by Elias Raven
“Oh, before I forget, it’s my dad’s birthday. Can you and your father write him a small note and sign the card honey?” I asked batting my eyes.
“Absolutely gorgeous!” Nick responded and taking the pen and opening the card he thought for a moment and with a flourish was off to the races.
After about a minute, he handed the pen and card to his father who was smiling and did the same!
“There you go Lassie!” he told me smiling.
I thanked them both and told them it would be a small affair, but please come around five o’clock and I know my parents would love to see them both.
One group hug later we bid our goodbyes to the guys and headed back to the elevator. I thought I was going to pass out from holding my breath for so long. Once the doors closed, Kathy looked at me with a funny look on her face.
“Your dad’s birthday isn’t until next month?” she said.
“Yep! But I needed a handwriting sample and now I have two. Now to get the rest.” I replied.
Kathy just smiled as did Sarah.
“Girl, you are one devious biatch!” they said.
I think I have the mystery box solved, but I need to race home to beat my parents? Can you both get off a little early to make that happen? I asked.
My BFF’s both crossed their fingers and said:
“You know it girl!” they replied (such hookers).
The afternoon seemed to drag on but finally, the clock struck 3:30 PM and I told the Asian cubicle girl that I wasn’t feeling well, and that I was going to clock out a little early. She waved me off and I shot out of the office with all my stuff in tow like I was at the drag races at The Winter nationals! As soon as I cleared the office, Kathy and Sarah hooked up with me and we made record time out of the building and to my house. I hit the code for the garage, but neither of my parents was home yet.
“Kathy, help me unload the mystery box stuff up to my room!” I asked.
“On it!” Kathy replied (you go, girl).
“Sarah, stash your car around the block, but park on the side where my parents won’t see your car!” I asked quickly.
Sarah gave me a thumbs up and jumped in her ride after we had grabbed all the stuff.
We headed into the house and took everything upstairs.
“Now what?” Kathy asked.
“We go raid my father’s office!” I replied.
We headed down to the dining room and started poking around desk drawers looking.
“What are we looking for?” she asked.
“Anything with their handwriting on it!” I replied.
“Wait, you think that they have…?” Kathy asked.
Just then Sarah came through the door and I motioned quickly she threw the deadbolt.
“I don’t know anything yet. I have my suspicions. Leafing through the bottom of one of the filing cabinets I found a small stash of letters. I had forgotten my father had been in the army. There were love letters from both of them. I grabbed one of each and quickly closed the cabinet door.
“Let’s go upstairs! They’ll be home in about twenty minutes. We need to be out of here in ten to be safe.” I exclaimed.
We ran up the stairs and opened up the suitcase. I pulled the mystery box out reverently, then the letters and wrapping paper, and started comparing things. The more I checked the more everything clicked. Now we just had to spring the trap!
“Ok, let's put this stuff away. We haven’t opened the final package, but we will when everyone is here. Sarah, go grab your ride, we need to go to the store to get a cake and ice cream!” I said and threw my arms around them both.
“You’re going to still let on that it’s your dad’s birthday?” They asked.
“Oh yes! We're going to do it with everyone there!” I replied and then we headed out the front door and made a beeline for Sarah’s car.
“Sarah, pull up so you can see the house, but stay hidden. Let’s see if I have the times right.” I told them.
Looking at my watch, we waited. Three, two, one, and… sure enough, there was my mom right on time. She pulled into the driveway in her two-toned gray Kia. She hopped out and carrying her purse went into the house. I looked at my watch again. Three, two, one, and there was my dad. Right behind her. After he pulled in, we waited until he had gotten out and gone into the house.
“Ok, the coast is clear. Let’s head to Kroger’s. The rest of the boys should be here in about an hour!” I said smiling and then put my hands together like a web.
“Do you think they suspect anything yet?” Sarah asked.
“Not a thing, but honestly this is going to be fun and I can’t wait to see the look on my father’s face when he figures out that I solved the mystery!” I added.
We fist-bumped all around and then drove quietly past my house. Mom would be messaging me soon. I felt like we were about to do the dining room scene from Murder By Death (if you haven’t seen it, you must) or even better Clue with Tim Curry! I always loved it when the detective did the big reveal. It was either going to be a Knives Out kind of evening or I was going to crash or burn, but I had gone over all of the evidence and I think I had a rock-solid case. The biggest thing was that I didn’t want anyone to think I was mad or that they were in trouble because nothing could be further from the truth. My phone buzzed, there was my mom asking if I was coming home for dinner. I typed quickly.
“Yes please, and we’ll be having guests (I’ll leave that hanging) and we’re stopping to pick up dessert.” then I hit send.
Then I did my best Wednesday Adams smile (the freaky one from the second movie) and rubbed my hands together. Now if I only had a Pugsley.
Chapter 28
It's been my experience that every time I think
I know where it's at, it's usually somewhere else.
~Blake Edwards~
The moment was at hand. The challenge (say it in French like Peter Sellers playing Inspector Clouseau) has been accepted and the crime has been solved! (If you have not seen the original Pink Panther movies, ohhh, you must you must).
Our timing was impeccable. We drove up to my house right when Mr. & Mr. Bennett (Sr. & Jr.) did.
“Hello, darling!” I said to Nick walking over to their car sporting a lovely Euro accent.
This of course prompted a goofy grin from Nick. I saw that they had taken The Rolls for the party tonight. I gave the driver a salute, which he dutifully returned. Very proper!
Leaning over I gave Nick (woof) a quick kiss and then gave Richard (not Burton) a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you both for coming this evening! The party is just about to get started!” I announced with dramatic flair and eye effects to go with it, which made Nick, crack up. (can you tell I was enjoying every minute of this).
My parents heard all the noise coming from outside and opened the front door all smiles.
“Well hello, ladies and gentlemen! I hope you brought your appetites because we have quite the meal prepared for your culinary pleasure this evening!” my mom ever the Betty Crocker said.
I gave her a huge thumbs up and a smile. While everyone went inside, she asked what the birthday cake and desserts were for. I could tell she sensed something was in the wind. (yeah, she was a nightmare growing up. Forget about sneaking into the house after midnight).
“I told the professors that it’s dad’s birthday!” I replied.
Mom, of course, whiplashed upon that statement, because she knew that was a lie!
“I’ll explain later. It’s about the mystery box!” I told her and gave her a quick hug.
“Ok dear,” she replied not knowing what to think, and then she just shrugged her shoulders.
“Trust me; it’s going to be epic!” I continued.
“Well thank you, honey! I do try to do my best in the kitchen!” she replied, her blonde roots showing fully.
I just rolled my eyes.
“I meant about the box and the mystery!” I replied.
“Oh! That ole thi
ng! Here I thought you were slathering on the compliments to your dear old mom.” she said in a kind of Elizabeth Tayloresk (Valley of The Dolls Anyone?) voice.
We went inside and found everyone was hovering between the living and dining rooms. My girls had taken the cake and other goodies into the kitchen and my mother had already set the table. I found my father and asked if he could give me a hand cutting up the roast in the kitchen.
Then when he went to ask why? I gave him the pleading eyes and the chin indicating I need you now dad!
“Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me let me go help Paige out! I shall return!” he said cordially.
After the swinging door had closed, I just looked at him and whispered:
“I told the Bennett’s it’s your birthday today! I need you to go along with my charade; it’s regarding the mystery box!” I said bluntly.
My dad, ever the curious one, nodded his head. He rubbed his chin for a moment and then said:
“Ok Paige, but after dinner, (full-on dad look) I think it only fair that you explain yourself to everyone,” indicating he would go along with the ploy, but only for so long.
“Game face!” I told him and we came out all smiles.
My mom was moving very quickly. Barking out orders to us girls and in a flash, we had a table full of food and a sideboard full of the dessert with candles.
The conversation was light, although I did let on that we had found the third package at the library and after dinner, if everyone was willing, we could open that over the dessert. I carefully watched everyone to gauge their reactions. I might as well have been playing Texas Hold'em! Everyone had their best poker face on. Dammit! I was going to have to pull an Inspector Clouseau interrogating the staff and not wreck the piano tonight (bring it on!) After dinner was cleared, we all adjourned to the living room drinking coffee and enjoying dessert.
I didn’t forget the traditional Happy Birthday sung to my father in four-part harmony, along with He’s a Jolly Good Fellow for a bonus number, which he took in good stride!
“Paige?” Dad asked, giving me the it’s time to pull a rabbit from the hat look.
“Oh yeah! It’s showtime! I’ll be right back!” I replied taking a deep breath. I gave Nick a quick smile and a wink then turning ran for the stairs.
Kathy & Sarah followed me up, straight into my room. We grabbed everything and brought it back down. I laid the box on the table along with the new envelope and the sticky note and set the folder down with the other notes in them. Then I pulled out the birthday card that I had bought from the gift store at The Morgan and set it down on top of the whole ensemble.
Everyone leaned forward expectantly. I put my hands together and began.
“First off, I want to thank all of you for coming tonight. I know our curiosity about the mystery box and all of the lovely notes and keys that we’ve been tracking down to see what is inside has been absolutely marvelous. Like Geo Caching but on steroids even!” I said eliciting some laughter.
“Being a bit of a sleuth myself, something like this is really near and dear to my heart. I mean this is something that took a lot of thought and care to create and my hat goes off to the creator or creators of this marvelous mystery! I mean wow; it doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about this.” I continued getting a little misty-eyed.
My dad held his tongue as did my mother. Nick and his father along with the girls sat back grinning. I had to lay my case out perfectly.
“Now looking at the box and the notes, I immediately started gathering a list of suspects and then crossing names off, if it didn’t fit their modus operandi!” I continued lifting my finger with a flourish.
As I narrowed down the list, I reviewed the evidence and more and more I started to think that more than one person was involved (pregnant pause for interruption)
“Why do you say that Paige?” my father asked.
“Well, for starters, the original package had the whole Indiana Jones thing going for it. From all of the postmarks (that looked legitimate) and stamps, I do believe that the box and original letter did in fact come from overseas, but the package was in fact hand-delivered to my desk and not brought in via the Post Office, which would have required a security scan and they might not have let it in.” I continued.
“A very plausible hypothesis, go on!” my father replied enjoying this immensely.
“Now, how many seasoned travelers do I know that go abroad much?” I asked aloud and turning around with a flourish I looked directly at Nick and his father.
I could see Nick’s reaction a mile away!
“Us?” He asked feigning surprise.
Reaching down, I pulled the handwritten sticky note from the pile.
“This was one of the giveaways! See the writing?” I asked.
Both men nodded and then swallowed when they saw the card.
I carefully slid the birthday card out of the envelope and turning to my father said:
“Happy Birthday Dad!” and held up the card to my smiling father.
“By the way, I owe you both an apology. It’s not my father’s birthday! I exclaimed watching their reaction.
“We’ve been hoodwinked son!” The elder Bennett said to the younger.
“I had to play a small trick on the two of you, but I promise it’s not to be malicious, it’s in the spirit of the mystery! Ok?” I asked them.
Both men nodded their heads and motioned for me to continue.
I laid the sticky note over the birthday card and compared the card to the note.
“I would say that from my analysis of the writing, it would appear to match the elder Dr. Bennett’s’ handwriting almost perfectly,” I said with a flourish and handed the card to the elder professor for his review.
“Well, it does appear to be my writing.” He mumbled not wanting to give up the ghost just yet.
I could tell he was enjoying my presentation immensely. His eyes were sparkling like Holmes were when describing Irene Adler (The only thing missing was a couple of London’s Finest and Inspector Lestrade from Scotland Yard to make the party complete).
“Then I thought, but who else would have access to The Morgan and would not cause a stir when examining the many historical documents and manuscripts in the facility.” from the way his gaze was averted I knew my guess was right. Picking up the last package, I asked for the card back from the elder Bennett and compared it to my scribbled name on the front of the manila envelope.
“I do think that Nick’s handwriting matches the front of this envelope and all of them for that matter rather nicely! Don’t you Nick? I said smiling sweetly, then blowing him a kiss.
Both Bennett’s just blinked and smiled, watching me go for the Coup De Grasse.
“So now I have two suspects accounted for. Their presence explains being able to go in and out of my workplace without arousing suspicion, but what about the first two locations? The Hammer and Mint & Raffi’s?” I continued raising my hand again with a flourish and then turning to my parents.
Sarah & Kathy were grinning like fools. They had never seen this side of me, but I was truly my father’s daughter. Research and discovery was my thing and I was in full-on game mode.
My mom walked over to my father sensing the guillotine was coming.
“I knew that Nick had met us outside of the dry cleaners last week. We had told him that we were going to Raffi’s, but we never told him what kind of candy was my favorite!” I continued watching my mother shrink a bit.
“Now I say this with one caveat! Nick did meet me in my office and he knew I liked Mint and Chocolate, but not what I liked to eat at Raffi’s!” I added.
“The only people that were part of this discussion was us, four girls and Nick. Now he had excused himself as being too busy that day and wanted to get in touch with my father for the dry cleaning bill!” I smiled sweetly at Nick and blew him a kiss and then looked at my father and then locked eyes with my mom.
“So I believe that I can eliminate four su
spects right away! Judging from my mother’s face, I would surmise that she was the one that let the cat out of the bag regarding my love of double chocolate dyno-mints with mixed chocolate dip and also my love of mint-flavored drinks.” I said with my hands behind my back.
“You don’t have to admit it mother, when I am done presenting my case, you can all answer then.” I continued.
She just sat next to the Bennett’s with a cheesy grin on her face and watched her daughter work.
So that leaves the notes. I reached into the pile and pulled the first note out. Then I grabbed one of my father’s old letters from when he was in the army and showed it to him. He facepalmed knowing the jig was up.
Carefully unfolding the sheets, I held up his letter and noticed that the handwriting was similar on the top, but not where the quotes were. I grabbed the birthday card and sure enough, they matched Nick’s handwriting perfectly. I looked at my father first and then Nick and smiled.
“So the last bit of evidence I will lay before you all is this. I believe that my father and Nick composed the letters that held the clues. The reason is I think simple enough; my father knows how much I love a good mystery and has taught his daughter well. It had to be something masterfully done and believable. I do believe Nick added the poetry clues to add a little more depth and mystery to it all, and because he is a sweet guy that really likes yours truly!” I said with a final flourish.
“Also, Nick let the cat out of the bag about the night he went to the restaurant to meet us,” I added.
“The night I dumped champagne on his clothes and I do believe that my father and mother had arranged it so that we would bump into Nick and it wouldn’t seem like they were setting us up for a date.” I finished the last statement with a flourish.
The room was quiet for a moment before they all looked at each other, then shrugged and started clapping loudly.
“That was brilliantly done and you were spot on.” The elder Doctor Bennett said.
Nick looked me in the eyes and I could see he was feeling guilty.
“Do you want to know why?” he asked.
I put my arms around his neck and gave him a huge kiss.