THE DETECTIVES OF THE 9TH PRECINCT
SERIES
“ADONIS”
“Oh man if this isn’t embarrassing.”
Steve exclaims out loud to himself.
“What?” Neal asks as he comes into the
room.
“Nothing.” Steve replies as he shoves
the file underneath the calendar that covers his desktop. “Did you stop and get
lunch?”
“Yes dear.”
“Great I am starved! The cheeseburger is
well-done with onions, tomatoes, no pickles and Thousand Island dressing
right?”
Neal makes a face. “Yeah.”
“And the cheese fries?”
“Yeah.” Neal replies.
“Well what are you waiting for give it
to me!”
“Not until you show me what you just hid
under your calendar there.” Neal replies.
“You can’t do that! Hold my lunch
hostage!!! You know I have to eat in a timely manner!” Steve exclaims.
“I can do whatever I want I bought this
with my own money bucko and that reminds me you owe me five dollars and fifty
cents!!!”
Steve whistles. “Wow prices sure have
gone up haven’t they?”
“Yeah man now what did you hide under
your calendar? No info no lunchie!” Neal replies as he swings the bag back and
forth.
“Oh alright.” Steve replies as he pulls
the file out from under the calendar and he hands it to Neal while at the same
time Neal hands the bag to Steve.
Steve happily takes the bag as Neal
opens the file folder and he starts to laugh. “Oh man I can see why you would
be embarrassed! I remember this case! I thought this thing was destroyed or
something.”
“Yeah me too but obviously it wasn’t
because there it is!” Steve replies.
Neal goes over and he sits at his desk.
“Amazing! Too bad this thing didn’t hit the newsstands I bet you would be a
famous male model by now.”
“Really?” Steve asks surprised.
“Oh sure but of course back then
hairless was in….”
“Ah! That still bugs you doesn’t it?”
Steve exclaims.
“Ruby likes my hairy chest and that is
all that matters! Hey wait what is this here?”
“What?” Steve asks as he goes around to
Neal’s desk.
“Your stats! Steve none of these are
right! You weren’t born in 1953 and you weren’t 5’11!”
“Well they told me that modeling was a
young guy’s game so they changed a few things and as for the height thing….well
in that picture I’m lying down….”
“Ewwww you’re just lying period!!! Everything
here is wrong! Your chest measurements….” Neal replies.
“I will have you know Neal that those
measurements are right!!!”
Neal laughs at this.
“Laugh all you want bucko but back then
I did a lot of working out and those measurements are right!”
“Bull hockey I’ll say! I think you
padded your resume and not to mention your pants!!!! Wow!!! There is no way
that is all you!!” Neal exclaims.
“What can I say god was good to me.”
Neal scratches his head. “Come to think
of it back then I was missing a pair of socks….”
Steve pushes Neal as he laughs. “Stop
it! You know what they say about Portuguese men with big noses.”
“I thought it was the big feet thing?”
Neal asks.
“Oh no no not with the Portuguese, it’s
the nose.”
“It also says here that you
like….sailing? Steve the last time you got on a boat you threw up a very,
expensive lobster dinner.” Neal exclaims.
“I had a touch of the flu….”
“
“Ah I did jump out of that helicopter
that time you know!”
“Yeah Steve it was a ride at the
amusement park and it was about 15 feet off of the ground!”
“So I still jumped out of it!”
“You also like quiet, moonlit walks on
the beach, puppies and kittens….” Neal says as he continues to read.
“All that is true!”
“….Reading, gardening and….yoga?! Steve
you don’t know anything about yoga!”
“Actually Neal I think I wrote yogurt
but they couldn’t read my handwriting so it ended up being….yoga.”
“Ah well that would explain that. It
also says that you like all kinds of women, blondes, brunettes, redheads and
they can be short or tall, thin or fat….that really runs the gammit Steve.”
“Well sure that says that I like a
variety sorta like a Chinese Buffet….” Steve replies.
“Know what it says to me?” Neal asks.
“No what Neal?”
“Desperation!”
“Desperation?” Steve repeats.
“Yes desperation and it also says that
you speak three languages? Three languages Steve?”
“Yeah three languages.” Steve replies.
“And those would be what exactly?”
“Portuguese, English and sign language.”
Steve replies as he counts them off of his fingers.
“Sign language?”
“Yeah sign language.” Steve replies as
he demonstrates for Neal.
“Steve technically obscene hand gestures
are not sign language.”
“They aren’t?” Steve replies.
“No they aren’t because if it was I
would know sign language and so would that guy that flipped me off this
morning. So Steve the only true things on here are that you’re single,
Portuguese and an Aquarius.”
“Ah don’t forget the puppies and kittens
thing….” Steve points out.
“Alright the puppies and kittens too but
I will admit one thing.”
“That would be what?” Steve asks.
“Pat takes great pictures!” Neal
replies.
“Yes he does and look I got a postcard
from good old Pat.” Steve says as he hands Neal the postcard.
“So where is Pat these days? The
“Neal they are called photographs do you
always have to be such a barbarian?” Steve asks.
“Oh well excuse me!!! Photographs! There
is that better? You know Steve, Pat always gives you credit with getting him
that fancy job of his what with those….pics….I mean photographs that he took of
you.”
“You know Neal I would do it again it
was sorta fun taking those photographs.”
“I don’t know there were a few times you
looked awfully nervous there Steve especially when they needed those beefcake
shots!”
“Well Neal it isn’t everyday that a
bunch of strangers get to see me in all of my glory!! I was nervous because I
didn’t want them to be overwhelmed.” Steve replies.
Neal shakes his head. “Oh brother. So I
guess this time we are talking about the Adonis case right?”
“You would be correct there partner.”
“Well let’s get started the lettuce on
my sandwich is starting to wilt.” Neal exclaims.
“Alrighty then it started like this.”
V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7
4201 ROCKY POINTE—THE ROCKY POINTE DUPLEXES # 112:
Early in the morning and the phone that
is next to Steve’s bed on the night table rings a couple of times then it stops
then a few minutes later the phone rings again and this time Steve jumps. Steve
sleepily reaches out in the direction of the phone and just as he gets a finger
on the receiver the ringing stops. Steve with his face buried in the pillow
lets his hand drop back down to the receiver and a few minutes later the phone
rings again and this time Steve grabs the receiver and he slowly brings it over
to his ear.
“Hel….lo.” Steve says sleepily.
“Steve its Neal….”
At the sound of Neal’s voice Steve puts
the receiver back into it’s cradle then Steve turns on his side and he goes
back to sleep….then the phone rings again.
Steve rolls over onto his back and he
reaches out and lifts the receiver and he brings it to his ear.
“Hel….lo.” Steve says sleepily.
“Hey sleeping beauty time to rise and
shine.” Neal replies.
Steve rolls over and once again he hangs
phone back up. A few minutes later the phone rings again and once again Steve
answers it.
“Hello.”
“Candy Gram.” Neal replies.
This causes Steve to laugh.
“I knew that one would get you. Am I
interrupting anything?”
Steve yawns. “Just me sleeping.”
“Oh hey man I’m sorry to hear that.”
Steve sits up in bed. “Just because she
didn’t spend the night doesn’t mean it was a bad night partner.”
“Oh I see. I’ll come around and pick you
up in an hour and a half. Is that enough time for you to do your hair?” Neal
laughs.
“Oh sure and pick out my outfit for the
day I have to find one that the guys haven’t seen before!”
Neal laughs. “I’ll bring breakfast.”
Steve yawns. “Cool. I’ll see you in an
hour and a half and thanks for the wake-up call.”
“Anytime partner see you soon.”
AN HOUR AND HALF LATER:
“Well if it isn’t Prince Charming.” Neal
replies as Steve gets in his car.
“And a good morning to you too, you know
maybe this weekend I should buy a new alarm clock.”
“You never told me what happened to the
old alarm clock. Here’s your coffee and Danish.”
“Oh cool my favorite! Brenda happened
and that is what happened to the old alarm clock.”
“Say no more.” Neal replies as they
drive away. “Just before you came out we got a call about a dead body over on
the west side.”
“The west side wow that is the ritzy
part of town.”
“The rich die too you know.” Neal
replies.
“Rich or poor we all come into this
world the same way….”
“….And we all go out the same way too.”
Neal replies.
“That we do partner….that we do.”
FELIPE COURT 1 OCEANVIEW
WEST #510:
“Neal did you see that Jacuzzi?”
“Yeah man it was really something.”
“Just like this apartment! Look a sunken
living room and a fire place!” Steve replies as he looks around.
“I wonder if the dead body is extra, hey
Sam.”
“Detectives, how are you two this fine
morning?”
“Fine just fine. So what have you got
for us?” Neal asks.
“Well he is a young male and he’s only
been dead a few hours, rigor hasn’t even set in yet. Looks like he was
stabbed….”
“And somebody really did a number on his
face.” Neal replies as he kneels down by the body.
“At one time he looked like that.” Sam
replies as he points to the numerous pictures on the wall.
“And somebody liked those even less and
whoever killed him slashed all of those pictures.” Neal replies.
“Hey Neal come here and look at this.”
Steve replies by the fireplace.
“Wanna you got?” Neal asks as he joins
Steve by the fireplace.
“Well looks like it was pictures but all
of them didn’t burn….”
“So I see we’ll get the crime scene boys
to put them in an envelope for us.” Neal replies.
“This guy was really a looker.”
“Yeah man he was prettier than you!”
Neal points out.
“Ha-ha.” Steve laughs as he wanders into
the bedroom. “Wow Neal is that a….”
“Yeah man it’s a waterbed.” Neal
replies.
“I didn’t know they made round
waterbeds.”
“I didn’t either well this explains all
the pictures….” Neal replies as he points to a picture that is on the floor.
“Adonis Magazine….never heard of it?
Have you?”
Neal shakes his head. “Nope but he’s on
the cover….”
“Scantily clad I might add….Adonis
Magazine.” Steve says as he writes in his notepad. “His name is
“
“Maybe he only has one name sorta like
“Maybe.” Neal replies as he looks thru
the closet. “Fancy clothes….”
“….And fancy jewelry.” Steve points out.
“This was definitely not a robbery.”
“Definitely not….stabbing is a very
intimate type of crime.” Steve replies.
“Wow Steve this bathroom is as big as my
whole apartment!” Neal replies. “I would venture to guess that a jilted lover
might be a good suspect….”
“Or a rival….I mean somebody was making
a point by smashing his face like that. Reeking havoc on beauty that god had
bestowed.”
Neal looks at Steve. “Did you make that
up?”
“Yeah actually I did.” Steve replies.
“Hmm well that was certainly
interesting….” Neal replies as he reaches out for the medicine cabinet.
“Ah always be mindful of fingerprints
partner.” Steve replies as he takes a tissue out of his jacket pocket and he
hands it to Neal.
“That hasn’t been used has it?”
“No not yet.” Steve replies as Neal take
it then he uses it to open the medicine cabinet at the corner of the door.
“Well I don’t see any female stuff in
here….”
“Female stuff Neal?” Steve asks.
“Yeah you know female….” Neal gestures.
“….stuff!”
“Look under the sink.”
“Under the sink?” Neal repeats.
“Yeah under the sink.”
Neal reaches out with the tissue and he
opens the door to the cabinet that is underneath the sink then he gets down on
one knee as he looks inside.
“Bingo there is a box of tampons and
some real fancy shampoo and conditioner….expensive. How did you know?”
“Neal you’re the one with the lady I
would think that you would know that most women keep their feminine products
underneath the bathroom sink….you know for easy access.”
“For your information Steve I don’t go
snooping around Ruby’s bathroom cabinets.”
“And plus the girlfriends I have had
have kept some of their stuff underneath my bathroom sink and that is how I
know and now we know that he had a girlfriend….”
“Or two or three.” Neal replies as he
gets back to his feet. “You know we’re in the wrong profession if a guy can
make this kind of money, you know, just posing for pictures.”
“I agree its crazy isn’t it?”
“Yeah man it’s to die for. Let’s find an
address for this Adonis magazine….”
“And notify
ADONIS MAGAZINE’S OFFICE
AND STUDIOS 1402 MAYWEATHER THREE HOURS LATER:
“Neal do you think that is real silver?”
Steve asks as they sip their tea from china cups as they both eye the real
Silver tea service.
“I wouldn’t know….hey Steve where are
you going?”
“I just want to have a look.” Steve
replies as he carefully removes the pieces from the tray.
“Steve I don’t think you should do
that.” Neal replies as he walks over and he stands beside him.
“Oh come on Neal don’t tell me that you
aren’t curious….” Steve replies as he turns the tray over.
“I can assure you Detectives that the
silver isn’t stolen.”
At the sound of her voice behind them
Steve almost drops the tray as they both jump.
Neal laughs. “Oh no it isn’t anything
like that….”
“Oh no you see we were just….” Steve
replies as he clutches the tray to his chest with one hand.
“My name is Toni….Toni Valerian.” Toni
replies as she shakes Neal’s hand then as she attempts to shake Steve’s hand
instead he hands her the tray.
Steve laughs. “I’m sorry….” Steve
replies as he shakes her other hand.
Toni sets the tray back on the table.
“When my secretary told me that two Detectives were here to see me I must admit
that I was shocked….has something happened?”
“I’m afraid so Miss Valerian do you know
this man?” Neal replies as he shows her a picture.
“Well yes of course I do that is
“Yes Miss Valerian I am sorry to tell
you this but he was murdered….” Steve replies.
“Murdered? Oh my goodness no! When did
this happen?”
“Early this morning.” Steve replies.
“We will need some information from you
that is if you don’t mind.” Neal replies as she sits behind her desk.
“Oh of course anything I can do to
help.”
“Miss Valerian if you don’t mind me
saying so you look awfully familiar.” Steve says.
“Well Detective I have never been
arrested if that is what you mean.” Toni replies.
“No it isn’t that….” Steve snaps his
fingers together. “Now I know….I saw you in a magazine….it was Neal’s Playboy!
Neal remember she was Ms. July!”
“Oh yeah she was I mean you were!”
Toni laughs. “That was almost two years
ago Detectives I must have made quite an impression.”
“Oh you did I mean it was the
well-placed sparklers….wasn’t that dangerous?” Steve asks seriously.
“Steve!”
“What?”
Toni laughs. “It was slightly dangerous
and if you like I have copies I could autograph for you, that is, if you don’t
consider that a bribe Detectives?”
Steve laughs. “Oh no Miss Valerian I
wouldn’t consider that a bribe at all! What about you Neal?”
“Oh no not at all.” Neal agrees.
“Please call me Toni, now what can I
tell you about
“Well first you can tell us what
“His name was Michael Hawkins and you
can see why he changed his name.”
Steve looks over at Neal. “Well no not
really I mean we saw a lot of pictures of him in his apartment and he was a
very good looking guy….”
“Pretty actually.” Neal adds.
“So why does a guy that looks like that
change his name I mean his looks would sell whatever product that he is
modeling for, right?” Steve asks.
“Yes and no. You see
“Oh I see.” Steve replies as he writes
feverishly on his notepad. “How long did you know
“Oh about two years now.”
“Do you know if he was dating anybody?”
Neal asks.
“Yeah did he have a special girl in his
life?” Steve asks.
Toni shakes her head. “No I don’t have
any idea, you see Detectives I like to keep out of my models personal lives
unless it negatively affects their abilities to do their jobs. Such as not
showing up for photo shoots that sort of thing.”
“Oh I see so you never been to his
apartment?” Steve asks.
“No I don’t even know where he lives.”
Toni replies.
“Do you know if he had any trouble with
anybody? Fights? Disagreements?” Neal asks.
“Yeah anybody that wanted to do him
harm? Any enemies that you know about?”
Toni shakes her head. “No Detectives at
the moment I don’t know anything like that.”
Steve scratches his head. “Alright but
if you remember anything lets us know okay?”
“Of course I will.”
“Have you had any trouble with anybody?”
Neal asks.
Toni shakes her head.
Steve looks over at Neal then he looks
back at her. “Adonis Magazine? What is that exactly?”
Toni smiles. “Adonis Magazine is a
magazine that is solely for women.”
Neal and Steve look at one another. “You
mean like Cosmo?” Neal asks.
“Or Better Homes and Gardens?” Steve
asks.
Toni laughs. “No not exactly. I have
last month’s issue with
“Centerfold?” Steve and Neal both say at
the same time.
When they open the magazine to the
centerfold and hold it up three pages tumble down.
“Holy Mary are you sure this is legal?”
Steve asks as he points to the picture.
“Yeah man if he wasn’t dead we would
have to arrest him for indecent exposure!”
Toni laughs. “We are the male version of
Playboy.”
“Yeah I see that.” Steve replies. “You
know maybe since I am a guy I shouldn’t be looking at this magazine.”
“Yeah it gives me an icky feeling.” Neal
replies as he closes the magazine.
“Uncomfortable Detectives?” Toni asks.
“Well you know I wouldn’t exactly call
it uncomfortable.” Steve replies.
“Oh well then what would you call it?”
Toni asks. “Men have had magazines filled with naked pictures of women for
years so in this day and age do you not think it is time for women to have one
for them?”
Steve looks over at Neal. “Neal you know
she has a point.”
“Wait a minute you posed for Playboy
didn’t you?” Neal asks.
“Yes I did and I did it for the money so
I could start a revolution! A female revolution Detectives! Men for centuries have
had everything handed to them and that includes women! It is not unusual for
men to pick-up an issue of Playboy or some other magazine and no one bats an
eye but when women have a magazine that depicts handsome men in the same
provocative poses it causes raised eyebrows. Why cant women enjoy the same
pleasures as men?”
Steve once again looks over at Neal.
“Neal you know she has a point.”
“This is that women’s lib stuff again
isn’t it?” Neal asks.
Toni laughs. “Do you have something
against Women’s Lib Detective?”
Before Neal can answer Steve jumps up.
“Okay let’s not get into that….”
Toni also stands up and she comes around
from behind the desk. “Detective Perry….”
“Steve.”
“Steve do you mind if I ask you a
question?” Toni asks.
Steve looks over at Neal as he shrugs.
“Well I….sure go ahead.”
“What are you?” Toni asks.
Steve looks confused. “What am I?”
“Yes I mean your nationality? Are you an
American Indian?” Toni asks.
Steve laughs. “Oh no I’m Portuguese! My
mom and dad were born in
“The first one in his family actually.”
Neal points out.
“Why do you ask?” Steve asks.
Toni taps her finger against her lips.
“Because I think that you have a very unique look….what with your dark
complexion and eyes and that wonderful hair of yours….I think you would make a
great model.”
For
just a minute they are silent and then Neal starts to laugh.
“What in the hell is so funny?” Steve
asks.
Neal puts his hand on his chest as he
continues to laugh. “I’m sorry….but Steve a model? My partner Steve?”
“Yeah Neal your partner Steve! Me!”
Steve replies as he pats himself on the chest.
Neal gets out of his chair and he puts
his arm around Steve’s shoulders. “Toni come on I mean I thought models were
tall and muscular….”
Steve shrugs Neal’s arm off. “I am not
short! I am average height and I do too have muscles! Look!” Steve replies as
he takes off his jacket and throws it into the chair then he flexes his bicep
and he shows off his muscle. “See that is a muscle!!”
“Would you mind taking off your shirt?”
Toni asks.
Steve looks shocked as he laughs. “Oh no
no I couldn’t possible do that now I mean I’m on duty and all!!!”
“Oh come on Hercules do it for the
lady.” Neal replies as he grins.
“Alright I will!” Steve replies as he
takes off his holster and he hands it to Neal. “Hold this.” Then Steve grabs
his shirt at the hem and he pulls it off over his head and he tosses it to
Neal.
“See I told you he is a skinny kid….he
is all hair and nose.” Neal exclaims.
“Oh no….” Toni takes Steve by his hand
and she pulls him closer to the window. “The way he looks is in this season!”
“It is?” Neal asks.
“It is?” Steve also asks.
“Oh yes it is and I am willing to bet
that readers of my magazine will just love you!! Can we take some pictures of
you?”
Steve makes a face. “Oh well I don’t
know I mean I am busy with this investigation and all….” Steve replies as he
looks at Neal.
“Ah….yeah I mean we still have a lot of
questions to ask you maybe he can do that later….you know a lot later.”
“Yeah Toni you know a lot later.” Steve
repeats.
“Yes you are right you are here about
“Sure I’ll think about it.” Steve
replies as he puts his shirt back.
“So Toni can we ask you some more
questions?” Neal asks.
“Yes of course I will do anything I can
to help.” Toni replies as she sits back down behind the desk.
“Okay tell us what you know about
THE 9TH
PRECINCT SQUAD ROOM TWO DAYS LATER:
“You’re still mad aren’t you?” Steve
asks.
“I was never mad Steve.”
“Yes you were I can always tell.”
Neal takes a deep breath. “No I wasn’t.”
“Is it my fault that hairy isn’t in this
season?”
“She didn’t say that Steve.” Neal
replies.
“She didn’t have to you know I have a
sixth sense about these sort of things.”
“Steve what she did say was that short,
skinny hairless Portuguese men with big noses and long hair was in this season.”
“No Neal what she said was that average
height, muscle bound, obnoxious hairy Italian men were not in this season!”
Neal crosses his arms over his chest. “I
am not that hairy thank you very much!”
Steve laughs. “I’ve seen you in those
shorts that you wear so don’t even go there! Hey look the Coroner’s report is
here!” Steve says as he wanders over to his desk.
“It certainly is….here you go munchkin.”
Neal replies as he hands Steve his cup of coffee.
“Thanks. We also got some background on
Toni.” Steve replies as he sits at his desk and he tosses the file about Toni
onto Neal’s desk.
“Well let’s see….Sam says that
“Yah man we already knew that. Does he
any theories about who might have done it?”
“Says here that
“Well that fits since one of the kitchen
knives were missing.” Neal replies. “Well this is certainly interesting.”
“What is?” Steve asks.
“Toni lied to us.”
“Uh oh about what?” Steve asks.
“Well after you finished your strip
tease….”
Steve sticks his tongue out at him.
“…Remember we asked her if she has any
problems with anybody?”
“Yeah.”
“And she told us no? Well according to
these old police reports about a couple of months back her offices had a
break-in, actually two. Nothing was stolen but there was a lot of vandalism
done. And hello her home was also broken into too….”
“Let me guess nothing was stolen.” Steve
replies.
“Right but a lot of vandalism was done.
It says here that her pictures were slashed….some pictures burned in the
fireplace….not so nice words spray painted on the wall. Sound familiar?” Neal
replies as he looks across the desk at Steve.
“All except for the words on the
wall….I’ll venture a guess partner that whoever killed
“Right she stated that she was out of
town. Let’s see she’s originally from
“What now?”
“She has a husband.” Neal replies.
“Oh she does? She didn’t mention that
did she?”
Neal shakes his head. “I don’t remember
hearing it. Well I think we should go back and talk to Toni again about some of
these….”
“Ah excuse me!”
At the sound of the women’s voice they
both turn to look and they see a pretty young woman, stylishly dressed, her
hair done up on the top of head, swinging her purse impatiently side to side as
she tapped one expensively shod foot.
Steve gets to his feet as he says, “Yes
ma’m how can we help you?”
“My name is Crystal, Crystal Tanner and
I am here about my things!” She replies angrily.
Neal also gets to his feet. “Oh well Ms.
Tanner….”
“Call me
Neal and Steve look at one another.
“Cry….if you want to recover lost or stolen property that is on the second
floor.” Steve replies as he smiles at her.
“No! I didn’t lose any property and it
wasn’t stolen either! It is locked up and I can’t get to it!!! That jerk!!!”
Neal scratches his head. “And what jerk
would we be referring to?”
“Oh you know that jerk
Once again Neal and Steve look at one
another.
“We’re sorry Ms….I mean Cry….my partner
and I we are a little slow today could you explain about
“I went out of town for a few days and
when I come back that idiot landlord tells me I can’t get into the apartment
because it is some sort of a crime scene or something! A crime scene?! Ah
“Right.” Steve replies.
“And you two are police right?”
“Right.” Neal replies.
“Well then do something police like!!!!
I have some very expensive items in that apartment and I want them back!!!”
“Ah Cry would you like some coffee?”
Neal asks.
“Why don’t you have a seat right here.”
Steve replies as he pulls his chair out for her and he pats it.
“Well yes I suppose so. So this is like
t.v. where I give you all the facts for your report right?” She asks as she sits down.
“Hmmm yeah something like that.” Neal
replies as he pours her a cup of coffee then he carries it over to her. “Just
sit tight and let me talk to my partner here for just a minute alright?”
“Yes I suppose.”
Steve and Neal walk out to the hallway.
“I guess she misunderstood the part about
“Yeah I think so.” Neal replies as they
both look thru the glass at her. “I guess we found the girlfriend.”
“Looks like it, I’ll go over and talk to
Toni while you….” Steve moves his finger in a circle. “….Do something police
like!”
“Just like on t.v.! See you later
partner and watch your ass.” Neal replies.
“Catch you later man.”
TONI VALERIAN’S
RESIDENCE 1199
“Well Detective fancy meeting you here.
Decided to take me up on my offer of having your picture taken?” Toni smiles at
him as she leans on the door.
Steve smiles as he looks at the Welcome
mat. “No, I hate to bother you but I have a few more questions I need to ask
you. I went by your office first and your secretary told me that you were here.
If you’re busy I can come back….”
“Oh no it is fine please come on in.”
She opened the door wider to let him in
and it lead into a round foyer with a staircase and from there Steve followed
her into the den that was bigger than his whole apartment and on one wall was a
large fireplace. As she walked over to the table that held the tea service
Steve noticed a large, empty space above the fireplace.
“What’s missing?” Steve asks as he nods
towards the bare wall.
Toni hands him a cup of tea. “It was a
portrait of me it’s out being cleaned.”
“Oh I see and I thought I saw some
painting going on in the foyer?” Steve asks as he takes a sip of his tea.
“Just doing some renovation, now what
can I help you with?”
“Oh yes.” Steve sits his tea cup back
down on the table then he opens the file folder that he brought with him. “When
my partner and I talked to you the other day you didn’t mention that you were
married.”
“I’m not Detective, not anymore.”
“Oh you’re divorced.” Steve asks.
“No Detective he’s dead.”
“Oh Toni I’m sorry when did he die?”
“Almost two years now. We were in
“How long were you married?”
“Ten years Detective. I don’t understand
I thought you were investigating
“I’m sorry Toni but in the course of our
investigation we also found out that your home and your office was broken into
and vandalized, it is a likely possibility that someone could be after you. Why
didn’t you mention that to us?”
“I don’t know why I didn’t….I didn’t see
the connection. I mean I thought the break-in here and at the office was a
random thing….” Toni replies.
Steve points to the vacant wall above
the fireplace. “The portrait of you was slashed wasn’t it?”
“Yes…”
“And there was photographs burned in the
fireplace wasn’t there?”
Toni nods.
“Now tell me Toni do you have any idea
who might want to harm you in any way?”
Toni shakes her head. “Honestly I don’t
know of anyone….”
Steve reached out and he puts his hand
on her elbow and even before he could inhale a bullet fired from outside
shattered the pane of glass in one of the French doors and the china tea pot
that was sitting on the table next to where they were standing exploded. Steve
grabs her and he takes her down to the floor covering her body with his as the
sets of windows that were on the either side of the French doors were destroyed
by bullets.
Steve covered her head with his one hand
as he took the other and slipped it under his jacket and he pulled his gun from
its holster and what seemed like an eternity to Steve the bullets finally
stopped.
“Are you alright?”
“I….I think so.” Toni says as she raises
her head slightly which Steve immediately pushes back down.
Steve then gets to one knee and staying
close to the floor he makes his way over to the French doors where he pulls the
curtain aside and he peers outside.
“Toni where is the closet bathroom?”
“Off the foyer.”
“Listen to me I want you to crawl there,
understand me, crawl there as fast as you can and when you get to the bathroom
lock the door behind you and don’t come out until you hear my voice, got it?”
Steve asks her as he looks back over his shoulder at her.
“Got it.”
“Go now!” Steve watches as she crawls
across the floor and when he hears the bathroom door close he slowly opens the
French door just enough to slip thru the opening and out onto the patio. Steve
makes his way across the wide expanse of the patio by hiding behind the chairs
and the table and he just made it behind a big fountain when another shot rang
out and a piece of concrete from the fountain whizzed passed his ear. Out of
instinct Steve ducks his head and when he hears tires screeching across the pavement
he raises his head ever-so-slightly, just enough to peer over the basin of the fountain.
The older black car’s tires burns rubber
as Steve stands up and he comes out from behind the fountain firing in the
car’s direction. Steve runs across the back lawn and down to the street, on his
left hand side were bushes blocking his view and he had every intention of
stopping at the bushes and using them as cover but his momentum was such and
the soles on his shoes were slippery and the slope of that corner was just enough to propelled him out into the
street. The car was unbelievable close, so close that Steve could see the eyes
of the driver fly open wide in surprise as he appeared in front of him.
Steve did his best to get out of the way
but his best wasn’t good enough. The driver of the car turned the wheel sharply
to the left as Steve made a move to the right but the sharp corner of the
bumper grabbed Steve’s pants and there was a loud ripping sound as he was
knocked off of his feet and he fell backwards into the bushes.
A few minutes later as Toni huddled in
the safety of the bathroom she heard on a knock on the door.
“Toni, its Steve open the door.”
“Steve!” Toni exclaims as she runs to
open the bathroom door and when she does so her hand covers her mouth to stifle
a scream as her eyes widen. “Oh my god are you okay?”
Steve’s pants at the knee were ripped
open to reveal a nasty, bleeding cut, there were leaves and twigs in his hair
and his jacket was torn and covered in grass stains. Steve puts his hands on
his hips as he blows a strand of hair out of his eyes that was entangled with a
leaf.
“Now tell me another lie.”
OCEANVIEW GENERAL
HOSPITAL EXAM ROOM B:
“Knock, knock.” Neal replies as he
knocks on the exam door as he slowly opens it. “Are you decent?”
“Why are you knocking now? You don’t
bother to knock when I’m in the bathroom.”
“We’re in public now that’s why. Can I
come in?” Neal asks as he peers around the door.
“Yeah come on in.” Steve replies as he
motions for Neal to come on in.
“Wow that is quite a nasty looking cut you got
there toots. How many stitches did it need? ” Neal asks as he pokes around the
tray table that is pushed up to the exam table.
“It looks worse than it is and 15.”
“Wow and they made you put on a gown and
everything. Say ah.” Neal replies as he puts a tongue depressor in Steve’s
mouth and he looks in.
“AH!!!! See anything?” Steve asks.
“Not a thing.” Neal picks up the next
instrument and he tucks Steve’s hair behind his ear as he peers into his ear.
“See anything?” Steve asks.
“A sign.”
“A sign?” Steve replies.
“Yeah it says ‘This space for rent!’”
Neal replies as he laughs.
“Funny!”
“What’s….what’s all this salad in the
trash can? Did you get attacked by a rabbit?!” Neal asks as he continues to laugh.
“Ha-ha that is so not funny! I got hit
by a car and I fell into some bushes, it ripped my new jeans….”
“They weren’t new.” Neal points out.
“They were new to me okay! Anyway, my
jeans are ripped and my jacket has grass stains all over it! I have been shot
at and all of that happened before lunch and you’re making jokes!”
Neal scratches his head. “It could have
been worse.”
“How?” Steve asks.
“It could have been a thorn bush.”
“Thanks a lot man.” Steve replies sadly.
Neal puts his hand on Steve’s shoulder
as he rocks him back and forth and they both smile. “I’m glad you’re okay.
Where’s Toni?”
“Down the hall, she was pretty shaken
up, she’s not seriously hurt. She has a few cuts from the flying glass but
she’s going to be okay.”
“Did you get a good look at the car?”
Neal asks.
“Yeah actually I did, I got a good look
at the grill as it was coming towards me and of course the bumper! Metal! They
were all metal Neal!”
“Dare I ask about the driver?” Neal
asks.
“A blue ski mask that enhanced the color
of his or her eyes and that was it. How did it go with Cry?”
“Oh it was an interesting conversation
let me tell you I would have much rather been with you getting shot at.”
“That bad huh?” Steve asks.
“Oh yeah it took me quite awhile to
convince her that
“The desert? What was she modeling in
the desert?” Steve asks.
“Try suntan lotion.”
“Oh well that makes sense I suppose.”
Steve replies as he scratches his head. “So she and Pierre was an item?”
“Yes and no….it seems they went out to
parties and dinners and she would stay at his apartment from time to time,
hence some of her stuff being there. She said it was hard having a relationship
with somebody who was prettier than her and he spent more time in front of the
mirror than she did.”
Steve laughs. “Does she know who might
have wanted
Neal shakes his head. “Not a clue. She
said that he could be self-centered and stuck-up.”
“So why was she with him? Let alone stay
at his apartment sometimes?”
“Sex. The sex was great. Don’t look so
shocked I mean you told me it is a new era! Women’s Lib and the sexual
revolution thing. I told her to sign a voucher and when the case was closed she
would get her stuff back.”
“Did you tell her that could be as long
as a year?” Steve asks.
“Yes and she wasn’t happy about that
either.”
“Was she even the least bit sad or upset
that he was dead for god sakes?” Steve asks.
“Not really no.” Neal replies as he
shakes his head.
“Man that is a fine how do you do I must
say!!!” Steve replies loudly.
“So what did you find out before the
shooting started?”
“Her husband is dead and she doesn’t
have a clue who wants to hurt her, she paints a very rosy picture.”
“Are we sure that her husband is really
dead?” Neal asks.
Steve shrugs. “Who knows, I was going to
go back to the station after I finished talking to her and call the NYPD and
see if they could express the accident report out to me but here I sit!”
“Well I’m here to break you out, the
crime lab guys want us to come over and take a look at the pictures they
salvaged from the fireplace, so get dressed.” Neal replies as he tosses Steve’s
pants to him.
“I can’t go anywhere the doctor told me
to wait here so I’m waiting here.” Steve replies.
“Oh tish tosh!! Come on I’ll sign you
out let’s go….”
Just at that moment the exam room door
opened and a nurse comes in carrying a cloth covered tray.
“Hello who are you?” The nurse asks.
“Me? I’m his partner I just came to pick
him up….” Neal replies.
“Oh no he can’t go just yet.” The nurse
replies as she sets the tray on the table that is next to the bed.
“See I told you!” Steve replies as he
clutches his pants to his chest.
“Well he already got stitches and he
looks alright to me and we have work….to….do.”
Neal stops as he watches the nurse
remove the cloth cover from the tray then she picks up the syringe and the
bottle and then she inserts the needle into the bottle as Steve and Neal watch
her fill it.
“Say nurse what is that for?” Steve asks
nervously.
“Yeah that is an awfully big needle you
got there.” Neal points out.
“Well Mr. Perry we couldn’t find any
record of you ever having a tetanus shot.” The nurse replies.
“Maybe because I never had one before.”
Steve replies.
“Exactly.” The nurse replies as she
holds the syringe up and she smiles.
Steve scoots back across the exam table.
“Oh no no I feel great I don’t need a tetanus shot!”
“Mr. Perry you feel great now but what
about later? You said yourself that a car bumper cut you….”
“Oh yeah I did say that but it was a
very, very clean car bumper!!!”
“Mr. Perry you don’t want lockjaw do
you?” The nurse asks.
“Yeah Steve you don’t want lockjaw do
you?” Neal repeats as he smiles at him.
“Don’t help!” Steve yells at Neal. ”Look
Nurse I don’t like needles, especially big, sharp needles like that there.
Can’t I just take a pill?” Steve asks with a smile trying to win the nurse
over.
“No Mr. Perry there are no tetanus
pills.”
“Nurse look I’m a cop and you know if
you forget that shot I could you know, fix a traffic ticket for you….”
“Steve!!!!” Neal yells.
“What?!”
“I don’t drive I take the bus.” The
nurse replies.
“Oh.” Steve says.
“Mr. Perry the doctor gave me strict
orders that you were not to leave here until you receive a tetanus shot and I
am like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, I always get my man.”
Steve glances over at Neal. “Want me to
hold your hand?” Neal asks.
“Yeah….I mean no! I mean I’m a grown
man! I mean I was shot at today so what’s a itty-bitty needle….” Steve replies
as he rolls up the sleeve on his gown.
“No.” The nurse replies as she shakes
her head.
“No?” Steve says as he stops in mid-roll
and he glances at Neal.
“Turn over.” The nurse replies.
“Turn over?” Steve says as his eyes
widen. “You don’t mean….?!”
“Yes I do.” The nurse replies.
“Neal do something!!” Steve pleads.
“What….what can I do I mean the doctor
said you can’t leave here until you get that shot.”
“So….this place has rooms with beds and
televisions and a place to eat I could live here forever!!” Steve replies.
“Mr. Perry don’t be such a baby!”
Steve shocked looks at her.
“Steve she’s right man I mean Joey had
to have a shot when he stepped on that rusty nail and he didn’t even cry.”
“Whose side are you on anyway?” Steve
asks.
“Steve we have work to do so let her
give you the shot I mean I am sure in her line of work she has seen plenty of
asses…..you’ve seen one…..you’re seen them all.”
“Yeah I’m looking at one right now!!!”
Steve says as he looks at Neal.
“I’ll ignore that remark for now. I’ll
wait out in the hall.”
They watch as Neal leaves the room.
“Now Mr. Perry turn over….please.”
“OWWWWWWW!!!!!!”
Out in the hall Neal jumps when he hears
Steve scream and a few minutes after that the nurse leaves the examination
room. Five to ten minutes later Steve emerges from the examination room wearing
his clothes and looking very solemn as he rubs his left butt cheek.
“Are you alright?” Neal asks.
“Yeah I suppose.” Steve replies as he
pouts. “It really hurts.”
“Here you go.” Neal hands Steve a
lollipop.
“What’s this for?” Steve asks as he
looks at it.
“Whenever Joey gets a shot he gets a
lollipop, it makes him feel better.”
Steve unwraps the lollipop and he puts
it in his mouth and then he shrugs a little. “It’s okay.”
Neal smiles as he puts his arm around
Steve’s shoulders as they walk up the hall.
THE GRANDVIEW HOTEL 1120
SAINTS BLVD ROOM 1612 THE NEXT DAY:
“Good morning Toni.” Neal replies as she
lets them in to her hotel room.
“Good morning Detectives. Oh my goodness
Steve are you alright?” Toni asks.
“I’m fine Toni just fine but I would
feel much better if you tell me, us the truth.”
“I don’t understand what you mean? I
haven’t lied to you about anything….”
“You lied to us about knowing where
“No, no I didn’t….” Before she got a
chance to finish Neal thrust a copy of slightly burnt picture at her.
“Isn’t that you and Pierre at his
apartment?” Neal asks.
“I….yes but it was a party we weren’t
there alone it was to celebrate his magazine cover.”
“Were you sleeping with him?” Steve
asks.
“No of course not!”
“Why are you lying to us?” Neal asks.
“I haven’t been lying to you!”
“Are you sure that your husband is
dead?” Steve asks.
“Oh my god I can’t believe that you
asked me that question! Why would you ask me such a terrible question? Yes
Detectives he is dead!”
“My partner asked you that question
because the damage that was done to your house and office and
“And you think my husband has come back
from the dead and he killed
“No Toni the dead don’t come back to
kill people but the point is it is somebody from your past or maybe even your
husbands.” Steve replies.
“Maybe somebody from your deep, dark
past is jealous of your fame, of your success. Somewhere along the way you
royally pissed somebody off!”
“Toni that weekend your house was
vandalized you were out of town right?” Steve asked.
“Yes but you already know that.”
“Toni we think if you haven’t been gone
that weekend he would have killed you.” Neal replies.
“That’s why he slashed your portrait he
was making a statement.”
“He wanted to do that to you.” Neal
replies.
“What we need from you is a list, a list
of people from your past, people that you have hired recently or fired
recently.”
“And we ran an idea passed our Captain
that we would like to run pass you. So let’s get started….” Neal replies as he
pulls a chair out from the table. “Have a seat Toni….”
DELIGHTFUL PHOTOGRAPHY
STUDIOS 1632
“Who owns this place again?” Steve asks.
“Pat….Pat Jacobs.” Neal replies as he
puts the car into park.
“Pat? Pat Jacobs? Not the Pat Jacobs
that used to take the mug shots at the jail?”
“Yes Steve the Pat Jacobs that used to
take the mug shots at the jail.” Neal replies.
“But he took mug shots for a living what
does he know about serious photography? Does he even know how to put together
a….a what did Toni call it again?”
“A portfolio and yes Steve trust me he
does know how to do serious photography. Here’s your bag.” Neal replies as he
tosses Steve his bag then he grabs Steve’s garment bag then he closes the
trunk. “You know Steve Pat was nice enough to help us out here so watch the
smart alert remarks about him taking mug shots alright.”
“Yeah, yeah I got it.” Steve replies.
Neal knocks on the service door and
within a few minutes it is opened by a big guy with long hair pulled back into
a ponytail and he smiles when he sees Neal then they shake hands.
“Hey Neal man how’s it going?”
“It’s cool man I want you to meet my
partner Steve.”
Steve steps up and he shakes hands with
Pat. “Hey Pat.”
“Nice to meet you Steve so you’re the
one who needs the portfolio right?”
“Yes that would be me.” Steve replies.
“Alright man cool come on in everything
is all set up and ready to go.”
He opens the door wider for them and
when they come in he locks the door behind them. “Now your Captain explained it
to me but I want you guys to tell me what you want. Steve if you want there’s a
dressing room over there, you can put your stuff in there.”
“Thanks.” Steve replies as he wanders
over to the dressing room but on the way there he is distracted by the numerous
photographs hanging on the walls. “Wow! Oh hey Pat did you do these?”
“Yeah I did. Do you like them?” Pat asks
as he and Neal wander over to the photographs.
“Yeah, yeah I do man these are really
good! And to think you used to do mug shots.”
“Steve!” Neal yells.
“Oh hey man I’m sorry.”
Pat laughs. “No don’t be sorry I mean
ever since I was a teenager I have loved photography….I worked a lot of jobs so
I could afford my own studio. The jail gig paid a lot better than most so on my
off days I did weddings, birthdays, anything just to get my name out there. And
oddly enough a famous photographer came from San Francisco one day and he got arrested
for drunken driving and I shot his booking photo and we started to talk about
photography and he wanted to see some of my work so I let him see some of them
and before I knew it he had taken some back to his gallery in San Fran. To my
surprise they sold! He has been a mentor
and he has helped me out a lot and that is how I got out of jail!”
They all laugh. “Pat these nudes are
great.” Steve replies.
“They are my specialty.” Pat replies
proudly.
“Did you get the copy of Adonis
magazine?” Neal asks.
“Yeah I did.” Pat walks back over to the
desk and he picks it up. “The courier dropped it off yesterday. I must say I
can match or even surpass the photography in this magazine, the portfolio has
to look very professional right?”
“Right. People other than Toni will be
looking at it and I was wondering if you could do a few magazine covers?” Neal
asks.
“You mean create fake magazine covers
that makes it look like that Steve was on them?” Pat asks.
“Yeah if that isn’t too much trouble.”
“I do know somebody that can do that but
I can probably only give you one.” Pat replies.
“That’s cool.” Neal says.
“Okay we can do the standard portfolio
with headshots, and the full body shots, and of course beefcake.”
“Beefcake?” Steve asks.
“Yeah you know nude shots.” Pat replies.
“Nude? As in naked nude?” Steve asks.
Pat and Neal laugh. “Yeah Steve as in
naked nude. No clothes. This has to look convincing you know; after all it is a
woman’s magazine about naked men.” Neal points out.
“Oh well yeah sure I know that and all.”
“And after all Steve these pictures
won’t see the light of day.” Neal replies.
“And Steve if your self conscious it
will just be us and oh yeah Monica.” Pat says.
“Monica? Who’s Monica?” Steve asks as he
looks around.
“She is my make-up artist and wardrobe
lady, she’ll help you with your hair and make-up you know the whole look. She’s
getting her supplies together in the other room I’ll get her.”
Pat walks over to another room and he
opens the door and a few seconds later a lovely, young lady comes out carrying
a make-up case in one hand and in the other hand another case that contains hair
products.
“Hello I’m Monica.”
“Hi Monica I’m Steve and this is Neal.”
Steve replies.
“Nice to meet you two. My you have such
high cheek bones! May I?” Monica asks.
“Oh sure I guess.” Steve replies as he
smiles.
Monica then reaches out and she gently
takes Steve’s chin in her hand as she turns his head this way and that.
“So Monica is there anything you can do
with our boy here?” Neal asks as he laughs.
“From what I can see he doesn’t need
much help.” Monica replies.
“Ah shucks thanks.” Steve replies.
“I can’t wait to get my hands on that
hair! Steve show me the clothes that you brought.”
“Oh sure their in the dressing room
right over here.”
“Whenever you guys get ready we are
going to start with headshots.” Pat yells after them.
AN HOUR LATER:
“Alright Monica go ahead and touch-up
his make-up he’s getting a little shiny.”
Monica tilts Steve’s chin up towards her
as she puts some more powder on his face.
“So Monica are you a professional
make-up artist?” Steve asks.
“Well I guess you could say that. Close
your eyes for me.”
Steve closes his eyes. “Well what does
that mean exactly?”
“Well to some people I might be a
professional make-up artist and to others….”
“….And to other’s what?” Steve asks.
Neal was in the back on the phone
checking on some things when he heard Steve yelling for him. Neal hung up the
phone and he goes over to where Steve is and when he gets there he sees Steve
sitting on a wooden stool holding tight onto Monica’s wrist as she holds some
sort of pencil.
“NE…AL!!!! NE….AAAALLLL!!!!!”
“Steve what in the hell are you yelling
about?”
“Please tell him it’s alright.” Monica
replies.
“It’s certainly not alright!” Steve
protests.
“What is not alright?”
“Neal, Monica puts make-up on dead
people!!!!” Steve yells.
“Monica you do what?” Neal asks.
Monica exhales as she wrestles her wrist
from Steve’s hand. “During the day I work at a Funeral home where I make-up the
bodies for the funeral, I also dress them.”
“Neal her hands have touched dead people
and now her hands are touching me!!!!”
“I also told your partner here that at
night I do make-up and clothes for living people! I am a friend of Pat’s and he
pays me to make-up his subjects!”
“Neal!!!! Her hands touch dead
people!!!!”
“Steve calm down okay I mean you look
beautiful. If I didn’t know that it was you then I won’t know that it was you!
Monica is doing a great job.”
Monica turns and she sticks her tongue
out at Steve who in turns does the same thing to her.
“Thank you Neal.” Monica replies.
“Steve come on man let her do her job we
only have two days to get his done! So cooperate!!!”
“Ah Neal!!”
“Guys when you’re finish fighting over
Monica I could use her help to set up this fan.” Pat says to them.
“Fan?” They both ask at the same time.
“Yes a fan it’s to give to Steve that
stylish wind-blown look.” Monica replies.
“Alright Steve stand up and let’s lose
the shirt.” Pat replies.
Steve stands up and he takes off the
shirt.
TWO HOURS LATER:
“Alright Steve we got some great shots
and now that we’ve had a break we’re going to do some beefcake shots.” Pat
replies as he talks to Steve thru the dressing room door. “Steve can you hear
me?”
“Yeah I can hear you.” Steve replies.
“So Steve man come on out just a few
more shots and we’re be done.” Neal replies.
“Is Monica out there?” Steve asks.
“Yeah Steve all she’s going to do is
touch up your make-up and hair and then she’s going to leave.” Pat says.
“Come on Steve Monica has seen naked men
before.” Neal replies.
“They were dead Neal and I am not
dead!!”
“Come on Steve….” Neal replies.
“Oh alright.”
Steve slowly opens the door to the
dressing room and he takes a look around then he slowly comes out just wearing
a towel.
“Alright Steve why don’t you lie down on
those pillows over there and let Monica touch-up your make-up and hair while I
adjust these lights.” Pat replies.
Steve manages to lie down on the pillows
without exposing himself then Monica touches-up his make-up and then she wildly
tousles his hair until it is sufficiently messed up, making it look like that
Steve had just woken up after a wide night.
“Perfect! Alright Pat he’s ready.”
“Great. Alright Steve Monica is gone so
now we need you to get rid of the towel.”
“Can I you know use a pillow for now?”
Steve asks.
“Oh alright just for now.”
Steve grabs one of the pillows and he
places it in front of him then he removes the towel.
“Alright Steve rest you head in your hand
and give me a sexy, sleepy eyed, pout.” Pat says.
“A sexy, sleepy eyed, pout?” Steve
replies as he looks confused.
“Yeah Steve you know that look that you
give to Veronica the Meter Maid.” Neal replies.
“Oh! You mean this one?” Steve gives the
look that he gives to Veronica.
“That’s it!! Perfect! Don’t move! This
shot is going to be gorgeous!” Pat replies as he takes a series of pictures.
“Alright Steve let’s do that again but this time without the pillow.”
“You really thought that shot was
gorgeous?” Steve asks.
“Absolutely if these shots were going in
the magazine the women would love it!!!” Pat replies.
Steve thinks on this a moment then he
grins as he grabs the pillow. “Oh hell you only live once right? So
here….goes….nothing!!!” Steve exclaims as he grabs the pillow and he tosses it
over his shoulder. “Let’s go!”
ADONIS MAGAZINE’S OFFICE
AND STUDIOS 1402 MAYWEATHER TWO DAYS LATER:
“Good afternoon everyone. As you know I
have been out of town and the reason I have been out of town are the two people
who have joined us today. I would like to introduce Adonis’s magazine newest
model Stephen and his agent Neal.
Everyone applauds.
“Also Stephen will be our new cover and
centerfold this month….”
“What!!!” A young man standing at the
front yells. “Wait one damn minute!!! You promised me the new cover and
centerfold!!! I have never heard of this guy or even seen him before where in
the hell did he come from?”
“Antonio please!” Toni replies.
Neal leans over and he says something in
Steve’s ear and Steve in turn says something back to Neal.
“Stephen comes from
“I have never seen him before and what’s
a matter with him? Can’t he talk?” Antonio asks.
“His English is not very good so he
chooses to speak thru me at this time.” Neal replies.
Antonio points at Toni. “You lied to
me!!! You promised me the cover not some no name pip-squeak I have never heard
of!!! You
bitch….!!!”
Antonio takes a step towards her and
before anybody can blink Steve crosses the room and he grabs Antonio’s hand and
he expertly twists it behind Antonio’s back and with Antonio walking on his
tip-toes Steve opens the door to the office and he shoves Antonio out.
“Jackass!!!!” Steve yells after him as
he slams the door.
After a few moments of silence and a few
dropped jaws Toni manages to pull herself together. “Now people we only have a
few short weeks before this issue needs to go to the printer, we need to find a
replacement for Antonio as well. We also need Stephen to fill out the
questionnaire, we need to get him to wardrobe. We need layouts etc!! So let’s
get going!!!”
THE GRANDVIEW HOTEL 1120
SAINTS BLVD ROOM 1613 TWO DAYS LATER:
“Hey Steve where are you?” Neal asks as
he comes into the hotel room.
“In the bathroom.”
Neal goes over and he puts his bag on
the desk. “What are you doing?”
Steve laughs. “What do you think I’m
doing I’m taking a bubble bath.”
“Did you say a bubble bath?” Neal asks
as he goes closer to the bathroom door and he opens it slightly and when he
looks in he sees Steve sitting in the tub that is full of bubbles with a rubber
ducky. “Hey isn’t that Joey’s rubber ducky?”
“Yeah Joey said I could use it.”
“So how did your day go?” Neal asks as
he laugh.
“It was a long exhausting day!!! I had
no idea posing for pictures was such hard work!!! I am telling you Neal I am a
walking crime scene!!! I have more fingerprints on me than a used car!! People
messing with my hair, changing my clothes, putting make-up on me, I feel like a
big, blow-up doll!!!”
Neal laughs. “And the gym?”
“That is why I am sitting in this hot
water. Everything hurts! From my eyebrows down to my toes!!! And Neal you know
it’s interesting to listen to people talk about you when they think that you
don’t understand a thing that’ll their saying.”
“Who was talking about you?”
“The trainer at the gym.” Steve replies.
“Was she pretty?”
“It was a guy Neal.”
“Oh well what did he say?”
“He said I was cute.” Steve replies.
“Oh well okay.”
“Is that all you’re going to say?” Steve
asks.
Neal shrugs. “What do you want me to
say? Do you want me to go over there and beat him up?”
“Would you?” Steve asks with a wide-eyed
expression.
“No.”
“Oh, you mean you aren’t shocked or
anything like that?”
“No Steve I’m not shocked. Are you
planning on being in there long?”
“Yeah I am actually! I am going to stay
in here until the water turns cold and my toes shrivel up! Why?”
“Well maybe because I would like to take
a hot shower and I got the background checks back on the people that Toni told
us about that’s why and I bet that you haven’t had anything to eat so I want to
order room service.”
“Okay if you go and order room service I’ll
get out of here. I’ll take the same thing I had last night.”
“Steak well-done, baked potato and green
beans?” Neal asks.
“That’s it!”
AN HOUR LATER:
“Well you know I am not surprised that
everybody checked out.” Neal replies.
“Me neither I mean that is usually how
our luck runs.”
“Everybody on her staff has been with
her from the very beginning.”
“Except that janitor right?” Steve asks.
“Yeah and he checked out too his name
is….Larry….Larry
Steve yawns.
“And we also got the accident report
from NYPD.”
Steve yawns again.
“I hope I’m not keeping you awake.” Neal
replies.
“Oh sorry it’s just that this modeling
stuff is harder than it looks. What did the report say?”
“Well it said basically what Toni said.
His car collided with a truck in the tunnel that goes into
“Such as?” Steve asks.
“Well it does say their investigation
isn’t finished, so I called the NYPD to talk to the detective in charge of this
case but he wasn’t there so I called the insurance….Steve….Steve!!!!”
“What!!!!”
“You fell asleep.” Neal replies.
“Sorry….what did the report say again?”
“Never mind. The crime lab guys did tell
me there were no fingerprints in
This time Steve doesn’t answer because
he is fast asleep and before Neal heads into the bathroom he covers Steve up
with the blanket.
THE GRANDVIEW HOTEL 1120
SAINTS BLVD TWO DAYS LATER:
“Come on Steve what are you doing? We’re
supposed to meet Toni at the beach!” Neal says.
“Yes I know Neal I’m coming! Brrrr it’s
cold this morning! I can’t believe they would want to take pictures of me
frolicking in the ocean I bet that water is freezing!” Steve replies as he gets
in the passenger seat.
“No kidding man and shrinkage is a bad
thing!!!” Neal replies as he gets into the driver seat.
“As my agent you should have done
something about that!” Steve points out.
“Steve shrinkage is a natural thing
there was nothing I….”
“Not that you putz I meant about taking
pictures at the beach!!!
Neal laughs. “Oh! Well at least Toni is
letting us drive her Cadillac.” Neal replies.
“And a lovely car it is too.”
Neal drives the car out of the parking
garage of the hotel and after a few blocks they reach the two lane highway that
takes them to the beach.
“Neal what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know the steering is acting
weird.”
“Pull over and I’ll take a look at it….”
Steve replies. “Slow down there’s a place up there that’s wide enough….hey you
went passed it!!!”
“No shit!!” Neal replies.
“Neal slow down!!!”
“I’m trying!!!” Neal replies as he
fights with the steering wheel.
“Neal put on the brakes!!!”
“What do you think I’m trying to do!!!!
We don’t have any brakes!!! The parking brake doesn’t work, nothing works!!!”
The two lane highway to the beach was a
twisty-turny hilly affair with deep ravines on either side and they both knew
from traveling this highway before, the closer they got to the beach the
ravines turned into cliffs.
As Neal fought to keep the car at least
on the road Steve braced himself against the dash of the car as it gained speed
as it raced down the highway.
“What do you suggest we do?” Steve asks
loudly as the landscape flew by at breakneck speed.
“Pray!” Neal yells back.
At this point on the highway there were
guardrails signaling the fact the ravines now had turned into cliffs. In the
early morning mist they could see the ocean off in the distance as the only
thing Neal could do was hang onto the steering wheel.
“We have to abandon ship Steve!!!!” Neal
yells.
Steve glances out of the window. “Are
you insane!!! At this speed we’ll both be killed!”
“If we stay in here we’re both be killed
anyway! Remember up ahead the road levels out, it’s flat!”
Steve slides into Neal as the car
careens around a curve the tires squealing on the wet pavement.
“Yeah I remember but there is another
curve up head….!!!!” Steve yells.
“I know and I don’t think we’re going to
make it….”
At that moment the car instead of making
that next curve goes straight across the two lanes and it gains even more speed
as it heads towards the guardrail and just as it reaches the guardrail Steve
grabs a hold of Neal’s right hand with his left hand and he keeps a tight hold
on it and then with some unknown strength that he didn’t know that he had he
uses his other hand to open the passenger door. The car sensing, in its own
crazy way that it’s two passengers want to escape it tilts slightly to the
right expelling them both, the open car door just barely misses Neal’s head as
they both fall to the ground and roll away, both of them tangled up with each
other.
The car now empty continues it’s roll to
the right as it breaks thru the guardrail and with the sound of it’s dying in
their ears Neal and Steve watch as the car, makes a lazily turn thru the air, a
huge piece of metal suddenly graceful as it flies silently nose down to the beach
50 feet below. As they watch it makes contact with the beach and the sound is
deafening as the weight of the car drives it deep into the ground, the impact
sends shockwave up to where they are and then they cover their ears with the
explosion that followed.
“Holy shit!!!” Steve exclaims
breathlessly.
“You could say that again.”
“Holy shit!!” Steve says again.
“Are….are you alright?” Neal asks as he
peers over the cliff.
“Yeah you?” Steve asks.
“I think so except for this crushing
pain in my right hand.”
They both look down to Neal’s right hand
where Steve’s left hand still has a very tight grip on it.
“Sorry.” Steve replies but he makes no
attempt to let go.
“That’s okay.” Neal says as he glances
down at his hand then back up at Steve.
“If it’s okay with you I….I want to hold
on just a little longer, that is if it’s you know, okay.”
Before Neal can answer the huge, twisted
wreckage that was once Toni’s Cadillac explodes again causing both of them to
jump.
“You can hold my hand for as long as you
want Steve.”
They watch the smoke billow up into the
air for a few seconds then Steve says, “That was close.”
“That was too close.” Neal replies.
“We have to walk back to the….the hotel
and call it in.” Steve points out.
“Yeah we sure do.” Neal agrees.
After a few minutes passes they are both
still lying on the side of the road looking down at the car.
“Neal that was close.” Steve says again.
“Yeah that was too close.”
“Come on Neal let’s walk back to
the….the hotel.” Steve says as he finally manages to get to his feet and he
helps Neal to get to his shaky feet.
They start back up the highway now
walking in the opposite direction on shaky legs.
“That wasn’t meant for us.” Neal says
after a few minutes.
“They thought that Toni was going to be
driving it.”
“Right and we’re undercover so we can’t
ask too many questions if any.” Neal replies.
“Well then Adams and Hill will have to,
we’re just point them in the right direction.”
“Steve.”
“Yeah Neal?”
“I don’t mind honestly I don’t I mean we
just almost died back there, but you know it might look bad to other people, if
you know what I mean.”
“What? Oh yeah!!!” Steve replies as he
looks down. “Sorry.” Steve slowly opens his fingers that were interlaced with
Neal’s and then he let’s go of Neal’s hand. “Neal….”
“Yeah Steve?”
“I’m cold.”
Neal then puts his arm around Steve’s
shoulder as they walk along. “Better?”
“Yeah man yeah.”
They both walk in silence back to the
hotel.
A FEW DAYS LATER BACK AT
THE STUDIO:
“Alright Stephen these are the last
photos we need of you. These are for the centerfold so take off the shorts….”
The photographer says to Steve and he was just about to when he noticed
movement in the background.
“Some….somebody else….here!!!!” Steve
says in his character’s broken English as he points.
“No Stephen no one else is here!” The
photographer says with just a trace of annoyance.
“Yes!!! Yes!!!” Steve points again.
The photographer drops the camera.
“You’re his agent can’t you do something with him?” He shouts over his shoulder
to Neal.
Neal walks over to Steve. “What’s the
problemo?”
Steve points. “I thought I saw somebody
back there!! Look! Look there it is again!!!” Steve whispers to Neal.
“Hey you we know you’re back there!!!
Come out!!!!” Neal yells.
After a few seconds they see the janitor
appear out of the shadows with a broom.
“What in the hell are you doing in here?
Can’t you read you moron this is a closed set??” The photographer yells at him.
“Don’t bust my chops man I am just doing
my job!!!” The janitor yells back at him.
“Go do it someplace else you dumb
ass!!!” The photographer yells again.
“Hey man cool it!!” Neal yells at the
photographer. “Sorry he’s a little high strung. Come back later alright?”
“Yeah sure.” The janitor says then as he
leaves he looks over at Steve.
“Alright can we please do this
again….what’s wrong now?” The photographer asks as Steve just stand there.
“I wish….to speak…to my….agent….how do
you say….alone?”
Once again the photographer looks
annoyed.
“Yeah man go and check on the sign and
make sure it is still on the door.” Neal says to him.
“I beg your pardon! Do you know who you
are talking to? I have photographed everybody from presidents to porn stars!!!!
You can’t order me around like I was some….some janitor!!!”
Neal walks over to him with his hands on
his hips. “Listen to me and listen good, I am the agent to the highest price
model that has ever been on this magazine and I am sure that Ms. Toni would not
appreciate you being an ass to her top model!!! So turn your little happy ass
around Vivian….”
“The name is Virgil not Vivian!!!” The
photographer protests.
“Whatever go and check on the damn
sign!!!” Neal yells as he points then he watches as Virgil flounces off then he
goes back to Steve.
“Okay what’s wrong?”
“That janitor is what’s wrong! I feel
like I have seen him some place before he seems awfully familiar to me!!!”
“Well you should feel that way remember
we saw a picture of his driver’s license photo.” Neal replies.
“Yes I know but I know I have seen him
someplace before.” Steve replies.
“Anything else?”
“Yeah man don’t leave me alone with
Vivian….”
“Virgil….”
“Whatever he gives me the creeps!! The
way he looks at me it….it is like he is undressing me with his eyes!!!”
Neal smiles. “Steve you are already
undressed.”
“True. Just don’t leave me alone with
him okay?”
“You got it!” Neal replies then he
whistles loudly for Virgil to return. “Alright Virgil let’s get this show on
the road!”
THE ADONIS MAGAZINE
WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER
“Steve!!! Steve!!! Oh my god Steve
what’s happened?” Toni yells as she runs to Steve who catches her in his arms.
“Toni calm down the fireman got to it in
time.” Steve replies.
“What happened?”
“They aren’t sure yet but they will know
more when daylight gets here.” Neal replies.
“Thank goodness the real magazine with
Antonio on it is housed someplace else.” Toni replies.
“Yes it is.” Steve agrees.
“Are you two sure I should go ahead with
the party?”
“Yes Toni we think you should.” Neal
replies.
“You told us that you always have a
party to celebrate when the next issue comes out right?” Steve says.
“Yes I did but after you two were almost
killed and now this it’s too risky!!! Something bad could happen.”
Steve looks over at Neal. “Well in a way
we are hoping that might happen.”
“What? Are you two crazy?” Toni asks.
“Listen whoever is doing this has seen
that he hasn’t succeeded….” Steve replies.
“Yeah and when he sees that you are
going on as normal with the party we know that will compel him to try something
else and when he does we will be there.” Neal replies.
“So don’t worry all of this will be over
soon.” Steve replies as he smiles.
“Alright I trust you two I think I will
have Michelle take me back to the hotel.”
“That’s a good idea you can’t do
anything here.” Neal says.
“We will talk to you later okay?” Steve
says.
Toni nods as Michelle walks her back to
the car.
“I hope he does show at the party but it
is invitation only and there will be a lot of people there.” Steve replies.
“True but not everybody comes thru the
front door at a party.” Neal replies.
“Ah so true.”
“And we’re make it easy on him.” Neal
replies as he winks.
“Right, hey I think the Battalion Chief
is ready to talk to us now let’s go.” Steve replies.
“Yeah man let’s go.”
TONI VALERIAN’S
RESIDENCE 1199
“Neal have you ever seen so many people
in one place before?” Steve asks as they stand on the back patio.
“No I don’t think I have. You know this
is really good what is it?” Neal asks as he takes a bite out of the cracker
that he holds in his hand.
Steve smiles as he takes a sip of his
French
“Steve if I haven’t wanted to know then
I wouldn’t have asked now would I?” Neal asks as he puts the rest of the
cracker in his mouth then he goes back over to the table full of food that is
set up on the patio for another one. “Do you want one?”
“I would love one.”
Neal takes the cracker and puts some
more Caviar on it and he hands it to Steve who takes a bite out of it then Neal
gets another one for himself. “So are you going to tell me what this is?”
“It’s Beluga Caviar.” Steve replies.
“Hmmm Caviar? What’s that?”
Steve smiles. “Neal it’s fish eggs.”
Neal looks closer at Steve. “It’s what?”
“Fish eggs.”
“Fish eggs? You mean like the fish that
is swimming around in that fountain there?” Neal says as he points to the
fountain.
“No Neal those are Koi they are very
expensive Japanese fish.”
“They look like just big goldfish.” Neal
replies.
“Well they aren’t trust me.”
“So this is really fish eggs?” Neal
asks.
“Yes Neal it is really fish eggs.”
Neal coughs then he grabs Steve’s
champagne glass and he drinks the rest of it.
“It’s like a $150 an ounce.”
“You’re kidding!” Neal exclaims.
“No.” Steve says as he laughs.
“Why in the world did you let me eat so
much of it?”
“Why did I let you….?” Steve repeats.
“Guys I hate to interrupt but the guests
are leaving and they would like to say goodbye to you Stephen.” Toni replies.
“Duty calls! How do I look?” Steve ask
as he fluffs up his hair.
“Gorgeous as usual.” Neal replies.
“Cool!”
Steve replies as he walks passed Toni
and when Neal walks passed her he takes her arm. “Do fish eggs really cost $150
dollars an ounce?”
“What?” Toni asks as she laughs.
TWO HOURS LATER:
It was close to
From out of the wine cellar and thru the
kitchen a dark, hooded figure makes his way through the house. Now he steals
thru the dining room walking lightly as a cat thru the night, sure of his
surroundings. As he passes thru the living room the only light is the glint of
moonlight off of the blade of the large knife that he carries in his gloved
hand. He makes his way thru the living room and out into the foyer and he
climbs the stairs, ever mindful to avoid the places that he knows will giveaway
his presence. He knows where her bedroom is located behind the numerous doors
that line the hallway and once there he slowly reaches out and turns the doorknob
and he lets the door slowly open and then he makes his way over to the bed
where she sleeps.
As the moonlight shines thru the window
he raises the knife over her and he brings it down and then before he knew what
was happening a very, strong hand reached out and grabbed the hand holding the
knife by the wrist. The person in the bed kicked off the covers and they
grabbed the guy holding the knife around the waist using their legs and they
flipped him over onto the bed. The person who was lying in the bed now was
straddling the guy with the knife and as they struggled for control over the
knife the guy manages to slash the nightgown of the person who was fighting
him.
“Hey you jackass this negligee is real
silk!!!” The unmistakable male voice yells.
Then suddenly the lights in the room
come on. “Oh holy shit!!!!” The man exclaims when he sees that it isn’t Toni
that is straddling him, as he had hoped, but Steve who was wearing a silk
shorty nightgown and a long blonde wig.
“Who in the hell were you expecting
Farrah Fawcett?” Steve replies and he uses the distraction to rip the knife
from his hand then Steve balls up his fist and he hits the guy square in the
face for all intense purposes knocking him out.
“Wow you hit hard for a girl.” Neal
replies.
Steve crawls off of him and he crawls to
the edge of the bed.
“Thanks.”
“I must say you don’t make a bad looking
woman.” Neal laughs.
Steve takes off the wig and he throws it
at him.
“Wow he got that nightgown good didn’t
he?”
“Neal it‘s a silk negligee!” Steve
replies as he takes it off.
“Excuse me! Okay let’s see who this guy
is shall we?”
Neal reaches over and he pulls the
stocking mask off of his head.
“Holy Mary! Neal look it’s the….”
“….Janitor!!!” They both say at the same
time.
“Well this is certainly interesting.”
“Isn’t it though? Let me get dressed
then we take him to the precinct.” Steve replies.
THE 9TH
PRECINCT SQUAD ROOM TWO DAYS LATER:
“Well Steve don’t look now
but I think you are famous.” Neal says as he points to the bulletin board where
the centerfold of Steve from Adonis magazine is pinned up.
Steve looks around the room
at the other Detectives sitting at their desks who try to hide their laughter
but they are doing a bad job of it.
“Ha-ha-and ha!!! You guys
really think you are funny but you know what you really are?” Steve asks as he
jumps up into the nearest chair. “Jealous! G….E….A….”
Before Steve can get too
much further Neal reaches up and he tugs on his jacket and Steve looks down at
him. Neal motions for him to lean down so he can whisper in his ear.
“Really? Are you sure?”
Steve asks.
“Positive.”
“You….you guys are just
jealous! J….E….A….L….O….U….S!!!!! JEALOUS!!!!” Steve exclaims as the other
Detectives laugh. Steve gets down off of the chair then he goes over to the
bulletin board and he pulls down the centerfold and he folds it up.
“It took a little while but
he finally coughed up the truth.” Neal replies.
“Yeah no kidding. Okay let’s
gets the facts down for the report.”
“Well first of all we got
his confession that he killed
“His story was certainly
interesting as to motive.”
Neal consults his notes.
“Way back when Toni and his father had an affair….”
“Yeah and he always blamed
the death of his mother on Toni because he said a year or so later the stress
of the divorce killed her. She had a stroke….”
“And he was still little and
his father, because of Toni, wanted nothing to do with him because Toni didn’t
want any reminders of his past relationship. So he was parceled off to
relatives who were less than stellar….” Neal says.
“And Toni didn’t know that father
and son had reconnected somewhat then his father died and he was under the
impression that Toni killed his father for the insurance and not to mention the
fact that she was in the Will….”
“And he knew that Toni would
never remember what he looked like so he had no trouble getting that janitor’s
job and he even legally changed his name so she wouldn’t know that it was him.
Good old generic Larry Walker.” Steve replies.
“And he killed
“And she could have been,
who knows, she has lied to us before.” Steve replies.
“And I finally got to talk
to the Detective in
“And Toni’s car was tampered
with in the same way.” Steve points out.
“Oh yeah Larry confessed to
doing that to Toni’s car as well, he wanted her to die just like his father
did and in the same manner. He also
started the fire at the warehouse.”
“Pretty scary.” Steve
replies.
“At least he apologized for
trying to kill us.” Neal says.
“Yeah he was real remorseful
about almost hitting me with the car.”
“Nothing like a polite
killer I must say.” Neal replies.
“And now we get this
teletype from the NYPD.” Steve replies as he holds it up.
“Yep.”
“Why is it always the
beautiful ones Neal?” Steve asks.
“Good question. Let’s go
partner.”
TONI VALERIAN’S
RESIDENCE 1199
“Well Detectives this is certainly a
surprise!!! Come in and have some ice tea!” Toni opens the door wider for them.
“No thanks Toni this isn’t a social
visit.” Steve replies.
Toni looks disappointed. “Oh I see its
business. Alright I have to sign some papers or perhaps go down to the station
again?”
“Well Toni you are right you do have to
come down to the station with us.” Neal replies.
“Unfortunately Toni when you get to the
station you won’t be leaving right away.” Steve replies as he takes out his
handcuffs.
Toni laughs. “What are you doing?”
“Toni Valerian you’re under arrest for
murder.” Neal replies.
“Murder! You two are crazy!
I was a victim here who did I kill?” Toni asks as Steve puts the handcuffs on
her.
“Your husband back in
“My….my husband!!! That’s
crazy!!! I didn’t kill my husband!!!!” Toni says as she struggles.
“That is not what
“Once again you have the
right to remain silent and Toni I suggest you use it…anything you say can, and
will, be used against you in a court of law….you have the right to consult an
attorney….” Steve says as he walks her out to the car and he helps her into the
back seat.
Neal grabs the front door
and he closes it behind him before he joins Steve at the car.
V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7 V7
“Toni was certainly beautiful.” Steve
replies.
“And certainly evil….” Neal points out.
“Say cheese….” Neal says as he points a Polaroid camera at Steve and he takes a
picture.
“Wow what is that?” Steve asks.
“It takes a picture instantly all you
have to do is wait. And look Steve it’s you!” Neal says as he hands it to
Steve.
“That is really impressive! It brings
out my natural beauty….”
“I got this to take pictures of the
baby. Here’s a picture I took of Ruby.”
Steve takes the picture. “Wow she is
huge!! But she is still gorgeous….you are a lucky man.”
“Thanks Steve. You know at one time I thought
about being a photographer myself.”
“Oh come on no you didn’t!”
“Oh yes I did but when I dropped and
broke the Brownie camera my mom took it away from me.”
Steve laughs. “I thought so! I still can’t
believe how much those male models got paid!”
“Where’s that portfolio anyway?”
“Oh I still have it, it’s at home and
every now and then I pull it out for a good laugh.” Steve replies.
“Well I bet if Adonis magazine was still
around I bet your life by now would be completely different!”
“You really think so Neal?” Steve asks.
“Well sure I mean I can see you modeling
swimsuits for the Sears catalog….”
“Well I….”
“In the boy’s section!!!” Neal says as
he laughs. “Or maybe silk negligees in the women’s section!!”
“Shut up Neal!!!!”
“Now I wish I had a picture of you in that
negligee thing I bet that would have been worth some money!!!”
“It was all in the line of duty and you
know Neal I actually liked wearing that silk negligee….”
“What?” Neal replies with a shocked
look.
“Oh yeah I mean it was soft and silky and
felt really cool against….”
Neal gets up. “Okay, okay I don’t want
to hear anymore!”
“Oh why not! Come on Neal don’t you want
to hear about the pantyhose?” Steve replies as he goes after him.
“No I don’t!!!”
“Oh come on!!!” Steve says.
“No!!!!” Neal yells as Steve lets the
office door close behind him as he chases him out to the hall.
-30-
©LAB and SRP & JRNY FANFICTION 2007 to 2008. 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. I have no permission from Steve Perry or/and the members of Journey to use their likenesses or names and this story is purely fiction and written solely for the love of things and people back in the day. No real rock stars were injured in the writing of these stories and I put them back when I am finish with them.