“Hey, that’s good, it’s the first solid lead we have. You know, you should become a detective.”

“Thanks.”  I got up to leave. “Hey, let me know if anything turns up, okay?”

“Sure kid.”  I left the station and returned to the complex, after buying a copy of the Floor Avenue Journal. I opened it to find that there was a two room office for sale on Fifth and Maple. I drove over there to check the place out. I opened the door to the office and peered inside it. I saw a stack of papers, and upon opening a closet everything, including the kitchen sink, fell on me. Checking the second room, I found a leather chair at a very cluttered desk. This was the place for me. I went down street, got a loan, and with that loan I bought the office.

I went back to the apartment and found that Noah had finally returned from the museum. “Where were you?  I looked all over for you.”

“Well, there was a robbery and I was witness to it.”

“Oh yeah, sure. I bet you went off and left me there to walk home.”

“Hey, I bought a office!”  I said, changing the subject.

“An office?  For what?!”

“For me to work at.”

“Where?”

“Fifth and Maple.”

“Oh, that run down building?  Good luck!”  I told him about the rest of the events that happened that day, leaving out Tricia and my invitation. After dinner I went back to the office. Dressed in a tee-shirt and jeans I proceeded to dust, mop, sweep, and clean my office thoroughly. Then I went into the other room. While I was working I heard the door open. I turned around to find Tricia, dressed in a blouse and skirt, standing in the doorway.

“I knew I forgot something.”  I muttered.

“I went to your place, and found Noah. He told me that you were here.”

“I’m sorry, I totally forgot. What with the robbery, new office, and all… I completely forgot.”

“That’s okay. What are you doing?”

“I bought this office today. I’m gonna have ‘Adam Schofield, P.I.’ painted on the door.”

“Oh, so you’re a detective?”

“Yes”

“Oh. Can I help?”  She asked, bending down to help.

“Tricia?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think you’re dressed right for this job.”

“Oh.”

“If you really want to help, you can go back and change into something a little less formal.”  She agreed and left. I continued scrubbing the floor. At that moment I saw Tricia’s car’s headlights shine into the room. I quickly turned off the lights and hid behind the door, waiting for her arrival. She knocked on the door, and then opened it.

“Is anybody here?  Adam?  Where are you?”  She said, advancing farther into the room. I shut the door and snuck up behind her.

“Gottcha!”  I screamed. She jumped about a foot, and then I turned on the lights.