Crime and Gravity Part 3

I took deep breath as the Fairlane made it’s way over to the Century Club. Cherry Azure being involved in the case ranked pretty high on the list of things I did not need. Timothy was waiting for me as I slid out of the car. He must have been practicing the annoyed glare he usually uses on me. It only took a moment for me to realize I was not wanted. I walked straight up to him turning my head up to look Timothy right in the eye. I gave him my best formal tone. “Mister Samuel Sloan to see Miss Cherry Azure.”

Timothy turned his annoyed glare up several notches. “This way. Miss Azure is waiting for you.” I followed tall, dark, and irritated through a back passageway to a small room in the back area of the Century Club that most of it’s clientele did not know existed. Cherry was waiting there, sitting demurely at a table with a bottle of wine sticking half way out of an ice bucket and two empty glasses. I have to give it to her, Chery has style.

Cherry turned towards me wearing a tight dress of deep red that showed off her every curve perfectly. She tossed her blond locks over her shoulder like a woman without a care in the world. “Sam, always a pleasure. Why don’t you close the door and pour us a drink?”

I quickly obeyed, if only for the small pleasure of slamming the door in Timothy’s face. The wine I took my time with, enjoying it’s scent before filling the glasses in front of us. “May I join you miss? Or did you just call me for my services as waiter?”

“Do sit down Sam. Have a drink and then explain to me why you were following my people.”

I took a seat and lifted up the glass in Cherry’s direction. “To your health.” Then took a slow sip, enjoying memories of older times as the smell filled my nostrils. “I only recall following one person. Was he yours?”

“Don’t be coy Sam, it is not in your nature.” Cherry daintily picked up her glass meeting my gaze across the table. “Now why were you chasing James Burke.”

“The usual, a case running though his law firm. One of your informants besides whatever else he may be up to?”

“You could say that. His firm has a few clients I like to keep my eyes on. I wouldn’t call him a valued member of the family, but I would be annoyed if you shot him for anything other than absolute necessity.”

I gave her my best grin. “So you are saying you do not want him killed, but a minor wounding or a couple good punches about the head would be acceptable?”

Cherry shook her head in mock resignation before string right at me. “Sam if Burke is giving away information on my establishment I need to know about it.”

“You know I will not spill on one of my clients. I think I am safe telling you there are some questionable money dealings going through his business. A person of interest asked me to look into it.”

“Fine be mysterious, I like that in a man.” Cherry swirled her drink around staring into the red ripples. “Just let me know if the case gets too close to me.”

“That I can do.” I took a drink using the break in the conversation to think up a change of subject. “Is Asiru finding your employ suitable?”

“Oh that girl is a delight, brilliant and just easy enough on the eyes that no one expects it of her. I may actually owe you a favor for introducing us.”

“Just take care of her, if anything happened to her, that I would take personally.”

“You perfectly know my favorites are well cared for.” Cherry was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Oh what is it now? Enter!.”

Timothy swung the door open. “The mayor has entered and seems to expect a personal audience.”

Cherry gave a theatrical sigh. “Give a man a little power and he thinks I am going to bow to him.” She touched her finger to her chin in thought. “He likes redheads, send Veronica with a drink to keep him busy until I arrive.”

“Yes Miss Azure.” Timothy stepped back outside the door and relayed the lady’s orders.

Cherry rose slowly. “It appears the work of a hostess is never done.” She turned her back to me slowly. “Am I all in place?”

I stepped behind her helping to place a rogue strap back in position. “There, everything in a perfect place.”

Cherry flashed a smile back at me. “A gentleman as always.” Slipping a pair of jet black heels on as she made her way for the door. “For the record if our dear mayor should ever end up on the wrong end of one or your investigations I would not mind at all. I am sure you know the way out.” Cherry then lit up the red lights implanted in her skin and went out to put on a show.

I made my way through the back hallways of the Century Club. Footfalls hollow on the wooden floors as I ran into Timothy yet again, blocking the way out. I stopped just a couple feet in front of him. “Miss me already?”

Timothy placed a hand on my shoulder with a merciless grip. “We don’t need you causing trouble around here again Sloan. Why don’t you do us all a favor and get lost somewhere far away? The moon would be a good start.”

I took a moment to consider the man in front of me. “Just as a word of advice, if you are nursing a crush on Cherry. You are not the first and this is not the way.”

Timothy glared back down at me. I always thought he lacked a sense of humor, and his murderous stare was in full effect today. “If anyone ends up in jail because of your antics, I am going to hold you personally responsible.” Timothy tightened his grip.

I glanced back nonchalantly at the death glare. Trouble with Timothy was the last thing I needed but I was not about to give Timothy the satisfaction of blinking at his intimidation tactics. “So what happens next? You going to be kind enough to step out of the way or would you prefer to kill each other in the hallway.”

Timothy gave me a shove out of his way before continuing down the hall. “Not today Sloan, not today.”

I climbed back into the Fairlane mulling over the latest pile of complications in my mind as I stomped on the gas and flew out of the garage. Much as I try to stay on Cherry’s good side I was not about to let a client go that easily. Timothy also appeared to be very close to causing ten kinds of trouble that I did not need. Botany is a nice career right? Plants are quiet, keep to themselves, and never shoot you in the back. Could even keep schedule by an almanac. As I was not going to trade my fedora in for a straw hat today I decided to return my attention to one James Burke, lawyer and possible criminal scumbag. I turned my attention to the dash.“So what has our boy been up to while I have been making peace with the locals?”

“Mr. Burke has not yet left the Century Club, or at least his car has not.” Sarah’s voice came back at me.

“I am going to clear the area before I make Cherry any angrier than she already is. I doubt he will do anything of interest at the club anyways. If he is going behind her back, he cannot possibly be dumb enough to try it in her club.”

“Haven’t you always said to never underestimate stupidity?”

I set my hat down on the passenger seat of the car. “True, but I think if he was that much of an idiot he would be dead. Keep me informed.” I turned the car in the direction of a halfway decent drink.

“Confirmed Detective.” The speaker went quiet.

After a short drive I decided for a bit of nostalgia with my liquor and quietly made my way into Sue’s bar. The place had cleaned up nice since my last visit and I could not even see the bullet holes anymore. I took a seat at the bar and realized clean might be overstating, but they did clean up the blood.

The barkeep’s hulking form turned at my entrance. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble here for this year?”

I leaned over tossing far too much money on the bar. “Whiskey and my heartfelt apology?”

The big man poured me a double and set it on the bar then pocketed the bills I had offered. “Since you did check on me in the hospital, you are forgiven just this once. As long as there are no gunman following you this time.”

I gave one look behind me. “Just me and a thirst tonight.”

He set a beer on the bar. “Last warning though, you cause one more shootout here and I am banning you.” He turned back to me as his attention returned to his more regular customers.

I made it about halfway through the beer before the call from Sarah came. “Burke is back on the move, looks like he is not quite done for the night.”

I threw a tip on the bar and downed the rest of the beer in one gulp. “Work is never done. Thanks for the beer Sue.”

I just made out the grizzled voice behind me. “Still not funny” as I made way back to the car and reacquired the trail of James Burke. He was easy to acquire and I slid in behind him as he made no indication of even keeping an eye out for a tail. Cherry must have been kind enough not to rat me out. After a direct path to one of the less populated areas of downtown Burke hopped out of his car. Walking around to meet a short brunette in thick framed glasses. The woman didn’t get out of her gray sedan,so I could only make out the outline of her pale features as Burke handed her a small package. I snapped a few long distance pictures in the hope Sarah could clean up the images later. Burke made his way back to the car with a scared look in his eye I hadn’t seen before.

The cars sped off into the night as a splitting scream filled my ear piece. My eyes blurred as communications shifted into emergency shutdown mode and the car went dead. I turned behind me and saw a pair of Midnighter’s mounted on bikes with a military grade EMP device. The lunatics were moving up in the world, as they didn’t come in shooting they wanted me alive, probably. A quick sweep showed at least two more. The upshot is a device that powerful burns out after one shot. At least it was the upshot if I could make it through the next few minutes. I slid the automatic out of my glove compartment and got ready to run.

Crime and Gravity Part 2

I cleared the LA docks and hit the freeway with a few hours to burn before there would be anything worth seeing downtown. Being in no rush for once I took the slow way to the office so I could think, stopping the car in an old parking lot and making my way on foot through a small doorway decorated in red and orange lanterns. Inside was one of the smallest restaurants you have ever seen, including a bar with a pair of balding Asian men drinking their sorrows away. I grabbed the first open chair and yelled into the back. “Chula! Have a special back there for me?”

Chula walked out from the back dressed in a stained apron and hat. He started waving his fists erratically as he limped in my direction. “Sloan, you go now. You eat too much, drive poor old man out of business. Look you getting so fat the chair bends!”

I set my hat on the bar, rolling my eyes at the old man as he gesticulated about.“No one is here to watch Chula, save the act for the tourists. You are about as decrepit as I am. Also I am still waiting for my noodles.”

Chula stopped, his eyes flicked left to right, then he slipped into a perfect English accent and lost two thirds of his limp. “The customers expect a certain, ethnicity. You can’t blame an old man for trying to drum a few more people in.”

“Yeah, and I normally don’t mind playing the fool for you, but there is no one to watch.” I hung my jacket on the back of the chair before folding my hands in front of me on the bar.

“You’re a good sport Sam. Let me throw together a bowl for you.” Chula stepped in back while he sent his daughter out to give me a small bowl of soup. After a few minutes Chula came back with a giant bowl of Thai noodles and unceremoniously dropped them off in front of me. “There I gave you a little extra, just don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” I dove into the noodles as Chula wandered back into his kitchen. I had helped the man with a few outstanding legal problems a few years back. The old man came up short on his expense account and offered me a few free meals at his restaurant as recompense. Normally I would have said no but I was feeling sympathetic. That was before I found out he made the best Thai noodles in LA. I may owe him a refund truth be told. There was not enough information yet to make heads or tails of the case as of yet, so I employed the old Zen technique of ‘Clear your mind and eat noodles’. After the meal I left a nice tip for the waitress and made my way back to the office.

Sarah was already waiting for me when I entered the office. I held up a single finger. “Unless someone is going to die, not yet. I coaxed the ancient coffee maker to life, getting a fresh cup out of it before returning my revolver to my desk and sitting down. Sarah tilted her head at me, tapping her foot soundlessly on the tile floor.I took a long slow slip of my coffee then spun in my chair towards Sarah. “I am ready now, what is it?”

“I have been monitoring your communications on the case thus far and prepared information for on on the Midnighters Cycle Gang. They seem to occupy an area slightly north of downtown.”

“And make a living with extortion rackets, smuggling, and the occasional public beating if someone pays their fee. They usually stop short of outright murder though. Also police surveillance equipment has a tendency to either go missing or turn up broken very shortly after being placed. The only upside is with the dark blue on black bikes they cruise around on, they can be spotted a mile away.

“You have dealt with them before.”

“An old case before your time ended in a fight. Couple of the bikers tried to rough up a client of mine. The brawl ended with a few broken bones, one cracked skull, and far too close to me being on the receiving end of several bullets. They were looking to even the score for a while, but after the guy with the cracked skull ended up getting dead in a shootout with the police they calmed down.”

“I am sometimes amazed you survived as long as you have.” Sarah sat on the side of my desk glancing at the files. “I prioritized their recent activity and the information the police have chosen to make public.”

“That will make a good place to start. Get a tracking device ready as well. I want eyes on this Burke, preferably sooner than later.” I opened up the files to see what the Midnighters had been up to since last I crossed their path. Aggravated assaults, extortion, plus whatever the law didn’t care to share with John Public. Just as charming as I recalled.

After picking up a simple tracking device, I went for a slow afternoon drive bringing me to the firm of Pratt and Hawlire. Even at a glance I could see the lawyers were doing well for themselves. The skyscraper gleamed casting a bright reflection from on high to us lower beings at ground level. I flipped on the cameras and began scanning the building while I stopped for coffee and a hot dog from a street vendor with the wild hair of some crazed scientist out of a bad movie. He has clearly been in the sun too long, but who am I to judge a man with food and coffee. I left crazy to his work and slid back into the Fairlane, yelling at the dash between bites of hot dog. “What do you see Sarah?”

The dash answered back. “Unhealthy food and bad table manners.”

I finished the hot dog and made a perfect toss of the wrapper into a nearby garbage can. “First, there is no table so it does not count. Secondly, you perfectly well know I was asking about the building security.”

“Are you after entry to the building itself, or just trying to get to Mister Burke’s car?”

“Let’s start with the car for now. Do an analysis of building security and save it for later use though. Hopefully this won’t turn into petty larceny of the rich and famous, but I like to keep my options open.” I started the car and circled the rest of the building to get an infrared scan of the back side of the skyscraper. Interesting thing about security, unless they go back to using absurd mechanical booby traps everything uses power that can be detected by the right equipment. It isn’t as good as say, bribing a employee for the building plans. Is a lot cheaper however and will give you a fair idea how tightly locked down a building is.

“Confirmed Detective. I have security information on the building stored. Breaking in would be a significant undertaking. The parking garage is much less secure. Only a keypad controlling entry and and cameras at the entrances.”

“Any chance you got the code during my drive-by?” I pulled the car over to the side of the street a safe distance away from the firm.

“One person used the keypad during your drive by. Attempting to reconstruct code from images…Seven…Seven…Five…Three…Six. Ninety two percent chance of accuracy.”

“It’ll have to do.” I slid out of the car, pulling my hat low. “Send the car for me if anything goes wrong.”

“Beginning monitoring of communications in the area.”

I made kept my head sightly low as I made my way quickly down the side of the road. People trying to be polite and unobtrusive often try to place their surveillance out of the way on the ceiling. This makes it fairly easy to slip underneath without leaving enough of you to identify. A proper camera should be right in someone’s face. AS soon as I made it to the door, I punched in the numbers Sarah gave me hearing a satisfying ‘click’. My footsteps echoed as I made my way up the empty stairwell. I was afraid electronic scanning might be picked up so I was left with searching the old fashioned way. Luckily for me the lot was almost abandoned as I made my way through like an idiot who had forgotten where he parked. Eventually I found the black BMW belonging to one James Burke and after a quick check to insure I was not being observed, I affixed a tracker right next to his gas tank. I made it out of the building without a hitch and the car caught up with me a couple blocks away.

“One job down.” I turned the car back towards the office. “Let’s give this one some time and see where he goes tonight.”

“I’ll keep track of his location and let you know if he goes anywhere interesting.”

This left me a couple dull hours of paperwork while I waited for my mark to get out of work. Dusk finally came and I slipped into the fairlane taking a long circle around the Midnighter’s territory. I only made out a couple of their bikes from a distance, must be a slow night. On the second pass around the outskirts I heard Sarah’s voice break up the monotony of watching a few bikes do nothing.

“Detective, I am picking up Mister Burke’s tracking device in your area.”

“Give me his location.” Sarah lit up a small dot on my local GPS map and I spun the car around, following Burke into gang territory at a reasonably safe distance. He certainly was not worried about being followed as he pulled up right next to a pair of Midnighters idling at a street corner and passed a small package out the window. I pulled a fast right as my only other option was to stop the car right behind the idiot. As I rolled up to a stop sign a pair of blue on black bikes pulled up on either side of my car. They didn’t look primed for a fight, so I rolled down my window and turned to face a tall, gaunt girl staring down at me. Not hard on the eyes even if gang tattoos and bleach blond mohawks aren’t quite my thing. I will say this for the Midnighters, they do not discriminate. All violent antisocial criminals are welcome.

“You don’t look like you belong here mister.” The blond spoke as I caught the rider of the other bike out of the corner of my eye. A well muscled guy sat testing the swing on a heavy chain. I can generally spot a follower and was reasonably certain he wasn’t going to make a move without his partner’s say so.

I lifted my hands up off the wheel and waved them around. “Hey I am not looking for any trouble. I was supposed to met a guy name Jose at his bar and I think I am in the wrong neighborhood.”

Blondie nodded at her friend as he brought the chain over the hood of my car with a loud metallic bang. “Idiot ,get out of here before I have Hugo drag you out of the car.”

“Yes ma’am. I stepped on the gas speeding out into the night. I find that people always like to think that others are either stupid or cowards and am not above playing to expectations when it gets me out of a fight I do not want. I wonder if I can charge a paint touch up to Fellow’s expense account.

I picked up Burke on his way out of gangland and got back on his tail. He was driving slow and casually making me certain I had not been made. I turned out of his path as he pulled into the valet parking area of the Century Club.

As I considered my next move, Sarah’s voice lit up. “Detective, I have a message for you from Miss Cherry Azure. I think you will want to hear this.”

“Go ahead.”

“Miss Azure would like you to come around back and explain to her why you are tailing her clients.”

This was the last thing I needed. “Tell her I am on my way.” I was stuck by the feeling I was about to get scolded as I spun the car around. 

Crime and Gravity Part 1

Crime and Gravity

December 28th, 2107 10:08 AM

Just a few days before the new year and I was reduced to staring blankly out the window of the Regency Bright office building to avoid one of my least favorite tasks, the yearly budget. Thanks to Sarah it was mostly automated at this point but everything still needed to be signed and approved. Generally thanks to little legal problems like Sarah not being technically a person. For the first time in several years the numbers were looking good. The Lockwell case had made me into a fifteen minute hero, lining up a series of cases that had the small benefit of me not being shot at and getting paid for the same. Sarah has noted several times that this would be a good habit to continue. I sent off the last invoice I intended to today, then spun in my chair while lighting up a cigar. After a long slow drag I turned my gaze to the empty air. “Do we have any actual casework this week, or should I just close down, yell happy new year, and go on a three day bender?”

“I am certain you would do better without the bender.” Sarah’s translucent form appeared, slowly examining the computer screen over my shoulder. “And as far as case work we have been contacted by one Alexander Fellows, a mid range lawyer from the Pratt and Hawlire firm.” Sarah turned my computer screen to the details on the firm.

I took a moment to consider while reading. “Fancy, Why doesn’t a firm this high end have their own investigators on retainer?”

“They do, I asked while setting up his appointment why he was going out of house and he refuse to answer except in person. It is possible your potential client suffers from a touch of paranoia?”

“Just what I need. When is his appointment?”

“Mr. Fellows will be here at noon. Also if you intend to spend the last few days of the year on case, it would be a good idea to finish up those last few budget items first.”

I reopened the agencies files and went back to work while I finished off my cigar. Sometimes I wonder which of us is charge here. The door opening two hours later was a welcome relief as I made out Sarah’s voice. “Welcome to Samuel Sloan Investigations Mr. Fellows. Can we get you anything?”

A croaky voice came from the entrance. “No thank you.” The voice was quickly followed by the appearance of a short man in with a dark grey trench-coat covering his suit and deep black sunglasses with silver edges. Mr. Fellows looked like a spy from an old movie, a bad one anyways. Man might as well wear a neon sign saying “I am up to something.” He entered the office and even through the sunglasses I could tell he was searching for threats that were not there.

“Would you like a seat Mr. Fellows?” I indicated the chair I reserved for clients. Sarah glanced at Fellows, nonchalantly shrugged at me, then quietly took a seat on the other side of the room. Fellows stared at the chair with a blank look on his face for a few seconds before finally consenting to take a seat. Fellows then proceeded to scan the room as if someone was going to jump out of the plastic plant in the corner. “Perhaps if you told me why you need my services?”

“I am an accountant at the Pratt and Hawlire firm. Are you sure this location is secure?” Fellow’s eyes shifted from side to side before staring out the window with a look of fear in his eyes.

“Completely, all communications in and out of the office are monitored. I would know if someone tried to slip in, however if it will make you feel better.” I turned to Sarah. “Suspend all communications while I am talking to Mister Fellows.”

“Confirmed Detective. No Signals are going in or out.” Sarah tilted her head, giving a look that told me this precaution was a waste of time.

“Now what can I do for you sir?”

Fellows rung his hands before finally speaking again. “My current position at Pratt and Hewlett is accounting for one of their junior partners, James Burke. Last week I found a few discrepancies in his expenses. When I brought the errors to Mr. Burke’s attention, he rather firmly told me to go back to adding numbers and not bother him with this sort of nonsense again. Digging backwards into the department financial records I found unusual payouts going back several months.”

“Doesn’t your firm have investigators on retainer?”

“They do but all the changes are in my name, with my sign in code. If I spoke up I am sure they would just fire me to be on the safe side, then turn the case over to the police.”

I closed my eyes for a moment. “Let’s start there. What do you need to sign in.”

“A keycard and fingerprint. I can’t see how anyone could fake that.”

I leaned forward. “I doubt that. Cloning a a key card and getting a scan of a fingerprint is child’s play for a professional. For the moment let’s use that as a working theory. Do you have electronic copies of the files?”

“No, company records are not allowed off the premises.”

I tapped my fingers on the desk, thinking it over. “My personal recommendation is to come clean to your employer. It always looks better to speak up than be found out. An investigation by an agency with full access to your firm’s records would more likely than not find some evidence to exonerate you. That being said, if you want me to look into it, I am going to need three days in advance. After that time we can determine a way forward.”

“I don’t trust the people at my firm. I’ll have the money transferred immediately and expect to hear from you soon.” Fellows rose to leave.

I moved around my desk to walk him to the door. “Anything else I should know about this case?”

“Well I did follow Burke to just north of downtown. I could have sworn I saw him drop off a package to a woman on a motorcycle, but then he turned a corner and I lost him.”

“Do me a favor, sit tight and let me handle the investigation for the next few days. Also lose the sunglasses.” I guided him towards the door.

Fellows stared at me for moment then nodded as he put the glasses in his pocket before tottering out the door. I waited until the door was firmly closed behind him before returning my attention to Sarah. “What did you get out of that?”

“As predicted your client is paranoid and easily terrified Detective.” Sarah leaned over my desk. “That being said I do believe someone is trying to set him up. The mention of motorcycles north of downtown did concern me.”

“Me as well. I think it is time for a trip to Redgrave. Trouble with the Riders I do not need.” I checked myself in the mirror as I got my coat on, sliding my revolver into the side holster as a precaution. “Send the car around front.”

“On it’s way Detective. I am also monitoring public feeds for mention of Alexander Fellows, in case he ignores your warning and decides to run his own investigation.”

“Good idea.” I started to make my way towards the door. “Keep me informed.”

“Of course.” Sarah hopped onto my desk then slowly faded from view.

After taking the elevator down, I slid into the Fairlane, clicked the auto drive off, then slammed on the gas. I was in the mood to drive fast and I let the tires squeal I made my way to the docks.

Arriving at the coast I made my way past security and to the makeshift office of petty criminal and information broker Julian Redgrave. As I entered unannounced he was curled over a jeweled necklace with a magnifying lens, looking every bit the rat he was. I chose not to ask where he got the necklace.

“Am I interrupting?” I took a position at the other side of his table. Taking in the shine of sapphires as I tried to guess how much cash I was looking at. “Nice piece.”

“You always, what do you want this time?” Redgrave stood up from his work “Make it quick, I have a buyer lined up for this and they won’t like company when they show to pick it up.”

“You know if the Rider’s have been getting any extra influx of cash lately?”

Redgrave cocked a single eyebrow. “You messing with them again? You’re even dumber than I thought.”

I slid my hat off taking a slow walk around the room. “I was hoping to eliminate them as a suspect here so I would not have to.”

“Well for once I can’t help you. Their outfit has been moving up in the world. Running their cash through some big law firm and leaving the little guys like me out in the cold. Now shoo before you cost me a good client.”

“It was worth a shot.” I replaced my hat and made for the door. Nice of Redgrave to give me what I needed for free this time. Even if it meant dealing with a violent bunch I would prefer to avoid. I decided to wait for dark before venturing out.

June update

Looking through the site traffic this morning Samuel Sloan and Sarah have just passed 1000 page views. So I will just give a quick thank you to all my readers and let you know that I am in progress of plotting Crime and Gravity the fourth Samuel Sloan mystery. It should start showing up here late this month.

Amber and Chrome Part 5

I was shoved into the dark SUV, stuck between Sherman and the smelly individual I had decided to name goon number three. Number two was driving, a slack jawed look on his face framed by a cheap gray suit that looked like the big buffoon had never worn one before.

“Sherman, do you usually kidnap girls for a living or are you just the hired muscle.” Never hurts to rile up the help a little, besides I was bored.

“Don’t you worry about my job. Once we get you back to the boss you won’t have nothin to worry about.”

I turned to Sherman. “Might not just be me. Even after you jokers get rid of me my trail might just lead right to you. I’ve known guys like your boss before. He could just as well shoot all of us and call it a loss.” As we approached West Coast Construction I just caught my Fairlane tailing us out of the corner of my eye. Sarah should be giving the law my location right now. All I had to figure out was how to get though the next few minutes without being shot.

Inside West Coast Construction I scanned the room seeing several dozen more medical tubes. From across the room I could make out blinking lights on about a quarter of them. The rest sad cold and dead. I didn’t even want to know what was inside those. I was walked with a pistol in my back to a side room with a cold concrete floor and cheap lime green paint on the walls. Fairly easy spot to clean up if someone made a mess. A single chair sat near the center of the room and standing next to it was none other than Doctor Richard Lockwell. I was already certain he was involved in this, the question was how deep. Sherman and one of the goons shoved me into the chair and cuffed my hands behind my back.

“Now why have you been snooping around?” Sherman got back in my face, doing his best impersonation of a man to be frightened of.

“I was bored. The decor in your repair shop could use a little work by the way. I know a guy if you are interested.” The answer clearly was not the one he wanted and earned me a punch in the jaw, luckily Sherman still couldn’t throw a punch that was worth a damn.

Sherman turned around staring at the slab of beef behind him. “Tracey, hit this guy till he talks.”

“Don’t show up Sherman though. He might end up looking like a big wimp.” I used the distraction to pop my metal hand out of it’s socket.

Tracey ignored me and spent the next minute bruising several of my ribs with those meat hooks he called fists. Doctor Lockwell turned away with a green look on his face. The doctor was in way over his head. I sputtered to catch my breath as Tracey stopped, turning as a corpulent man in an all white suit and thin black tie entered the room slowly, leaning on a charcoal black cane for support. He slid the fedora off of his head as he stopped and surveyed the scene in front of him, jowls flapping as he spoke. “Sherman what is this?”

“We is figuring out why this peeper has been following our people around and sticking his nose in where it isn’t welcome. Like you told us Boss.”

“Sherman, stop trying to help. The question is what does he know and who has he told. If he knew enough to look in the repair shop he probably has tracked most of the business at this point.” The fat man walked over to my chair. “So what do you know, everything or just a little?”

“I glanced up into a pair of cold, black eyes. “Most of it, the only thing I am not sure of is whether you are shipping those people out whole or in pieces. I am sure your clients are paying top dollar for parts of them.”

The unnamed boss leaned heavily on his cane. “Little of this, little of that. Now for the important questions. How did you find my operation?”

I actually smiled. Sometimes it was just easier to tell the truth. “I was following your Doctor over there. He isn’t really good at this and his wife was under the impression he was stepping out.” I stared straight at Doctor Lockwell. “You know they are going to kill you too right?”

Lockwell turned white as a sheet and looked about a half a second away from bolting. The fat man pointed at him and a goon grabbed each arm, holding him in place.

Sherman slid a phone out of his pocket. “This is not a good time.” There was a tense pause. “Boss we are blown. That was our guy at the station. They know we are here and law is on it’s way.”

The boss moved faster then I thought possible for a man of his size towards the door. “Clean this up then light up the building.”

Sherman actually smiled. “My pleasure Boss.” He slid a pistol out of his coat then immediately stopped smiling as I stood and my metal fingers closed around his gun hand. I could hear the bones crunch as I squeezed. Sherman cried out as I grabbed his pistol and dashed for the door. The heavies already had their pistols out and the door frame exploded around me in a hail of gunfire as I felt a pair of solid impacts in my back I managed to pull off a couple of badly aimed shots. I ducked around the corner and out of sight while they reloaded. I checked the few rounds I had left as I managed to limp along into a side room with one way in. That should keep them at bay for a minute or two. A quick check of my back revealed a couple cracked ribs. Turns out the armor I lined my coat with a couple years back was a good investment. I could make out a pair of big guys and and Sherman outside the door nursing his crushed hand. I fired a couple shots to make them think twice about coming in, but if they all rushed the door I was done for. The upshot was none of them seemed too eager to be the first one through.

Off in the distance I heard metallic footsteps and several mechanical voices. “This area is being secured. Drop your weapons and lay down on the ground.” The goons at the door turned and fired several shots at the approaching voices and I heard the foot steps speed up just before the men were knocked to the ground by a pair of BULS units. I let my pistol fall to the floor as the mechanized cops took us all into custody. I was cuffed and led out of the building, right into the immaculately dressed and annoyed looking Lieutenant Anton Bruno.

“Why am I not surprised to see you in the middle of this shootout?” Bruno looked me over with a shake of his head before turning his glare to the BULS. “Get this idiot to the hospital and I will decide whether or not to arrest him later. As far as the others, arrest them while I try to make some sense of this mess.”

An hour later and with the help of a solid dose of morphine I sat up in my hospital bed to greet a less angry looking Lieutenant Bruno with a single BULS unit. “All right Sloan what happened? I want the whole story and if you withhold anything this time I’ll take that morphine drip out then run you in on obstruction charges. 127 start record mode for the official statement of Samuel Sloan.”

I spent the next hour giving Bruno every last detail of West Coast Construction and my investigation. I didn’t really have anything worth hiding anyways except the break in at their repair shop. If Bruno decided to run me in on a misdemeanor it would not be the first time.

Anton Bruno took a moment to consider then looked me in the eye. “I could probably find something to charge you with but after you broke up an organ harvesting ring there is no way it would ever stick. So you get to walk, this time. 127 end recording. Your client is angry as hell by the way. Doctor Richard Lockwell was shot and killed when we stormed the building. Appears he was being well paid to mark patients that were easy to disappear. The only loose end is the guy in charge. He escaped before the BULS took the building. And this isn’t the first time I have heard that description.”

“Appreciated Lieutenant. And since you are not arresting me I have a present for you.”

“Do I even want to ask?”

I laid back in my bed. “The people at West Coast got a tip off that you were coming. That’s why you didn’t manage to take them by surprise. Looked like the call was placed from the police precinct around 6:30. I suspect you keep logs of outgoing communication.”

“I take it back that is a good gift. I’ll get the guys at the precinct to lay off you. Just keep that to yourself for now. And stop getting in shootouts. I am tired of having to use perfectly good BULS to save you.” Bruno motioned to the BULS unit and left without another word.

A furious client that would sue except doing so would expose the kind of business her husband was in and a shadowy criminal that has a score to settle. Sometimes I think I should have taken up gardening. At least I got paid in advance. I sent a message to Sarah to make sure the office knew I was alive and would be out for a day or two then drifted off to sleep.

Amber and Chrome Part 4

The first light of dawn cracked through the dusty window of Samuel Sloan Investigations rousing me from what looked like it might be an actual restful night. I slowly made my way across the office still feeling the effects of No Neck’s cheap shot from the previous night. Sarah appeared on the edge of my desk as I worked on coaxing a fresh if unimpressive pot of coffee from the ancient device. “Sarah unless it is an emergency just stay quiet for two minutes. I need to get this done.” I saw Sarah nodding out of the corner of my eye as the first black drops started to hit the bottom of the pot. After I was situated in my chair I turned back to Sarah. “Now you were about to say?”

“I have no new updates since last night Detective. Also no one has tried to slip into the building. It appears the men who attacked you ransacked your room at the hotel last night. The staff called the police.” Sarah stepped down slowly strolling around the office as she talked. “The occupant of the room has been listed as missing. Luckily you did not use your real name.”

“Seems so. And so far all we have for it is hints and supposition. Barely enough to go to the police department with.”

“Even if they were not still cross with you. Perhaps next month?”

I opened up Sarah’s notes on the Lockwell case, scanning them for something we had missed. After fifteen minutes of wasted effort Sarah piped up. “Mr. Redgrave for you Detective.”

I sat up in my chair “put him through.”

“Samuel Sloan, If I never said it before you are nothing but trouble.”

“Julian…. I take it you found something for me?”

“You could say that but you know the rules, money first.”

“Half price, as you promised.” I nodded at Sarah briefly, letting her know to transfer the funds.

“You are lucky I am a man of my word.” I could hear the annoyance at being held to half price in his voice. “But here it is. West Coast Construction is a front all right. But I have no idea for what. Got quite a crew working for them too. I had to lose a couple of their heavies just to get back home.”

“I had a up close and personal run in with them last night myself.”

“Thanks for the warning.” Julian’s voice turned nasal as he continued. “West Coast has contracts with a crew of ambulances that make runs between their main building and a satellite location on the edge of town. I am sending over the details now.”

“Thanks Julian you are a lifesaver.”

“Yeah, One more thing I don’t care to be hunted by anyone’s hired muscle, so until you finish this case you don’t know me.”

I figured that was all I was getting out of him today. “Understood.” I ended the call. “I think it is time to talk to our client Sarah. Put in a call.”

“One moment..connected detective.”

“Mrs. Lockwell, I have an update on your case.”

“Who is my husband sleeping with.”

“I am fairly certain no one. However you were right on one point. He is covering up something, probably illegal.” I waited for a moment, you never could be sure how a woman would react to news like this.

“What has he done?”

“Unsure as of yet, which is the reason for my call. I have three options going forward. I have no clear evidence of wrongdoing so I can say your husband is not having an affair and close the case. I can turn what I have over to you. There should be enough to let the police dig into your husbands activities at this point . The third option is I can extend your contract and continue looking into it myself. I have less resources than the police of course.”

Veronica Lockwell’s voice came back cold and emotionless. “Do not implicate my husband in a criminal investigation Mister Sloan. You may continue your investigation and report his activities to me.”

“As you wish Mrs. Lockwell. I will be in touch soon.”

“I will expect more information soon.” The connection went quiet.

“Charming.” Sarah returned to her place on the edge of my desk. “Another day of tailing vehicles in store?”

“It seems so.” I found my coat and hat heading down to the car.

“Try not to get made this time Detective, They are almost certainly on the look out for you now.”

“Noted. I’ll keep my distance.”

Back in the Fairlane I took a slow trip out of downtown. The schedule Redgrave gave me made a good start point I slipped off the freeway and slid right behind an ambulance as it left an unmarked brick building on the right side of the street. I took it’s identification down for later reference and stayed a half a block back as it made it to Doctor Lockwell’s place of employment. I spun the wheel at the next right and got out of there before anyone had a chance to note my appearance. “At least we are getting somewhere.” I said to no one in particular.

The dashboard responded. “Asiru Ishamoto for you Detective.”

“Connect me…Did you find something Asiru?”

“A little bit. West Coast construction is buying bulk medical equipment and reselling the same packages overseas for an unbelievable profit.”

“Which means they are shipping out something else out entirely.” I flipped the auto drive on to let me focus on Asiru.

“You are the detective. I am sending what information I could get without sending up any red flags.”

“I owe you one. I’ll be in touch.” I clicked the call off then took a long slow drive around the edge of town while I scanned Asiru’s data. West Coast also had a contract with our mystery brick building. Just enough distance so no one would connect the link between them and the hospital unless they were really determined, or following one of their employees for other reasons. Lucky them. “I think I am going to have to try something more direct.”

“Should I contact the authorities now or later?” Sarah’s mock helpful voice came back at me over the dash comms.

“Hopefully not at all. Security is tight at both ends of the chain, but the middle is not supposed to exist, so they can’t exactly camp an army there to protect it. That looks like our way in.”

I made a pass around our mystery building. A large loading bay in the front and a single side door were the only obvious ways in. I parked the Fairlane around the corner and scanned the side door. One camera covering it and and a good old fashioned key and tumbler lock. “Sarah how long do you think I can spoof that camera before anyone noticed something is wrong?”

“It depends Detective, if the camera is monitored remotely, thirty seconds. If it is only recorded for later viewing you could go days without notice, although a review of the footage would reveal interference.”

“Given the effort that has been put into hiding this place, let’s go with option one.” I popped open the truck of my car, going into a secret compartment to dig out a weathered set of lock picks and a small EMP device. I twirled the dial on the EMP, gaging the blast that would keep the camera out of commission for just long enough. I took a look down both sides of the back alley. Small favor that most crooks prefer out of the way places. I lifted the device towards the camera, slowly squeezing the trigger. “And begin.” I dashed up the three concrete steps to the door kneeling in front of it. Fair quality lock and I was out of practice and short on time. I slid a pick in and felt around for the pins hidden inside the lock.

“Twenty seconds left Detective.”

I closed my eyes, trying to recall the Zen tricks Toshiro had once taught me as I pictured the lock in my mind. A few of the pins set into place as I heard Sarah’s voice. “Ten seconds…nine.” Sarah made it to five before I slid the wrench in place spinning the lock and forcing my way though the door. I quietly closed the door behind me as Sarah counted two.

“And just in time.” The silence in response caused me to check comms. Nothing, the place must be shielded, and virtually empty from the looks of things. Besides a few old wooden crates gathering dust the only thing of interest was a pair of eight foot long tubes in a very familiar medical white. I crept around the far side wiping a light fog off of the burnished golden glass on the first tube to see a woman laying inside in some kind of drug induced sleep. Too thin, blond and mid forties at my best guess. Dressed only in a medical gown and sporting a surgical scar on the side of her neck. My first instinct was to put my fist through the glass, but with no knowledge of what I was doing I was just as likely to kill the woman as help her. Time to get out of here and let the law handle this one.

I made my way out the side door to find a pair of SUVs waiting for me. If front of the cars a few bruisers with pistols drawn surrounding a scrawny guy in a cheap suit and bowler. Cheap bowler stepped in front of the big guys like he owned the whole city. “You must be this Sloan I keep hearing about. You’re talking to the boss this time.”

“And you are?”

Bowler responded with a right cross to the side of my cheek. “I’ll ask the questions.”

This guy hit as tough as he looked. “You should leave the rough stuff to the others. Little squirt like you might get hurt.”

One of the geniuses behind him piped up. “You want us to grab him Sherman?”

Sherman’s eyes rolled. “Yes, grab him.” He obviously had not wanted to leave me his name. I don’t blame him. You have to be a really hard case to scare someone with a name like Sherman.

Bruiser two and three took my pistol as I was escorted rather impolitely into the back of one of the SUVs.

Amber and Chrome Part 3

After leaving Heckle and Jeckle in the care of LA’s finest I made my way back to the Los Angeles Municipal Docks. I tried to keep from drawing any attention to myself the last thing I needed was another spot search by an offended police officer. The security was light and if wasn’t too hard making my way to the dump that Julian ‘Orange’ Redgrave called an office. I didn’t bother to knock, letting myself in to the sight of Julian sharing martinis with a blond far too young and attractive for him wearing a little black dress that could make a working girl blush. “Am I too late for drinks?”

Julian’s eyes turned upwards with a mild look of annoyance. “Too late, too early, and completely in the way. So a normal day for you.”

The blond leaned over next to him. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

“Of course.” Julian gestured in my direction. “Kitty this is Samuel Sloan. A pile of trouble that will be leaving as soon as I figure out a way to get rid of him.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Kitty.” The girl said with a perfectly white smile.

“And you, I hope Julian is treating you well?”

“He is very kind. Although he won’t tell me why people keep calling him orange.”

Julian piped up from behind the desk. “Enough you two. Kitty why don’t you go in the other room and get us a couple more drinks while I find out what this mug wants.

Kitty made a mock pout then sashayed away. “You are just no fun.”

Just after Kitty left the room Julian stopped staring and the smile slid slowly off his face. “I think it goes without saying I would rather be spending my night with Kitty than you. So tell me how I can get you to turn around and leave before I am forced to hire some goons to get rid of you.”

“West Coast Construction. I believe they are a front and I need to know for what. And why don’t you have guards? Anyone could just walk in and interrupt you any old time.

“Armed thugs cause as many problems as they solve. Eventually they want a cut of the business. People see you walking around with a couple of boys and start to think you are a player. I prefer a solo act. I’ll make you a deal as I am feeling kind. If you walk away without one more word, tomorrow I will get information on West Coast Construction and give it to you for half price.” Julian sat up waving his finger at me. “I mean it not one more word, else you can blow.”

I took half a second to think about it then tipped my hat, turned and walked out the door. I even closed the door on the way out for him. I slid into the Fairlane considering my next move as Sarah’s voice came into the car. “It appears Miss Ishamoto is working at the Century Club tonight and would be happy to talk to you.”

“Cherry’s place? When did this happen.”

“Unknown Detective. Should I tell her you are on your way?”

“Do it. We are in a holding pattern until Orange reports back as it is.” I stepped on the gas turning the car towards home.

As soon as I entered the second story walk up I called home I was greeted by Sarah. “I took the liberty of ordering you some dinner and getting some clothes ready for your night out.”

“The chicken from the Chinese place next door?” My stomach involuntarily rumbled as I realized I hadn’t eaten since the plate of eggs this morning. “And it isn’t much of a night out. Just a fact finding mission.”

“Of course Detective, but still the Century Club does require a certain style. We cannot have Miss Azure’s people throwing you out. Not without good reason anyways.”

The delivery bot arrived on time with a plate of hot Kung Pao chicken. To tell the truth part of me misses delivery drivers, but at least you don’t have to tip the bots. The chicken was tender and seasoned just right. Sarah was even kind enough to be quiet and fade from view as I devoured it with abandon. A half hour and a warm if not wet vibrating shower later I was reasonably presentable in a black and red outfit Sarah had found in storage somewhere. I adjusted the hat, a crisp Stetson and made my way down to the parking garage and on to the Century Club.

The bouncer pulled the velvet rope aside as I approached, I gave him a polite nod as I was escorted into the lavish blue interior of Cherry Azure’s Century Club. Behind the bar and dressed to the nines was Asiru Ishamoto. Her jet black hair falling over a dress of deep red. I made my way to the bar taking a stool near Asiru and nodding in her general direction. Asiru excused herself from an older gentleman with an amorous look on his face and stopped in front of me. “Good to see you again Sam. I have a bourbon with your name on it if you want it.”

“Sounds perfect.” I decided to save my questions for when we could talk alone.

“If you take the third booth on the right I’ll be over with your drink in a moment.” Asiru turned to a pair of new arrivals as I took my seat, watching the Century Club’s peculiar brand of decadence with a mild disinterest. After a minute Asiru gently slid onto the bench across from me with a top shelf bourbon. My credit at the club must still be good. “So why are you really here Mister Sloan?” I could hardly see a trace of the terrified girl I pulled out of her apartment a month ago.

I took a long slow sip of the bourbon. “First things first, when did you start tending bar for Cherry?”

Asiru took a sideways glance to make sure no one was listening in. “The bar is just a cover. I really do computer work for her. Some legal, some not so much. A woman like Miss Azure is always watched and no one thinks twice about a young Asian girl tending bar.”

I nodded slowly. “And if anyone unfriendly should ever come looking for you again, Cherry is some formidable protection.”

“Precisely.”

I decided to let Asiru’s new employment well enough alone for now. “I am looking into a company called West Coast Construction. I am sure they are crooked, but have not come up with anything to prove it. Possibly some information might fall into your lap?”

“I do owe you at least one favor, so I’ll see what I can find.” Asiru stood up smoothing her dress. “But don’t expect me to go bailing you out every time you get in trouble.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I motioned for Asiru to slow down on her way back to the bar. “Be careful here, Cherry is a dangerous woman.”

“Mister Sloan I have been around dangerous people all my life. I know when to duck and run.” Asiru touched my arm gently then went back to her tending bar. The wrinkled gentleman was thrilled. I finished my drink in one long gulp and made for the door. Hopefully I would get at least a few answers tomorrow. I set destination on the Fairlane back to the hotel and started on my to do list for tomorrow.

Parking at the old hotel, I made my way into the lobby. Place looked about average for early evening drinks except for a couple of no neck types trying fairly hard not to be watching the parking lot. I skipped the elevator and made for the stairs switching on infrared as I quickened my pace around the stairwell. One more at the door, perfect. I decided to try to talk my way out of this and very calmly walked through the door, right into a sucker punch to the gut. The breath was knocked out of me as I dropped to one knee with the sound of his two friends close behind.

“Hello friend, my boss wants to talk to you.” The no neck in question was big, smelled of cheap whiskey, and hit hard enough that I was sure this was not his first rodeo. He grabbed my by the shoulder starting to lift me up for another swing.

In a moment of desperation I reached out with my titanium hand and heard the servos close as I squeezed somewhere I am not proud of. My apologies to Mrs. No Neck, if there was one. The goon dropped instantly clutching himself in pain. “Sorry other plans tonight.” I managed to sputter out before tipping a decorative plant I could not quite identify in front of the door and making a run for another entrance. I tapped the side of my eye activating comms. “Sarah the car and an exit.”

“On it’s way. Still making friends wherever you go Detective.”

“So it seems.” I took a hard left and burst out a side door still clutching my stomach as I fell into the car. “Get me out of here.”

“Confirmed Detective.” The car sped off into the night. “Destination?”

“Back to the office. We can at least control who comes in there. With luck our fishing expedition will come up with something tomorrow.” The trip to the office went off without further incident and I pulled and old cot from it’s hiding place in the wall. “Secure the building.”

Sarah blinked into view slow steps walking the office. “Taken care of Detective. The local area is being monitored and I am waiting for contact from Miss Ishamoto and Mister Redgrave.”

“Well done, Now I am going to get some sleep.”

“Good night Detective.” Sarah faded from view turning the lights off with her.