The Civil Sleuths S1: Crimson Cicatrices

By Ujas Dhami

Ever wondered what it's like to fight the most elite criminals of the era being a defenseless civilian?

 

This is what The Civil Sleuths is about, where the law is just an illusion, and everything else is being put the mozz on, by transgression. The art of crime has evinced itself, affecting thousands and their households, wherein one misconduct, ignited a flame of fulmination towards the outlaws.

 

The book is the journey of a few people, who also were affected by this storm of misery, and decided to take this all to themselves, with one collective motto, crossing swords with the sharpest masterminds with one brain and no protection.

 

'The Game' is what the civilians get themselves into, built for them by the vicious. Read about the thrilling friction between the marionette and the marionettists, in the game of deception, bewilderment, and barbarism.

 

Note: All the chapters are interconnected to one another. The clues and information from one chapter is justified/used as a reference in the upcoming ones. Make sure to remember the same or make notes about the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ujas Dhami
• Release date: Dec 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201230586

Book preview

To Friendship, Love, and Bliss.

A good act does not wash out the bad,

Nor a bad act the good.

Each should have its own reward.

—George R. R. Martin

Table of Contents

Acknowledgment.... .......................................1

Foreword................................................2

Prologue................................................3

Chapters

Case 1 – Evelyn Morris...........................................4

Case 2 – Becky Leo............................................22

Case 3 – David Franko..........................................33

Case 4 – Cassie Williams.........................................46

Case 5 – Christine Martinez.......................................62

Case 6 – Ariana Morris..........................................80

Case 7 – Jin Anderson...........................................94

Case 8 – Jay Oberoi............................................110

Case 9 – Arnold Brooks.........................................123

Case 10 – Tony D’Souza........................................141

Case 11 – Chris Wayne.........................................157

Case 12 – John Morris..........................................172

Case 13 – The Illuminons........................................189

Case 14 – Andrew Lynch........................................210

Case 15 – Anne Samuels........................................224

Case 16 – The Fall............................................240

Appendices

Appendix A – Deceptive Illusions..................................252

Appendix B – Hologram Precision..................................253

Appendix C – Espionage and Tracking...............................254

References.............................................255

Acknowledgment

First, I would like to thank Daphne Peters, for pushing me to write a book. I’d also like to thank the many people who have helped me learn and practice both the art and science of writing throughout the years.

I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who gave me detailed and constructive comments on one or more chapters, including Mahek Shah, Iulia Darie, Purvi Doshi, Mohit Sharma, Jane Sherrinford, Tanisha Arora, Rahil Shah, Prasad Narkhede, Ayushya Shah, Xian Zing, Pratham Lodha, Gaby, Roaa Essa, Catherine Wilson, Ralph Oliva, Parth Bhavsar, Tanisha Dalal, Mark Miller, and Joshua Barnes. They gave their time to discuss nuances of the text and pushed me to clarify concepts, explore particular facets of insight work, and explain the rationales for specific recommendations.

I’m also immensely grateful to The Alphabet Mafia, USA, which has allowed me to use the group as my personal learning laboratory, feeding myself with investigational tactics and criminal movement. What an indescribable pleasure it is to meet three times a year with people who are genuinely interested in ideas, who render a constructive critique of any material, suggestion, or practice that comes before them, and who are always eager to test new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new practices.

I want to acknowledge The Alphabet Mafia (TAM) team, who have made my author life such a pleasure: Daphne Peters, Marilyn Wright, John Donovan, Kelly Hinderson, August Frank, and Louis Toussaint. Daphne, my ultimate guide, has constantly encouraged me to get that book done. I can’t thank her enough for being my unrelenting source of inspiration to challenge how books are written in such a minuscule duration.

Finally, I want to thank my parents, Mom and Dad, for tolerating my incessant disappearances into my home. Supportive parents make both the journey and the grind worthwhile.

Foreword

Hi, readers! I’m Ujas , and I welcome you all to the journey you never would have read in any context.

I hope you have a great time reading the cases and start picturizing things like a sleuth!

One thing I would like to mention is, some of the scenes have strong language and brutal content. People with weak hearts shall take precautions. Furthermore, the book is written using simple and intelligible language, so that audiences from all backgrounds can easily interpret the context.

The book is meant to be interactive even from the readers’ side, so you would not get bored scrolling pages. That is why, many of the chapters have an unsolved ending, allowing you to look into them from your perspective and judge stuff. Interesting, right?

Also, all the cases, solved or unsolved, have strange connections with one another, which later are all solved in the last few chapters. But do have the thought, that for reading the last chapters, you will need to complete all the previous chapters, or you will lose the flow of the ascending parts.

Note that some of the minor mysteries are kept suspenseful even after the completion of the book for you to interact with the cases. Some of the outcomes will be acknowledged to you and the way those outcomes were derived shall be deduced by yourself.

Okay, time to buff yourself up like a sleuth! Or you already did, didn’t you? Fast enough. Hope you have lots of fun throughout the book. The excitement you are feeling right now, similar excitement I felt writing it.

Enjoy, and good luck!

Prologue

Connecticut, the Constitution State, has been jinxed with crimes. Smuggling, extortion, murders, etcetera, are becoming common casts.

In this chaotic time, the civilians of Connecticut get ready for an expedition to get justice for their loved ones from the menace of serial criminals. Due to the inferiorization of several civil cases by the authorities cropped up in comparison with the high-profile ones, some curious heads decide to take things into their own hands. Justice becomes their motive.

Risk is more, death is on the doorstep, family is in danger, and leads having dead-ends. But whatsoever the price, the provision of justice once decided, is dedicated.

Where teens decide to bring justice to their friends, criminals decide to play games, The Murder Games. Twists, turns, threats, and attacks become their continuance.

Dive in, and get ready to raise eyebrows on how they altogether, fight real demons of the era and risk all of their necessities for the good with one brain and fewer weapons.

Something’s unlikely, something’s wrong. Why my beloved one’s killer, want to make me strong?

The civilians experience intense puzzles and ambushes, only for one reason, to find out the culprit, to find out the biggest shark, and, to knock on the death’s door.

The end is delusive. It never ended, actually.

Case 1 – Evelyn Morris

Normal routine. Evelyn Morris and Jane Carlson are the best of friends, more like soulmates. It’s June 22 eve, and the girls finished their high-school hours, walking home, gossiping, and fooling around.

That guy in the library was a snack, Janey. Why don’t you keep throwing eyes on him?

Nah, it’s alright. My own snack is sufficient to feed me up., giggled Jane.

Oh, by the way, tomorrow’s your first anniversary with your boyfriend, right Eve?

Right, we’ve got plans, so don’t snoop around my house tomorrow, Ms. Stalker., said Evelyn, foolishly.

Whatever. And congratulations in advance for the struggle you had this one year.

Thanks, empty-head. See you soon.

They both hugged and separated as their homes approached. Both lived in the same street, opposite houses. Evelyn was very excited as Jane observed her, though her boyfriend and she made up a perfect pair with love and care. Jane was happy for them.

In the evening, Jane suddenly forgot, that her earbuds were in Evelyn’s backpack. She rushed off to the Morris’. Evelyn was the only resident of her house. She was here for studies and her parents lived in San Francisco. Soon after Jane arrived, they both had coffee and had a chat for a while.

By the way, what are these holes up there, Eve?

Ah, they’re just holes made for fixing up light bulbs which weren’t possible because there’s a small water leakage in the wall which can short the connection.

Nice. You already messed up your home good enough.

Shut up and enjoy your drink, Jojo.

Night. Jane slept early after grinding her best, completing assignments. She scheduled her Telegram message to Evelyn and her boyfriend, wishing them for their anniversary. Like every other night, Jane chewed the fat with her boyfriend, Harry Whittaker, before sleeping.

Evelyn’s boyfriend, Peter Shultz, texted Jane to keep an eye on Evelyn’s home for a surprise he planned after Evelyn sleeps. But Jane slept, accidentally, leaving his message unattended. Hence, Peter decided to have it all himself and got ready for a stupendous surprise Evelyn can think of, which was a karaoke she always wanted. Peter took the gift and left for her place.

Jane woke up early morning at 5. She refreshed herself up and started preparing for school. Like always, she called up Evelyn to ensure she’s ready so they can make the move for school, but Evelyn did not pick up. It was common as she was indolent, so, Jane decided to check her out to wake her up and drag her off to school.

She went to her doorstep and rang the bell. No response. After ringing the bell 11-12 times, she felt odd.

Habitually, Eve’s not like this. Maybe she got drunk yesterday night.

Jane sat on a nearby bench, waiting for her. She turned on her internet to check her Telegram messages. She felt strange as the message scheduled for Evelyn was not even delivered. Evelyn didn’t turn on her connection.

This is not her. She always has her connection turned on.

Jane tried ringing the bell repetitively. Unresponsive circumstances worried her a bit. She decided to snoop the house from the windows, but Evelyn slept on the top floor, so all Jane could do is ensure she’s awake or not.

Jane quickly climbed up the flowerbed railing outside her home to look into the windows. Nothing there. She got confused. No movements, neither any sound. None of the three ground windows had a sight of anything. This was unusual.

She again went to the doorstep and rung the bell. She got frustrated and kicked the door in, which burst open inside. The door was not locked, hence, Jane got stupefied for a second.

This is weird. This should be closed from inside.

She quickly ran up to Evelyn’s room and found no one there, but, the bed was covered with a comforter, with someone lying inside it. She jumped on her bed and screamed

Wake up you lazy chick!

To her astonishment, they were cushions adjusted vertically. She flung one of them in the air and it hit the wardrobe. The next thing she saw skipped her heart a beat. The wardrobe opened slowly with a shrilling sound, something slightly tilting down. There was Evelyn, with two bullet wounds on her stomach, and face filled with dry bloody scars.

Jane was horrified. She ran to her and found her body super stiff and cold.

There was her best friend, lying dead.

Tears ran out from her eyes. She couldn’t stop crying. Her face went pale, with dried tears and dizziness. Evelyn was a symbol of love, her best friend. And now she’s just a body lying on her hands, unresponsive.

Jane got shattered. After a while of intense weeping, she decided to inform her parents about the same and to her boyfriend. She called her father, John Morris, and explained. He got devastated and informed Jane they were coming to Connecticut immediately and said he’ll file a case with the matter.

She called Evelyn’s boyfriend and explained what happened.

No way! We were there for about 2 a.m. and I was there until she slept, as she was drunk enough. I got off to home after that.

But why didn’t you spend the night here?, asked Jane, wiping off tears from her face.

My mom called me and said she got her inhaler empty. She has Asthma and I can’t afford her sitting with no inhalers., said Peter, snivelling.

Can’t believe she’s not here, we just had a night with unforgettable memories. I can never forget her!, said Peter, crying his eyes out.

Whoever did this, has to pay. Pay for his sin. Pay for killing this innocent woman., snarled Jane, with a spark of vengeance.

She informed all of her close ones and since Eve’s father said he’ll handle the case filing, she could not take official help, either. She decided to not sit hand-on-hand, and start solving things on her own. She knew the police will take time, and the murderer might swallow the next victim.

She decided to solve the case on her own.

Don’t worry, Eve. Whoever did this, can’t get away with it. I’ll peel his skin off and wipe your soul’s tears with it.

Investigation starts. Jane knew nothing about investigations, but she was smart enough to dig it all out. She knew the shots were from a silenced gun and started figuring things out.

Jane suspected Evelyn’s boyfriend, Peter. But first, she decided to scan Evelyn’s home. Her home was clean as usual, with no blood spots except for the wardrobe, no signs of struggle, no weapons. Everything was normal. Front desk, a new karaoke was present, last playing ‘Intentions - Justin Bieber’.

She called Peter and started questioning. She asked him how long the party lasted, what was the present he mentioned in his message to her, and any enemies Evelyn or he got.

Did you both have any bad-wishers or anyone?

No, but we had stalkers. Tim, the school football player, the young librarian Jevick and Eve’s friend Calvin, all of them had their eyes on Eve often in my presence.

Why didn’t you exchange words with them?

Who doesn’t? I did. But since they’re my good mates, I decided to let it dissolve with warnings.

Okay. I guess I need to check them out myself.

Sure, Jane. I’m available to you if you need any help. It’s still like a dream to me, haunting me now and then. EVELYN’S DEAD!, Peter couldn’t stop shedding tears.

Jane commiserated with Peter and continued with her investigation. She went off to school and asked all of them about their stalking and all of them replied likewise:

After Peter warned me, I didn’t have the eye on her anymore, I swear. Peter’s my good friend, I can’t endanger my reputation.

Tim, the football player, gave the name of his friend, Carl, talking about Evelyn and her body to his friends. As Evelyn was very pretty, people ought to talk things about her.

Jane confronted Carl with Tim. Tim recalled Carl about his outlook on Evelyn.

WTF are you talking about, bruh?, said Carl, exasperated.

He knows what’s he talking about, and you’re the one I suspect enough for Eve’s murder., Jane intervened.

Wait, EVE’S DEAD?, Carl panicked.

Why won’t she be?! People like you made her famous, cooking buff about her body in public and downgrading her character. And when she denied any contact with you, you forced her into it and murdered her, isn’t it?

Wait, Jane. I might’ve blabbered behind her backs, but I’m not so unsophisticated to do such a thing. When did she get murdered?

I don’t know. Maybe in the middle of this night.

Okay. I can prove I didn’t do that. I was at my friend Irwin’s home studying for the bullshit exam and completing assignments till 4. You can ask him.

Irwin was the class topper and was very straightforward. Jane somehow trusted Irwin and knew he wouldn’t lie. Though she asked him and he verified it to be true.

Until all this happened, evening arrived. Jane came back home, with a declination of hope as she couldn’t get a new lead. She had her dinner and finally was about to call Harry when her phone buzzed. It was an email from an anonymous sender.

‘Hey there, young chick. Solving Evelyn’s case on your own? Hah. Sure you’re out of leads right now. Let me give you one.

505 Johnny Walker Rhapsody MiMi 212 Perl Club Sex and the City—_ -_—_ -_ Karaoke 482104Ding2864Dong

Have enough time solving your case out, l’il angel. I’ve good expectations of you. Don’t try asking me back, since it’s a disposable e-mail, after all.’

Jane got muddled for a while. Without thinking anything, she wrote back to that email asking for the sender’s identity. But since it was a disposable e-mail, she got no response. She called Harry and shared this.

I think someone’s pranking you on your seriousness, Jane.

We can’t take this for granted, Harry. What if the given text makes us go find out the real culprit? We don’t even have a lead.

But what can this strange text even say?, asked Jane to herself.

Maybe related to Evelyn’s liking or something? Since there’s ‘Sex and the City’ movie’s name there.

Something clicked Jane.

YOU’RE A GENIUS, HARRY! I LOVE YOU!

Jane started decoding the text, giving out deep expressions of thoughtfulness.

"Okay so, umm... 505. Got it! It’s Evelyn’s old dormitory number. She loved drinks from Johnny and she gave out loud rhapsodies for that after being drink, even at the bar.

Idk what MiMi is but 212 is her school’s locker number. Last week we visited Perl Club where she went mad on a Sex and the City scene and kept mimicking it. Idk these strange characters but she got a new Karaoke from Peter on her death night.

482104 is her voicemail pin which DINGS when she receives a voicemail and I don’t know what 2864 DONG is. Maybe it’s linked with her voicemail."

I hope you both didn’t share more private stuff than this with each other..., giggled Harry.

Shut up and focus. Oh, wait! Since it’s her voicemail, we need to grab her phone. Hold on a moment, I’ll be back.

She rushed to the deserted home at quarter to midnight and came back with her phone.

Okay, let’s invade someone’s privacy.

She meticulously scanned her voicemails, but nothing came out to be worth it. The voicemail operator replied:

* Press 2 to move to the next voicemail. Press 6 to move to the previous one. Press 8 to access saved voicemails. Press 5 to delete a voicemail and press 4 to restore the last deleted voicemail. *

Jane quit the voicemail list and entered again.

Let’s follow this. 2 to move next, 8 to access saved voicemails, 6 to move to the previous one, and 4 to recover.

They got a deleted voicemail recovered at that part of the list. The voicemail said:

* It’s nearly 1:45, Eve. You shall leave for your home before anything bad happens and you get hurt. Stay safe. BlackPink. *

Wait what? BlackPink? And where was she as if she was in danger? Let me check the timestamp.

The date was June 21, 1:42 a.m., 2 days before the murder. Also, the voice on the phone was not familiar.

They said BlackPink. What’s with BlackPink?, Harry wondered.

All I know of BlackPink is it’s a girl group of singers. Anyways, that maybe be junk to us. I still don’t know MiMi and those characters. This:—_ -_—_ -_ ;what does this even mean?

Well, maybe you shall try connecting junk with junk? BlackPink and this strange stuff? We’re relying on trial and error either way., replied Harry.

Bright. I shall look for some BlackPink lyrics and tracks, and you can search for some history of it., said Jane, with puffed-up hopes.

After about a quarter.

Bingo. I got it, Harry!, Jane jumped off her bed. A song named DDU DU DDU DU, it’s the one matching those chars.—_ is DDU with ‘D’ as ‘-’ and ‘U’ as ‘_’. Same with every character and its alphabet.

You shall serve the Homeland Security instead of studying, m’lady., Harry happily replied.

"And I guess MiMi-Saturday is her one of the fav YT videos. But how will all of this get linked?

Okay, let me try. She got into-"

Suddenly, a notification popped up on her phone. There was another email, a disposable one, saying:

‘You’re close to the decode! Can’t believe a fool like you would do it with ease. Anyways, congratulations. But sorry to say, all of that was trash, by the way. It has no logical meaning. Thanks for entertaining.

Your well-wisher.’

Something wasn’t making up.

Why he has to give me this whole fucking riddle just to make him entertain?, said Jane, enraged.

No, dear. Just go on. It has a meaning, I guess. Someone can’t just make that up, knowing Evelyn’s voicemail pin and her personal history., said Harry, sharply.

"I shall move on with this. Okay, so let me connect the dots. By my conscience,

She visited her old room, 505, on June 20, with her favourite Johnny Walker drink. She talked about the Perl Club journey of me and her along with her wild Sex and the City mimicking. She rhapsodized on the MiMi video there and it was late, so she got something to do and left after receiving that voicemail. She played DDU-DU DDU-DU by BlackPink on her old karaoke and hid something in the locker of her school."

Perfect. You shall check that out tomorrow. Have a sweet night and love ya., said Harry, giving a farewell.

They hung up.

Midway, Jane gave a thought to that strange e-mail.

Hold on. How did he know what I was discussing to Harry and my progress on this? There’s something more serious.

In the meantime, another e-mail popped up.

‘Okay, honey. You decided to continue this on, and thus, I want to gratify myself to you with my symbol of appreciation. I care for you, and want to help you in your case.

Tomorrow 9 a.m. at the school central area. See you. Don’t be late or you’ll skip a melody.’

Strange enough. Tomorrow will be a test.

Everything Jane had, had to be investigated in school the next day.

Morning 5. Jane got herself ready, packed necessary stuff for travel as she also might have to visit Eve’s dormitory which was couple miles away, and left