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Act I: Eye Am A Detective

While attending the university in Phoenix, Arizona, with my two friends, Canon Stephens and James Moriarty, I quickly surmised what my ending major should be. While Canon was heavily into photography, James and I were heavily into solving mysteries and studying old police cases. We sort of took some pride in the work we did, and often, ended up helping the police solve a few crimes. What we did wasn't intentional; it simply ended up that way. We befriended the police inspector in charge of the local precincts. His name was Gideon "Thor" Langston. God, he hated that nickname, but it was well earned. He was an avid Marvel Comics "Thor" fan. In fact, he sorta looked like Thor from the comics. James and I refrained from making the reference. Most times, Canon came with us on police jobs. His photos sometimes revealed things the official police photos would miss. We were given medals lots of times, as well as a private warning from Gideon to stay out of future cases. But we were good. There were times we would just happen to be somewhere near where a case was occurring. And you couldn't mistake Gideon from anyone else at a distance. That "Thor pony-tail" was very obvious. Gideon eventually gave in and would contact us when he was stumped on certain cases. It was a very strange relationship.

Then, we graduated. Suddenly, the world was turning in whole new directions. James had his detective degree and was on his way to Washington, D.C., to set up shop as a private detective. Canon had similar plans, though he was planning a road trip to photograph all of the United States, in a process to hone his skills. Our threesome was breaking up. Breaking up is always a sad time, but it was the benchmark for the good times to come. As well as the unknown hardships ahead. I too had my detective degree and had plans similar to James' plans. But he and I both agreed that we should tackle separate coasts, so we didn't step on each other's toes. He was going to Washington, D.C., and I decided to make my home base in San Francisco, California.

I was surprised that Gideon offered to help me get a place set up. He didn't make the offer to James. I figured it had to do with the old Tanner luck. Leia Tanner was usually the one blessed with this kind of luck. But I wasn't Leia. God, I missed her. She was about the only sister I had who was intelligent enough to keep up with me. Sallee Tanner, Leia's twin sister, was the crazy one. Well, not really crazy, but she was always involved in stage shows and production events. Leia and I often joked that Sallee would end up in Hollywood in some weird scandal. Then there was my younger sister, Jocelyn Tanner. Hoo-boy, she hated that name. Calling her that was a sure way to get immediately killed. She preferred the tomboyish abbreviation of simply "Jo".

The place Gideon got me set up in was surprisingly comfortable. The shop was on the ground floor, and there was an apartment on the upper floor. Turned out that Gideon owned the building. He offered me a job as the building's caretaker. I could run whatever legal business I wanted in the shop as long as I took care of the property, with the exception of Earthquake damages. I was quite pleased that Gideon was helping me get set up this way. Then he told me that he got his start this way. I laughed. It was funny, but I was glad he was on my side. I told him that he wasn't "Thor"; he was "Odin". We both laughed, then he lightly punched me and winked an eye.

After Gideon set me up with a housing fund with a set monthly limit, he departed for Phoenix. Suddenly, I was on my own. It felt strange being there by myself. But I knew I'd be hearing from Gideon again soon. Gideon was just too curious to not check up on me from time to time. I wandered around the shop in a near daze. My first business. Of course, I had to inform Leia of where I was and about the housing fund. She was the mathematical one. Plus, mom and dad would want to know where I was. I found it odd that I didn't miss them as much as I missed Leia. Little did I know how that would change years later. But this was the present.

When Gideon told me that the phone lines were still hooked up, I almost questioned him as to why. But I figured that he had them up kept for the times he was in San Francisco. I picked up the phone and dialed the number for the Tanner Family Horse Farm in Rocky Falls Missouri. It rang a few times before something strange happened. An answering machine activated.

"You have reached the Tanner Family Horse Farm. No one is in the house at the moment, but if you will leave your name, phone number, and a message, we will get back to you. Oh yeah, wait for the beep."

I waited and heard the beep. Then I exclaimed.

"This is Jansen Tanner. If there is someone near the phone, pick it up right now."

I paused for about thirty seconds, then continued.

"I guess I missed all of you. I am in San Francisco with my first private detective business."

I then gave my phone number and hung up the phone. I was sort of disappointed that no one was there to answer the phone. Even that rogue, Jocelyn, should have been nearby at that hour. I sighed, and began cleaning up the shop for business.

Of course, I knew I had to advertise my being there, as well as make contact with the local authorities. It was the polite thing to do and hopefully the right thing to do. I remembered what Gideon's first reaction to our interference had been, so I wanted to avoid that if I could. After I finished cleaning up the shop, I headed over to the local precinct, which was located on the edge of San Francisco's China Town district. There was a high school nearby as well as a Marines recruiting office. Getting suckered into the service was not one of my goals, so I noted the building's location and continued.

I spoke directly to the head of the precinct. I told him what my business was, and how I didn't want to step on their toes. I presented myself pretty well. I remembered Leia's business lessons and Gideon's advice on how to gain another officer's trust. I guess it worked. Detective Kiir Lou-Fu seemed to be impressed with me. He told me that we'd be in touch and suggested I go to the Foo-Ching Martial Arts Studio nearby and take some lessons there. Kiir told me that sometimes a gun will be useless against things I may encounter. I was puzzled that he used the word "things" instead of "people", but he was the local expert of his precinct. So I told Kiir that I would head over and take some lessons.

As I was coming out of the precinct, I collided with someone. He was a Marine officer, by the looks of him. I smiled when I read his name plate.

"Sheridan Wayne."

He stopped and had an immediate reply.

"Never call me Sheridan! Call me Shane!"

I couldn't help but to chuckle.

"You sound just like my younger sister. She hates her name too."

Shane grabbed my shoulders and actually lifted me off the ground.

"If I wasn't in a hurry, I'd mop the streets with you."

He dropped me and entered the precinct. I was glad the encounter was over. This Sheridan Wayne certainly qualified as a "thing". Of course, Jocelyn Tanner also qualified as a "thing". I hoped that the two would never meet.

I headed over to the Foo-Ching Martial Arts Studio. This is where I met Kara and Lou Foo-Ching. They looked young, but were obviously very married. I approached Kara and asked about taking some lessons. She was polite, but told me that she had a full class. When I told her that Kiir suggested it, she became friendlier about the request. She agreed to give me some private lessons, after hours, to help me prepare for what I might encounter in San Francisco.

After leaving the Foo-Ching Martial Arts Studio, I started walking back towards my place, but I didn't get far. Someone grabbed my shoulder rather forcibly and turned me around. It was Sheridan Wayne. He was sort of smiling.

"Hey! I'm sorry about earlier. I don't want you to go away with the wrong impression. Come on. I'll buy you a meal. By the way, I am Sheridan Wayne from Texas, but please. Call me Shane. I like it better."

I smiled. Sheridan was evidently more a gentleman than I first thought.

"Pleased to meet you, Shane. I am Jansen Tanner from Missouri. I just set up a private detective shop nearby. And don't worry about it. I hear the old 'don't call me that!' spiel from my sister Jocelyn all the time. She demands to be called Jo."

Shane chuckled.

"With a name like that, I'd be mad too. I'll bet she's a rebel. Put her in the Marines. That will fix her right up."

I shuddered at the thought.

"My sister in the Marines? You really 'do' want the Marines to be destroyed, don't you?"

We both laughed. Shane turned out to be okay. We both had lunch at a quiet little cafe in China Town, then saw some sights together. We came back to my place where Shane was pleased to see a guest bedroom.

"You don't mind if I crash here on occasion, do you?"

I grinned.

"As long as you don't crash all the way through to the basement. I haven't looked down there yet. You might land in just about anything."

We both laughed again.

"As long as it's not a big pile of horse or cattle dung, I don't mind landing in something. I am a Marine, after all."

After that, I pretty much gave the guest bedroom to Shane. I also soon found out that Shane could be bribed with beer. Hot food and cold beer. Shane was a classic good old boy.

That evening, I left Shane watching TV as I headed out for my first private martial arts lesson. I had actually hoped that I wasn't putting undue stress on Kara Foo-Ching. She was pretty nice, after all. I arrived at the studio and knocked on the door. Her husband, Lou, let me in, and helped me get prepared for Kara's lessons. I stood barefoot on the training mat wearing what I first thought were white pajamas. Kara walked out on to the mat and bowed to me. I bowed in return. Lou sat down nearby to watch. Little did I know how beat up I was about to get.

Kara pushed me through some simple moves, primarily, then she asked me to try to mug her. I told her that would be improper. My sisters would kill me if I treated ladies like that. Kara then suggested that I pretend that she was no proper lady. I shrugged and decided to tackle her, Tanner style. That took Kara off guard and at one point, I had her down on the mat preparing the truss up her wrists to her ankles. Then she pulled some sort of maneuver that turned my world upside down. And that was the first night I knew real pain. A lesson well learned.

After it was over, Kara grinned at me, panting.

"You fight well. I guess with three sisters, you had to learn something."

I was also panting. But I was also hurting. She didn't pull any of her punches. I had been afraid of hurting her. That was the only mistake I would ever allow to slide out.

"I pulled my punches."

Kara patted my shoulder.

"I could tell. Here. Let me pop you back into shape. Martial arts also trains you to know where all the pleasure centers are, as well as the pain centers."

Lou came over and helped Kara alleviate my pain. I had certainly learned a lot on the first night. And the future lessons would only improve my reflexes. They served me some tea and we talked casually about various subjects. I was never really interested in law enforcement; I merely liked solving cases and mysteries. The Foo-Ching's told me that I was in the right place for mysteries. Finally, they announced they were heading to bed. I got back into my normal clothing and departed the martial arts studio, heading back to my place.

While I was making the trip, I saw movement near some trash cans. One was a fast moving shadow-like human. The other tried to make the same maneuver and tripped, hitting the sidewalk pretty hard. I rushed forward and knelt to make sure he was okay. He never allowed me to see his face, but he muttered that he was hungry. I don't know why I did what I did. I guess he struck me as a needy person. I emptied my wallet and pressed all of my cash, a good $200, into his ragged gloved hand. I told him to go buy himself as much food as the money would allow. He thanked me and asked my name. I told him. I had no reason not to. I even told him where I was staying.

I got up and when I looked to offer to help him up, he was gone. I was surprised that he had left so quickly without my noticing. $200 poorer, I returned to my place. I let myself in and locked the door behind me. There are moments when a simple kind action gets you the kind of notice or respect that you don't count on. This turned out to be one of those nights. I headed to my bedroom, undressed, and hit the sack. I was asleep almost immediately.

The following days sort of reflected the first day, with the exception of meeting the shadowy stranger. But somehow I knew he and his friend were around. Little hints. Footprints on my fire escape, just outside my bedroom window. I didn't have anything to imply extreme wealth, so who ever peaked through my window couldn't possibly see anything of value. But it wasn't my valuables that the stranger was watching. It was me, personally. I guess he thought he owed me or something. I often checked over my shoulder in the upstairs apartment whenever I felt like I was being watched. But I never caught him at the window. I was enjoying the game.

Shane noticed my actions one evening and suggested that I install a closed circuit security camera. I really didn't want to do that. If I couldn't catch the stranger looking, then using a camera to do it would be cheating. Shane called me a nut. But I didn't care. Cameras were Canon's specialty, and I refused to use one just to catch a vagrant. There was no law being broken, as far as I was concerned. Shane didn't agree, but it was my place. I got him to be quiet by buying him a lot of beer. Beer: America's Bribery Alcohol.

One rainy morning, I caught Shane packing his gear. I asked where he was off to and he replied that he had to ship out again. He didn't look very happy with having to ship out on a rainy morning. I grinned and told him I'd keep a cold six-pack in the fridge for him. That perked him up. He remarked that he might just sink the ship to get back to claim that six-pack. We both laughed. Then I helped him get his bags out to the awaiting Marine transport cab. Shane hugged me, then got in and the transport drove away. I was alone again. Six weeks without Shane.

It was still raining that night. Raining hard. I really hoped that my friendly stranger wasn't out in this storm. I unlocked my bedroom window and opened it just a crack. If my shadow friend showed up tonight, I didn't want him getting soaked on the fire escape. I brought some dry towels into the bedroom, then left the room, closing the door. I decided that I would sleep in the guest bedroom tonight. I wasn't sure if anyone would take advantage of an available dry room or not. But it was better than catching one's death of pneumonia. I undressed and went to bed.

The following morning, I was awakened by an odd dull crash. I got up and went to look into my bedroom. The window was fully open. The storm was still raining on the entire area. Then, I saw the two figures from the other night. The quicker one must have smelled my scent or heard me open the door. He started to go for the window. I just as quickly asked him not to go. He stopped, but he didn't turn to look at me. Now that I had a better look at the two, I saw that they wore black outfits covering their very slender bodies. The smaller one was lying on the floor with a towel over his head. I noticed that his hood was lying on the bed. I had the opportunity to see who they both were finally. But did I really want our game to end just like that?

None of us moved for several minutes. Finally, the one on the floor sneezed and sniffled a bit under the towel. His partner seemed to lower his head, muttering,

"You've caught us. What happens now?"

I was surprised that his voice sounded so young.

"Gee, I don't know. I was rather enjoying the game of trying to get a glimpse of you guys. I hadn't thought about catching you. I even turned down Shane's idea to video tape the window every night. Um... Do either of you need any further aid or money?"

He lifted his head, keeping his face hidden.

"You're a good person, Jansen Tanner. Our clan can always use aid. I am Jael. He is my brother Xim. We cannot show you our faces or our deaths are assured. That doesn't mean you cannot earn the right to see us for what we are. You'll be given some chances later to help us. But for now, I only ask that you turn your back and not watch us leave."

I hummed. Jael and Xim. Now I knew their names.

"You're going to go out in this storm? You are both welcome to stay until the rain passes on to the east."

I grabbed my wallet from the nearby table and took out another $200. Then I tossed it so it landed on Xim's hood on the bed.

"Please take it. I'll manage. I look forward to Round Two."

I then turned my back to face the upstairs hallway. There was a dark painting with a glass covering. It barely acted like a mirror. What I saw was Jael turning and kneeling to help his brother up from the floor. When Jael turned, I saw a very distinctive black-nosed muzzle in the painting's reflection. At first, I thought he must've been wearing an animal mask, but when he asked Xim if he was okay, the muzzle open and closed, lips moving, as if it were real. That got my attention immediately. But I kept from turning to look at them. Xim then got up and stared at the back of my head. I could see his vague reflection clearly. He looked like a young slender wolf man. He then grabbed his hood and put it on. He hesitated in grabbing the money. Then, Jael grabbed it, pocketed it and helped his brother out the window. Then Jael glanced at my back.

"Thank you for letting us go. You will be given chances to earn the clan's trust. Speak nothing of this encounter to anyone. We may return. It would be in your best interest to get the basement cleaned up and set up as a simple living quarters. When you clean it, you will find a hidden door. Do not block that door. Leave it unlocked. Do this and you may see or rather sense our return."

In the reflection, I saw him grin, showing his sharp fangs and teeth. Then, he turned and went out the window. Jael and Xim were then gone. I turned again and walked over to look out the window. I caught a small glimpse of them entering an alleyway across the far street. I then closed the window and picked up the wet towels. It seemed as if I had a basement to clean up.

It took me several days to get the basement cleaned out and a week more to make it livable for who ever might be using it. I was still surprised that I was doing all this. And yes, I did find the hidden door. And I left it unblocked. I returned upstairs to the shop. Still no detective jobs, and Shane was due to return in four weeks. This was very rough. I really hoped that James was doing better than I was. I decided to head to the corner market and get some groceries.

In the following weeks, Kara Foo-Ching continued my night-time martial arts lessons. Some nights, I sucked. Other nights, I showed real progress. Through her private tutoring, I soon earned my green belt. Kara said I was a quick study. I suppose that was meant to be a compliment. I took it as such. Then, Kara told me that in order to advance further, I'd need in the field training. In other words, I was on my own again. The only people who were possibly better than I that I could think of, were Jael and Xim. But they were conveniently staying away from my place. It was kind of sad. The game ended when I caught them. This was the downside to my luck. Unlike Leia who seemed to have everything fall her way, I'd gain a little, then lose a little. Like a biorhythms chart. I was reaching my all time low. But I tried not to let this get to me. At the bottom, the only logical path leads up.

However, reminding myself that things would get better was not easy. Shane was already a week overdue. I was no longer receiving martial arts lessons. I still had no job offers. And Jael and Xim seemed to have dropped off the face of the planet. I was at the bottom. I wasn't hurting for money, but the lack of having something to do was causing me to become depressed. The family hadn't returned my one call that I had made. It was becoming very frustrating. I stared at the telephone until I finally picked it up and dialed home one more time. I mentally begged for anyone to pick up the phone. Anyone. I needed someone to talk to.

It was on the last ring. As I was about to hang up, someone answered the phone. It was a male's voice.

"Hello? Tanner Family Horse Farm. Mr. Tanner speaking."

I smiled and lifted the receiver back to my ear.

"Dad? This is Jansen."

There was a pause, then I heard him call mom into the room and evidently my sisters were all home too. Then, I heard the speaker phone activate and my dad spoke again.

"Jansen? Where are you?"

I sighed and trembled as I answered.

"I'm in San Francisco. I set up a detective shop here. I called weeks ago when I first set up here and I got an answering machine. When no one called back, I assumed no one cared where I was. You don't know how happy I am to hear your voice."

My mom spoke next.

"Your rebel Einstein sister, Jocelyn, erased all the messages on the machine. We spanked her, but you know that a spanking means nothing to her."

I heard Jocelyn pipe up suddenly.

"Never call me Jocelyn! I am Jo!"

My mom responded immediately.

"You'll always be my little Jocelyn and you'll like it."

Then, Jocelyn replied,

"...and there will be a lot of dead people lying around too!"

Then, I heard Leia say,

"Oh be quiet, Jo! How often do we get to hear from Jansen? You been making lots of friends out there, Jansy?"

I blushed at the mention of the name "Jansy". Leia was the only one who ever used that name.

"Actually, yes. The first person I met is someone who hates their name as much as Jocelyn does. Only he's a Marine. He suggested that you guys send Jocelyn to join the Marines."

That produced a lot of laughter, as well as Jocelyn growling that it wasn't funny. Then, Sallee piped up.

"Think there is room there for a cute caring sister who has never been to San Francisco, dear brother?"

I grinned as I responded.

"Well, gee... The only cute and caring sister I have is Leia. All the rest usually want something for themselves."

That got more growling and laughing. Leia seemed amused as she replied,

"Anytime you want your big sister out there, let me know. Of course, I'd have to bring the -common folk- too..."

I heard the sisters fighting in the background. Then, I spoke to mom and dad.

"How are things on the farm?"

Dad responded readily.

"Well, we doubled our horse herd, and we had a birthing from Skywanderer and Torrent. And of course, Jocelyn has been begging us to buy her a full grown stallion. Getting her a car would be cheaper. The Savages were over yesterday for a barbecue and Joe ShadowWing changed the name of his bar to... the Come As You Are Bar. The first night, someone came in naked. Jocelyn was telling us about it. Of course, she got grounded for being in a bar without adult supervision. Sallee is currently rehearsing some lines for another play and Leia got promoted last week. The only reason Sallee and Leia are here this evening is because their apartments are getting reupholstered."

I heard Leia add,

"...and refurnished!"

Then, I heard Sallee add,

"...and new carpeting!"

I needed this talk with my family. I wasn't aware of how long it would last. We talked for over two hours. Then, I gave mom and dad my phone number and the address of my place. I was quietly crying by the time I hung up the phone. I really needed to hear from them. As familiar as they were, it was a necessity to have heard their voices. How little did I know that it would be the last time I'd ever hear my parents' voices alive.

Remember what I said about the biorhythm chart? Well, evidently I was on my way up now. I was getting ready for bed and I heard someone enter the basement. How did I hear them enter? I rigged up an electric eye-beam that would activate an upstairs bell whenever the hidden door was opened. The bell wasn't loud, but it was a familiar sound. When I heard it, I smiled, and quietly headed downstairs. I listened to the basement door and heard Jael talked to someone other than Xim. I knew it wasn't Xim from the gruffer voice. I cracked open the door and both voices fell quiet. I expected that. I didn't bother turning on the lights.

"Jael? Is that you?"

It was quiet for a moment. Then, I heard a reply.

"Yes, Jansen. Please don't come down here."

I smiled. Another voice I was pleased to hear. I continued.

"I won't, Jael. Near the bed, embedded in the wall, you'll see a white cabinet door. Inside, you will find dry rations, a few medical supplies, and some money. I check it during the daylight hours, and can replenish anything that gets used."

I sighed. It was obvious that I wasn't going to get to visit with Jael. I added,

"I'll be going to bed now. Good night."

I started to get up to leave, when I heard Jael speak up.

"Jansen... please stay where you are."

There was a silent pause.

"Are you well? You sound depressed."

I hung my head a little. Jael must've had good hearing. I responded quietly,

"Yeah... I am depressed."

I explained all my problems to the darkness of the basement. When I finished, there was silence. I was afraid they had left. That would've been par for the course. Then, I heard the gruffer voice speak up.

"You've had a rough time, for a human. Even with allowing Jael to use this room, it's not been easy for you. Were you considering suicide?"

That caught me off guard. I had been thinking about it before breaking down to call my family. Now, I was just depressed. I calmly answered as best I could.

"I had been thinking about it. But what would that solve? My dream would die with me. My luck cannot simply be all bad. I still have a roof over my head."

The gruff stranger hummed. Then, I heard the two whispering. Finally, the gruff stranger spoke once again.

"Come on downstairs, Jansen."

That also caught me off guard. I didn't want Jael to die because I saw his face. Of course, I'd already seen his face. Xim's too. They were both handsome, for wolves. But the gruff stranger was being insistent upon it. So I got up and proceeded down the stairs. At the bottom, I turned to my left and saw two shadowy figures. One was standing, though obviously facing a dark corner. That was definitely Jael. I smiled upon realizing that. The other was sitting on the bed. He looked a lot older and didn't bother wearing a hood. A werewolf. A real werewolf. I could see his red eyes glowing in the darkness. I paled when I realized what he was. I was afraid.

The gruff old werewolf grinned, then became calm again. His red eyes changed to yellow eyes.

"Now you know what we are. Now you know why you were being spared from seeing us. Most humans can't handle it. But you aren't screaming or begging for mercy. And Jael has told me about your generosity. You've helped the clan twice. You look like you want to ask something."

I gulped.

"I don't see Xim. Where is he? I kind of liked him."

I heard Jael sigh at the mention of Xim's name, his head lowered to gaze at the floor. The gruff old werewolf replied for Jael.

"Xim is dead. He was slain by a human werewolf hunter named Hogan Slade."

I cried openly. I -liked- Xim! I growled under my breath. Then, I released an oath.

"I'll hunt him down and make him pay... no matter how long it takes... he killed one of my friends..."

Jael lifted his head suddenly and pivoted his muzzle at me.

"Do you mean that? You are swearing a blood oath for Xim?"

I nodded my head, panting raggedly.

"I swear it. Hogan Slade will pay for this."

Jael came over to me and hugged me.

"Xim never stopped talking about you. Even when he died. He said that he was going to see you one more time. One more time. Then... he was gone... On Xim's behalf, I accept your blood oath. Find this hunter... and make him scream..."

I hugged Jael back.

"If I cannot make him scream, I am sure there are women who can!"

That was an important night for me. Xim was gone. Never to return. Jael escorted me to where Xim had been rededicated to Mother Moon. I spent most of the night there. I reaffirmed my blood oath for Xim to hear... where ever he was... I would also find a way to grant him his last request: to see me again, one more time. Before sunrise, Jael took me back to the apartment. I hugged and kissed him again. I told him not to be a stranger. Jael departed with his older friend. I crashed in bed. I slept until the following afternoon.

What awoke me was the sound of heavy knocking on my bedroom door. Yeah, that got me up fast. It only meant one thing. Shane was back. I threw open the door and there he stood. Shane was indeed home! I tackled him and hugged him tightly!!

Later, after Shane had unpacked, he was sitting in a chair drinking a cold beer. I was seated nearby listening to Shane's Marine stories. I, of course, showed him my green belt and updated him with local, non weird, news. He could tell I was holding back some info, but he just grinned and drank his beer. Then, I told him about news from home in Missouri. He chuckled at the Jocelyn mentions. I also updated him with some news from Texas that I had dug up out of the news. Shane was pleased that I was keeping on top of events. Then, Shane asked me if I was working. I had to sigh at that. I told him I wasn't. No one had even come by to ask if I'd do a job. My first business venture was turning into a flop. I wasn't sure what to do to change it.

The following day, Shane went out and bought me a high-powered police band scanner. He set it up in my office and instructed me on how it worked. Shane also provided me with a code book so I would know the difference between an armed robbery in progress and an officer taking a potty. The next thing Shane bought me was a registered handgun, with an ammo clip and several boxes of extras. Then, Shane and I hit a clothing store, where he bought me a new wardrobe to change my image. I admired myself in a mirror.

I stood six feet three inches tall, weighing 205 pounds. I had short brown hair and hazel eyes. My skin was lightly tanned. I wore wire frame glasses, and a more casually acceptable gray suit and black tie, white t-shirt, and white sneakers. Shane wanted me to wear dress shoes, but I adamantly refused. Later on, I would be glad that I made that choice.

Finally, Shane took me to a car lot to buy me a car. Every detective needed their own wheels, Shane explained. I was surprised that Shane had so much money. I told him that I'd pay him back, but he merely stated that I could repay him by becoming a good detective. We headed home, where I parked and locked up my new car, then the two of use sat inside and listened to the scanner. Shane explained that whenever an event popped up that sounded important, I should head over to the scene and offer my help. It sounded simple enough. It sounded a lot like my days at the University of Arizona.

---

She blinked her eyes.

"So that is where he met Shane! I wonder why Shane didn't tell Jansen they were related? I wonder why Jo erased the messages? Shane had wads of dough? This is getting juicy."

She looked to the page to resume reading where she had left off.

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