Dropping everything they were doing, the pair of attorneys rushed over in Raven's purple jalopy at top speed. All the while, Mina's brain was formulating potential suspects. Did the magnificent Maria Santiago bust out of jail, resteal her gems and run into the night?
That would have been a masterful twist more twisted than a pretzel.
But another idea flashed in her mind.
Were there other master jewel thief's about?
She'd need to see the Montero residence before she made any swift judgements regarding this case. After all, masked thieves often came with tons of trucks and mystique.
Parking at the Monteros Low Rent Apartments, she finished her pumpkin spice and got ready to get her sleuth on.
When they answered, it was not Ricki, but the chief and her pet deputy. She spoke with a cigarette dangling from her lip.
"Just the people I was looking for," she answered in her cool husky voice. "This case is so tough I was about to call reinforcements."
Her dark eyes moved from Raven to Mina. "But this is much better. I don't have pay you."
Mina puffed out her pale cheeks. "I'd rather you pay your deputy first. He's looking underfed."
The chief looked at Sparky and winked. "I pay him. Just not in money."
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Mina plugged her ears and walked in. "TMI TMI Alert!"
She'd much rather get to the bottom of this mystery than the Chief and Deputy's questionable life outside the office. Fortunately, the much more sympathetic Ricki Montero was there. She was never more delighted to hear his theatrical and high pitched voice.
"Oh Senorita Mina! You are looking muy fabuloso in this cheap lighting! Have you ever considered modeling?"
Mina shrugged her shoulders. "Not on my diet. But Ricki, please just tell me. Who re-robbed this place? I was not expecting this now that Maria...I mean, your sister got arrested."
Ricki shook his head. "I do not know, mi amor. If I did, I wouldn't hire detectives, and least not, these cops who arrested mi hermana!"
Mina bobbed her head in agreement. She didn't need her EAP to know he was telling the truth. "Can you just tell me when and how the gems got stolen?"
Ricki nodded. "While I was gone, someone slipped inside as stealthily and quiet as a door mouse. They left almost no trace they were there...except the gems! Ai papi the gems!!! They were all gone!"
He winced and shivered and held his hand to his head like he was in a tela novella. Normally, Mina would have no time for his theatrics but they felt appropriate. Chickflix had tons of Spanish dramas like that.
Ricki stopped shrieking to finally add. "They were all gone, but one!" He produced a brilliant piece of silver from his back pocket. It was formed in the shape of a five point star and glistened miraculously.
Mina's eyes widened. What kind of gem was star shaped?
"The Canadian Star!" Ricki exclaimed. "From mi hermana's first operation in Quebec!"
Mina took a step back, her mouth dropped open. Was this the case the obnoxious French canadian detective worked on before the Maria Santiago case?
Suddenly, it became immediately clear in her head who was primo suspect numero uno! It wasn't Maria, it was the that shady detective, Monsieur Croix-Saint.
This wasn't the first time a suspicious Frenchman was a suspect in one of her cases and knowing her luck, it wouldn't be the last. It was time to pay Mr. Croissant a visit and head over to his hotel. If that was his real name...