I don’t think I’ve ever gotten used to the stares; the stares that penetrate my self-confidence and attack my personal physique. For a normal person this would be deteriorating; to be judged by so many people, but the thing is… I am not a normal person. Well, I am not really a person at all. I am a whale.
It’s not like an evil witch or something you might hear out of some children’s story turned me into two cubic tons of pure blubber. I was born in the winter of 1876 in the North Sea with the name Wallace Humphrey. My family was average, but friendly all the same; similar to any you might find on land. My mother, Lillian Humphrey, was a dwarf sperm whale and my father, Gregory Humphrey, was a humpback. My father insisted that I took after his looks, but it’s obvious that my physique was that of my mother. Small enough to be only slightly larger than a human but still all whale.
As a child, I remember having a strong desire to search for things or uncover the truth that lay hidden in the shadows. Whether it be who ate the last bundle of krill or locating the whereabouts of the culprit, the sense of thrill I got while performing it, along with the acclaim I received afterwards, never ceased to provide me with a sense of fulfillment.
Once I was older and ready to set off on my own in the world, I decided to follow my childhood fervor for investigation and leave my homeland in order to pursue a proper education. Seeing how my birthplace was so close to the city of Amsterdam, I settled on the Vrije University in Amsterdam where I could focus on investigative science and criminology.
The atmosphere of the city was a big change from the cozy reefs and flowing currents I was used to. It was overwhelming due to the vast amount of people who bustled by and the abundance of edifices that littered the area. The land itself was even intimidating for it varied so much from the quiet and placid waters I grew up with. Occasionally I would see someone who stopped to eye down the new stranger in town, but I was not worried. I may have been a whale in a human world, but at least I presented myself and that is what counted. With my russet colored trench coat I had received from my mother before my journey and my unique, white banded homburg hat that belonged to my great grandfather, I made my way to the University in order to begin my new life on land.
Despite the evident handicaps of my presence as a whale, the entry qualifications that I were required to complete were no easy task. The college requested documentation of my previous education and, having lived in the ocean the majority of my life, I did not have any. However, obstinate on my decision for my future, I took the college entry exam anyways. Over a week had passed and my exam grades were finally issued out to the public. I had scored within the one-percentile of all Northern Holland for a perfect score. The administrators of Vrije acknowledged my palpable ability for detective sciences and allowed me to attend, despite of my background.
The rest of my college life went on as one would expect it to; studying and advancing in my education. Something else exceptional, however, did happen. Mid-way in my junior year of attendance at the University, I met a man named Arvin Williams who had moved from the small town of Lingen in Germany to Amsterdam in order to pursue a higher education, just like I had. Both of us shared an ineffable passion for investigation and quickly became friends.
Arvin had already completed most of his education in Germany, so we were both able to graduate at the same time. Out of college, neither of us knew what step we wanted to take next in our lives, but we were sure of one thing; we wanted to solve crimes. From our time together at the University and our ambition to catch the criminals of Holland, we settled on our future and decided from that point on we would open our own business and be partners in investigation; Detective Wallace Humphrey and Detective Arvin Williams of Humphrey and Williams Investigations.
A new day began in the Holland capital. The weather was the same one would expect; the monotonous cloudy weather that persisted to hold back its precipitation. I would not complain about it however. This monotony has taken quite a “homey” feel to it. I remember when I first witnessed this grey, metropolitan sky almost fourteen years ago. A lot has passed since then; many cases solved and criminals brought to justice. I would smile at the thought of what my parents would think of my life and how much I have come but the headache and grogginess from my recent all-nighter inhibits me from doing so. I was awake all last night pondering the most recent case that I had been handed by the Nationale Politie. There is always some mischief going on in the shadows of the Netherlands. That is another reason why I find this place so tasteful; there is always an adventure to be had.
I looked at my flipperwatch and decided to get dressed despite of my lethargy. I was supposed to meet up with my co-detective, Arvin Williams, at 9:00 so I could relay the details of the most recent case, but according to my watch it had already passed 9:10. Arvin wasn’t one to keep waiting. He might seem like a sweet and gentle fellow from the outside but once you know him for over eight years it can really show the true nature of a person.
I remember when he scolded me for a week straight just because I arrived late to a wine robbery bust several summers ago. I couldn’t convince him that is was the ingenuity of my lateness that allowed me to sneak around and retrieve all of the missing wine barrels (of course trying the merchandise myself to ensure it was all safe).
Not wanting to stall my consequence any further, I exited my “home” or better known as the small, two story apartment that was called “Humphrey and Williams Investigations”. It had cost Arvin and I nearly 3500 Guilders to buy this place but the view it had gave sight to all of De Dam, the bustling town square that resided in the middle of Amsterdam. We had both lived here together for several years, but I think Arvin has gotten the confidence to start his own life without me and with a woman I introduced him to at a ball three years ago. I can’t say I don’t miss him staying here and joining in my pain while we both stayed awake all night analyzing cases; but I really wish that I had an excuse to be late. I can no longer blame my indolence on him and say it was because did not wake me up.
The awakening sun behind the grey clouds lit the streets of Amsterdam and as I had predicted, outside stood my amiable friend, Arvin, who, while leaning against the carriage he had arrived in, looked as jubilant as ever as he awaited my approach with an incessant rhythm of fiddling with his watch and the tapping of his worn, but well groomed leather shoes. “Good morning my friend!” I said with an obviously convictable smile. “What brings you to my acquaintance this morning?”
Arvin’s face was clearly tensed while he moved his hand to his brow as if to hide the pique he had for my tardiness. “I propose that your tardiness has something beneficial to provide to the case you wished to discuss with me; just like the very tardiness that supposedly provided victory to that wine burglary bust several summers ago?”
I grew an awkward smile as I brushed the back of my head with my flipper; Arvin’s eyes now glaring towards me. “Oh Arvin!” I said with a laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood. “You never miss a beat do you? Come, come. Let’s go.” I contested as I jumped into the gasoline powered carriage that Arvin had arrived in. “I’ll provide the details on our way there.”
“Wait, where are we go-?” questioned Arvin, only to be interrupted by the tug I gave him, pulling him into the automobile.
The humming of the robust and state-of-the-art engine sent vibrations throughout all of the carriage as it slowly began to move. “Amazing, isn’t it Arvin? To think that we have the honor to experience such innovative technology in our lifetimes. The carriage was now going a tolerable speed that insured a pleasant ride.
Arvin, wanting to get to the point, attracted my attention by breaking my awe with a forceful poke. “So, would you mind explaining what the Nationale Politie had sent to the office yesterday?”
Seeing Arvin’s concern I set aside my frivolity and began to relay the information. “Well, two days ago at supposedly 6:12 p.m. the CEO of Mabley Automobile Works was shot and murdered.”
“What? Was he alone or where was he?
“The reports show that he was in the middle of talking to small group of his employees at his factory when he was murdered. No was else was harmed besides Mr. Mabley so that shows that he was most likely the definite target.”
“Were any of the witnesses able to spot the murderer?”
“I’m afraid not. As of right now we have no idea of what he looks like, but that brings another thing to my attention that I found quite peculiar.”
“Like what?”
“Well for one, I would want to make the assumption that we are dealing with an inexperienced murderer due to him blatantly murdering Mr. Mabley even while he was still surrounded by witnesses.”
“Okay, so? He is most likely just some common man who had a grudge and simply was acting on his feelings.”
“That would be the logical guess but, the fact that the murderer executed his crime so efficiently by taking out his target and escaping, even while there were so many people around, might provide some insight that this is no inexperienced murderer.”
“You mean that you think he has already murdered before?”
“That is my hunch but I may simply be thinking into it too much.” I said as my brows scrunched as if to ponder my curiosity.
The carriage had come to a stop and outside the windows revealed a vast landscape of greenery and hills. I might have found it quite beautiful if I had forgot where I requested to be taken. Outside of Arvin’s window were a mass of people; adorned with black clothing.
“Um, Wallace? Where are we?” questioned Arvin with a sense of fear on his face as he scanned over the unceasing rows of gravestones.
Making fun of Arvin’s concern I stated, “Simply a funeral. I wanted to get a chance to know Mr. Mabley better.” I hopped out of the carriage while motioning the carriage driver to stay put while we gathered some new information.
Arvin, hesitant to follow me after finding no humor in my remark, finally convinced himself to exit the carriage.
Pulling Arvin by the arm, we made our way to the funeral. While walking we were stopped by a voice not threating, as if to question our presence here, but almost as if to welcome us. I turned to see a beautiful woman with titian hair and peridot eyes that, unlike the rest of her friendly composure, were dark and seemed to be full of sorrow.
“May I help you?” she questioned with an assuaging tone.
“Hello, my name is Detective Wallace Humphrey of Humphrey and Williams Investigations,” I said while revealing the badge that was pinned to the inside of my trench coat. “And this is my partner, Detective Arvin Williams.” I elbowed Arvin to greet the cordial woman but he was still riveted by the hundreds of graves that surrounded us.
“My name is Abigail Mabley. Are you hear to investigate about Mr. Mabley’s murder?”
“Yes ma’am. According to your last name I wouldn’t suppose that you are the daughter of Mr. Mabley perhaps?”
“Oh no. Not his daughter but I am his niece. I suppose you could say that he was like a father to me however. My real father passed away from tuberculosis when I was young, and my Uncle took it up to himself to care for my mother and I.”
“Mr. Mabley must have been very important to you. I am sorry for your loss.”
“Oh no, it’s okay. Just make sure you catch the murderer, okay?” Ms. Mabley smiled as if to not worry me of herself but I could see in her face that she was on the brink of tears. Both her father and her Uncle had been taken from her. I would make it my mission to capture this thief of happiness and put him to jail, where he belonged.
“Do you mind if I have a look at the body? I wouldn’t dare soil it of course.”
“Certainly.”
I turned to Arvin and gave him a hearty push with the tip of my flipper. “Arvin, I’m going to inspect Mr. Mabley. You stay here with Ms. Mabley and keep her company.”
I made my way to the coffin with Mr. Mabley while paying respect to the others attending the funeral. Besides the odd quilted blanket that covered him up to his shoulders, Mr. Mabley seemed as if he had not really been murdered at all, and as if Ms. Mabley’s strife could be avoided. I knew however, that this was not the case because of the pale color that inhabited the face of Mr. Mabley. After inspecting the physique of the body, I looked up to face a black-robed priest that resided next to the coffin while holding a cross-necklace and Bible.
“Why is there this quilt that is covering most of Mr. Mabley’s body?” I asked.
“It is to cover up the wound of course.”
Confused, I continued the conversation with another question. “Why to cover the wound? A simple bullet should have done nothing but inflicted a small wound that could have been easily sewn.”
“A bullet? No, this man was not killed by some handgun.”
“I had read a police report that had said he had been shot.”
“And shot he had been, but it was not from some other man’s gun.”
“Then what could he have possibly been shot by? Some kind of dart or needle?” I giggled at the obscurity in a way that would not show offense to the priest.
“This man had been shot by an arrow.”
My face and brows crinkled with my disbelief. “An arrow? So you are saying that Mr. Mabley was killed by some kind of bowman?”
“I do not know the identity of the culprit but it is true that it was an arrow that had killed this man.”
I thanked the priest for the information and proceeded back to Arvin. He had finally recovered from his discombobulation and was conversing with Ms. Mabley.
“Ms. Mabley, would you please excuse us for one moment,” I said as I pulled Arvin away into a position that prevented her from hearing our conversation.
“Did you find out anything?” questioned Arvin hopefully.
I sighed with uneasiness as in an attempt to stall telling Arvin what had killed Mr. Mabley. I feared that if Ms. Mabley heard me, she would only become further burdened by the remembrance of the crude and vile death that her Uncle had suffered. “Well I found more information on how Mr. Mabley was killed.”
“Really?!” Arvin said with an excitement that somewhat disturbed me. “Was it a front shot or was he shot from behind?”
“I do not know. His body was covered with a quilt so there was no way of telling where the projectile had hit him.”
“Why did they cover his body with a quilt?”
“Arvin, Mr. Mabley was not shot by a gun.”
“What do you mean he wasn’t shot by a gun? The police report specifically said he was shot.”
“Exactly; the report said he was shot but it did not describe by what.”
“Then what are you proposing shot him?” contested Arvin with a confused laugh.
I looked over to Ms. Mabley; her eyes meeting mine with a smile. Her innocence after what had happened to her Uncle only made me feel sorry for her. She was clearly suffering inside but did not dare to concern the world of her inner sorrows.
Turning back to Arvin I said,” Mr. Mabley was shot by an arrow”.
“What?!” exclaimed Arvin while gaining the attention of Ms. Mabley. “What do you mean an arrow? What kind of dastardly and vile man would condemn another soul to such a painful way of death?”
Ms. Mabley had now moved closer to Arvin and I after hearing Arvin’s exclamation. “Did you find out anything about my Uncle?” she asked.
She knew what we had found out. She knew that we had discovered the cause of her Uncle’s death, but almost as in an attempt to blur herself from reality, she forced the truth from her mind and awaited Arvin and I to tell her the truth she really wanted to hear. She wanted to hear the truth that her Uncle, who she cared deeply for, was not murdered horrendously; that her Uncle was not a victim of the sinful actions of a wicked man that deserved to be called the devil himself.
Arvin looked at me with his face still shocked as if he had no capable way in responding to the woman’s question. I hung my head low as if to be in shame for fueling her fantasy as I said,” No, I did not find anything.”
“Oh…” responded Ms. Mabley. Yet again she revealed her sorrowful smile that she used to reflect any sort of need for sympathy.
Almost irritated by this I contested to her, “Ms. Mabley, I will say that it is out of my ability, as it is of everyone, that your Uncle may be brought back to you, but I will swear to you that I will do all that is humanely, well… whalely, possible to bring the devilish fiend who murdered Mr. Mabley to justice in all extents of the law.”
I could see that her wall she had created in her mind to block any sort of pity cracked just then, as she let out a single tear. “Thank you Wallace.”
I nodded and said, “Ms. Mabley, would you mind stopping by at our office tomorrow so I could ask you any questions that might help with the case?”
“Certainly and… call me Abigail. We have certainly talked to each other enough that I think we can refer to each as proper acquaintances.”
“Well then Abigail, see you tomorrow.” Arvin and I dismissed ourselves from Abigail’s presence and proceeded to enter back into our cab. As the carriages’ motor roared and carried us away, I could still see the spurious smile upon Abigail’s face and also the sole tear that hung onto her cheek.
Arvin seemed exhausted for a reason I did not understand why; especially since he hardly talked during this whole escapade, broke the silence by saying, “There is never a time I have around you that is not full of adventure. What do you say we grab us some lunch?”
Arvin knew what he was doing. He was trying to get the mind of the case because he that knew when I had the resolve to do something, especially after making a promise like I had just made to Abigail, that I would stop at nothing to see it fulfilled. I would not even stop for something like lunch. Arvin sighed as his stomach grumbled for a need of nourishment. “I’m guessing we are not going to be making it to lunch today, are we?”
I laughed and contested to the carriage driver,” Onward to Mabley Automobile Works!”
“What? Why there?” questioned Arvin.
“To catch a criminal you must become the criminal, or as you might say step in his shoes.”
“But you don’t know which way the arrow came from.”
“Mr. Mabley was most likely standing near a wall, so the location of the murderer when he killed Mr. Mabley would have to have been somewhere on the opposite side of him.”
Unlike Mr. Mabley’s funeral which was held right outside of town, Mabley Automobile Works was on the industrial Far East side of Amsterdam which was further than any of the commercial establishments I had ever been to. It took us around twenty minutes, but we had finally reached the factory, and I could now stop listening to Arvin’s dramatic whining about his insignificant malnutrition he claimed to be experiencing.
Ignoring Arvin, I exited the car while pulling him out with me. The factory was massive. Mr. Mabley most definitely had a monopoly in the car business. No wonder why someone would want his product out of the market. Arvin, now straggling along by himself, followed me to the security guard of the factory where I provided our credentials and was allowed in. The factory was almost a ghost town since its owner had deceased. “Do you mind showing me where Mr. Mabley was murdered?” I asked the security guard.
The man nodded; his thick white mustache bobbing along with his head. He pointed to an illustration of chalk on the ground which resembled Mr. Mabley. As I had expected, to the right of the chalk picture stood a wall that would have forced the murderer to attack from the left. Clearing my mind to focus on the scenario as it had happened, I scanned the left side of the vast automobile factory. Nothing had stuck out as the location of the murderer until I saw a small, object in the distance that blew in the slight breeze as the bottom portion was wedged in between two railings that hung onto the side of the sky bridge on the ceiling of the factory. Overwhelmed with curiosity and hope, I frantically searched for the ladder that was connected to the factory’s sky bridge. Finding its location I quickly climbed it and found my way to the newly discovered clue. Wedged in between the two railings was a feather, but not just any feather. It was a feather that had come off the back of an arrow. Arvin looked in awe at what I had found. Curious of its trajectory, I followed the angle of the feathers and on its course lay the broken head of an arrow, hidden under some kind of metal plating machine. A missed shot? But why? None of the witnesses in the police report had said anything about another shot. Or perhaps a second shot… at a second target.
Collecting both of the clues, Arvin and I returned to our homes to end the day. That night, like many others, I could not sleep for my mind could not wrap around the evidence that these clues provided. How could there be a second target? The only person that might have been considered of value was Mr. Mabley and no one else.
After hours of throwing meaningless thoughts and scenarios around, the sun’s light once again shone its crisp rays throughout Arvin and I’s office. I was yet again the only inhabitant of this lonesome office, for I had told Arvin to take the day off. We both needed some time to consult our information and also gain some new details if necessary. As the sun settled in the sky and De Dam once again became full of life, I heard a knock at the door. Outside was Abigail who had come to assist me in finding out any more details as planned. I opened the door and for once I could swear that the smile that adorned her face was genuine.
“Wallace, guess what!” exclaimed Abigail as I greeted her into my home.
“What is it Abigail?”
“Last night the town bank had invited me over to discuss the will left by my father.”
“So? Did he leave something for you?”
“Yes he did, he left his life.”
“What do you mean his life?”
“I am the new CEO of Mabley Automobile Works!”
“What!?” I exclaimed. My night and its hundreds of thoughts once again came swirling back to me. “Abigail…,” I said with a pause.
“Yes? What is it Wallace?”
“If you don’t mind me asking… Where were you the day your Uncle died?” The room fell silent as if Abigail did not want to remember. She did not want to recollect that the reason why she was so horrified of her Uncle’s death was because she was standing right next to him as the arrow pierced his body and killed him.
“I… I was standing next to him. He was telling me that it would all be mine someday. The company and all of its belongings.”
A grasp of reality split my mind like a gunshot. The second arrow… the second target; it was Abigail.
“I know this is going to be very sudden but Abigail, do you know anyone; anyone at all who might have wanted to see the fall of your company?”
“There is one man. His name is Nevil Fletcher of Fletcher Electric-Carriage Inc. Ever since my Uncle first established his gasoline powered automobile business, Fletcher had always been there to compete with it with his electric powered automobiles. Using gasoline, my Uncle’s automobiles were obviously faster and stronger; along with having a cheaper price. I could understand why Fletcher would want to take down my company.”
“Do you know where Fletcher Electric-Carriage Inc. is?”
“Yes, but why?”
“With the evidence I have collected I am going to attempt to arrest Nevil Fletcher for suspected murder of your Uncle.”
“Ok! Let’s go and bring this man to justice!” Abigail began to walk out of the door but I grabbed her shoulder and stopped her. “What is it Wallace? We have to stop the man who killed my Uncle.”
“Abigail, stay here.”
“What?”
“You’ll be safe here. Fletcher has already tried to kill you once. There is no guarantee that he won’t try to kill you again.”
“You made a promise that we would bring the man who killed my Uncle to justice!”
“And I will keep that promise, but it is not going to be kept on the sacrifice of your life.”
“Won’t you at least call Arvin for help?”
“We don’t need to waste any more time. As soon as Fletcher finds out that you’re the new CEO of Mabley Automobile Works, he will make it his priority to take you out. So please Abigail, I am asking you. Where is Fletcher Electric-Carriage Inc.?”
Abigail looked down and bit her lip as if she did not want to me where it was but at the same time knew she would regret it later. Finally, Abigail mumbled,” East side of the city and four blocks down from my company.”
With the location of Fletcher I, set out to catch him; making sure to grab my flippercuffs on the way out. I needed to get to Fletcher Electric-Carriage Inc. as soon as I could. I couldn’t trust Abigail to stay put and keep out of danger. Walking down the street, I finally found a carriage and signaled it to stop. Jumping in, I made my way to Fletcher Electric-Carriage Inc.
Unlike Mabley Automobiles Works, Fletcher Electric-Carriage Inc.was a small and rundown facility. It was obvious that it was on the brink of bankruptcy and provided even more certainty that Nevil Fletcher was the kind of desperate man who would resort to murder, just to save his company. Having no security or gates, I helped myself to entering the factory. Inside, almost as if he was waiting for me, stood Nevil Fletcher himself. He was a fairly old man, but with a tall and skeletal structure that sent shivers down my spine.
“Welcome…,” greeted the old man with a raspy yet formal voice. “What brings you to my acquaintance?”
“I am Detective Wallace Humphrey of Humphrey and Williams investigations. I am here to arrest you on the charges of suspected murder of the CEO of Mabley Automobile Works.”
“Ah, yes… Wallace Humphrey.” said Fletcher, while ignoring his arrest. “You scored one of the highest on the college entry exams in all of Holland. I bet Gregory and Lillian were very proud.”
“How do you know who my parents and I are?!” I exclaimed in fear.
“Oh do not fret my dear cetacean. I simply make it a duty of mine to know people who know so much about me as well.
“Stop this meaningless chit-chat!” I shouted. “I am arresting you on the charges of suspected murder of the CEO of Mabley Automobile Works.”
“Very persistent are we? I see that we are going to have to simply get to the point. No… you will not be arresting me today.”
“You have no right to be saying what you will and will not do, you murderer!”
“Who cares if I am a murder?! Who cares that I smiled as I pierced Mr. Mabley’s chest and sent a plague of death upon his body?! You are no one to be ordering me around you whale! Learn your place!”
With a great tug, Fletcher had switched on a large light that illuminated the once dark facility, and what this newfound light revealed ripped at my heart, just like the arrow Fletcher had used to kill Mr. Mabley. Hanging by a rope was Abigail with tears streaming down her face as she began to lower towards the scrap metal crusher below her.
“Choose! Choose, you fish out of water! Either save the girl or capture me, it is your choice!”
I began to feel nauseous over the massive responsibility that was suddenly placed over me. I could either follow my natural fervor and once again solve the mystery, or I could achieve something much more and save an innocent life. Time was running out. Fletcher was escaping and Abigail grew closer to her ill-fated death. I would have to remove it; remove the passion I had for ending this mystery and in its place fill the responsibility and the morality of saving the ones I care about. With a push of my back fins and my flippers, I sent myself flying to the rescue of my dear Abigail. I flew towards Abigail and grabbed her, while landing safely on the factory floor. Abigail had been saved and as I looked up I could see the wicked man escaping. His long strides carrying him farther away; his raspy cackling fading and becoming mute.
“Curse you!” I screamed, but of course he was too far away to hear. How dare that man kill just for his own selfishness. I could not hold on to the burning anger I had for Fletcher however, because I knew I made the right choice. I looked down to Abigail and as her eyes once again opened after having been closed by fear, a smile sat across her face. It was not her fictitous smile that she used to blind the rest of the world, but a genuine smile of hope and happiness.
Creative Writing II/Creative Writing II Honors 