#noemi adams

[wannabecatwriter]

Dale opens up the message he received and shares the information with the rest of the room.

- Vincent and Renee Ellington. Socialites, investors, and patrons of the arts. They reported the theft of items worth $600 mil from their Starlight Shores home nearly 8 months ago. According to forensic reports, the items in your home are from that very same collection.

[wannabecatwriter]

Wayne: Hi, Noe? What’s up? We’re just trying to figure out what the deal with Sheree’s house is. 

Noemi: Oh, yeah, all those things. Did the real estate company send the files?

Dale: They did, but we didn’t learn anything new.

Noemi: Interesting. Do you think they sent you guys fakes?

Dale grimaces at her question.

- It’s a possibility. But why?

Noemi nods at this.

- You should call in Bentley for this.

Dale: Who?

Noemi: Remember that guy I went to prom with? We’ve... sort of been dating since then. And he’s really good with computers. Seriously, I nearly wiped everything last month, but he was able to restore my files and everything on my laptop in a few minutes. He should be available right now. Would you like me to call him here?

Dale: Can he keep private about helping us?

Noemi: Oh, yes. 

Sheree: But what will he be able to learn?

Noemi: If something’s wrong with the files, he’ll notice. Seriously, the guy seems to live and breathe code, I barely understand what he’s saying sometimes. But he’s a total computer wiz.

Dale: Then call him. It’s worth a try.

[wannabecatwriter]

Sheree: I feel kind of bad for them both, to be honest. You don’t just become this angry with someone. Clearly, the two of them really loved each other at one point. Maybe, they still do. But somehow, bitterness and other circumstances made them act this way towards one another. It’s scary.

Miles: That’s never going to happen to us. I promise you.

Dale: I don’t think you two need to worry about that. You remind me of Hollie and I when we were young. Sure, we fight sometimes, but we always work things out.

Wayne: I just wonder how he accidentally sold the house.

Sheree: Maybe it was some mistake of inattention? Or maybe, it was another attempt to make sure Renee didn’t have her hands on the goods. 

Miles: Who knows, maybe, had we not discovered it, one day, when we were out, Vincent would have sent someone to come in and take the things? I guess he can’t do that now.

Noemi: I bet you’re just glad to have all that stuff out of here, aren’t you?

Sheree: Absolutely. The last thing I want is to have stolen or faux-stolen goods here.

Miles: Same, dear. Same.

[wannabecatwriter]

Miles: Well, this was wild. I’m glad to know how the items ended up in our home, but wow, the Ellingtons were a mess!

Dale: You can say that, sonny. Although, I suppose Vincent Ellington wouldn’t be the first nor the last man to resort to crafty means to keep the wife from getting the goods.

Wayne: Most of them just don’t commit crime to do so. Usually, they are smarter about prenups and stuff. But, I guess, he was really angry at Renee.

Noemi, meanwhile, is excitedly checking out Bernardo, who is just as taken with the girl and her colorful clothing.

Bernardo the Parrot: Pretty Girl!

Noemi: Oooh! He talks too! Dad, can we get a parrot?

Dale: We’ll see, dear. Just know, that you’ll be responsible for all parrot-related care. I’m sure Miles here can tell you how much time he spends on the bird each week. And then you have to clean the cage...

Noemi: I know, I know. Still, they are pretty cool. 

Putting the bird back on his perch, she asks:

- Say, I wonder, what’s going to happen to Vincent now? I mean, technically, he did steal his own collection. But is it even considered a theft?

Wayne: Well, technically, he did call in a robbery. And notified the insurance company of such. But at the same time, like Noe said, he did steal from himself, which technically isn’t considered a theft. I think, once he gives back the insurance money to the company, he’ll only get a slap on the wrist, and maybe a fine. Although, I doubt Renee will let him off so easily.

[wannabecatwriter]

As they turn off the computers and discuss their next moves, Sheree and Miles are calmed down by Dale.

- Don’t worry, you two. We’ll have those items out of your home in record time. For now, I’m going to contact both Starlight Shores PD and the Ellingtons and inform them of our find - hopefully, they can get here soon to pick it up.

Noemi: I don’t see why not - they’re here. They own a beach loft in Sunset Valley. That picture we saw? I’m pretty sure it was taken there, during last year’s winter holidays.

Bentley: Oh! Wait, aren’t they that couple that always throws those really loud bashes for all their buddies, or whatever they call them? 

Noemi: That’s right. I believe they call their guests “investors.” I just call them people who dress without taste and who love stuffing their faces while appearing fancy. Anyways, if I’m not mistaken, the Ellingtons might be here still. I saw Vincent by city hall last week.

Dale: That’s good news. Huh...

He ponders it for a moment. How ironic, that their multi-million dollar theft was stored in the city they frequently visit. Almost as if it was done by someone close to them. It’s not unusual, of course, Dale thinks. These things do tend to happen.