//------------------------------//
// Case 6: The Momma's Boy 
// Story: Clover Clues and the Shattered Salon 
// by Argentium 
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Case 6:  The Momma's Boy

Ringing the doorbell of my mother's apartment, I felt like I was cheating on my case. Even in semi-retirement, Verity Clues was one of the best private investigators in the City. If anypony could crack this wide open, it was her. Mom magicked open the door holding two mugs of coffee. She floated one over to me.

I accepted it and took a sip. Cream and sugar with nutmeg, just how I liked it. I gave her a questioning look. "Um, thanks. Were you expecting me?" .

"Well, I wouldn't be a good mother if I wasn't keeping tabs on you," she said with a knowing smile.

"Wait, you've got a tail on me? Mom!"

"She is very discreet!" implored Verity.

"Ugh...anyway, I have a case I'd like you to look at. May I come in?"

She stepped aside and let me into her apartment, formerly hers and mine. It was a cozy enough place, but I had grown to love my own loft, located within an easy walk from the station. It had been years since I'd moved out; it was around the same time I decided to join the Force.

I walked into the kitchen and set my saddlebag on the table. I started pulling out my case files when she stopped me. "Steady on, Detective. First let me see your initial report, and any results from the lab."

I put away the large binder full of notes and pulled out a single manila folder. She opened it and read silently. After a few minutes, she drained her mug and turned to me, grinning like a fox in a henhouse. "Now I'm sure you've done some top-notch analysis, Clover, but it helps to get another set of eyes on the hard facts of the case. I think I've got a new lead for you."

I mirrored her vulpine expression. "Oh yeah? What are you seeing?"

She got up to refill her coffee as she talked. "Well, we know for sure the windows were broken at about the same time yesterday morning. And you observed that it was effectively done."

"Right. Somepony knew where to throw those bricks to completely destroy those windows."

"And you found that at some point, these bricks were handled by cattle." The grin hadn't left her face.

My expression darkened. "Yeah, that really threw me for a loop. That's where I was stuck before coming to you."

"Well...it was an organized attack, most likely perpetrated by cows. What sort of cattle organization would do this?"

"Wait...ah, how did I not see this before?"

She smiled proudly. "You were looking too closely; you needed to take a step back. But now we're on the same page. I think you'll find your vandals in the ranks of the Kosa Kostroma."

The thought sent me reeling. "The Moofiya? You think the Satins got on the bad side of the cattle mob?"

She nodded firmly. "I do. I think they didn't keep up their payments on their salons, and the Kosa sent them a collection notice in the form of eight bricks. And I'll bet the Satins aren't the only ones they're extorting. But you'll need to do some more digging to confirm it."

I nodded quickly. "Sure thing. I'll contact Organized Crime, and we can--"

"Whoah, not so fast! This is still a hunch; you'll need to be more subtle. I have a few contacts you can talk to." Verity magicked up a quill and wrote down some names and an address.

I picked it up and put it with the rest of the papers in my bag. I then gave my mother a hug. "Thanks, Mom. This is just the break I needed."

She smiled brightly and returned the embrace. "You're welcome. You'll be getting a bill in three to five business days."

"What?!?" I was boggled. "You're going to charge me a consulting fee? I'm your son! We used to work together!"

"Oh, I'm sure you can afford it, Detective," she sneered.

Oh great. She still hadn't forgiven me for leaving the family business. There were some things we would never agree on:  I sought after the truth, while she always had her clients' best interests at heart. "Mom...you know why I had to join the MPD."

"And you know why I have to charge for a consultation on an official police investigation. I'm running a business here!"

I sighed and made my way to the door. "You don't think I can talk you into a 'friends and family' discount?"

She laughed. "We'll see. Good luck, Detective. And be careful--these cows mean business."