It’s a sunny day outside and birds are chirping in the trees outside of the main window of The Eboni Stone Detective Agency. She could hear the laughter of happy people parading down the avenue. It was the type of day that should make anyone smile.
Eboni wanted to smile, but she just had so much on her mind. She was feeling more than a little overwhelmed by all of the Adroit insanity that had taken over her life. And to think, she’d never believed those Adroit tales she’d heard as a kid. Boy, had she been wrong!
The truth was that chasing after Ralph and Rebecca was more than she’d bargained for when she first agreed to be their guardian. It’s been almost two years since her sister and brother-in-law had left them in her care. It was no easy task and she was still trying to get the hang of this pseudo-parenting thing.
Now she’s sitting in her office, thankful to have a bit of peace and quiet. The twins were at school, and Eboni was hoping that some new business would come her way. Opening up this agency was a crazy idea for her. She’d always been pretty practical, straight-laced, and goal-oriented. But never did she think a detective agency was in her future.
Well the future had become her present, and as unexpected her life journey has been, she’s working to make the most of it.
“Finally, a little peace and quiet,” she proclaims, as she puts her feet up on the desk.
With a sigh, she places her hands be hind her head and leans back with a smile. After a moment, her eyes narrows as she realizes there is one pressing matter that must be resolved immediately. She sits up, opens a desk drawer, and pulls out an old tattered folder. Thumbing through the folders contents she asks a very important question, “What’s for lunch? That’s the mystery I want to solve right now!”
After flipping through twenty or more delivery menus, she decided to order from Flausheen Express, the new take-out spot near her building. After placing her order, Eboni placed her hand behind her head and resumed her lounging position. She tried to take a moment to just let her mind rest. It had been running so wild these past few months.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
“Sheesh, that was fast! They said it would be here in no time. I guess they really meant it. Sitting up quickly she shouts, “One moment!”
Reaching for her pocket book, she notices the silhouettes standing in front of her door.
“That’s no delivery guy,” she surmised.
Just then a sweet, little, timing, country voice attempted to shout back, “Yes ma’am! Thank you!”
There were two figures outside of her office door. Both were small and female. Unexpected guests didn’t stop by often, so she was definitely curious as to who they were. Her office had only been open for a few months, and she hadn’t really had a budget for advertising. So every client she’d had so far, had come via word of mouth. Perhaps some of her most recent clients had been moving their lips to spread the word. A new case wouldn’t be too shabby. The bills had to get paid somehow.
Quickly, Eboni walked over to the door, grabbed the doorknob, and welcomed in her guests.
“Good afternoon ladies,” she greeted with a smile.
Two quiet, prim, and proper women stood in her doorway. They were dressed prettily, as though their church service, or an afternoon tea party was on their itinerary for today.
“Good afternoon replied the younger of the two. She looked no older than twenty on years. At her arm stood a woman old enough to be her mother. She wore her age well, with a regal and confident look on her face. However, her face also showed her worry and concern, all too clearly.
“I’m Cherry King,” and this is my mother-in-law … well, she’s more like a mother to me that’s my own mom you know,” she said quickly and nervously, wanting to make sure she didn’t say anything wrong.
“I understand,” Eboni replied with a reassuring smile. “It’s so nice to meet you both,” she continued and shook their hands. “Why don’t we have a seat?” She asked gesturing to the two simple chairs sitting in front of her second hand desk. She thought to herself that the chairs were also second hand, shoot, everything in the office had come from a second hand shop, not that it really mattered. Starting an agency with little to no budget had been no easy challenge. Hopefully these ladies were able to pay some real fees.
With a polite smile and nod, her potential new clients sat down daintily.
Cherry began speaking again, “Ms. Stone, you see, Mother King is one of my very best friends. When I met Duke years ago, it’s like she just took me in as her own daughter!”
“Well I can see you’re far from the mother-daughter-in-law-stereotypes! That is good news! I’d love to get to know you both better, but I’m sure there’s a reason you came to visit me today,” Eboni replied.
A look of sorrow consumed their faces, “Well, Cherry began, It’s my husband, and Mother King’s son, Mike. He’s gotten himself into some trouble, and now he’s missing!” It was easy to see that both of these women were beyond distraught. This Mike fella was certainly blessed with a family who loved him, that’s more than many people could claim. But she just hoped that his trouble wasn’t too deep, and this story could have a happy ending. Sadly that wasn’t always the case in Capital City.
Eboni grabbed her notepad and began to write down the most pertinent details to this case. She realized that this probably wouldn’t be the high-paying case she was hoping for, but she never got into the business for the big bucks. She started her agency to help local people who were in trouble. And she was determined to do just that.
“So,” Eboni asked, with the kindest voice she could muster, “Why don’t you tell me what’s been happening with Mike?”
To be continued . . .
