Full Moon Mystery

"It is a Full Moon tonight, Harold," says Sabri, a confident african american mother with sass and attitude.

"Yeah, that just means the criminals have more light to run away with" Harold is an older detective, more world-weary and beat up, with a quirky sense for investigation.

"I don't know, Harold; they say a full moon has some magic associated with it."

"The only magic I want tonight is finding out what happened to this richer than god snobs family album."  

"What a weird thing for our perp to steal, no money, jewels, or art. Just a family album."

 "Yeah, well, I'm sure it's worth a lot to him says Harold as he nods in the direction of Lord Oliver Chamberlain, a small mouse of a man dressed in expensive silk pajamas with bleached white hair. He looks to be about 80 years old, gravity hangs his shoulders low, and while he might look like a weak old man. He speaks with the air of British nobility. The way he speaks seems cartoonish if not for the serious and upset expression on his face. 

Detectives, do you have enough evidence? Shouldn't you be giving chase to the perpetrators who have made off with my album? It has incredible value, and I need- 

Look, Mr Stone, my department is doing everything necessary to return to you your photo Album; in fact, based on my observations, the two of us are going to get this album back to you before the sun rises.

Oliver peers at Harold before raising one hand high in the air, which gets the investigator's attention. 

"See that you do, Detective, because if your observation is true, a large bonus is in your future.  

The two detectives look at one another, Sabri looks very excited while Harold Shrugs and says, I appreciate that Mr. Stone. 

The two walk to leave Mr Stones's large house as they are making their way to Harold's beat-up jalopy of a car.

What do you not like money?

I don't like taking advantage of an old man. 

Well shit, I have a kid, that needs to eat and has got to have clothes to wear, don't fuck this up for me Harold."

 says Sabri as she gets in the car.

As Harold gets in the car, he pulls out an old map from the glove compartment. 

Harold, you know they have that on your phone now. 

Harold's gaze lingers on the map in his hands, tracing the delicate lines that weave together the intricate network of roads and pathways. To him, the map is more than just a tool for navigation; it's a portal to memories and a connection to a simpler time. He appreciates the tangible nature of the map, with its creases and folds marking his journeys. As he checks the time, a sense of anticipation fills the air, and he passes the map over to Sabri, knowing she prefers the convenience of modern technology. With a hint of annoyance, Sabri takes the map and shoves it back into the glove compartment.

Did the map tell you something?

Yeah, it told me the guy we're looking for is close by.

Sabri looks at Harold questioningly; Oliver Chamberlain is rich enough to live on his own street outside the city; the house is surrounded by closely grown woods, and with one trail in and out, the closest town to Oliver Stone is a small village at the bottom of the hill filled mainly with Staff that help take care of Olver's large property.  

Alright, Sabri here is my Hypothesis, Oliver Stone goes to bed early at, say 7pm. He is old and needs his rest. Whoever stole this album clearly doesn't need money, or they might have taken maybe … the jewelry or electronics.

Our perp takes the Album from Olivers's personal study. He leaves the house; the house is surrounded on all sides except for this one trail, It's Surrounded by nasty gnarled trees, and people prefer an easier time than a more challenging route so they take the trail back into the village where Im sure there hiding out till morning, where they will either return to work having sufficiently burned Oliver for some slight he might have done. Or the more likely option is to ransom the album back to Chamberlain, as he clearly has some love for this album if he is willing to offer money. 

Harold, proud of himself, starts to smile.

The two drive into waitersville. A small village with a small population, it has a single general store and a small Bar in the center. Surrounding the small center store is some different homes and houses. And trailers, but the Bar is the place with the most light on. 

A good place to start, says Harold as the two of them Drive into the parking lot. Harold gets out and begins his ritual, but Sabri Enters by herself.  

Inside the Bar is a rustic wooden floored building with custom carved wooden tabletop. There are wooden chairs and tables with the citizens and people of the village sitting around drinking and talking; they are all wearing their work clothes. A blue-haired Girl welcomes Sabri and asks what she wants to drink. 

Water she says.

A large golden-haired giant with a southern drawl, his body is significantly larger than most, with farmer-like size and strength, introduces him self.

Hello there Sheila, you looking to have a good time tonight. 

Sabri takes a second to register what he said.

She turns her neck and jostles herself a bit before, quick as lightning, she grabs a plate and smashes it against the man's head. Surprised and stunned, he raises his hands to cover his head against further attacks, but Sabri is ready as she pulls out her service pistol and points it at his crotch; the hammer on the Pistol clicks, ready to fire, the only thing saving the mans Jewels is Sabri's tiny finger. 

What the fuck did you just say to me!!! Did you call me Sheila? Who the fuck raised you? Did your mother tell you that is how you speak to a woman? 

Colon, even dazed after the brief attack, shakes his head and stays quiet, sweat like bullets are falling from his head and cheeks. 

No, mam, and I am mighty sorry for doing that.

In fact, all of you assume I'm your mother, and I don't take no shit from no one. So I suggest you all pay careful attention to the fact, I'm pissed< so Pissed I get trigger happy.

Oh gosh, no, says Colon with Fear

Yeah, think on that, 

As Sabri pushes him away, Harold Enters the Bar

Harold gives her a look disapproving of her actions but posts up near the door.

Someone here, I think, stole something, and Im about to get to the bottom of it.  

Sabri moves to block the door with her weapon raised toward the sky.  

Harold watches the Bar before he notices two of the younger patrons approaching the back door. As they push through the door, He gives Sabri a look.

As she turns and pushes out the front door.

Harold gives chase to what looks like a woman and a man as the two of them go outside. "Hey can I talk to you too for a sec," calls out Harold as he tries to keep up with the two. When he says that, they start running.  

"Shit," says Harold as he chases them through tthe parking lot, it's not long before they split, going in opposite directions. 

Harold goes after the slower of the two, but before he can tackle them down.

Sabri heard his yelling and came around in front of the girl.

The two women lock onto one another before the girl attempts to tackle or push past Sabri, which she allows, before putting her foot out to trip her, then she eats pavement.  

Clutching her face as her front teeth are missing, and her face is swelling with blood,

Sabri and Harold look at one another, then back down at the girl crying.

Fuck! they both say

They take the girl to the local village Clinic setting her up with a kind old doctor who assures her that they can return her smile. But before that she has some questions to answer from the nice people who brought her here.

I hope you are feeling better, but we have a lot of questions, and not a lot of time, first question why did you make a run for it. 

That chick was waving a gun.

Harold would look at Sabri.

Do you know anything about a break-in at the Chamberlain Manor?

The girl looks up, wiping away tears and blood from her face. She hesitates for a moment before speaking.

Harold looks at the girl with a stern look.

"Yeah, I know about it. But I didn't have anything to do with it, I swear!" she says, trembling.

Sabri raises an eyebrow skeptically. 

"Why should we believe you?"

"Look, I was there, okay? I saw someone go into the house, but I didn't see who it was. I panicked and ran because I didn't want to get involved. I didn't want any trouble."

Harold leans in closer, his gaze fixed on the girl. "What did this person look like? Can you give us any description?"

The girl shakes her head. "I didn't get a good look. It was dark, and they were wearing a hoodie. That's all I can remember."

Sabri narrows her eyes, still suspicious. "And why were you at the Chamberlain Manor in the first place?"

"I work there. I'm a maid. I was just finishing my shift when I saw someone sneaking into the house; as I was leaving, I figured someone had lost their key and needed to break in.

Harold and Sabri exchange glances. The girl may be telling the truth, but they need more information to confirm her story.

Who was the man you were running away with?

The girl stays silent, not willing to speak. She looks down at the ground.

"Alright," Harold says, "we'll need to verify your alibi and talk to the other staff members at the manor. You'll be in the clear if what you're saying checks out. But don't think for a second that we won't be keeping an eye on you."

The girl nods, still visibly shaken. "I understand.

As they leave the local medical center, Harold and Sabri know they have a long night ahead. They need to investigate further, gather more evidence, and find out who's behind the theft of the Chamberlain family album. The full moon casts an eerie glow on their path as if hinting at the secrets and challenges they are yet to uncover.

"That girl knows whoever she was running away with, maybe I should….

Don't bother; that girl is missing her front teeth. She's been punished enough. Besides Sabri, its kind of your fault. 

Shouldn't have ran

Harold gives her a look before the two head to his car.  

Any idea's how to catch this guy? Asks Harold 

"Yeah, we wait for that guy," says Sabri as She gazes out the car window, her mind wandering about her husband at home with their child. Small smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she envisions him, sitting with their kid, engrossed in reading the Koran to them. The image brings warmth to her heart, reminding her of the love and stability waiting for her after the night's investigations. With renewed focus, she turns her attention back to the task at hand,

"My man is probably back at the house, reading the Holy Book to our child"

Starting them early ? asks Harold

"She's just a baby; she may not fully understand what she's hearing," Sabri reflects, her tone filled with tenderness. "But I believe it's not just about the words themselves, Harold. It's about my husband wanting to share something he loves with our child. The Koran holds a special place in his heart, and he wants to pass that love and wisdom onto our little one."

Harold nods as he lays his head back on the rest. 

"Love is weird," Harold responds, his voice tinged with a hint of contemplation. "I've spent most of my life focused on other aspects, prioritizing my work, and the tasks at hand. It's not that I've intentionally avoided love, but I've never felt that overwhelming connection or sense of importance toward someone or something."

He pauses for a moment, reflecting on his own experiences and choices. "But that's not to say I would run away from it if the opportunity presented itself. I think love has a way of finding you when you least expect it. It can, shape our lives in profound ways."

 "Harold, love is not something you can force or rush. It comes in different forms and at different times for each person. It's not always about grand gestures or intense emotions. Sometimes, it's the small, quiet moments that hold the truest expressions of love."

Besides Harold, your an emotionally distant bastard and can be really immature, but your a kind soul, and have a good sense of humor that counts for a lot. Besides, sometimes love sneaks up on you". 

The two sit and ponder love, both with different ideas of the concept but linked inexplicably by a natural truth of the universe. They sit there waiting to see if the girl inside is as loved as Sabri says.

As the light of the sun is peeking over the hills and trees, a young man carrying a photo album comes walking into the parking lot of the small village clinic.

As the young man approaches the parking lot, Harold and Sabri observe him cautiously. He appears to be in his early twenties, dressed in the same clothing they were chasing him in earlier.

Harold calls out, "Excuse me, sir," he calls out. "Mind if we have a word with you?"

The young man stops in his tracks, his eyes widening as he notices the two detectives approaching him. He clutches the photo album protectively. 

"What do you want?" he asks, his voice tinged with nervousness, especially when he sees Sabri get out of the car.

Sabri takes a step closer, her tone firm. 

"Bitch I think you know what we want," she says, clearly pissed knowing that she's out here. When she has a baby waiting for her at home. 

The young man hesitates, glancing around as if contemplating his options. Finally, he sighs and lowers his head.

"I... I'm the one who took the album," he admits, his voice barely above a whisper.

Harold and Sabri exchange unsurprised glances, 

"Why would you take the album?" Harold asks, trying to understand the motive.

The young man's eyes fill with a mix of sadness and frustration. 

"It's... complicated," he replies. "The truth is, I used to work for Lord Oliver Chamberlain as his assistant. But he fired me a few months ago without any valid reason. I just wanted to; I took the album as a sort of revenge, I was hoping it might hurt him or make him think twice about just firing someone he relies on."

Sabri's eyes soften, her intuition guiding her words with grace. "Revenge is not the path to finding true peace," she says in a gentle tone. "In seeking retribution for an evil act, we only perpetuate a cycle of negativity. As it is said, 'the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it.' However, the one who chooses to forgive and seeks reconciliation will be rewarded."

Harold arches an eyebrow, his surprise is evident on his face. He admires Sabri's depth of understanding and the wisdom she draws from her family's beliefs.

Sabri continues, 

"returning the album and finding a way to address the situation might help you find closure."

The young man looks torn, his emotions conflicting within him. After a moment of reflection, he nods reluctantly. 

"Will you let my girlfriend go"

The two detectives look at each other 

"that girl is just some unconcerned bystander."

The Youngman understanding what the two detectives are offering him, relents.

You're right," he admits. "It was a mistake to take it in the first place. I'll return it and apologize to Lord Chamberlain."

Harold gives the young man a nod of approval. 

"That sounds like the right decision," he says. "We'll accompany you to the Chamberlain Manor, and you can make things right."

As they make their way back to the manor, the young man hands over the album to Lord Oliver Chamberlain, who is relieved and grateful to have it returned. He accepts the young man's apology and even agrees to look into his firing to have some closure.

With the case resolved, Harold and Sabri drive back to their police station, reflecting on the night's events. They discuss the complexities of human emotions, the power of forgiveness, and the unexpected twists that investigations can take.

As the sun fully rises, casting a warm glow over the city, Harold and Sabri head back to their respective homes, carrying with them the memories of the case. Harold, feeling a sense of contentment, returns to his solitary lifestyle, his mind slightly more open to the concept of love, thanks to the night's experiences. Reflecting on the mysteries they unraveled, he realizes that love takes many forms and can manifest unexpectedly.

Meanwhile, Sabri arrives home to the embrace of her loving husband. They hold each other tightly, sharing a passionate kiss that speaks volumes of their connection. United by their love for their child and each other, Sabri enters her role as a mother, embracing the joy and contentment it brings. She finds solace and happiness in her husband's arms, knowing they are a strong, loving family.

And so, the night of mystery ends, leaving behind a trail of lessons and revelations about the strange magic of love.