My Short Short for the Day

Today is going to be great, Ed thought as he carefully trimmed his superb mustachio.  A little wax and perfecto!  He smiled in triumph.  He put on his suit coat, straightened his tie, and picked up his briefcase.  As he strolled down the sidewalk he waved and smiled at everyone.  The sun was shining, the skies were clear, and he had finally solved his case.  His private detective business had been doing alright, but now, with this case solved, his reputation would be set.  Everyone would turn to him for help.  He would probably have to hire an assistant.  He smiled to himself as he walked through the door of his client’s skyscraper building. 

“I’m here to see Mr. Banner.”  Ed said to the secretary.

“Yes, of course.  Have a seat and I’ll let him know you are here.”  She smiled and picked up the phone.

Ed nodded and sat down.  He pulled out his puzzle book and started working on Logic problem #4.  He had just about finished writing out the solution when the secretary motioned for him to go in.  He hurriedly tucked the puzzle book and paper into his briefcase and stood up. 

“Ah, Mr. Jones.”  Mr. Banner motioned to a seat across the desk from him.  “Thank you for coming in.”

“Thank you.  Well, as I said on the phone, the case is solved.  I have all the information you need right here.”  Ed opened his briefcase, pushing the puzzle book aside and pulling out a manilla folder.  “Here you go sir.”

Mr. Banner took the file and flipped through pausing to read the pages.  He was about to close the file when he pulled another page from underneath it.  “What’s this?”  He skimmed the page and paled.  He pushed a button on his phone and barked for his secretary to send in Ray immediately.

Ed sat up, caught off guard by the sudden attitude change.  “Uh, sir.  Is everything ok?”

Mr. Banner was about to talk when Ray burst through the door.  “Ray, look at this.”

Ray skimmed the paper and looked at Mr. Banner then at Ed and back to the page.  “Is this accurate, sir?”

“Yes, call the Secretary of Defense right away.”  Mr. Banner stood.  “If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Jones.”

Ed stood.  “But sir, I…I...”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.  My secretary has your payment.”  Mr. Banner was walking Ed towards the door.

Ed looked back at Ray who had set the paper on the desk to dial the phone.  He could see boxes on it with names, times, and lunch orders in columns.  It was his Logic problem #4 solution.  “Uh, sir, I just…”

He tried to move back to the desk, but Mr. Banner blocked his way.  “Thank you, Mr. Jones.  You have served your country well.”

“Thank you, but that paper is my…”  Ed reached out towards the desk, but Mr. Banner was strong and guided him out the door.  “That’s my puzzle…”

“Good day Mr. Jones!”  Mr. Banner said with a curt smile then shut the door.

Ed stood still, trying to decide what he should do when he overheard Mr. Banner speak.  “Yes, we have confirmation of the impending invasion.  Contact the President immediately.  There’s no time to waste!”

Ed eased himself away from the door.  This can’t be good, he thought.  Well, he’d better get his check to the bank before they figure out that it was only a solution to Logic problem #4.