1 Giving Directions

Police sirens wailed as two cars pulled out. It was late evening, a ripe time for crime in a big city. The receptionist was busy scribbling down notes with one hand while holding a telephone another.

"Yes ma'am, someone has already called in about this incident."

A man with a light beard and dark hair walked up to the reception desk. The receptionist held out one finger indicating to the man to wait a minute.

"Just stay make sure to stay away from the body and the crime scene until the officers arrive."

The man started tapping his foot on the carpeted floor as a sign of impatience, but still kept a neutral facial expression with almost a hint of boredom.

"Oh, the officers have arrived? Perfect, I'll leave you with them then. Take care."

The officer moved around a few pieces of paper before looking up at the patiently waiting man in front of him.

"Yes, how can I help you?"

The man was momentarily distracted by one of the drunks that were being dragged in so hadn't heard when the officer addressed him.

"Sir?"

The officer waited for a second, 'What the hell is wrong with this guy? Is he high or something?'.

"SIR!", the last thing he wanted was to be ignored after a tiring day of work.

Abruptly, the man turned around with a satisfied smile on his face.

The bearded man spoke with a deep but very soothing voice, "Sorry".

The previous grim expression of the officer momentarily faltered. The man waited as if expecting something before frowning and continuing.

"Ah, you see I was just walking when I realised I was lost. How insane is that?", the man nervously chuckled.

"If you were lost how did you get here?"

"Err... well I asked for directions from a passer-by."

The officer looked at him accusingly and thought 'Yh, he's definitely on some drugs'.

"Follow me sir, we would like to ask you some questions.", the officer said as he got up and directed the man further into the police station.

There were many desks each with an officer with piles of paperwork needing to be filled out. In the far right hand corner there was a small kitchen fitted with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker and even a sofa for relaxing. Looking to the left there were some private offices; these were most likely for the detectives and the captain. Between the offices and the kitchen there was a small hallway that seemed to lead towards a few more rooms.

The officer arrived at one of the desks which was currently being stationed by a very serious looking officer. The two officers whispered into each others ears whilst taking glances towards the young man with them.

The earlier officer walked away leaving the man and the serious looking officer alone.

"Take a seat. I'm Officer Marcus.", after a slight pause he took out a small tube like thing, "If you could blow into here lightly, that would be great.", he said as he smiled.

"You know I'm offended that you would instantly think I was on drugs when I was asking for help.", the man made a visibly upset face.

"Sorry sir, but this is just to be on the safe side. Blow here please.", the man blew into the tube and gave Marcus annoyed look.

The office waited for a moment and frowned.

"My apologies, it seems that you are completely sober.", the officer said with an apologetic tone.

He was about to continue when a women approached them. "Marcus I need the documents I asked for on my desk by the time I return from my break."

Before leaving the dirty blonde haired woman looked at the man and seemed to judge him accusingly.

Ever since the man had walked in, every single person seemed to be accusing him of doing something. He was about to snap at the woman when she turned around and walked towards the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. The man took a deep breath and calmed himself down. For some reason the woman seemed to irk him the wrong way.

"Okay, lets help you out shall we?"

"Like I told the other officer, I was walking around when I realised I was lost and I came here to ask for directions. I was near my university accommodation before I got lost."

"Would you mind giving me your name?"

The man smiled at this, "Gladly, Zach Byrne"

"I need to check if there's been any missing person's request quickly."

"I highly doubt that, I've only been gone for at most about an hour.", the man replied but waited patiently.

Suddenly, the officer looked very confused. He looked back and forth between his screen and the young man.

"Is there any problem, officer?", smiled the young man.

"Err.. I... err... wait, hold on, I'll be right back.", the man abruptly got up and speed walked towards the captains office. He knocked loudly. No reply. He knocked again. No reply. He tried the door knob. It didn't budge.

"Where's the captain?", he shouted at the nearest officer.

"He went to that murder case in Winson Green. It's another one of those mur...", he got cut short by the frantic officer.

"I don't care, where's the person in charge in then?"

The other officer pointed towards the woman walking into the office with a hot cup of coffee in her hands. "What's the matter, Marcus?", he didn't get a reply as the man rushed to the detectives office. He didn't even bother knocking but barged into her office.