The invisible killer

Being a detective was a demanding occupation that consumed every waking moment of Parrot’s life. One case after another, with hardly a moment to catch his breath. However, today was different. Today, Parrot had managed to carve out some precious time for himself, a rare opportunity to embark on a leisurely trip across the country.

The weather seemed to conspire in his favor, presenting him with a glorious day of sunshine and clear skies. It wasn’t oppressively hot either, making it the perfect setting to revel in the great outdoors. Parrot had been driving for approximately two hours, savoring the freedom of the open road, when a peculiar sight caught his attention.

Ahead of him, a family had encountered a car problem, their vehicle emitting billows of ominous black smoke. Parrot’s innate helpful nature propelled him to halt his own journey and offer them assistance. Stepping out of his car, he approached the distressed family, ready to lend a hand.

The husband, exasperated, explained the situation, “The car suddenly started belching black smoke and then gave up altogether. I’m at a loss for what to do.”

Parrot, drawing from his own experiences, offered a glimmer of hope, saying, “That sounds remarkably similar to the troubles I used to have with my own car. Allow me to take a look. By the way, judging from the luggage and the bikes, I assume you’re on a vacation?”

The wife, relieved to have encountered a stranger willing to assist, nodded eagerly. “Yes, we’re actually heading to visit my parents, and it will be the first time our son, Jacob, meets them. They live quite a distance away. As we speak, he’s down there playing with his new boomerang.”

In the vicinity, just about a hundred meters away, a picturesque scene unfolded. A young boy reveled in the beauty of nature, blissfully engrossed in playing on the lush green grass, beside a meandering stream.

After approximately ten minutes of tinkering, Parrot managed to rectify the car’s mechanical malady. The vehicle roared to life, accompanied by a cloud of dense black smoke and a resounding bang, signaling a restored engine.

As the husband’s face blossomed into a relieved smile, their moment of respite was abruptly shattered by the wife’s panicked exclamation. “Where is Jacob? He was right here, playing only moments ago!”

Alarmed, the group sprinted towards the spot where the young boy had been merrily engaged in his games. Their hearts sank as they discovered Jacob lying motionless on the ground, a crimson pool of blood trickling from a wound on his head.

Parrot, assuming control of the situation, urged everyone to refrain from touching the injured child. His detective instincts kicked in as he meticulously surveyed the scene. “It appears Jacob was struck by something blunt,” he deduced. “There are no rocks nearby, so it’s unlikely that he simply tripped and fell. Furthermore, there are no traces of blood around him, suggesting that this wasn’t a hit-and-run incident.”

The unfolding events signaled a disturbing mystery, intertwining the relief of a fixed car with the distressing disappearance and subsequent injury of a young boy. Parrot’s mind raced, his instincts guiding him to delve deeper into the enigma that now enveloped their once serene journey.

How did the kid get injured?

The answer is on the next page but take a minute and solve it yourself. Are you up for the challenge?