This may prove very helpful. May I ask, how did you find them out?'

Blazing smiled and said, 'Let's just say I know where to look, and that I have friends in the right places.'

' I'll start looking into their whereabouts right now.', said Walker, rising from his chair.

'Yes, that would be necessary, but not right now. Michael mentioned about some compromising pictures of his wife with her high school boyfriend. I believe the time has come to unravel that mystery.'

' I'll go fetch the photos from him, then.', said Walker.

' No, not you. Bolt, I need you to go get the photos from Michael. Ask him to send along a photo of his wife when she was younger, too. And... ', said Blazing, 'Ask him if Cassie was about to make any journey away from New York the day the photos were slipped in under his door.'

'Why? How does it matter?', I asked, unable to make head or tail of it.

'Just do it.', Blazing assured me.

'But wouldn't it be better if I went?, asked Walker.

'No, you and I are going someplace else, Walker, because I need your help with something. I need something from you, and Charlie Bolt simply can't give it to me.', said Steven Blazing.

Is it just me, or does it sound like Steven's words had a very obscene double meaning?

'Okay, then everything is clear, I believe? Bolt, meet us back here in an hour. Good luck. Let's go, gentlemen.'

The three of us left. I hailed a taxi and went to the address Walker gave me. It was certainly a strategic place to keep a prime suspect. Close to the police station. I climbed up the stairs. A policeman was standing outside a door. Clearly, this was Michael's apartment. The cop was hesitant to let me enter. I had to narrate almost my entire family tree and my connection in the case to be allowed entry.

Michael was pleased to see me, but clearly disappointed it wasn't my partner. I told him about Blazing's requests, and he obliged at once. He produced a long brown envelope containing the four compromising pictures of his wife, and produced another younger picture of hers from a photo album. I noticed he admired the picture for a long time, running his fingers lightly along it, smiling, tears in his eyes.

To change the subject, I asked Michael the pointless question Steven Blazing asked me to:

'Michael, was your wife supposed to leave or travel anywhere out of New York the day you received these photos?'

His reply shocked me beyond measure. With just as much surprise in his eyes, he asked me:

'How on earth did you know that?'

This was really confusing. What had Steven Blazing seen, even without seeing anything?

Michael continued.

'Cassie was gonna leave for her parents' house in Illinois the following day. After seeing those photos, naturally, we began fighting, I told her that she would be going nowhere until this matter was resolved, and she had to cancel her trip. But how did you find out about that?'

I told him that I was instructed by Blazing to put forth this question, then I wrapped up my business and left for our apartment. I was done within 45 minutes. Blazing and Walker returned soon after.

I handed him the photos and told him what Michael had said.

'I see. Interesting.', he murmured, before taking the photos out to examine them.

He looked at each photograph for exactly 15 seconds each, and peered at her younger photo for a little longer. When he was done, he asked Detective Walker:

'What's the name of this high school boyfriend?'

'Jacob Quinn.', answered Walker.

'Has Mr.Quinn been interrogated about these photos, and does he know about the murder?'

'Yes, we've talked to him after Michael revealed this clue. After some pressurizing, we were able to make him confess about his affair with her. However, he says he has no knowledge about these photos, and does not know who took them.'

'Excellent. We'll go talk to him now, if you please.'

'Yes, after what you made me do, this better be good.', replied Detective Walker.

I smell mystery. Anyone else?

The three of us hopped in Walker's car and drove to Jacob Quinn's house. Luckily, he was home. He seemed quite annoyed to see us.

'Now, what's this about again? I've told the police all I knew about the case. Yes, I know I did something bad, but there's no need to keep coming back and keep harassing me about it.', he said, irritably, once we were seated in his living room.

Steven Blazing smiled.

'Don't worry, Mr.Quinn, we won't take up much of your time. We just wanna know why you lied about an affair between you and Cassie Turner.

Hey guys! So? Did you like/love this chapter?! If so, let me know by voting and commenting! You guys have no idea how good it makes me feel, kinda like having a chocolate bar AFTER eating a whole tub of chocolate ice-cream (Diabetes alert!).

But anyway, hope you really enjoyed the chapter and hope you will keep supporting me with your reads! The story will resume again soon! Till then, HAPPY UNSCRAMBLING!

-S. B.