CORVUS
The sound of heels clicking on the wooden tiled floor made me lose my train of thought. Also, I caught a strong whiff of a very expensive cologne in the atmosphere. Its scent caught me off guard. It reminded me of something, but I could not put my finger on what exactly. There was a gentle knock on my office door. I sighed. The secretary I had hired seemed to forget to remind folks to make sure they set up an appointment before coming to see me. I shook my head, and said, ‘‘Come in.’’
I raised an eyebrow at the sight of my new client. I guessed they were a customer and needed my help with a private matter. My so-called new client stepped into my office, with careful steps as if she was walking on glass, or egg shells. I asked her, “How may I be of service…erm—?”
She glanced at me with one eye. Her other eye was covered by a portion of her wide brim fancy tea hat. She slowly placed her lace glove covered hands on her lap before she finally replied, “Banda…Ms. Barbara Banda..”
Ms. Banda informed me that she needed help with a particular matter. Someone close to her was missing, and she was afraid to go ask for help from the police because of a fear she had that one of the officers could be the person behind her partner going MIA. I listened attentively to her every word and nodded my head. I assured her not to worry. I placed my hand across my chest and said, “I promise to do my level best and find out what happened to Mr. Banda.”
The lady dressed in a sunflower yellow dress attire bowed her head. She sniffed, and wiped her nose with a handkerchief. I wondered what line of work she was in. If she had told me she was an actress, I would not have doubted her at all. She prepared to leave my office, but turned around and said, “I am afraid I may go missing, too. For now I will stay right at home and try to get some work done at the mansion.”
I waved goodbye to her. Then stepped out of my office and locked the door. I looked around the rest of the hallway, and tried to see if my secretary was still around by the office space. She had already clocked out, and even left a note on her desk stating, “I had to leave a tad bit early. I’m going to go out with my girls for an evening movie night.’’
I smiled after reading the note, and thought to myself, “It’s going to be a long night. Time for me to get to work and find out as much as I can about Mr. & Mrs. Banda. Something tells me Mrs. Banda may have some additional details that she decided to leave out and not tell me about. Anyway, sooner or later the cat will be out of the bag…hopefully it will not be all hell breaking loose..or me taking on more than I can chew!’’
10.06.2025