1
Three Years Earlier...
This story takes place in the blazing summer heat of Los Angeles, California.
It's August 2009 and the Riveras' son, Rich, has been missing since 2007.
You, Jonathan Steel, will begin to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Rich Rivera...
As events unfold, clarity might decrease... This is the puzzling Rich Rivera Case.
Good luck, Jonathan Steel.
Texting Natalie Steel
Jonathan: Hey Sis! I made it to LA, this place is so much different than London, and I've already found my first client!
Natalie: That's so awesome, John! I'm excited for ya :D don't take too long to come back and visit! Which case btw?
Jonathan: Yeah for sure, I'll come once I solve this, or before maybe. Well... it's the Rivera case, lol, the money is so good though.
Natalie: Oh boy... that case? That case is just one big rabbit hole, it never ends. I heard about it, buttttt you're my genius brother so... I don't doubt you'll solve it haha
Jonathan: Well, I better get going, I'm supposed to meet them shortly, talk to ya later Nat!
Natalie: Good luck John! Talk soon
Time to meet the Rivera family.
2
Jonathan: Hi April, I'm Jonathan Steel. We spoke on the phone earlier.
April: Mr. Steel, come in, would you like some coffee?
Jonathan: No, but thank you, I drink too much coffee as it is. Shall we discuss your son, Rich?
April: I'll get Mark as well; we will tell you what we know.
Jonathan: Hi Mark, it is nice to meet you. I'm Jonathan, the private investigator.
Mark: We are the Rivera family. Thank you for coming, Jonathan. We didn't know where else to turn, the police have already begun to move on to more urgent cases...
A two-year-old case for a missing person, this is something new... and supposedly the police have limited their resources to this investigation.
Mark: I really hope you can solve this mystery...
Jonathan: I did a bit of research before coming. Rich has been missing since April 2007, correct?
Mark: Yes... we wanted him to find a job and the day before he vanished, he called to tell us he found a job...
Jonathan: Interesting... for the sake of the investigation I need full honesty, what kind of job did he get?
Mark: Well, this is the puzzle... My wife and I have no idea... Rich said his job was a surprise...
Jonathan: From what I found, Rich lived in an apartment to the east, about 7 miles, right?
These parents were that out of touch with their son? Why would Rich call his parents to tell them he got a job, but say nothing about it? Are Mark and April hiding something... they must know more about Rich.
I need to keep in mind that no one can be trusted. But if these two aren't entirely innocent why would April hire me? Something is already puzzling here.
April: Yeah, he wanted to move out. Rich had some issues finding a job, so we had to give him money quite often.
Jonathan: He had no source of income at all?
They must have been giving him tons of money... the Riveras are quite well off.
Mark: He had no income, we were paying for the apartment... Up until two years ago, when he vanished...
Jonathan: Where do you two work again?
April: Well, Mark works at the Border Patrol office and has his own side business that is very successful!
Jonathan: Very impressive, can you give me more details?
Mark: I don't think my job is all that relevant to the situation, to be honest... I would like some privacy, and also, we should move on and talk about more relevant things...
Usually, parents of missing children are eager to give me all the details they can think of... but Mark appears to already be hiding something.
I'll ask them who their son was close to... If they can't give me this answer then something is very strange here.
Walk Around the House
3
This is a pretty standard bedroom, and before coming in here, the parents told me they hadn't moved anything since his disappearance.
Examine Rich's Old Room
- 🔍Is the room cluttered?
- 🔍Examine the bed.
- 🔍Examine the desk.
- 🔍Examine trash bin.
- 🔍There's an old cell phone in his desk drawer.
4
The house is so fancy... it has large statues and a swimming pool in its courtyard.
5
I assume this took years to build, the architecture is so elaborate... I think the Rivera family must have inherited a fortune or something.
6
Jonathan: I can't see why Rich would run away, it seems like your living situation is very good.
Mark: The police slowly started removing resources from the investigation, and labeled it a cold case...
Jonathan: That's why you hired me, correct?
Mark: Yes, Jonathan, we just want to see our son again.
Jonathan: I need to understand his life and the lives of everyone around him.
Mark: Well, what exactly do you want to know?
Jonathan: Why did Rich want to move out so badly?
*Mark trembles slightly and crosses his arms.*
Is it possible Mark didn't know April hired me? That would be odd, but it would explain some of Mark's strange behavior.
Mark: I think it was to have more privacy with Emma, but there could be other reasons.
Jonathan: It doesn't seem like you were that close to your son...
Mark: He was always busy and always with his friends, he was a young man... what do you expect?
7
Jonathan: I assume Emma was Rich's girlfriend?
April: Yeah, he insisted she wasn't but both of us think that she was.
Jonathan: Do you know if Emma is still in the area?
Mark: Since Rich's disappearance, we have been a bit closed off and haven't kept in touch with many people.
Jonathan: I understand. If you remember anything more, don't hesitate to call.
Emma needs to be investigated, but Mark seems suspicious. I'll start with him.
April: Thank you, Jonathan... thank you.
8
There's not too much to look at here, Rich moved out of his parents' house about one year before he went missing.
10
The desk is large and contains a lighter in one of its drawers. There is also a pencil sketch of a realistic dragon. He was quite the artist.
12
The phone is dead, and the parents say that there is a password, but they will try to unlock it for me as soon as possible.
Conclude Investigation
1. Given that small introduction, I think I will begin investigating this person first...
- April Rivera
- Mark Rivera
- Emma Windale
2. Where is Rich's old cell phone?
- Missing
- At his apartment
- Rich sold it
- At his parents' house
Alright, Mr. Rivera... let's see what's hiding in the shadows...