Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here for the final installment of my three-week short story series! We've had a mysterious train ride, a disturbing encounter with a mirror, and now it's time to put on our detective hats for a classic crime mystery.

In “The Missing Necklace,” Detective James Carter is called to investigate a stolen necklace from a wealthy family's estate. There are no signs of forced entry, eight potential suspects, and absolutely no shortage of secrets.

But just when James thinks he's solved the case, he receives a message that makes him realize the mystery may be far from over.

Think you can solve the crime?

The Missing Necklace

Detective James Carter had seen plenty of strange cases during his career.

But the missing necklace at the Bellamy estate seemed almost laughably simple.

The necklace had disappeared during a dinner party attended by eight guests.

No broken windows.

No forced entry.

No alarms triggered.

The necklace had been locked inside a glass display case in the study.

At 10:00 p.m., it was there.

At 10:30, it was gone.

James interviewed every guest.

The wealthy businessman.

His wife.

Their daughter.

The housekeeper.

The chef.

Two family friends.

And the gardener.

Everyone claimed they knew nothing.

James returned to the study.

He examined the display case.

Then the desk.

Then the carpet.

Nothing.

Finally, he noticed something peculiar.

A small water stain beneath the display case.

He looked toward the window.

It had been raining heavily all evening.

"Who cleaned this room?" he asked.

The housekeeper raised her hand.

"I did, Detective."

"What time?"

"About nine."

James nodded.

Then he looked at the gardener.

"You said you never entered the house tonight?"

"That's right."

James smiled.

"Interesting."

The gardener frowned.

"What?"

"Because the mud on your shoes is from the garden."

The gardener looked down.

"So?"

James pointed toward the study.

"There isn't a single muddy footprint leading into this room."

The gardener's expression changed.

James continued.

"But there is water beneath the display case."

Everyone stared at him.

"The necklace wasn't stolen through the door," James said. "It was removed from beneath the floor."

He pointed toward a loose floorboard.

The gardener suddenly ran.

Two officers waiting outside caught him before he reached the driveway.

Later, James learned the gardener had been working with the businessman's daughter.

But there was one thing that bothered him.

The necklace was never found.

Until three days later.

James received an envelope at the police station.

Inside was the necklace.

And a note.

You caught the wrong thief.

James stared at the message.

Then he smiled.

Finally, he had a case worth solving.