The firemen moved into position as high-pressure water fired from their arm and chest nozzles. The drivers of the fire trucks fired water cannons at the blaze.
"How did you get all the building residents out so fast," Officer Break asked.
"We didn't," the policeman answered. "Besides the dead bodies, there wasn't anyone else."
"How is that possible?" Officer Caps asked. "The entire building was empty?"
"The entire building was emptied of all residents three days ago."
"How convenient," Officer Break said.
"We thought so."
"ID on the vics?"
"We couldn't get in for DNA, yet," the other officer answered. "Criminals still don't get that you can't burn away DNA. All you do is make a mess for the fire crews."
"Job security for them," Officer Caps added.
"Job security for us," Officer Break said.
Chapter 5
Liquid Cool
RUN-TIME RECLINED IN the chair behind his desk in his spacious office as he listened to the phone he held to his ear. Flash sat in one chair in front of the desk, and next to him was one of Run-Time's VPs, a finely dressed Lebanese woman. Flash always felt privileged to be in the presence of his boss, the Founder, President, CEO, and COO of Let It Ride Enterprises—taxicab, limousine, and vehicle protection services.
Run-Time wore his slim fit business suits with slim ties. The only casual thing he wore was his trademark flat cap. His parents were from the West Indies, and the Black mogul kept a close haircut, clean-shaven face, and his chestnut complexion pampered with crystal facials and baths once a week.
"Yes, Captain," Run-Time answered. "There's no possible way we can make this into a Red Ball? The woman isn't famous, but what if a famous person were to involve himself in her case."
Flash began to smile and looked at the VP sitting next to him.
"Tell me what you need, Captain, to make this happen. I'm happy to bring in as much or as little media as you need to give you cover with the Chief's Office. One of my employees knows the woman. Captain, we're both parents so we both understand, in some way this woman's grief. Yes, I understand. Yes. I don't want to add any burden to your fine men and women in silver and black. Yes, I understand. I appreciate your help, Captain. All we want to give this woman is some hope. Yes. Thank you." Run-Time began to chuckle. "Yes, Captain, I do plan to be at the Mayor's Annual Breakfast. You know I am a staunch business supporter of this fine city." Run-Time began to chuckle again. "Captain, my annual contributions to the Police Union's fund is automatic. That way, neither emotions nor politics ever enter into the equation. My check is always in the mail." Run-Time smiled. "Yes, Captain. Thanks for taking my call. I know everyone involved is giving their maximum effort to find this woman's young daughter. Thank you. Bye-bye."
Flash perked up as his boss returned the phone to the receiver.
Run-Time remained quiet for a moment.
"No Red Ball," the VP said.
"Well, we knew that before I made the call," Run-Time answered. He looked at Flash. "The number of missing persons cases in this city is mind boggling. What percentage of those are actually runaways or one divorced parent driving off with the child no one knows."
"She is a widow, and the child did not run away," Flash quickly said.
"Oh, I don't doubt you. But the hands of the police are tied. Red Balls are for high-profile cases. That's how it is, and that's how it will always be. Me jumping in won't elevate it to a Red Ball."
"But if your child were taken, it would," Flash said sadly.
Run-Time reflected for a moment. "We're all adults in this room. People are all equal, but in a city of this size with needs up here,"—he gestured with his hand high above his head—"and resources down here,"—he moved his hand downward to the floor—"some people must be more equal than others. There's no other way to do it, sadly."
"I know," Flash said.
"But that doesn't mean we can't bring our own resources to the party. Where is this woman now?"
"She's waiting for me in my cab."
Run-Time looked at his VP. "Bring her up to the Floral Conference Room, get her a nice meal to eat, and when she's settled in, call me."
Flash stood from his chair. "Thank you, boss." He leaned forward and shook Run-Time's hand.
Run-Time stood too. "No one should be alone in their time of need. What's her first name?"
"Carol," Flash answered.
"Let's get Carol up here."
Carol sat at a glass table alone, sipping her drink with a straw. An empty plate rested in front of her with a knife and fork—she finished the meal almost as soon as it was placed in front of her. Her recent grief had masked the hunger, and she didn't realize that she hadn't eaten in almost two days. The conference room was spacious and had an array of multi-colored flowers on the pastel wallpaper. It was a beautiful room, she thought, complete with its own working mini-waterfall on one side of the room and real potted bamboo trees. She sat at one of five round tables at the back of the room. In front were rows of single chairs, as if a presentation had recently passed, or one was scheduled.
She had sipped the last of her lemonade and sat back to look toward the tinted building window. Her mind was now on the thoughts of Alien Alley. Was her daughter calling out for her at this very moment?
Flash walked into the room and Carol sat upright.
"Hi, Carol. How did you like the food?"
"It was good. It was great."
"Their food is always good. It's a place on the bottom floor of the building. We order from them all the time."
Carol saw a woman hold the door open, and another man entered. Run-Time walked right up to her and extended his hand. "Carol, is it?"
"Yes."
He took her hand. "My name is Run-Time and I'm the Founder, President, CEO and all-around booster for Let It Ride Enterprises. I wanted to, personally, tell you that both you and your daughter are in our prayers. If there is anything in my power that I can do to see the safe return of her to you, I will do it. I speak for everyone in the company, and everyone, here in this room, is a parent."
"Thank you."
"I will not sugarcoat anything, Carol. I tried to get Police Central to add additional resources to this case, but as you probably know—"
"I am one of hundreds," she added. Her eyes drifted from him down to the floor.
"Yes. Sad, but true. However..." Carol looked back at him. "I want you to take this." He handed her a white card. "Flash will take you home, and I do want you to go home. Get a good night's sleep. I know it will be hard, but you have to force yourself to sleep. The police may not be adding additional resources to the case, but they will at least get a call from the Chief of Police, himself, and dozens of officers will be looking at the case, at least for a day, because of my call. Every bit helps. If they find anything new, they will certainly drive to your house to tell you in person."
"Thank you."
"Then, we're going to have you back here at my headquarters tomorrow."
"I'll do it, boss," Flash added.
"Flash will have you back here tomorrow, and I will have you meet with someone. I've known him for a long time, and he's not just a cool cat, but he's a solid operator. Let's see what he can come up with to find your daughter. I've already spoken to him on the phone."
"You have?" Carol's eyes opened wide.
"Yes."
"So it will be home, sleep, and back here to meet my friend. How does that sound as a plan?"
"It sounds great."
"Good."
Run-Time, for the first time, let go of her hand as she stood. He could see the ray of hope in her face. They could all see it. The VP nodded and smiled. "Hang in there, Ms. Carol," she said. Flash walked her out of the room.
The main elevator was already waiting for them—one of the security guards held it for them and he too nodded at Carol.
They got in. Flash felt the hope himself. He was so glad he had come t
o his boss. He knew he'd find a solution.
Carol stood quietly too. The ride was silent, but they could see the numbers count down in large digital numbers on the door. She almost forgot about it. She looked down at the white card from Mr. Run-Time.
The card read:
LIQUID COOL
Detective Agency
D. Cruz
Private Detective
THESE MEAN STREETS, Darkly concludes in the debut novel of the cyberpunk detective series, Liquid Cool!
REVIEW REQUEST
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.
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Austin Dragon
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Always writing,
Austin Dragon
CONTINUE THE ADVENTURE
Get Your Next Liquid Cool Books!
● These Mean Streets, Darkly (Liquid Cool Prequel Short)
● Liquid Cool (Liquid Cool: The Cyberpunk Detective Series, Book 1)
● Blade Gunner (Liquid Cool, Book 2)
● NeuroDancer (Liquid Cool, Book 3)
● The Electric Sheep Massacre (Liquid Cool, Book 4)
● I, Alien Hunter (Liquid Cool, Book 5)
● A.I. Confidential (Liquid Cool, Book 6)
● Liquid Cool Box Set (Liquid Cool Prequel and Books 1-3)
● Liquid Cool Box Set 2 (Liquid Cool: Books 4-6)
ALSO BY AUSTIN DRAGON
See all my books in science fiction, horror, and fantasy at: http://www.austindragon.com/books-of-author-austin-dragon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Austin Dragon is author of the new cyberpunk detective series, Liquid Cool, the After Eden Series (including the After Eden: Tek-Fall mini-series), and the Sleepy Hollow Horrors. He is a native New Yorker, but has called Los Angeles, California home for the last twenty years. Words to describe him, in no particular order: U.S. Army, English teacher, one-time resident of Paris, political junkie, movie buff, Fortune 500 corporate recruiter, renaissance man, dreamer.
He is currently working on new books and series in science fiction, fantasy, and classic horror!
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OTHER BOOKS BY AUSTIN Dragon
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COPYRIGHT
Published by Well-Tailored Books, California
These Mean Streets, Darkly
(Liquid Cool Prequel)
978-0-9909315-6-0 (ebook)
http://www.austindragon.com
Copyright © 2015 by Austin Dragon
Book cover design by Leslie K.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
These Mean Streets, Darkly (The Liquid Cool Prequel) Page 5
