[ Gainesville, Florida. Sanders Residence - 2:46PM ]

I stepped out of the car, making sure I had my phone, badge, keys, and wallet with me. I closed the car door and walked up to the mahogany door of the beige house, taking a quick look at the flowers that the man I lived with for over 18 years grew in the front yard. If my guess is correct, he probably has a lot more in the backyard.

I knocked on the door, getting my badge ready.

The door opened a few seconds later, revealing my dad, Patton.

Before he could speak, I opened my badge, "Detective Sanders, I have a few questions for you."

He was silent for a few moments, his eyes looking at the badge.

Then he covered his mouth to prevent himself from laughing, "Um... Detective. Your badge seems to be upsidedown."

"Goddamnit..." I sighed.

"Weren't you just here yesterday, Mazie?" Dad asked.

"That's 'Detective' to you. And yes, but I'm on a case." I pushed past him into the house, placing my badge back into my pocket. Dad closed the door and raised an eyebrow.

"A case? What case involves me?" He questioned.

"Father's case." I looked back at dad as his eyes widened.

"M-Mazie... you know you can't get involved in police matters-"

"I'm technically police."

"Well- yes. B-But, your father is a famous detective known all over America and some parts of Europe. You're only a beginner."

"I don't care. Aren't you even slightly curious about what happened to him? As his husband?"

"I mean, yes-"

"Then why haven't you said anything at all about his disappearance!?" I shouted.

Dad looked at me for a moment, never taking his blue eyes off of my own.

He blinked away, a few tears slipping his eyes, "Come with me. I want to show you something."

Dad led me upstairs to father's old study. The back walls were lined with bookcases, filled with books. I noticed that the room didn't look dusty and that nothing was out of the ordinary.

I wasn't even allowed to be in here when I was little.

"I've been cleaning it every other week," Dad spoke up. He walked over to father's writing desk and opened a drawer, "This is a letter that we received before he disappeared."

Dad took out a folded up piece of paper. I looked at the drawer itself and it looked to be dusty inside.

Maybe dad couldn't handle looking at the letter again...

I took the letter and unfolded it.

"What...?" I muttered.

'Beware the Nightingale... ✮'