Three months earlier…

The phone ringed three times before an elderly man picked it up. “Hello?” The time was late, an hour past midnight.

The voice on the other end replied with two words, “It’s done…”

A smirk lifted on the elderly man’s wrinkly face as he sat up on the side of the bed. He adjusted his back and placed both feet on the ground. “Good Bernardo, good. And the money? Did you find it where the traitor hid it?”

“No, not yet… Now it’s time for you to keep up with your end of the bargain. I did what you asked… the money thing took us all by surprise. We’ll find it don’t worry.” Said Bernard as he shifted the phone to the other ear changing sides in the pay phone booth. It was the last pay phone left in town.

“And your men will believe it was a suicide?” The old man patronized him. Taking his time saying the questions slowly and softly like he was speaking to a child.

“They don’t have a choice! They’ll listen to whatever their chief tells them. His death was ruled a suicide. Now it’s your turn Consuelo! Give me what I want…” The Chief of Police was tired of being jerked around and he didn’t appreciate the name dropping. He went with his gut when he decided to call from the pay phone. Consuelo didn’t care if the line was secure or not. Bernard has risked everything trying to achieve this goal and it was being dangled over his head.

“Alright. You will get your payment and… a spot at the table. Your people can reclaim their seat. However, my little Bernardo, you better find my money. Anyone can be easily be replaced at my table. Do I make myself clear?”

The chief rolled his eyes then replied, “As a whistle…” Bernard heard a sudden click then the dial tone in his ear. He slowly placed the phone back on the receiver. The chief looked around to make sure no one was around as he made his way back home to his wife and children.

***

The day started like any other usual day for me. I was closing up my case with Mrs. Jenkins. She hired me to investigate who was embezzling money from her company. After doing some investigating, I discovered it was her youngest son. He was trying to take her company from underneath her. When I delivered the news, my client didn’t seem all that shocked. The elderly lady struggled to stand as she tried reaching for her walker. Her skinny pale right arm reached out first then her left. I quickly dashed around my desk to assist by pulling her walker closer to her. I looked down at my fragile client and said, “I’m sorry to have to deliver such bad news Mrs. Jenkins. I was hoping it was someone else, truly.”

Mrs. Jenkins’ aged face crinkled when she smirked, “No sweetie, it was great news. The best news I’ve heard all summer.” I looked at her confused but amused by her good spirits. She slowly started making her way towards my office door. “Now I can stop my son from getting any piece of my company. That’s what he gets for being greedy. He’s not getting shit from me just like his father. See he thinks I’m old and senile but in fact I’m as strong as an ox in my mind. My body is the only thing weak… My company will be given to my niece as I always planned. With your help in finding out the truth, the board can’t refuse my request now.” Mrs. Jenkins smiled winked an eye at me as she slowly walked past and out the door towards the hallway. I shrugged my shoulders as I followed her to the front desk.

My secretary and best friend Amber handed Mrs. Jenkins a folder of all my findings on her case. In exchange, she handed Amber a paper check. The phone rang and Amber waved good bye as she picked it up. I continued to see Mrs. Jenkins out the door, when I returned Amber looked like she saw a ghost. “You won’t believe who just called… Shanti Edwards. You know Shanti Edwards?!”

I walked over and leaned on the counter, “I used to know a Shanti Edwards. We were childhood friends back when my dad was alive. Afterwards, well I didn’t see or hear from her anymore. I’m not sure why she would want to see me now.”

Amber flicked her red bob cut hair back and pulled out her iPhone. She quickly scrolled through a news app to show me the latest pictures, “It’s probably about her father, you know Douglas Edwards. They found him dead last week hanging from his attic ceiling. The news is saying it’s a suicide but the whole story seems messed up. Tell me you heard about it? It made the national news.” She turned her phone around and showed me Douglas’ lifeless body.

I looked at her phone and nodded my head agreeing, “Yea I heard… He never seemed like the type of person that would do something like that but you never know right? When did she want to come in?”

“She wanted the first available appointment which is first thing tomorrow morning. Was that, ok?”

“That’s fine… This should be interesting.”

The next morning Amber and I both came into the office earlier than usual. Amber was excited and geek to meet one her favorite celebrities. Shanti had made a name for herself as a prestigious fashion designer with her own line of designer purses and perfumes. Amber had three of the latest purses from last year’s editions. She brought one in hoping Shanti would autograph one for her. I, however, was more focused on what exactly she would want to hire me instead of someone who was more… famous. After I left the Intelligence for the military, I returned back to my hometown of Freeside. For people like Shanti, she was determined to get out of our small town.

The hour for Shanti’s appointment came quick. Amber and I could hear people coming up the stairs of the main hallway. Amber returned to her paperwork that was on her desk and I walked back to my office and sat patiently in my chair. I had the blinds opened a little to let natural light come inside. In my office one wall was just windows, four windows to be exactly. Big windows from ceiling to floor. I had the mirror window tent on them so I can see out but no one can see in. It’s for privacy. I want my clients to feel safe they can come in and have the peace of mind of privacy. In the back behind the entrance is a fireplace and three lounge chairs surrounding a small coffee table. I tried my best to make my office cozy and calming for clients. I had an array of different indoor plants placed all around to help bring a positive environment as well.

I heard Amber welcome Shanti and the men that was with her. Body guards, I guess. Once Amber checked her in, she escorted Shanti and her men to my office. Amber opened the door letting them go inside first. She gave me a big grind then closed the door behind her. Shanti looked the exact as I remember just older. She was tall and very beautiful. Shanti came from a blended family with her mother being from the Dominican Republic and her father being Columbian and Black. She had strong ties to both sides. Her hair flowed straight down her back like a brown silk scarf. With high cheek bones and caramel color skin she was a classic description of a model. Shanti turned and looked at me sitting at my desk. She smiled and laughed in excitement when she saw me. Her chinky light brown eyes got more slanted when she smiled showing her bright white teeth. She had on red bottom black high heels and red button up vest with black fancy work pants that was custom seemed. Shanti always knew how to look her very best. She better being a fashion designer in all… She had one of her men assist her taking off her long tan mink coat that looked brand new; nice and fluffy.

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I stood up from my desk and reached my hand out to shake her hand. “Shanti… Shanti Edwards.” I honestly had no idea what to expect. She looked a little worried and stressed. Something was felt off about her.

“Alice Mitchell… it’s so good to see you!” Shanti walked straight to me. She is the only person left on this Earth who still calls me my full government name. “Give me a hug it’s been too long.” She walked over around my desk grabbing me and giving me a big bear hug that almost took my breath away. “How have you been?” Shanti sat down in one of the sofa seats facing my chair. She got herself comfortable by sitting back and crossing her legs. At first, I thought she was going to take her shoes off too. Her aroma from her perfume was overwhelming and filled my office with her scent. It took me a little while to get used to how strong it was.

“I’m doing good, thanks. I heard about your father passing I’m sorry to hear that.” I sat down slowly with Shanti and pulled out a piece of notebook paper so I can take notes. Sometimes clients want to pour everything out in the first session.

Shanti let out a big sigh before speaking, “That’s why I’m here, I need your help. These fucking cops in this city don’t know what they’re doing! Don’t believe what you hear on the news he did not kill himself, at least I don’t think he did. I don’t fucking know!” Shanti threw her hands in the air with frustration, “All I know is there’s a lot of money missing and they think my father had something to do with it. He was murdered Alice and I don’t have much to go on but a gut feeling. I’m scared and I don’t know what to do. I’m scared ‘they’ will come after me too. I don’t even know anything about money!” Shanti began to cry, cupping her hands in her face as she sobbed. I didn’t know what to do besides get up and sit next to her on the arm of the sofa. I offered her some tissues and she took a few to wipe her face off.

“After my dad passed, I went straight to the military. The Intelligence Department…”

“I know… I kept tabs on you from time to time. That’s where you met Amber, your secretary. I had to Alice; I’ve missed you so much. I hate my father made me stop seeing you like that.”

Wait what? I thought to myself, keeping tabs on me from time to time? That’s is a little crazy. For years I dwelled on what I have done wrong for her family to stop talking to me and she drops a bomb on me like this? There’s a story behind that… I didn’t even notice Shanti’s bodyguards stepping out. She waved her hand behind her then both got up and left. My mind was flooding with some many old memories. It felt so weird sitting here talking to her again. The last time I saw her I was a teenage, only fourteen. Something inside me wanted to know more about why her father told her to stay away. After my father passed, I felt the Edwards abandoned me.

“Like I was saying, I have a few resources around town that can look into what really happened with Douglas. It’s not going to be easy but at least we can find out the truth. Do you have the police reports or anything that led up to his death?”

“He was shot three times Alice. Twice in the back and once one the side before he bled out. Whoever did this beat him half to death then had the fucking nerve to hang him from the attic ceiling. Fuck what the police say Alice! I’m telling you he was murdered. I mean there wasn’t even a note for crying a loud. They did my father wrong just like how they did your father! For fuck’s sake Alice you wouldn’t stand here if you just took what the police said about your father. Well, I want the same thing. I want the same satisfaction you got. Shit!” Shanti whole demeanor changed once I brought up her father’s alleged suicide. She was angry and hurt. I know that feeling all too well. I know her pain, I’m not going to lie but I don’t do revenge. That is one place I will never go again. At the same time, I wanted to help her. I wanted to take the case to find the truth. It will probably eat me up inside if I didn’t. I’m willing to take this leap and have faith in Shanti. Honestly whatever she does with the information I find about her father is totally up to her anyway, right? Shanti stood up and walked over to the large window, “It’s all about this money Alice. This whole thing is about this money he allegedly stole. I don’t even know if that part is true. All I know is you don’t mess with the Syndicate… The underground organization made up of the biggest families in our region. I don’t even know where to fucking start to even find this money.” Shanti put her head down never turning around to face me, I know she was expecting an answer from me.

“I will agree to take this contract under two conditions.” Shanti turned around and looked me in the face with tears in her eyes. I needed her to understand my terms were solid and I take my work serious. I leaned forward in my chair and placed both elbows on my desk. She sat down and quickly crossed her legs then folded her hands in her lap. “First condition, I will need access to everything and when I say everything, I mean every corner and shadow of this man’s life. There are probably going to be some things that you are going to find out that you may not like. You need to be okay with that.”

“Ok… I’m prepared for that. And the second?”

“The second term is you have to be ok with the results I find. Meaning if it was a suicide you need to find your peace with that. I’m not sure where to start either but I will try to help you, Shanti. Douglas was a best friend my father and I feel like he would want me to help you.”

“I know what you’re trying to say and I agree. I will get you whatever information you need. As a matter of fact, I will send over my dad’s assistant Charlie Sanchez. He pretty much knew everything about my dad’s life anyway. He will be able to answer any questions you’ll have.” Shanti stood up and walked towards my desk. She placed both hands palms faced down leaning towards me on my desk. She was looking at me dead in my eyes. I looked up at her wondering what she was doing. “I know he didn’t kill himself Alice. I also know he kept a lot of things from me and my brother Chad. He would love to see you by the way. You know how much he loved you when we were kids.”

“Oh wow, how is Chad?”

“Chad isn’t chubby anymore, he’s actually quite good looking. He has a wife and twin daughters. Oh! I have an idea; you should come to my annual celebrity party I’m having next week. All the local celebrities will be there plus some B list celebs, who knows who will show up.”

“Shanti, I’m not sure if that’s a good idea,” I never try to mix business with my pleasure plus it was too soon for me to just drop back into the Edwards family ban wagon. Shanti stood up straight and walked around my desk slowly ending up behind me. I followed her with my eyes walking around my desk. Shanti then wrapped her arms around me from the back and kissed me gently on the cheek. I had a really confused looked on my face which I’m glad she couldn’t see.

“Of course, it’s a good idea. We really need to catch up. You’re just like I remember you Alice, so serious.” Shanti spoke in a soft whisper super close to my ear. She is just like I remember her so touchy feely. That was her super power over people her sensuality and she was good at it. I knew her game and her tricks don’t work on me.

“And you’re still the same too Shanti, still wearing the same perfume… what is it, S-Edition?” I leaned to the side to get a clear focus of Shanti face which was still two inches close to mine, “It’s going to get you in trouble one day.”

“What do you mean it’s going to get me in trouble one day? I have to order it directly from Paris and I made the damn thing.” Shanti got up and walked back around to the chair her coat was laying on. She flung her big mink coat around her back and pulled her arms through, “Oh I forgot to tell you about Charlie, he’s some real eye candy. Don’t fall in love. Promise?”

Eye Candy? What the hell was that supposed to mean?

“There’s something different about him though. He doesn’t take any of the bait any female in our offices has thrown at him. We think his wife may have died or something and that’s why he doesn’t want to hook up with anyone. Shit even I’ve tired. Don’t judge me I wanted to see what kind of man he was and in fact he’s actually a really good one. I respect Charlie and he really loved my dad. He’ll be in the morning first thing and I’ll have all the paper work filled out.”

I huffed quietly to myself… We’ll see how well this partnership goes. I don’t work well with people I like to work alone. I think better and I don’t have to worry about anyone undermining my thought process. Shanti walked across the office to the door waving behind her as she made her way out. All you could hear were her high heels clicking on the floor, “I’m late for another meeting at noon… I look forward to our dinner Alice and thank you again for your help, chow.” Shanti scurried out the door, down the hall and out the door.

All I can say is what a day… I look forward to meeting this Charlie tomorrow.