Following leads

Ignatius leaned back in his chair, the familiar creak of wood beneath him as he watched the ships leave the port. The tall masts and billowing sails, set against the backdrop of a glowing lighthouse. Always held his gaze. It was a ritual—he'd sit at his usual table in Silvi's coffee shop, pipe in hand. Enjoying the quiet moments before the day's bustle began.

Business had been good since he and Luna opened the shop. The mixture of seafaring folk. Traders, and locals provided a steady stream of customers. Ignatius had learned to enjoy the hum of conversation, the clinking of cups. And the scent of brewed coffee mingling with the salt air from the bay.

As he lit his pipe, taking a slow, contented puff, the door opened. The serving girl—a tiger girl beast man. With a brilliant orange tail striped in black turned on the open sign. She was a sight to see, with her graceful movements and vibrant fur. Ignatius had to curb his desire to touch her fluffy tiger ears. She had become a favourite among the patrons.

"Morning, Ignatius," she greeted, her voice a gentle purr as she moved to prepare the shop for the day's business.

"Morning, Lyra," he replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Ready for another busy day?"

"Always," she said with a playful flick of her tail.

The first customers of the day walked in—two women, deep in discussion. Their voices hushed, but the intensity of their conversation was clear. Ignatius recognized them as regulars. Often stopping by for coffee and a chat. Before heading to their respective workplaces.

"Regina's bragging about a big score at that party the other night," one of the women said. Her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Again?" the other replied, shaking her head. "You'd think she'd learn to keep her mouth shut."

Ignatius's ears perked up at the mention of Regina. He wondered what kind of "big score" she was boasting about.

Lyra brought over their coffees, setting the cups down with a nod and a friendly smile. "If you ladies need anything else, let me know," she said before retreating to the counter.

The women continued their conversation, oblivious to Ignatius's interest. "She said it's enough to get her out of here for good," the first woman continued. "But you know Regina—she's always talking big."

The second woman sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. "I hope she hasn't gotten herself into something she can't handle. Last time she pulled a stunt like this, it cost her."

As the women chatted, Ignatius's mind began to churn. A big score could mean a lot of things, and with Regina involved, it was bound to be something risky. He made a mental note to ask Luna about it later—she always had a way of getting information.

The morning wore on, with more customers trickling in. Filling the shop with laughter and conversation. Ignatius welcomed familiar faces, exchanging pleasantries. Lyra moved through the crowd, her tail swishing behind her as she balanced trays and took orders.

But even as the day progressed. Ignatius couldn't shake the nagging curiosity about Regina's big score. He watched the ships leaving the bay, each one a silent promise of adventure and danger. He wondered what Regina had found, and whether it would lead her to fortune or ruin.

Later, as the sun began to set and the shop quieted down, Luna arrived. Her sharp eyes immediately noticed the pensive look on Ignatius's face. "What's on your mind?" she asked, sliding into the chair opposite him.

"Regina," he replied, taking a deep breath. "Apparently, she's been bragging about a big score she made at a recent party."

Luna raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "And you're thinking we should look into it?"

"I think it might be worth knowing more," Ignatius said.

Luna nodded. "Alright."

Ignatius took two fruits from the stall, examining them. "How about these?" he asked, turning to Luna and Elysia.

"They look fine," Luna replied with a nod, her eyes scanning the bustling market.

Ignatius selected five dragon fruits and handed them to the stall owner. Ayla, standing nearby, took hers with a big smile. "Thank you, Master. Christy," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Luna's attention shifted, and she spotted Clara from the clinic. Without a word, she grabbed Ignatius's hand and Elysia's, pulling them behind a nearby stall. They watched as Clara spoke animatedly to a stall owner, clearly someone she knew well.

"Emily lied to Detective Elysia," Clara complained. Her voice audible over the market noise. "She and the mayor had an argument about hospital policies that would benefit her family. He withheld funding because he wouldn't bow down to pressure from Emily."

Clara looked around then leaned forward whispering in a way that made her voice carry. "She visited her brother the day the mayor was murdered. She bribed the head of the hospital, and now it looks like the mayor's plan to stop her family has fallen through."

"Rich people figures," the stall vendor muttered, shaking his head.

Elysia pulled them aside, her expression serious. "I need to follow up on this. See you tonight," she whispered before kissing them goodbye. It was her off day, but duty called.

Luna sighed, kicking a bag full of pumpkins in frustration. "Emily couldn't have murdered the mayor," she muttered as they rejoined the others.

"Late that evening, Elysia returned. They had caught Emily and her father handing the head of the hospital a bag of gold coins. When they entered his office. "We did well today," Elysia said, leaning back in her chair, a hint of satisfaction in her voice.

Anderson dished up for them as they readied themself for the evening meal.

************

Two figures approached the flower shop. Their breaths visible in the chilly evening air. As the stars and full moon illuminated Misty Cove. The sea breeze carried a faint scent of salt. Adding an eerie yet serene ambiance to the night.

"Go now, we're running out of time," Luna urged, her eyes scanning the quiet street.

"Okay, don't rush me," Elysia replied, her tone irritated. In an instant, she transformed into a wisp of black mist and flowed through a small open window on the side of the shop.

Luna held her breath, counting the seconds. Two minutes later, the door creaked open. Elysia, now back in her human form, motioned for them to enter.

"Thank you," Ignatius whispered, pulling Elysia into a brief hug as they slipped inside.

Luna closed the door silently behind her. Someone flicked on the shop's lights. The sudden brightness made them all duck behind the nearest shelves. Their hearts pounding in unison.

"This way," a muscled man barked, shoving two elderly people toward the back of the store. His grip was firm, and the couple's eyes were wide with fear.

Elysia moved forward, motioning for Luna and Ignatius to follow. Voices echoed from the back, with Patricia Woods' voice the loudest.

"Pay the protection fee," Patricia demanded, her tone icy and authoritative. "Or do you want my men here to break more merchandise tomorrow?"

"No, please don't," the elderly man pleaded, his voice trembling. "We cannot afford to order more from the capital if you do."

"Your only choice then is to pay," Patricia said, her arms folded across her chest.

Elysia crept closer, holding a recorder in her hand. Ignatius steadied her as she leaned forward to get closer to the door. Luna peeked around the shelf they were hiding behind.

Two burly men, resembling gorillas in their stature, held the elderly couple in place. Patricia and her son stood with arms folded, looking down on the kneeling couple.

"We heard you killed the mayor," the elderly lady said, her voice shaking.

Elysia glanced back at Ignatius, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Of course, I didn't. Who told you that?" Patricia snapped, her gaze darting to her son.

"We were collecting in Hillside on that day," he replied.

"The mayor was investigating my shop. He suspected something but had no proof. His demise did us a favour," Patricia smirked, her cold eyes gleaming.

The sound of coins clinking on the ground broke the tense silence.

"Count it," Patricia ordered.

"It's the right amount, Mom," her son confirmed, after a quick count.

"Now scram and do not be late next month," Patricia shouted.

Elysia patted Ignatius' hand, and he pulled her back. They slipped out of the flower shop, their hearts still racing.

"Luna, I'm sorry for snapping at you like that," Elysia said, her voice soft.

"I know you're stressed. Please, forget about it," Luna replied, hugging her.

"Wow, am I glad that's settled," Ignatius said, exhaling a sigh of relief. "I thought you two were going to fight the whole evening."

They looked at each other and laughed, the tension easing as Ignatius opened the back door. Luna and Elysia had been at odds for the last two days, and Ignatius didn't know how to handle the conflict. Elysia had been sleeping in his room while Luna stayed in her own bed. Ayla and Christie had wisely stayed out of the way, sensing the storm brewing.

**************

Magnus turned off the recording and leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He tipped the ash from his cigar into an overflowing ashtray. His eyes never leaving Elysia's open legs.

"Wonderful work, detective. How you found out about this amazes me," Magnus said, taking a slow drag from his cigar.

Elysia crossed her legs and nodded. "Thank you, sir. It was a team effort."

"Make the arrest at lunch time. I will ask the Sargeant to make the arrest. We'll catch them off guard," Magnus instructed, his voice a gravelly command.

Elysia nodded again, making a mental note of the time. She watched as Magnus exhaled a cloud of smoke, filling the room with a pungent haze.

"That reminds me." Magnus continued, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes, "go to the Harbour Warehouse. There's a man called Luke, a local fisherman. He's been blabbering about a cave near the lighthouse in the ocean."

Elysia's eyebrows knitted together in curiosity. "What has he done?"

Magnus leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "The man keeps babbling about a cave near the lighthouse in the ocean. Check it out. People are feeling uneasy as is. With the murder and the theft."

Elysia stood up, straightening her skirt. "Will do, chief," she said, heading for the door.

Magnus sighed appreciatively. "Pink silk. How delightful."

Elysia rolled her eyes but couldn't help a slight smile. She took her coat from the hook by the door. And headed out into the bustling streets, making her way to Silvi's Coffee Shop.