Welcome to (text-style: "Shudder")[(text-style: "Expand")[Cold Memories]]
by: Jacob Hale
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Cold Memories is an interactive narrative that follows a retiring detective on his last day at the station. Your goal is to make decisions about how the detective should use his last day and see how these decisions affect the rest of his life. Depending on your choices, and possibly your detective skills, the narrative can either be a Comedy, a Tragedy or a Procedural Thriller. Feel free to restart the narrative as many times as you would like to explore many different options.
Sadly, the program I used for this assignment wouldnt allow me to enforce time limits. So instead I just going to suggest that those keen on getting the full experince of the game self-enforce a 4 minute time limit to the police server section of the narrative to simulate the time the deteticve has before the end of his last day. This being said, everything will still work if you choose not to. (tl;dr - Logout of the server within the first 4 minutes)
[[Enjoy->Server 1]]
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Stillmore Police Department Database (10/12/01)
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Secure Internal Message System
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- Messages -
[[Commisoner McConnell (02/12/01): You Made it Buddy!->Message from Commissioner McConnell 1]]
[[Deputy Stephenson (02/11/01): Congrats!->Message from Deputy Stephenson 1]]
[[Captain Thompson (02/08/01): Discharge Proceedures->Message From Captain Thompson 1]]
- End of Messages -
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[[Return to Server->Server 2]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Date: 02/12/01
From: Commissioner McConnell
To: Inspector Lewis
Subject: You made it Buddy!
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Micheal,
I can't believe it's been 30 years. I assumed from the amount trouble you get yourself into I wouldn't have to budget for your retirement check. Just be glad you didn't take the desk route, I'm going to be pushing papers until some wide eyed sucker is stupid enough to take over as commissioner. You've served this department well though, your father would have been proud. Speaking of your father, I still have't opened that scotch he gave me when I took his place. Come on by my office once you close things up at the station, we'll crack it open and reminisce over our days on the graveyard shift.
One Last thing. I know your still torn up about that Evan McDowell case, but don't ruin your last day trying to solve it. Everbody has that one case and you just have to learn to move past it. Trust me, I've read that case up and down, there just isn't anything there. He might have well been killed by a ghost. Who knows, maybe some day you can turn the story into a book.
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[[Return to Secure Internal Message System->Secure Internal Message System 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Date: 02/11/01
From: Deputy Stephenson
To: Inspector Lewis
Subject: Congrats!
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Micheal,
Congrats on the Retirement. Hope your last few days are going well. Tammy made a pie for you and Rita. I'll drop by your office tomorow to deliver it. I bet you have lots of plans for all that free time! Speaking of free time, you should really think about writing a book about that Evan McDowell case, maybe it will help you see something that you missed. I know your gonna loose access to the server when you leave, but if you think of any new leads feel free to contact me and I'll look over the evidence for you.
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[[Return to Secure Internal Message System->Secure Internal Message System 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Date: 02/08/01
From: Captain Thompson
To: Inspector Lewis
Subject: Discharge Proceedures
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Micheal,
Congrats on the retirement. Only one more week until you don't have to put up with my shit any more. Not that you ever did. I've told the new secretary to hide the donuts on Friday just in case you tried to sneek off with them. All jokes aside, Your a damn fine inspector and I know I speak for the whole department when I say, we are all gonna miss you. I'm sure you already know this but, when you are ready to head out of here Friday I need you to turn in your gun and utility belt to the armory and return any physical case files or evidence that you might have at home.
Also, just as standard proceedure the server won't let us remove your account unless you close all of your open case files. This being said, I know that closing the Evan McDowell case might be a little rough for you. So I went ahead and told the Computer Technichians to close it for you once you log off on Friday. Feel free to use all the time you like this week to look over the files.
Best of luck out there.
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[[Return to Secure Internal Message System->Secure Internal Message System 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Case Files Database
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- Open Cases -
[[McDowell, Evan: Homocide (03/03/75)->Case File 1]]
- End of Open Cases -
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[[Return to Server->Server 2]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Welcome Inspector Lewis,
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[[View Messages->Secure Internal Message System 1]]
[[View Open Case Files->Case Files Database 1]]
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[[Logout->Messages Only Ending]]
(text-colour: "red")[You retire and loose acess to the case files. You try and solve the case from memory but slowly dementia consumes your brain and it all becomes a distant memory
//The case goes forever unsolved//.]
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(Text-Style: "Expand")[(Text-Style: "Rumble")[The End]](text-colour: "red")[You retire and loose acess to the case files.]
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[[Stop By Commissioner McConnels office for a drink->Drink at McConnells 1]]
[[Go Home to Rita->At Home 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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(text-style: "Underline")[''Case'']
''Status'': Open
''Arrests'': 0
''Suspects'': 1
(text-style: "Underline")[''Victim'']
''Name'': McDowell, Evan
''Age'': 11
''Height'': 57'
''Weight'': 75 lb 3 oz
(text-style: "Underline")[''Incident Details'']
''Date of incident'': 03/03/75
''Incident Report Summary'': At approximately 06:18 SPD was dispactched to boy scout encampment 31 miles north of Stilmore, on a property ownedby the St. Thomas Catholic Church of Stillmore. Once at the location the responding officer (Micheal R. Lewis) was notified by Scoutmaster (Richard P. Lowrey) of a scout (Evan S. McDowell) who had dissapeared from his tent at some point in the night. The scout's tent mate (Charles C. Perdue) was sleeping in the tent during the time of his dissapearance, but reports not noticing anything was wrong until he awoke at approximately 06:00. Due to the unconventional nature of his dissapearpance a missing persons report was filed at the scene and two more units, including one K-9 Search and Rescue Unit, were dispatched to the scene to assist with finding the missing scout. At approximately 08:47 the scout's body was found burried 2 miles Northeast of the encampment near the catholic monastery. The 3 remaining scouts and 2 scout leaders we brought into the station for questioning and all knifes at the scene were confiscated for analysis. No innitial arrests were made.
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(text-style: "Underline")[''Accompanying Files'']
[[Evidence Inventory-> Evidence Inventory 1]]
[[Case Update Reports-> Case Update Reports 1]]
[[Witnesses->Witnesses 1]]
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[[Return to Case Files Database->Case Files Database 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Case Files Database
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- Open Cases -
[[McDowell, Evan: Homocide (03/03/75)->Case File 2]]
- End of Open Cases -
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[[Return to Server->Server 3]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Name: Kilty, Father Rupert
Date of Deposition: 03/04/75
Information Provided: The witness, a priest at the catholic monastery, claims to have seen two african american men sneeking around the property at approximately 03:00 while he was gardening around the church. The witness also suggested that they might have used the boys body to perform some sort of vudu ritual.
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[[Return to Case File->Case File 2]]Once at the commsioners office, yall crack open the scotch and talk about the old days. He's so happy that you joined him for a drink. He doesn't think he ever could have ever forgiven you if you didn't. Halfway into the bottle, the discussion of the case comes up. You admit that you have been thinking about writing a book about the case later in life when you've spent some time away from it. He thinks that this is a great idea and offers to do everything in his power to assist you in when the time comes. Yall finish the bottle and call it a night.
At home you embrace the retired life. You and Rita buy an RV and follow the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series around america for 7 years. After the financial colapse of 2008, your pension gets reduced, you are forced to return home. At home the case once again starts to nag you. As an idea to make up for the reduced pension, you discuss writing a book about the case with Rita. She is completely appalled by the idea. She argues that you have been happier then she has ever seen you since you let the case go.
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[[Listen to your Rita's concerns and forget about the book idea-> Listen to Wifes Demands]]
[[start writing the book anyway-> Book anyway 2]]At home you embrace the retired life. You and Rita buy an RV and follow the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series around america for 7 years. After the financial colapse of 2008, your pension gets reduced, you are forced to return home. At home the case once again starts to nag you. As an idea to make up for the reduced pension, you discuss writing a book about the case with Rita. She is completely appalled by the idea. She argues that you have been happier then she has ever seen you since you let the case go.
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[[Listen to your rita's concerns and forget about the book idea-> Listen to Wifes Demands]]
[[start writing the book anyway-> Book anyway 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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1 x Pocket Knife
Notes: Found in tent of deceased. Believed to belong to tentmate, but he claims that they often used each others knifes to clean toenails. DNA tests showed DNA from both the Tentmate and the deceased.
1 x Shovel
Notes: Found hidden in brush near the crime scene. Belonging to the nearby catholic monastery. Priest claims that it went missing 2 weeks before the incident. no signs of rust.
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[[Return to Case File->Case File 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Welcome Inspector Lewis,
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[[View Messages->Secure Internal Message System 2]]
[[View Open Case Files->Case Files Database 2]]
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[[Logout->Messages and Case File Ending]] (text-colour: "red")[You retire and loose acess to the case files.]
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[[Stop By Commissioner McConnels office for a drink->Drink at McConnells 2]]
[[Go Home to Rita->At Home 1]]You and Rita adjust to the new budget. Eventually you decide to sell the RV and buy some farm land 20 miles east of Stillmore. Your experience growing up on a farm allows you to start a sucessfull organic alvacado operation. After a whole foods opens in Statesboro you obtain a contract and become insanely rich.
(text-colour: "red")[(Text-Style: "Rumble")[//The case goes forever unsolved//.]]
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(Text-Style: "Expand")[The End]Rita decides that it is best for her to "stay at her sisters for a while." You get to work on your book. Immediately you think of a new lead, no one ever interogated the preist that was at the church. You contact Deputy Stephenson about the new lead. Turns out that he was just trying to kiss your ass so that you would have recomended him to replace you. Not only did he not get the promotion, he was just laid off after the financial colapse. Tammy is also really upset about you not thanking her for the pie 7 years ago. You try and contact the Commisioner about allowing you to review the case files youself. Still upset about you not joining him for a drink, he ignores your calls and tells his secretary not to let you stop by. Everyone you loved has left you. You drink yourself into a pit of misery and die alone.
(text-colour: "red")[(Text-Style: "Rumble")[//The case goes forever unsolved//]]
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(Text-Style: "Expand")[The End]Rita decides that it is best for her to "stay at her sisters for a while." You get to work on your book. Immediately you think of a new lead, no one ever interogated the preist that was at the catholic monastery. You decide to contact the Commisioner about the new lead. He can't believe that they never thought of that. He lets you know that the catholic Monastery is also under investigation from the FBI for allegations that they have been covering up sexual abuse since the 60s. You contact the FBI agents in charge of the case and they are exuberant. They already have the preist in custody for a seperate rape charge. You are allowed accompany them to the interogration because of your knowlege of the case. When you walk into the room you immediately make eye contact with the preist. He recognizes your face and breaks into tears. The memory was too much for him to handle. He confesses to the murder.
(Text-Style: "Expand")[(Text-Style: "Rumble")[(text-colour: "lime")[You Solved the Case!!!]]]
You are given the key to the city, which you then regift to your wife as a symbolic key to your heart. Passionally she exclaims, "It's about time, because you've had mine for years." You collect the reward for the case and buy a new RV. A few months later Carl Edwards wrecks out in the lead 1000 yards from the finish line at Talladega. Inspired by his favorite movie, //Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby//, he gets out of his car and runs accross the finish line on foot. The best part is, You and Rita are right there in the inflied to see it...
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(Text-Style: "Expand")[The End]
Stillmore Police Department Database (10/12/01)
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Secure Internal Message System
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- Messages -
[[Commisoner McConnell (02/12/01): You Made it Buddy!->Message from Commissioner McConnell 2]]
[[Deputy Stephenson (02/11/01): Congrats!->Message from Deputy Stephenson 2]]
[[Captain Thompson (02/08/01): Discharge Proceedures->Message From Captain Thompson 2]]
- End of Messages -
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[[Return to Server->Server 3]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Date: 02/12/01
From: Commissioner McConnell
To: Inspector Lewis
Subject: You made it Buddy!
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Micheal,
I can't believe it's been 30 years. I assumed from the amount trouble you get yourself into I wouldn't have to budget for your retirement check. Just be glad you didn't take the desk route, I'm going to be pushing papers until some wide eyed sucker is stupid enough to take over as commissioner. You've served this department well though, your father would have been proud. Speaking of your father, I still have't opened that scotch he gave me when I took his place. Come on by my office once you close things up at the station, we'll crack it open and reminisce over our days on the graveyard shift.
One Last thing. I know your still torn up about that Evan McDowell case, but don't ruin your last day trying to solve it. Everbody has that one case and you just have to learn to move past it. Trust me, I've read that case up and down, there just isn't anything there. He might have well been killed by a ghost. Who knows, maybe some day you can turn the story into a book.
---
[[Return to Secure Internal Message System->Secure Internal Message System 2]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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Date: 02/11/01
From: Deputy Stephenson
To: Inspector Lewis
Subject: Congrats!
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Micheal,
Congrats on the Retirement. Hope your last few days are going well. Tammy made a pie for you and Rita. I'll drop by your office tomorow to deliver it. I bet you have lots of plans for all that free time! Speaking of free time, you should really think about writing a book about that Evan McDowell case, maybe it will help you see something that you missed. I know your gonna loose access to the server when you leave, but if you think of any new leads feel free to contact me and I'll look over the evidence for you.
---
[[Return to Secure Internal Message System->Secure Internal Message System 2]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
---
Date: 02/08/01
From: Captain Thompson
To: Inspector Lewis
Subject: Discharge Proceedures
---
Micheal,
Congrats on the retirement. Only one more week until you don't have to put up with my shit any more. Not that you ever did. I've told the new secretary to hide the donuts on Friday just in case you tried to sneek off with them. All jokes aside, Your a damn fine inspector and I know I speak for the whole department when I say, we are all gonna miss you. I'm sure you already know this but, when you are ready to head out of here Friday I need you to turn in your gun and utility belt to the armory and return any physical case files or evidence that you might have at home.
Also, just as standard proceedure the server won't let us remove your account unless you close all of your open case files. This being said, I know that closing the Evan McDowell case might be a little rough for you. So I went ahead and told the Computer Technichians to close it for you once you log off on Friday. Feel free to use all the time you like this week to look over the files.
Best of luck out there.
---
[[Return to Secure Internal Message System->Secure Internal Message System 2]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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- 03/24/75 -
Subject: Corroner's Report
The corroner's report found that the boy had been stabbed 32 times in the lower abdomen and chest by a sharp object approximately 3' in length. There was visiable signs of a struggle on the victim's body as well a signs that the body had been comprimised sexually.
- 03/04/75 -
Subject: Interview with parents of deceased
The mother states that her son was loved by everyone. No grudges or dissagreements with any other local kids. Father Claims that he wouldn't have had time to get in with a bad crowd because he spent most of his free time volunteering at the monestary. Mother claims that he wanted to become a priest. Father noticed a group of african american men hanging out near the gas station recently and expressed concernt that they may have been involved
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[[Return to Case File->Case File 1]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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(text-style: "Underline")[Case]
''Status'': Open
''Arrests'': 0
''Suspects'': 1
(text-style: "Underline")[Victim]
''Name'': McDowell, Evan
''Age'': 11
''Height'': 57'
''Weight'': 75 lb 3 oz
(text-style: "Underline")[Incident Details]
''Date of incident'': 03/03/75
''Incident Report'': At approximately 06:18 SPD was dispactched to boy scout encampment 31 miles north of Stilmore, on a property ownedby the St. Thomas Catholic Church of Stillmore. Once at the location the responding officer (Micheal R. Lewis) was notified by Scoutmaster (Richard P. Lowrey) of a scout (Evan S. McDowell) who had dissapeared from his tent at some point in the night. The scout's tent mate (Charles C. Perdue) was sleeping in the tent during the time of his dissapearance, but reports not noticing anything was wrong until he awoke at approximately 06:00. Due to the unconventional nature of his dissapearpance a missing persons report was filed at the scene and two more units, including one K-9 Search and Rescue Unit, were dispatched to the scene to assist with finding the missing scout. At approximately 08:47 the scout's body was found burried 2 miles Northeast of the encampment near the Catholic Monastery. A coroner's report found that he had been stabbed 32 times in the lower abdomen and chest by a sharp object approximately 3' in length. The 3 remaining scouts and 2 scout leaders we brought into the station for questioning and all knifes at the scene were confiscated for analysis. No innitial arrests were made.
---
(text-style: "Underline")[Accompanying Files]
[[Evidence Inventory-> Evidence Inventory 2]]
[[Case Update Reports-> Case Update Reports 2]]
[[Witnesses->Witnesses 1]]
---
[[Return to Case Files Database->Case Files Database 2]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
---
Welcome Inspector Lewis,
---
[[View Messages->Secure Internal Message System 1]] - (//3 Unread Messages//)
[[View Open Case Files->Case Files Database 1]] - (//1 Open Case File//)
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[[Logout->Lazy Ending]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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1 x Pocket Knife
Notes: Found in tent of deceased. Believed to belong to tentmate, but he claims that they often used each others knifes to clean toenails. DNA tests showed DNA from both the Tentmate and the deceased.
1 x Shovel
Notes: Found hidden in brush near the crime scene. Belonging to the nearby catholic monastery. Priest claims that it went missing 2 weeks before the incident. no signs of rust.
---
[[Return to Case File->Case File 2]]
Stillmore Police Department Server (10/12/01)
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- 03/24/75 -
Subject: Corroner's Report
The corroner's report found that the boy had been stabbed 32 times in the lower abdomen and chest by a sharp object approximately 3' in length. There was visiable signs of a struggle on the victim's body as well a signs that the body had been comprimised sexually.
- 03/04/75 -
Subject: Interview with parents of deceased
The mother states that her son was loved by everyone. No grudges or dissagreements with any other local kids. Father Claims that he wouldn't have had time to get in with a bad crowd because he spent most of his free time volunteering at the monestary. Mother claims that he wanted to become a priest. Father noticed a group of african american men hanging out near the gas station recently and expressed concernt that they may have been involved
---
[[Return to Case File->Case File 2]]Once at the commsioners office, yall crack open the scotch and talk about the old days. He's so happy that you joined him for a drink. He doesn't think he ever could have ever forgiven you if you didn't. Halfway into the bottle, the discussion of the case comes up. You let him know that, despite his requests, you spent the last week looking over the case files again and...
---
[[You admit that you have been thinking about writing a book about the case later in life when you've spent some time away from it->Admit about book]]
[[You tell him that you think you may have discovered a new lead->African Americans or The Priest]]He thinks that this is a great idea and offers to do everything in his power to assist you in when the time comes. Yall finish the bottle and call it a night.
At home you embrace the retired life. You and Rita buy an RV and follow the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series around america for 7 years. After the financial colapse of 2008, your pension gets reduced, you are forced to return home. At home the case once again starts to nag you. As an idea to make up for the reduced pension, you discuss writing a book about the case with Rita. She is completely appalled by the idea. She argues that you have been happier then she has ever seen you since you let the case go.
---
[[Listen to your Rita's concerns and forget about the book idea-> Listen to Wifes Demands]]
[[start writing the book anyway-> Book anyway 2]]You inform the commissioner that no one ever interogated the preist that was at the catholic monastery. He can't believe that they never thought of that. He lets you know that the catholic monastery is also under investigation from the FBI for allegations that they have been covering up sexual abuse since the 60s. You contact the FBI agents in charge of the case and they are exuberant. They already have the preist in custody for a seperate rape charge. You are allowed accompany them to the interogration because of your knowlege of the case. When you walk into the room you immediately make eye contact with the preist. He recognizes your face immediatly and breaks into tears. The memory was too much for him to handle. He confesses to the murder.
(Text-Style: "Expand")[(Text-Style: "Rumble")[(text-colour: "lime")[You Solved the Case!!!]]]
You are given the key to the city, which you then regift to your wife as a symbolic key to your heart. Passionally she exclaims, "It's about time, because you've had mine for years." You collect the reward for the case and buy an RV to follow the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series around america with your wife, Rita. A few months later Carl Edwards wrecks out in the lead 1000 yards from the finish line at Talladega. Inspired by his favorite movie, //Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby//, he gets out of his car and runs accross the finish line on foot. The best part is, You and Rita are right there in the inflied to see it...
---
(Text-Style: "Expand")[The End]//Which lead do you mention?//
[[Both the father of the victim and the priest mentioned seeing two African Americans around the time of the murder, maybe they did it!->The African Americans]]
[[No one ever interogated the preist. That's odd.->The Priest]]You inform the commissioner that the two African Americans seen by the priest could also the the African Americans that the father saw hanging out by the gas station. The commissioner informs you that, not only would this be an impossible lead to follow nearly 26 years later, it is very likely that the town's long history of racism had a hand in these rediculous accusations. He suggests that you need to let the case go for the time being and come back to it with fresh eyes. You suggest that maybe you will write a book about it later in life. He thinks that this is a great idea and offers to do everything in his power to assist you in when the time comes. Yall finish the bottle and call it a night.
At home you embrace the retired life. You and Rita buy an RV and follow the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series around america for 7 years. After the financial colapse of 2008, your pension gets reduced, you are forced to return home. At home the case once again starts to nag you. As an idea to make up for the reduced pension, you discuss writing a book about the case with Rita. She is completely appalled by the idea. She argues that you have been happier then she has ever seen you since you let the case go.
---
[[Listen to your Rita's concerns and forget about the book idea-> Listen to Wifes Demands]]
[[start writing the book anyway-> Book anyway 2]]