Just as she was about to exit the room, she hesitated, then turned back. Mrs. Parker had her back to them, talking to one of the staff members. Taking a deep breath, Janya approached Detective Turner, who was gathering his notes and preparing to leave.
"Excuse me, Detective Turner," she began, her voice trembling slightly.
He looked up, his expression softening when he saw it was her. "Yes? What is it, Janya?"
The sound of her name on his lips gave her a momentary boost of confidence. "I—um—I wanted to thank you for answering my question earlier. I've always been interested in detective work, and it was inspiring to hear you talk about it."
Detective Turner smiled a genuine, warm smile that put her at ease. "I'm glad to hear that. It's not often I meet someone your age who's so interested in what I do. Have you thought about pursuing it as a career?"
Janya nodded, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Yes, I've thought about it a lot. I love solving puzzles and figuring things out, just like you said. I've been reading all these detective novels, and I always try to solve the mysteries before the detectives in the books do."
Turner's smile widened. "That's a great start. Being a detective is all about thinking critically, paying attention to details, and not being afraid to ask questions—just like you did today. It's clear you have a natural curiosity, and that's one of the most important traits a detective can have."
Janya felt a rush of pride at his words. "Do you think…do you think I could become a detective someday?"
Detective Turner regarded her with a thoughtful expression. "I don't see why not, Janya. If it's something you're passionate about, and you're willing to work hard for it, then yes, I think you could make a great detective. It won't be easy, and it will take a lot of dedication, but you seem like someone who's up for a challenge."
Janya's heart soared. This was more than she had ever hoped for—a real detective, someone with years of experience, telling her that she had what it took to follow in his footsteps. It was the validation she had been seeking, the encouragement she needed to truly believe in herself.
"Thank you, Detective Turner," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "I'll work hard. I promise."
He nodded, his eyes conveying a mixture of kindness and seriousness. "I believe you will, Janya. And if you ever need advice or have questions about the field, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to help someone genuinely interested in the work."
With that, he handed her a small card with his contact information—a gesture that felt monumental to Janya. She took it with trembling hands, feeling as though she had just been given the key to her future.
"Thank you," she whispered, clutching the card to her chest.
"You're welcome," Turner replied. "And remember, the world needs more good detectives. People who care, who want to make a difference. I think you could be one of those people, Janya."
As he left the orphanage, Janya stood there, her mind swirling with possibilities. The card in her hand felt like a tangible connection to the life she had dreamed of, a life that suddenly seemed within reach. She knew the road ahead would be long and challenging, but for the first time, it felt possible. As she watched Detective Turner walk out the door, she realized that this encounter had changed something fundamental within her. The world of detective work was no longer just a fantasy, something she read about in books—it was real, tangible, and perhaps even attainable for someone like her.