Eagle Eye: The New Recruit

Chapter One: Joanna

     The night was young and I was too. I had left the apartment complex to head to the Charles Von Golf diner. This was my usual hangout spot when I don't order Chinese. The Diner did not have many people that night. Most people would be at clubs, not me. I had awful experiences with them. I walked up to the counter of the restaurant and took a stool seat. No one was with me, plus I wanted to do something different by sitting here. Charles had just come from the kitchen. He looked exhausted from all the work, but he was happy to see me. "Hey Eagle!" He smiled. Since I went to his restaurant a lot, he was a friend of mine. "Hi Charles," I replied warmly. "I'd like to order my usual." "Of course," he said scribbling on his notepad. My usual order was Creamy Chicken Alfredo soup with Butter Texas Toast. There was something off about Charles though, there was something bothering him. "Joanna!" he called out into the back room. "One Alfredo meal dining in!" I looked in the same direction as he was looking. Through the small window was the face of a young girl who looked to be in her early twenties. "Sure thing dad!" the girl said. I finally decided to just ask Charles what was up. "Charles," I began. "Is everything alright with you?"

"Nah, not as great as it could be," he replied. He looked around to check if anyone was listening to our conversation. "I've been struggling mentally and financially. My wife passed away a year ago, so there's not much income. I can't even afford for my daughter to go to College." This was bad, for me as well. If Charles could not afford to run the diner, I would not be able to eat there anymore. Maybe there was something I could do, was there? I thought long and hard about what to say. That's it! I had figured it out! My food had arrived at the same time I was ready to tell him. "Charles," I spoke. "Would Joanna be interested in a small job?" "Other than this?" Charles asked. "I was thinking I could use a part-time aide in my cases," I said. "I can pay her, and it'll help us both out." Charles thought about what I had said for a minute. "I'm not sure she'd be up for that," Charles responded. "How about we let her decide?" I suggested. Deep down, Charles knew my intentions. I just wanted to help them. Joanna came out of the Kitchen briefly when her father called her. "Joanna, meet Eagle Eye. A Private Detective," He said. "Nice to meet you," Joanna said politely. "Likewise," I replied. Charles went on: "Eagle Eye here was going to offer you a job." Joanna's eyes widened in excitement at the sound of that. "Really?" she said.

"Yes," I spoke. "In my line of work, sometimes it's useful to have a second pair of eyes. I'm offering you a position to be my partner or apprentice. I can pay you for the work you do." Joanna jumped in excitement. "Yes! I'd like that!" She cheered. "Anything to get out of this diner!" "I'll contact you tomorrow," I told her. "I already have a case we can work on." She smiled and headed back into the Kitchen. Her father now turned his attention back to me. "Thanks so much," he said. "This meal's on me." "She seems eager to get away from this place," I observed. "Yeah," Charles leaned on the counter. "She loves this place and appreciates it and all the work I do in it. But she's always been an adventurous type. That's why she wants to take College out of town."