Chapter 1    Jen and Sis

Blake Franklin wasn’t one to dwell on past achievements. While he hadn’t originally been inclined toward the digital realm, he couldn’t ignore the surge in the agency’s online presence. The influx of Instagram and Facebook followers was astonishing, particularly considering Blake’s limited use of social media before establishing his firm. Yet, the connection between the growing online audience and the increase in office inquiries was undeniable.

Blake often found himself wishing that Kegan had completed his education sooner. The incoming calls were urgent, as matters requiring a private investigator’s expertise were inherently time-sensitive and critical. The agency had to turn down numerous cases, a situation that was rectified when Kegan Langley, having met the criteria for state licensing, officially joined Franklin Investigative Services.

Following the ‘Classic Cars Case,’ Blake delved into the core of private investigative work. Over the next two months, he handled conventional assignments: tracking suspected spousal infidelity, addressing child custody concerns, conducting background checks, and serving legal documents for several law firms located within the same building as Franklin Investigative Services.

While not as sensational as some of their larger cases, these assignments paid the bills and provided invaluable experience, sharpening Blake’s skills as both an investigator and a businessman.

As a strategic thinker, Blake was determined about the workload he accepted. He favored a meticulous approach, prioritizing quality over quantity to solidify his firm’s reputation.

Meanwhile, Mindy ventured into retail surveillance and security consulting for various businesses, prompted by a glowing recommendation from Samuel Abbott, the owner of a renowned men’s store. This move resulted in an influx of retail operation requests.

These engagements brought immediate financial benefits. Collaborating with “Here’s Looking at You Kit,” a company specializing in concealed camera systems, Mindy invested in private servers to enhance data security, ensuring off-site redundancy for network security purposes.

The steady stream of new cases for Blake and Kegan ensured a consistent revenue stream, crucial for covering payroll. Sharon Longstreet, the efficient front-desk manager, handled everything from incoming calls to finances. Retirement had lost its appeal for her after her husband’s murder. She found renewed purpose in the thriving business of Franklin Investigative Services.

In addition to her skills, Sharon brought additional assets to the table. The Cessna Sky Courier, previously acquired for her husband’s legal firm, was now available for agency use.

Kegan—now popularly referred to as “Langley” due to Sharon’s insistence that it had a more secret agent flair—occasionally had the pleasure of driving her husband’s pristine ’69 Shelby GT550. Their bond, initially formed over the car, had now evolved into a familial relationship. Langley called Sharon, “Mom” much more often than Sharon or Mrs. Longstreet.

The agency’s early successes exceeded their initial expectations. Thanks to the agencies social media presence going viral, cases continued to come their way.

Monday mornings resonated with camaraderie and planning. Sharon’s routine began with brewing coffee and setting up the conference room. While Blake contributed donuts to the mix, Mindy brought in bagels. Langley was typically the last to arrive. At eight sharp, Sharon initiated the meeting by updating the team on recent contacts and leads.

“We received three messages for Mindy over the weekend concerning an employee matter with Short Stop Convenience Stores. Their Chief of Internal Security reached out. Strangely, she left two different contact numbers. Additionally, there’s an inquiry from Mid-Cities Perk and Recreation—sounds like a café to me,”

Mindy jotted down the leads. The meeting proceeded in its regular fashion: reviewing closed cases, strategizing for new ones, and assigning client callbacks.

As the meeting neared its close, Sharon added, “Almost slipped my mind, Blake. My pastor hoped you’d get in touch today. I told him I’d pass the message along, but made no promises on your behalf.”

Blake was always willing to talk to referrals, especially those Sharon knew.

“No problem, Sharon. Do you have any idea what it’s about?”

Langley chimed in, “Twenty bucks says somebody is dipping into the offering plate.”

Sharon pointed her finger at him and said, “Langley, you watch your mouth. That’s my church you’re talking about.”

 Langley playfully feigned a little fear and said, “Please forgive me, Mom.”

Sharon smiled because she loved it when Kegan Langley called her mom, and replied, “I’ll forgive you this time, but don’t snipe again. Blake, I’ll get that number out of my purse.”

The meeting concluded, and Blake retreated to his office to make a call to Pastor Henry Lake of the Agape Church of Colleyville. The church, known as a mega-church, boasted over twenty-five thousand members, with several campuses around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and one in South Carolina.

Pastor Lake was renowned for his outreach programs. The broadcast of his church services on the Christian Hearts Television Network boasted hundreds of thousands of viewers each week.

Although Blake was not a regular churchgoer, he had grown up in a church environment. His mother had always been involved in her small community church. His father, Fort Worth Police Chief Kent Franklin, had never set foot in a church.

As Blake contemplated church life while making the call, he couldn’t help but feel he was becoming more like his father over time. He had no personal bias against attending church; he had just been a lax Christian, especially since his college days.

The cheerful voice that answered belonged to a woman who sounded a lot like Sharon, with her Texan twang and genteel southern charm. She asked him to hold a moment while she fetched Pastor Henry.

“Good morning, and God bless your heart. Henry Lake speaking. How can I help you?”

Blake chastised himself for making assumptions about people who were deeply religious, but their warm and friendly manner brought a smile to his face.

“Pastor Lake, my name is Blake Franklin. Sharon Longstreet asked me to call you. How can I be of service to you, sir?”

Pastor Lake continued with the same friendly and charming manner, saying, “Mr. Franklin, it’s so good of you to call me so soon. Sharon said you had a servant’s heart, and by golly, the first thing you said is, how can I be of service? So, as usual, Sharon was right.”

Blake was still smiling, and although he had seen the Pastor on television, he didn’t think the image he had of him being a phony could be accurate. Blake was skeptical of all religious leaders with massive followings.

Blake said, “Well, sir, Sharon is truly a gem. We greatly respect her here at Franklin. She’s a good woman. What can Franklin Investigative Services do for Agape Church, Pastor Lake?”

“That’s something I would love to sit down and discuss with you in person. But unfortunately, I’m fixing to travel to South Carolina for a few days later this afternoon. Do you think there’s any way I could get squeezed into your calendar before that? I realize this is short notice, and I regret that, but do you think you could spare an hour for an old country preacher?”

The pastor’s tone seemed to hold a hint of desperation mixed with his southern charm. Blake had a follow-up meeting with a divorce attorney and his client scheduled for late morning, but he had time to meet with the pastor afterward.

Blake agreed, “If one o’clock would work for you, I’d be happy to stop by the church.”

Pastor Lake replied, “That’s kind of you, but I’d like to meet you somewhere away from the church if you don’t mind. Perhaps I could come to your office?”

“That would be fine, pastor. I can email my address to you,” Blake offered.

“That’s not necessary, son. I’ll find you.