Title: The Case of the Malevolent Mother

Summary: Continuing troubles for our favorite detective, Ben Noble. More responsibilities and more surprises lead to another mystery to solve. There's trouble brewing for a close friend of his. Let's see if Ben and Ami can figure out this one! This is the fifth story in the Obidala AR Mystery Series by yours truly.

Warnings: Nada

Characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi as Ben Noble. Padme Amidala as Ami Berrie. Siri Tachi as Iris Archer. Mace Windu as Chief Mason Dunn. Special guest appearances: Shmi Skywalker as Emily Skye. Darth Maul as Gareth Skye. Kylo Ren as Karl Skye. Nute Gunray as Nathan Gunter. And Cliegg Lars as Clarence Lawson.

Notes: Try not to think too hard while reading this. In order to have as many interesting characters as possible for these stories, I'm using characters from several different timelines. Their relations are not the same and neither are their age differences. After all, this is for fun!

Chapter One: "Bad Coffee and Bad News"

It was strange. For seven years I'd been coming to this office and every day for those seven years, Quinn sat behind his big, scratched up desk. I couldn't bring myself to sit there and was making due on my favorite thinking couch instead.

"He's not dead, you know."

I glanced over to the doorway to see Ami standing there, holding two mugs. She stepped in, handed me one, and sat down next to me. After taking a careful sip, I looked back over to the empty chair.

"Sooner or later, you're going to have to come to terms with the fact that this is yours. This office, this business, and everything that goes along with it have been left to you."

She was right. I leaned back into the couch and rolled my head to gaze at her beautiful face.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be okay. I'm just not ready to take his place. Give me a little time."

All mementos of my old boss had been removed and his desk had been emptied. There was really nothing special about the piece of furniture other than who its prior owner had been.

I'd helped Quinn pack up and carried a couple of boxes to his car. Ami and I had even helped empty out his apartment. It had only taken a few hours to do so. I had been surprised to discover he had more personal belongings in the office than he had at home.

The following Monday, I came in, took two steps toward my new perch, and immediately was overcome with a feeling of displacement. This wasn't right. Quinn should be here.

"Thanks for the coffee,"

Usually, it was Iris who made it, and it was Iris's that I preferred. I wasn't about to mention that to Ami, even though she made hers as black as pitch. She wasn't a coffee drinker, however, and didn't realize she was making it much too strong. At some point, I'd say something. For now, I'd pretend to enjoy it and smile at her while she drank her hot tea with lemon.

"Have you heard from Iris?" I asked because I couldn't remember a time she'd arrived late to work without calling in.

"No," Ami answered, looking worried. "That's what I came in here to talk to you about. I tried phoning her apartment, but there was no answer."

I glanced over at the clock on the far wall; one of the things Quinn actually had left behind. It was a few minutes before nine o'clock. Iris usually arrived at 7:30 to open the office, turn on the lights, and make the coffee.

"I wondered what happened to her?"

My mug was set aside and I leaned forward onto my elbows. "Let's give her a few more minutes before we release the bloodhounds."

"There's something else I needed to tell you."

I'd been dating Ami long enough to realize by the tone of her voice that this particular something was reasonably serious. I waited for her to continue. When I discovered she was stalling, I turned toward her. This was serious, indeed.

"Do you remember me telling you about my application for an internship at Schuster and Brown?"

I remembered. Ami had once mentioned that after a year of law school, she would be able to apply for an internship. Had she really been attending college for a year already?

"Sure. Don't tell me, you got accepted?"

She smiled proudly, although a frown quickly replaced it. "I did, but if you also remember, it will take up most of my time during the day, and then I'll have classes afterward."

Now I understood and smiled in an attempt to ease her worries. Our time together was about to be severely limited. It was a temporary problem, however. We'd just have to adjust and learn how to make the best of things.

"Congratulations! What are you worried about? Iris and I will be okay here without you. At least for a little while."

I was trying to keep our conversation light-hearted. Ami had enough on her mind. She didn't need to worry about me.

"I mean, I'll have to choke down her coffee, but it's a price I'm willing to pay in order for you to reach the goals you've set for yourself."

She continued to look at me, although strangely at this point. "You're pretty remarkable."

"You're not so bad yourself," I teased before leaning over to kiss her.

Just as our lips met, the phone on Quinn's…I mean my desk rang. Ami hopped up quickly to answer it.

"Noble Detective Agency, Ami speaking. How may I help you?"

Her mood had initially been happy, although the longer she listened to the caller, the more her emotions shifted. By the time she'd hung up the phone, she looked extremely troubled.

"That was Chief Dunn," she explained, walking in a daze back to sit by my side.

"And?" I was forced to ask when she didn't continue on her own.

"Apparently, Iris has been placed under arrest."

Great. Another speeding ticket, I imagined. That girl really needed to start obeying traffic laws.

"How much is it?"

"What?"

Ami was looking at me, but it was more like she was looking through me. Her mind was definitely wandering. I wasn't sure if she'd even heard me.

"The speeding ticket. Did they revoke her license? Let me guess, she hasn't paid any of them, so they've impounded her car and now she needs a ride."

"Ben."

The way she said my name immediately put a halt to my own rambling thoughts.

"Iris has been booked under the suspicion of murder in the first degree."