An uninvited guest.

Theodore and Gaspar were busy compiling their notes, because of the forthcoming examinations that would decide whether or not they would make it as crime investigators one day.

As they were about to wrap things up, they heard knocking at the door. "Who might this be?" asked Gaspar, surprised because nobody ever visits them apart from the mailman. "I will go get it, perhaps it might be the mailman, after all I ordered a book from the bookstore last week and still didn't get it" said Theodore. As soon as he opened the old oak door, a young lady jumped and embraced him. In the midst of his surprise, it was Kate! A friend of them who lived in Stekenbridge, a small town located near the forest of Wiltensmoor.

"Kate!" said Theodore, still stunned. "What are you doing here?" he added. "I am on winter break and I wanted to pay a visit to my two favourite criminology students!" responded Kate. "Also, could you guys do me a favour?".

Kate is also a prospective criminology and medicine student at the University of Watervarx. Graduating in less than a year, she is planning to become a coroner later, to follow in the footsteps of Walter Fredericks, a respected man throughout the country who also is Kate's father.

Gaspar was also speechless after seeing Kate, but after processing the surprise of her friend, he invited her for a cup of coffee. The three childhood friends sat around the table where Gaspar and Theodore were studying, and they turned on some Jazz from the local radio to set up a cosy ambience, as it was raining outside. Kate placed her overcoat next to the heater and put her bag on the couch where Theodore was previously sitting. "So! What can we help you with Kat?" asked Gaspar.

"Well!" sighed Kate, "There have been a series of murders recently in Stekenbridge. Some really gruesome ones I have to admit. Despite the help of the police, nothing was found. Not even a fingerprint or a hair! Moreover we do not have any suspects yet because nobody would do something like this". "I need some help, because I will not be able to solve this mystery alone. I know that you guys are busy with your studies, but could you please help me out?". "Of course!" said the two men immediately. Their response was so genuine and sincere that Kate blushed and had a big smile on her rounded face.

The next day, the three of them got their bags ready and headed to the train station. They waited half an hour before the arrival of the desired wagon. The journey was long and mundane. Theodore was reading his novel while Kate was doing some crochet, but Gaspar seemed irritated by boredom. He got up to supposedly go to the washrooms, but instead wanted to have a chat with the locomotive operator. The wagons were like a giant maze, but luckily, Gaspar was able to reach the locomotive. "Salutations Sir!" said Gaspar in a pretentious tone, after confidently finding his way through the wagons. In front of him, was the biggest man he has ever seen. The man was two meters tall, bald, shredded from head to toe and he was wearing a sleeveless shirt which was really showcasing his muscles. Gaspar, who was recently confident for reaching the locomotive in his first try, instantaneously got intimidated by this man, symbol of masculinity. Despite his attire, the man was not really talkative. Gaspar tried to make him talk. He tried and tried until the man suddenly turns and screams "Get out ya young lad!". Gaspar had shaking knees after the reaction of the man, but also because of the huge scar displayed on his cheek. The young student got back to his cabin as fast as he got out. Noticing that Gaspar was pale and motionless, Theodore asked laughingly "Are you alright mate? It looks like you saw a ghost!". Gaspar unfluidly replief "The train driver...he...he" and before being able to finish his sentence, Kate added "Jeff? He is not the friendliest person you'll ever meet that's for sure. He doesn't talk to anyone!". The three continued their activities in their cabin of modest size. Four hours later, they finally arrived to Stekenbridge