Episode 35: Starbucks coffee. And banana cake.

‘I just had a quick coffee and banana cake with a buddy of mine turned pastry chef. My first partner, he was. He always had a sweet tooth. Makes the best darn cheesecake you have ever tasted. And an expert in this spices business. He can always tell you where to get the best cinnamon, the best saffron. The best vanilla pods. Why, he was in Madagascar a few weeks back.’

Episode 34: The Starbucks napkin

Philip decided to let the fact that Inspector Clouseau was not only a fictional detective, but also a bad one, go. Instead, he looked at Inspector Blu and said. ‘Point taken, sir. What next?’ Blue spent a few minutes digging into his beaten briefcase. He pulled out a stained Starbucks napkin and passed it on to Philip. On it, there were some scribblings, looking more than hieroglyphics than English.

Episode 33: Science schmience

Philip was mortified. ‘Sir, what if they mixed up the tests this time too?’ The Inspector did not seem too concerned. He just stared at the wall, past Philip, for what seemed like an eternity. He finally spoke: ‘Science schmience, Philip. You do not need tests to solve a murder. Did any of the great detectives have access to labs? Have you ever seen Inspector Clouseau hold a test tube?’

Episode 32: Economics

The Inspector gave Philip a stern look. ‘Come on, Philip, do not be a xenophobe. CFSL runs tests at a tenth of the cost of these fools here. Ok, sometimes mistakes happened. I remember a few cases back, we had this dude. Murdered, like a pig. So we sent his stuff over to India and what do you think they find? Pregnant, he was. Twins. Of course, we later found out that they mixed his tests up with this girl from Panama.’

Episode 31: Offshoring

The Inspector did not respond. Instead, look at Philip for what seemed like an eternity. He finally spoke ‘CFSL in India. Bright chaps but don’t try calling them. You are put on hold for at least an hour.’ ‘India? You must be kidding me! We are offshoring our forensic tests, Inspector? This is madness!’