Posted: 20 May 2011 at 5:07pm | IP Logged

part two ..................

‘After the Fire, with a name like that pinned to their chest, well just goes to show I’ve never hung out on the creative side of the street. So Joanne….’

‘Ms Eden if you please Mr Douglas.’

Just like me, being highly skilled in heading nowhere fast on the getting to know you ticket.

‘Sorry Ms Eden,’ I tried to sound sufficiently chastened. ‘The Rip Van Winkle duo. I would hazard a guess that the mastermind of these tune merchants has a smaller build, maybe sensitive eyes and fingers and his right hand man is the bigger one with a grin that doesn’t stop coming. How I’m doing?’

‘Well Mr Douglas that appears to be pretty much as I remember them. I’m quite impressed.’

One of my better party tricks.

‘It’s always the same MO.’

‘MO?’                                   

‘Modus Operandi, the way they work. I’ve seen and tangled with most gangs from Tijuana to Tennessee they all seem to have the same profile. Any names?’

‘I think so, but they seem to switch them about between English and French.’

‘Ye olde New Orleans style chameleon switch ploy. When things get too hot in the bill settling department, it’s a quick change into je suis enchantez.’

‘Oh yes the names I recall Peter and John.’

‘First time I’ve been asked to track down the apostles. Peter or Pierre and John or Jean. Anything else?’

‘That’s all I have Mr Douglas and a little faith in you that you will find them so I can hear those magical sounds again.’

I looked at her, her eyes seemed sparkle on the words magical sounds. Whoever these bi-lingual musos are, they’ve certainly got some grip on the classy lady demographic. Just reminded myself to keep my eye on the ball; and that reverie doesn’t pay the landlord, ever.

‘So if I could have two days pay upfront I’ll be right on the case.’

‘I pay your invoice at the end of the week after you have reported on what you have or have not achieved. Here’s my card and address.’

Fishing it out of her handbag it told me she was installed in desirable Tiburon, and I expect the outer gates cost more than my Buick or maybe my last three cars put together.

‘And Mr Douglas that will be a written report.’

‘To be frank I generally chat through how things are panning out.’

‘Written; I will see you on Friday at 2pm prompt.’

‘Understood.’ My typing skills were about equivalent to a grizzly bear playing chopsticks, but hey ho she who is the piper.

She got up to leave. I lost the cash up front, wonder if I have any better luck on the socialising agenda. 

‘Well it’s a filthy wet night out there I was wondering if you would like to join me as I was planning to slip into a dry martini.’

‘No thank you Mr Douglas.’

Okay that was pretty much a shot in the dark, how about the ol' Walter Raleigh.

‘Could I escort you to your car, these are not what you describe as the friendliest of streets?’

‘Not required Mr Douglas. My chauffeur Julian is waiting just outside. He is a strapping six foot and how can I put it,’ she gave me a quick look up and down, ‘he hasn’t let himself run to seed.

I smiled and nodded, holding the door as she left. I stood there for a moment to take in the last of her fragrance. She certainly knew how to hit below the belt. Or maybe like being mashed by the whole defensive line of the 49ers. My musing was disturbed my the phone ringing, the irritation made me think that I’d half preferred it to when it was cut off for a few weeks last winter due to a little cash flow difficulty.  

‘Sam Douglas?’

‘Speaking,’ as I replied I recognised the voice Chief Inspector Hans Mackendree, known as Mack and working for the LAPD. Even after all this time it was a voice you couldn’t mistake.

‘Hey old buddy, homicide has never been the same since you left………it’s better!’

‘Old ones are the best Mack, what can I do for you?’

I thought about the call as I shut up shop. Mack had every West Coast force looking out for some murky individuals running a white slave trafficking scam. A number of women connected with the entertainment world were being shipped off to the Far East and beyond for no good ends. Mack remembered me and with me being so close to the ground, one step up from the repo man, perhaps I could help. I promised if I heard a whisper I’d call for old times sake, whatever that was, and if it helped put them behind bars, well I’d drink to that. He’d even ribbed me about the weather up here, so I told him it was great and I was just popping out to sun dry my tomatoes.

The rain and wind was in my face outside. Across the road I saw a seagull eating a discarded frankfurter. It stopped to look at me for a second, wasn't too impressed so then it carried on chowing. One HUNgry bird, I was beginning to appal myself with my own humour. Yeah birdy in this city we’re all fighting for a way to survive I turned my collar into the wind and headed on. Two blocks to on an oasis in a desert, the Dominion Bar. Signs of change though they had fixed the faulty bulb behind the letters DO, pity I’d got quite used to the Minion Bar.

I went in for my spiritual refreshment.

Posted: 21 May 2011 at 9:29pm | IP Logged

Did you spot the Cameo!?  Could have been better, but I needed the money. Looks like Dominion needed a bit o' cash too!

(still wondering about the true identity of Ms Eden)