The Sphinx Murders

Detective Uri was recently partnered with the single most annoying creature in existence, Horatio the penguin. The freckled detective disliked the idea of being stuck with someone who could barely solve a problem without asking for help. But one day, when they were driving to work, they noticed there had been yet another sphinx murder! They pulled over and got out of their vehicle to investigate. “I don’t know what to do,” said Detective Uri. “We’re not even supposed to be solving these cases.” “Don’t worry about it,” replied Horatio nonchalantly as he fumbled through his pockets trying find something that belonged to him but instead found something that didn’t belong to anyone else. He pulled out the mysterious item.

“This is a sphinx tooth,” said Horatio, “As well as proof that we should be solving this case.” “I’m going to go call for backup,” Detective Uri sighed and he walked away to do so. But when he came back Horatio was gone! He couldn’t track down his partner, but there was something else he found unusual: evidence of a struggle. So our detective got in his car and drove around town looking for clues.

Detective Uri stopped at the coffee shop where he always stopped by before work, and saw Samantha sitting on one of the stools drinking her daily cup of coffee. She had just gotten into town days ago after moving from somewhere within Canada.

“So, what brings you to the city?” asked Samantha. “I’m trying to solve a murder case,” replied Detective Uri. “It’s not easy, but it seems like I’ve investigated half of this place already.” Suddenly, there was siren blaring and Detective Uri jumped up suddenly. “Oh crap! My other partner is here! You know what? You should come with me!” He grabbed Samantha by the wrist and ran out to the car. They drove off towards an alley where they saw Horatio lying on the ground injured. His tuxedo had been ripped in many places and his eye was badly injured as if he had just gotten into a fight with someone or something that was very strong. He opened his eyes. “I got in a fight with the sphinx who was murdered,” he said weakly, “and I’m afraid that I may have killed him in self defense.” Detective Uri patted Horatio’s arm and said, “Don’t worry about it, buddy. Let’s go report this to the chief and then we’ll figure out what to do next.”

As they drove back Detective Uri leaned back into his seat and looked up at Samantha saying, “What were you doing again?”

“Oh nothing,” she replied, “I just moved here from Canada days ago. I guess maybe I should write a letter home or something explaining where I am now because no one knows where I’ve disappeared to.”

Detective Uri’s face went pale, but Samantha didn’t notice. She took out a pen and paper from her purse to write the letter home.

After she had finished Detective Uri asked “So what did your family do back in Canada?”

“Oh nothing,” replied Samantha, “they just lived ordinary lives I guess.”

Detective Uri’s bloodshot eyes stared at Horatio who stood there stoically looking at his own reflection in a car window. Is this what living an ordinary life is like… he thought to himself? [to be continued…]

The case of the sphinx murder moves ahead with two new friends along for the adventure. I don’t know where this story is going yet, but it should be posted on Saturdays.