He walked into the Montebuena smoking a cigarette. Not the glowing tipped eCigs that make me feel like the Bladerunner world is emerging, but a real cigarette. Clearly a man who needed to calm his nerves.
Time for a stiff drink and he doesn’t even let me rattle the ice before asking me to help with the exchange. Actually, not the exchange itself but the robbery he’s set up for after the exchange. He found a pair of thugs through reliable sources, something like the bouncer at a club said he knew a guy who did “retrievals” for people. The only problem is as soon as they shook on the deal, it occurred to him they are just going to walk away with the money. Looking at him, I had to agree because I was pretty sure I could just stand up, take his phone and wallet, and walk out myself without much more than a whimper.
And that’s why he wants my help. I look the way I do (hey, a compliment is a compliment, even from Mr. Shifty) and all he needs is a quick diversion to throw them off guard. Then he figures he can show up and take the briefcase because they won’t misbehave in front of me.
What else am I going to do on a Thursday, right? So, I agreed to drive him. I think Detective Larsen might be onto something with his death wish theory.
Except we never got to find out because the geniuses asking for the ransom in the first place decided on a meet in a parking garage. A parking garage known for shady dealings. Which is why Detective Larsen and a whole circus of uniforms appeared before Mr. Shifty even got the briefcase out of the trunk (he couldn’t get the release lever to work). Apparently the security guard on duty was sick of seeing shows like ours on the cameras. I didn’t even get to see the thugs, just a cream-colored SUV leaving marks up the ramp. Though I’m a little worried they’re going to have a guest spot on Mr. Shifty’s late night sometime soon.
Detective Larsen was not amused when I told him I now have a job with the Better Business Bureau, and was just there to write a review. He agreed my client could have his laptop back after evidence reviewed it, so I was a help after all.
He told me to stop doing favors for people. Just as soon as they stop asking.
Tarot Tell All 