1

Guess who’s coming to dinner? Detective Diaz.

“After the whole fiasco with my mom, my Dad invited him. It’s the least we can do right,” Eli asked Hope and Daniel on a three-way.

“Yeah I mean he did save your mom, and you’re Dad seemed super appreciative of him. Maybe they will allow you to investigate that Q guy,” mentioned Daniel.

Right, they don’t know. I think it is better that way to keep them out of the loop. Hope just got back to school and things are fairly normal now.

Whatever normal is?

I still have this blurry thought that I am forgetting something. Something important. Who was it that drugged me at the observatory? I think it was Q but how would I even know, does he have an accomplice? Nah. he couldn’t. He could, but this town has enough crazy going on with one killer. Bring two in the mix and that would be borderline apocalyptic.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“I’ll get it!”

There are two. Not weird at all.

“Eli. How’s it been? How is your mom,” asks Campbell as he carries in a bouquet. “Can you put this in a vase? It’s for your mom.”

“Why do all cops knock the same? Is it some class you all take at the academy?”

“Yes, we all take a knocking class, E.” Diaz answers, walking into the foyer, pie in hand.

“Oh, here I went back to the observatory and the lady at the kiosk gave it to me.”

It’s a letter. Of course, it’s addressed to me.

“Thanks, I’ll read it after dinner. I don’t want to spoil my appetite with serial killer talk.”

“Look at you getting wiser.”

“I try.”

As the three of them walk into the living room, Mr. Elliot walks in knife in hand.

“Ah, Detectives welcome!”

“Careful, Dad, you almost stabbed Diaz.”

“Sorry, I forgot this was in my hand.” Placing the knife on the table.

“No problem, what’s a stab to that right hook you gave me?”

Mr. Elliot rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed. “Right, that was sloppy of me, sorry about that.”

Sloppy indeed.

“Right well enough of that, Mom said dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Hope you guys like vegetarian.”

“Vegetarian? I always pegged you as a cow eater E,” Campbell jests.

“Nah, my parents detest the killing of animals. My dad loves the environment. I think it’s crazy considering he contributes to pollution, by driving taxis.”

“Your dad is a taxi driver,” Diaz inquires. “What company?”

“I’ve worked for Hugh Motors since I was a young adult. So about twenty-five years coming this November.”

“I know of that company. Used to be called Rainbow Roadways before it got bought out by that guy?” interjects Campbell.

“Yeah, we don’t see the boss much but I guess driving doesn’t require that kind of interaction.”

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

2

BANG.

“Elijah Quincy Elliot! Why is there water all over the floor!?”

Eli ran to the kitchen, apologizing, whilst grabbing the mop.

“Quincy?” Pondered Diaz.

“Yeah, he is the fifth generation of Elijahs so Quincy is his middle name.” Chimed his dad.

“Interesting. I always thought his middle name would have started with an E. Go figure,” piped Campbell.

Diaz found a seat at the dining room table, eying his surroundings. A piece of stationary stood out to him and just as he was about to grab it, Mr. Elliot picked it up.

“Sorry about the mess, I got this in this from the guys at work, they were going to throw me a party since I am one of the oldest members around.”

“Can I see it? I love this kind of paper.”

“Sure, be my guest.” Mr. Elliot passed him the letter and walked to grab some glasses for the table.

As Diaz opened the letter, nothing stood out, except the paper it was on. It had the same feel and weight as the ones Q would send.

“What if?”

“What if what?” asked Eli, placing macaroni on the table.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, or yell but I think your Dad works with Mr. Q.”

“That rich, we invite you for dinner and you accuse my dad of working with a serial killer. I thought we were getting closer Detective. I mean we made you mac and cheese. My mom only cooks that on special occasions.” Eli ranted upset with the accusation.

“No. Eli, I think Mr. Q works at the taxi company with your Dad. Look it's the same kind of paper. And didn’t you tell me your Dad thought the letter Q sent you when your mom got taken was an invitation at first? Can’t be a coincidence.”

“Oh. Makes sense, we should check it out then.”

“You mean I should, your parents just invited me for dinner, I am not ruining my chances by getting you kidnapped or killed. Your Dad can punch, y’know.”

“Right, right,” Eli assured him, before going back into the kitchen.

Everyone gathered in the dining room. After grace, they sat down and began to indulge in their meals.

“This is delightful Mrs. Elliot, the best meal I had in a while,” Campbell uttered in between bites.

“I have leftovers for you two to take later,” she stated, passing the basket of dinner rolls to Eli.

“Thank you again Detective for saving me. I know Elijah can be a handful but I feel better knowing he is learning some responsibility when he isn’t at home.”

“Of course ma’am, Eli is like a little brother to me. I will make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“And how will you guarantee that?” Asked Mr. Elliot. “I don’t trust you with my son. That Q guy is always near him, It seems you are always a step behind. Maybe two. Or three.”

“Dad!” Eli chirped.

“No your Dad is right, E.” interrupted Diaz. “Sir, your son will not be in any investigations anymore. I give you my word.

His word. I didn’t give mine.

“No offense but you seem to burn bridges around you. I can’t watch my son be on the other side of that fire.”

Diaz winced at his words, catching the attention of Campbell.

“Hey, don’t you think that is a little harsh Mr. Elliot?”

“Sure Matthew has messed up but we are very close to catching this killer.”

“Is that so?”

“Very so.”

“I can’t say I believe you, Campbell. We are living in a rainbow of chaos I don’t think we can depend on such black and white statements.”

“Alright!” Eli interjected. “I am right here you know. I won’t be in any investigation with them. Happy.”

“Very,” added Eli’s mom. “Now who wants dessert? Detective Diaz bought a lovely pie.”

3

“Sorry about dinner. Please come again anytime.” Eli offered to the Detectives. “My parents are overprotective I am their only child.”

“Deal, your mom is a fantastic cook. And your Dad loves you a lot. I know he is worried about you. No hard feelings there,” Diaz said.

“Oh right, here.” Diaz handed him the letter and stepped into the car, driving off.

Eli walked back into the house, into his room. As he was placing the letter down on his desk he realized there was already one there. He read the cover and both were addressed to him. One from Q and one from Diaz.

“If I didn’t know any better I would say these two were similar” whispered E.

Two different sides of the same coin.