//------------------------------//
// Case 1:  A Ton of Bricks 
// Story: Clover Clues and the Shattered Salon 
// by Argentium 
//------------------------------//

Case 1:  A Ton of Bricks

It was a hot day in the City. The local fillies and colts were currently holding a sidewalk egg-frying contest. It was hard to tell who was winning, but it was probably the sidewalk.

That's when she walked into the office. She was a cream-colored pegasus who carried herself in such a way that I knew nopony had ever told her "No" her entire life. She sported a sewing kit cutiemark and a rotten look on her face.

"You there, are you Officer Clues?"

"No."

"It...it says so on your desk!"

I looked down at my newly outdated desk placard. "Oh right. That. I'm Clues, but that's Detective Clues now." She looked like couldn't care less about that.

"Well I couldn't care less about that. My name is--"

"Sheer Satin, I know. I've seen your billboards. You model for your family's boutiques, right?"

"They are salons...but yes, I model and design some of the pieces, but that's not why I'm here today. Shall I tell you, or do you already know that as well?" She leveled a keen gaze at me.

I threw up my hooves. "No, Ms. Satin, I don't, and I meant no disrespect. Let's blame it on the heat. What's the matter?"

Her gaze intensified. "Bricks."

"Bricks?"

"Yes. One through every window in every one of Papa's salons."

I got out my quill and pad. "Who first discovered the crime?"

"I did. I like to make an early morning fly-by to each of our Maretropolitan locations. To see if...any of the storefronts need cleaning..." Satin was on the verge of tears.

I adopted my best sympathetic look, which my MPD colleagues rate as a solid 'at least he's trying'.

"Don't you worry, Ms. Satin. We'll figure out who did this, and see that you receive full comp--"

"No, Detective. We will not be seeking monetary compensation."

"But Miss--"

"I want to see them punished. Punished for the damage they did to the Satin name."

I could see that her mind was made up. "Very well Ms. Satin. Of course there are some necessary--"

"--procedures which must be followed, of course Detective Clues." A smartly dressed unicorn with straight black hair seemed to materialize behind Satin. "I'm the Satins' legal counsel."

"YesI'msureyouare," I said quickly, before I could get interrupted again. "So you know the drill. Ms. Satin, I would like a personal tour of the Satin Salons."