A strange wave of gloominess blew over Kindleshire, anticipating something worse. Even after seven days , the police department were unable to get any clue or get hold of anyone suspicious of valid reasons. The people of the town were deliberately questioned along with the family members of the deceased people.
It was hard to tell that who was speaking the truth and who was deceiving. Everything was getting to a standstill. The news of the murder of the three members had spread to the adjacent towns too. People were so horrified that became skeptical and scared to step out of their houses. Even being under the roof and surrounded by four walls ,most of the people were in the terror that somebody with a huge physique would get into their house with a sharp knife or any other weaponry and eliminate them in the darkness. People started taking special care of the elderly people and the children. Most of the able households hired security guards in front of their houses to prevent any mishap from occurring. Windows were shut, doors well-locked and all the possible security were taken.
Senior Inspector Fowlds - "We are extremely sorry Mrs. Vince-Craigston . Our department is trying their best to find an evidence to reach the killer but we do not have any legit clue or information."
Inspector Patil - " We have even contacted in the cities for better investigation. If it turns out be a case of mere burglary, then chances of finding out the culprit is very slim. "
Shelly - " We have checked the room , not a single thing was stolen or misplaced, even nothing was broken other than the main door and the cutlery shelf in the kitchen "
The breaking of the cutlery shelf was unknown to the investigation group till then. They assumed that the killer must have taken a sharp knife from the cutlery set. If that turns out to be true, they might get hold of the culprit by matching the fingerprints. But if we think about it , that was easy to be said than done. Although the fingerprint classification system was introduced much earlier, before the 20th century but still there was no guarantee of the results being hundred percent accurate.
In this terrifying environment of Kindleshire, when the locals where shivering in fear and cold , three men from Scotland were visiting the town. They were enjoying the sights at the Lake Moirai which was very close to the town. One of the three young men named Justin Tucker got to know about the news of murder that had happened a few days back in the town. He told his friends about the incident. They got intrigued and headed towards the main town. Eventually they reached the house of the victims. Someone knocked the door of Mr. Vince's house. It was the third knock of the day after the police inspectors and a condolencer from the town. The maid opened the door and saw three young men standing at the door. The three men wanted to enter the house. Obviously, at that point of time no body would entertain an intruder or any stranger into their houses. Moreover the murdered ones were a part of the Vince family themselves. On the denial of the maid , two of them stepped back except one , who himself looked very determined and ambitious. "We three are from Scotland. While we were visiting the town we heard about a murder that has taken place in that house... just beside this one. I think we can help you" said the guy to the maid. In the meantime Shelly was down and checked out the matter. She heard everything from them and allowed the three to come into the house. " I am sorry Mister. Actually... you know that... the tragic incident that has occurred in our family, so... " said Shelly to the strangers. " You don't need to be sorry to us" replied the determined-looking guy " we are rather sorrowful for causing trouble, but I think we can help you ; help you in finding out the culprit"
Shelly - Oh ok... can I know your name , by the way?
Intruder - Oh! that's the first that I should have told you ; I'm Jacian... Jacian Osborne .
Shelly - " I am Shelly , and - " pointing out at the stairs she said " that's my husband, Joseph Craigston"
Joseph - "Who are they? "
Shelly - " They are from Scotland. They were tripping in Kindleshire. They said that they can help us get hold of the murderer"
Joseph - " Is that so ? Well , Nice to meet you , may I know your names? "
Osborne - " I'm Jacian Osborne, besides me are my companions of every situation, Steve Schertzer and Justin Tucker ".
Joseph - " Well how could you help us? "
Osborne - " Well from my early childhood, I have always been intrigued to criminal cases and I had observed the way the detectives investigate the case. We shall try our best to study the case and reach the murderer. For this, we need some important informations"
Joseph - " Uh... Okay, I hope you won't disappoint us "
They provided Osborne and his friends with all the necessary cues and informations so that they can proceed with their investigation. There was a strange brilliance in Osborne's eyes. But Jacian Osborne or any of his friends did not look like the detectives that we have heard of in stories. They looked very down to earth, spoke English in a Scottish accent, wore a warm jacket over a shirt and no flared coat , no ciggerate, no detective hat or anything like that.
The very next day Osborne along with Schertzer and Tucker made their way towards Joseph's business rival , Bryn J. Finley. Bryn once disclosed something about the Vince family to Joseph. He said that Shelly's father , Mr. Vince once destroyed the life of his mother; Mr. Vince had physically abused her mother taking the advantage of her trust after the death of Bryn's father in an accident, the one responsible for the accident, he named, was Mr. Vince. Bryn's mother had not been able to forget that , and was in depression till her last breath. Bryn spoke about the same story on being questioned by Morham. Bryn's friend had a well established business, which was bankrupted mysteriously which eventually resulted in the dissolution of the firm. Bryn holds the Vince family responsible for it.
After getting a handful of accusations against Mr. Vince , the three young men descended back.
Schertzer - " What do you think? Could it be that Bryn had avenged the death of his parents from the Vinces?"
Osborne - "Chances are there. But I can't conclude anything so fast"
Justin - " Let's keep walking, who knows if any clue walks up to us "
Justin was the most humourous one in their group. He could turn a serious moment into a funny one very easily; a talent or skill only a few possess. But this time it turned out to be more than a joke. An old man walked up to Osborne and hesitatingly asked "D-d-did you come here to enquire about Algernon?"
Now the three didn't have any idea about who Algernon was. Anyone would walk away thinking that the man would be speaking nonsense but Morham took a keen interest in his words. They asked him about his name, who Algernon was and the old man proceeded to tell a story. The three young men paid attention to his story and were shaken by it . The old man revealed something to them that was beyond their expectations and would add a new angle to the case and would be the first turning point of their investigation.