“Aha!”
Nate looked at Mr. Banks. The tall man was bending forward, willowy limbs almost touching the pavement, round-rimmed glasses testing gravity.
“Aha, as in what?” Nate asked.
“As in I believe we have a lead.”
Nate felt his eyes fill. False hope was the worst. The desperation with which he clung to the possibility.
“And?”
The detective straightened. He pointed at the photo, then the pavement. “See her ponytail? See this? Her hair tie broke. Runaway or not, she would have tried to get a replacement. The pharmacy across the alley is the closest. They may well have footage.”
Photo prompt: © CEAyr
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Na'ama Yehuda 
Sometimes it only takes one clue to figure things out
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True, dat! 🙂
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A chain of reasoning is also a chain of assumptions. I’m betting they do have footage and she’s not on it
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Yeah, I don’t know if Mr. Banks has information that Nate can bank on … 😉
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The game is afoot!
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Sure is …
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Na’ama Y’karah,
There are all sorts of possibilities, aren’t there? Perhaps she had another ponytail holder in her purse. Or she might’ve decided not to bother. At any rate, I’m left hoping that things work out for Nate. See what you did? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, yes, we don’t know much about what happened, or about Mr. Banks, and whether you can take any of what he said to the bank … So, despair and hope are indeed a painful (and vulnerable) combination. I hope for the best but I fear turbulence is more likely.
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I like the way you constructed this. 🙂
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Each little thing can be a clue, indeed. Fun one, Na’ama. Still lots of questions as to the why as well as the what!
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Thanks, Dale! Lotta questions remain for sure … and I don’t know that I’d take Mr. Banks’ word as gospel. Unless … of course … he is proven correct … and the trail warms … 😉
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I’m thinking that, too… he may just be… ummm… stringing him along 😉
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Yeah … intentionally or otherwise … despair is not a good yardstick …
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A good detective is worth their weight in gold.
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Whether his is something you can take to the bank or not remains to be seen … 😉
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lol 🙂
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😀
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The clever Mr.Banks. Clever you too, to see a hair-tie in the photo 🙂
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My brain works in kooky ways … 😉 Thanks for the nice compliment! 🙂
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I like that you too saw the string as a hair tie and wove it into your story. I didn’t manage to do that though I saw it and tried.
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I think we each ‘see’ different things in every photo (and some photos don’t evoke much in a particular week for some people and that’s okay, too, of course!) and that is what makes this FF so fun! The diversity of reactions is always a delight. Thank you for the comment! 🙂
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As clues go, that’s small but not insignificant! Nice one.
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Thanks, Keith! We can hope it’ll prove significant enough … 😉
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False hope is so destructive. True hope is a bulwark during the storm. Look for the truth… and follow it. Great story this week.
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Yes! Thanks Jellico for such a bolstering comment! 🙂 And yes to the warning sirens of false hope stirring people toward and not away from shoals.
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I am watching our daily briefing from the state above us (Ohio)… My home state. I grew up with the governors kids. He tells it plain and tries to find something positive and hopeful.
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Yes, best to follow those who take this seriously and who follow SCIENCE, not fiction.
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if you have the time and getting paid for doing it, any lead is worth pursuing. 🙂
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That is truth! And then there are those who would capitalize on that … but, the proof will be in the pudding! I hope he finds the missing girl unharmed.
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like the former nyc mayor, i suppose. 🙂
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hmmm, he is not a favorite of mine of late. Time has not been kind to his personality or choices.
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he has totally lost it.
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In many ways, yes. Alas.
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Love a detective story… those little clues that only the little grey cells of Pierrot would notice
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Ah, and Mr. Banks. Let’s not forget Mr. Banks … 😉
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So I amend that…
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🙂 LOL
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I hope they’re right and find footage. Cases get solved by the strangest things. I enjoyed this take on the prompt.
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Thanks, my friend! Yes, sometimes they sure do get solved by the oddest little detail, so … who knows? A friend of mine was able to find a missing pet by following a sock. True story. 🙂
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Now that is awesome. A missing pet is a terrible feeling.
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It sure is!
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yes, every little clue has it’s own chapter in the growing mystery.
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Indeed it can! Thanks, James! 🙂
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I only hope if they find something, it’s something which lends Nate real hope.
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Yes, I hope so, too! People have been found following less than that!
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Clever work for Mr. Banks. One small thing leads to another. And, hope is key. Well done!
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Ah, yes, Brenda, hope is key! And I hope that there’s a hope to put in Mr. Bank’s abilities … 😉
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Small clues are the most important to an observant detective :). Well done!
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Yep, they sure can be … If indeed they are clues … but who knows till they put the puzzle together! 🙂
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Will the chemist have modern technology I wonder,
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🙂 One never knows … 😉
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The description of Mr. Banks is very vivid. I could immediately picture him.
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🙂 I’m so glad you could! He manifested quite vividly in front of my inner-eye, too … 🙂
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I truly enjoyed this story, Na’ama. Let’s hope that Mr. Banks is right and that there is footage. I’m a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, Poirot and Miss Marple.
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Thanks! Yes, I hope Mr. Banks pans out! 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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🙂
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