CHAPTER 25: The Package

 

Another day, another Simoleon. Jeremy Saint arrived back from Dewey, Cheathem & Howe exhausted and hungry. It was time to whip up a good old weekday staple; Mac n' cheese but as he was dishing up he smelled something nasty....a burning, rubbery smell coming from the stove. And that's when he noticed the sparks coming out of it.

"Bother, bother, bother" said Jeremy to himself. He phoned up the repair company; they promised him their best man will be around that evening to fix it. Well, that was a relief.

An hour later the doorbell rang and Jeremy spied someone wearing red overalls and a tool belt at his front door. Excellent, he thought, it was their best man. He opened the door and saw it was...

"I'm here to fix your stove" said the woman.

"Ah you must be..."

"The company's best man? Yeah, that's how they describe me because if they said 'best woman' people would phone our rivals" she replied.

"So are you?..." Jeremy said, nervously.

"Their best? Sure. I can fix anything you got Mister"

"Well, in that case here's the stove...I think it's..."

"An electrical problem...yeah, you get that with the Yum Cooker series. It has a poor wiring design. OK, let me get to work on this and I'll call you when I'm done." she said.

Jeremy was impressed by her coolness and let her get on with it. He settled down at his desk to go over office paperwork and no sooner had he started that he heard the repair woman say "finished!".

"What, so soon?" he said, entering the kitchen.

"Yep...like the man said, I'm their best"

"Well...would you like a coffee, I mean, you came out here at this hour and have done things in double quick time"

"Sure" she said, cracking a smile. "It's been a looooooong day"

"Back in my home town, we used to call out old man Cleary to fix everything. I guess he was my image of a repairman" said Jeremy.

"Well, this is the big city, Mr Saint, things are a lot different around here. Folk still don't trust a repairwoman these days" she replied.

"Well, I'll ask for you specifically in future" said Jeremy.

"Much obliged...anyways, must be getting on...two more call outs before my shift ends" and with that she touched the peak of her cap and left.

Jeremy was tired now and got changed for bed when the doorbell rang. "She might have left a wrench behind..." he thought. "Or it's Travis wanting a late night chat. Man, why do they leave it so late to disturb me?" Answering the door he noticed it was a complete stranger at his door. A man in trendy shirt with huge sideburns.

"Er, hi...I'm sorry to disturb you" said the man, noticing that Jeremy was in his pyjamas and robe. "I'm Burr and I'm a friend of your neighbour, Suzy Kent."

"Yeah, I know Suzy...what can I help you with?" replied Jeremy.

"I just called around to her place but she's not in....look, I've got these documents I thought she might be interested in for her work. She's working on a story and these are relevant." Burr handed Jeremy an A4 sized envelope that was heavily sealed with Sellotape. "These are REALLY important. I can't just push them into her mailbox, someone might take them so I'd feel better if I handed them to you to give to her...she's mentioned your name as a trustworthy friend."

"Oh, well....I'll make sure she gets them" said Jeremy, taking the envelope.

"Cheers, man, they're REAL important, remember?"

Jeremy nodded and Burr left. Jeremy looked at the envelope...what could be in it? To make sure they were extra safe, he put them under his pillow before going to bed.

CHAPTER 24: Downtime

 

The tranquillity of John Action's day off was broken by the sounds of an argument brewing outside his house. He couldn't make out what was being said but the voices were a man and a woman in a heated exchange. Action instinctively checked his .38 service revolver...just in case. He stepped out of his front door and onto the porch to see what was going on.

"I'm telling you, Nancy, don't bring Bella into this! She's suffered enough!" said the man.

"Well, you need to watch what she says to people who stick their noses in our business" replied the woman.

"Your business, you mean! I want none of it!" the man was getting really angry now whilst the woman remained icily cool.

"Hey, do you cats mind? Some of us are trying to get some peace and quiet here!" said Action, interrupting.

"Back off, mister!" barked the man. Action bristled at that, took a deep breath and sauntered over to the arguing couple.

"I don't like being spoken to in that tone....the name's Action, Sim City PD" he said, brandishing his badge. The man rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"I'm sorry officer, this is just a disagreement between old acquaintances" said the man.

"Is this true?" said Action, turning to the woman.

"It's true...Mortimer and I have known each other for years. There's nothing amiss here, Officer." she said, her eyes shrouded in large sunglasses which made it difficult to detect her expression.

"Nonetheless I'm going to have to take your names and give you a verbal warning" said Action. "Folk around here don't want a disturbance...even if it's between old acquaintances."

"Mortimer Goth" said the man.

"Nancy Landgraab" said the woman. "You may have heard of me? My family donates generously to the police benevolent fund."

"I heard of you, Mrs Landgraab" said Action.

"Is that all, Officer?" said Goth. Action nodded and the man stormed off. Action turned to Nancy Landgraab.

"So, what brings you around these parts, Mrs Landgraab?" he said, slyly. "Isn't it a bit low brow for your tastes around here?"

"I like to run and now if you've QUITE finished I haven't finished my exercise yet"

Action waved her on but thought about what he'd seen and heard. He knew Suzy Kent from across the road was looking into the Landgraab family for an article she was writing. When he next saw her, he'd decided to tell her what he witnessed.

Action decided to head to the gym for a workout: A routine he stuck to since his days in the Marines.

John Action pictured the desk sergeant's face on the punching bag and gave it some powerful uppercuts and roundhouses. It felt good to unwind whilst working out and the job could wait for now whilst he pumped iron. His muscles felt toned and buff so he hit the showers and got changed. Going downstairs, he noticed two people he knew, Suzy Kent and Jeremy Saint, enter the gym so he stopped his sparring to go over them.

"Suzy...Jeremy...how's it hangin'?" he said.

"How's it what?" said Jeremy, not up on his slang.

"Pretty good, Action" replied Suzy.

"Hey, I got some information you might find interesting, Suzy. This morning I saw Mortimer Goth and Nancy Landgraab having an argument...Goth was warning Landgraab about not bothering his wife but she said that someone was going around asking too many questions of the Goths. Could that be you by any chance?"

"I've been talking to the Goths for a story I'm planning" Suzy replied.

"Well, just watch your step...Nancy Landgraab's got you on her radar"

"Thanks, Action, for the heads up" she said. Action nodded to her and Jeremy and went on his way. He'd exercised his body, now it was time to exercise his charm. He headed over to the Blue Velvet to check out the scene.

Action swaggered his way to the bar, sat down and said to the bartender "my usual, please"

"You have a usual?" replied the confused looking bartender

"I do now" he said, pointing to a bottle of bourbon. The bartender nodded and poured him a drink. A very attractive blonde wearing white hot pants and matching go-go boots sat next to him.

"Can I get you a drink, Miss?" he asked.

"Yes please....a sweet n' sour. Hi, my name's Candy"

"Of course it is" said Action. "I haven't seen you here before because if I had I'd sure remember"

"Oh I'm in here a lot but we must be just missing each other" she replied.

"Well not tonight" he said, slyly. They chatted and laughed and seemed to be getting on. Action liked this groovy chick and decided to move things along. "Say, I'm getting hungry...what about you and me grab a bite to eat. I know this cool Italian place not far from here. Fancy joining me? I hate to eat alone"

"Sounds neat...just let me freshen up and let's head on out" she replied.

"Well, here we are" said Action as they arrived at the restaurant.

"Looks nice...classy. You must be able to afford to eat here; what's your line of work?" she asked.

"I'm a cop" he replied.

"Ah.....well....is that the time? I promised to meet my...erm…aunt! My aunt, she needs me. Rain check? Good! Bye!" and with that she ran off.

Action fumed. He hated being jerked around like that....she hated cops! More and more people these days hated the police; revolution, protests, disobedience. He spent 6 years in the Marines, did a tour in Simdo-China, came back and joined the police and this was the thanks he got! So much for a land fit for heroes. Action stormed off back home.

Well, his day of living it large didn't pan out the way he'd hoped. Still, he was intrigued by what had gone on between Goth and Landgraab. Maybe Suzy was on to something? Finishing his meal he looked out the window and saw a young woman standing in the middle of the road, not noticing the traffic. Action was quick out the door and yelled to her. She snapped out of her daydream and got out of the way before a car could hit her.

"Say, lady, you need to watch where you're going" he said.

"Oh, my apologies. I was receiving a message and didn't notice the traffic" she replied.

"Receiving a message?" said Action.

"Did I say that? I meant, I heard someone calling"

"Other than me?"

"Yes...but I don't know who" she said, awkwardly.

"Well...just take care in future. I might not be around to help you" said Action. The lady apologised again and walked off. "What a day!" thought Action. "What a day..."

CHAPTER 23: Family History

 

It was a bright, sunny morning and Suzy Kent woke up feeling especially good and lively. Filled with the joy of the day, she ventured out to compliment a passer by on their outfit.

Suzy had let her social life slide of late and today, a day off from work, she decided to get out and about and not chase a strange news story...

...so, naturally, she called in at the Goth residence for a "chat".

Bella and Alexander were both present...playing chess as usual. It seemed as if they hadn't moved from their chairs since she last saw them a few days ago.

"Miss Kent...what do we owe this visit?" said Bella.

"Excuse the intrusion but I found our conversation last time to be very informative and your book collection very fascinating."

"Help yourself, Miss Kent...what is it about the collection that you found fascinating?"

Suzy walked to the bookshelf and perused the titles. "There's a lot of history here" she said.

"My personal hobby" said Bella.

"...and mysticism, magic and the occult"

"That would be my husband's tastes"

"And a couple on the existence of aliens"

Bella said nothing. "At our last meeting you expressed an interest in local history, Miss Kent. Here, this book details the history of the Goth family; you may borrow it." she eventually said.

"Thank you" said Suzy. "I notice that your family has close ties with the Landgraabs"

"Hmmm, I wouldn't say close. But as our family mixes in such circles contact with the Landgraabs comes part of the territory. We don't have the levels of influence they have...our wealth is old money."

"Thank you for the book....I must be getting along now but thanks once again for your time" said Suzy.

Once again Suzy berated herself for not taking time off to enjoy herself. Determined to put her investigative journalism on hold this weekend, she headed into the city to the Fashion District. However, once there she ran straight into a protest.

She recognised one of the protesters; someone she met last week called Burr DeBenning.

"Hey Burr" she said approaching him. "What's the protest about?"

"Suzy! Haven't you heard? Landgraab Enterprises wants to buy Magnolia Blossom Park and bulldoze it to make apartment blocks" he replied.

"Really? And what does the Mayor's office say?"

"Well...there's going to be a vote. So far the City council is split 50/50 but we're awaiting a statement from the last elected official not to declare their voting intention."

"Who is that?" said Suzy, with great interest.

"Victor Feng" replied Burr. Suzy thought that was a VERY interesting development. Suzy then headed for the bar; protests really weren't her thing but upon entering the joint she found Mortimer Goth already there.

"Miss Kent...I hear you visited my wife this morning? The two of you seem to be getting on quite well" he said as Suzy pulled up a seat at the bar.

"She's a fascinating woman, Mr Goth"

"Call me Mortimer" he said.

"She's been invaluable help with my story" Suzy replied.

"And what would this story be about? It's not a fashion article, I gather"

"Well, yes and no" said Suzy, evasively. "Your family has an interesting history"

"I know...but there are certain things that I think it wise you don't delve into. Such as my wife's disappearance 3 years ago"

"Yes, I heard about that...nothing is known about what happened and Mrs Goth can't remember anything about it"

"She had extensive therapy at the time and I have used....other methods...to try to ascertain what happened. Whatever it was, it is best left alone. It is a private matter" he said, sternly.

"I understand, Mortimer" she replied. Goth nodded, finished his drink and left the bar. Suzy was feeling overwhelmed with all this new information when Burr approached her. "So, did you learn anything interesting?" he asked her.

"Every time I meet with a Goth, Landgraab or a Feng I learn something VERY interesting, Burr" she replied.

Suzy looked around the bar and had a thought. "You know...tonight I'm going to forget all about it and have a good time!" Burr showed her the way to the dance floor and the in-crowd of San Myshuno danced the night away.