The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over Eastbridge, a city that had seen better days. Once known for its charm, it now trembled under the weight of fear, tightly gripped by Cipher's crimes. The state of Westvale, once celebrated for its beauty, had transformed into a breeding ground for anxiety. It felt as if everyone was looking over their shoulders, waiting for the next terrible act to unfold.
The government had established agencies like Nexus and OTF Zero, where I worked. We were supposed to protect national security, but the constant tension between our two organizations made it hard to trust anyone. The Institute of Strategic Intelligence (ISI), located in the neighboring state of Northfield, trained the best agents. That's why Detective Harper and Officer Lee, both alumni of ISI, were part of the confidential Cipher case. To complicate matters, my rival Lucian Stone was also on this case, representing Nexus, which is based in Ironcliff, another prominent city in Westvale after Eastbridge.
OTF Zero, led by Director Victor Grey, prioritized results but not at the expense of morals and integrity; their vision and values aligned closely with those of my alma mater. A prominent figure in this case was Marcus Hale, who was not only my mentor but also an esteemed instructor known for training many of the top students who graduated from ISI and are now practicing detectives/special agents in the field. He had been brought into the case due to the Director's close ties with Elise Monroe, the head of ISI, which further strengthened the collaboration between these organizations.
The pressure was mounting, and all we could do was chase down leads. With Cipher's brutal acts haunting us, the stakes felt higher than ever. This was the reality we were facing, and it weighed heavily on all of us.
"Jasper!" Harper called out, his voice cutting through the sound of the waves and jolting me from the drift of my thoughts. I looked up to see him wading into the water, arms flailing like a child in a swimming pool. The sight was both amusing and absurd for someone in his forties. "What are you doing just standing there? Come on, join us! The sea feels fantastic."
I shook my head, a reluctant smile creeping onto my face despite my frustration. "Relax? Easy for you to say, Mr. Splash-tastic," I mumbled. "You're out here enjoying yourself while I'm stuck tracking down a psycho who's gone silent. I can't believe you convinced Victor to drag me out of my room for this."
Harper waded out of the water, droplets glistening on his arms. "Hey, I heard that! But that's the point, Hayes. We can't worry all the time about Cipher. It's a beach day, not a strategy meeting. Even detectives need a break."
"Break? You call this a break?" I retorted, arching an eyebrow. "You look like a kid who's lost his last marble. You're splashing around like a dolphin!"
"Hey, age is just a number, my friend!" Harper shot back, beaming as if he'd just cracked the secret to eternal youth. "Besides, I might actually look younger than you, Hayes. What's your secret? Late nights stressing over Cipher?"
Before I could respond, Officer Lee ambled over, a playful smirk on his face. "Come on Jasper, Detective Harper is right. Relax sometimes, would you? It's been two weeks since the incident at the club, and you haven't rested since you figured out that Cipher was there. You need to chill out."
"Always supporting your supervisor, huh, Lee?" I teased, nodding toward Harper. "You're learning well, but you're lucky your specialty doesn't involve getting dragged into cases where you're glued to a screen for days on end."
Lee shrugged, his tone casual but measured. "I handle investigations, sure, but my focus is usually on localized cases. I'm mainly involved here because having an officer present keeps everything above board. Besides, you two need someone to create a visible buffer for your undercover work. Even if I can't always dive as deep as you both—especially you, Agent Jasper—my presence as a police officer can help keep the heat off, which makes it easier for you to maneuver without drawing attention, right?"
"Exactly," Harper added with a grin. "You get to dig around as much as you want, investigate discreetly without raising suspicions—thanks to our badges. But that's beside the point. Right now, we're here to enjoy ourselves!"
Harper chuckled and splashed more water, sending a spray toward Lee, who dodged it with surprising agility. "Relax, you two! This is about team bonding. We can't catch Cipher if we're all burnt out," he added, grinning as he playfully flicked more water in our direction.
"Team bonding, huh? More like team splashing," I said, finally cracking a smile.
As I watched them, the tension in my chest eased a little. Maybe a few minutes of laughter wouldn't hurt after all. Just then, Harper called me over, his tone shifting slightly. "Come on, join us! I promise I won't make you do any heavy lifting. Just some lighthearted fun."
"Lighthearted, right," I said, crossing my arms and feigning reluctance. "You're in the water like a toddler. What's next? A sandcastle competition?"
"Why not?" Harper replied with a mock-serious expression. "I've seen some serious sandcastle skills come out of Eastbridge."
"Sounds like a thrilling case, Detective Harper," I quipped, rolling my eyes.
Just as their laughter was beginning to draw me in, a sharp scream cut through the air. "There's a dead body!"
The mood shifted in an instant; our lighthearted banter vanished, replaced by a chill that settled over us like a shadow. The ocean's gentle waves, once rhythmic and soothing, now echoed with a haunting finality. Detective Harper, Lee, and I found ourselves by the body, our earlier levity overtaken by the grim scene before us. The man's lifeless form lay partly submerged, his pallid skin stark against the dark water—a sight that sent an uneasy churn through my stomach.
"Call for backup, Officer Lee," Harper instructed, his tone shifting to the serious cadence of a detective in the field. "We need to secure the area and gather more evidence."
Lee nodded, his youthful demeanor replaced by a serious focus as he stepped away to make the call. I took a closer look at the victim, whose body lay still in the shallows. He appeared to be in his late twenties, dressed in casual beach attire—board shorts and a faded tank top. The sight was jarring against the backdrop of a day meant for relaxation and laughter.
"Who is he?" I asked, a knot tightening in my stomach as I scanned the water, still rippling from the waves.
"We'll find out," Harper said, already pulling out his phone, tapping through local missing persons reports. "First, we need to get his ID."
I turned my attention back to the scene, trying to piece together what had happened. A few sunbathers had gathered, their expressions ranging from shock to morbid curiosity. Among them, I noticed two figures lingering at a distance, their faces obscured by the brightness of the sun but their body language radiating an undeniable tension.
"Detective Harper," I said, gesturing subtly towards the two individuals. "We might want to talk to them later."
"After we secure the area," he replied, his brow furrowing as he continued to scan the beach. "Let's wait for Lee to get the forensic team here."
As Harper spoke, I felt a gnawing sense of urgency. I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but something about the scene felt off. The air felt heavy, almost as if the very ground beneath us sensed something more sinister than a simple drowning.
While Harper made calls to get the situation under control, I took a step closer to the edge of the water, studying the waves lapping around the victim. The surf was gently tugging at him, as if nature itself was hesitant to let go.
"Detective Harper," I called, my voice steady but urgent. "There's something we need to consider here."
"What do you mean?" he asked, his attention shifting from the phone to me.
I hesitated, unsure how to articulate the creeping sensation in the back of my mind. "It's just... something doesn't feel right. This shouldn't be happening."
"Let's wait for the forensics," he replied, but I could see the same concern reflected in his eyes.
In that moment, I knew the investigation would lead us down a dark path, one riddled with more questions than answers. As I returned to the victim, I caught sight of the two figures again, still watching us. They shifted slightly, their eyes darting away whenever I looked in their direction.
"Keep an eye on those two," I muttered under my breath, unsure of why they unsettled me.
"Are you getting any ideas?" Harper asked, noting my gaze.
"Just a feeling," I replied, unwilling to voice the suspicions forming in my mind. We needed to gather evidence and statements before any conclusions could be drawn.
Just then, Lee returned, his face flushed from his dash across the beach. "Forensics are on their way," he announced, glancing at the body, his expression shifting between apprehension and focus.
"Good," Harper replied. "Let's see what we can learn from witnesses in the meantime. They might help us understand what happened, especially those two who keep watching us."
The wait felt interminable, each moment thick with silent questions. Eventually, a few police officers and a forensic technician arrived, immediately setting to work on the scene. Harper gestured to me, and together, we approached the two individuals who had been lingering in the background, observing us with guarded expressions.
"Excuse me," Harper said, his voice firm yet calm. "I'm Detective Harper, and this is Detective Hayes. We need to ask a few questions about the man over there." He glanced back toward the body. "By the looks on your faces, I'm guessing he was a friend of yours?"
The taller of the two, a young man with shaggy hair and a nervous fidget, swallowed hard and nodded. "Uh… yeah. We were with him yesterday."
"Could you walk us through what happened last night?" I asked, aiming to keep my tone casual as I observed their expressions.
The shorter one, twisting the hem of his shirt between his fingers, responded, "Well… we were at a bar, just having a few drinks. At some point, he left early. Said he wanted some air."
Harper raised an eyebrow, keeping his voice even. "And you didn't follow him?"
The taller one gave a quick shake of his head. "No, he's like that sometimes. Needs his space, you know? We figured he'd catch up with us later or head home."
I glanced over at Harper, mulling over their responses. "So why are you both here now?"
The shorter one took a quick breath before answering, "He likes it here. We thought maybe he'd show up—thought he'd want to clear his head by the water."
Harper nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. Can we get your names?"
"Jake," the taller one replied, glancing at Harper and then me.
"Ryan," the shorter one added, nodding slightly as he spoke.
"Thanks, Jake and Ryan," Harper said with a faint nod. "Stay close. We'll have a few more questions as we continue."
They both nodded, standing silently as the forensic team began their work on the body. I stepped back, casting my gaze over the scene—the body lying still, the gentle rise and fall of the waves, and the few onlookers who had gathered on the sand.
"Hey, Jasper," Harper called, his voice breaking through my thoughts. "You think this was an accident?"
"Could be," I said, though I felt a growing conviction in my gut. "But something tells me this wasn't just a drowning."
"Take a closer look at the marks here," Harper murmured, gesturing toward faint discolorations around the victim's neck. "That could be from a struggle, don't you think? Wonder if it's enough to lean into a homicide angle."
A half-smile crept onto my face. "Just what I'd expect from you, Detective Harper—you caught the bruising, too. And if you notice…" I pointed subtly along the neck and collarbone area. "There's more here, almost like… restraint. Strange, for a drowning case, don't you think?"
Harper's eyes sharpened as he followed my gaze. "Could mean a lot of things, Hayes. But I think you're onto something."
"Could. But until forensics weigh in, we keep things open," I replied, careful not to let my theories solidify too quickly. "Still, if we're right, there's a chance we're dealing with something a lot darker here."
We both stepped back, allowing the technicians room to continue, but my instincts wouldn't quiet. Something about this wasn't adding up.
Just then, a forensic technician walked up, clipboard in hand. "Detective, we're running tests on the water and the body. It'll take a little while for results, but we'll let you know what we find."
"Thanks," Harper replied, and the technician returned to his work.
The wait hung heavily in the air, a taut string ready to snap. I watched as Harper's attention turned back to the two friends, their expressions shifting from shock to confusion. The ocean continued to roll rhythmically, seemingly oblivious to the drama unfolding on its shore.
"While we wait, let's go over what you both told us," Harper said, directing his focus to Jake and Ryan. "You were at a bar together. When exactly did you last see him?"
Jake shifted uncomfortably, casting a quick look at Ryan, perhaps seeking some sort of reassurance. "He left pretty early, I think… I'm not sure about the time, exactly." He squinted, his brow furrowing as if trying to recall. "I had a few drinks, so it's all a bit fuzzy, but… yeah, maybe around eleven? I think I glanced at my watch then, but... yeah, around that time."
Ryan nodded quickly, almost too readily. "Yeah, that sounds about right. He mentioned needing some air, then just… disappeared after that. Didn't see him again, not even when we left." He shrugged, glancing briefly at Jake before adding, "It was weird, actually, how quick he left. Like he didn't plan to come back."
"Did you try to find him?" Harper pressed, his tone firm.
"Not really," Ryan admitted, shrugging slightly. "We thought he'd just gone home."
"So, you didn't think to call him? Text him?" I interjected, wanting to probe deeper. "Didn't you find it strange he would just leave without saying anything?"
Jake's eyes darted around, as if searching for an escape. "I mean, he does that sometimes. Just… wanders off. He said he needed some air, right? We didn't think much of it."
Harper scrutinized their reactions, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. "And then you came here this morning, expecting to find him?"
"Yeah," Ryan said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "We hadn't seen him in a while, and we figured he might come to the beach. He always liked it here."
The tension in the air thickened as I felt something wasn't right. Harper's expression hardened slightly. "Did you have any arguments last night? Anything at all that would make him want to leave abruptly?"
"No! Of course not," Jake exclaimed, shaking his head emphatically. "We were just hanging out. Just friends having a good time."
Jake paused, glancing sideways at the victim's friends as if piecing something together for the first time. His gaze then flickered to me, meeting my eyes briefly. I stood with my arms folded, my expression nonchalant, but I'd already picked up on the crack in this story.
Just then, the forensic technician returned, clipboard now laden with results. "Detective, we have some preliminary findings from the body."
Harper turned his full attention to the technician, and I leaned in closer, eager to catch every detail.
"The victim was in the water for less than twenty-four hours," the technician explained. "But that's not the only thing we found. There are signs of subdermal bruising around his neck, suggesting he was restrained before entering the water."
The crowd shifted uneasily, and I felt my heart rate quicken. The implication was clear: this was not an accident.
Harper's gaze sharpened. "Restraint… What else?"
"Further tests show signs of struggle—defensive wounds on his arms and shoulders," the technician continued, flipping through pages on his clipboard. "He fought back, but it wasn't enough. It's possible he was attacked before he was thrown in."
A wave of realization washed over me, but I kept my expression neutral. The atmosphere thickened, heavy with the weight of the forensic findings.
Harper stepped forward, his gaze intense as he addressed the victim's friends. "Someone followed him after he left the bar. You both need to understand that our investigation is just beginning, and the truth will come out. You need to cooperate."
Ryan swallowed hard, tension visible in his body language. "We told you everything we know! We were at the bar!"
Harper held up a hand, silencing them. "You need to remember every detail about last night because soon, we'll have more questions."
As I looked around, the atmosphere shifted, tension building like a coiled spring. Each moment felt critical, as if we were teetering on the edge of a larger revelation.
Just then, Harper turned back to the technician. "Let's gather everyone together. We need to bring the witnesses in and get to the bottom of this."
With that, we moved to round up the small crowd that had gathered, each person's expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. As we prepared to lay out the findings, I could feel the tension in the air rising, crackling with the anticipation of a revelation.
Harper stood before the crowd, a commanding presence. "We have gathered here because we need to talk about what happened to our victim. New evidence has come to light, and we believe foul play is involved. One of you was the last person with him."
As I scanned the faces, I caught the ripple of unease moving through the crowd. I had my suspicions about what might have gone down, but I chose to hang back, letting Harper take the lead. With my involvement in the Cipher case, it was smarter to keep a low profile, to observe from the sidelines rather than draw attention. The answers felt close, tantalizingly near yet hidden behind a veil of uncertainty—layers of truth I'd have to peel back carefully, one calculated move at a time.
Harper continued, "The preliminary findings suggest he was attacked before he entered the water. The bruising on his neck indicates he was restrained. What we suspect is that one of you, someone right here on this beach, had a hand in his death."
The crowd gasped collectively, tension thickening the air. Harper's voice was steady, but I could feel the undercurrent of fear and suspicion swirling around us.
"As we delve deeper into the timeline, we'll uncover who was with him last and what really happened," he said, scanning the crowd. "But rest assured, one of you is hiding the truth. We will find out who did this."