When priceless artifacts go missing from the museum where Sistina works guess who is accused of being the thief? Will Catherina be able to discover who is really behind these thefts and recover the stolen artifacts in time?

The Case of the missing artifacts

I had gotten some publicity when I solved the case of the Kidnapped Family. I had been hired for several cases that turned out not to be very challenging. I sighed, since I had put my only enemy behind bars at the end of my last case & nothing seemed to come across as a challenging since then. I was beginning to miss the old days when Sistina needed my help fairly often.  

It had been almost a year since I had put Maria Robbinso in jail and had proved that Sistina not only innocent of the kidnapping charge of her son and was mentally stable, but that she too had been kidnapped by Maria at the time. Since I was usually only hired to solve cases for close friends I decided to see if the local police office needed any assistance.

They seemed less than appreciative concerning my offer and insisted that they did not need my assistance. This seemed unlikely as I could tell just by looking around that they were swamped with cases. Case-files were piled a mile high on every desk.  I frowned "Are you sure that you do not need any assistance?

My persistence irritated the Chief of Police. "Listen very carefully to what I have to say because I will not repeat myself do you understand?" I nodded and he continued.

"I want you out of this office now and I don't want to see you here again! We are perfectly capable of solving cases on our own we don't need the help of some young novice who wants to play Detective."

I hated it when people patronized me and angrily replied "I am a Detective and I can help you. If you would only give me a chance!"

"I thought I made myself clear we do not need the help of some... some... I am sure you know what I'm getting at..." The Cheif said with a wave of his hand.

"No I don't know to what you are referring my age perhaps?"

The police chief who preferred to be called Sergeant scowled and said sarcastically, "I thought that you said that you were a Detective.  You can't even solve a simple riddle even when the answers spelled out for you." I stood and stared the Police Chief in the face. I knew what he was driving at and I refused to accept it. 

"What answer?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"What are you dumb as well as obnoxious? Do I have to spell it out for you in black and white?  We don't need the help of some woman!"

"What is your point Sergeant?"  I asked folding my arms across my chest? Irritated by the insulation that women could not do what men could.

"My point is that this is a man's world and Women like you just get in the way."

"I see... You are from that Neanderthal way of thinking. Humph let me guess... You think that a woman's place is in the kitchen not the workforce. Well I have some news for you buddy!"

"The world is changing and soon your way of thinking will be a thing of the past. A woman can do anything a man can do! If not better!"

This made the room erupt in laughter making me frown even more.

I was determined to prove that I was perfectly capable of any challenge set before me so I dared the Sergeant to take on a bet.  "I bet that I can solve any case that your men have failed to solve within two weeks."

"You wouldn't last a day working on a real case!"

"Excuse me? Where have you been? Haven't you read the papers lately? I have solved several cases in the past year! Cases that I would like to point out, had this Police department completely baffled."

To this remark the Police Chief frowned and retorted "that was dumb luck! They weren't real cases all you did was put a few measly facts together to solve these "so called cases" anyone can do that!"

"I bet that I can solve any case that has baffled any of your officers within two weeks. All you have to do is name the case, as well as the time and the place.

" That is unless you are afraid to eat your words" suddenly the room fell silent and the Police Chief once again began to frown.

"I don't have time for this foolishness! Unlike you I have real cases to attend to now if you don't mind please leave and let us get back to our jobs" said the Sergeant pointing to the door.

I wasn't going to give up that easily and so I mockingly replied, "what's the matter are you scared that you will be beaten by a woman?"

"Get Out!" Bellowed the Police Chief and I knew that I had better not press my luck. I bowed respectfully.

"As you wish but know this, I will be back. I will prove that I am capable of any challenge you set before me."

The police chief was now scowling and growled "if you step one foot in this station I will lock you up and throw away the key!"

I smiled if he thought that idle threats were going to frighten me he hand another thing coming.

As I walked out of the station I was followed by the officer who had worked closely with my father on many of his cases Good old Uncle Tony. Uncle Tony had been some help to me in my last case.

He had recognized that the arresting officer in the situation was a rogue officer when He accused Uncle Tony of having his judgment impaired by his admiration for both my father and I.

"Wow!" Uncle Tony said as he came up to me. "I have never seen the Chief so mad" laughed Uncle Tony trying to catch his breath; "did you really mean what you said in there?"

"My father taught me to never say anything that I don't mean."

"Your father was a good man. A good man," he said again quietly. I knew what he was thinking; he had been taken away from this world too early in life. I placed my hand on Uncle Tony's shoulder momentarily.

Then as he wiped away a tear from his eye he turned to me and said, "I know the Chief said not to return but I have an idea how you could help and he wouldn't mind."

I cocked an eyebrow, "I'm listing" I said with intrigue in my voice.

"Well, the Chief has been complaining for days that we need to put our files in order and that the evidence locker could use a good reorganizing. No one can find anything the way it is now. The entire locker is piled high with boxes of evidence that are not labeled. "

"He has been on our backs to get it organized but no one wants to undertake such a strenuous task on top all the other things we have to do daily. All you have to do is go through boxes and try and figure out which box goes with what case as well as what case was filed first I don't see how it is ever going to get done.."

"You see it requires someone who has a lot of time and doesn't mind doing a lot of thinking. It is basically one big puzzle and we just don't have the time to deal with it since we are dealing with criminals and all. Not to mention new cases arriving every day."

"Sounds to me like you are trying to make a secretary job sound interesting."

"You're looking at it the wrong way Kiddo."

I looked at him with a you're kidding me right look but he continued. "You could look at the filing as being a lowly secretary position or you could look at this as you're first challenge."

"Explain" I said slightly puzzled as to where he was going with this.

I would look at it from the view point that this task is a case that's been waiting forever to be solved. It is very challenging and no one has yet to solve its many riddles.  Besides I know the Chief. He is not going to budge on his decision, He truly believes that you are not cut out to be a Detective and that you would be a nascence just like your dad was to him."

"This idea is what you call a loop hole. While you may not be working on open cases you will have a challenge awaiting you and who knows maybe if you do a good job and prove that you are up to the task and solve this unending puzzle then he might change his mind and let you take on one of our smaller cases on the waiting list."

I gave him a I am not impressed look and he sighed "you are just as stubborn as your old man you know that? Do your Uncle a favor and just consider the idea ok? It really would be a great deal of help to us."

I hadn't thought about his idea that way and agreed that I would think about it. Although it was not what I had wanted to do at least it would occupy my time and it was helping my local police station.  After going through the pros and cons I finally decided to give the "big challenge" a shot. Little did I know that it would lead me to my next case!  

When I arrived at the office the next mourning the Sergeant/ Chief was not pleased to see me. "I thought I told you yesterday that we don't need nor want your help here declared the Sergeant. Did I not make this clear to you yesterday?"

"Oh, you made your opinions perfectly clear" I said with a slight nod.

"Then what are you doing here?"

"You sure are direct. What's the matter? Don't  have time for a nice chat with a civilian?" I asked toying with him.

"I am very busy I don't have time for your games today. Pleases do me a favor and leave."

"Leave?" I asked sweetly. "But I just got here why would I want to leave?"

"I don't have time for this would someone please escort Mrs. McKinley to the exit?"

"So you have found a Secretary to organize your files and storage lockers like it says in this add?"  I asked sweetly.

The Sergeant/ Chief stopped dead in this tracks and turned to face me once again.  He stormed over to where I was and grabbed the advertisement from my hand.

"Who is responsible for this?" He demanded angrily waving the article around for everyone to see.

The office fell silent and everyone tried to avoid eye contact with the Sergeant except for Uncle Tony who to the surprise of everyone stood up from his desk and responded "you did sir."

The Sergeant frowned then motioned for Uncle Tony to follow him into his office. The door closed behind them and everyone let out a sigh of relief. "He's in for it now whispered one of the younger officers."

I stood in the middle of the precinct and sighed I hoped that Uncle Tony would not be in trouble on my account. I could hear the sound fo muffled voices in the office and could see the waving around of a huge arm. I could only guess what was being said. After a few minutes the door opened and the Sergeant and Uncle Tony reappeared.

Uncle Tony gave me a wink and then returned to his desk. The Sergeant who was now sipping a cup of coffee from a mug returned to my side and said the words I had wanted to hear all morning. "Fine you can work on the files but don't expect any help. Oh, and just this is just a trial bases. Do I make myself clear? I don't want you to get any ideas about working on cases or anything like that."

"You are here to make coffee, answer phones and file cases the moment I find out that you have been snooping around or interfering in official police business then both of you will be out of here in the blink of an eye do I make myself perfectly clear?" With that he reached out his hand for me to shake it as if signifying that I agreed to the terms.

I frowned what had he meant that both of us would be out the door. I glanced out at Uncle Tony who was hard at work at his desk puzzled surely he wouldn't fire Uncle Tony.  "Ahem" the Sergeant cleared his throat interrupting my thoughts and I once again turned my attention towards him. 

"Do we have an agreement Mrs. McKenna? I turned towards the Sergeant and smiled and shook his hand.

"Yes sir."

"Good, then be a good little secretary and go get me another cup of coffee. This one's cold. And don't be all day about it."

"Yes sir." I paused and he frowned.

"What are you waiting for? I thought I told you to go get me some coffee. "

"How would you like it sir?"

"I like my coffee like I like my women piping hot and sweet." He replies with a slight smirk and I bite my tongue and give him my sweetest fake smile.

"As you wish Sir."

In only a matter of minutes I returned with his coffee. He took a sip and then immediately spit it out. "Is there something the matter sir? I followed your instructions to the letter. You did say you did say you wanted it piping hot did you not?"

He places the cup on his desk and without looking at me replies with a slight wave of his hand. "Your dismissed."

I smiled and before I  closed the door I called out "I look forward to working for you, and sir if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask" he grunted in response and I closed the door.

While flipping through some files I came across a report that had been filed a few months before by the local museum. It seemed that several rare artifacts had started disappearing from the museum and the one of the only suspects was a recently hired gift shop worker. Her name caught my eye immediately, suspects: Sistina Lazyano, recently hired gift shop worker and Alexander Tritian new Curator.  Clam had been filed by Jonathan Samsonion it couldn't be the same Sistina could it?

I looked at the other names in the file Suspect Alexander Tritian. Person who filed the report Jonathan Samsonion why did those two names give me the feeling of forgotten memories I knew that I had agreed not to ask any questions about cases but I was determined to find out if this Sistina was the same Sistina who I had helped so many times before.

I brought the file to the attention of Uncle Tony who had convinced me that jobs were all about the perspective you take on them. "Hay, Catherina how's the organizing going? Are you making any progress?" He asked looking up from his paper work and smiling.

"It's coming along great. I was wondering if I could make a small request."

"There is no such thing as a small request coming from you" Uncle Tony replied smiling. "What can I do for you?"

"I found this file while I was organizing and I was wondering if I could use your computer for a moment."

"What for?" I could tell by his tone that he was wary of my question.

"I just want to see if there is any more information on the Sistina in the case file."

"What does that information have to do with filing this case?"

"I just want to verify a hunch that I have. If this is the same Sistina that I am thinking of then I would be a great deal of assistance to however deals with this case."

"I have a feeling I'm going to regret asking this but what make you so sure that you could help?"

"If this is the same Sistina then I am sure she is innocent and I want to make sure everything is done to ensure that she is not falsely arrested for something she did not do. My experiences with the officers of this station have lead me to believe that the officers of this station don't care who is guilty. In fact, the officers that I have encountered from this station have tendency to arrest first and get the facts later."

"Most of the officers I have had contact with have been on the payroll of those with not so legal activity and as much as I hate to say it, that includes your boss. You are the only exception and that s because you have good morals; you still care about true justice."

"I am sure that if you were in charge things would be run differently. Cops would be trained with morals and be held accountable for their actions. They would be punished to the full extent of the law not just given a slap of the wrist if they are found to be unethical."

Uncle Tony's reaction caught me by surprise.

"I don't know who you have dealt with before, but I assure you that every officer in this station has excellent morals.  We uphold the oldest law there is in this station, all suspects are innocent until proven guilty."

"As for my taking on this case it is not your job to read the files, your job is to organize them! This is an official police investigation and you are just a secretary. I am certainly not going to risk my job for the sake of some girl who wants to play detective.  Now get back to work and leave the investigating to the professionals!"

I was hurt by his words. Some girl? I was not just some girl! I had always thought that Uncle Tony respected me as a detective. He had defended my choice of profession numerous times before, what had changed? There had to be a reasonable explanation but what? 

I mulled the conversation over in my head. Did I go too far when I stated that the rest of the station was not as morally refined as Uncle Tony? I was telling the truth. He couldn't fault me for that, could he?

Yet, my gut told me something else was wrong. What else had Uncle Tony said? He had said that he would not risk his job for my sake. What did he mean by that? Why would his job be in jeopardy by my reading some files? Before I could try to answer the questions swarming in my head Uncle Tony came into the room and closed the door.

"Can I help you with something officer I asked? Do you need me to answer the phones for you? Or let me guess? The stations out of coffee and need me to go buy some more from the store.  After all, that's a women's job right?" I asked sarcastically.

He sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "I didn't mean what I said back there. You know that right?" He asked his eyes filled with sadness.

"You could have fooled me!"

"The Sergeant is barley tolerating your attendance here as it is, it took forever to convince him to even allow you to organize the file and storage areas remember? He only agreed because you are doing what he considers to be a burden on him and his men. After all, filing and typing are not manly. If he were to find out that you took it upon yourself to not only read a case file but also try and solve the case my job would be on the line."

"What does your job have to do with my taking on a case?" I asked folding my arms across my chest giving him the alright spill it look.

"I promised the Sergeant that if he gave you the position then I would personally keep an eye on you to ensure you don't do anything beyond your requires duties."

"You what?!" I said both shocked and a little irritated.

"I promised that you would not go involving yourself in police affairs. This," he said waving the file "would deffinetly be considered a police affair. Why so interested in this case anyway?" He asked flipping through it.

"The suspect names caught my attention as did the name of the person filing the claim."

"Why? Do you know them?" He asked glancing up from the file.

"I know at least one of the Suspects. She is the young lady that I am always solving cases for. As for the other names they sound familiar though I can't place how or where I know them from."

"Are you sure that this is the same Sistina? After all, there are a lot of women named Sistina in New York City."

"That's what I need to find out."

Uncle Tony sighed "I can tell by the look on your face that you have already decided that the suspect is your friend Sistina. I understand that you like to make sure that she receives justice. If she is innocent then she will have nothing to fear. Besides, if this suspect was your friend Sistina don't you think that she would have asked for your assistance in proving her innocence?"

I sighed I knew that Uncle Tony had a point but something told me that Sistina was in trouble and that she needed my help.

"Promise me that you will not investigate the museum case."

"I just want to make sure that the suspect is not my friend."

"Then call your friend but don't reveal the reason for your call. After all, the last thing we need is for this case to be leaked to the public."

"If it turns out that my friend is indeed the suspect in this case and she asks for my help I am not going to refuse her. I will investigate on my own to prove her innocence."

Uncle Tony frowned. "I cannot let you do that. I promise that your friend will not be arrested without proof that she is guilty."

"Just how do you intend to do that?"

"If your friend is truly the suspect then I will take on the case myself."

"If I promise that I will not interfere with the investigation will you take on the case?"

"If you give me your word that you will not interfere then I will consider it."

"You have my word I will not interfere with your investigation in any way."

"Uncle Tony?"

Uncle Tony paused at in the doorway. "Yes, Catherina?"

"Can I ask you for one more tiny favor?"

Uncle Tony frowned "alright, what is it you want?"

"Please let me go with you to the Museum."

"There is no way I am taking you with me when I go, it'll only cause trouble."

"You know that I love Museums and that will give me an excuse to go along. That will appease the Sergeant and I can solve a case without him knowing. If the suspect is not my friend Sistina then I promise that I will not read another case ever again. The Sergeant will never know and I can continue to help you on cases in secret while still doing my work that way we both win."

"I don't think that is a good idea. I meant what I said earlier about not doing anything to risk losing my job. The only reason I have agreed to take this case is to make sure that if the suspect is indeed your friend that she isn't arrested unfairly and to make sure that she gets a fair trial if she is guilty."

"As for your comment about solving the case let me make one thing perfectly clear Catherine, I will not tolerate any interference from you in this case. You are not to be involved in any manner or I will drop this case in a heartbeat. Besides I still think that you are getting excited over nothing after all, there are thousands of Sistina's in New York but I guess there is no harm in verifying that it is not your friend. I will check it out on my way back from my lunch break. "

I pouted "can't I go with you?"

"Absolutely not!"

"I promise I won't interfere with the investigation. I will be as quite as a mouse, no, not even a mouse, I'll be as silent as the grave. It will be as if I am not even there. Please? Please?"

"Alright already! If I agree to let you come with me will you go away and let me get some work done?"

I smiled and gave Uncle Tony a quick hug "you have my word. You won't see me until lunch time." Later after everyone had gone out for lunch Uncle Tony and I road over to the Museum to talk to the curator.

As soon as we entered the museum Uncle Tony went to look for the Curator who had filed the claim. "Stay here" I nodded and glanced around as he walked away.

Over in the corner I saw an employee and recognized it to be my good friend Sistina. She was just locking up the gift shop for her lunch break. I smiled and waved to her. As soon as she saw me she hurried to my side.

"What are you doing here?" She asked surprised to see me. "I bet you are here to investigate the missing artifacts am I right?"

"I can't go into detail it's all very hush, hush. I am here with my father's old partner."

"Did you know that Alexander Batanica is the new curator for the museum? I hear that he was promoted over the previous artifacts manager Kevin In fact, I hear Kevin was demoted to artifacts manager. He is so difficult to work, oh no here comes Kevin. He is no one to trifle with. I had better get going before he sees me."

However, it was too late just as Sistina turned to leave when Kevin arrived and he didn't look happy. "Do I pay you to stand around chatting all day? Who are you Demanded Kevin and what are you doing in my museum?"

I extended my hand to him and tried to introduce myself. "My name is Detective...."

"It was a rhetorical question. I don't care who you are the museum is closed. Now get lost!"

"As for you, aren't you supposed to be doing inventory?"

"Yes sir. I am sorry sir. I was just taking a quick break sir. I will get back to work right away sir." With that Sistina curtsied and rushed back to the gift shop without so much as a backward glance. "Wait just a minute!" He called to her stopping her in her tracks. "Just what makes you think you can break museum rules?"

"I'm not sure I understand sir."

"The museum is closed to the public is it not?"

"Yes sir, that is correct, sir" replied Sistina starting to get very nervous.

"What gave you the idea that you could allow access to museum to your friend then?"

"She didn't give me access to the museum. I am perfectly capable of walking through a pair of doors on my own."

"Was I talking to you? When I want your opinion I will ask.  As I was saying the museum is closed and the doors are locked. Therefore someone had to let your friend inside am I correct?"

"Yes sir. I will ask you one more time did you or did you not allow this women access to the museum?"

"No sir, I swear I did not let her inside the museum. I am not sure how she gained access."

"Then what you are saying is that this woman broke into the museum?"

"No sir. I..."

"Make up your mind. if you did not give her access and I did not give her access and then isn't it the obvious choice that she broke into the museum?  if that is the case then shouldn't I call the police and have her arrested and punished to the full extent of the law?"

"Well..."

"You seem uncomfortable with this conversation Mrs. Carmentino. Is there a reason you don't want me to call the police? Could it be that you are concerned about being caught red handed? Clean out your locker you're through! Honestly is it too much to expect that people do the jobs that they are paid for around here?"

"This place is full of incompetent buffoons! No wonder this place is falling apart. It serves them right for choosing some whippersnapper with fancy degrees over someone with some fancy college degree. Nothing like ever happened when I was in charge."

How dare he treat Sistina in such a manner, it was one thing to treat me like a criminal it was another ball game when he was being rude to a friend. Sistina had done nothing wrong and she didn't deserve to be treated this way. "Your making a mistake." I stated as he grabbed my hands.

"That's what they all say."

I was just about to respond when Alexander and Uncle Tony turned the corner. "What on earth is going here?" Alexander said with a slight frown.

"Just apprehended a suspect who broke into the museum sir." Kevin replies as he finishes placing me in handcuffs.

"Break in? Catherina didn't break into the museum she was invited here. She is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Release her and her friend this instant."

Kevin grumbles as he releases me from the handcuffs. "Sorry about this ma'am. I didn't know you were on the guest list today."

I faked a smile "any one can make a mistake." I held my hand out to shake his and he took it reluctantly.

The handshake lasted only a split second. After which he pulled out a hankie and began wiping his hands as if to wipe away any unforeseen germs from the hand shake.

He then folded his hands across his chest and looked me over a few times. "Ah yes, Detective Catherine McKenna I have heard about you" he said with a hint of distain in his voice.

"Detective McKenna and her partner Officer Tony are going to locate the missing artifacts for us and find out who is responsible for their disappearance."

Kevin chuckled as if this idea was completely preposterous. "What is your problem?" I demanded unable to contain my anger any longer.

Kevin shook his head and continued to chuckle "you should learn to control your temper Detective. In a job like yours you need to keep your head" retorted Kevin between chuckles with that he walked away.

"Oooh he makes me so mad! I just want to oooh!"

"Don't feel bad, he treats everyone that way, even me" said Alexander.

"I don't know how you put up with that man" I said shaking my head.

"He's really not that bad once you get to know him. He just does not have very good people skills. This is why I received the position of head curator over him."

"I see."

"Would you like a free tour of the museum?"

"I would love one."

"It is not much to look at right now but this place will be wonderful once all the renovations are done. Provided we can finish the exhibits without any more problems."

"So you would like for me to find the missing artifacts and who is behind the thefts am I correct?"

Uncle Tony coughed slightly. I smiled it was his subtle way of reminding me that I had promised not to get involved.

"We had hoped to open the museum next month however, with almost all of our exhibits missing artifacts and more and more artifacts disappearing daily..."

"Wait, artifacts are still disappearing?" I asked more interested than ever.

Alexander nodded. "At first, I thought that since the museum was so old that the records were not updated as often as they should have been. I thought that the records were incomplete or inaccurate."

"However, I personally went through every exhibit from top to bottom and recorded every artifact that the museum owned and everything that was supposed to be on loan to other museums."

Alexander sighed "several artifacts are unaccounted for in the records. I have checked with these museums and their records either state that they never received the item or they use already returned it to us."

"Who has access to the records and the exhibits besides yourself?" I asked again over stepping my bounds.

Before Alexander had a chance to reply a frantic women came running up to us. By the time she had reached us she was almost completely out of breath. "Sir! There is a problem sir! You are needed right away!" The women said between breaths.

"I am in the middle of a meeting right now Sophia. Can this wait?"

"No, Sir this is very important. The pirate exhibit has been broken into!"

"Are you sure?"

"I was in the middle of cleaning the window of the exhibit and I noticed that something did not look right. Come and see for yourself!"

"I am sorry to cut our meeting short but I must attend to this issue."

"I think we should come with you. If artifacts have been stolen then perhaps the culprit is still in the area."

Uncle Tony nodded in agreement. "If the thief is still in the area it might not be safe to explore the exhibit alone."

Alexander nodded in understanding follow me.  We all hurried to the pirate wing of the museums.  The area had statues and posters all around. "Over here sir, Maria called pointing to an area that looked like it was being renovated."

I could tell that the exhibit was supposed to be the infamous Black Beard and his buried treasure. "Something is not right" said Alexander looking at the treasure chest next to the Black Beard statue. 

"Is this exactly the way you found this room? Your sure that you didn't touch anything?" 

"No nothing. This was exactly the way I found it." Maria verified.

"Thanks for your help Maria. We will take things from here."

Uncle Tony frowned and coughed once again to remind me that He was supposed to be leading the investigation. I was over stepping my bounds and I knew it. However, at this point I didn't care. There was a mystery to solve and I wasn't going to sit on the sidelines.

As we were looking around for clues we were interrupted by a commotion in nearby hallway.

"Let Go of Me!"

I recognized the voice as belonging to my good friend Sistina.

"I caught you red handed thief!" Replied a voice that I was not too thrilled to hear. It belonged to Kevin. I immediately stopped what I was doing and rushed to the hallway were the voices were coming from.

Alexander and Uncle Tony were right on my heels. They were afraid that things would end badly if I was left to deal with this situation on my own after all, considering the incident earlier Kevin and I didn't have the best track record.

"Your hurting me" cried Sistina. She was still struggling to get free from his grip when we arrived in the hallway.

"Struggle all you want thief there is no escaping me" said Kevin with a satisfied smile.

"What is all this commotion about?"

"Looks like we don't need the Detective's help after all. I caught this thief red handed  trying to steal these jewels" replied Kevin replies with a smug smile.

"Sistina how could you?" Exclaimed Alexander, with a look of shock and hurt on his face.

I frowned something didn't seem right. It seemed a little too convenient him catching Sistina read handed. "How did you know that the exhibit had been robbed? We just found out a few minutes ago."

"I saw a trail of jewels leading from the pirate exhibit to the locker room. That's when I spotted our criminal here stuffing her bag with these" he replied  pulling some jewels from his pocket. "Look what I found in her locker, a treasure map, clothing and swords from the different exhibits, even a stuffed rat."

"Sistina I trusted you! I hired you when no one else would. How could you betray me like this?" Alexander replies.

"It's not what you think. I could never... please let me explain..."

"It sure looks like you are guilty to me" replied Kevin with a smile.  "You should have known better then to hire her. You knew that she had a criminal record when you hired her. Agents my advice you hired her anyway. I doubt our investors will let you keep your job once they find out about this. In fact, they might think that you hired her to steal the artifacts so that you could sell them on the black market."

"What are you saying?"

"I am saying that maybe I should be placing you under arrest as well Alexander. I mean, you are the curator of the museum. You have access to every area and you have control over the records. It's the perfect crime. No one would dare accuse the curator of the thefts or they would risk losing their jobs. It is such a shame don't you think officer?"

Uncle Tony rubbed his hands through his beard thoughtfully. "You have provided an excellent case.  You have given me the opportunity and the motive. I say this case is wrapped up. Alexander Besitanica and Sistina Carmentino you are under arrest for stealing museums artifacts and trying to sell them on the black market."

"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt but there are a few things that don't seem right to me."

"Need I remind you Catherina that this is a real police investigation not one of your pretend Detective cases." Uncle Tony replies coldly.

"You mean that she is not actively involved in this case?" Asked Kevin delighted.

"That is correct," replied Uncle Tony.

"So, I could file a complaint with the police station concerning her interference?"

"I am extremely sorry that she has been such a nuisance. I will make sure that she does not interfere with the rest of this investigation."

"See that you do or I will file a complaint with the station."

I didn't like where this was going. "Excuse me; might I have a word with you alone Uncle Tony?"

"I told you, you are to address me as Officer Tony not as Uncle Tony."

"I am sorry; it is a habit to call you Uncle.  Might I have a word with you Officer Tony?"

"Make it quick! I want to get this investigation done and over with before the end of my shift."

"There is something that doesn't seem right."

"What do you mean, things done seem right?"

"Several things just don't add up."

"Oh?"

"For instance, Kevin said that he followed a trail of jewels from the exhibit to the locker room."

"I don't see what is wrong with that statement."

"Think back a few minutes. We were having a conversation with Alexander when Sopiha came running in saying the exhibit had been robbed."

"Right, so what's the problem?"

"Sophia said that she was cleaning the exhibit when she noticed that the pirate exhibit had been messed with. Immediately she came running in to inform Alexander when we arrived in the room we questioned Sophia concerning the exhibit and how she had found it, are you following me?"

"I think I know where you are heading with this if that's what you mean."

"Sophia made no mention of a trail of jewels leading away from the exhibit. She also stated that she had left the room exactly as it had been when she was getting ready to clean it. If this were the case then where was the trail of jewels when Sophia found the exhibit?"

"I see your point. However, that could just be coincidental."

"Let's go over the clues logically. First off, who has the most to gain from these thefts?"

"Any one of our suspects have motive."

"Who stands to gain something if Alexander is made to look bad in front of the museum's investors?"

"I fail to see how these questions are relevant." .

"Think about it. Kevin was passed over for the position of head curator. To top that off, he wasn't even given the assistant curratior's job. Instead he was demoted to a security guard. A job with less hours and a substantial pay cut."

"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt but the chief of police is on the phone and he doesn't sound happy. If you will excuse me I have official museum business to attend to."

"Well, actually there are a few things that we would like to clarify before we arrest these criminals and take them to jail."

Kevin rolled his eyes "why don't you run along and leave the investigation to the real police." With that, Kevin waved his hand in a leave motion as if I were a dog.

"Yes sir. No sir. I understand sir, right away sir." With that Uncle Tony hung up the phone. "That was the chief. He received an anonymous phone call complaining that you were investigating a case here at the museum and that you were upsetting several employees. We are to return to the precinct immediately."

This time it was my turn to roll my eyes. "Gee why does that not surprise me?" 

"What are you insinuating?"

"We are very close to solving this case and now all of a sudden we are called back to the precinct due to an anonymous tip? A tip that stated specifically that I was bothering the employees. It seems to me that the only employee who has ever had a problem with my being here is Kevin. Didn't Kevin just ask about how to file a complaint about my being involved with the case right before the phone call?"

"It doesn't matter. We have our orders."

"So, the chief suddenly wants us back at the precinct? He doesn't even care that we are close to solving a case? I am beginning to wonder if perhaps the chief isn't being paid to look the other way."

"That is a very serious accusation against any Officer of the law even more so since you are bringing it against the chief."

"It just seems like too much of a coincidence. Did this tip include your being here for the investigation?"

"Not that I am aware of, no."

"Just as we are about to wrap up this investigation you receive orders to return to the station immediately. Doesn't that seem suspicious?"

"I don't disagree with you however, until we have concrete proof of this accusation it needs to stay between ourselves." I sighed and then nodded.

As soon as we entered the precinct we were followed by stares of the other officers. "You two my office now" bellowed the chief.

"You're in for it now" laughed a young officer.

"The chief is going to have your heads" replied another.

An older officer took off his hat in respect. "It was nice knowing you Tom." He said as we passed by.

Once we were inside the Chief's office he glared at the other officers in the precinct. "What are you staring at get back to work" he demanded the after which he slammed the door shut.

"Would you care to explain yourself?"

"To which of us is the question posed?"  I asked not trying to sound like I was mouthing off.

"To the only officer in this room" replied the chief "so I ask again, do you care to explain why you were at the museum?"

"I wanted to check with the museum to find out in detail what had gone missing and how long it had been missing."

"Who gave you permission to investigate a closed case?"

"I was under the impression that the case was unsolved."

"Fine. Then explain this, why did you bring this unauthorized girl to assist you in your investigation?"

"I didn't go with Officer Tony to investigate anything. I learned that an old acquaintance who works at the museum is the new head curator and I went to congratulate him and hope to catch up for old times sake."

"It was this acquaintance that asked me to help solve the problem they were having with the continuation of artifacts going missing."

"Is that so? The museum thefts are a police investigation and therefore her meddling was a direct violation to the agreement Officer Tony and I made earlier. In the terms of the agreement He was to be held responsible should you interfere with any ongoing cases, any unsolved cases or any closed cases. So turn in your badge your through! As for you, Detective, I warned you that if you interfere in any police investigation you would be arrested for tampering in a police investigation."

"Tell me Chief, just how much is Kevin paying you to look the other way?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"It is obvious that Kevin is the one responsible for the disappearance of the artifacts from the museum. He wants to get back at the museum for hiring Alexander as head museum curator.  He also wants to frame Alexander."

"In order to do this he has to give a reason for the museums recent problems. He suggests to the museum's investors that the reason for the thefts is because Alexander knowingly hired a convict. It goes without saying that if he hired a convict then maybe it was his plan all along to steal the artifacts and sell them on the black market."

"It won't matter if Alexander is innocent the seed of doubt has been placed in their minds. He is removed from his position and Kevin is hired his place. Then Kevin gives you a hefty bonus for your help."

"By the way chief, since you said that the museum case is considered closed then it is no longer a police investigation. Therefore, I intend to prove that Alexander and Sistina are innocent. I'm off to the museum. Have a nice day."

"Get out of here and don't ever come back! If I ever see your face in here again I won't hesitate to shoot you."

"As Ramses said in ancient Egypt, so let it be written so let it be done." With that I left the precinct and headed to the museum.

"You are not welcome here Detective! If you don't leave right this instant I will call the police and have you arrested for trespassing."

"We have already been through this once today must we go through it again? I am here as Alexander's guest."

"Yea well, it's too bad that Alexander is no longer in charge isn't it.

"Let me guess, you have been hired in him place?"

"Excuse me I hate to interrupt but where do you want this?"

"It goes into the room to the left. Be careful with that it is very valuable."

"Are those some of the missing artifacts?"

"Not that it is any of your concern but yes, that is one of the missing artifacts."

"Interesting."

"What now?"

"I just find it interesting that the missing artifacts were recovered so quickly."

"A friend of mine works in customs. She recognized the artifacts and had them shipped directly here."

"A very interesting coincidence. By the way, I noticed that your last name is Dematianea. Any relation to the late Jeff Dematianea?"

"He was my brother. What do you care?"

"It is just another interesting coincidence. I bet you blame Sistina for his death."

"It was her husband that caused his death so no, I don't blame her."

"Really that is odd."

"What's odd?"

"That you would go through all this trouble to frame her but not see it as revenge."

"What are you talking about?"

"You knew that once Alexander hired Sistina as a gift shop employee that she would be the perfect scapegoat for the missing artifacts. The truth is you blamed Sistina for his brother's death and you were extremely jealous that Alexander had been promoted over him. You knew that if enough artifacts went missing that the museum owners and investors would begin second guessing their decision."

"You also knew that if you could convince them that Alexander had planned the thefts and that Alexander would be given only a few hours to locate the missing artifacts or lose his job.  When you realized that I was close to solving the case you called your close friend the chief and complained about my meddling."

"You knew that the Chief would be furious and would call both Officer Tony and I back to the precinct where you figured he would arrest me for interfering with a police investigation. With me out of the way there would be no way to prove Alexander and Sestina's innocence."

"What did you expect to get from that little speal? My confession? Don't make me laugh! This is not a fairy tale; real villains don't confess their plot and admit their guilt that kind of thing only happens in the movies. If you are done wasting my time I have work to do."

"I was just leaving. One last thing, I just wanted to point out that if you want to blame someone for your brother's death then you should blame me. You see, Jeff was working for two of my enemies. Both of them are mafia crime lords. Because of my investigation they found out that he betrayed them."

"Unfortunately, even after being put in protective custody Robbinso's men were able to find him and as a result your brother was killed. So if you want to get revenge on anyone it should be me."

"I knew that you were responsible all along. What better way to get my revenge then to frame your friends."

"Then you admit that you set them up just to get revenge agents me."

"Of course I did. It's the perfect revenge. It won't matter that your friends are not guilty. The seed of doubt will have been sown and your friend's lives will never be the same. As for me I get off scot free. You have no proof to pin me to the crimes and no one else is hear me confess to them."

"I wouldn't say that" replies Officer Tony stepping out of the shadows. "Well done Detective." With that Tony places handcuffs on Kevin and reads him his rights. "You have the right to remain silent anything you say or do can and will be used agents you. You have the right to an attorney...."