I noticed that Jacob's irritated face took one second to change to a nervous face. He suddenly started wobbling. He said:

'What are you talking about?'

'Exactly what I just said. You, Mr.Jacob Quinn, lied about having an affair with the deceased Cassie Turner. In fact, I am quite certain you haven't even met her in 20 years.'

Jacob was acting nervous, fidgeting about, his hands restless. He finally said:

'What makes you say that? Why would I lie?'

'That is what we are here to find out, why you lied.',said Blazing.

'How long has this affair of yours been going on?', I asked.

'A few months, I believe, ever since she started feeling vulnerable.'

'I understand that Cassie was a very busy woman, her job kept her on her toes all the time. Forget about meeting, how did you even talk with her, Jacob?', said Blazing.

'Well, she kept busy, yes. But her husband usually went home before her. We talked on the phone while she returned home, and also after her husband fell asleep, long and deep into the night.', he said, faking a smile.

But Steven Blazing's smile wasn't fake.

'See, that's the problem, Mr.Quinn, you confessed the same thing to the police, that you talked with her over the phone. Yet, somehow, neither yours nor Cassie's call records support your statement. No repetitive calls from an unknown number even, since I know you'll try arguing with that right now. '

I guess THIS was the help Steven Blazing needed from Detective Walker, which I couldn't provide. Unfortunately, he's right.

Jacob's face tightened up.

'What do you mean? What is my benefit in lying about an affair which makes me look suspicious by itself?'

'Perhaps you were paid to do so, or threatened?', suggested Blazing.

'What about the pictures, then, huh? Are you gonna neglect the truth of the pictures?', Jacob argued.

'You are a graphic designer, correct?', asked Blazing.

'Wait, how did you...?', asked Jacob.

'Mr.Quinn, it is my firm belief that these pictures are from a long time ago, from back when you were dating in high school. You have digitally aged these pictures.'

'Oh yeah? How can you prove that?'

'See, the fact is, I have met Cassie just a few years ago, when I first came to this city, so I KNOW how she looks when she smiles, or laughs. You, on the other hand, last met her more than 20 years ago. The fact that you aren't aware of her present facial features is obvious in the pictures. Each picture has you looking exactly like you look now, yet she looks odd. I guess no one else noticed this intricate detail. Also, she doesn't have her wedding ring in these photos, Mr. Quinn. And if you would like to argue that she took it off while she was "cheating on her husband" then I would love to see where the darkened area on her ring finger is, which is prevalent when you've worn a ring long enough. '

Jacob sighed.

'Okay, I guess it's of no use anymore. You people obviously know a lot. I...', began Jacob.

'Wait, I'm not done yet. Considering the fact that you are indeed a graphic designer, it would be wrong to assume that you are so poor and negligent in your work. This suggests that you had to do this in a hurry, so it becomes clear you were paid or threatened by someone, who needed those pictures ASAP.

This is exactly why I told you to ask Michael that question, Bolt, since I was CONVINCED that someone needed to stop Cassie from making that trip. Someone KNEW about her journey, and couldn't allow her to leave, since they were planning to strike soon. So, now, since it's quite clear to you that you have been beaten Mr.Quinn, hopefully you will be able to tell us why you lied. '

Jacob Quinn sat down, unable to stand shakily any longer. With his head down, he said:

'Yes, everything you just said was correct to the last point. I have indeed lied. There was never any affair between us. But believe me, I wouldn't have done any such thing, had I not felt threatened about my life.

The thing is, a few days earlier, while I was working on a project late at night, an envelope was slipped in under my door. I noticed it quite late, when I was going off to bed. I opened it, and inside of it were 500 dollars, and an instruction note. Here it is. '

Jacob handed Blazing a sheet of paper. It said:

'Jacob Quinn, I know who you are, and I know where you live. I know you were the high school boyfriend of Cassie Turner. I need you to create multiple pictures which depict both of you having dates, holding hands, stuff like that. It should look CONVINCING. I need these pictures by tomorrow. Keep the pictures inside the same envelope you received, and keep the envelope behind the big hedge outside your home at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The work SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED. If you fail to comply with this order, YOU WILL DIE. '

There was no signature. Steven Blazing hurried outside to inspect the hedge. He came back holding a handkerchief in his hand. He said:

'Interesting. This handkerchief has "M.T.A.M.H" sewn on it. What could it mean?'

We all shook our heads.

'This is most likely our killer's. I'll keep this for now. But Bolt, does this note not strike you odd?'

'It does, indeed. The tone is too informal. The person who wrote it is evidently not experienced in this.', I said.

'Exactly. Great deduction.', Blazing congratulated me.

'Well, I think we are done here, unless Jacob has something else to tell us?', asked Detective Walker.

'No, nothing more. I swear, I had no knowledge of any trips Cassie was gonna make, or what happened with the envelope and its contents after. All I know is, for some reason, I had to act like I had an affair with her and so I did. I'm sorry for what I did. ', said Jacob, hanging his head down again.

'We believe you. I trust you'll let us know if this mysterious person contacts you again? Thank you. Good day.', said Blazing, and the three of us left.

When outside, Steven Blazing said, 'Detective, NOW we need the addresses of the five other suspects, please.'

'Yes, I know. I'll start my investigation immediately. But it might take a day or two.'

'The sooner, the better. Have a nice day. Come on, Bolt, let's go home, there's nothing more to be done at the moment.'

The two of us returned in a taxi.

After freshening up, the two of us were seated in the living room, with a fresh batch of coffee. He looked quite peaceful, so I decided to have a little chat.

'Blazing, you never told me how you and Turner met.'

'Well, it was a few years ago, when I first came to NYC. I was clueless, just like you, in finding my way about. One day, unable to find my destination, I stopped a police vehicle and asked the officer about it. It was MICHAEL. He told me he was going in the same direction, and offered to drop me off. While we were on the way, his police radio informed him about a runaway criminal who had just stolen from a museum and was on the move. Police vehicles were in pursuit, but unable to see the criminal. I told him it was a ruse, that the criminal had, in fact, not even left the museum yet, it was a classic criminal strategy. Actually, it was a little more complex than that, there were some more clues, but this is the basic story. I guess he was doubtful himself too, because he instructed someone to check the museum, and I was right. Since then, he's been quite friendly with me. But, after I helped him solve a trafficking case, I guess we became extremely close. He introduced me to his wife, we dined out several times. They were good times.',he nodded.

'Oh, so you were a detective even BEFORE you came to the city, and still are? That's why Michael wanted your help?', I asked.

It was then that Steven Blazing uttered those lines, those famous lines which would soon come back to haunt us, and take us on the adventure of our lives, changing our destiny FOREVER. He said:

'I am not a detective, I don't DETECT anything. The clues, the lies, the truth...The entire story is right in front of us... just jumbled up. I just rearrange the entire thing in a way that all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly. Guess that makes me... An UNSCRAMBLER'.

Hey guys! Thank you so much for reading this chapter! Make sure to vote, comment and read the next chapters too to support me!

And, we've finally reached 500+ reads and 60+ votes! I can't thank you guys enough. It means so much to me that you guys are liking the story. I hope I can keep counting on your support!

Once again, thank you so much for reading, voting, and commenting. We'll be back again soon! Till then, Happy Unscrambling!

-S. B.