“Okay Steve let’s talk about when you
were Patrolman Perry. Perry on the beat! Perry the Patrolman!!” Neal says as he
laughs.
“You know Neal if I had a dime for every
time I have heard that I would be a rich man. And why do they want to hear
about that? I mean it was boring and uninteresting….” Steve replies.
“Steve why is it when anybody wants to
talk about you and your police career you deem it too boring and
uninteresting?”
“Well I don’t know Neal maybe because it
is boring and uninteresting….” Steve says.
“Oh my god!!! Don’t tell me you’re still
upset about that….?” Neal says.
“Maybe….just a little.” Steve says.
“Steve you have to get over it man and
what are you doing?” Neal asks.
“Oh I have gum on the bottom of my shoe!
You know how much I hate that! I mean when I walk it sticks to everything and
then I track it into the car and then into the apartment and from there it
picks up all sorts of crap!!! Cat hair and lint….”
“Steve….”
“You know I bet I stepped on it down
there at the newsstand where you just had to go to get the latest issue of
Playboy….”
“Steve….” Neal says again.
“It is just so disgusting!!! So I am
trying to get it off of the bottom of my shoe and you know I just might have to
go down there and arrest that guy for littering…..hey!”
The next sound heard is a slight
struggle and a window opening and closing.
“Hey you bozo you just threw my shoe out
of the window!!” Steve yells.
“You can retrieve it later!!! Actually I
think you should tell them about the first time you….” Neal starts to say.
“You mean back when I was 15?!” Steve
says.
“No! You big dummy! Not that first
time!!! Now that would probably be boring and uninteresting….” Neal says
“It wasn’t to her!” Steve says.
“Anyway….” Neal says.
“Yeah anyway….” Steve says.
“I was going to say that you should tell
them about the first time you and I solved our first case....”
“….You mean as Detectives?” Steve asks.
“No you big dummy as mailmen!!! Yes as
Detectives!!! Stay with me here Steve, focus man focus!!!”
“Well I can’t very well do that now can
I while I am wearing only one shoe!!!!!”
Neal takes a deep breath. “Then go
downstairs and get it.”
“Are you kidding!!! Walk out there
wearing only one shoe? On those nasty, dirty floors! Do you want me to
catch….hey!!!!!!”
The next sound heard is another slight
struggle and a window opening and closing.
“Now you have a matching set!!!” Neal
says.
“You’re mean!!! Throwing both of my
shoes out of the window!!!!” Steve says. “What….what if somebody walks by and
picks them up!! They were almost new!!!!”
“What did I tell you about stuttering?”
Neal asks.
“I am not sexually frustrated!” Steve
protests.
“Don’t worry about your shoes, your damn
feet are so small nobody else can wear them anyway! Let’s do this!!! Think back
to our very first case, you remember the girl you pulled out of the water.”
“Oh yeah….” Steve says.
“And look I found the file on it….” Neal
says.
“After all these years she still sends
us Christmas cards….” Steve says.
“Yeah people like her makes this job worthwhile
you know….” Neal says.
“Who wrote this report? It looks like a
raccoon wrote it!!! It is just awful….!” Steve says.
“You wrote it.” Neal points out.
“Oh….” Steve says.
“Yeah after that one is when you finally
got your typewriter.” Neal says.
“Wow reading this now just brings it all
back, god that water was cold and compared now to some of the cases we have had
this one was a cake walk….Neal you remember….we were leaving that restaurant….”
V7V7V7V7V7V7V7V7V7V7
Finally after
two years of waiting Steve had finally made Detective and now it had been a
week. Just a week that they had become partners, Steve with his desk across
from Neal’s, all set up with everything that he needs, except a typewriter. For
some strange reason there was a shortage and it was on backorder but luckily it
had been a slow first week. The streets and the City had been quiet and Neal
told Steve don’t be fooled and don’t be lulled into a false sense of security
because it wont always be quiet like this. But this quiet week enabled Neal to
take Steve around and get his contacts and the people that he dealt with on a
daily basis used to seeing Steve and make them aware that he is his new partner
and that they can trust Steve just as much as they can trust him. Steve thought
he had met some characters when he was walking a beat but now the people that
Neal had introduced him to have beaten them all. But no one had made a bigger
impression than the person that Neal had taken Steve to the day before.
It
was the middle of the afternoon and Neal had pulled up in the back of a place
called “ Ruby’s Place” and Steve soon found out that it was a club, the kind of
club where the girls were called ‘go-go dancers’ and they danced in cages or on
stages or in some cases on tables, wearing either very little or costumes but
right now the place was empty, except for the cleaning people and a very,
beautiful woman behind the bar holding a clipboard taking inventory.
“Busy
night last night Ruby?” Neal asks as they walk up to the bar.
When
she turns she smiles at Neal holding the clipboard to her chest and she is
beautiful, in every sense of the word. She isn’t dressed very fancy now but
last night and every night she is dressed to the nines. Now she is wearing
short shorts and a long sleeved blouse with the sleeves rolled up made out of
some gauzy material with a bra underneath. Her long dark blonde hair is pulled
back and there is just a touch of dirt on her nose and she is wearing flats,
otherwise she might have been taller than both of them.
“For
the middle of the week, Detective, it wasn’t bad.” She said with a pronounced
Southern accent. “Whose your friend?”
Neal
puts his arm around Steve’s neck and he draws him closer. “This Ruby is my new
partner Steve or Detective Perry.”
Ruby
comes closer to Steve and she pinches his cheek and immediately Steve blushes.
“My sugar pie are you sure that you’re old enough to be a Detective? You look
like you’re all of 14.”
“I’m….I’m
older than I look.” Steve finally manages to say as he looks down at the floor.
“He’s
cute Neal and does he always blush like that?” She asks as she puts her arm
around Neal and Neal returns the favor.
“He’s
still a little shy, this is his first week as a Detective. Steve this is the
Lady with all the info. If it happened on the street, or it’s about to chances
on Ruby will know about it. She has been good to me for years.” Neal says as he
kisses her on the forehead.
“Way
back when I wouldn’t be caught dead saying that I like the fuzz but I like
Neal, he and I go way back, don’t we sugar?” Ruby says as she looks at Neal and
she smiles.
“Yeah
we do and Steve here is also a good cop, you can trust him Ruby.”
“Do
you trust him Neal?” Ruby asks.
Neal
looks at Steve. “With my life….”
Steve
just smiles.
“Then
I will trust him too. Now how would you boys like some ice tea?”
After
the ice tea and some sandwiches they go back out to the Charger and they get a
few blocks down the street before Steve talks.
“Neal,
you know man, if I’m out of line you can just always tell me to….”
“You
want to know about Ruby?” Neal asks as he looks over at Steve.
“Yeah…..I
sense you have had this question before? Am I right?”
Neal
nods his head. “Ruby and I we are close and there were a couple, oh hell, maybe
even three times where we almost crossed that line but for whatever reason we
didn’t….my badge or her conscience….” Neal shrugs. “….we didn’t. I met her back
when I was a rookie cop, I arrested her, not once but twice.”
“For
what?” Steve asks.
“For
the oldest profession known to man my friend….” Neal says.
“Wow!
She was a….?”
“Actually
she was a Madam and she was running a brothel, both times. She has a lot of
business savvy, she is a very, very smart woman. That club that she has now is
a legit business and it seems to be doing very well. I went by there last night
and I was going to stop in and see her but there wasn’t a parking space to be
had for miles.”
“So….she’s
a reliable informant?” Steve asks.
“Her
word is golden. She has never, ever steered me wrong. She doesn’t like trouble
or troublemakers in her club and the girls that work there she treats well. She
has had her share of problems, a couple of crazy ex-husbands, and if she picks
up on any mayhem going down she will let us know. I know it seems odd but she
wants to help, give back something and especially if it has to do with kids or
women, she hates bullies.”
“But
she really, really, likes you Neal.” Steve says as he punches him in the arm.
Neal
smiles as he nods his head. “I really, really like her too.”
“And
someday you two might even get together, romantically, I mean.” Steve says as
he smiles.
“One
never knows does one?” Neal says. “Let’s go and check out the rest of our
district partner.“
“Yeah
partner let’s….”
The
rest of their shift and the rest of their district was quiet and that night at
the end of their shift they stopped for a late dinner at a Chinese restaurant.
“I
can’t believe you said to that girl ‘Hi my name is Steve and I’m a cop, wanna
see my gun?’ “
Steve
laughs. “It broke the ice didn’t it?”
“Yeah
it did.” Neal says as they walk out to the car and just as they open the car
doors they hear a high pitch scream of a woman pierce the night.
Out
of instinct they both reach under their jackets for their guns.
“Neal
look over there!” Steve says as he points in the direction of the bridge which
is nearby and silhouetted by the lights from the city were two figures
struggling, one bigger and stronger than the other and as they watched they
heard the woman scream again and this time the man who was with her shoved her
off the bridge.
“I’ll
get him….” Neal says as he jumps in the car and as he starts it and takes off
after him Steve runs towards the water. Steve didn’t know for certain how high
that bridge was but whatever height it was, it was too high and at this time of
year that water was frigid. Steve stripped off his jacket and his gun and his
shoes then he dove into the water.
Neal
must have drove two blocks trying to find him but the guy was so much smoke so
Neal called in for an ambulance then he drove back to the bridge and when he got
there the headlights illuminated Steve giving the woman he had fished out of
the water CPR. Neal grabbed a blanket from the trunk of the car and by the time
he got over to them Steve had the girl on her side coughing up water from the
bay.
“How
is she?” Neal asked as he handed Steve the blanket.
“Thanks,
she’s breathing. I don’t know if anything is broken.” Steve replies as he
places the blanket over her.
“I
called the ambulance….she’s just a kid.” Neal says.
“Yeah
and not any bigger than a minute this one. Did you catch him?”
“No
he’s in the wind. Where’s your jacket?” Neal asks.
“Over
there.”
Neal
retrieves Steve’s gun, jacket and shoes and by then they could hear the
ambulance approaching. Neal helps Steve put his jacket on.
When
the ambulance arrived they supervised her being put on the gurney and then in
the ambulance.
“You
go with her and when you get there have them check you out too. I’ll see if I
can find a purse or anything like that.” Neal says. “I’ll meet up with you
later.”
ANGEL OF
Neal
found Steve cooling his heels in the hallway outside the examination room
draped in a big, warm blanket and drinking a hot chocolate.
“No
I.D. huh?” Steve asked as he sees Neal walking up to him.
Neal
shakes his head. “Nothing. No purse. On the way over I called in her
description to R&I. They’ll put it in their computers and see what it spits
out. How’s is she?”
“Oh
the doc said she was lucky, she just has a concussion. When she fell into the
water she must have turned just right otherwise hitting that water would have
snapped her neck like a twig. The doc found handprints on her neck, she’ll be
out for the rest of the night and probably into the next day too. He’ll call
when she wakes up.”
“Tell
you what I’ll take you home and you take a hot shower and get into some dry
clothes and tomorrow we’ll start fresh on this. It might take R&I that long
to get some info on her.”
“Good
idea. I am cold through to my bones. Brrrrr!!!!”
THE NEXT MORNING AT THE STATION THE SQUAD ROOM:
“
Neal
whistles. “She is a long way from home.”
“You
know what they say about
Neal
and Steve look at one another then back at the Captain. “Everybody is from
someplace else.” The Captain says.
“That’s
true.” Steve says. “Her family filed a missing person report about 5 months ago
now.”
The
phone rings at Steve’s desk and Neal answers it. “Detective Schon. She did?
Thanks doc we will be right over.” Neal hangs up the phone.
“Let
me guess….” Steve says.
“Yeah.
Let’s see if she will talk to us.” Neal says.
ANGEL OF
Once
they arrive at the hospital the doctor thought it would be best if only one of
them went in and since Steve had the initial contact with her he went in to
talk to her. She was a little thing and that big, white hospital bed just made
her even smaller.
“Hi
Carrie I’m with the Oceanview Police.” Steve shows her his badge. “Do you feel
like talking to me?”
“You….you
don’t look like a cop.” She says slowly.
Steve
smiles at her. “I’m a Detective, call me Steve.”
“How….how
do you know my name?”
“Your
family filed a missing person report on you and I also know that you are a long
way from home.
She
nods her head.
“Carrie
who was that man last night? The one that tried to kill you? An old boyfriend?”
Steve asks as she turns her head towards the window. “An ex-husband maybe? Who
was he Carrie? Why did he want you….dead? Can you identify him?” Steve leans in
closer to her. “I fished you out of that Bay and to me that says you owe me an
explanation….”
She
turns on her side. “I….I don’t want to talk to you.”
Steve
takes one of his cards out of his pocket and he puts it on the bedside table.
“When and if you change your mind….call me. The number’s on the card.”
When
he leaves her room he runs into Neal out in the hall.
“Well?”
Neal asks.
“Nothing.
Absolutely nothing. She doesn’t want to talk to me. What now?”
“Let’s
go and see Ruby….”
RUBY’S PLACE:
It
was all of
“Well
morning sugar.” Ruby says as she opens the door and lets him in.
“Ruby
I know it’s early for you….” Neal says.
“Now
Neal honey you know you are welcomed here anytime, day or night. Coffee?”
“The
only time I get good coffee is when I come here….” Neal says. “And no matter
what time I show up you are always beautiful….”
“And
you are always a flatter….” Ruby says as she kisses him. “I have missed you
lately.”
“I
know I have missed you too but work keeps me away.” Neal says as he puts his
arms around her.
“Speaking
of that where is your partner?” Ruby asks.
“Waiting
out in the car. He has good instincts; he sensed that I wanted to come up here
alone.”
“So
this visit is….” Ruby says.
“Business
I’m afraid….” Neal says as he brushes some hair from her eyes.
“Maybe
you can come back later tonight and have a late dinner. You know sugar I don’t
have to be down there every minute this place practically runs herself.”
“I
would like that but for now reach into my pocket there’s a picture in there I
want you to look at.”
Ruby
reaches into Neal’s pocket and she pulls out a picture. “She is very pretty and
very young. Who is she?”
“Her
name is Carrie Forrester and she is from
“My,
my
Neal
laughs. “Exactly. Last night Steve and I witnessed her being assaulted by some
guy on the
Ruby
looks at him. “She isn’t….?”
“No
but she would have been if Steve hadn’t pulled her out of the drink. Steve
talked to her but she is very tight lipped we thought that you might know
something, anything….”
“Oh
my stars I was just hoping against hope that the rumors I was hearing were just
that rumors….but now….”
“Go
on Ruby….”
Steve
was nothing this morning but wise and his still very young Detective instincts
told him, no they screamed at him to stay downstairs in the car and wait so he
did. He grabbed a newspaper from the machine on the sidewalk and he was just
sliding over into the driver’s seat and starting the car to go get a cup of
coffee and a Danish when there was a loud knock on the passenger side window
and when Steve looked over there he saw a very, pretty young lady, dressed in
one of those short robes and high heel shoes. Long curly light brown hair
cascading over one shoulder and holding a rolled up newspaper in one hand.
Steve leaned over and he rolled down the window.
“Yeah?”
Steve asks.
“What
are you doing in Neal’s car? Get out now before I go and call the police!” She
says as she points the newspaper at him.
Steve
can’t help but laugh at this. “Look lady….”
“Oh
you think it’s funny do you!!!”
“Look
lady I’m a cop!!!”
Then
she starts to laugh. “You? A cop???!!! Oh come on give me a break!!! Now get
out before I go and call the real cops!”
Steve
doesn’t answer he just looks at her then he turns the car off and he gets out
and he walks around to the passenger side of the car and as he does so he takes
his badge out of his back pocket and he shows it to her.
“See….”
She
snatches it out of his hand.
“Hey….!!”
Steve says.
“Hey!
You are a cop!!!” She looks at his picture then she looks at him.
“Detective
actually and I am Neal’s partner, my name is Steve.”
She
hands the badge back to him. “My name is Daisy….Daisy Fields.”
Now
it’s Steve’s turn to laugh. “No it isn’t! That has to be the most made-up name
I have ever heard!!!”
She
stomps her foot. “That is so my name!!! My real name!!! ‘Mr. I was a teenage
Detective!’”
“Okay.
Where do you live?” Steve asks.
Daisy
points. “Over there number 165 and I work at Ruby’s….”
“Oh
so you’re a dancer I see….hey what are you reading? The Wall Street Journal?”
“You
sound surprised? You don’t think dancers can read the Wall Street Journal?”
“Well
no I didn’t say that….”
“You
didn’t say that but that is what you meant!!!! Just so you know Mr. Junior
Detective….”
“The
name is Steve….”
“….Junior
Detective Steve! I am working my way through school to be a CPA!!!”
“A….A
CPA? Really…..I would never have guessed.” Steve says as he looks her up and
down. “Tell me where do you keep your calculator?!” Steve laughs.
The
next thing Steve knew she had kicked him in the shin as Neal comes down the
stairs. “Ohhhhhh shit!!!!!” Steve yells as he grabs his leg.
“Hey
Daisy.” Neal says to her as she flounces off to her apartment.
“Men!!!!”
Then the sound of a front door being slammed very loud followed.
“I
can’t take you anywhere can I?” Neal asks as Steve rubs his leg.
“She….she
kicked me in the shin! I….I….should arrest her for assaulting an officer!!!”
“Calm
down Cinderella what did you say to her?” Neal asks.
“Nothing!!!!
Not a damn thing!” Steve says as they get in the car. “She told me that her
name is Daisy….Daisy Fields! Can you believe that! Daisy….Daisy Fields!!!!”
Steve laughs as he shakes his head.
“That
is her name.” Neal says.
“What?
No it isn’t.” Steve says.
“Yes
Steve it is….her name is Daisy Fields.”
“She
also told me that she is going to school….”
“Yeah
to be a….” Neal says.
“….CPA.”
They both say at the same time.
“Oh….oh
shit!” Steve exclaims. “Hmmmmm what….what did Ruby say?”
“Well
she told me something very interesting. A new trade has moved into Oceanview….”
“Which
is….” Steve asks.
“White
slavery….”
“What?
You can’t be serious! In Oceanview?” Steve says.
Neal
nods his head. “Ruby was hoping she was wrong, for that matter, I was hoping
that she was wrong but she heard that a girl got away from a brothel on the
East side of town last night….”
“Well
that fits we were on the East side of town last night and let’s see that girl
was….”
“Carrie….”
They say at the same time.
“What
say we go back by the hospital and I talk to Carrie again….?” Steve says.
“Good
idea partner.”
ANGEL OF
This
time when Steve saw her she was sitting up in bed looking intently out of the
window twisting the blanket in her hands.
“Trying
to see all the way back to
“I’m
still not talking to you.” Carrie says.
Steve
shrugs. “That’s cool.” Steve leans up against the dresser next to the window.
“I’ll talk and all you have to do is nod, okay?”
Carrie
nods her head.
An
hour or so later Steve emerges from Carrie’s room and he was told that Neal had
gone to the Cafeteria so that is where Steve went. Steve went thru the line and
he got a tray full of food and he found the table that Neal was sitting at and
he joins Neal who was enjoying an apple pie
“Hey….”
Steve says.
“Hey
yourself.” Neal answers with their standard greeting. “I couldn’t wait any
longer so either she talked or you two eloped.”
Steve
laughs. “Funny. We played the ‘Nod Game.’”
“Oh
the ‘Nod Game’ was it and what did you find out?” Neal asks.
“Well
I am afraid that Ruby was right….” Steve says as he takes the plates off of his
tray and he arranges them around his place.
“White
slavery?” Neal asks.
“Afraid
so. Almost five months ago Carrie hitched hiked from
“Hitched
hiked?” Neal asks.
“Yeah
I know. I’m surprised that nothing bad happened to her before now and you know
it’s the typical story; she wanted to be an actress, be famous with her name up
in lights, the whole cock and bull story.” Steve says.
“And
the typical thing happened….”
“Well
sorta, she did find some real, legit modeling gigs, lingerie, and stuff like
that and things seem to be looking up that is until the photographer produced
these pictures of her. He described them as ‘art shots’ and from there things
get freaky.” Steve says.
“He
wants money so he doesn’t go to her family with them or go public….” Neal says.
“Exactly.
There might even be film and Carrie not having two nickels to rub together has
to go to work for the photographer, who knows somebody, who knows somebody and
of course he gets a percentage of every girl he brings in and just when the
girls think they are getting close to getting their fee paid off the photographer
turns up with more….stuff. It’s a vicious cycle….and now the girls have to pay
off their debt to whoever bought them.”
“Very
dirty but very neat….” Neal says.
Steve
nods. “From what Carrie said there are a lot of girls there, from all over the
country and she thinks there are a few from overseas even.” Steve says.
“All
paying off a revolving charge card maxed out with debt that never ends. Did she
give you the name of the goon who was on the bridge with her?” Neal asks.
“Marco.”
Neal
scratches his head. “I hope that isn’t the same Marco.”
“The
same Marco as whom?” Steve asks.
“Back
when I was a rookie cop I had a run-in with a huge, gorilla of a guy! I mean
this guy was so big that he had his own zip code and I arrested him. Na what
are the odds….!” Neal says.
“Yeah
man what are the odds. She said that Marco and the other men that work there
are their bodyguards…..actually I think they are more like prison guards,
keeping the girls in. Carrie did say that a couple of weeks ago that a girl by
the name of Peggy disappeared….one night she was there and the next….gone. She
tried to get Rita to run with her but Rita was too afraid to go.”
“Rita?”
Neal asks.
“A
girl she met there. They became close you know.” Steve replies.
“Where
was Carrie going to go?” Neal asks.
“To
us and by us I mean the police. She made it as far as that Bridge. She gave me
an address. 42111
Neal
nods.
“Blonde,
brunette, red head, whatever you like and they have private rooms.” Steve says.
“What
is Rita?” Neal asks.
“A
red head. A very, fiery redhead according to Carrie. Also according to Carrie
they do a little gambling so if we go into this place we will need some fancy
duds and an even fancier wallet with a big….”
Neal
raises his eyebrows.
“….Bank
roll….” Steve finishes.
Neal
nods. “Ah….lets go over to
“No
I don’t like pickles.” Steve says.
“Then
why did you get it?”
“For
you because I knew you would ask. Let’s go….”
“You
know Neal I think breaking and entering is against the law.” Steve says as he
lies on the floor of the abandoned building next door to 42111 Clark holding a
camera with a long, telephoto lens trained on the parking lot next door.
“Technically
Steve there has to be a door first to break down, by the way, is the lens cap
off?” Neal asks.
“Yes
sweetheart. I’m not a novice at cameras you know….” Steve replies.
“Uh
huh that is why we had a lot of pictures of your thumb, your foot and you’re….”
Steve
looks at him. “Do you ever forget anything?”
“No.
I inherited that from my mother. It’s like when you told me that broccoli gives
you gas….”
“That
was two years ago!” Steve says.
“So….have
you ever seen broccoli on the table when you come over for dinner?” Neal asks.
As
a way of an answer Steve sneezes twice.
“Catching
a cold?” Neal asks.
“No!
It’s all this dust!!” Steve says as he gestures around.
“Abandoned
building décor.” Neal says as he looks out of the binoculars.
Silence
followed by Steve smacking on his gum and then Steve says, “You love her don’t
you?”
“Who
is her?” Neal asks as he continues to look thru the binoculars.
“Ruby.”
Steve says as he looks over at Neal and that causes Neal to glance over at
Steve.
“Well
sure yeah I mean she is a great lady and all….”
“No
I mean you love her and how long have you two been lovers?” Steve asks.
Neal
looks at Steve again. “We aren’t lovers. I told you that there were two or
three times that we almost….”
Steve
gives Neal a look that says ‘I don’t believe you and don’t even try to lie to
me.’
“I’m
not really sure; I mean who keeps track of those things….” Neal says as he
chuckles.
Steve
rests his chin his hand as his foot wiggles behind him.
Neal
clears his throat. “Next week will be a year.”
“Congratulations.”
Steve says.
“How
did you figure it out?” Neal asks.
“Easy.
When I saw you two together, the way you held each other and looked at each
other, that said that you two were very, familiar with each other.”
“When
you grow up you should be a detective.” Neal says.
Steve
shrugs.
“Steve
just keep it quiet if you know what I mean.” Neal says.
“Why?
What’s the harm?” Steve asks.
“She’s
a confidential informant and I’m a cop. I think in most places that would be a
serious conflict of interest not to mention the fact it could put her life in
danger. So you know….” Neal says.
“I’ll
take it to my grave and Neal, you know, I think it’s great that in the midst of
all this craziness you found somebody. That’s the brass ring.”
“You
know you’re a hopeless romantic.” Neal says as he smiles.
“I’m
an Aquarius man.” Steve says as he shrugs.
“Oh
hey man we got movement.” Neal says.
Below
them and across the alley they see a big Cadillac drive up and stop at the back
entrance. Immediately the driver gets out and the passenger also gets out then
the passenger opens the back door and another older man, dressed very sharply,
gets out and as the driver stands guard the passenger walks the older man into
the building.
“I’m
assuming that is the boss. Do you recognize him Neal?” Steve asks as he snaps
pictures. “Neal?” Steve looks over at him.
“No
I don’t recognize him but do you see that big guy, wearing the red shirt, the
driver?” Neal asks as he looks thru his binoculars.
“You
mean that’s a guy? I thought it was a building that grew legs. Yeah man he is
huge!”
“That’s
Marco.” Neal says.
“What?
That’s Marco? The guy that you….?” Steve says.
“Yeah
man and do you see that scar on his cheek?” Neal asks.
“Yeah.”
“I
gave it to him.” Neal says.
“You?”
Steve looks over at Neal.
“What
in the hell are you looking at bozo?” Neal asks.
“You
mean you….you and him? How did you manage that?” Steve asks.
“Let
me tell you it was by the grace of god that he didn’t kill me outright, he
broke my arm in the process, but I got him down. When Smith and Wesson talk
people listen.”
“It’s
a miracle he didn’t kill Carrie on that bridge.” Steve says.
“Yeah
it is but we have a problem now.” Neal says.
“And
that would be?” Steve asks.
“I
can’t go in with you.”
Steve
looks at Neal.
“He’ll
make me in a heartbeat. Steve you’ll have to go in solo….”
“Oh
well hey Neal’s its cool….” Steve says nonchalantly.
“No
Steve it isn’t cool. You’re a….” Neal says but doesn’t finish because Steve
raises his hand.
“I
know what you’re going to say, ‘I’m an undercover virgin’ right?” Steve says.
Neal
just looks at him. “God you really just freak me out man! How do you do that?”
Steve
laughs. “I don’t know but I’ll be okay. What better way for me to be deflowered
than to go solo on my first undercover gig as a Detective and besides other
cops will be in my entourage.”
“Yeah
but I won’t be there…”
“Not
physically no but you’re be in the van and I’ll be wired for sound….so stop
worrying man you’re get gray hair” Steve glances over at Neal again. “Too
late….” Steve says.
“Smart
ass, I guess we got all we need here let’s go and talk to the Captain.”
THE NEXT DAY AT THE REGENCY HOTEL THE PENTHOUSE SUITE:
“Steve
where did you get this suit?” Neal asks as he helps Steve with the shirt
sleeves.
“Oh
I have a lot of suits from back when I….” Steve looks back over his shoulder at
the other people in the room. “….You know.”
“Fancy
cuff links.” Neal says.
“They
were a gift….”
Neal
just looks at him.
“Well
they were.” Steve says.
“There
you go man check yourself out in the mirror while I help you with your jacket.”
Steve
looks at himself in the full length mirror as he adjusts his vest and then he
unbuttons another button on his shirt and he lets Neal help him on with his
jacket.
“Do
you think the rings and necklace are too much?” Steve asks.
“Na
man you’re supposed to play the part and there’s one more thing….” Neal says.
“What
one more thing?” Steve asks as Neal goes to the closet in the hotel room and he
takes out a full length fur coat. Everybody in the room notices as they
whistle.
“Wow
Neal where did you get that? Is it real?” Steve asks.
“Yes
it’s real and I borrowed it from a friend so don’t get shot in it. Try it on
for size.” Neal helps him on with the coat. “Well what do you think?”
“I
think I like it!!!” Steve says as he turns this way and that in front of the
mirror.
“Every
pimp needs a fur coat. Where’s your hat?” Neal asks.
“On
the hook in the closet.”
Neal
goes back into the closet and he retrieves the hat and he hands it to Steve who
puts it on his head.
“You
look quite spiffy….” Neal says.
“I
look like a Don from the Portuguese Mafia.” Steve says.
“Is
there a Portuguese Mafia?” Neal asks.
“I
don’t know but if there is one I could be their leader.” Steve says.
They
hear a knock on the door. “Who is it?” Steve asks.
“Captain
Reynolds.”
Neal
goes over and he lets him in and the Captain is carrying a briefcase which he
sits on the desk.
“Well
Detective if I didn’t know it was you then I wouldn’t know that it was you. You
look great.”
“Thanks
Cap is that the money?” Steve asks.
“Yes
it is $50,000 dollars.” The Captain says as he opens the briefcase.
“Wow
it is blinding isn’t it?” Neal asks.
“To
say the least.” Steve replies.
“Here
is some walking around money $10,000 dollars.” The Captain said as he hands
Steve the money. “Don’t spend it all in one place. Flash it around, you know,
make it look good. You are supposed to be a high roller from
“Yes
Captain and my entourage is dressed and ready to go. We’re just waiting on the
limo.” Steve replies.
“Well
son I know that Neal wanted to be on your right for this one but I know that
you’ll do just fine.” The Captain puts his hand on Steve’s shoulder.
“Thanks
Captain.” Steve replies as he smiles.
“Neal
I’ll see you down in the van.” The Captain says then he leaves the room.
Neal
fiddles with the collar of the fur coat. “Don’t be nervous.”
“I’m
not.” Steve replies.
“We’re
be close by and you know we’re be….”
“….Listening.”
Steve and Neal say at the same time.
“You
know you don’t have a badge or a gun.” Neal points out.
“I
know but the driver has one and my bodyguard has one so Neal relax.” Steve says
as he grabs Neal by his wrists. “It’ll be cool.”
“Run
it down for me.” Neal says.
“Get
into the club and make contact with Rita and create enough of a stir that the
owner, Tanner?”
“Yeah.”
Neal says.
“Will
want to meet with me….” Steve says.
There
is another knock on the door.
“The
limo is here.” The voice says from the other side of the door.
“Thanks
man we’re be down….ready?” Neal says to Steve.
“Yeah.”
Steve says.
“Watch
yourself man okay? Jesus I wish I was going in with you….” Neal says.
“Don’t
worry man you’re get gray hair….”
Steve
looks at Neal and he smiles. “Too late….” They say at the same time.
The
limo pulled up to the curb and immediately the bodyguard got out and he opened
the back door to the limo and he waited as the rear passenger got out and when
he did he stood there for a minute looking at the people going into the club
then his bodyguard handed him a cigar which he also lit for him.
“Mary
had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow.” Steve said.
Parked
away from the club but still in sight of it was a van and in the van was
listening equipment and listening to Steve was Neal and the Captain who were
wearing headphones and recording, also in the van were two other police
officers, just in case back-up was needed.
“He’s
coming through loud and clear.” Neal says.
“Okay
boys this is it and I hope you can hear me because we’re going in.” Steve says.
The
bodyguard shuts the door behind him then the bodyguard escorts him to the front
door and instead waiting in line like the others Steve gives the doorman the
password that Carrie gave to him and the doorman lets them in much to the
dislike of the others. When he enters the nightclub it is a huge expanse of
fancy real estate. A long bar, a lot of fancy dressed tables and toward the
rear was a staircase and Steve couldn’t see the upper floor but those were
probably where the private rooms were located. To the right of him was where
the gambling was going on, couples wined and dined and danced on the dance
floor.
“Wish
me to take your coat sir?” The bodyguard asks.
“Yes
thank you.” Steve answers as he turns around and the bodyguard removes it from
him.
Then
a Maitre d' approaches them. “Good evening sir a table for two?”
“Right
now a table for one and I think I would like that booth right there in the
corner.” The Maitre d' looks to where Steve is pointing.
“Oh
but sir there is already a party sitting there….”
“Then
tell them to move….now. Here’s your incentive.” Steve hands him fifty dollars.
The
Maitre d' just stands there.
“Well?”
Steve says.
“Of
course sir.” The Maitre d' takes the fifty dollar bill and he goes off to the
table.
“Now
that took some gall….” The Captain replies.
Neal
laughs.
A
few minutes later the Maitre d' returns. “Your table sir is being prepared it will
take just a few minutes. Would you like to wait at the bar?”
“I
do not wait anywhere, I wish to sit at my table and enjoy my drink there. You
tell them to hurry.” Steve says.
The
Maitre d' goes back to the table and just a few seconds later he returns. “It is
now ready sir.”
Steve
follows the Maitre d' to his table and he sits down as the bodyguard stands
nearby. The Maitre d' was replaced by a waitress who took Steve’s drink order.
“Wow!
This place is expensive!! Look at these prices!” Steve exclaims as he looks at
the menu.
Back
in the van the Captain and Neal laugh.
The
waitress brings Steve his drink and as he drinks it he looks around the room
trying to spot Rita.
“Hey
Doug do you see her anywhere?” Steve asks the bodyguard.
“Nope
not yet….oh wait there she is.”
Doug
sees Rita coming down the stairs.
“Wow
she does have red hair and she is beautiful. Alright Doug go do your thing and
don’t forget your lines.”
Doug
looks back over his shoulder at Steve as he smiles then he walks over to Rita.
The
moment Steve walked in the door he was noticed and he was noticed by two big
goons that were standing near the end of the bar, one was Marco and the other
Manny.
“What
in the hell is that guy doing?” Marco says as he watches Doug approach Rita.
“Obviously
he doesn’t know the rules.” Manny replies.
“Well
I will just have to teach him.”
Doug
takes Rita back over to the table where Steve is sitting drinking and smoking
his cigar his hat now on the table his hair just brushing his collar.
“Sir
this is Rita.” Doug says.
Rita
was beautiful, tall, wearing a sparkly form fitting dress and her red hair
piled on top of her head and she tried to look happy but to Steve’s eyes she
looked far from happy.
“Lovely
Rita please sit and join me.” Steve says as he pats the place next to him on
the seat.
Rita
looks around.
“Is
there a problem?” Steve asks.
“You
are damn right there’s a problem!!!” Marco says as he suddenly appears and he
grabs Rita by her arm.
“My
such language and let her go I don’t want her bruised.” Steve says.
“I
run this floor and the girls here!! You don’t send your lackey over to talk to
her! If you want a girl you….”
The
next thing that Marco knew Doug, who was just as equally big in size and
statute, grabbed Marco by the neck and then he let go of Rita.
“You
don’t speak to him in that matter! Got it!!! Mr. Pereira deserves respect and
as for the ladies he can have any that he wants….got it!!!! Be nice he might be
your new boss soon!!”
Marco
nods his head then Doug pushes him away.
“Now
go away.” Doug says.
Marco
grabs his throat as he walks away.
“Now
Rita will you please sit?” Steve asks.
Rita
sits down next to him in the booth and Steve snaps his fingers and the waitress
comes immediately over to the table. “A bottle of your best champagne, two
shrimp cocktails and for the main course I will have the Escargot and the lady
will have a steak, medium well.”
The
waitress runs off with the order.
“Are
you alright?” Steve asks. “You look awfully pale.”
“You
shouldn’t have done that.”
The
waitress brings the champagne and she opens the bottle and Rita jumps when the
cork pops out of the bottle. The waitress then pours two glasses.
“I’m
sorry I’m afraid I’m not very good company.” Rita says.
Steve
puts his arm around her. “We’re have our dinner and then we can get a room. Now
why did you say that Doug shouldn’t have done that?”
“Marco
is not a very forgiving person. You broke the rules of the house.”
“The
rules?” Steve asks.
“Yes
the rules. You have to approach the bartender and tell them which girl you want
and he tells Marco and then the fee is set….”
Steve
laughs and Rita looks at him like he is crazy.
“You
see I don’t follow rules very well and I could care less if Marco likes it or
not. And I have never been here before so I didn’t know the rules. I wanted
you. You see I have a thing for redheads." Steve says. "Let's enjoy our dinner and don't worry, look here's our shrimp cocktails."
The
waitress brought their shrimp cocktails and soon after that she brought their
dinner as well. They made small talk and Steve tried everything he could think
of to make her smile but his charm this night wasn’t working. After dinner
Steve ordered a bottle of wine and two glasses and they went upstairs to her
private room with Doug waiting outside.
“Would
you like a glass of wine?” Steve asks after he puts his hat on the table and he
removes his jacket.
“No
not really. I want to get this over with as fast as possible if you don’t
mind.” Rita asks as she sits on the bed and she removes her shoes.
“Yes
I do mind.” Steve says then Rita looks at him. “Relax. Here have a glass of
wine.” Steve pours her a glass and he takes it to her.
Rita
takes a sip then Steve sits down on the bed next to her.
“I
sense tension, you don’t like me Rita?” Steve asks.
Rita
shrugs. “I don’t really know you.”
“That
is understandable. You may not know me but you and I we know the same person….”
Steve says as he takes the wine glass back and he sits it on the floor.
“What
do you mean? Who do we know?” Rita asks surprised.
“….Carrie.”
Steve says.
Rita
covers her mouth with her hands. “Oh my god, you know Carrie? But how did you…?
I thought she was dead.”
“No
Rita, she would be if I hadn’t saved her. She’s very much alive and in the
hospital.” Then Rita starts to cry and Steve puts his arms around her and he
pulls her closer. “I’m a cop Rita. A Detective with the Oceanview Police dept
and I am here to help you and every woman in this place. But to do that you
have to talk to me….”
Steve
puts his hands on her arms and he makes her sit up. “….Talk to me and tell me
how you and Carrie got involve in this place….”
“You….you
wouldn’t understand….”
“Try
me.” Steve replies. “Tell me some now to pass the time and then later you can
tell me the rest because tonight you’re leaving this place….”
Rita
looks at him surprised. “How?”
“You’re
going to walk out of here with me. You’re going to be my new lady….”
“No,
no you don’t understand! They won’t allow that! Marco won’t let you do that! I
owe them too much money!! It’ll cause too much trouble!”
“I
hope it causes a lot of trouble. I want your Boss Tanner to contact me, do you
think that will be enough to do it?” Steve smiles at her.
“You’re
crazy aren’t you?”
Steve
laughs. “I have been accused of that more than once. Help me Rita to help you.
It’s called White Slavery and we’re going to stop it….with yours and Carrie’s
help. Talk to me then pack a bag….go on I’m listening.”
What
with the talking and Rita then packing a bag they were in the room for an hour
and a half and when they finally emerged Doug the bodyguard was there and as
they were going down the stairs, Steve holding tight to Rita’s hand Marco meet
them halfway.
“Where
are you going?” Marco asks.
Steve
has to look up to answer him. “Why is that any of your business?”
Marco
laughs. “It’s my business because I say it’s my business! I am in charge of the
floor and the girls are mine….”
“Really?
The girls are yours?” Steve asks.
“Yeah
buddy!!! The girls are mine and that goes for Rita!”
“Really?
Well then let’s see….Doug….if you please.”
Doug
takes a stack of bills wrapped tightly with a thin paper band around it out of
his jacket pocket.
“Think
fast Bozo.” Doug says as he tosses it to Marco.
“What….what
is this?” Marco asks as he catches it.
“What
does it look like you idiot? It’s $5,000 dollars and I think that will pay off
any remaining debt that Rita may owe.” Steve wraps Rita’s hand around his
arm.
“Did
you say debt?” Marco repeats.
“And
tell your boss, Tanner, that his days are numbered. Now get out of our way.”
Steve says.
“Well
you heard what he said, move it Jackass.” Doug says as he pushes him down the
stairs.
Then
they continued down the stairs with the eyes of the other people in the club
following them out the door. Once outside the Limo driver was waiting with the
rear passenger door open.
“Get
us the hell out of here Pete.” Steve says as he helps Rita into the car.
4200 LAKESHORE DRIVE THE RESIDENCE OF VINCENT TANNER THE NEXT MORNING:
“Mr.
Tanner….” Marco says.
“….And
your reasoning for not telling me this sooner?”
“Mr.
Tanner you left very, explicit instructions not to disturbed you and you did
put me in charge….”
Vince
stands up and he leans over the desk. “Yes I put you in charge and looked what
happened!! Some unknown interloper walks into my club, unchallenged mind you,
and practically takes over!!! You let him take one of mine, mine girls, out of
the club!!! And it was Rita no less!! And you said that he used the word ‘debt’
not fee or payment but he used the word ‘debt’! Isn’t that what you said?”
“Yes
Sir Mr. Tanner but he looked like anybody else.”
“Anybody
else would not have used that word!!! That man was not an anybody else!!! And
he told you to tell me that my days were numbered?”
“Yes
Sir he did say….”
Vince
slams his hand down hard on the desk. “Please tell me that you checked out his
resume….”
“Ah
yes sir.” Marco takes a notepad out of his pocket. “His last name is
“People,
Marco, just don’t appear out of nowhere!!! He came from somewhere!!! What did
he look like? Young, old, what!!”
“He
was very well dressed. Dark, pin striped suit, diamond cuff links, fur coat and
hat. Collar length dark hair. He looked very young…..” Marco laughs. “Actually
he looks like he could be from the Mafia.”
Vince’s
face darkens. “And why is that funny????!!!!”
Marco
clears his throat. “Sorry Sir. I mean he was so young looking it was hard to
take him seriously. I mean Sir you should have seen him….”
“Where
is he staying?” Vince asks.
“The
Regency in the Penthouse Suite.”
“Call
him and set up a meeting for this afternoon. And Marco….”
“Yes
Sir?” Marco replies.
“A
cat has nine lives but you don’t….”
Marco
swallows hard. “Yes Sir I understand I’ll go and call him.”
THE REGENCY HOTEL THE PENTHOUSE SUITE:
“Rita,
would you like more coffee?” Steve asks as he pours himself a cup after they
finished their breakfast.
“Sure.”
Rita replies as she holds her cup up. “So you and him are partners?”
Steve
looks over his shoulder at Neal who was sitting on the sofa watching
television.
“Yeah
Rita boggles the mind doesn’t it?” Neal says.
“Putz.”
Steve replies.
“Are
you’re sure you two guys are really cops?” Rita asks.
“Yes
we are really cops.” Neal replies. “Why?”
“I
don’t know, you guys, are just strange. I have never known any other cops like
you guys.” Rita says.
“Yeah
we have been best friends for a long time right Neal?”
“Oh
yeah and we were probably married in another life.” Neal says.
“You
would have to say that out loud in front of our guest wouldn’t you?” Steve
replies as he sips his coffee.
Rita
laughs. “When can I see Carrie? Are you sure she’s okay?”
“Yes
she’s fine. She’ll be getting out of the hospital this afternoon and then you
two go into a safe house.” Steve reaches out and he holds her hand. “You’re
doing great so far just hang in there. You look better.”
“That
had to be the first good night’s sleep I have had in weeks. I feel so stupid….”
“Why
do you say that Rita?” Neal asks.
“Oh
thinking I could come out here and become an actress. It’s stupid to chase
dreams….”
“Rita
don’t say that. You aren’t alone, you and Carrie are just like millions of kids
that come out to
“They
end up dead Rita. You two are the lucky ones.” Neal says.
“My
family? How can I face them? I mean doing what I did what if they hate me?”
“Hey
listen to me Rita, our Captain called Carrie’s family and he told them that she
was safe and they were so happy and they’ll be out here soon to see her and I
am sure that your family will also be happy to hear from you too. When you get
ready you can call them….”
“….And
never stop chasing your dreams no matter what kind of trouble they get you
into. Just ask Steve there….” Neal says.
Steve
laughs. “I really don’t know what he’s talking about.”
“You
two guys are weird. I think I’m going to go and take a nice long hot shower.”
She says as she gets up from the table.
“Okay
see you later.” Steve says as he watches her walk off into the bedroom.
Steve
throws a napkin at Neal. “Why do you always have to cause trouble?”
“I
didn’t do anything. You know you did a great job last night….”
“Thank
you.” Steve says.
“I
can’t believe you ordered Escargot. I didn’t even know you knew what that was.”
Neal says.
“Like
I said there are a lot of things I know that you don’t know that I know. And
you never know when I might use them, you know.”
Silence
then Neal says, “I think you and I spend way too much time together I
understood what you just said.”
Steve
laughs and a few minutes later there is a knock on the door. “Come in.” Steve
says.
The
door opens and Doug comes in. “The operator wants us to know that she’s holding
a call for a Mr. Pereira.”
Steve
and Neal look at one another as they get up.
“Want
me to take it?” Doug asks.
“Yeah
Doug go ahead Neal and I will listen in on the extension.”
Doug
heads towards the phone on the table next to the sofa as Steve and Neal go into
the bedroom to listen in.
Doug
picks up the receiver. “Alright operator patch it through, Mr. Pereira’s
Suite.”
“This
is Marco from the….”
“I
know who you are and who you’re associated with. Get to the point.”
“Mr.
Tanner wants a meeting.”
Doug
looks towards the bedroom. “Oh he does? Where and when?”
“His
residence….”
Doug
laughs. “Oh no you must think that Mr. Pereira is stupid. He isn’t going
anywhere near his residence if he wants to meet we do it….out in the open. Mr.
Pereira happens to be fond of the ocean so we meet at the beach or we meet
nowhere….understand?”
“I’ll
call you back in ten minutes.” Marco says then he hangs up.
“So
how did I do guys?” Doug asks.
“You
intimated the hell out of me and I work with you.” Neal replies.
“Well
he didn’t waste anytime did he?” Steve asks as he puts his arm around Neal.
“You
made quite an impression toots.” Neal replies.
Ten
minutes later to the minute the phone rings again. “Patch it through, Mr.
Pereira’s Suite.”
“Lacey
Point at the Gazebo
“We’ll
be there.” Doug says before he hangs up.
Neal
looks at his watch. “It’s now eleven….”
“….And
we have a lot of work to do.” Steve replies.
LACEY POINT:
“And
away we go….” Neal says to Pete.
Steve
sits in the gazebo smoking a cigar as Doug stands near him. The Cadillac stops
in front of the gazebo and Marco gets out from the driver’s side then he opens
the rear passenger side door for Vince.
“Mr.
Pereira this is an interesting place to meet….” Vince replies.
“….And
beautiful. I love the ocean and I distrust you.”
“Me?
We just now this moment met and you distrust me?” Vince replies.
Steve
stands up and he stands next to Doug.
“I
distrust anyone who forces women into their servitude such as you, very
distasteful I might add.”
Vince
laughs. “Mr. Pereira I don’t honestly know what you’re speaking of.”
“Mr.
Tanner I’m not stupid.”
“And
who are you to judge are we not in the same business as it where?” Vince asks.
“Hardly.
You see I like legitimate enterprises. The ladies I employ are dancers,
waitresses, bartenders and they are free to leave at anytime. That is the
difference between you and me. You see, the men in
“Half
a million at least….” Vince replies.
Steve
whistles. “That is certainly a lot of debt. It will take some time to come up
with that sort of cash.”
“I
may be able to knock it down to a more reasonable sum if you throw in a little
something….extra” Vince says.
Steve
looks at Doug and in the van Neal and Pete perk up as well.
“Something
extra? What would that be?” Steve asks.
“Rita.”
Vince says.
“Rita?
That is certainly an odd request. She is very beautiful but she is just another
woman after all and I don’t understand why she is….” Steve says.
In
the van Neal suddenly has a bad feeling and in the next instance Neal sits down
the binoculars and he rips off the headphones.
“Neal
where are you going?”
“I
don’t like this Pete I’m going down there.” Neal says as he puts on his
holster.
“Neal
you can’t you’re blow it….”
“It’s
already blown….” Neal replies as he opens the door to the van and he jumps out
and then he runs in the direction of the gazebo.
“Oh
Mr. Pereira she isn’t just another woman to me she is like my right arm….”
Steve
and Doug look at one another then Steve looks back to Vince. “Really? Your
right arm?”
“….As
in partner.”
“Gun!!!!!”
Doug yells and Steve holding his fur coat tosses it to Marco and instead of
shooting Steve he shoots the fur coat and that gives Steve and Doug just enough
time to run across the gazebo and jump over the railing and when Steve hits the
sand he reaches down to his ankle and he pulls his weapon.
“Doug
are you alright?”
“It’s
just a scratch man. Cover me I’m going to those rocks over there.” Doug says.
Steve
stands up then and he shoots in the direction of the Cadillac as Doug runs
weaving back and forth through the sand to the rocks. Steve ducks back down
behind the Gazebo as he reloads and that is when he hears the Cadillac start up
and in the next minute he sees it drive off at a high rate of speed up the road
and that was when he also saw Neal. Steve didn’t know where Neal had come from
but he had ran from behind another outcropping of rocks and he stopped in the
middle of the road and as the Cadillac sped towards him he pulled his weapon
and pointed it at the windshield of the car.
“NEAL!!!!”
Steve
yells at the top of his lungs as he too ran out from behind the gazebo and he
pointed his weapon at the driver of the Cadillac.
“OCEANVIEW
POLICE!!!”
Neal
yelled as he fired at the windshield of the Cadillac and when the bullets hit
their target the car veered sharply to the left and leaving the road it headed
straight for the rocks there and when it made contact the beach was rocked by
the explosion and Neal was knocked off of his feet and when he raised his head
from the sand he saw the limo pulling up next to him and stopping and the
passenger door swinging open.
“Alright?”
Steve asks him.
Neal
nods his head as he gets up. “You?”
“Peachy.
Let’s go and get Rita.”
Neal
climbs into the passenger side and even before the door is closed Steve hits
the gas and he takes off.
THE REGENCY HOTEL THE PENTHOUSE SUITE:
Neal
and Steve had no idea that a Limo could travel that fast but travel it did and
when they reached the Hotel Steve slammed the brakes on, leaving half of the
rubber of the rear tires in the parking lot and he after he put it into Park he
and Neal jumped out and flashing their badges as they tore through the lobby
they jumped into the elevator that went to the Penthouse.
They
noticed that the door to the Penthouse was open as they approached it and from
inside they heard a loud moan as they took up positions on either side of it.
Drawing their weapons Steve peeks inside.
“Jack?”
Steve says.
And
as an answer they get another moan.
“I’m
going to swing it open.” Neal says as he takes his foot and he swings the door
open wider. “See anything Steve?”
“Just
Jack on the floor and the bedroom door is open.”
“High
or low?” Neal asks.
“Low.”
Steve responds and in the next minute Steve gets down on the floor and he rolls
into the room and when he comes up on one knee Neal is behind him pointing his
gun towards the bedroom and Steve has his towards the living room. Neal makes
his way slowly into the bedroom creeping along the walls.
Neal
comes out a few minutes later and by then Steve has Jack rolled over onto his
back with Jack holding his hand to the back of his head. Neal holsters his
weapon.
“It’s
clear. Is he okay?”
“He
has a nasty bump on the back of his head but he’ll live. Jack where is Rita?”
“That
witch!! She hit me and she took my gun!” Jack says as he winces.
Neal
looks at Steve. “Where did she go Jack?” Neal asks.
“The
hospital, after Carrie.” Jack replies.
“Jack….?”
Neal says.
“She
also took the keys to my Mustang….”
“Steve
lets blow! Now!” Neal says.
Steve
gets up and he follows Neal out of the room and on the way out they run into
Pete and Doug.
“Jack
is in there call the Medical Squad.”
They
make their way downstairs to where Neal’s Charger is parked and once in the car
Steve puts the bubble light on the roof.
“What’s
the big deal about Jack’s Mustang?” Steve asks.
“Jack’s
Mustang is a killing machine. It has so much horsepower it can blow this car
off of the road, nothing can catch it and I can barely handle it so just think
what a woman Rita’s size….”
“Let’s
roll partner.
ANGEL OF
As
they come up on the Hospital they are just about to pass the parking garage
when suddenly the blue and white Mustang they are looking for flies out of the
garage ramming the wooden arm and sending it flying into pieces in front of
them. Neal has to slam on his brakes to avoid a collision but he quickly
recovers.
“I
think we found them Neal.” Steve says as he picks up the mike. “Ocean this is
Victor 7 and we’re in pursuit of a blue and white Mustang, license number 075
Ocean Victor Sam, heading east. Be advised Ocean the driver is armed and
dangerous.”
“10-4
Victor 7. Attention all units. Victor 7 is in pursuit of a blue and white
Mustang, license number 075 Ocean Victor Sam, heading east. All units driver is armed and dangerous.” The
dispatcher says.
“Jesus
Neal I see what you mean….” Steve says.
Neal
doesn’t answer as he concentrates on following the Mustang who is at least
three cars ahead of them. Weaving in and out of the late afternoon traffic the
chase continues as they follow the highway out of the city.
“Ocean
this is Victor 7 still headed east just passing Rumsfield….Neal where is she
going?”
“She
headed into the hills she thinks she can lose us.” Neal says.
“There’s
a lot of twisty and turny roads out that way and she can barely control that
car on the straight….”
Neal
had managed to catch up to her and before Steve could finish his sentence a shot
rang out and shattered the back window of the Mustang. Neal swerved as the
bullet flew thru his windshield and embedded itself in the back seat.
“Holy
shit she’s shooting at us!” Steve yells.
“Good
deduction.” Neal says.
“Ocean
Victor 7 shots fired! I repeat shots fired!” Steve says into the mike.
The
chase continued on with speeds reaching close to 80 miles per hour and in no
time they had clear the restrictions of the city and now they were on the
mountainous highway climbing ever higher. Even though they were climbing the
Mustang didn’t slow much and the highway was straight and narrow but suddenly
up ahead was a sharp curve and the Mustang was going too fast to negotiate it.
The Mustang crossed the double yellow line
into the on coming lane and coming the opposite way was a car. The car blew its
horn and the driver had to run the passenger side of its car into the hillside
to avoid a collision. Rita overcompensated and that combined with excessive
speed sent the car into a tailspin and as the car spun in circles the momentum carried
it backwards crashing thru the guardrail that was protecting the drivers from
the sheer drop down below and even before Neal pulled up and stopped his car
and they jumped out the Mustang was gone.
Neal
called in for the Rescue Squad as Steve ran to the side and looked over and
down below the car was sitting in a tree, its branches cradling it as it leaned
precariously to one side. Steve slid down the slope to the tree and the
driver’s side was facing him and he could see that Rita was dead and in the
passenger side was Carrie. The hillside created just enough of a ledge that
Steve could stand on it close to the driver side and the car creaked and groan
as it rocked back and forth in the branches.
Carrie
opened her eyes and she blinked once then twice then when she saw where she was
she screamed.
“Carrie!
Don’t move sweetheart okay. Sssshhh it’s going to be alright.” Steve says from
the driver’s side. “No don’t look down just look at me.”
Carrie
looks at Steve and then she also sees Rita.
“Oh
my god!”
“Carrie
don’t worry about her just look at me.” Steve urges.
Carrie
turns her eyes towards him.
“Good
girl, are you hurt?”
Carrie
shakes her head. “I don’t think so….” She turns her head slightly to look back
over her shoulder.
“Carrie
honey don’t look down just concentrate on me okay. Now I’m going to get you out
of there….”
Steve
tries not to touch the car, not wanting to add anymore weight to it, so as not
to push it over as he leans in the window passed Rita. He extends one hand to
her as the other is wrapped tightly around a nearby branch.
“Stretch
out your hand to me.” Steve instructs and Carrie does.
“I
can’t reach you!!!”
“Try
Carrie! You have to….!”
At
that moment the car slides downward another inch groaning like a wounded animal
as it does so.
“It’s
moving!!!!” Carrie yells.
Steve
leans farther into the car.
“Listen
to me Carrie!!! Reach! Stretch up to me!!! Climb!!! Grab my hand!!! Now!!!”
Steve looks at her. “If you don’t you’ll die!!! Do you trust me? Do you….?”
In
that small space of that car as they look at one another his hand reached out
to her time slows. She turns her body just so as she uses one of her feet as
leverage bracing it against the passenger door and the other she gets beneath
her in the seat. Using her right hand she supports herself on the dash of the
car as she reaches up to grab Steve’s hand and when they touch….he breathes
again and time speeds up.
“Good
girl.”
He
grabs her by the wrist and he pulls her up to him and just as he almost has her
out of the car window he hears the blood chilling sound of a gun’s hammer being
pulled back and when he looks in the direction that the sound came from….
Rita
is pointing the gun at him and he freezes and Carrie screams as she looks back
over her shoulder.
Somewhere
to Steve’s left a ear splitting shot rings out and pierces the windshield of
the car and Rita drops the gun and he and Carrie look to their left to see Neal
pointing his gun at the car and then the car shifts violently and it begins to
fall. Steve tries to pull Carrie free but as the car falls one of her feet
catches in the seatbelt and drags Carrie down with it and Steve still holding
onto her feels himself being taken down with her.
Steve
holding onto the branch with his other hand uses it to try and stop himself
from being pulled down but it only serves to injure his hand as he feels the
tree bark slice through the flesh and then he feels himself falling.
The
car when it shifted and fell from the tree sounded like an elephant being shot
and the crash was deafening when it finally hit bottom and Steve felt something
akin to whiplash as he felt himself being grabbed from behind and when he
looked back over his shoulder he sees Neal holding tight onto his ankles. Neal’s
foot braced against a tree stump the strain showing on his face.
Steve feels like his arms are going to be
pulled out of their sockets because he is holding Carrie by the collar of her
jacket, dead weight because when she fell she hit her head and she is
unconscious and maybe that was a good thing because her shoe was ripped off of
her foot as the car fell.
“Neal!
Holy….shit! Neal! Jesus god it hurts!!! I….I can’t hold her for much longer….do
something!!!” Steve says as he looks behind him.
“I….I’m
going to drag you….to me.” Neal says breathlessly.
“Now!!!
Do it now!!!!” Steve pleads.
Neal
let’s go of one of Steve’s ankles then using both hands on one leg he pulled
Steve closer to him then using Steve’s pants as a ladder Neal worked his way up
to Steve’s belt and when he got him far enough away from the edge he leaned
over the edge and putting his hands over Steve’s together they pulled Carrie
back over the edge and to safety.
9TH PRECINCT
Neal
was just about to get on the elevator when the doors opened that was until he
ran into Steve getting off of it.
“Hey….”
Steve says.
“Hey
yourself.” Neal answers. “Ah….what are you doing here?”
“Here?”
Steve asks.
“Yes
Steve here. Actually what were you doing in Property?” Neal asks.
“Property?”
Steve answers.
“Yes
Steve Property. That elevator that you just got off of came from the second
floor and Property is on the second floor. Lose something?” Neal asks.
“No!
No! I was just visiting Ernie.” Steve replies.
“Ernie?”
“Yeah
you know Ernie, the clerk in Property?”
“Yes
Steve I know who Ernie is. Why, pray tell, were you visiting him?” Neal asks.
“Well
you see I was in the neighborhood, I went to the hospital to see Carrie and for
my follow-up….”
“How
is Carrie doing by the way and how’s your hand?” Neal asks.
“Oh
she’s doing great! Her family’s coming out next week and my hand is doing okay
as for my shoulders they are still….”
Neal
waves his hand back and forth. “That still doesn’t tell me why you’re here
Steve.”
“Oh!
To drop off the doctor’s report for the Captain, you know, to save him the
trip….”
“Steve….”
“Hmmmm?”
“Why
were you visiting Ernie in Property? What were you looking for?” Neal asks.
“Looking
for?” Steve repeats.
“Yeah
looking for.”
“Oh
nothing! I bought Ernie a comic book while I was at the hospital….oh hell!”
Steve looks at his watch. “Look at the time I really must go….”
Steve
starts to leave but Neal grabs him by the arm.
“Ow!
Neal my arms are still sore!”
“Ah
poor baby. Come on I want to show you something.”
Neal
takes Steve out front to where his car is parked and he unlocks the trunk and
he takes a bag out and from that bag he takes out the fur coat and Steve takes
one look and he starts to turn around and walk away.
“Freeze!”
Neal yells.
Steve
turns around and Neal is holding the fur coat up looking at Steve through the
numerous bullet holes that the coat has suffered.
“Psssst
hey mister! Can I interest you in a Swiss cheese fur coat!!!?” Neal says. “Look at this coat!!! When she
sees this coat I am dead!!!”
“Maybe
you can get it fixed?” Steve asks.
“Fixed?
Fixed? Are you out of your mind!!! Steve it isn’t like a tire that has a hole
that you can plug!!! This is a fur coat!!!”
“Well
hell Neal excuse me!!! If I hadn’t thrown that coat then I would be full of
little holes and I would be….DEAD! So what would you rather have? A fully
intact fur coat and a dead partner full of holes or….a intact partner and a
dead fur coat full of holes?”
“Can
I get back to you on that?” Neal asks.
“NEAL!!!!
I’m sorry but it was a reflex action! Maybe it can be salvaged, you know, made
into something else.”
“Such
as?” Neal asks as he looks at the coat.
“I
know a guy who knows a guy….”
Neal
raises his eyebrow at this.
“Just
hear me out. He’s a furrier and he can take this coat and turn it into a fur
stole or even a short jacket or if all hope is lost into a Muff.”
“A
what?” Neal asks.
“A
muff. It’s a tube made out of fabric or in this case fur and women use it to
keep their hands warm. Their hands fit into it….”
“Steve
this is
“Ah….well
no but she could start a new fashion trend….”
“Steve!”
“Yeah
Neal?”
“Have
you ever heard the saying ‘you always hurt the ones you love’?”
“Well
yeah sure….” Steve backs up as Neal comes closer. “Ah….Neal I love you….”
“I
love you too and Steve this is going to hurt you more than it will hurt me!”
Steve
continues to back up and now he is on the sidewalk and still Neal is coming
closer.
Steve
laughs. “Neal I think you have that old saying all wrong….it’s suppose to be
‘this is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you’.”
Neal
shakes his head.
“No?”
Steve says.
“No.”
Neal says.
Steve
backs up even more and Neal comes after him and then Steve turns and he runs
with Neal chasing after him. They run up the sidewalk and across the street and
then they run out of sight.
V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7
“You
had to chase me for two blocks.” Steve says.
“Yeah
but I caught your skinny ass and I kicked it.” Neal says.
“And
you should have been ashamed of yourself!!! Beating up on an injured person!!
Somebody should have called the cops.” Steve says.
“They
did. They called me! I had to respond to me beating you up!!” Neal says.
“How’s
Ruby doing?” Steve asks. “Neal me thinks you are blushing.”
“She’s
doing great.” Neal says.
“And
when is the baby due?” Steve asks.
“Next
month.”
“Ahhhh
Papa Neal. The greatest joy I will have is seeing you holding that baby boy.”
Steve says.
“It
might just be a girl you know.” Neal says.
“No
not with your Italian genes. Hey let’s go and get some Chinese take-out at that
restaurant she loves and go back to your house!!!” Steve says happily.
“Jesus
Steve do you know what time it is? She’ll kill me!”
“No
she won’t she loves you and besides I can give her the present for the baby.”
Steve says.
“Ahhhh
Steve you old softie you! You got our baby a present? That’s sweet! What is
it?” Neal asks.
“A
baby’s blanket made from that fur coat. Minus the bullet holes of course!”
Steve says proudly.
“A
baby’s blanket from that fur coat….? Steve you’re joking right?” Neal says.
“No.
What’s a matter Neal you don’t seem too happy.”
“Well
you know….I told her that we needed the coat for evidence in the case….”
“Yeah….”
Steve says.
“….And
that it was mysteriously….lost.” Neal says.
“Yeah….”
Steve says.
“….And
you know by now it’s been years and she probably forgot all about it….”
“Yeah….”
Steve says.
“….And
you just mysteriously….found it?” Neal says.
“Something
like that yeah….” Steve says.
“….And
you made a baby’s blanket out of it??” Neal asks.
“Technically.”
“Technically?”
Neal repeats.
“There
was enough left over to make a muff too!!!” Steve laughs. “Got you partner!!!”
Silence
then Neal says. “Steve you know if somebody else would only take you as their
partner I would drop you off on their doorstep. But nobody else wants you!!!”
Neal says as he laughs.
“So
I guess we’re stuck with each other. And Neal by the way….” Steve says.
“….I
know I love you too.” Neal says.
“Let’s
go home….” Steve says.
“Yeah
until later….” Neal says.
The
next sound is the tape recorder being turned off.
-30-
All
rights reserved. Steve Perry and Neal Schon’s likenesses appear only as
characters. Any resemblance to any one living or dead is purely a coincidence.
This fictional story is for entertainment purposes only and for the complete
enjoyment of the author and the readers.
And for the love of things and people back in the day.