Chapter 1

The sky darkened on this chilled fall morning, with a slight drizzle raining down. It's just a normal morning in the office. I've been here for hours now, just waiting for something interesting to walk through that door. Being on my 3rd cigar and read the paper 10 times at this point things couldn't get anymore boring.

I hate slow days. There's just something about them that dampers the mood. Sadly, slow days have been more common than I would like. I've haven't had a case in so long, and the paychecks show for it. I just wonder what happened. Did someone give me a bad rep about a case? Did I lose my touch? I just don't know.

I look towards my achievements. Many pictures with the mayor, the police, and others little items I was given from clients. The good old days are gone for me. If only I knew what had gone wrong.

"Excuse me Shadow," a familiar voice called. "I hate to interrupt your "Intense Thinking", but someone's outside waiting for you."

I tilted up my fedora to see Silver, my assistant. He hasn't told me a client was here in who knows how long. Unless it's the landlord, I'll happily let them in. It better be a case, or I'm not interstead.

"Send him in." I roughly say.

"Actually, Shadow, the he is a she."

She? Usually the girl is the one missing. Maybe the guy was murdered and she's pleading for him. Hmmmm.

Silver comes back with a pink hedgehog. It's no ordinary pink hedgehog though. She's wearing the designer trench coat with a laced umbrella in hand. On her right hand is a nice diamond ring, gleaming from the lights. Her face is a pretty sight for some, with her mascara bringing out her eyes. She didn't look like any girl in town; she was the richest girl in town, Madam Rose.

"Good Morning, Madam Rose." I say in my most gratitude. "What brings you down to these parts by yourself?"

She didn't answer, just looked at me. She's either in shock or doesn't have the heart to tell us. If she's just here for some tea, I'm kicking her out.

"Well." She said in her voice of diamonds. "I'm here for your help, Shadow Noir, it's really important."

Well, what is it? Theft I assume. I've handled a few robberies in the past, nothing too impressive. If a few of her precious diamonds were stolen, I could probably track them down in a day.

"It's-It's-It's, no, I can't say it! It feels so wrong saying that."

"Don't worry," Silver comforts her "Whatever it is, Shadow and I will solve the case. But we can't do that unless you tell us. Were only here to help."

As Silver told her those words, she started feeling better and relaxing a little. I don't know how Silver does it. He always makes the worst situations positive. He should have become a therapist if anything, but he chose the realm of crime solving. I can't change his decision making, or lack of.

"Alright, I'm ready. It's Sonic. He's been kidnapped!" She exclaimed.

I almost spit out my black coffee. What? Sonic? The billionaire? I couldn't believe what I'm hearing. I needed more details.

"When did this happen?" I asked in frenzy. I'm just so eager to know the story.

"It happened late last night. Sonic and I were walking home from seeing a movie and decided to go get some ice cream from the local vender. On the way there, a shadowy figure stopped us and drew a knife. I thought we were going to get mugged, but then it attacked Sonic. He fought back and I was just screaming my head off, hoping someone would hear. Next think I knew, both Sonic and the shadowy figure were gone."

Silver and I looked at each other and had the same thought. Whoever kidnapped Sonic must of did it for his money. For being as rich as he is, I'm surprised he isn't kidnapped more.

"Was anything left behind at the crime scene?" Silver asked.

"Only his scarf he was wearing last night."

"Did you see any physical features we could work off of?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

While Silver kept asking questions, my mind was going. Who would kidnap a rich blue hedgehog? An envious friend? A terrible foe? Or maybe someone we have never heard of? I'll need some evidence to work off of if were going to get anywhere with this.

Madam Rose interrupted my thoughts.

"I hope you'll be able to find him before the huge charity event this coming weekend."

"What charity event?" Silver asks.

"Sonic always hosts his charity event to help the local orphanage with games, raffles, and the biggest thing of them all, the live auction. All the money donated goes to the orphans."

Now that I think about, I was reading something about the event in the paper this morning. The big prizes this time around are his prized emeralds. Those emeralds are worth a lot of money. Whoever kidnapped Sonic must have something to do with that charity event.

"Madam Rose, who goes to this charity event? Mainly who's one of the most important guest there?" I asked her sternly.

"The main guest that comes is Mr. Knuckles the Echidna. He's has an interest in those emeralds. Maybe so it could match his other gems he's collected."

I gave Silver my side look. He knew what that meant.

"Madam Rose, where does the Echidna live?"

"In the mountains, you think he did it?"

"Well, it's possible. His fascination in gems could lead to envious greed, which then leads to unthinkable thinks, like kidnapping."

"You should take Shadow's word on it, Madam Rose, he's knows what he's doing." Silver reassured her. "And trust me, will have Sonic back in time for the charity event."

"I hope so, please be careful!" she exclaimed.

Finally, I'm back in action. With this case, I'll get my name back out there and a pretty nice paycheck as well. Silver and I get into our car and drive to see a certain Echidna.

"Silver, my boy, we're back in business." I say in a cool demeanor as we drive to investigate our first suspect.