Ladies of the Canyon

Record release date: 13/06/2024

You
Can you write me a story about Detective Columbo in June 2024?

Copilot
Certainly! Here’s a short story featuring the iconic Detective Columbo in June 2024:

The Case of the Melancholic Melody

It was a sweltering June afternoon in 2024 when Detective Columbo found himself standing outside a grand Houston mansion, the kind that spoke of old money and secrets. The air was thick with the scent of magnolias, but the mood was soured by the somber notes of a piano playing a haunting melody from within.

Columbo, in his trademark rumpled coat despite the heat, was greeted at the door by a butler who seemed as old as the house itself. “Detective, thank you for coming. Ms. Erin Susan Jennings has been expecting you,” the butler said, leading Columbo to the parlor.

Inside, he found Erin, a renowned pianist, her fingers dancing over the keys with a grace that belied her troubled expression. She finished her piece and turned to Columbo with a sigh. “Detective, it’s about Kevin Gilbert, my composer and partner. He’s gone missing, and I fear someting terrible has happened.”

Columbo listened intently, nodding along as Erin explained how Kevin had been working on a new composition that was set to redefine his career. “He was so excited about the premiere next week,” she said, her voice faltering. “But two days ago, he vanished. His sheet music, his notes, everything related to the composition… gone.”

The detective scratched his head, peering around the room filled with gold records and framed accolades. “Ms. Jennings, do you mind if I ask a few questions? You know, just to clear up the picture in my head.”

“Of course, Detective. Anything to find Kevin.”

Columbo began his investigation, questioning the household staff and examining the room where Kevin worked. It was meticulous, organized, not a single note out of place—except for the missing composition.

As the day turned to evening, Columbo sat in the garden, pondering over the facts. It was then that a young gardener approached him, nervously clutching a crumpled piece of paper. “Detective, I found this in the hedge. I think it’s one of Mr. Gilbert’s.”

Columbo unfolded the paper to reveal a single line of music, a melody line that matched the somber tune Erin had been playing. His eyes twinkled behind his thick glasses. “Son, I think you’ve just given me the missing piece.”
The next day, Columbo returned to the mansion with a spring in his step. He found Erin at the piano once more, the melancholic melody filling the room. “Ms. Jennings, I believe I’ve solved the mystery of Mr. Gilbert’s disappearance.”

Erin stopped playing, her eyes wide with anticipation. “You have?”

“Yes, ma’am. It seems Mr. Gilbert wanted to disappear, but not in the way you might think. He wanted to create a buzz around his new composition, to make it the talk of the town before its grand reveal. And what better way than a little mystery?”

Erin’s face broke into a smile, a mixture of relief and admiration. “That sounds just like Kevin. Always the showman.”

Columbo chuckled, his gaze softening. “He’ll be back, Ms. Jennings, with a story to tell and a melody to play. And I have a feeling it’ll be a hit.”

As Columbo left the mansion, the sound of the piano started up once more, this time with a joyful tune that promised new beginnings. The detective smiled to himself, knowing that sometimes, the simplest answer is the right one. And in June 2024, the melody of life played on.

I hope you enjoyed this little adventure with Detective Columbo! If you have any other requests or need further assistance, feel free to let me know.

This story writ: 8 Jun 2024, just before approx. 7:10PM CST

06 - Portraits In Time (3'51")

The Arrangement

Joni Mitchell

Related tracks