The Brokens

3

3

“So, what are you doing tonight?” asked Nicolette as she pressed the staple gun into another wood pole. She jumped slightly at the sound.

“Not much. You?” said Manu as he passed her a flier. He looked down at the paper. It had a picture of Marie on it with the headline, ‘any information will be rewarded on the Marie Thames kidnapping’. Of course, he didn’t really care, but he would do anything to score points with Nicolette.

“Shopping. Wanna come?” she asked. Of course not! But of course, if he wanted this relationship, he would have to make some sacrifices. “Sure.” he responded.

“It sucks that Marie was kidnapped, but maybe the posters will help.”

“It’ll probably be a bunch of frauds.” pointed out Manu.

“True, but a girl can hope.” Of course, that was Nicolette talk for if this doesn’t happen how I like it this world will burn.

“Yep. Sure.” he replied. He took a look around. Every pole in the Santa Oake area was plastered with signs. Surely one of them would bring in a reliable tip. He would never say out loud, but Nicolette was trying way to hard at this. Give the trees a rest he thought to himself. The girl was back with only a few nicks and bruises. Case solved.

“Done.” exclaimed Nicolette with a smile as she pressed the last staple into another pole.

“Well, I guess that leaves about a bajillion other streets.” muttered Manu. Nicolette pouted. She pouted in the way that all manipulative girlfriends did, in the way that was obvious but it still made you feel bad. Of course, Manu knew she was only joking, but it was still a bot typical of her.

“Fine. You wanna call it a day? Looks like it’s gonna rain soon.” Nicolette said, pointing at the greying sky. Manu nodded with a smile, and grabbed her hand. “Great.”

____________________________________

Jeanine listened to the annoying clacking which followed each of her keyboard taps. She opened her browser and typed in Marie’s case file. How had she gotten a police file, well you would have to ask her contact within the force. Jeanine’s fingers tapped the desk repeatedly as she waited for the official SOPD website to load. A storm had rolled in, and her lights had been flickering on and off for maybe… half an hour? It was only a matter of time before the cell towers went kaput. Finally, the page solidified. Jeanine scrolled impatiently through the file, breezing past the basic information.

It seemed like the police hadn’t uncovered any important evidence-no surprise there- and as usual, the case had been swept under the rug. Jeanine’s rapid scrolling stopped as she came upon the detectives on the case. Jeanine squinted at the names, Det. Chenny Wilson and some hired guy, Inves. Daniel Mathews. Upon examination, the two were fairly decorated, with dozens of solved cases and only a few which had gone cold. Perhaps this time there would be a change. Then, she noticed something. Underneath the two detectives, was a PI note. Some girl named Elizabeth LeCruz. Why would a PI really be on a kidnapping case where the kid had already been found? And, the girl hadn’t even been hired by Marie’s family. Could something more be going on? Thought Jeanine.

_________________________________________

Elizabeth fiddled with her scarf. “Why again are we doing this?”

“Well, we both need our statements, and this way the kid only has to say it once.”

“And you know the other guy on the case?”

“Kind of.”

“Kind of?”

“I suppose it’d be better to say we are merely acquainted.”

“Wow, don’t let those fancy words push you off your high horse.” scoffed Elizabeth. She glimpsed back at the car clock.

“It’s almost time. We’re gonna be late.” she complained.

“I’m sorry, but I think it’d be pretty stupid if a police detective got caught speeding.”

“You could tell them you were heading to a very time-concerning crime-scene.”

“They wouldn’t buy that.”

“Well than bat your pretty little eyelashes and get us there already!” exclaimed Elizabeth. This was exactly why the firm hadn’t worked out. Elizabeth found fun in finding the little loopholes to exploit. Speed to get first-dibs on a crime-scene? Sign her up! But, Chenny wouldn’t have it. All the ‘it’s hard to be PI’s if the police hate you’ talk had gone to his head. What was he thinking? The police already hate PI’s. Elizabeth's’ meandering outside of the law wouldn’t make a difference. Elizabeth snapped out of her tangent as the car came to a stop.

“We’re here.” Chenny said plainly, and then swung the car door open. Elizabeth stepped out of the car and looked around. They’d chosen to meet at the girls’ house. Wasn’t anything special, in fact it wasn’t nice at all. The girl’s house looked like it belonged in much lower income neighborhood and the grass lawn looked like it had never seen a drop of water. The two walked up to the porch and stopped. Chenny took a deep breath and then rang the doorbell. Within a moment, the door swung open.

“Mr. Wilson and Ms. LeCruz?” asked the man at the door. Marie’s father, presumably. The man looked tired and smelled like his clothes needed a wash.

“Yeah.”

“Excuse the mess, I- oh hell it’s not my fault blame the wife but don’t tell her I said that.” Marie’s father said. The two investigators looked at eachother with raised eyebrows.

“Um, okay.” muttered Chenny.

“Please, come in.” said the father. The two walked in hastily. Elizabeth surveyed what should have been the parlor or living room. Instead, there was a single, old table which looked like it had seen many poker games, where Marie Thames and another man sat.

“Who’s he?” asked Elizabeth.

“Beth, this is Daniel… from work.” grumbled Chenny, who seemed to not like Daniel much.

“Good to meet you Elizabeth. I’ve heard a good deal about you.”

“Let's cut all this introduction crap. We’ve got work to do.” Elizabeth said, and then pulled out a chair.