GUMBO MARINADE — a murder mystery

The Florida Gulf Coast basked in the golden glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows over the serene waters. Danny Gumbo, a middle-aged private investigator with a perpetual five o’clock shadow, stood at the edge of the marina, contemplating his new life aboard a modest live-aboard boat named “The Salty Serenity.” His decision to leave the hustle of the city behind and retire to the coast was driven by a desire for solitude and tranquility.

However, tranquility had a way of eluding Danny. As he sat on the deck of his boat, nursing a cold beer, his peace was shattered by the intrusive ring of his cell phone. He answered with a sigh, already dreading the interruption.

“Mr. Gumbo, we’ve got a situation,” came the familiar voice of Detective Laura Henderson.

“What’s the problem, Henderson?” Danny replied, resigned to the fact that trouble always had a way of finding him.

“We’ve got a murder, and you’re the prime suspect,” Laura said bluntly.

Danny’s heart skipped a beat. A murder, and he was a suspect? He had been trying to leave his tumultuous past behind, but it seemed it had caught up with him.

Laura filled him in on the details of the case. The victim, Victor “Vic” Russo, had been a notorious drug lord known for his ruthless tactics. His lifeless body…