Boy Finds a Clue in Sandbox That Helps Cops Solve the Biggest Case in Town — Story of the Day

Little Joseph was building a sand castle when he accidentally found a set of keys in the sandbox. His mother drove to the police station to hand them over to the cops. There, Detective Lorenzo recognized the keys as evidence linked to a wealthy businessman's murder.

It was a bright Sunday morning. Lily sat on the bench, watching her 6-year-old boy happily build his sand castle.

"Watch out, honey! No touching your eyes with dirty hands!" Lily called out to her son, then got engrossed in the magazine she was reading.

Suddenly, she heard Joseph calling out to her.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look what I found!" he shouted, digging into the sand with his toy shovel...

Lily put the magazine down and looked up to see Joseph holding a set of keys.

"Oh! They look like someone's car keys!" she said, crouching beside her son. "How did it get here?"

"Mommy, will Daddy know? He built the sandbox for me, right?" Joseph asked innocently.

"You're right, honey. But I don't recall seeing these keys before, so I'm pretty sure they don't belong to Daddy," Lily sighed. "Let me just send a picture to Daddy and ask him if he knows anything. OK?"

Joseph returned to building the castle, and Lily quickly sent a snap of the keys to her husband. But Derek said he had never seen them before.

Lily decided the best option was to go to the police station and hand the keys over to the cops so they could return them to their owner. After dropping Joseph home, she drove to the police station. As she was heading inside, she bumped into a cop.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir," she said, embarrassed. "Could you please tell me where I can drop misplaced belongings? My husband and I just moved to town, and we're still getting to know our way around."

"No worries, ma'am. Uh, actually, you can hand it over to me, and I'll take care of it," Detective Lorenzo suggested.

"Oh, yes, thank you. That would be a huge help," she replied, fumbling through her purse for the keys. "Here you go."

The detective's brows furrowed when he saw the keys. "Ma'am, you might be surprised, but I know who exactly owns these keys," he said with a laugh. "If you don't mind my asking, did you find it somewhere close to the station?"

"Oh, no, no, officer," Lily said. "It's very strange, but my husband…he built a sandbox for our son, and Joseph was playing with his toy shovel when it hit something, and the next thing I know, he's coming to me, telling me he found these keys in the sand."

"In a sandbox?" Detective Lorenzo asked, a strange thought forming in his head. "I'm sorry, but how far would that be from this station?"

"Oh, just a 10-minute drive, I would say," Lily nodded and shrugged her shoulders. "What's the matter, officer? It may be silly of me to say this, but your face tells me these keys mean a lot to you."

"Does it?" Detective Lorenzo laughed. "I must thank you, ma'am. You have no idea how much you've helped me. Honestly, I can't imagine how the keys got there. But they're definitely linked to something I've been very keen on solving. So, thank you. Also, umm, if you have the time…do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I hope it isn't much of a problem."

"Of course, Officer," Lily said, smiling. "I'm happy to help."

"Wonderful. Please," Detective Lorenzo gestured to Lily to follow him inside.

"So…my question is, Ma'am," Detective Lorenzo began, sitting across from Lily, "Is this sandbox somehow connected to the northern highway stretch? Was it made there, was it taken along there for a while, perhaps? On a family trip perhaps?"

"The northern highway? No, officer. This sandbox was put together just this morning. But the sand...the place from where it was ordered could be near the highway you mentioned," Lily said, pulling out her phone. "My husband got it, but I believe I have the receipt on my phone. Just a second."

Lily searched her phone for the receipt and found it. "There it is!" she exclaimed, passing her phone to the detective. "You can see, he ordered it from this place called 'Easy Sandz.' We bought the sand only yesterday, and this place is outside the city...near the highway, like you mentioned!"

"Hmm," Detective Lorenzo nodded, scratching his beard. "Thank you, ma'am. If you don't mind, would you please let us have a copy of this receipt before you leave?"

"Yes, sure. But if I may ask you, officer, what is this whole thing about? I don't want to be a bother, but I'm just curious," Lily said.

"I'm afraid I can't share the information with you just yet, ma'am. For the time being, I would appreciate it if you could keep this between us," Detective Lorenzo said seriously. "Please don't tell anyone—not even your husband—whatever we've discussed now. The thing is, the matter is a little sensitive, and we don't want the press to get a sense of the developments unless we're absolutely certain. If you know what I mean?"

"Sure, officer. Thank you," Lily said as she submitted the receipt and left the station.

As Detective Lorenzo looked at the keys now, he couldn't help but recall the day the case was brought to the station.

Two weeks ago: The day Mr. Zimmermann was attacked and robbed…

Police Chief Harrison rushed to the station soon after he received news about Mr. Zimmermann's attempted murder. All the officers and detectives were on their feet, taken aback by the police chief's visit.

"We have a major problem, officers," he said, addressing everyone, only to trail off when his gaze was drawn to Detective Walter's desk. The man's face bore cuts and dark bruises.

"Jesus, Walter! What's wrong with your face?" gasped the chief.

"Ahh…nothing serious, chief!" Detective Walter said, waving his hand dismissively. "Bunch of hooligans attacked me at the convenience store. Jerks. Were trying to mess up with my car, and I got into a little bit of a fight. But as you can guess from my face, we know who had the upper hand," he laughed.

"Well, Walter, I admire your courage, but you gotta be careful. How the heck they dared to mess with a cop's car, anyway?" asked Chief Harrison, suddenly intrigued.

"Guess they can smell cops who don't really have the upper hand in fights?" Detective Walter chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, and the entire station burst out laughing.

"I swear, Walter, you and your ridiculous jokes! OK, OK, guys! Enough," Chief Harrison said, getting serious. "The reason I'm here today...is a little sensitive. Mr. Zimmermann is a well-known businessman. Someone attacked and robbed him a few hours ago. He was alone in his car at the time of the incident. And it's safe to say the attackers wanted him dead.

"We don't know yet if it was one person or many, but we've discovered the perpetrators stole at least a million dollars from Mr. Zimmermann and then shot him. Thankfully, the paramedics rushed him to the hospital in time.

"Because the superiors are putting pressure on us to solve this case as soon as possible, I'm assigning Detective Lorenzo and Walter to it," the chief continued.

"Guys, I'm giving you complete authority. While Mr. Zimmermann's situation is critical, I hope he survives to see his perpetrators imprisoned. Yes? Can I rely on my team?"

"I don't get it, chief," Detective Lorenzo spoke up. "What about Mr. Zimmerman's bodyguards? A man like him wouldn't risk his safety traveling alone. So where were his men? And why was he carrying a million dollars with him?"

"That's an excellent question, Lorenzo. It turns out Mr. Zimmermann was returning home after a business deal," said Chief Harrison.

"The other party offered him cash, and while he wasn't comfortable with a cash transaction, he couldn't just walk away from the $1 million. His bodyguards' phones were apparently hacked, and they received a message from Mr. Zimmermann saying they weren't supposed to accompany him."

"Clever bastards," snarled Detective Lorenzo. "The perpetrators knew about the business deal. Perhaps they spent a long time perfecting their plan, right?"

"Well, Lorenzo, that's what we're assuming. It's now up to you and Walter to figure out how the assailants carried off the plan so smoothly and easily. We found nothing valuable at the crime scene. But best of luck. Chad must have transferred the files to you," said the chief and left the station.

When Detective Lorenzo and Walter poured over the case files, they only reached a dead end. No fingerprints were found at the scene, and the gun used by the attackers was not discovered.

"We'll have to question everyone who was aware of Mr. Zimmermann's business deal. Including his wife and housekeepers," Detective Walter suggested. "What do you think?"

Detective Lorenzo was engrossed in the file and didn't utter a word.

"Lorenzo!" Detective Walter said, snapping his partner to the moment.

"Huh? What…what happened?" Detective Lorenzo asked.

"The questioning…we need to bring people in for interrogation. I don't see how else we can solve this. There's nothing that can point us to perpetrators!" Detective Walter said disappointedly.

"And we'll need to dispatch the team to look for the gun. Only those privy to the business deal could have tried to harm him, and it's usually the person closest to the victim…We'll need to check if they have alibis."

"Well, we can't just point fingers at anyone, Walter, and yes, we will question the suspects. But there is one detail that the perpetrator overlooked, Walter. Do you see this?" Detective Lorenzo pointed to a photo. "There were surveillance cameras on the highway. The transportation department must have caught something. C'mon; we gotta go. I've already dispatched a team to look for the gun."

As Detectives Walter and Lorenzo arrived at the transportation department, they asked the officer in charge of surveillance cameras to show them the day's activity. The three officers sat watching the footage when Detective Walter screamed, "Here! Here! That's Mr. Zimmerman's car!"

And then the video was abruptly cut.

"What's wrong?" Detective Lorenzo asked the transportation officer.

"This is strange…" The officer said, typing something into his computer furiously. "Looks like it was a shutdown problem, detectives. I know it's weird, but I can't really help it. Whenever an emergency shutdown happens, the records are automatically deleted. So I don't think we'll be able to access the latter half of the footage. Sorry, guys."

Detective Lorenzo was about to say something when his buzzing phone distracted him.

"Yes?" he answered the call. "Yes, this is the detective in charge of the case."

The caller on the other end of the line was Mr. Zimmermann's doctor, who informed Detective Lorenzo that the businessman was conscious. While his condition wasn't stable, he was doing fine.

"Do you think we can talk to him now?" Detective Lorenzo asked.

"I wouldn't recommend it, but—" said the doctor.

"To be honest, the situation is a little urgent, doctor. I'll be at the hospital in some time. All we need is his statement. And yes, don't worry, we'll be careful enough not to stress the patient," said the detective.

As Detective Lorenzo hung up the phone, he told Detective Walter everything. "But how can you just leave for the hospital, Lorenzo?" Detective Walter reminded him. "You forgot? Lisa is going to be so mad at you!"

"Oh god, no! It almost slipped my mind," Detective Lorenzo sighed, recalling the promise he had made to his daughter that morning.

Lisa had invited him to her dance competition, and Lorenzo had promised her he would be there. He had completely forgotten about it after the case was assigned to him.

"Here's the plan," Detective Walter said as they reached their car. "You head to Lisa's school, and I'll record Mr. Zimmermann's statement. Yeah? Take the car with you. I'll hail a cab."

"Thanks, buddy. Yeah, I'll think that's the best we can do now," Detective Lorenzo said as he got into the car.

"And yes, Walter!" he called out to his partner as he turned the ignition on. "Keep me posted, alright? I'm always available on the phone."

"Sure thing, mate," Detective Walter said. "Don't worry about that."

But Detective Lorenzo was yet to arrive at Lisa's school when he got a call from his partner.

"Mr. Zimmermann's dead, Lorenzo," Detective Walter sighed. "He experienced a hemorrhage before I arrived at the hospital."

"What?" Detective Lorenzo applied the brakes, and the car came to a screeching halt. "This case is just getting more and more complex. Meet me at the bar tonight, Walter. We'll discuss it there. I think I'm already late for Lisa's performance."

That night, Detectives Walter and Lorenzo met at their regular bar. "This whole thing is messed up," Detective Walter sneered, almost slamming his beer glass on the table.

"The camera stops working, there's no evidence, and the guy dies just as I get to the hospital…you think we'll be able to solve this case, Lorenzo? I'm giving up hope, mate. Should've never taken it up in the first place."

"I don't know, pal," Detective Lorenzo sighed as he sipped his beer. "I think there's a mole here. You know, I feel things aren't as complicated as we think they are. Something's out in plain sight, but we're not able to see it."

"Isn't the culprit always in plain sight?" Detective Walter said casually, and Detective Lorenzo raised a brow, his eyes fixed on his partner.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? I don't think I said something wrong," Detective Walter shrugged.

"Ahh…" Detective Lorenzo buried his face in his palms. "I can't believe I'm thinking that. Ignore me, buddy. It's just all the work and family stress. By the way, I messed up. I got to Lisa's school an hour after her performance had ended. It turns out I didn't check the invitation properly."

"Then you gotta have another beer to drown your sorrows, mate!" Detective Walter chuckled, placing an order for another beer.

As the night progressed, Detectives Walter and Lorenzo remained at the bar, drinking beer, laughing, and chatting. At one point, they were heavily drunk when a bunch of men gathered around their table.

"What so funny, huh?" one of them sneered at Detective Lorenzo. "You better shut that disgusting mouth of yours!"

"Listen, boy, how about you mind your own business, huh?" Detective Lorenzo warned the man. Then he turned to Detective Walter. "So…I was saying—"

"You really think you're that tough, eh?" The man stepped forward when Detective Walter jumped to his feet. "OK, guys, let's not—"

But it was too late. The man shoved Detective Walter and then charged at Detective Lorenzo. A fight broke out between the man and Detective Lorenzo, and someone called 911 because the situation was getting out of hand. Tables were toppled, bottles were smashed, and punches were thrown at each other.

As the cops arrived, the hooligans were arrested, and Detectives Walter and Lorenzo were taken to Chief Harrison, who didn't take the incident too well.

"Are you out of your goddamn bloody mind, Lorenzo?!" the chief barked. "We're already under public scrutiny after failing to solve Mr. Zimmermann's case, and then you pick up a fight with these random hooligans. Jesus! What in the world is wrong with you?!"

"I'm sorry, Chief. But it wasn't I who started—" Detective Lorenzo didn't even get the chance to explain himself as Chief Harrison cut him off.

"I don't bloody care who started the fight, Lorenzo! What matters is that you'll be on the front pages of all those newspapers tomorrow because I'm sure you've seen the videos that are going viral on the internet! You know what? You're suspended from the case! Walter will handle it alone!" the chief announced.

"Chief, but please, I…I assure you this is the last time this has ever happened," Detective Lorenzo pleaded, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Chief, I believe you should give Lorenzo a chance. I was at the pub, and I know he isn't—"

"Do you want to join your partner and get suspended?!" Chief Harrison screamed, interrupting Detective Walter.

"Sorry…sorry, chief," Detective Walter said, lowering his head.

"And yes, Lorenzo," Chief Harrison added. "Forget about your promotion! I was counting on you to solve the case, but you're more interested in drunk bar fights, aren't you? How about you utilize all your free time now, beating up more people and tarnishing our reputation further? Now, out of my office!"

The detectives left the station, and Detective Lorenzo was in despair. He had worked hard for the promotion and did everything he could to solve the case. He had never thought he'd be thrown out like that.

"I should've stopped you," Detective Walter sighed. "The chief's in a bad mood; maybe we can talk to him later?"

"No need, Walter. All the best. I hope you crack the case," Detective Lorenzo said and walked away.

Present-day…

As Detective Lorenzo left the station, he walked up to his partner's car and dialed him.

"What's up, mate?" asked Detective Walter cheerfully as he answered.

"Where are you, Walter?" Detective Lorenzo asked. "Didn't see you at the station."

"Hanging out at the Chops & Hops, man. Grabbing a quick sub. I'll be back in around 20," he said. "Hey, wanna join me for lunch?"

"Yep, I'm kinda hungry after banging my head on all those case files. I'll be right there. See you, mate," said Detective Lorenzo and hung up the phone. Then he pulled out the car keys Lily had handed over to him some time ago and unlocked Detective Walter's car.

***

Half an hour later, Detective Lorenzo arrived at the eatery and saw his partner at a window table. "Lorenzo!" Detective Walter waved his hand at his partner, but his smile faded when he noticed Detective Lorenzo wasn't alone.

"What the hell! Lorenzo, what's going on? Why are they cuffing me?" Detective Walter cried as two officers cuffed him.

"Take him to the station!" Detective Lorenzo ordered, ignoring his partner's cries.

Detective Lorenzo entered the interrogation room and sat across from his partner. "You are being held on suspicion of robbing and killing Mr. Zimmermann, Walter. Can't believe I was right when I said we have a mole!" he snarled, looking his partner in the eye.

"Are you out of your mind, Lorenzo?" Detective Walter hissed. "Why would I kill Mr. Zimmermann? I didn't even know him personally! What motive would I have?"

"Let me play you a file, mate," Detective Lorenzo remarked as he opened the laptop before him. "And you'll understand everything. Here."

Detective Walter's shoulders fell, and he leaned back in his chair as he looked at the video being played. He knew his game was over. It was a recording from his car's DVR, clearly showing him and other masked men approaching Mr. Zimmerman's car and attacking him.

"A woman dropped off a set of car keys at the station this afternoon, and I was surprised when I noticed they belonged to you, mate," Detective Lorenzo explained.

"Then I thought about it...I even reread the old files, and it was amazing how everything was connected. You were very clever, Walter, but every criminal makes a mistake...yours was your car keys which you'd lost in a sand quarry a mile away from the place Mr. Zimmermann was attacked.

"Then those bruises, the missing gun, the pinpoint accuracy with which Mr. Zimmermann was shot, and then...the DVR. I accessed the recording, and well, wasn't the culprit hidden in plain sight?"

What can we learn from this story?

• You should never trust someone blindly. Detective Lorenzo trusted his partner and could never guess he was the man behind the crime until he recognized the car keys. He unlocked Detective Walter's car and accessed the recording, which clearly showed Detective Walter was the leading man behind the crime.
• Your karma is like a boomerang; what you throw returns to you. Detective Walter had never thought he would get caught, but little Joseph's accidental discovery surfaced the detective's lies, and Detective Walter had to pay for what he had done.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a cop who checks the house of an old lady not seen for days and hears Morse code behind her door.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.