Monday Morning in Crime City

A short story inspired by and taking place in the world of the game MicroMacro - Crime City (2020), designed by Johannes Sich and published by Spielwiese.

In my line of work, your nerves have to be made of steel. There's always action, danger lurking on every street. The city is full of criminals to catch, citizens in need of help and victims that deserve justice.

Rookies often take a long deep breath before starting the day. They take the time to put on their game face. After a while, it's the only face that remains. The only face that matters when you push those heavy glass doors that leads into the police station. As soon as I'm inside, it feels like home. Agents running between desks, files and papers flying like flocks of distressed birds, a concerto of ringing phones and shouting people. Chaos reigns. I take a sip of coffee. It is dark and burning hot, just as I like it.

''Detective! Detective, finally, you're here. It's been absolutely crazy around here - and it's not even 8 on the clock!''

You see that hysteric young man approaching? The one who looks like he didn't get any sleep for a week? Yeah, that one. His name is Stephen. He's one of the rookies I told you about, except it doesn't seem like he took his long deep breath today. Good. He's learning. I start walking with him through the station.

''What else is new?'' I laugh, but it's not convincing. ''Alright, Stephen. What do we got?''

''OK, so, there's been a car accident in the eastern part of the city. The guy just crashed in a street light! Also, north-west, a bank robbery and...'' The rook is frantically going through his notes as he fills me in. ''Oh! And you know that troublemaker, Kevin Jagermeister? Well, as it turns out, he's dead. Killed in the street, under daylight!''

I look through the window. Welcome to Crime City, I think to myself while I finish my coffee. Plenty of crimes to solve, but I'll have to take them one at a time. But where to start? At least, Mondays are slower than the other days of the week. And don't get me started on the weekends...

''And, Detective, not that it's much of a priority, but Mr. José Branca called as well. Apparently, his top hat got stolen.''

''Where?'' I immediately turn to him. ''Where did it happen?''

''Well, Mr. Branca was heading toward his neighbourhood bar, between Neptune Park and the hardware store... but why do you ask?''

''I'll start with this case,'' I answer, smiling. ''I will find the hat.''