Luna Stratman: The Mystery of Mogadishu - Preview Chapter One (Part 1)

Category: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy

Category: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths

Published: Sep. 15, 2021

Words: 31,550

Language: English

ISBN: 9781005824563

1.1 Luna and Romina Discuss the Details

Luna had a benign expression and was fully absorbed reading the Robb Report, as she flipped through the pages of dreamboats and idyllic beaches in southern Europe. Who cared if she couldn't swim? Luna was having the best day of her life, and she had finally left the shadows behind. Jealous coworkers and bad love. She needed a reset, a renaissance. The dining room oversized table with an original Italian marble top was crowded with books on marine navigation, criminal intelligence and investigation for analysts, scattered boxes of gadgets, and a murrey wig sticking out from a glossy bag.

"I think you're making too much of this new idea of mine, Romina. There's no reason to fret over it. I'm worried too because I'm new at this, you know, and I'll probably make mistakes at first."

"Mistakes?" I asked, as my eyes danced over the souvenirs on the table. Luna frowned, grabbed the wig and swayed toward the mirror. "Well, don't say that you aren't upset about this trip then, you do know that I was the one that organized it, right?"

I was silent, staring out the window deep in thoughts. "What's up with the rocking chair in the middle of the room?"

"I don't sleep much, six hours at max. The swings help me to relax and clear my thoughts; perhaps, if I were a man I'd be permanently attached to a hookah and Turkish coffee through an I.V., but I'm afraid it would fracture my productivity," Luna explained. "Look, I can't stand feeling like I have to apologize for being the same as you," she added with a smirk on her face. I turned to face her. "If this makes me as bad as you are now, then I apologize for being such a diva," she continued, still facing the mirror, scissors in hands.

"Don't apologize. I'm the only one that has to be apologizing. I'm the one who needs to take your advice. We'll probably be having this discussion for a while. I believe there are bits of science fiction in this story of rusty cargo ships never arriving at their destination, but life isn't science fiction, and I'm only taking this trip so that I can try to help you with this mission. But, that's still no reason for you to go on being a self-centered queen," I explained.

I finally smiled at Luna's contrite tone.

"All right, I'll shut up," she pleaded, like she wanted to put an end to the argument.

"And I promise to try to do the same."

"Romina, I don't want you to take on any new stress. There's no reason to worry about anyone but yourself. You do remember that we're here to avoid a war, right?"

I turned toward Luna. "Then, we don't have to worry about anyone here? Wars have many purposes, but I've yet to see a just war, however there are notable advances in mass murder in some parts of the world."

Luna returned the smile. "No. We're not under any kind of threat. But anything that's wrong around us must be curbed. We all have a moral duty to stop wrongdoing, and that's in any corner of the globe. I never liked the idea that America must be the global watchdog for the wrong and evil, but every one of us must make a contribution. I'm fascinated by the concept of philanthropy, but I'm not going to feed a bunch of useless managers for another damn nonprofit. I gave away too much of my hard earned money, and I promised myself that I will no longer make another donation, unless they tell me exactly where the resources are going. Stop the insanity!" Rough air moved around her face, as she growled, thumbs hooked into her belt.

"So, we're free to do as we please?" I asked.

"Absolutely!" My expression shifted into a glazed look, as I softened my tone. "Then, we're off to have a fun day, ready to face anything together."

"Do you like wearing the investigator's hat?" I probed, my lips stiff with curiosity.

"This is strictly experimental, but I have the feeling that finding the truth of any unsolved mystery is a moral duty I can afford, and it could slowly become an obsession, or sort of philanthropy, and if I like the outcome, I might consider setting up shop. And please don't let me down, stick with me, you're the only one I can count on." Luna's lips parted, as she was waiting for an answer.

I reached in by bag and handed Luna a premium two-fold glossy oversized business card that read yachts for sale―only the finest. John Seaman at the bottom. Luna crossed her legs, as she sat next to me on the concrete bench with a push and studied the card with admiration. She's always been a lover of fancy objects, and this piece caught her attention. There was a hologram of a three-mast sailing boat at the center of the card. She brushed her finger twice on it, then did it again.