It's been 3 weeks after we interrogated all of Marco Kyler's family members and close friends, but we weren't able to find anything helpful for the case.

It's currently 8:39 AM, and I'm all alone in the office. Ms. Watson usually comes in earlier than me, but I'm guessing she overslept today too huh..

I decided to look over everything on the Reaper Case again before piecing all of it together.
And the same thoughts are still floating in my mind like..

'Why is Ms. Watson being targeted by Jack the Ripper?', 'What's his goal for killing a person who doesn't have Amelia as the first name?' and 'Why did Chief gave this case to Ms. Watson at a later date than sooner?'

Many questions, yet no answers..

"I guess I'm really not cut out for being a detective..", I muttered to myself as I looked up while sitting.

All of a sudden the door suddenly opened, I thought it was Ms. Watson but it was just Chief Joseph.

"Have you seen Ms. Watson around?", he asked.

"I haven't seen her yet Chief..", I replied.

"That's strange... She usually comes really early but she's been coming in really late for the past few days..", he said.

"Isn't it just because she's tired after everything that happened?", I asked.

"I doubt that.."

It is true that Ms. Watson has never been late, and she's also coming in really late these past few days. Well, I'm still new here so I can't really tell if she's been late or not. But if the Chief said that she's never been late, then maybe this is something new..

"Since she's still not here, what did you want from her Chief? You can tell me.", I said.

"Well.. It's.. Kind of confidential and I only want Ms. Watson to know about this..."

Eh? Am I not that trustworthy..?

Wait.. It's just the two of us now.. Maybe I can get an answer from one of my questions, and that being, 'Why did Chief Joseph gave this case to Ms. Watson at a later date than sooner?'
This is it, this is my chance! I just have to ask it...

"Chief Joseph..", I said.

"Hm? What is it Mr. Benedict?"

"I have a question.. Um.. Why did you—"

As I was about to ask it, a familiar voice suddenly spoke out from outside the office.

"E-Eh? Chief, what's the matter?"

The person entered, and that person is none other than.. Ms. Watson herself.

"Oh! Ms. Watson, you're finally here!", the Chief rejoiced knowing Ms. Watson has finally arrived.

"E-Eh..? Wh-What's the matter..?", she asked.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you about something but since it's confidential I want you to come to my office.", the Chief said.

Ms. Watson went silent for a bit and she's looking down.. I know it's weird but I've been a fan of Ms. Watson for a long time now, but... This is the first time.. I've seen her look down.. Not to mention she was just stuttering earlier as she spoke..

"I-I can come later Chief, I just have to get something done here..", she said.

"That's good! Okay then I'll see you later!", the Chief said as he held the door and about to go outside but..

"Oh yeah, Mr. Benedict, what were you about to ask?", he asked.

"N-Nothing.. Have a good day Chief."

"Okay then, I'll head back now."

Chief left the office and closed the door after Ms. Watson walked in..

Then Ms. Watson went to her table, but she's still looking down on the floor as if she's thinking deeply about something..
After she sat, she put her hands together on the table but she just looked straight down at the floor and she didn't even bother to check her files..

She usually comes in here and immediately checks if her table is clean, after checking she gets the files of what she's currently onto and asks questions to me. But now...
It seems like something is wrong..

"Ms. Watson...?", I asked.

But she didn't respond her eyes are just facing downwards not to mention she suddenly has bags under her eyes..

"Ms. Watson..? Hello..?", I asked again.

But still no response from her..
Just what is she thinking and what was she doing these past few days..?

"Ms. Watson!"

In my third attempt, instead of calling her name, I shouted her name to give some panic attack to her.

"Wh-What?!", she shrieked.

She shrieks...? That was so cute!! And also, that worked..

"A-Are you okay..? Ms. Watson..?", I asked.

"Y-Yeah.. I'm okay..", she replied and looked back down again..

She usually scolds me if I do that to her.. But again, she's not.. Something did happen to her, I can feel it.. No.. I'm certain. And I have to know what it is..
If I can't then we won't be able to proceed further on the case without her intelligence and knowledge of investigation..

3 hours and 30 minutes has passed

It's currently lunch time and Ms. Watson went somewhere.. And in the end, she didn't go to the Chief's office.
Just what in the world actually happened to her..?

I decided not to eat my lunch and go to the Chief's office. But after going there, the door was also locked.. I assume that the Chief went outside for lunch. I thought that he brings his own lunch..

Without anything to do and after losing my appetite to eat, I went outside and just walked around..

Then I came across a Café, it wasn't the same Café that me and Ms. Watson went to do our first meeting though.

I went inside to order a coffee so that maybe I'll get my appetite back after a sip of it. After ordering my favorite Coffee which is Creamy White, I went outside the Café and noticed the Chief talking to someone from my left.

After checking who he was talking to, my eyes couldn't believe what I was seeing.. Chief Joseph... Is scolding.. Ms. Amelia Watson.

'I-Is this real..?', I thought to myself.

But I couldn't possibly be seeing an illusion or a look-a-like, it's definitely them!

As I went to get closer to gossip on what they were talking about, Ms. Watson suddenly ran out from their conversation. And the Chief just sighed after she ran off.

'What in the hell were they talking about..?', I thought to myself.

The Chief was about to turn around my way, but I immediately looked away and pretended to be on a phone call with someone. And he just passed me by, it seems like he didn't know I was there..

"What is going on...?", I asked myself after witnessing such an event.

I came back to my office after witnessing what just happened, but upon arrival, I didn't see Ms. Watson on her table..

I came closer to her table to check if she was just hiding but.. No. She's definitely not here..

"Where is she..?", I muttered to myself.

Lunch break is about to end and if we don't proceed to the case then we might get scolded from Chief..

Then suddenly, the door suddenly opened.
Thinking that it was Ms. Watson, I suddenly blurted out that..

"Ms. Watson just where have you been? It's almost the end of our lunch break and we're still not..."

After seeing who really opened the door, I ended my own sentence..

"Is Ms. Watson around?"

Apparently it's the Chief again, and he's looking for Ms. Watson again.. Just what in the world is happening between these two..?

"She-She's not here..", I said.

"Okay then, would you come with me to my office Mr. Benedict?"

Eh? Me? I thought he was looking for Ms. Watson..?

"M-Me..? I-I thought that.."

"Ms. Watson isn't here isn't she? Then this is the perfect situation to talk with you.", he said.

Eh? Just what is he talking about?

"Wh-What's happening Chief..?", I asked.

"Just come to my office, I'll explain everything there.", he said as he left our office.

I went ahead and followed him with my coffee on my hand. I caught up to him and immediately asked..

"Ch-Chief..? Is there something wrong?", I asked.

He didn't reply, no.. He didn't want to reply. Is this about the case? Are we getting fired because it's been 3 weeks and we haven't made any progress yet???? Oh no!! This is bad! Sooo badd!!

Some time passed and we finally made it to the Chief's office.

"Close and Lock the door Mr. Benedict, we don't want anyone to hear anything.", he said.

I immediately locked the door after closing it, after looking back to him, he was also closing the curtains on the windows.

'This is it huh.. The end of my detective career is here. Goodbye, dream. Goodbye, Ms. Watson.', I thought to myself while closing my eyes.

"Why are you closing your eyes Mr. Benedict?", the Chief asked.

"Eh? I'm not getting fired?", I asked.

"I didn't say anything about firing you, I didn't even think about firing you in the first place."

Phew.. That was close..
Oh wait! The Chief still doesn't know about my true personality yet! I have to act formal..

"So for what purpose am I here for, Chief?", I asked in a formal manner.

"Stop with the formality, I already know that you're just faking it to get Ms. Watson's attention."

Geh.. How'd he find out..? I guess I should expect this from the Chief huh..

"H-How'd you know...?", I asked.

"I know everything about you, I have more experience when it comes to being a detective than you do.", he replied.

As I expected..

"Although.. My knowledge on being a detective is still far from Ms. Watson's.."

Eh? Still far..? What does he mean by that..?

"What do you mean by that Chief..?"

"It is what I just said. Ms. Watson is still far ahead than all of us here in this department. It's also possible that she's already solved the Reaper Case but she still doesn't want to say anything yet."

"Eh? She already did??"

"I said that in a way of possibility, so we're still not sure until she confirms it herself."

"We...? Do you mean us Chief..?", I asked.

The Chief didn't speak for a moment then took a deep sigh and said..

"Mr. Benedict.. Have you ever wondered why I address Ms. Watson in such a formal manner?", he asked.

In.. A formal manner..? Isn't it just because it's in the rules..?

"If you're thinking about formality in the rulebook then you are right but also wrong."

"Eh? How so?"

"Formality only happens when a Junior talks to her Seniors. And yet I address Ms. Watson to her even though I'm the Chief of this department."

"Ah! But.. Wait.. Aren't you doing the same for me as well?"

"That's the point, the higher ups said, 'Those who are under Amelia Watson, shall also be treated with formality. No matter the knowledge and looks.'"

"Th-The higher ups...? Chief.. Are you talking about..?"

"Yes. I'm talking about the Government Officials."

Eh?? They know about Ms. Watson?? As expected of her! She really is that famous even for the Government huh?

"You're probably thinking that she's really famous huh.. Well, you're wrong."

"Eh? It's not?"

"The Government are full with pride, confidence and honor. They would never treat Ms. Watson in this way if she didn't do something to them.."

Does he mean that.. Ms. Watson.. Bribed the Government herself?! She's crazy!!

"Although the Government Officials said that they haven't had a conversation with her yet, they're still somewhat wary of her existence..", the Chief said.

Oh so she hasn't.. That's a let down..

"Then.. Why are the Government being wary about her? She's just an ordinary woman isn't she?", I asked.

"Mr. Benedict. How old are you?", he asked.

"Me? I'm 26.. Why?"

"Would you be surprised if I tell you that Ms. Watson is still 19 years old?"

Eh? 19? Eh? Then.. She's younger than me?! And yet.. She treated me as if she's older than me?! That brat!! I'm seriously going to take everything back!

"I see that you're in shock as well, that's my reaction after the Government Officials told me that.."

"But wait!, Chief.. If she's just a 19 year old kid.. How is she smarter than us? And she's also getting special treatments from the Government?? What's going on here Chief???", I asked.

I couldn't stay calm anymore, even for me.. This is too much.. Not only did I get insulted by a 19 year old, she's also ahead of me in every way.. Just what is she?

"Don't worry Mr. Benedict.. That's why I called you here.. To tell you.. Everything that we know so far about Amelia Watson."

I don't know if I should be scared, happy or excited.. But nonetheless, I should know about her past. If I'm going to work with a 19 year old girl who has far more knowledge than me.. Then this should be the right way.

I just hope it is...