by Faizal Rahim
“Why don’t we skip the coffee and head straight to my place? I need to be back before the kids wake up.” She was clearly giving him the hints. She hoped he will understand.
“That’s totally fine with me too. Here let me escort you to my car.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?” Shirley asked Rossi.
“You’ve heard what Mrs Ponchos said right? This is the place where he will be.”
“Don’t we need back up over here?” Shirley and Rossi had just met Mrs Ponchos. According to Mrs Ponchos, Neola last had conversation with her boyfriend who Mrs Ponchos knew as Martino. Mrs Ponchos has met Martino on a few occasions when Neola brought him over to their place. The conversation seemed heated and Mrs Ponchos told them that Neola was crying away while talking to Martino. Mrs Ponchos further told Shirley and Rossi that Neola was fuming when she left their house. Neola told Mrs Ponchos that she was going to meet Martino at his residence. Mrs Ponchos waited for her daughter throughout the night but she never returned. Mrs Ponchos tried calling Martino through his mobile but it has been switched off. Fearing the worst, Mrs Ponchos made a report. The place where Martino was supposed to be residing was located at Trojan Street. Trojan Street was an infamous street. Statistics from the Force always showed that Trojan Street had the highest number of crimes involving drugs, robbery and gangs. It was a place dreaded by the Patrol teams. Officers on patrol at Trojan Street on many occasions had been badly beaten up by the gangs. Due to these factors, a huge operation was initiated by the Force involving all major departments to crackdown on the gangs and syndicate. The operation led to a moderate success. Nowadays, no one ambushed or attacked the officers who were on patrols. Nevertheless for precautionary measures, officers always called in for back up when they went into Trojan Street.
“Are we calling back up or not?” Shirley asked Rossi again. She looked out through the window of Rossi’s Camry. The street was packed with people of all ages; the elderly people going on with their daily routine of buying groceries and newspapers, the kids playing football and baseball at a nearby playground accompanied by their mothers, two ladies seen having an argument, almost close to exchanging punches. Shirley also saw teenagers and adults gathering into their groups and cliques suspected to be gangs. Everyone from the different groups was staring at the black Camry waiting to see where it was going. Shirley did not want to assume what each and everyone was thinking. Boys as young as thirteen or fourteen were spotted with tattoos on their arms and necks, some of them with battle marks on their faces. Shirley even saw one girl smoking what was suspected to be marijuana while a few boys and man were rubbing their hands all over her body. The girl seemed oblivious to what was happening around her. She seemed to be in a total trance. Some of the guys on the street were peddling drugs in small packets to anyone who paid the right price. Girls as young as twelve were seen standing along the road attracting potential customers with their scantly clad attire.
Rossi parked his Camry in front of a group of Latin. The group immediately got up and approached the car. Some of the girls were carrying baseball bats and metal rods in their hands. The leader of the group, a Latin man in his thirties with handle bar moustache and ripped muscles raised his hand and signalled the group not to come over. They stopped instantly but kept their watchful eyes on the Camry.
“Whatever happens, just don’t take out your revolver.” Rossi warned Shirley and got out of the car. Shirley knew for sure that Rossi was going to get them into trouble.
“I’m looking for a Martino. Do you know him?” Rossi asked the leader. The leader had tear drop tattoos on his face which meant that he has murdered before; the number of drops to indicate the number of murders.
“Fuck off from here. We don’t talk to pigs.” The leader folded his hands and stood in front of Rossi. Shirley noticed that some of the guys were passing crude comments about Shirley to one another.
“Let’s try that again. I am Rossi. What is your name?”
“Two Shots is my name. Fuck off from here.”
“Listen, Two Shots. I want no trouble over here alright. I just need to know who Martino is. I need to ask him a few questions and I’ll be going my way.” Rossi never took his eyes off from Two Shots.
“I don’t know any Martino. So fuck off.” Two Shots was laughing now. A few of his crew laughed together with him.
“You’ve got two choices Two Shots. One; tell me where Martino is and I have no issues with you. Two; tell me nothing and I will make sure you will regret this day forever.”
“Are you challenging me you fuck? This is my territory and you better watch what you’re saying if you want to return back home in one piece.” Two Shots’s crew began to circle Rossi and Shirley and waited for Two Shots to give the go ahead. Two Shots had his fists clenched and ready for a fight. Then without any warning, Two Shots went to the ground. He was lying there motionless for a few seconds. Even Shirley was stunned at what had just occurred. Rossi had just punched Two Shots so hard that Two Shots hit the ground hard. Two Shots was just regaining his senses when Rossi gave him another hard punch on his chin. Two Shots was totally knocked out. Two Shots’s crew was totally taken aback. They did not know how to react looking at their leader so helpless on the ground. Shirley seized the moment and took out her revolver. She went into stance position and waited for any one to make their move.
“Now unless anyone of you wants to get shot by my partner, you better tell me where Martino is.” Rossi knew he earned respect from the crew when he punched Two Shots the first time. The second punch which knocked out Two Shots made the crew fear him. Of course he knew this was only temporary. Any group or country always feared its opponent when their leader or general was down. It only took a matter of time before someone from the group took over the role of the leader and carried on attacking the opponent.
“He’s over at my place.” A Latin girl from the crew spoke up. She was in her late teens but she looked way much older than her actual age. She kept on looking at Shirley who was pointing the revolver at her now.
“Put the revolver down Shirley. Bring us to him.” Rossi called the girl over.
“Is he in any trouble? Please do not tell him that I told you guys. He will not be happy with me if he knew.” They girl seemed genuinely worried. Rossi noticed bruise marks on the girl’s face.
“That depends on whether you bring us over to him or not.” Shirley replied the girl and kept her revolver back into her holster. Shirley opened the door of the Camry and signalled the girl to sit inside. Shirley was still pissed with Rossi for not calling back up.
The girl brought them over to her residence. Rossi parked his Camry and looked at the girl.
“So where is he?” Rossi asked her.
“Take the lift to fifth floor. First door on the right, knock on the door five times. This is the code Martino told me to use for him to open the door.”
“Why would he ask you to use codes to open the door?” Shirley was curious.
“No idea. He said he wants to lay low for some time. He said he didn’t want heat on him. That’s the reason Two Shots didn’t tell you guys where Martino is. Can I go now? I don’t want him to see me with you guys.” The girl sound worried.
“You are his girlfriend?” Rossi asked the girl.
“Uh… my boyfriend is in prison for drug trafficking. Martino visits me at times when I am alone.” The girl let out an embarrass giggle. Shirley shook her head in disgust.
“Ok let’s go and pay Martino our visit.” Rossi got out from his car and opened the door for the girl.
“I told you I don’t want him to know that I was the one who told you guys. Let me go.” The girl was trying to run when Shirley wrist locked her.
“Let me go you bitch. It hurts.” The girl was screaming in pain.
“If you don’t shut up, I swear I wil
l break your tiny wrist. If you don’t want anymore pain, you better follow us.” Shirley applied more pressure on the girl’s wrist.
“Ok. I will follow. Stop hurting me.” The girl pleaded with Shirley. Shirley loosened her grip on the girl’s wrist. Shirley stared at Rossi with eyes which almost told him it’s your entire fault. All these mess happened because you didn’t call back up. Rossi ignored Shirley’s stares and went over to the lift. Shirley and the girl followed behind.
The three of them reached fifth floor and were now standing in front of the girl’s unit. Shirley pushed the girl forward towards the door intending her to knock on it. The girl went and started to knock on the door. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Before she knocked the fifth time, the girl shouted, “Run Martino. Pigs are here!”
Rossi pushed the girl aside and gave the door a strong kick. The hinges of the door creaked. Rossi kicked again and this time, the hinges broke and the door swung open. The girl was trying to block Shirley from entering the unit. Rossi saw a young Latin guy holding onto a chair. The guy threw the chair at the glass window and the window broke into pieces. Rossi ran and got hold of the guy’s shirt just as he was trying to jump out of the window. Rossi and the guy were on the ground trying to out strength one another. The guy repeatedly kicked out at Rossi and was trying to escape. Rossi got hold of the guy’s ankle and gave it a hard twist. The guy yelled in agony. Rossi gave him a hard punch on his stomach which knocked the wind out of him. Rossi got up and stepped on the guy’s ankle which made the guy scream.
“Stop! Stop it fucker. It hurts you prick.” The guy held his hands in surrender.
“Anymore vulgarity from you, I will definitely dislocate your ankle and I will make sure you can’t put it back in place.” Rossi was now standing over him ready to strike at him again.
“Alright man. Alright. You got me.” Rossi assisted the guy onto the sofa. Shirley came into the unit with the girl, her hands tied with cable cuffs. Shirley pushed her onto the sofa beside the guy. Both of them were looking at one another in pain.
“Are you Martino?” Rossi asked the guy. He took out his cigar and lighted it up. Shirley sat on a nearby chair, catching her breath from her struggle.
“Yes I am.” He answered Rossi.
“Do you know Neola Ponchos?” Rossi asked him further. Martino kept silent. He did not utter any word.
“What is your name?” Shirley asked the girl.
“Does it matter? Kiss my ass.” The girl defiantly spat at the direction of Shirley. Shirley got up in anger and approached the girl. Rossi got hold of Shirley and told her to sit down.
“Look here guys. The two of you better make up your bloody minds and answer to our questions. If the two of you want to behave like two stupid brainless penguins, then it is fine with us. We will just file the report stating murder of Neola and attempted escape. On top of that, I will file the report stating cocaine and heroine found all over the unit. I don’t need to show evidence for charging you two. Evidence is your burden to prove your innocence. Am I getting into your brains? Give it up Martino. I already heard the conversation you had with Neola. You are in serious shit Martino. You are in the same shit for aiding him in his tyranny.” Rossi looked at the girl and Martino. He then turned over and looked at Shirley. She seemed as though she was pondering on something. Rossi knew both he and Shirley never listened to any conversation between Martino and Neola. Rossi knew Shirley will ask him about it once this was over.
“I just threatened her. I swear I don’t know what happen to her after the phone call. I swear I don’t know anything. After the conversation, I switched off my mobile as I didn’t want her to disturb me. She is a fine piece of ass but she is a mental person. She kept on asking me to marry her. She even told me she will commit suicide if I don’t marry her. You can ask Boobies here. She can vouch for me.”
“Your name is Boobies?” Shirley asked the girl amazed.
“Yeah that’s my name. That’s how I have been known since young. Everyone calls me that. Martino is right. I have seen the girl for myself. She is a total loser and freak. She is always looking for Martino over here. Never lets him out of her sight. Poor Martino could never leave his house without being paranoid about her. We swear we don’t know about the murder or anything.”
“Seriously man, we don’t know shit about her murder. I heard it from you only. She was a mistake on my part. I should never go after girls who study too much. They just get me into trouble with their coke abuse. I’m telling u again, it has been a long time since I last saw Neola. After the conversation, I switched off my mobile and I never heard from her after that.” Martino put his head down.
“It is still your words against the facts. How am I to believe you Martino? It seems easier for me to just bring the two of you back to the station and put you behind bars. It will save me all the time in the world. If you are not aware, there was a girl murdered before Neola. Both the MOs are identical and honestly it won’t take long for me to file both murders under you. As for you Boobies, you can join him as accomplice for the two murders.”
“I am telling you the truth. I have no knowledge of anything you just said. I don’t even know about another murder with the same MO or any other shit. I swear to God man.” Martino was pleading for Rossi to listen to him.
“How can I trust you Martino? There is no one to vouch for you. Boobies can’t be taken into considerations given the fact she just tried to help your escape.” Rossi took a deep puff from his cigar. Rossi looked at Shirley, who had her eyes totally fixed on Martino and Boobies.
“She helped me because I am wanted in suspicion of car theft. She thought you guys came for that.” Martino looked at Boobies and told her to let Rossi know.
“Yeah, I didn’t tell you earlier because you might arrest him. That’s why I told him to run.” Boobies looked at Rossi with her sincerity.
“Well you still got detained after all. Real brainless penguins as my Chief mentioned.” Shirley gave a smirk.
“Unless you can come up with a good reason or prove, I am bringing the two of you in.” Rossi finished his cigar and threw it on the floor.
“There is something… shit man. I am screwed.” Martino covered his face with his hands.
“I am listening.” Rossi told Martino.
“Shit man. I am definitely going in for this.” Martino was totally distraught.
“What are you talking baby?” Boobies questioned Martino. Shirley and Rossi waited for Martino to continue.
“That day after my conversation with Neola, I switched off my mobile. I was drunk and high. I went to the streets looking for pros.”
“How could you do that baby? You were supposed to meet me. You told me you were with Two Shots.” Boobies felt cheated by Martino but Shirley knew she deserved it. After all, she is cheating on her boyfriend who is in prison.
“Just shut the fuck up bitch. I got no time to listen to your shit. Just let me finish what I am saying. As I was saying, I went to the street looking for pros. I came across this girl and I brought her back home. I even paid the pimp his due. You can check with him also. If that is not enough, I have something else too…” Martino was really stressed now. Shirley knew whatever that Martino was going to say will never be good.
“After… shit. After paying the pimp, I told the pimp that I wanted to video the session between me and the girl. Initially the pimp objected, but he finally agreed after I paid him more. He even volunteered to record the session for me. I have the video at home. You can see it if you want. The date and time are listed on the video. At no time did I meet Neola. I swear man. This is the truth. I am even willing to reveal the age of the pros. She was only 12.”
“Oh God…” Shirley was totally disgusted now.
“I have told you guys everything. I know what I did was against the law. Help me out man. I told you everything. I did not commi
t any murder. Not Neola or anyone. I don’t want to go to the cell man.”
Shirley’s mobile rang. She answered the call, “Hello… sir… what… hmmm… ok… ok… yeah we’ll be there… thanks.” She disconnected her phone and looked at Rossi. Rossi raised his eyebrows at Shirley.
“Head Investigations called. There is another murder, this time at No.56 Mansion Valley. He wants us to be there.” Shirley told Rossi.
“We are not the only Detectives in town right? Why can’t he call the others?” Rossi seem agitated at the way Head Investigations was disrupting their investigations.
“That’s because, the victim was found dead in her bedroom and there’s something written in blood.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SHIRLEY AND ROSSI ARRIVED AT No.56 Mansion Valley. The place was relatively quiet, surprising for a place just being reported for suspected murder.
“Let’s go in.” Rossi took the lead, Shirley followed.
They entered No.56 Mansion Valley. If the neighbourhood outside the residence was totally quiet, the atmosphere inside the residence was the opposite. People were just running around in all directions, communicating with anyone and everyone. Phones were ringing, people talking in loud voices trying to empower one another, flashes from cameras at free will. It was total chaos. Shirley tried to look for any familiar face and found one. She pulled at Rossi’s shirt to grab his attention and started walking towards the familiar face.
“What’s happening?” Shirley asked.
“Hello my love. How have you been? You’re looking great as always. No hug for a friend of yours?” Morris came towards Shirley trying to hug her but immediately stopped his actions when he saw Rossi. Shirley started to laugh when she saw that.
