The bookstore was engulfed in a lonely silence, when the only source of light in the room is the dim sunlit one during the noon. When there is enough light so you can't light a lamp and dark enough to make everything gloomy. A faint ticking from the clock continued forever.
Wren sighed. There were no customers at all. News kept spreading about the investigation throughout the town of the construction site. The name of murder created a lockdown itself, no order had to be passed among the fearful and cautious townspeople. In fact, it was good because the killer could be found easily if he had to be wandering around.
Then the silence broke.
Wren was still dozing on her desk full of boredom, her back was noticeably hunched when the door creaked open. Her every micro movements were scanned by the person entering— her back straightening and her brows raising in attention. The casual shopkeeper smile never really showed in her face that now searched for answers.
She scanned him too or accurately speaking, just a glance was enough to shake her. A long maroon coat with black clothes underneath. His eyes were hidden by the black glasses and a maroon hat finished his looks.
A calculative smile curled on his lips. " Something about me bothers you. " He remarked, walking towards her.
Her back straightened up in defense and she slid her chair to back away, but he closed up to her in a swift.
"Don't ignore my question." He whispered as he brought his face near hers. "What do you know about me?" He tilted his head a little sideways.
"I know nothing." Her chest was now uncontrollably moving up and down fast with her rapid breathing which, she felt, gave away her act. However, she tried hard to keep a straight face as if she really was clueless and wanted to be unbothered.
He let out a low humming sound as he thought of something. "Allow me to rephrase that." His voice was now an order. "How much do you know about me?"
Her expression now calmed down strategically, as if she were to help a customer with their queries.
"You can't threaten me here, sir. A store is an unsuitable place for violence. Customers keep on coming so I must warn you that you won't get all of my time."
He leaned away.
He stepped back.
Looked at her and narrowed his eyes.
You didn't even stand up. You're either very brave, or you're hiding something behind that courage.
Then with a understanding smile, started walking towards the bookshelves.
You got the first impression of me with violence. You DO know something.
"About violence," he repeated, mimicking her tone as he walked away, "say, mam, did I once raise my hand or even my voice at you?"
He stopped near a shelve and took a look over the books.
"Well, if you insist that you mean me no harm, what do you want?" She asked as she fixed her chair position, bringing back her control.
His hand went over the hardcovers then his slender finger tilted a chosen book. "You are the detective, aren't you?"
"What makes you think that?" She asked with a smile.
"The board outside. It was cleverly written: Cases Closed. Books Opened."
Her face lit up at the word 'cleverly'. "Ahah! I did write that."
"Well if you are the detective, shouldn't you–" He stopped as he heard some else approaching outside. He left the place hurriedly at once.
Then the usual day began, to Wren's relief.
"Welcome to our store where cases are closed AND Books Are Opened!"
"Ay! What's your problem?" The new customer shouted as the maroon guy bumped on him at the rush. He groaned and messaged his shoulder. He then looked at Wren with a surprised face. "Sorry, you said something?"
"Nothing. You're my first customer if you are here to buy books."
The guy nodded. She admired his long hair which had been tied into a half bun. "Nice hair."
"Haha, thanks. Yes, umm do you have- like is there any books uhh for kids? I am getting my little cousin brother a book."
Wren walked out of the counter table and made way towards a shelf.
"Anyways, that guy seemed to have a great sense of fashion." He remarked.
"His clothes were not that good of a quality and the stitches were messy. Don't worry." She spoke to herself as much as she did to him.
"Worry?"
"Ah I mean don't worry, your fashion sense is much better." She said and then showed him a book. "Is he interested in history? No? I mean you're right, our history is not enough uhh anyways then geography or space and universe?"
"He likes stars."
She nodded and packed him a book. Then she used a large cranky old parchment to cover it.
"Name?"
"Umm I can write by myself." He insisted.
"Believe me, my handwriting is great."
"From Sameul to Jack."
She wrote it and then handed it over with a smile. She looked at his face feeling grateful internally.
You saved me from the creep nonetheless.
He handed over the money then started, "Umm is the detective here?"
"No. He is in the construction site. Everyone is either gathered there or at home in fear."
"No, people are now getting a little easy. Recently it was announced that the murders had been targeted due to some relation so it is most probably not a serial killer."
"Really?"
"Yes. You can even go out and check. But I am actually trying to find myself a detective. If the one here is absent too then do you know anybody else in this town?"
"Yes, I know quite a lot."
They spent the next half an hour discussing, often jumping from one topic to another.
In the end he looked at the clock on the wall over her head. "I should get going uhhh?"
"Oh sorry! I never told you my name!" She giggled softly. "Wren. Wren Winters."
His eyedrows made a micro movement, with a small winkle forming.
Winters? That name sounds so...familiar.
Wren kept staring at him for a response. He gave a small gasp. "Ah um as I was saying, bye Wren! I hope we meet again soon."
She smiled warmly. She too hoped to see him again. Soon.
**********************************************
Sameul exited the shop and stopped at the gates to have a good look on the house. After looking for some seconds, he pulled out the lists of detectives that had just been provided by Wren.
He pulled out a pencil from his pocket then added Wren Winters in the end of the list.
Giving a satisfied smile to himself, he set off to find himself a detective.