Gumbo by the Bay — a murder mystery thriller

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the tranquil Florida Gulf Coast. Danny Gumbo, a grizzled private investigator with a penchant for solitude, leaned against the railings of an aging pier. He watched as fishing boats returned with their day’s catch, the rhythmic swaying of the water providing a temporary escape from the world’s chaos.

As he savored a rare moment of solitude, his cell phone rang, disrupting the peaceful scene. He answered with a sigh, recognizing the number as Detective Laura Henderson’s.

“Mr. Gumbo, we’ve got a situation,” Laura’s voice was as resolute as ever.

“What’s the problem now, Henderson?” Danny asked, resigned to the fact that his days of tranquility were fleeting.

“We’ve got a missing person case,” Laura explained. “A local business magnate, Elias Devereux, has vanished without a trace. His wife believes he’s been murdered.”

Danny’s curiosity was piqued. “Elias Devereux, huh? You’re right, that doesn’t sound like a run-of-the-mill disappearance. What can I do to help?”

Laura gave him the details. Elias Devereux was a wealthy entrepreneur known for his ruthless business tactics and lavish lifestyle. He had disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and his wife, Abigail, suspected that he…