Case File 1.5: The Search Begins

"55, 56, 57," Ace says nearly out of breath as she struggles to get to the end of her workout, "58...59...6-"

"Morning Partner!" Ruben yells opening the door and knocking Ace down from her pull-ups. "You must love the ground, this is the second time that I've seen you lying on the ground."

"Ha Ha, very funny," Ace says sarcastically, "just help me up will you?"

Ruben pulls Ace up from the ground almost sending her flying, Ace thinks that she's still surprised about how strong Ruben is considering that in the 2 months, has been working with them she has never seen him use their public gym once.

"By the way Ruben you're kind of strong, what kind of training do you do?"

"Training?" Ruben asks confused.

"Workouts I mean, what kind do you do? Lifting or anything like that?"

"Nah I don't like to do anything that would get me tired, also have you been able to contact anyone since we got to town? like any family or friends?" Ruben asks sounding worried.

"No, I haven't been able to talk to my Dad or Sister since we got here either..." Ace says her voice tightening little by little.

"My tia didn't pick up my call either, and she never missed any of my calls. There is something weird going on here" 

"Sadly we don't have the time to worry about something like this we have to focus on the objective at hand first. Can you help me grab the case file so we can go over it again?"

[Confidential Police Report]

Case Number: 2023-78492

Current Date: October 1st, 2024

Date of disappearance: October 6th, 2023

Reporting Officers: Detective Ace and Detective Ruben

Missing Person: Tim Jacobs

Age: 17

Race: Caucasian

Height: 5'10"

Weight: Unknown

Residence: Whispering Pines,

[State] School: Whispering High

Description of Incident: On October 5th, 2023, at approximately 2:45 PM, a missing person report was initiated for Tim Jacobs, a 17-year-old resident of Whispering Pines. The party who came and reported Tim missing is currently unknown.

According to preliminary investigations, Tim Jacobs was never reported missing at his school. No formal declaration of his disappearance has been made, and no individuals have acknowledged his absence or reported his disappearance to authorities.

Tim Jacobs is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with no known distinctive features. His weight is currently unknown. He was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, black jeans, and sneakers.

Investigation: Detectives Ace and Ruben have been assigned to investigate the disappearance of Tim Horton in the town of Whispering Pines. 

 [Approved and Signed by Commissioner Jordan of NYPD]

"Wow, they included a lot of details for us," Ace says rolling her eyes.

"Why did the commissioner decide to give us a case with such little details to go off? Think he messing with us?" 

"No, he is not the type to do that. Maybe he wants to test out our skills if we can solve a case like this with such little details to go off of, we might be promoted." Ace says with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Alright, then how do you want to approach this? We go together or we split up?" Ruben asks

"Here's what we're going to do, We're going to split up. Do you want to take the school or go around the town and gather information?" Ace asks 

"Nah I can't operate being confined in a space like that, I got to let my creative juices flow that's how us real artists think," Ruben says proudly

"So from what I'm getting mind you this is an assumption, you just don't want to go to the place where he disappeared huh? " Ace says blankly.

"Me? Come on do you hear yourself? Why would I be afraid of ghosts." Ruben says defending himself 

"Who said anything about ghosts? I just thought that you were scared to go missing too, so you're afraid of ghosts, and what's worse is you believe in them" Ace says cracking a smile.

"No way did Ice Queen Ace actually smile for once in her life? By the way is it true?"

"Is it what true?"

"There was a legend at the department going around that ever since you started working there you never smiled once, that's why they called you the Ice Queen."

"I just like to focus on completing my goals, nothing else matters as long as the mission is successful," Ace said in a low tune.

Ruben noticed that Ace's expression completely changed and darkened from how she was just seconds ago. Was this the real reason why everyone called Ace the Ice Queen, Ruben wasn't necessarily afraid of Ace but he felt nervous, and that's not something Ruben usually feels since he's built like a pro athlete standing at 6'5 with a decent build, but for some reason he couldn't approach Ace at this moment.

"Let's go," Ace says as she opens the door.

A hand reaches out from the other side of the door, straight for Ace Ruben quickly goes for his gun with lightning speed...

-Next Chapter: (Case file break: ???)