The Supernatural Private Detective

Rob, Nora, and Shaggy walked up to the door of Mama Tinuke's home, located in the same SilverBirch estate as Uche's residence. Rob carried the heavy grocery bags filled with various vegetables and ingredients, while Nora walked ahead, her handbag slung over one shoulder and two grocery bags clutched in her other hand. As they reached the door, Nora pushed the doorbell, prompting Shaggy to bark excitedly and hop around as she recognized this home. Rob stood behind her, patiently waiting.

"Mama, it's me, Nora!" Nora called out to her foster mother.

Mama Tinuke, a Nigerian woman married to an American doctor from Birchwood, was an exceptional cook. Her husband had loved her cooking, and they had lived happily together. Tragically, their home was invaded by the mafia, resulting in her husband's death and Mama Tinuke's loss of sight.

"Coming, dear," Mama Tinuke's voice echoed from inside, followed by the sound of the door unlocking. The door opened, revealing an elderly black woman with grayish-white hair and shades covering her eyes. She wore a white stay-at-home gown adorned with flower patterns.

"Nora, dear, welcome home. Is there a dog out here? And did you do the shopping I asked?" Mama Tinuke reached out to feel her adopted daughter, but Nora opted for an energetic hug instead.

"Yes, mama, I did the shopping," Nora replied, sidestepping the question about the dog.

"Oh dear, Nora, I appreciate the hug, but please be gentle; I'm not as strong as I used to be." Shaggy barked again, and Mama Tinuke's head jerked up in realization.

"Nora, who did you bring with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Nora chuckled. "Someone we know."

"Hello, mama," Rob finally spoke up.

"Robert? Is that you?" Mama Tinuke's face lit up with recognition.

"Yes, mama, it's me."

"Oh my God, dear, it's been ages! And the dog is Shaggy, isn't it? Please, come in." Mama Tinuke stepped aside, inviting Rob, Nora, and Shaggy into the house.

Mama Tinuke's home was meticulously designed to accommodate her lack of vision. Clear pathways and a consistent furniture arrangement allowed her to navigate with ease. Shaggy, trained to respect the layout, settled into her usual spot, lying quietly.

The TV was paused on an Indian soap opera, 'Sagar Ki Saanjh' ('Evening of the Sea'). It was the same show that Uche was watching. Rob glanced at the TV as he passed by, carrying the groceries he and Nora had bought. He set the bags on the kitchen table, the soft thud prompting Tinuke to ask, "You followed Nora to the store? Thank you, dear."

"No problem at all," Rob replied. 

Tinuke's face lit up with a warm smile. "Let me feel your face; I want to know how much you've grown."

"Sure." Rob approved, and Tinuke's hands gently explored his features, tracing his sideburns and facial hair. 

"Wow, you're such a man now!" 

Her hands moved from his face and fell to his shoulder.

"And you're so tall too."

They could both hear Nora giggling at them from the living room; this made a bright smile spread across Tinuke's face.

"Go have a seat while I prepare tea," Tinuke instructed. 

"What? No, let me help you with the tea." Rob requested.

A frown appeared on Tinuke's face. "Oh Rob, thank you, but this old woman can handle something as simple as making tea." 

"But, I just want to help; you could brun yourself or something." Rob insisted, but her frown grew even more.

"Have you forgotten already? I am capable of doing it myself; please, Robert, go have a seat." She scolded. Rob obliged, joining Nora on the couch. 

"Will she be okay on her own?" he whispered. 

Nora nodded. "Oh yeah, she's amazing."

Mama Tinuke sprung into action, efficiently preparing moringa tea, her movements honed from years of practice. She gathered honey, ginger, milk, and dried moringa leaves, placing each ingredient on the table with precision. As the electric kettle rang, signaling the water had boiled, she began the tea-making process, her actions adept as though she had done it a million times.

When the tea was ready, Tinuke poured it into three cups, arranged them on a tray, and carried it out to serve. "Here you go, children. I added extra milk to your tea, Robert, just the way you like it." 

Rob's face flushed slightly as he picked up his tea. "Oh, thank you, mama."

"I'm sorry I don't have any treats for Shaggy," Tinuke apologized. 

"It's alright, mama," Rob reassured her. 

As they sipped their tea, Nora praised, "Always love your tea, mama." 

Rob added, "Yes, it's amazing." 

Tinuke's face glowed with appreciation. "Oh, thank you, children; you're too kind to this old woman."

Nora looked at the paused TV show on the television. "Is this the latest episode?" She asked. 

Mama Tinuke replied, "Oh yes, dear, Krishna took Pragia, and they ran away from home; they crossed the border to live in Pakistan."

Nora's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? When did that happen? I'm so far behind because of school."

"Oh, don't worry, dear, I have the whole thing recorded. You can watch it anytime." Mama Tinuke reassured her.

Rob contributed to the conversation, "Seems this show is pretty popular." 

"It's all the girls at school talk about." Nora agreed.

Mama Tinuke smiled, "Oh, even though I can't see what's going on, I like to listen to the drama."

Rob glanced at his watch; it was forty minutes past two. He took the last sip of his tea and said, "Well, I have to run." 

Mama Tinuke's face fell. "Oh? I thought you would stay for dinner; I'm making Awai Ogede." 

"What's that?" Rob asked.

"Plantain porridge in Igbo." Nora responded.

Rob looked puzzled. "I thought plantain porridge was Iwuk ukom." 

"That's Ibibio; Awai Ogede is Igbo." Nora corrected

"Right." Rob shrugged.

"The white girl knows more Nigerian than the Nigerian." Nora teased.

Rob chuckled, "Yeah, whatever; never been to the country anyways."

Mama Tinuke insisted, "What could be so important that you can't stay here to keep me company?" 

"Thank you, mama, but I have some business to attend to today." Rob explained.

Nora chimed in, "Oh, mama, Rob is a private detective now." 

Mama Tinuke's expression changed. "Oh, so I guess you're busy. Okay, be safe, dear."

Nora stood up and gave Rob a hug, which startled him a bit. 

"Good bye, Rob; it was nice to see you again." 

Rob smiled warmly. "It was nice to see you again too, Nora." 

Mama Tinuke noticed the happiness in the tone of her adopted daughter's voice and smiled.

They broke the hug, and Rob waved them goodbye, walking out the door with Shaggy by his side, the dog looking back with her tongue out.

"I love that dog," Nora said. 

"Are you sure it's only the dog you love?" Mama Tinuke teased.

"Mama!?" Nora pouted. 

Mama Tinuke chuckled, "Haha, come, my dear, help me with supper."

Rob boarded the bus heading to Donald Winslow Avenue, where Jasper's café was located, a sort of bridge between the main town and the outskirts. 

'Today turned out to be a trip down memory lane,' he thought as he took a seat and pulled out his phone from his trouser pocket. He retrieved a pair of earpieces from his overcoat pocket, plugged them into his phone, and placed them in his ears. Then he pressed play and began listening to calm, relaxing hip-hop rap music.

He flicked his wrist, and a pineapple flavored lollipop appeared in his hand. A woman passing his seat noticed his trick and smiled. With a smile on his face he unwrapped it and stuck it in his mouth.

The bus drove through the streets of Birchwood, Rob nodding his head to the beat as he gazed out the window, seeing the streets filled with people going about their day. As the bus approached his destination, the number of buildings began to dwindle. Soon, the bus arrived at Rob's stop, and he disembarked. The café was within walking distance from the bus stop.

As Rob strolled down the sidewalk, a soccer ball came flying in his direction, and he caught it in his hands.

"Hey, mister, that's not how you play ball!" A child's voice exclaimed. 

Rob's attention shifted to six children standing in the middle of the road, with two makeshift goalposts made from cardboard boxes and stones at each end. They were playing soccer in the street when one of them accidentally kicked the ball in Rob's direction.

"Oh, sorry kids, I'm terrible at soccer," Rob said with a chuckle before flinging the ball back at the children. One of them chested the ball, dropped it, and lobbed it with his feet, and they resumed playing. Rob continued on his way, still bobbing his head to the music.

As the alley came into view, Rob turned into it, revealing Café Two. He walked in, and the bell above the door chimed. Rob met Jasper standing at the counter in the empty café.

"Hey Jasper, how many customers today?" Rob asked.

"Five," Jasper responded, a dull look on his face.

"Hey, that's better than yesterday," Rob said, trying to sound optimistic.

Jasper's response was laced with sarcasm. "Yeah, Whoopty Doo."

Rob took a seat at the counter. "Hey, before I forget..." He pulled out two photos from his pockets and slid them across the counter to Jasper. "Have you seen writing like this before?" They were the photos of the coffins with strange writing and the ritual circle from the grave digger case file.

Jasper studied the photos intently before responding, "Never seen anything like it in all my years." He stared at them a little longer before sliding them back to Rob.

"Not even you, huh," Rob said, pocketing the photos.

Just then, the bell above the door rang, signaling the arrival of Jim and Joe. 

"Hey Rob, Jasper," Jim greeted them.

"Yo," Joe added, waddling in behind Jim, his chubby frame swaying slightly as he moved. Jasper responded with a head tilt.

"Are you ready to go, Rob?" Jim asked.

"Yup, let's go," Rob replied, standing up. He followed Jim and Joe towards the door.

Shaggy stood up to follow, but Rob stopped her. "You stay with Jasper, girl." Shaggy looked a little sad but obeyed, watching Rob and the detectives walk towards the alley entrance through the café window.

Rob threw the finished lollipop on the ground as they walked out of the alley.

They entered Jim's police car, with Rob attempting to get in the backseat, but Joe stopped him. "Nah, man, I'm good in the back. I can take a nap or something." Joe yawned, his eyes already half-closed.

Rob made an expression of slight exasperation before he entered the passenger's seat, while Jim sat in the driver's seat. Jim started the car and took off onto the quiet streets.

"So, Rob, how's the case going?" Jim asked, his eyes fixed on the road.

Joe pulled out a cheeseburger from a bag and began to eat, his mouth already full as he spoke. "Yeah, dude, tell us what's up."

"Well, I spoke with my uncle like you said," Rob replied.

"Did you guys make up?" Joe asked.

"No, but I did learn more about Vincent Ramirez and the kind of person he was. Uncle Uche also mentioned something about Vincent being involved in something supernatural."

Jim's interest peaked. "Oh?"

The sound of Joe munching on his burger filled the air.

"He said he found documents on demonic rituals and says he left them with the BPD. You think it might have some relation to the strange writing or the circle?"

"Hmm, it might. Although I don't remember anything like that, we'll have to check the evidence room for anything that looks like that in the SoulWhisper evidence files."

Joe finished his burger and added, his voice still sluggish, "Yeah, whatever, man. Let's just go check out that warehouse already."