[ WP ] In the year 1989 , a police investigator arrives at the site of an impossible accident : a 2016 Toyota Corolla is wrapped around a lamp post .

`` I tell thee, Inspector, you really need to tell t' station about the condition of your car - one more go on t' brakes like that and it'll be an emergency visit to t' mechanics down t' road.'' 
 
 The officer knew he meant well. He had been nagging his higher-ups for weeks about how the frail bucket of bolts that was the Audi Quattro he was assigned to drive during the night shifts was close to falling apart: with every stop, he was worried that he would look in the rear-view mirror after taking off again and see a yellow strip of metal with `` E427 BLL'' emblazoned across it, lying on the floor behind him. Still, there was n't much he could do; as far as he knew, he ws waiting on a replacement vehicle for when the station could afford it. 
 
 `` Spare me the worry, Michaels.'' DCI Donahue replied. `` Anyways, what's the story so far?'' 
 
 `` Ah, it's definitely one that do n't add up,'' DI Michaels explained, his thick Yorkshire accent never failing to make its way through his speech. `` We had a lass a few doors down phone us up with reports o' some explosions on t' High Street followed by a loud crash. Me and Owen took a look down but could n't find any evidence of owt goin' off.'' 
 Donahue rolled his eyes. November had only just begun; it was likely some kids got a hold of some fireworks from the town market and been seting them off in the run-up to Bonfire Night. He made a mental note to make sure there were more officers patrolling the markets so that no more dodgy fireworks could be sold. 
 
 `` So about this'loud crash', has the team turned up anything?'' 
 
 `` O' course, boss.'' Michaels replied, gesturing towards the wreckage a few yards away. Mind t' glass.'' 
 
 As the two walked towards the now crumpled up car, the remains of the windows peppering the road around like a new frost, something about it seemed off. He took out the walkie-talkie from his pocket, chuckling. Sure, the station could n't afford fixing his patrol car, but these... 
 
 `` HQ? Can I get a registration check on *Foxtrot Sugar one-six Charlie Orange Harry*?'' 
 
 After a few minutes, a voice on the other end spoke. 
 
 `` We do n't have any record of that plate, sir.'' 
 
 Donahue shook his head. There had been increasing reports of street racers around this end of the city.. and this vehicle seemed to be another casualty. Speaking of casualties.. Donahue ran up to the paramedics around the ambulance up ahead. 
 
 `` DCI Chris Donahue, Metropolitan Police. Any news on the driver?'' 
 
 `` We've just managed to cut her free from the wreckage, Inspector.'' 
 
 He looked over to see the woman being extracted from what was once a perfectly working car. Something about them seemed familiar to him, his heart almost skipping a beat, but he could n't quite place his finger on it. As the ambulance pulled away, its siren fading, an uneasy feeling trembled up his spine. He turned back to Michaels, who was walking away from another house, presumably asking the other homeowners if they had seen anything. 
 
 `` Any new developments, Detective?'' 
 
 ``'Fraid not, Chief. Sounds li' this is all we can get for now.'' 
 
 `` I suppose all we can do now is phone for a tow-truck to send this car away.'' Donohue concluded. `` I trust you know the number?'' 
 
 `` All too well.'' 
 
 `` Good. Let me know of any developments.'' 
 
 -- - 
 
 As his shift drew to a close, he made his way back to his home. It was still early in the morning, so he still talked very quietly with the babysitter. 
 
 `` Yeah, she went out like a light, as usual. No real fuss.'' 
 
 `` I guess she takes after her mother. So is it 10 pounds this time, Jessica?'' 
 
 Putting the orange note in her purse, she made her way to the front door. 
 
 `` Oh, I almost forgot,'' spoke Jessica. `` There was a phone call for you a couple hours ago... saying your daughter was in a car accident? I mean, she could n't have been, she was watching telly with me the whole time.. must have been some sicko pulling a prank or something.''
