Amelia Hartley had been a private investigator in the charming town of Maplewood for over thirty years. As her forty-ninth birthday loomed, she had made up her mind to take early retirement and spend her days puttering in her garden and doting on her grandchildren. Little did she know that one last case was about to turn her life upside down.

Amelia had just finished packing up her office, stacking boxes filled with old case files and mementos of her career. She sat back in her creaky office chair, wiping away a stray tear as she looked around the room that held so many memories.

Just then, a sharp knock at the door startled her out of her reverie. Amelia straightened up and called out, "Come in!"

In walked a tall, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes. He appeared to be about the same age as Amelia. He introduced himself as Lucas Bennett, an old friend of the mayor's, who needed Amelia's help with a delicate matter. Amelia raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself.