CHAPTER 237: Look Around You

More depressing news today, thought Action.  The war in Vietnam was becoming a stalemate, all that hard fighting and gains won just a year ago was being squandered now.  And there was a threat of a coup d'etat in Syria.  The world's getting more unstable...or is it that I've only just noticed? He thought, sombrely.

"And later this evening on SBS..." the TV announcer said in an overly merry and positive voice that clashed with the news about war around the world.  "...action and adventure in outer space with the brand new series, Star Tr..."

Action firmly hit the off button on the TV remote control.  "Man, I hate science fiction" he muttered.  Instead he put on the radio and tuned it to his favourite soul station.

"That's more like it!" he said, smiling to himself.

But Action wasn't a man who could sit still for too long.  It was his day off but he was always the cop, always thinking of solving a case and in his mind he had the death of Geoffrey Landgraab, probably at the hands of an assassin, going around and around his brain.  He also had a hunch who that assassin was:  Leanne McGregor.  He could use his time productively by doing some snooping around but first he wanted to feel invigorated and his second favourite way of doing that was working out at the gym.

He was a regular at Movers n' Shakers Gym and well known by all the regulars.  It helped that many of them were his neighbours as well.  Sure enough, after he had changed into his PT gear, he saw Barbara having a work out.

"Hey, Babs" he said, laconically.  "I would have thought running your own business was exercise enough!"

"It is, but I need to keep trim as well.  Remember that time when I put on a lot of weight?" she replied.

"Yeah, but you still looked smokin'"

"Oh you flatterer, Action!  But I never want to be that shape again, thank you.  The cost of replacing all my clothes....sheesh!  Anyway, will you be able to make Summer and Travis' wedding?  Not long to go now..."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"I love weddings.  I loved Suzy's especially." she said wistfully.  Action could detect the subtext.

"It'll be your turn soon enough.  Jeremy's not going to let you slip through his fingers if he has any sense." he said.

"Sigh...I know.  But I'm starting to get a little....impatient, you know?  Not for the wedding itself but waiting for him to get down on one knee..."

"Jeremy's a straight up kind of guy.  If he hasn't proposed yet it's because he doesn't want to steal Travis and Summer's thunder.  Relax.  Once those two have tied the knot it'll be your turn next.  Trust me, Action knows."

"I'm sure you're right.  And what about you?  When will be your turn with Katherine?"

"Me?" said Action, wide eyed.  "Hey, I'm not ready to settle down just yet.  Action is a cool cat."

Barbara smiled, mischievously.  "Sure you are, no one's cooler but you're also not going to let someone like Katherine slip through your fingers either."

"Touché, madam, touché.  Anyway, stay cool, Babs.  I've got an appointment with that treadmill!  Catch you later."

After his workout Action was still restless.  Working within the confines of the SCPD was restrictive:  One moment he was on a murder case, the next it was taken away from him to hand over to the Feds or a specialist Homicide department.  He was gathering an idea of a criminal sub-set working within the city:  Working for the Landgraabs one moment, working for a shadowy cabal who hate the Landgraabs the next.  The attempt on the lives of Alan Cuffe and his assistant, on Geoffrey's, the bankrolling of Malcolm Landgraab's drug dealing...some group was involved in it all.  However, all he had to go on was a name, an out of date description of them and an image in his mind of a red headed man's face.  It was time to start talking to his informants on the street...

"Sorry, Action, I can't help" said one of them, a lady who worked in the hospitality business and who knew a lot of people...law abiding and criminal...but on this occasion the names 'Leanne McGregor' and the description of a red headed man with a goatee beard didn't register with her.

There was another lady, an old retired woman Action had met whilst working on a case that involved lots of local burglaries.  She was a 'curtain-twitcher', a woman with a lot of time on her hands who saw everything in her local neighbourhood.  Getting the old folks to keep their eyes and ears open might be a good strategy, Action thought.

But then he spied a figure off in the distance and a bell went off inside his head.  A red headed man with a goatee beard.

"Excuse me...sir!" Action called out.  The man ignored him and kept walking.  

"Sir!  Stop!  Sim City Police Department!" Action called out again.  The man hesitated and then stopped.

"I'd like to you to help with my enquiries" said Action.  "Could you spare some time now...or down at the station?" that last part was said not as a request but more like a threat.

The red headed man hesitantly turned around and walked slowly towards Action and the old lady.

"What is the matter, Police Detective?" the man said, coldly.

"Hey, I think I know you..." said the old lady.

The red headed man shot her a glare and for a moment Action noticed that she suddenly looked unsteady on her feet.

"No...we have never met" said the old lady, as if in a daze.  "And I love all people who come to visit us".  Action thought that statement came out of absolutely nowhere.

The lady started walking off without saying any kind of farewell.  Action turned to the man, a suspicious look on his face.

"You sure have a way with women" he said.

"What is it that you need me to help you with, Police Detective?" said the red headed man, flatly.

"First, what is your name?" asked Action.

"My name?  You wish to know my name?" the man replied.  Action nodded.

"Well, I suppose it won't cause any harm in telling you...it is Luke Kendall.  Now what is this about?"

"I'm sure we've met before, Mr Kendall"

"If we had then one of us would remember"

Action didn't immediately respond but instead looked Kendall squarely in the eye.  Finally he said "do you know someone called Leanne McGregor?"

"What does she look like?" came Kendall's response.

"Average height, slim, long black hair, dark brown eyes, Mediterranean complexion."

"I do not know anyone who conforms to that description."

"Can you tell me where you were on the 18th August this year?"

"I was working" came Kendall's very prompt response.

"All day?"

"I worked a double shift that day.  Business was intense."

"And what business are you in, Mr Kendall?"

"Catering.  I manage a group of street vending stalls"

"OK, Mr Kendall, I'm going to need some contact details for you...now I'm sure we've met before and I KNOW it'll come back to me at some point."

"It shouldn't..." said Kendall and almost immediately, he realised he had let slip something that a smart detective like Action would pick up on.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Action.

"I am very busy, Police Detective Action...I must go now..."

"Wait...I never said my name"

"I noticed it on your ID badge"

Just as Action thought it would be better to haul Kendall downtown for more questioning he was interrupted by a work colleague:  A rookie cop called Jesse Navarro.  He had been working out at the gym as well.

"Hey, Action!  Glad I caught up with you!  I have some more information about that break in case the Chief assigned you!"

"Not now, Navarro..." Action replied.

"No, this is really important!  I know it's your day off but I know the Chief is anxious to make progress on the case.

Whilst Navarro was gushing all this information to Action, Kendall wandered off.

"Thanks a whole bunch, Navarro!  I was just about to get some low down from that guy and you come bounding in and ruining it!"

"Hey, I wasn't to know and...well, who is he?"

"He could be the man I can't remember..."

"What?  Wait?  That doesn't make sense..." replied a puzzled Navarro.

"Never mind.  I'll fill you in some other time"

That afternoon Action called on all his informants and those who had their ear to the ground in the underworld.  Despite it's often rustic, Southwestern charm, the Rattlesnake Juice Bar in Oasis Springs was a place where ex-cons and grifters hung out.  But when he asked around about Leanne McGregor he drew a blank from his network.

Disappointed, he went to sit at the bar and ordered a scotch and soda.  And then a second one soon after.  This mystery network of McGregor's and her cohorts did not leave a physical trace anywhere and yet he had met her in the flesh...twice...had evidence that she pulled the trigger on Madelyn Buchanan and that her name struck fear with some of his snitches.

Why can't I make any progress?  He thought to himself as he became more sullen.  And I'm sure that guy I met earlier has something to do with it.  I have a vague memory...I'm in a bar in downtown San Myshuno, I'm meeting someone...someone who's involved in the case...he looks like that Kendall guy and then....BLANK!  My memory goes.

But soon another thought enters Action's mind, and it's a voice not of his own.

"We ArE aLl ArOuNd YoU"

Action sat up to attention and looked around the bar.  Who said that?  There were only a handful of other patrons in the bar plus one barkeep and none of them were speaking to him.

"wE aRe AlL aRoUnD yOu...JoHn AcTiOn"

The voice was in his head and it sounded detached, as if someone had intruded into his mind.  He shook his head to try to clear it of this sinister voice.

"CeAsE, jOhN aCtIoN...yOu CaNnOt StOp Us"

Action stood up, briskly strode to a window and looked out.  Something was up, but he wasn't sure what.  A man walked past the bar and looked slowly at the window Action was looking out from.  His expression devoid of any emotion but for one brief moment he felt this man's gaze pierce straight into his soul.

Action looked again and saw another man with the same, expressionless look on his face and he too turned to face Action for a few seconds.

"We ArE eVeRyWhErE, jOhN aCtIoN...aLl ArOuNd YoU...cEaSe, GiVe In, Do NoT gEt In OuR wAy, We ArE eVeRyWhErE, eVeRyWhErE, aLl ArOuNd YoU...cEaSe..." over and over these words repeated themselves in Action's brain until they became deafening.

"Stop!  Stop the voices!  STOP THE VOICES!" Said Action, clutching his temples and shutting his eyes as the pain increased.

"Hey, Buddy, are you OK?" said a calm, soothing voice.

"What?  What's happening?" said Action.  There were two men sitting at the bar next to him.  Action didn't remember going from the window back to his seat.

"You started shaking and calling out in pain.  Do you need an ambulance?" said this voice, which turned out to be that of the man sitting next to him.

"I....was looking out the window..." said Action, pointing to where he'd been standing.

"Erm, you've been sat here the whole time.  Are you sure I can't call for an ambulance, or someone else who could help you?"

Action looked startled and his eyes darted all around the room.  What was going on?  He nodded and said to the man "call me a cab" and he swiftly downed the rest of his drink.

CHAPTER 227: In The Bloodstream

Stay off the case, Action...we've got top men...TOP MEN...taking care of the Landgraab murder.  Just stick to your assignment...

Action was pounding the streets of Willow Creek hard this morning as he jogged around the neighbourhood.  It was often a good way to sharpen his thinking when he had a lot on his mind.

My assignment...a stolen diary and a drug overdose gone wrong.  I should be focussing on them but I keep thinking about the anomalies in the Landgraab death; someone tampered with the thermostat and locked the door from the outside.  It was no accident but Detective Schuster's going to write it up as one because he's lazy.

I've always said...'my job, my way'.  Dammit; I have a hunch all three cases are connected and I'm going to prove it!

 

At 13th Precinct HQ Action wasted no time in heading to the forensic lab to get some answers.

"Bibi..." he said to his favourite crime scene officer.  "...did that toxicology report I requested come in yet?"

"Which one?" Bibi replied in her clipped German accent.  "Your official case that you are meant to be working on; the Thomas Green case, or the one you insist on working on even though you have been told not to?"

"Why not both?" Action replied.

Bibi picked up two files from her desk and opened up the first one.  "Mr Thomas H. Green:  There was nothing in his bloodstream out of the ordinary...but we haven't been able to ascertain what caused his massive organ failure.  But there is something of interest."

"Oh yeah, what's that?"

"Something that was found on his person.  In one of his jacket pockets there was a handkerchief and wrapped up in it were two small pills"

"Drugs?  Illegal ones?" asked Action, his interest in the Green case suddenly piqued.

"They tested as amphetamines but one that is entirely new to us:  It is not on our database of narcotics.  But now things get interesting..."

"How so?"

"Traces of that amphetamine were found in Geoffrey Landgraab's bloodstream"

Action said nothing at first but instead looked straight at Bibi as he realised the implications of that bit of information.

"A narcotic that is entirely new, Green, a known drug dealing associate of Malcolm Landgrab has possession of it and Malcolm's father had ingested it.  I've got a lot of questions about this bit of news but my one to you, Bibi, is could the amphetamine caused Geoffrey's heart attack?"

"We don't know enough about this specific drug but in theory a pill that boosts your heart rate in the body of a middle aged man who gets stuck in a sauna..."

"...LOCKED in a sauna with the thermostat turned up to maximum.  Yes...it all adds up!  Bibi, once again you are a superstar" and with that Action gave her a kiss on the cheek as he strode out of the lab and towards the squad room.

"OK, listen up you turkey necks!  We've got a new lead in both the T.H. Green and Landgraab deaths..." he said, his loud baritone voice bellowing in the squadroom.

"But Action, I thought we were only supposed to be working on the Green case" said a young patrolman, Jesse Navarro.

"Turns out this lead is for both cases.  A new type of drug, an amphetamine, was discovered on both bodies.  Here's a tox report I want you all to read.  When you go out on patrol I want you to shake down every dealer, every dope head and fixer you know.  Find me the manufacturer of this drug!"

Action was prepared to lead by example and hit the streets himself, questioning his network of informants and those who he knew had an ear to the ground on the streets.

Of course once a policeman starts flashing his badge around in public they're going to encounter a moral busybody who demands the police do something about layabout delinquents/terrible litter/illegal parking/buskers...

One of his favourite places to hang out and get information from was The Blue Velvet bar on the Willow Creek high street.  Everyone knew Action there and when he entered he was satisfied to see a couple of regulars there who knew what was going down.

                                                

As soon as Action had entered the bar he was recognised by one acquaintance.  She wasn't enthusiastic to see him either.

"Action...you here?" she said with a resigned sigh.

"I sure am, Aime.  How are you keeping?" he replied.

"Clean."

"Good to hear...but maybe you can help me out on a little matter?" he asked.  Aime's eyes rolled; she knew what was coming.

"I just knew you were working.  OK, what is it this time?" she said, with a weary sigh.

"I'll make this worth your time.  The lowdown is this:  A new drug, an amphetamine, has hit the streets and we have two dead bodies on our hands, both related to this new thing.  Have you heard anything about it?"

"You know, Action, I have.  This kid...she's over there by the piano...came in here earlier and offered to sell me a couple of pills:  She said is was a new way of getting high, keep me going all night.  I told her I don't do that kind of stuff so she's been trying it on with some of the other customers but they're not exactly the kind who wants to trip out."

Action looked over towards the piano and saw a mixed race waif of a girl who was wearing a bright orange-red wig.  "Not exactly the inconspicuous type..." he muttered to Aime.  "...and she's no more than 15, I'll wager.  Thanks for the tip off, Aime" he said, passing a $20 bill to her.

Action sauntered over to her and flashed his badge.  "I need to see some I.D." he said to the girl, matter of factly.

"I ain't got none; they're in my other pants" she replied, defiantly.

"That's a shame...then you're going to have to come downtown with me and answer some questions"

"And what if I refuse?" she said, jutting her jaw out in stubborness.

"Kiddo, I'm John Action.  Ask around; I've never lost a fight.  You can come along peacefully or in cuffs; your choice.

The teenager, who went by the name of Aya Chatman, kicked up a stink when they arrived at the precinct house.  

"I know my rights!  I have to be in class in an hour!" she wailed.

"In class?  I thought you had I.D. proving you were an adult" Action replied.

"Erm...I'm a college student" she stammered.

"Oh yeah, whereabouts?"

"Britechester Academy..." 

"It's Britechester University.  So what are you studying there?"

"Erm...uhm...theorem?" she said, unconvincingly.

"Whatever, Einstein, just get in here and answer some questions." he said, shoving her into the interrogation room.

"Am I under arrest?" she asked as she sat down.

"No, not yet...although you illegally purchased liquor in a licenced establishment so I can charge you with that.  And those pills you were carrying on you can get you jail time as well...not least you were trying to sell them in that club, which witnesses will attest to.  So I can go through all that and charge you, then we bring in the lawyers and your legal guardians, you'll go to court, probably get probation if this is your first offence and you'll have a nice shiny criminal record.  Or..." 

"Or what?"

"Or you can help me catch some bigger crooks." he said, laying out his case file before her.

Aya said nothing.  Action continued by showing her a photo.  "Do you know this guy?"  he asked.  Aya took the photo and looked at it.

"Yeah, I know him:  Tom Green.  He died recently but I had nothing to do with that!"

"Do you know who did?" Action asked.

"I...I'm not sure.  One of his dealer pals, I reckon."

"Male or female?"

"Could have been both:  One to give the order and the other to carry it out.  That's the rumours, anyway.  I was told to keep my mouth shut."

"By who?"

"Man...I just told you!  I was told to keep my mouth shut otherwise..." Aya looked tense and anxious at that point and she shut her eyes and put her hands to the temples of her head.

"Who told you to keep your mouth shut?" said Action with more forcefulness in his voice.  "Who?"

Aya looked up at the ceiling and then all around the room before she spoke.  "OK, if I tell you I want police protection" she eventually said.

"That can be arranged"

"Malcolm Landgraab.  There.  He handles the business side, the distribution, but he doesn't get his hands dirty."

"I bet he doesn't...but go on, who does get their hands dirty?"

"This girl...Leanne's her name.  She doesn't look like much but there's something about her that's real scary."

Action's eyes lit up.  His suspicions confirmed by this girl and he wanted to spring into action.

"Aya, I'm going to get a police sketch artist to come and talk to you and I want a detailed description of this Leanne.  Don't leave a single detail out!"

"So it's that obsession with you, Action:  Leanne McGregor, that's responsible for the deaths?" said Chief Amos.  He had called Action in during his lunch break because he was worried his lead detective was going rogue again with his wild hunches.

"I know it is, Chief" Action replied before taking a bite out of his sandwich.

"But this sketch you've just had made looks nothing like the original APB sketch of McGregor that we have on file.  Explain the difference, Action"

"Same person, different look.  Plastic surgery, a wig, different clothing and make up..."

"So she changed from a Latin looking woman with black hair and dark brown eyes to a pasty faced, green eyed red haired girl about 10 years younger than she was?  Come off it, Action!"

"I can't explain how she did it, but it's the same woman, Chief.  If our initial assumption is correct and she's ex-KGB then she's already a mistress of disguise.  Look, let me play this hunch out, Chief.  I know this case better than anyone!"

"Ah, but which case, Action, which case?"

Action had gone home to change into a suitable outfit for where he was going to go next.  He had a plan and a couple of helpers along the way; one willing, one not so willing.  His destination was The Kitten Club, where he had membership...but strictly for professional purposes.

Action didn't immediately go into the club but instead walked a little down the road as he was waiting for the two people he had arranged to meet.  One was a fellow cop; Jesse Navarro and the other was his latest acquaintance, Aya Chatman.  Navarro was there to escort the troublesome waif and keep her out of trouble as a condition of her release.  She was there to provide some information.

"OK, Aya, talk me through how you would conduct your business dealings" asked Action when they got to Newcrest; the centre of this drug dealing ring.

"I'd get here at the Bowl-o-Rama about a half hour before the deal was to go down.  There's a dead drop point inside where a message would be left telling me my instructions for the evening." she replied.

"Where's this dead drop located?"

"There's a rack with a brown, chipped bowling ball on it:  No-one would want to use that one so it just sits there.  Down one of the finger holes a note would be placed, curled around on the inside.  I go there and it looks like I'm trying out a ball but when I withdraw my fingers from the hole, the message is now wrapped around my finger."

Action nodded, "Very clever".

"Then I carry out the instructions...either keep a look out for cops, help the client find what he 'needs' or taking the cash to a prearranged place after the deal is done." she carried on.

"But you don't actually conduct the deal yourself?"

"No.  Malcolm handled that and Leanne is his enforcer.  Anyone steps out of line and...." at this point Aya shuddered.

"What is it?  What does she do?" asked Action, now all excited.

"I've seen her....it's hard to explain but....she rarely touches anyone but when she does the first thing anyone says is how cold her hands are but she has a power...I don't know how she does it but she has a way of looking at people that can turn even the biggest, burliest and meanest guy into a quivering jello."

"And where does the meeting happen?" 

"Malcolm sets up the deal and concludes business at the Kitten Club down the road."

"OK, that makes sense; it's a plush and desirable location and I'm sure no one in the staff questions that he's under 21.  OK, that's where I'm going next."

"What about me?" asked Aya.

"You ain't going in there, sister.  I'll have my man, Officer Navarro, take you home.  You're done now."

Action went inside the club and found Navarro sitting by the bar, in full uniform.  Action let out a low grumble and strode over to him.

"Navarro, what the hell are you doing here?  You're on duty!  And what's with the uniform?  You're gonna scare all my informants away!" he glowered.

"Sorry, Action, I didn't think..."

"No you didn't!" said Action, cutting off the now sheepish looking young policeman.  

"Chatman's waiting outside.  Escort her home and check her place over; someone might be watching her.  Make sure the premises are safe."

"On it, sir" Navarro said, quickly getting off the barstool and heading outside.

"What are the Academy churning out these days?" muttered Action to himself.  He took a look around the joint, looking for someone he knew he could put the word out to.  There was no one downstairs so he headed up to the upper bar and gallery and spotted just the right person...

"Hello Deano" he said to a very old acquaintance of his:  Dean Lunn.

"Action, long time no see.  Digging that jacket; cool threads man, cool threads."  said Dean, laconically.

"Thanks ol' buddy.  I trust you're keeping your nose clean." said Action, knowing all about Dean's chequered past with the law.

"As always, Action.  I keep a toehold in the underworld but I don't cross the line into it." replied Dean.  "Now I take it this ain't no social call."

"Am I that obvious?  Yeah, I'm still working on the job."

"Then sit down, Action, I'll call a waitress and get us some drinks:  You do drink whilst on duty, do you?"

"On this occasion I do."

"OK...oh, waitress..." said Dean, clicking his fingers at a Kitten Club waitress who was bedecked in the iconic costume of a black strapless corset bodysuit, black pantyhose, high heels, a collar, white gloves and a cats ears tiara.

"Two bourbons, Miss" said Dean and the waitress nodded and went to the bar to get them.  "What a time to be alive..." mused Dean as he watched the young, shapely woman slink away.

"To business..." said Action, snapping Dean out of his mini-trance.

"OK, what do you want this time, Action?"

Action looked around the lounge to see who was nearby before leaning in closer to talk to Dean.  "There's a new kind of drug that's hitting the streets:  A completely new and largely unknown amphetamine.  Have you heard of it?"

"There's been rumours..." said Dean, in a non-committal tone.  "Ah, here are our drinks.  Thank you, Miss."  Dean and Action waited until she was out of earshot before they continued their conversation.  "You know I don't deal hard drugs, Action."

"I know, but you know who does.  I'm looking for someone in particular; a woman"

"Action, I thought you were steady with that rich white chick"

"Not that way!  She's a suspect.  Goes by the name of Leanne McGregor.  The best image I have of her is this police sketch." Action said, passing a sheet of paper, folded, across the table to Dean.  The other man opened it slightly and took a look.

"Yeah, I've seen her around." he said, calmly.

"Where?"

"Here and there.  Usually in the company of either Malcolm Landgraab or another guy called Luke Kendall.  I can't tell you much about him, unfortunately."

"Luke Kendall...Luke Kendall..." Action mused over the name.  "It sounds familiar but I don't know where from."

"What do you want to know about them?" asked Dean.

"Where they live, where they hang out, who they hang out with, what kind of things are they getting up to that might interest me."

"That's a long list....what do you want me to do with my other hand?"

"I'll think of something.  Can you do this, Deano?  There's a reward for helping me out."

"That goes without saying.  I wouldn't do this for free." said Dean, downing the rest of his drink.  "Leave this with me.  Don't try to contact me, I'll contact you if I find anything."

Dean got up and walked out of the club.  Action nodded, appreciatively. 

CHAPTER 171: The Mystery Of The Goths

 

Action gulped down the protein drink whilst he checked the mail.  Bills, and bills...and his Police Detective's salary just about stretched to cover them.  "Dang, I need a case to secure a promotion and soon!  My bank account's gonna be drier than Arizona at the rate I'm going!" he said to himself.  But Action was a man of taste and style and it cost him money to maintain his lifestyle.

As he popped the last cheque in the mailbox he saw playboy millionaire, Alan Cuffe, jogging past his house.  It had been a while since he'd seen Cuffe and rumour had it that the guy was losing his marbles over some incident.  Well, Action had a hunch what caused it:  A deep, dark secret that Cuffe refused to share with anyone.  Maybe the good fortune of having the guy jogging past him right at this moment was too good opportunity for Action to miss out on.  

"Alan, have you got a few minutes to spare?" 

"Sure, Action...what's up?  Is this about work or a friendly chat?"

"Mostly just friendly.  How have you been?  Anyone tried bothering since we last spoke?"

"You said this was a friendly chat but it sounds more like work"

"The two often collide...so?  Life settled down to whatever it is you call normal, Alan?"

"Have I seen that strange woman since the fire?  No, Action, I have not.  Nor have I seen the man who I thought was following me...it must have been my imagination:  I've been working too hard."

Action noticed that Cuffe's fist was clenched and that he looked nervous.  His eyes darting left and right to see if anyone untoward was about.

"Well, we never did catch those people who tried to get you...or your assistant.  You know where you can find me if there's anything bothering you.  We can even keep it off the record." said Action, knowing that Cuffe was hiding something but that he wouldn't confess straight up here and now.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm doing fine.  Gotta keep moving, you know?" said Cuffe before he continued his run.

"Yeah, I know..." muttered Action.

Later, at 13th Precinct Headquarters Action saw that Officer Marina Beckett was helming the front desk.  Now Marina had some 'history' with Cuffe and Action's curiosity was aroused by his encounter with the man this morning.

"Marina...I bumped into a friend of yours this morning" he said to her.

"Oh yeah, who?" she replied.

"Alan Cuffe."

Marina hesitated a moment before replying.  "Oh yes, did he have anything interesting to say?" she asked.

"Absolutely nothing at all, but I know something's bothering him.  You know him a lot better than I do; do you know what's eating away at him?"

Again, Marina hesitated before answering.  "He's not been the same since the fire.  He's acting...erratic."

"You've not said much since the fire either.  Do you know if those responsible have confronted either you or him since then?"

"Wait!  No!  You don't think I've held anything back since that day!  My loyalty is beyond question!" she said, indignantly.

"I never said it wasn't.  Listen, Marina, anything that Cuffe confides with you that pertains to the case...you let me know, OK?"

"Isn't the FBI handling it from now on?" she asked.

"You don't think the people who've been trying to kill Cuffe and do all those other things have left Sim City, do you?"

At that moment a young woman entered the station and made her way to the front desk.

"Well, Action, you've got a lot of work on today...you can either deal with this young lady's problem or deal with a breaking and entry at the Goth Mansion." said Marina.

Action looked the young woman up and down and liked what he saw...but he knew where the big case was.

"I'm sure this young lady's problem can be dealt with by Detective Michaels and his team.  I'll take the Goth Mansion case."

Marina handed him a folder with some case files in it and Action went to the squad room to take a look at them and familiarise himself with the case.

The Goth Mansion was one of the oldest residences in Sim City, it's construction dating back to the 1870s.  Mortimore Goth was a well-known author and his wife, Bella, a onetime model, bit part actress and now full-time housewife and socialite.  They have two children and no priors...except for a few years ago when Bella Goth had gone missing for a time but had suddenly shown up alive and well some time later.  Police didn't treat that as a crime at the time..."strange", thought Action.

He made his way to the Goth Mansion, keeping a look out for the officer who was first on the scene:  Patrolman Jesse Navarro:  A young, keen but somewhat reckless cop.  Action would take charge of the crime scene once he was there.

The house was in an old and wealthy part of Willow Creek.  Even among the "Gay Nineties" architecture of the surrounding neighbourhood, the Goth Mansion stood out as it was darker, more gothic and sinister looking...and that was just the outside.  Inside the decor matched the exterior...apparently the Goths weren't big on lighting.  Action walked up the stairs to find Officer Navarro, half expecting Vincent Price to emerge from the shadows.

Upstairs he found Officer Navarro pondering over an antique chess set.

"There's no time to be playing games, Officer" said Action.

"Oh, Detective Action!  No...erm...I wasn't...I was waiting for a forensic team to dust this chess set."

"Why?  There's nothing missing there" replied Action.

"Well, I thought that Chess obsessed thief you arrested might have been responsible for the burglary.  I hear she's out on probation." 

"She is, but she didn't do this..." Action knew that the woman was a reformed criminal and one of his informants.  "So, what is actually missing?" Action added.

Navarro pulled out his notebook and started to read what he had written down earlier.  "Let's see...a crystal decanter and goblet set, a bronze bust of an Ancient Greek lady...said to be an original from about 300 B.C....some silverware and various books and papers."

"Books and papers?  Why steal those?  Are they especially rare editions?" asked Action.

"From my notes, not especially."

"OK, can you show me where the books and papers were stolen from?" asked Action.

"Yes...but aren't you more interested in the ancient sculpture or silverware?" asked Navarro.

"Not now..." said Action, curtly.

Navarro showed Action the bookcase that had volumes stolen from it.  "Has it been dusted for prints?"

"Erm, yes sir...the only prints they could find match the family's and Miss Joiner's"

"Who's Miss Joiner?" asked Action.

"Mr Goth's research assistant.  She's downstairs being questioned as a witness."

"Send her up here, Navarro"

Miss Janice Joiner was a nervous and distraught young woman in her early 20s.  She was in the house when it was broken into and was now traumatised by what happened to her.

"I was downstairs, at Mr Goth's desk arranging papers for him, when these two people...wearing masks...burst into the room.  They grabbed me and shoved me in the cellar, locking the door.  I must have been in there for half an hour when a neighbour came to investigate what was going on and heard me banging on the door."

"Can you tell me what books are missing from this bookshelf?" asked Action.

"Oh that's Mr Goth's reference library.  It's where he keeps books he uses for research for his novels.  Oh..." she said, but suddenly she stopped in mid sentence.

"What's wrong?" asked Action.

"Well, as you can see these books are about the paranormal.  The top shelf is the ghost section, then mythical beasts, legends and lore and so on but one section is completely missing." Miss Joiner replied.

"Which one?" 

"UFOs and aliens" she said.

"Are those books particularly rare or valuable?" 

"Not particularly.  But Mr Goth likes writing notes in the margins of his reference books so they're unique.  And there's a couple of books I'm not allowed to touch or read.  Those are strictly private and for his eyes only.  They're missing as well."

Action nodded his head.  "Thank you, Miss Joiner, you've been very helpful."  The distraught young lady left the room.

Checking the room one more time Action noticed a scrap of paper on the floor, probably torn from one of the pages of the books that was stolen.  He put on a disposable glove and picked the scrap up gently with his thumb and forefinger.  Examining it, the scrap had two handwritten words on it:  WHY BELLA?

"Why indeed?" muttered Action.

He made his way downstairs where he was greeted by Sergeant Kitchen, who had taken over command of the investigation team.

"We've got a full inventory of what's been stolen...those busts should give the insurance company a nightmare." he said.

"That's a ruse...so was the stolen silverware" Action replied.  "The real target for the thieves were his papers and reference books.  We're not dealing with common criminals out to make a quick buck.  Whoever did this wants information that only Goth has."

"A bunch of books about little green men?  Come on, Action, why would anyone want those?" said Sergeant Kitchen.

"Because of what Goth wrote in them.  He scribbles notes in the margins.  I bet he's the kind of guy who slips notepaper with his ideas into books as well.  Where is Goth, anyway?"

"In Europe on a speaking tour.  He won't be back for another week."

"Dang!  Any other witnesses?" Action asked.

"Oh yes...and you'll just LOVE her" said Kitchen, sarcastically.

Action went to see this other witness...another young lady in her early 20s but blonde, bubbly and wearing large glasses.

"Hi, I'm Honey...Honey Pleasance" she beamed.

"But of course you are" replied Action.  "Can you tell me what you saw?"

"Well, I live nearby and I love to take walks along the beautiful tree lined boulevards, especially on a day like today with all the flowers and blossoms from the trees..."

"Just cut to the bit where you saw something suspicious"

"Oh, OK...well, normally I quicken my pace when I walk past the old Goth mansion on account of all the strange stories that you hear about the place but today I notice two people run out of the building and down the street clutching large, army style rucksacks."

"Did you get a look at their faces?"

"No, they were wearing masks.  But they left the front door open so I summoned up enough courage to step inside the house because, as I said, you hear stories about the Goths and their home and those creep me out.  Anway, isn't it an amazing place?  I mean, still creepy but so much interesting stuff as well....oh, sorry, I'm just shooting my mouth off here, I really should focus you know?  My tutor at college is always saying I should be more succinct in my speech....oops, I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

"Just a bit" said Action.

"To cut a long story short, I heard a banging noise from behind a door and I opened it and there was that woman trapped in a cellar.  Then I phoned the police.  Maybe I should have given chase to the thieves instead!"

"No, you did the right thing.  The thieves may have been armed." said Action.

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that!" replied Honey.

"You mentioned that you've heard stories about the Goths...any ones in particular?" asked Action.

"Well, they do talk about that time Mrs Goth went missing." she replied.

"Was it a kidnapping or did she just walk out and return sometime later?"

"Oh none of those things..." Honey looked nervously around the room and leaned in closer to Action.  "They say supernatural forces were at work.  She was here, then gone and with no trace, then she returns with her memory all gone from that period of time."

That struck a chord with Action:  A complete memory wipe of an event....just what had happened to him.

"Thank you, Miss Pleasance" he said.

"Call me Honey" she said, smiling broadly again.

"I sure will" he replied.  "You've been most helpful."

After she had left Officer Navarro had a quiet word with Action.  "That one is clearly tripping on something.  I should pull her over to see if she's carrying any narcotics"

"Leave it" said Action, putting a hand on Navarro's arm to restrain his eagerness.  "We've got a lot to do with this case.  Is there another witness?"

"Just one more" said Navarro.  "A Mrs Giordano"

"Si, I saw them run away from the building" said Mrs Giordano in a thick Italian accent.  "And I tell you; one of them was a woman"

"A woman?" said Action.

"Si!  Yes!  I said a woman.  I could tell....her shape, the way she run.  A woman"

"You seem very certain.  Well that's very helpful." said Action, writing down her statement and closing his notebook.  With forensics moving in to do more analysis it was time for him to head back to the precinct house.

He typed up his initial findings in a report including his assessment that the papers were the real objective of the thieves and that the theft of a few objects d'art and antiques was merely a cover.  He wasn't sure that would go down well with the Chief though as it wouldn't be a simple open and shut case...

He went to the station archives to find information about Bella Goth's disappearance.  There were crime scene photos of her abandoned car, found in the outskirts of Oasis Springs, and the surrounding area but it was still a cold case...made freezing by Mortimore Goth's insistence that no charges would be pressed and that, in his view, no crime had been committed because Bella had returned alive and well, no ransom was ever demanded and nothing had been stolen; therefore, no crime had taken place.

But there was a mystery nonetheless and one that related to a crime that had just taken place.  Mortimore Goth had done his best to conceal it but someone knew the truth of what happened to her and had obtained the evidence for themselves.  Goth was out of the country right now but not Mrs Goth.  Action determined to go and question her in person.

He travelled back to Ophelia Villa to see her.  The forensic team had just departed and he saw Bella Goth standing outside the house with a small boy of about 8 years of age.  Action deduced that he was her son.

Everything he'd heard about Bella Goth was true:  She was alluring to the point of hypnotic, her very presence had a magnetic and sexual allure; this was accentuated by her dress which clung to every smooth curve of her body, her long arms and smooth finely sculptured shoulders exposed, the shortness of the hem revealing a perfect set of legs, accentuated by expensive dark hosiery.  Her eyes and lips enticed as she looked directly into Action own eyes...it was an effort just to concentrate on asking her questions.  She had to have been in her late 30s at least and yet she looked 10 years younger.

"Mrs Goth, I'm Detective John Action of the Sim City PD.  I'd like to ask you a few questions." he asked, composing himself.

"Certainly but I did tell your colleagues everything I know about what was stolen.  I'm afraid I don't know who could have committed such a crime or who had the motive or means.  As for the items, we are insured." she replied, her voice a soft purr.

"Even your husband's files and notes that he wrote in all those books he had about UFOs?" 

Bella paused before answering.  "Alexander, dear, run along inside.  I will join you soon." she eventually said.

"Yes Mother" replied the boy, looking sullen.  He trudged off inside, pausing once to turn towards his mother for some reassurance, which she gave by nodding and smiling at him.

"So, Mrs Goth, about those books of your husbands..." said Action.

"I know of them but I've never read any.  That is my husband's affair" she replied.

"So you don't know what he wrote in them or why he's interested in the subject?" asked Action.  "Somehow, Mrs Goth, I don't quite believe you."

"Dectective Action, I resent that insinuation!" she said proudly and indignantly.

"Let me tell you my own story, Mrs Goth, a true one.  A few weeks ago I was on a case and I found a lead, a really juicy one, and something happened.  I went to meet someone to get information and I went missing for a few hours.  Then I emerged, unscathed but with my memory of that meeting and the case I was working on completely gone:  Sound familiar?"

Bella Goth said nothing.

"I have a good buddy of mine whose mind's been messed with as well.  He went for a job interview but can't remember anything about what happened.  A few days later and he's working at that company but now he's developed a hatred for people he once liked.  Turned out he was subjected to brainwashing but he can't remember how it was done...again I ask you, Mrs Goth, is this ringing any bells?"

"Detective, I honestly cannot remember a single thing that happened to me during that time I went missing.  That is the truth." she said, nervously.

"But your husband has an idea, which he wrote down in those books and which someone has stolen.  So that means a few people know what happened...has he said anything to you about it, over the years?"

"My husband is extremely protective of me.  He refuses to talk to anyone about my disappearance and that includes me."

"And you're not curious?"

"Of course I am curious, Detective!  Six weeks of my life...SIX WEEKS...was stolen.  When I got back I was prone to blackouts and falling into semi-consciousness for months afterwards.  Mortimore cared for me but he also wanted to know what happened.  So he went searching and...well...wrote in those books and kept a journal of the whole affair...what he knew of it.  But he refused to share that with me, no matter how much I pleaded.  Eventually caring for Cassandra and Alexander and my charity work occupied all my attention and when I recovered, I stopped asking Mortimore for information."

Action nodded and took a step closer to Bella.  He could smell her exotic perfume and she seemed more alluring than ever to him.  "When your husband gets back from his trip, I want to see him and he will see me!  You tell him that."

FOUNDRY COVE, WILLOW CREEK

Geoffrey Landgraab huffed and puffed his way along the empty streets of Willow Creek.  No matter how much he ran, he could never shift that bit of extra weight around his stomach.  But, like his wife, he pushed himself onwards and onwards to try to keep fit.

"Geoffrey Landgraab" came a voice behind him.  Geoffrey stopped and looked around.  He saw a young man with red hair and casual attire walking towards him.

"Geoffrey Landgraab...we need to talk" said the man.  Geoffrey instinctively knew who this person was despite never actually having spoken with him before.

"Ah...yes..." Geoffrey said nervously.  "I usually deal with a young woman from your...organisation."

"She has been altered and reassigned.  You will now deal with me: I am Luke Kendall.  I am concerned information about our activities becoming known by others.  Leanne McGregor had to be altered.  What are you doing about the leaks, Geoffrey Landgraab?"

"I have conditioned one of my employees...a man who lives just over there...to be a willing puppet to our cause.  He will provide no obstacles.  And I believe you dealt with Detective Action."

"Affirmative"

"Nancy has arranged for Goth's evidence against us to go missing...as a matter of fact she's already accomplished that.  That only leaves Suzy Kent.  Shall I deal with her or will I leave her up to you?" said Geoffrey, sinisterly.