No Cap/story

## **No Cap**

*See the main page here: No Cap*

It had been too much for me. Ever since the crimes I've committed, all I’ve felt is anxiety and regret. I’ve wanted to forget about all I’ve done the last couple of years, but today I’ve been falsely accused of a crime I have not committed; the theft of The Seven Golden Necklaces, worth lots of cash. I’ve tried many attempts at felonies, but I gave that up years ago. I’ve been in hiding for what feels like forever. But I might be out of hiding for quite some time.

It felt like the police were looking for me ever since the theft of the Tunisian Diamond, which I had stolen in a museum. They never truly knew who stole it, but I was on their suspect list for sure. The diamond was around one hundred twelve million dollars in price - It was the size of a basketball, but with doubled proportions. I risked everything to steal it; I needed the money.

But why would the police accuse me of stealing the necklaces? I have not attempted crime in a while; the police took me to the city to inform me what was coming next. I was escorted to the police station's captain, with two police officers accompanying me.

“Don’t even think about trying to run away.” one of the officers said.

“It’s gonna be a long night for you.” The other officer said.

I never thought I’d have to endure another encounter with someone else for the rest of my life.

The officers brought me to the captain, far from my house. The building was nearly four stories tall, and I was taken by elevator to the top floor. I was nervous, I was scared, although I never showed it expressively.

“Thank you, Officer Rupert and Officer Johnny.” The captain said. “You both are excused.”

They both nodded their heads and walked out of the building with a near-perfect posture.

“Ah, if it isn’t the one and only, Henry Stickmin.” The captain said to me in a gruff voice,

“I didn't think I would hear that name again.”

I looked at the captain; he was sporting a dark blue police hat, a dark brown mustache, and neat attire. His gold nametag read ‘Captain Ed Roberts’.

"Anyways, in case you haven’t known - which you likely know about - the robbery of The Seven Golden Necklaces has recently occurred.” The captain looked me in the eyes with an intimidating stare. “Do you happen to know anything about this robbery, Mr. Stickmin?”

I shook my head.

“Very well,” the captain said. “We will still need to ask you some questions.”

I looked at him and nodded my head. I followed him throughout the police station across the fourth floor.

“Go into the interrogation room. Someone will meet you in there momentarily.” the captain said, pointing to the room at the end of the hallway.

I walked into the bland, grey room containing three plastic chairs, a wooden table, a tiny window facing what looked like an office, and a bright lightbulb on the ceiling. I sat on the wobbly chair closest to the table and awaited someone to come. I waited for around 5 minutes, and feeling as if I was about to take a nap, someone finally came into the room. They sat at the chair across from me and put their hands on the table.

“Hello Henry Stickmin, the name’s Sally Cue. I’ll be asking you some quick questions today. Answer with honesty and you won’t have to worry about anything.” the yellow-haired interrogator said with a glare in her glasses-covered eyes.

I sat at the table silently, wondering if I’ll be getting out of this innocent. I hope they don’t ask anything about the theft of the Tunisian Diamond - I don’t want to be arrested for an actual crime I committed prior to when I finally gave up the criminal life for good. Hopefully, this will all be over soon.

“First question - were you in the Museum of National History and Culture on November 19, late at night?” Sally said aggressively.

   I was afraid I had to do a lot of talking. I had to, however, so I gulped and got ready to speak.

“No,” I said in a quiet voice.

“Where were you on the night of the nineteenth?” Sally asked with her hands slamming on the table.

“At home.” I said, a bit startled.

“Did you have anybody with you on that night?”

“No. I was by myself. I don’t live with anybody.”

“Just as I thought,” Sally said while pushing her glasses back up to her nose. “Second question - do you have any idea who THIS is?” She held up a picture of a man that looked very similar to me. The brown shoes, the thin eyebrows, everything on the picture looked similar to me. I looked almost exactly like the picture, except he wore a backward baseball cap. I couldn’t believe it.

“This looks like me… but why do you have this image of me?”

“It’s the guy we caught on camera when he was stealing the necklaces. He looks familiar… doesn’t he?” Sally said with another menacing look right into my eyes.

“I swear, this isn’t me-”

“Here’s the proof right here, Stickmin.” She said while quickly pulling up a tablet showing camera footage. The footage showed someone who looked exactly like me stealing the necklaces; even in the same fashion that I stole the diamond.

“No, it can’t be,” I said, frightened. “I was at home, watching TV on a Friday night! I was having the time of my life!” I yelled the loudest I’ve ever spoken. I quickly covered my mouth afterward in shock.

“Oh, brother…” Sally said, her hand to her forehead. “Well, I think that’s enough evidence for us. I’ll go tell the chief.”

“Brother… Wait, Sally!” I said.

“What,” Sally said with a mean look on her face, just about to walk out of the room.

“I remember that I had a cousin that looks exactly like me. It has to be him, it can’t be me.”

“Well, what was his name?”

“His name was Ernie. Ernie Stickley. He presumably died a while ago, I still have a picture of him in my pocket. He’s the only cousin I remember.”

I pulled a picture of Ernie out of my pocket. The image showed me, next to Ernie. We looked almost identical, except Ernie wore a hat.

“How did he die?” Sally said in a less hostile voice.

“Well, I don’t even know if he’s still alive or not. The last time I’ve ever heard of him was when he decided to run away from his family. I have no clue why, but I never saw him ever again.”

“That’s cute and all, but that still doesn’t explain why you aren’t the criminal.”

I took a second look at the images. I realized something crucial to this mystery - Ernie wore a hat, just like the suspect’s picture.

“See Ernie compared to the suspect? They both wear hats - the hats look similar as well, see?” I pointed to both of the hats on both images.

“Well then,” Sally said. “I guess we can take a look into that. Do you mind if we hold onto that picture? We might need it for further investigation. We won’t ruin it, promise.”

I nodded my head.

“I suppose you’re free to go then, Mr. Stickmin.” Sally said while motioning me to step out of the room.

“Thank you.” I said with a tiny smile on my face, triumphant that I was off the case for good. I finally headed home after a stressful night. I felt the most relieved I’ve ever been in a long time.

Finally back at home, as I was settling down to watch TV I hear -

Breaking News. The criminal who stole The Seven Golden Necklaces has been found. Ernie Stickley is the one responsible for this crime. He is now in prison, and The Seven Golden Necklaces are back at the Museum of History and Culture! Come see them now for only $19.99!

The television had some good news to share for today. Although I do feel a bit bad for my cousin, I’m off the hook and finally get to have relaxation time.