Chapter 1- A new case, abroad
‘Mai, Tea now!’
‘Alright, alright!’ Mai had had enough, she wanted to get out of the place, the Shibuya Paranormal Research office was driving her nuts, even without its arrogant owner shouting and ordering her around like a slave. It was the summer holidays after all, she should be out shopping and hanging out with her friends. Not making tea for the world’s biggest narcissist.
‘Mai, can you come into my office please!’ Came the unmistakeable voice of Naru. She sighed and carried his piping hot tea to the office door, knocking before she came in. Kazuya Shibuya was sitting at his desk looking at some papers and his computer. He was wearing his usual attire, a black shirt and black khakis to match his black hair and dark, expressionless face. Despite his colourless palette, seeing him never failed to make Mai’s heart jump a little when she saw him.
‘What is it? I’m already busy filing up your last case. Don’t tell you have more work for me to do.’ She said. Although she had a feeling that it wasn’t anything to do with paperwork. She hoped she’d somehow manage to hit a guilt spot in his brain. As per usual her attempt struck no such chord (if one exists).
‘I don’t have more work for you to do, for now that is.’ He looked up from his papers setting them down; he turned the computer screen around to face Mai. She set down his tea on his desk and took a closer look at the screen. It was an extremely old photo of a family. They were dressed in 19th century clothing and by looking closely at the background you could tell the photo was taken somewhere in Western Europe, maybe Germany or Britain.
‘Why are you showing me this?’ Asked Mai.
‘This is the one of the few photos left of the Aldington family, the head Richard Aldington ran his own slave trade company and was one of the most wealthiest businessmen in the Victorian era of England. However one night under mysterious circumstances the head murdered each member of his family in hideous ways.’ Said Naru bluntly.
‘How did he do it?’ Interrupted Mai.
‘Let me finish, Richard Aldington was arrested and put into a mental hospital where he spent the rest of his life in. And since there was no heir to the Aldington estate the manor became derelict for a number of lives until it was handed over to the national trust and became a museum and nature reserve for the public.’ Lin walked into the room and set on the sofa, nodding and Mai and Naru as he did so. He lay back and closed his eyes, waiting for his boss to carry on the briefing. Mai looked away from the short distraction and faced Naru.
‘I don’t why this is all relevant, is this a new case?’ She raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response. Naru cleared his throat.
‘Yes this is a new case, recently the house has been experiencing some unexplained phenomena, the details are a bit mundane in the letter and e mail I received but the general gist of it all may be down to poltergeist activity. The curator of the museum and the chairman of the national trust decided to call in Miss Masako Haru in order to help. When she arrived she contacted me believing that extra help will be at hand. John Brown, Houshou Takigawa and Ayako Matsuzaki will also be coming with us to England.’ When Naru finally finished, Mai sat on the chair next to Lin.
‘So, we’re going to England? I can’t afford that!’ She replied. Naru smiled a rare smile.
‘Did I mention it’s an all expenses payed, first class flight?’ Mai smiled from ear to ear, maybe this summer wasn’t going to be so bad after all.
