1 Prologue: Caffeinated Lies

Suggested Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTMqes6HDqU

9:00 AM. After struggling with the set of keys, I open the door to my business and walked in. It's not the grandest establishment, I'll admit. It only has two rooms: An office where I do all my work, and a rather shabby bathroom where I do my... other business. The only thing setting it apart from all the other low-end offices around was the large sign above the front door, displaying Opal Detective Agency in large, brown text for all the passerby to see. It ain't as fabulous as I had hoped for, but rents cheap and it's centered in the busiest part of the city, so I'll take what I can get.

I close the door behind me and turn on the lightswitch, a soft white light illuminating my… admittedly messy office. I put down the plastic bag I was carrying down onto the polished, sleek work desk and immediately head to the bathroom. I had to go on an emergency supply run before work, and ended up missing the bus to downtown as a result. The next bus took it's sweet time to arrive, and by the time it dropped me off, I desperately had to relive myself!

After doing my business and washing up, I look into the mirror. Yep, that's me. Tanta Opal, novice detective and expert coffee addict. I've made a small name for myself in the city, but the sudden drought of crimes has left me caseless for weeks! I suppose I should be glad; less crimes ensures good social order, afterall. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the thrill of a good mystery. The chill autumn breeze has led me to dawning my classic brown trenchcoat and fedora, which had once belonged to my great grandfather. And what a great grandfather he was, being one of the greatest detectives the world has ever known (according to my mother). Of course, he's gone now, and all of my family has their eyes on me, watching and waiting to see if I'm able to uphold his legacy.

My self-reflection is cut off by a sharp bebebebap! Bebebebap! Coming from my office. Recognizing the sound, I quickly dart out of the restroom to heed the call. Sure enough, the phone was ringing! I reach for the sleek black answering machine and put it to my ear, giving my usual welcome. "Opal Detective Agency: Closing Cases since last summer!" I cheerfully speak into the phone, being met with a gruff, old voice.

"Er… is this thing on? New fangled thingamajigs. R-right… is this the Opal Detective Agency?" The client asks. By the sound of it, he isn't the most tech savvy. This might take a while, I better make some coffee. I put the phone on speaker and reach for my plastic bag.

Inside was a brown and white pack of Pick-Ya-Up instant coffee. It tastes great and is the least overpriced coffee on the market, making it a perfect fit for workaholics like myself. It's even locally ground!"That's right sir, how may I help you?" I ask, keeping the conversation going as I prepare the first of my many cups for the day.

"Okay good. My name is Bill Brew. I'm the founder of Pick-Ya-Up coffee-" He starts, before I take the liberty of stopping him.

"Why speak of the devil, I just bought a bag of your product!" I reply with a slight grin, masking my starstruck expression with smooth conversation. "

Ah… well then you might know why I've called…" Bill replies, a crack of worry in his tone. My face of bewilderment quickly sours into one of confusion as I raise an eyebrow at his accusation.

"Hm? I'm.. I'm afraid I don't, sir." I confess, feeling very unprofessional at my lack of knowledge.

"Oh… Well, this is going to sound weird but…" He starts, and I give a soft, quiet laugh. 'This is going to sound weird' is the best way to start any conversation if ya ask me. A soft beep from behind informs me that my coffee has been finished, and I grab the mug and start to fill it with the sweet, bitter juice of the gods.

"Something happened at the factory… This morning, we open up just to find out that all the coffee-" He starts to explain, but I quickly interrupt him with a sudden "BLEAGH!" I had just taken my first sip of coffee… or that's what I thought it was. Because the second the brown nectar hit my tongue I quickly realized that this wasn't coffee… this was… TEA!

I promptly spit out the tea from shock, a taste of revolting earl grey quickly flushing out of my mouth. A black spray of lies staining my carpet, an accident which I'll surly regret come cleaning day. I go quiet for a few seconds, trying to gather my bearings. How could I have seen this coming? I quickly reach for the bag of instant coffee to check that I bought the right thing, and after affirming that I did buy the correct beverage, I quickly put two and two together.

"I-it was all replaced with tea, wasn't it?" I ask, my mind shattered from the surprise.

"Yes… before we could issue a recall of products, we already sold tons of it! … Which is why I called you. I suspect foul play, and would like it if you could stop by and investigate." The old-timer explained, his voice raspy with regret and a similar disbelief. Right away, I had my doubts.

"Right… are you sure this wasn't just a wrong shipment of products?" I question, finding it hard to believe someone would do such an unholy crime on purpose.

"I thought that at first too, but then-" Mr. Brew starts, before suddenly hanging up. His abrupt departure left me in a state of confusion, but I assumed that he just unplugged the phone or something. As I said, he doesn't seem very 'tech savvy'...

Left alone with my thoughts, I decide that this case is worth a closer look. I prepare everything I'll need for this investigation. My detective kit, a set of handcuffs, a manila folder to hold the evidence, and my emergency rations of instant coffee I had left in my desk for… unexpected times like these. As I prepare for the investigation ahead, my mind is already rushing with thoughts. Why would someone do such a thing? Why would someone want to ruin coffee: The best invention mankind's ever made! And of course: Why Tea? Out of all the poisons they could have plagued the city with, they chose tea?! I've tackled my fair share of cases; from petty window thieves to attempted assault. But even with all the questions in my mind, I knew one thing.

This is going to be the most important case of my life.