THE THORNES

The last days of a person's career are always gloomy. 

The sky didn't open up as early as they usually did and all this young detective wished for was it never opening. 

Jessica's neighbor, Ms. Felicia knocked on her door as early as that.

“Hello! Neighbor! Hello…”

Jessica wished Ms. Felicia could just go away and leave her in her mystery to sulk as a failure. 

“Not even a single case have you solved successfully!” Mr Troy had blasted at her last week at the office. 

“You can consider this your last case with the agency!” He added coldly. 

Mike wasn't even helping issues. She had gotten home that day to meet Mike in his dirty green shorts and cream socks, buried in his game with his lazy-ass friend like him, Jay. 

“You're moody because of a job?”

“Lighten up! Make me some omelet!”

“I haven't showered too. You can run my bath too.” 

He said, itching his crackly neck. 

Jessica thought of her current life as a mess and Mike's weight on her made it worse. 

She had met Mike at a Christmas party she had gone to with her best friend, Ann.

Mike wasn't always like this. He was expressive and responsible, mostly loving as well. Not until he lost his job as a front desk receptionist in one of the five star hotels in the city from a shootout that led to its closure. Not being able to pay for his rent, he moved in with his girlfriend, Jessica. 

At first he was supportive and open to little menial jobs but he stopped after he got hold of one of Jessica's payment slips. He felt the need to get a job wasn't needed; she could suffice for the both of them, so he thought.

“Why me?” Jessica managed to mutter from the thoughts of Mr Troy and Mike that were running through her head. 

Just then her phone rang!

“Hey Dad,” she said almost inaudibly. 

“Ahh. C'mon, cheer up Jessica!”

“It's just a job, you didn't lose your life!” Her dad said brightly over the phone. 

If there was anyone that could cheer her up from a bad day, it was her dad and he always knew how to do that but today was the day it felt like it couldn't work. 

“I'm a waste dad!” Jessica started sobbing. 

“I have failed.”

“I failed you….. I failed myself.”

“I'm a mess”. She said sobbing continuously.

“You're not a mess Jess.”

“I know for a fact, you're the best detective and daughter any father could ask for.” He said calmly to her. 

“..... But… but I didn't make you proud.” She breaks her words in-between soft sobs. 

“You still have enough time for that.” He added gently. 

“Wipe those tears and go to work.”

“I still love you, detective or no detective.” He concluded softly. 

“... Yes dad.” Jessica concurred. 

Ms. Felicia gave a loud knock from the door behind the house again. This time, the sun was gently showing its rays already. 

“... I have to go dad. My neighbor keeps calling.” Jessica said, wiping her tears.

“Better answer that.”

“Give me a call after work.” Her father said. 

“Yes dad. Love you!” Jessica ended the call right after. 

She quickly wiped her eyes and hurried to the back door Ms. Felicia was about to tear down with her heavy knocks. 

The door creaked open and the old lady outside yelled furiously. 

“My dog got stolen and it says here in this note the thief left behind — Jessica, take care of it!”

“I know only one Jessica in this neighborhood!” She added yapping.

Jessica knew who must have angered her neighbor; her lazy ass boyfriend!

“Whatever did he need Ms Felicia's dog for?” She thought quietly.

“Oh I'm sorry Ms. I think you've got the wrong Jessica. I didn't take your dog!” Jessica said softly. 

“Well, the little lads said they saw him wear the dog a napkin in your backyard. It's got to be your apartment!” She yelled. 

“What?”

“Is he being serious right now?”

“What's this for?”

She had the questions popping in her head as to why Mike stole a dog. She knew it was him. He just had his silly reasons. 

“Ma'am, I don't think I know who's in possession of your dog. But I'd let you know if I see him around.” Jessica said with a fake bright smile. 

She knew she had to say something to get Ms Felicia away from her!

“Oh poor Katie!”

“She must be so lonely!”

Ms. Felicia lamented softly, now almost crying. 

Jessica quietly locked the door behind her unnoticeably while she lamented, back to the reality of the morning. 

Mike had not been in the apartment since she told him about the notice from her boss. Maybe Ms Felicia's dog was his parting gift, since he drained her already. 

Breakfast was the least thing Jessica had on her mind. She simply ran her bath, got dressed and headed out to her office, at least still her office for the time being. 

She got to the office earlier than she would normally have and saw her office desk had been cleared out. All her personal belongings had been put in a box waiting for her to take them home. 

Not her office anymore as she had thought.

She let out a big sigh!

Her colleagues started trooping in, in ones and twos. 

Mr Troy walked down the passage leading to the planning room, just where she stood waiting for him.

“Good morning Mr Troy.” She said, trying to brace herself. 

“Good morning Jessica.” 

“The board wishes to meet on the matter of your dismissal. You can only hope it favors you!”

“Yes sir.” She said calmly.

He nodded and walked into the board room and shut the door right behind him while Jessica stood in a lost realm of her thoughts. 

Just when she turned to put herself together, she saw a lady, fine with a nice poise and structure walking towards her. 

It was already a sour day. Could it get any worse? She thought.

It was Olivia, her arch nemesis and work rival.

Olivia was successful as a detective, solving every case tossed her way but for some reason, she had always wanted all of Jessica's cases, claiming Jessica had been favored with them.

“How?” Jessica always questioned, because these cases she called favors have cost her feeble career.

Jessica sometimes wondered if Olivia would have failed at her cases too.

Olivia walked straight towards her and looked her in the eyes as she came to a halt right at her front.

“You look miserable!” She spat coldly.