An Unexpected Surprise

"Good morning", I was told, was not enough to get my son out of his bed. So, to make sure he will be on time in school, I grabbed his blanked and pulled it off him. His window was wide open, and the wind blew in cold. He grasped and shouted at me. I was just laughing. "Good morning again", I said "ready for school now?". And I left his room. My daughter was already up and having breakfast, so I could focus on my emails and my writings.

30 minutes later, both kids left for school by bus. Ah, peacefulness settled around me. I grabbed another cup of coffee and went back to work when I was suddenly badly interrupted by a big loud bang against my windows. Another bang and the window were broken and a drone with a package was lying on my carpet. Cold wind blew into my living room, and I was shivering. I went for my jacket and called the police. This was no fun at all. Whoever was responsible for this mess should pay for it. The second phone call went straight to my insurance to make sure the new window is covered by them.

10 minutes later a police car pulled into my driveway. Two cops got out and walked towards my door. In the same moment my phone rang again. I picked it up and the police station informed me, that the officers are on their way to my house. It will take approximately 20 minutes until they are at my place. I told them, that just 2 officers pulled into my driveway.

The dispatcher on the line said, that this is not possible. Whoever they were, they are not police officers. He told me, not to open the door and to lock myself up in the house where I am safe. Now I was scared. Something went very wrong here. I grabbed the drone with the package and ran to my "safety-room". A room full of books with a hidden cabinet-storage which I discovered by accident when we bought the house.

Because I didn't answer the ring at the door, I could hear them breaking into the house. They went straight for the living room. I knew every sound, every crack you make by walking on the floor. I could see them walking through the dining room, the small office, passing my laundry in my head.

They were asking where I am, but I didn't answer. I kept quiet. My cell phone was turned off, no ring tone, no buzzing. My hope was, that the real police will show up soon. 20 minutes was a long time.

The two "police-officers" started to dig through the house for the drone. But they couldn't find it. They weren't happy. I could hear them swear, smashing things on the floor. Suddenly they left very fast the house.

A couple of minutes later I could hear other voices who were asking for me again. I wasn't sure, if these police officers were the real ones now, so I texted the police department for help. They got back to me instantly.

They told me the names of the 2 officers and a short time later both police officers gave their names. So, I was sure, this time it was the real police.

I got out of my hiding spot, but I left the drone and the package inside.

Both officers were standing at my destroyed window. When they heard me coming, they introduced themselves again and asked me about the fake police officers. I told them as much as I remember. But I also showed them a photo of them. I wasn't sure if they liked what they saw, but 30 minutes later more police officers were on the scene. Now it was getting a little bit spooky.

I was asked again what happened and how, what time, and where the package was. I said that I don't know anything about a package. I only saw a drone in my living room, and that one is gone now. I don't know if they believed me, but after 4 more hours, all of them left. And yes, of course, they inspected my hidden space as well. No drone, no package.

By this time, my husband was back home, police officers took my children from school and dropped them off at home. We all were told to stay home for the rest of the week. It was Monday today!!!

A window company showed up and replaced the broken one, and a police car was outside for our protection.

No one was happy. When all of them were gone my family wanted to know what happened. So, I told them about the drone, the broken window, the 2 false police officers, me hiding in my hidden closet until the real police showed up. But they knew, I was hiding something. Something I couldn't talk about yet. I was sure, the police left microphones for monitoring me.

So, we just stayed all home, enjoyed the time together, and relaxed. The week went by, no harm to us was discovered, and the next Monday we all went back to normal.

My son went to school, my daughter went to school, my husband went to work, and I went shopping. We all met for lunch in our favorite restaurant. An old Italian Spaghetti-Factory. The owner was an old friend of us. We asked him as usual, if we can leave our backpacks at his private office, so that we have a little bit more space at the table. He said that he would be delighted.

We all ordered spaghetti. I had Spaghetti-Bolognese, my son Spaghetti-Spinach, my daughter Spaghetti-Parmesan, and my husband Spaghetti-Seafood. Dessert was as usual Tiramisu. We all left 2 hours later and went home.

2 Days later I went back to the restaurant for making another reservation. Our old friend was already waiting for me. He escorted me into his private office and turned on the radio. Then he opened a door I had never ever seen before, pushed me in and showed me what he discovered.

It was the most beautiful necklace I have ever seen in my life. Full of diamonds and rubies. In the center was a huge emerald. A matching necklace and a pair of earrings completed this beautiful set.

I could not take my eyes off. So, this was the secret they were looking for. My friend showed me an article in a newspaper about a raid, 100 years ago.

He already knew, how to bring it back to the rightful owner. We made pictures of it and then we send it of by courier. Just like regular mail.

10 days later, there was a short notice in the newspaper: "Thank you for getting me back my belongings. A small present will be at the post office for pick up shortly".

5 days later, a second short notice was in the newspaper: "Pick up station Paddington-Sherlock Holmes".

My friend went to this station and picked the envelop up. We all opened it together. $25.000 in cash as a reward. That meant a lot of Spaghetti-Lunches in the future.