The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf: The Redemption Detective Agency Mystery
Chapter 1
“I can’t believe we traded solving a real-life murder case for a drunk Santa fiasco,” Mildred complained as she, along with a gust of wind and fog of floral perfume, entered The Redemption Detective Agency. “How does Charlie get all the luck?”
I wasn’t sure if attending a party where someone died counted as “lucky,” but Mildred seemed to be in one of her moods, so it probably wasn’t worth arguing.
“Ellen needed us, and I for one am glad we were there for her,” Aunt Tilde said firmly, although it sounded more like she was trying to cover up the note of disappointment that had crept into her tone. She was bundled up in a bright-red winter jacket with a hot-pink scarf and purple hat, which didn’t clash as much as you might think with her orange hair and glasses. In a past life, she worked as a nurse, but after retirement, she decided to open up a detective agency—one housed in a space meant for restaurants (failed restaurants, to be precise). This explained why all our desks were lined up in what would have been the dining area, and the coffeemaker and water were set up against the back counter. A few days ago, Aunt Tilde and Nora had spent an afternoon decorating for Christmas, and the area was full of festive red and green decorations and Santa figurines. Nora had even brought in a Christmas tree, although it was definitely the sad Charlie Brown type that could only handle about three ornaments without the branches drooping. At least it smelled nice, though.
Mildred waved one of her black-gloved hands. “Ellen would have been fine. She’s Emily’s sister, so I’m sure some of Emily’s competence rubbed off on her.”
I could feel my cheeks warming from the compliment, although in this case, it wasn’t exactly warranted. Yes, Ellen was my sister, but we were about as opposite as could be. She was more the carefree spirit who just assumed everything would work out for her (and to her credit, and my chagrin, everything usually did), while I was the meticulous planner who did everything I was supposed to, and in return, my life imploded.
But I wasn’t bitter about it. Not really.
Although, in this case, I was wondering if maybe things weren’t as perfect as they normally seemed. Ellen had seemed really stressed, more so than seemed warranted for the situation. Sure, her husband had a last-minute work trip that just happened to coincide with the big Christmas party Ellen was hosting for all the neighborhood kids and their parents, but that’s why me, Aunt Tilde, and Mildred went to help out. And sure, the Santa she had hired had gotten drunk and passed out in Jenny’s bedroom, but one of the dads had jumped in to replace him, and the kids didn’t know the difference. At the end of the night, it sure seemed like everyone had a great time.
Everyone but Ellen, that was.
“And as glad as I was to help Ellen,” Mildred continued as she removed her long, navy-blue, wool coat with big black buttons and unwound her matching black scarf, “helping catch a murderer is far more important.” Underneath her coat, she wore a burgundy sweater set with a single strand of pearls and pressed black slacks. It had been a couple of days since her twice-weekly hair appointment, but her permed hair still looked fresh. In her previous life, she was a teacher, but now fancied herself a detective.
I wondered if Mildred realized she hadn’t actually been invited to the Secret Santa party, but it probably wasn’t worth bringing up.
