Part 1

Matt Hardy looked at the scrap of paper in his hand to double check the address. His friend Shannon Moore had assured him that this particular private investigator was the best in the business and if anyone could find his wayward younger brother, this man could. He took a deep breath and cautiously entered the building. He took the somewhat antiquated elevator to the fifth floor and stepped down the hallway, searching for office 550.

He paused outside office 550 and looked at the name on the door. He took another deep breath and knocked softly. He heard a deep male voice call out, "Come in; it's open." He slowly opened the door and poked his head inside the dimly lit office, "Hello?" Matt's heart stopped as a huge man stepped into view and scowled at him, "Is there something I can do for you?" Matt nodded slowly, "Yeah. I'm looking for a private investigator named Jacobs. Can you tell me if I'm in the right place?" The man grinned, "I'm Jacobs." Matt returned the man's grin, "I need you to find someone for me. I'll pay you whatever it takes."

Glen Jacobs motioned the younger man to sit at the desk and he settled his large frame across from him, "Now, suppose you tell me all the particulars and I'll let you know if I can help you." Matt pulled out a picture of a young blond man, "My name is Matt Hardy and this is my little brother. His name is Jeff. He moved here about a year ago, but he always called to let me know he was alright. But, about 6 months ago, the calls stopped." Glen took the photograph, "Cute. Mr. Hardy, why haven't you called the police?" Matt sighed, "I did! They said that since my brother is an adult, there was very little they could do. This just isn't like my brother!" Glen took a deep breath, "Mr. Hardy...is your brother on drugs?" Matt glared at the man, "NO! But..." Glen sat up, "But what?" Matt took a deep breath, "My brother is gay Mr. Jacobs. The cops seem to think that he's run off with some lover and just doesn't want to contact me." Glen leaned back in his chair, "That's a distinct possibility Mr. Hardy. I mean, do you approve of your brother's lifestyle?" Matt nodded, "Jeff's being gay was never a problem for me. He's my little brother and I love him regardless." Glen nodded, "That's good enough for me. Now when I find him, and In will find him, what then?" Matt shrugged his shoulders, "I just want to know if he's OK and ask him if he wants to come home." Glen smiled softly, "I'll need his last known address and a list of his friends." Matt pulled out an envelope and handed it to Glen, "This is the last letter he sent to me. He wrote about some new guy he had met and maybe if you find this guy, you'll find my brother."

Read Part 2 of 28 of A Detective's Story