As the sun rose on the following morning, Peggy and Val sat down at the breakfast table, ready to start their day. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, and they chatted cheerfully as they savored the delicious meal before them. Their conversation was a harmonious blend of playful banter and deep reflection, showcasing the bond of friendship they had built over the years, devoid of the serious confrontation of the previous day. It was a serene moment and one that they both cherished as they savored each delicious bite and sip of their breakfast.

As Peggy and Val chatted amicably over breakfast, the memory of something extraordinary suddenly came flooding back to Peggy's mind. She paused mid-sentence, her expression taking on a contemplative look, before she blurted out in excitement, "Oh, I just remembered something incredible! Howard gifted me a house."

Val's eyes widened with surprise. "Really?" he asked.

Peggy chuckled before confirming, "Yes. It was Howard's way of thanking me for helping him clear his name." She took a sip of her coffee before continuing, "He had bought the house as an investment property, but since I had helped him out, he decided to give it to me as a token of his gratitude."

Peggy beamed as she recounted the story, describing the breathtaking views from every window.

As Val's curiosity piqued, he asked Peggy, "Where exactly is this house located?"

Peggy, with a mouthful of food, took a moment to finish her bite before responding. "It's in the heart of Los Angeles," she replied with a sly smile, causing Val's eyes to widen with surprise.

Val sipped from the glass of water placed on the table and inquired, "How large is the house? Is it a magnificent mansion?" He leaned in, eagerly anticipating Peggy's response.

Peggy smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. "It's a beautiful place. Howard spared no expense on it. There's a spacious living room with a fireplace, a big kitchen with marble countertops, and three bedrooms with attached bathrooms. It even has a small backyard with a garden."

Val's jaw dropped in amazement. "Wow, Peggy, that sounds like a dream home. You're so lucky!" he exclaimed.

When Peggy shared the details of her gift, Val couldn't help but wonder about its value. However, Peggy seemed to read his thoughts and interjected, "It's rude to consider the material worth of a gift when it's given from the heart." Val immediately agreed, "You're right, Peggy. I apologize."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

In an instant, the shrill ring of the telephone in the living room disrupted the peaceful morning, and Peggy sprang to her feet to answer it. She briskly walked towards the phone and with a swift motion, picked up the receiver.

Val observed Peggy's countenance shift abruptly as she picked up the ringing phone. After a few minutes, Peggy returned the receiver to its cradle and Val took note of the gravity in her expression.

Peggy returned to her seat, but her face now bore a serious expression. Intrigued, Val couldn't help but ask, "Who was on the phone?"

Peggy took a deep breath before replying, "An old colleague. He's now the chief of the L.A. branch of the SSR."

Val let out a low whistle, impressed. "Damn," he muttered.

Peggy said, "My friend called to inform me that I've been assigned a rather unusual case that has just surfaced in L.A."

Val leaned forward in his chair, asking, "What kind of case is it? Can you tell me more about it?"

Peggy's eyes widened as she recounted the phone call. "He said they found a body under a lake," she began. "But that's not even the strangest part. The body was glowing, and ice cold." Val listened intently. "And get this," Peggy continued. "They only found out about it because people were reporting that the lake was frozen over. LAPD went to investigate and discovered the body."

Val's expression turned serious as he processed the gravity of the situation. His mind raced with the implications of what Peggy had just told him. 'Zero Matter is here!' he thought to himself. He took a deep breath before looking at Peggy and making his request. "Peggy, can I ask you something?" he said, watching as she nodded in agreement. "I want to join you on this investigation."

Peggy's fork clinked against her plate as she stopped eating and glared at Val. He quickly raised his hands in a placating gesture and said, "Wait, hear me out!"

Val continued, "I don't want to be alone here for god knows how many months while you are away in L.A. I will grow extremely bored. So, I will join you in this investigation."

Peggy let out a derisive laugh, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "And how do you plan on doing that, Val? With half the country searching for you?" she retorted.

Val leaned forward with a confident grin and said, "Listen, Peggy. I have a plan. I'll assume a new identity as Val Griffith, a detective from NYPD who's been transferred to LAPD. I'll cut my hair short and add fake scars on my face to ensure no one recognizes me. This way, we can work together on this investigation."

Peggy looked at him skeptically, thinking about the potential risks. After a moment of silence, she finally let out a sigh and said, "Alright, let's do this."

Val eagerly nodded and said, "I'll do whatever it takes. I can't just sit here and do nothing while you're off having all the fun in L.A. solving mysteries."

Peggy chuckled and warned, "Well, it's not going to be all fun and games. This case could be dangerous, and we don't even know what we're dealing with yet. But if you're serious about joining me, we'll have to work on your entire persona. Your voice, your posture, your behavior, everything has to be different."

Val nodded, determined to make it work. "I'm up for the challenge," he said. "Just tell me what to do while you create the new identity."

Val and Peggy discussed the strange case and the details of Val's new identity. As they spoke, they picked at their food and drank coffee, exchanging ideas and opinions. Peggy made notes on a notepad, occasionally looking up to meet Val's gaze as they continued to plan.