The Picasso Anthology E-Book

Pocholo Peralta

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

I'm Joe Picasso, a retired private eye and I've just moved from Spain to Bisset, a small town in France. I chose this town because my research said that it's virtually crimeless and peaceful.

Leseprobe

Pocholo Peralta

The Picasso Anthology

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Foreword

The Picasso Anthology is Poch Peralta’s first eBook. It is a compilation of short stories comprising of most sub-genres of crime fiction i.e., cozy (humorous), police procedural, hard-boiled, etc. The style of the book is comparable to Jeffrey Archer’s ‘A Twist in the Tale’ which is also a collection of short stories.

Joe Picasso Retrieves Olivia

I'm Joe Picasso, a retired private eye and I've just moved from Spain to Bisset, a small town in France. I chose this town because my research said that it's virtually crimeless and peaceful. When you retire from crime detecting, you would want to stay away from crime, wouldn't you. But after ten days of peace and quiet, a Mr. Montroux knocked on my door and changed all that. After introducing himself, I asked, 'But how did you know I was a private detective sir?' 'Your friend Col. Bravo referenced you. I know his father Mr. Picasso. And I was told about your excellent reputation. 'Ahh...Torv. I see. So how can I help you Mr. Montroux?' 'Just call me Jean please.' 'I'll agree if you will just call me Joe.' 'Then it is agreed Joe. You see, I believe that my daughter Olivia was kidnapped. She's a six year-old girl.' 'Let's sit first Jean. You want a snack, or a drink? I'll have my orange juice now.' 'Oh that's fine. Thank you.' When Joe rejoined Jean, he said, 'Would you please give me details of the incident?' 'I was just coming into that. Almost two weeks ago, me and my family went to the Glorietta Mall. While my four children with their babysitter Anne were playing at the Fun Arcade, my wife Marie and I went to the food mart beside the arcade. We were just leaving a kiosk when Anne and the kids arrived. Anne was nervous and told us that she can't find Olivia. We spent about an hour searching then gave up and reported to the police.' Jean sighed. 'Until now Olivia is still missing.' 'So no ransom demand', said Joe. 'That eliminates kidnapping for now if that consoles you. Do you have any recent photo of the child?' Jean opened his clutch bag and took a picture out. He handed it to Joe who scanned it. 'What a pretty redhead!' Joe exclaimed. 'A good reason to adore her, thank you.' 'It seems I can't refuse to get Olivia back since you're a friend of Torv's father and your girl has already charmed me. I promise to get her back.' After they talked about Joe's fees, Jean allowed Joe to interview Anne and visit Olivia's bedroom later for any clues. He didn't get any significant clues even after talking with Anne who seemed innocent. The next day, Joe went into action. He first visited the spot where Olivia disappeared and showed the picture of Olivia to nearby shop owners. Joe got lucky on the fifth –a coffee shop inside the food mart. 'I think I saw her', said Mr. Croix. 'I had this woman customer which forgot her purse so I got out and scanned for her. When I saw her, she was then towing that girl.' 'Did they seem frightened or nervous?' 'Maybe the woman but not the girl.' Joe remembered Jean said that Olivia is friendly.' 'Can you still describe the woman please?' 'Hmm...I still remember. She was a little fat and short and she has curly red hair.' Croix smiled, proud that his memory is still sharp.' 'Excellent Mr. Croix! Now please give me ten euros worth of your cakes.' After describing the woman to the local police, Joe next visited the nearest adoption agency of the town. He asked for the manager, introduced himself, then described the woman that was seen with Olivia. 'I think that's the woman who has been waiting for almost two years for a pretty red haired girl.' Mrs. Alfons said. 'She is one of those choosy applicants.' 'Do you have her name by any chance?' 'Let me see.' She took out a notebook, scanned it, then said, 'I think that would be Madame Dina Nelle.' Joe grabbed the hand of the manager and kissed it. 'A million thanks ma'am!' Mrs. Alfons smiled for the first time. At home, Joe logged on the Internet and made a search for 'Dina Nelle'. Bingo. He copied a photo of a fat woman with curly red hair. Her address was even there. But Joe and the police were disappointed to learn that Mrs. Nelle's apartment was abandoned the same day that Olivia disappeared. But it only took the Interpol two days to track Mrs. Nelle and Olivia. The irony: the Interpol nabbed Mrs. Nelle in Spain. Joe returned Olivia to her parents as he had promised.