It was ten after nine, and I was just about to lock up and go home for then night. Just as I was grabbing my coat to leave there was a quiet knock at the door. "We're closed, you'll have to come back tomorrow." I called as I grabbed my dark brown fedora. I opened the window a crack and pulled out a half smoked cigar, my last I told myself as I slowly lifted it to my mouth. But then, just as I was about to light it, I heard the door open, I tuned, "I said we're closed for the-" I cut short, standing there and a bright red dress with a look of terror in her eyes was a beautiful young bird, she couldn't have been more than say 22. I shook my head apologetically and reached up again to light my cigar, "I'm sorry miss, like I said we're closed, I'm about to go home for the day, You should come back tomorrow."
"Are you Mr. Conroy? Look, I know you say your closed, but could you at least listen to my story before ya' turn me down?" The question made since to me, what could it hurt to listen to the dames story, I was still mid light and decided to save my cigar for later. Tucking it back into my coat pocket, I turned, sat down in my chair, and leaned back.
Looking at the ceiling I said, "Aright, I'm listening."
"My boyfriend Eddy, I think he's been kidnapped. See, he works for this place called Gro-Tech, its some sorta private research place or somethin like that, He could never talk about what they did there. But the other day he came home with a look of absolute fear on his face. He wouldn't talk about it, all he would say was, 'I'm sorry' and 'I love you' as if he was goin some place for a long time, ya know. The next day he left for work, and he hasn't been back now for two days. The police say he hasn't been gone long enough for them to get involved, but I just know he's trouble. If I wait for them, he could be dead, or worse!"
Dead or worse? What was the dame talkin about, ain't nothing worse than dead, or so I thought at the time. "Listen Miss..." I paused.
"Wendton, Juila Wendton." She interjected.
"Listen Mrs. Wendton, I'm a detective, not a blood hound, and from the sounds of it, that's what you'll be needing." I stood and looked out the window, the dimly lit city stared back, and I pulled out my cigar again. Rolling it between my fingers I noticed my own reflection in the glass. Messy hair ragged and unkempt, and a face like a raisin. I knew how I got this way, that night four years ago, I'd never had a case like this come across my desk before, but it was so similar. I think it was that one fact that made me decide to take it, I turned and saw she was walking to the door, I could faintly hear the sobbing. "Wait" I said, "I said I was a detective didn't I. I'll see what I can do." She stopped and turned, a look of surprise on her face.
"Y-You mean, you mean you'll take the case?" She stammered.
"I ain't gona promise anything, but I'll take a look. You said he worked where again?"
'Gro-Tech" she said, "its on 14th and Williams." She produced a piece of paper with some numbers on it. "If you find anything please let me know." She handed it to me and left. I turned back to the window, the cigar still idly rolling between my fingers. Maybe this time, I thought, Maybe this time I can find your justice Patty...