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.

CHAPTER 22: Quest For Love

As much as he wanted to clear his mind, Jeremy Saint couldn't get Barbara out of his mind. Her face, her name, her eyes...a bright green colour...every time he shut his eyes he could picture her clearly. Snap out of it, man! he told himself. He went through this before not that long ago with Bianca: He got besotted too easily.

But without work to go to today he couldn't bury himself in another project to stop himself from thinking about Barbara. Stupidly, he didn't get her phone number or arrange a future meeting so how was he going to find her again? The only thing he could think to do was go back to the Waterside Warble to see if she was a regular there. Maybe someone there knows her? He put on his jacket and made his way downtown. 

Inside was very busy. He picked his way through the crowd towards the bar. He recognised the girl with the long blonde hair who ran away from him last time he was in this place. She took a look at him and immediately went to the bathroom. "Great" Jeremy thought. "She still remembers me with disgust!"

He went up to the bar and ordered a drink. When he gave the bartender the money, he said "hey, I don't suppose you know a regular around here: She's a strawberry blonde with bright green eyes...likes to wear orange?"

The bartender thought. "I don't know anyone who looks like that...but I'm new here. Maybe one of the other bartenders knows her. I'll ask around"

Jeremy sighed and drank his drink, all the while looking around to see if Barbara was there. Once he finished drinking, and feeling he was clogging up space at the bar, he took a walk around the place to see if he could see her. He could hear one of the customers singing...it was that girl who reacted badly to his presence and she was singing to "Day Tripper" by The Beatles. He wondered what would happen if she saw him watching her performance. She had a pretty good voice and Jeremy was impressed...so much so he didn't notice the person standing next to him.

"Hello...is it Jeremy?" said the person.

"Barbara!" said an all too pleased Jeremy. "Yes, it's me...fancy bumping into you here?" he added. Barbara looked down. "Oh no, I hope nothing's wrong?"

"Oh...well...I'm feeling better for seeing you here" she replied, cheering up. "Don't worry, just work hassle really...so are you a regular here?"

"On and off...say, can I get you a drink?"

She nodded and they went off to the bar to get a round in. The noise was getting louder with ever more people arriving. Every time Jeremy and Barbara tried to start a conversation, people would jump in or get in the way.

"Say..." said Jeremy. "How about we go somewhere more quiet?"

Barbara nodded "I thought you'd never ask" she replied.

They headed over to the nearby park, which was the opposite to where they'd been: Quiet and with no one around. They sat on a bench together near a fountain.

"I'm glad you came to the bar today" she said, smiling and swinging her legs on the bench. "I was hoping you would"

"Really? I went hoping to see you again" he replied.

"I must have made a good impression" she said.

"Without a doubt. Even though we've only met twice I feel like I've known you for a lot longer"

"Is that a good thing or bad?" she asked, tilting her head whilst smiling.

"Oh definitely good" he said.

She looked up at the sky..."The sun's setting...I love the different hues of evening. Say, do you like to cloud gaze?" she asked.

"I've been known to" he replied.

"Let's just lay here and watch the clouds and how the evening sun colours them!" she said, grabbing his hand and leading him to a flat piece of ground.

They lay there for a while...how long, neither of them knew. They talked, told jokes and enjoyed the view. Eventually the park janitor arrived on the scene. "Do you kids know the Romance Festival is going on in the Fashion District? Looks like you could do with visiting it."

It was news to Jeremy and Barbara. "What do you say?" she asked Jeremy.

"Well...I don't know...I mean...it's a bit...cheesy, isn't it?" he replied, haltingly.

"Come on...it's a laugh...I've never been before!" she said, pulling him to his feet.

The Romance Festival? Jeremy wondered if this was all happening too fast. He didn't want to blow it with Barbara like he did with Bianca. But this girl was pretty keen on going...

The Fashion District was decked out in pinks, purples and brilliant white. There were literally flowers everywhere: People were dancing on them or throwing petals around. The two of them were swept up in the crowds and before they knew it they were right in the centre of the festival.

"Try the uplifting effects of Sakura Tea" said an old lady in a traditional Indian outfit. "Blended from the most aromatic and mysterious tea flowers known to grow only on the steeps slopes of Sakura mountainside...they say once sampled it opens your mind to possibilities and frees you of inhibitions!"

The candy pink tea was easy and pleasant to drink but within minutes Jeremy started to experience its effects. He felt light headed, more confident and there was a warm feeling in his loins. He looked at Barbara, who seemed to be succumbing to the effects as well. She started fanning her face with her hands before running them down the sides of her body and over her hips in a seductive manner. Jeremy noticed he was feeling fruity and invigorated but another side effect was that he couldn't speak properly anymore.

"Hngh..." he uttered, trying to talk to Barbara.

"I feel warm..." she replied. "Do you feel warm as well?"

"Hngh" he replied.

"I'm sooooooooooo glad I bumped in to you today...you have wonderfully clear, blue eyes, Jeremy"

"Hngh"

"Are you seeing anyone special?" she said, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

"Hnnnngggghhhh"

"Me neither....hmmmm, I feel sooooooooo goooooood" she said, feeling the collar of her top.

"Hngh!!!!!"

Then both of them started to feel giddy. Jeremy looked around; the old lady who gave them the tea smiled at him and he noticed that Geoffrey and Nancy Landgraab were already passionately kissing one another. What the heck was in that tea?

"I'm....getting tired..." said Barbara.

"Hngh...I mean, so am I...I'm having the best time" he saw someone handing out roses and he grabbed one in an instant, presenting it to her.

"That's lovely, thank you" she replied. "But I hate to break this up...I've got an early start tomorrow. Can we continue this another time?" she said, apologetically.

"Definitely!" he replied. "I'll take you out to lunch, yes?" She nodded. "Oh, before we go....phone numbers!" he said, taking out his notebook and scribbling his number on it. She took the number and the book and wrote hers down before handing the book and pen back to him.

They embraced and promised to see each other again. Jeremy was on cloud 9...he was determined not to mess things up next time.

CHAPTER 21: The Taking Of Sim City 123

 

John Action walked into the 13th Precinct headquarters and straight past the desk sergeant without stopping.

"Hey, Action! What ya doin'? You're supposed to be on the case!" said the Sergeant.

"I've got a case of my own that needs dealing with" said Action, coolly.

After that, Action went to the briefing room where he saw Officer Datta going over the city crime map.

"Any follow up on that robbery from Tuesday?" said Action.

"We've got a suspect description...male, adult, wearing a jacket and jeans" replied Datta.

"What? That's it? Is he a Brother or a Snowdrop...c'mon, I need something more to go on. What about that description that the perps were skinny?"

"That's all, Action."

He looked at the crime map and made a guess. "This team's been hitting quiet, moderately well off suburbs. Those joints don't have burglar alarms like the rich homes. My guess is they'll hit here..." he said, jabbing his finger at a point in Willow Creek. "If anyone wants me, that's where I'll be" he added before walking out.

Courtyard Lane, Willow Creek, 10:04am

Action began his patrol of the area, checking out the local houses to see which had decent security systems and which hadn't. It was pretty busy for a normally quiet suburb and that level of activity made him suspicious. Anything out of the ordinary made him feel suspicious. He checked his .38 service revolver to see it was fully loaded.

He saw, out of the corner of his eye, an angry looking young man who had just left the local park and seemed to be fuming. Action looked him over: Adult male, jacket....but wearing leather pants, not jeans. Nevertheless Action was curious about what had made this man angry.

"Anything the matter, Sir?" said Action.

"Officer...yes. This crazy lady thinks I'm some kind of hustler and that I've got 'stash' on me! She won't quit bothering me."

"And have you got this 'stash'?" asked Action.

"Of course not! I don't do that sort of junk!" said the man, angry to be asked that question.

"OK then...where's this crazy lady you're talking about? What does she look like?" said Action, trying to calm the dude down.

"She's that local activist and pop singer...I can't remember her name but....look! There she is!"

A gaudily dressed young woman; Japanese-American by the look of her, was staggering down the street towards the young man. "Hey!" she cried out. "You sold me some bad junk! I want my money back!" her voice slurred. She hadn't noticed Action either.

"I keep telling you, lady, I didn't sell you anything! You've got the wrong man!"

The lady shoved the man and raised her fists to clobber him but Action intervened to stop her.

"Hey, hey, hey little lady" said Action, holding one of her arms. "You've got the wrong cat here...now how's about you tell me about this junk you got sold?"

"I...I....I could have sworn this was the guy!" she slurred. "Dark hair, white guy...funky jacket...." she said before she slumped and passed out.

Action radioed in for an ambulance and after they arrived to take her to hospital he went back to the precinct house to file his report. The call came through that the girl, Miko Ojo, was OK and had her stomach pumped. She was able to say that she bought the "stuff" from a dealer who operated around the back of Willow Creek Archive. Action wasted no time; he had a suspect description and a location...he wasn't going to wait for official clearance, he was going to bust the perp!

Willow Creek Archive, 3:20pm

Action had cased the joint...front and back. There were lots of alleyways, hidden places and trees anyone could hide in. He set up an observation post in an unmarked police car across the way and observed who entered and exited. Three men matching the description went in to the library. Action got out the car and walked across the road. He peered in through one of the windows to see what activity was going down. One man was searching the card catalogue, one was pondering a move at the chess table and one was searching the bookshelves. Action went in an pulled the librarian aside. "Any of those cats regulars here?" he asked.

"Two of them are...that guy with the beard sitting at the card catalogue and the man looking at the shelves." the librarian replied.

"Any seem suspicious to you?"

"Yeah, the guy at the bookshelves. He comes in here every day, pulls out the same book from the same shelf, looks at it briefly, then puts it back. And then, minutes later, someone comes around and gets the same book. Every time."

"Did the last person to check that book look like this woman in the photo?" said Action, showing the librarian a photo of Miko Ojo.

"Yeah! She was in here yesterday"

"Thanks man, you've been very helpful" said Action. "Hey, is there a way around the back to that part of the library?" he added.

"Sure, to the right there"

Action nodded, pulled out his .38 service revolver and snuck around the side to get to the suspect. He saw the man, who matched the description, put something in the bookshelf before putting the book in question back. Action approached him.

"Now what would I find if I took that book out, eh?" he said. The man panicked and tried to run out the library but Action flying tackled him to the ground.

"Your days of fleecing the young and beautiful of Sim City with your junk are over, pal!" he said. He pulled the suspect to his feet before slapping the cuffs on him.

"I want to speak to my lawyer!" the man protested.

"You have the right to remain silent....bucko!" said Action, taking the bag of junk from the bookshelf and then marching the suspect off to the precinct house.

CHAPTER 20: Queen's Pawn

 

Suzy Kent's next assignment for "Hey, Wow!" magazine involved a lot of research for an article entitled "66 years, 66 looks". That meant not going in to the office this day, but heading down to the library.

Gathering a huge stack of books, she got to work, writing extensive notes, photocopying relevant pagesfrom the news and magazine archive and generally creating a mess for the librarians to sort out afterwards. However, as was the pattern of late, her focus was divided between her work and what...or in this case who....was also around: Victor and Lily Feng.

They were playing chess mere yards from where she was working and speaking softly about matters that she couldn't quite make out but judging from the serious looks on their faces she knew it wasn't just about the game they were playing. She kept glancing towards them, trying to be inconspicuous but when they met one of her glances she quickly said a friendly 'hello' before burying her head in her research material.

Lily Feng was suspicious though. Her game with Victor had petered out in to a draw; a common occurence these days as both of them could read each other's game so well. Victor stood up to give his wife a kiss but she pulled away from him.

Lily fixed her gaze at Suzy and whispered to Victor. "That young woman...Kent is her name...she's been observing us for some time now."

"I know; she's a fashion journalist who wants to interview us" said Victor, nonchalantly.

"Hmmm, I'm not so sure. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's more to that young woman than what meets the eye"

"Are you jealous, my little Lotus Flower?" said Victor, smiling.

"Of her? No. And if I were to catch you and her together you know what that would mean, Victor?" said Lily, fixing him with a cold smile.

Victor's playful expression vanished. "We're in this together, remember? Our fates intertwined as it was foretold" he said with absolute sincerity. "Anyway, I must be back to City Hall...are you coming, my sweet?"

"No...I will catch you up. I have one more matter to attend to" said Lily. Once Victor had left, she motioned towards Suzy to come and join her over at the chess table.

"Miss Kent, we meet again...care for a game?" said Lily.

"That's kind but I've got an assignment that needs doing. Another time?" replied Suzy.

"Indeed. I have one bit of advice for you, Miss Kent...don't bite off more than you can chew. Perhaps it is better to occupy yourself with simpler assignments than miring yourself in a subject you don't understand."

"Is that it?" said Suzy, her curiosity piqued.

"That is it" and with that, Lily Feng stood up and left the library.

Suzy knew she was getting too close for comfort with the Fengs....but what was it they were hiding? She went back to work, resolving that in the afternoon she would go and see someone who might know.

Later

Suzy stood outside of the imposing Gothic mansion; home to the aptly name Goth family. Outside she saw two children walking towards her. A little boy, aged 10 or 12, and another, teenage girl who Suzy recognised as Cassandra Goth.

"Hello Cassandra" said Suzy.

"You're that fashion reporter, aren't you?" replied the girl.

"Yes, Suzy Kent...I know it's a bit sudden but are your parents home?"

"Hmmm, Mom should be. Dad's probably working. Do come in though."

Once inside Suzy was impressed by the olde worlde charm of the house. Despite the rather dilapidated exterior, the interior was impressive with a wide variety of antiques prominently on display. Suzy paused to look at a particularly fine violin...a Stradivarius perhaps?

Cassandra ushered Suzy into a fine, large parlour where the matriarch of the family; Bella Goth, was sitting playing chess with the boy.

Mrs Bella Goth looked even more beautiful and impressive in real life than she did in the press photos. She wore a very short dress that clung to every curve of her body and which had no visible means of support on her and the highest heels Suzy had ever seen. It was, at once, both a modern and a vintage look that was very individualistic; a summary of the woman herself.

"Miss Kent, pleased to meet you" said Bella, standing up and offering an outstretched hand. Suzy shook it, lightly. "My husband says you want to interview us about our....style, was it?"

"That's right. You know, most stylish and influential people in Sim City?"

Bella let out a little laugh. "I don't know if we satisfy either criteria but my husband's family are one of the first to settle in this area; one of the founding fathers of Sim City."

"So I gather...so can I interview you now?" asked Suzy.

"I would rather my husband be here as well...and I have an important appointment I have to keep now. But do return and you can have a look at our family archives if that helps you with your article?"

"It would, and thank you" said Suzy.

Bella excused herself and instructed Cassandra to show Suzy out, but pausing by one of the bookshelves in the drawing room, she couldn't help but notice that one entire shelf of it contained books about the Landgraab family. The plot thickened.

CHAPTER 19: The Streets of Sim City

 

John Action had finished getting dressed when looked out of the front window of his home and saw someone hanging around outside; a woman, late 30s, South Asian in appearance and she seemed to be checking out his pad. He instinctively reached for his .38 service revolver when he noticed that, around the woman's belt, was the brass badge of the Sim City Police Department. She must have been sent by the Chief to escort him to his new precinct. Action holstered his firearm and went outside to meet her.

"So the new precinct chief sent you to accompany me in to work today, huh?" he said, nonchalantly.

"You've got a reputation as a maverick, Action. The Chief wants you reporting for duty on time and in the right place instead of haring off on a wild goose chase or one of your hunches."

"I get results....detective?"

"Datta. Results or no, The Chief plays it by the book...straight down the line. Come on, let's go or we'll be late"

Action jumped into Datta's car and together they drove to the precinct house. Once inside she went to her desk, he reported for duty.

The desk sergeant looked Action up and down. "So you're Action, are you? Well we've heard a lot about you...about how you like to play by your own rules."

"Sometimes your rules don't work so I resort to mine" replied Action.

"The rules are rules, Action! You won't be cut any slack here, we run a tight ship. Now report to the squad room to pick up your assignment"

Action  sauntered off to the squad room; this place was packed with uptight stiffs...cops more used to finding lost kittens and helping old ladies across the road. Not his scene but after he fell foul of the D.A. who wanted to bust his a-ss he had to keep his head down at this new place.

In the squad room he got handed a piece of paper which had his assignment on it: Check on a break in down Oasis Springs way. Wanting to get away from the stale environment of the precinct house, he grabbed a squad car and made his way to the crime scene.

The house was smart; all mod cons and the home of 4 young professionals. None of them were in when the break-in happened but a couple of televisions and a stereo were taken. Action dusted for prints but also noticed some strange graffiti was sprayed near the side wall of the house.

Detective Datta came and checked out what Action was doing. "It's just meaningless scrawl, Action, why bother wasting film on it?"

"It ain't meaningless...look, this scrawl is here but it's also in the back garden. This is the sign of the perp; their calling card."

"Or it could be neighbourhood kids" Datta replied.

"Check out the neighbourhood...all neat n' well off. Do you see any graffiti anywhere else? No, this is a gang sign"

"Anyway, Action, we've got a witness...we need to interview her"

Action took a couple of more photos and followed Datta in to the house. He was surprised to discover that the witness was none other than his neighbour, Suzy Kent.

"Well, well....Suzy. Now what's a happening chick like yourself doing around Oasis Springs on a warm, Tuesday morning" he said, slyly.

"I was here doing some research on a story I'm writing for the magazine" she replied.

"So tell me what you saw?"

"Well, I saw two people leave the house: They wore balaclava masks and dark blue overalls. I saw them carrying a TV into a grey van and that's when I ran down the street to a phone booth to call the cops"

"Anything you noticed about the two figures you saw?"

"Yes...they were both really skinny. But they seemed strong enough to lug big TVs into the van"

"Really skinny eh?"

"Thanks, Suzy, that's something to go on....OK, anything else you remember, give me a call. You know where to find me" he said with a wink.

After gathering the clues, he headed back to the precinct house to file his preliminary report. Action was experienced enough to know that the best person to pal up in any new precinct house was the head of forensics. Heading over to the lab, he met the very person: A fifty something lady who looked like she took no nonsense from dumb rookies.

"So you're Action...how's your first day on the job?" she said.

"It ain't my first day on the job, but my first day at this joint is OK...listen, here's some prints I lifted from the scene plus this camera has film that needs developing. I think we're dealing with an experienced gang here."

"OK, I'll look into this. My you were thorough" she looked impressed with the print slides he gave her.

"That's my gig, baby" he said with a wink before leaving.

Action headed for the records department to view some mugsheets of suspects but the Sergeant stopped him. "Now where are you going, Action?"

"Following up on what I found at the scene" replied Action.

"Not so fast...you turn over what you found to the senior detectives. They'll take it from here" replied the sergeant.

"Hey, this is my case!"

"Not anymore it isn't. You do what you're told or it's off to Traffic Division for you. Now you type up your report, hand it over and then it's a shift on the front desk."

The sergeant left and Action pounded the desk...hard. He had little choice in the matter...he was on his last warning with The Chief and the D.A.

After doing what he was assigned, he had the boring job of manning the front desk. As well as the little ladies who'd lost their shopping on a bus, he was surprised to find Suzy Kent had entered the precinct.

"Hey there, Suzy, are you sure a sight for sore eyes!" he said.

"Hey, Action. Listen, do you have some free time?" she replied.

"For you, I have plenty...what is it? More leads from that crime today?"

"Well, no. I was wondering if you knew anything about the Landgraabs or the Fengs...you know, if there's any evidence of criminal activities in their backgrounds."

"I could do some digging around....but you'll need to help me with something as well." He produced a copy of the photo he took at the crime scene...the one with the graffiti symbol. He'd secretly taken it from the lab once it had been processed, figuring that he'd be taken off the case. "This symbol...I'm sure it means something. Some kind of gang sign or calling card. Can you do some investigating of your own and see if anyone's seen this before?"

"Sure, I don't know...not seen it before...but I'll ask around"

Suzy sauntered off and Action watched her leave. "She's more than just a fashion reporter" he thought to himself.