Carla’s Prince

“Yeah, truly heartbreaking too. The wife has been sleeping with her boss for God knows how long and we have not even began to scratch the surface when it comes to the sacrifices the man has made. Stepping down from a Fortune 500 to work at home so he can help with the kids and everything.” Carla took another bite of her frittata. “Honestly, I am just happy the whole thing is over. Right now, I just want to binge a silly TV show just to get out of my head.”

“That really does su*k,” Pete said in a soft voice. “Sometimes, I love that the worst thing about my job is making people fat.”

Brenda and Carla giggled.

“What are you talking about? Ever since you started cooking for us, I think we are in the best shape of our lives.”

“That’s because I have not been suggesting the five hundred calorie dessert with a two hundred calorie topping with every meal,” Pete said in a mock French accent.

“Yeah, I am good with the cakes once in a while. I really don’t want to look like the poster child for obesity,” Brenda said as Carla took one last bite of her breakfast.

“Yeah, me either.” She walked to the sink and cleaned her dish and cup before she turned around. “I have to get going.”

“See you later,” Brenda called as she walked towards the door.

“Shouldn’t you be at the office by now?” Carla asked as she grabbed her keys.

“As far as everyone at the office is concerned, I am downtown taking photographs of that teenage designer,” Brenda said proudly.

Carla raised an eyebrow.

“So, why are you still here?”

“Because I did that yesterday evening. I have three hours before I have to go to work which has not happened since…ever,” Brenda said proudly.

Carla smiled.

“Well, have fun, kids,” she said before she walked out of her apartment.

                                                *****

It was a little after nine in the morning when Cristoff Benedict walked into Thomas Hardley Investigations. He was not so sure what to expect going in but the looks people were giving him as he walked into the building made him feel a little odd. He was used to being stared at back in Denmark but that was because everyone in his country knew who he was, the prince. However, in America, people hardly knew who he was. At some point, he thought that they were probably looking at his jewelry. After all, Thomas Hardley’s office was not exactly in the most secluded part of town and he was wearing a diamond encrusted Rolex.

He took a long deep breath as he softly knocked on Thomas’ door.

“It’s open,” he heard Thomas call from inside.

He opened the door and poked his head inside.

“Thomas Hardley?” he asked and the spectacled man behind the desk smiled, gesturing at one of the seats in front of his desk. “You should really have your name on the door or something. I almost didn’t find the place.”

“I get it. My apologies. We just moved into this place a few days ago. We are still trying to settle in,” Thomas said as Cristoff sat down. “My assistant would have showed you in but she had some errands to do.” He pointed to a stack of boxes at the corner. “We are still moving.”

“That’s fine. Really,” Cristoff said.

“May I get you something? Coffee maybe?” Thomas asked and Cristoff shook his head.

“I am fine. I am still stuffed from breakfast.”

Thomas nodded and leaned back in his chair.

“So, Mr. Benedict, how can Thomas Hardley Investigations be of service?”

“Cristoff is just fine.”

Thomas shrugged.

“All right, Cristoff. Tell me your story.”

Cristoff took a long deep breath and shook his head.

“I am not so sure it is a story per se. I mean, I just want some answers. That’s all.”

Thomas raised an eyebrow over the other.

“All right. What kind of answers are we talking about here?”

“Someone is stealing from me. Or maybe people have been stealing from me but I just don’t know who.”

“We don’t have an independent cyber division yet… we kind of outsource that kind of thing but the partner I work with is very reliable. He is technically part of Thomas Hardley Investigations but…” Thomas started explaining and Cristoff raised an eyebrow over the other. Thomas’ words trailed off when he noticed that Cristoff was not giving him any normal look.

“Why would I want anything to do with your cyber division?” he asked, confused.

“Well, normally when people come to me with theft issues, it is usually something that the cyber division handles because of, you know, wire transfers and everything.”

Cristoff shook his head. The way Thomas said ‘cyber division’ made it sound like he worked for the FBI or CIA. It almost sounded like he was overselling it but then again, Thomas Hardley came very highly recommended as far as private investigators came.

“It is not at work. It’s at my house.”

Thomas nodded and leaned forward.

“So, are we talking like a housekeeper?” he asked and Cristoff nodded.

“Yeah, kind of.”

“What did they steal? Silverware?” Thomas had a sly smile on his lips.

“No, but there I am missing my vintage Chinese porcelain tea set, some cash and a couple of watches.”

Thomas scribbled something on his notepad and then looked up, frowning.

“I’m sorry. Did you say tea set?” he asked and Cristoff nodded. “As in a kettle and some cups? That kind of tea set? That’s what you are talking about?”

Cristoff shook his head.

“Is there another kind that I should know about?” he asked not realizing how cynical he sounded.

“No, not really….”

“You did hear me say vintage, right? It was a gift from my aunt. It is priceless for me, but as far as attaching the monetary value is concerned, it could be…I don’t know, maybe five grand on the lower side?”

“Five grand….as in five thousand dollars?” Thomas asked, surprised.

“Like I said, it could be more. She had the tea set for a few years before she gave it to me…” Cristoff said before they heard a soft knock on the door. He turned around to see a woman walking into the office. Somehow, time seemed to stand completely still as he looked at her: the definition of the girl next door. She was a moderately tall woman, beautiful supple honey toned skin who wouldn’t have been looking more ordinary if she tried. She was in a pair of blue jeans, a shirt, and a jacket but she was positively radiant. She smiled uncomfortably showing off her dimpled left cheek and Cristoff felt a little flustered, in a good way.

“I’m sorry…I did not know anyone was in here,” she said in a soft voice. “I was just…” She looked around and sighed loudly. “I could come back. Yeah, I’ll just come back later when you are done with your meeting. Sorry for interrupting.”

“No, Carla. Wait,” Thomas called out. “This is Cristoff Benedict. Our new client.”

                                                            *****

Carla could feel her heart racing as she stood in her boss’ office. She had been hoping for another free day and she had only been too happy to spend the last hour running errands. It was the only good thing about that morning. Not having to spend her time doing recon on the next poor schmuck, the action that would end yet another marriage. It had been a good, no great two days and now that she was standing in her boss’ office looking at a tall wavy haired man in what looked like perfectly tailored Italian.

“Hi, Cristoff. I’m Carla,” she said after Thomas introduced her.

“Carla here is my assistant,” Thomas said as Carla slowly walked towards them. “Cristoff here was just telling me about a five thousand dollar tea set.”

“It could be more…I just want it back because it was a special gift from my aunt,” Cristoff said.