Gunmetal Detective

Chapter 3: New Leads and New Faces

     Sirens wail all around me as multiple enforcers surround the club that I had just personally experienced turn into a free for all cluster fuck. I lean against my Stang', lighting a cigarette and pulling out the bloody napkin, my one solid lead. Josephine Gregoya, Liam Hedgrow, and Ahcem Emirp. I had heard of Josephine Gregoya and Liam Hedgrow before, they were notorious local crime bosses. Josephine the Ice Queen, due to her tendency to freeze the balls of men who have wronged her, and Liam "The Brow" Hedgrow... due to his big ass unibrow. I know, not the most flattering of titles but he's proud of the damn thing so to each their own I guess. The last name is a mystery to me though, I had never heard the name before. I would have remembered it if I had, it being weird as hell. I mean Ahcem Emirp? Sounds almost like gibberish to me, must be foreign or something. I'll definitely have to check with some of my informants on it, see if they've ever heard of the weirdo.

     I throw my cigarette down just as they wheel out The Hammer's body. Raising up a hand for them to stop, I walk over and wipe my revolver on his pants leg, removing the brain matter and blood. "Just giving him back what's his!" I say, smiling widely at the men as they stare at me in open disgust. Not even a chuckle out of either of'em. Ah hell, fuck their no sense of humor having asses.

     Once back in my car, I pull out my phone and begin calling up my friend Sketch, who just so happens to be in The Ice Queen's gang. "Sketch, it's Shade. We need to meet up, you know the place. Ten tomorrow morning." I say, hanging up before he even speaks. I don't know where or who he is with at the moment, don't want to risk his jumpy ass saying something dumb in front of someone important. I mean, he has the nickname Sketch for a reason after all.

     I sit quietly in a chair at Madame Yoko's bookstore, nursing a cup of herbal tea since the place has a no tolerance rule for alcohol. I meet with all of my informants here, due to the fact that no one in their right mind would ever want to come into a bookstore in this town. So it is safe from prying eyes and ears. The little bell on the door rings, announcing the entrance of Sketch. He weaves his way between the bookshelves to the table I am seated at, plunking down directly across from me. "Hey there Shade, I, uh, need to make this quick. Lots of prying eyes, know what I mean?" he says in his shaky voice, eyes darting all over the place. I take in his disheveled beard and clothes, and the shitty flat bill on his head. "You don't look so hot there, Sketch. And calm the fuck down, there's nobody in this place except for us, and old crazy Madame Yoko," I reply, lighting up a cigarette. Just then, the aforementioned crazy Madame Yoko appears from around a bookshelf, her huge glasses glinting in the shitty lighting. "NO SMOKING!" she yells, disappearing just as quickly as she had appeared. "Crazy old bitch," I mutter, taking one more quick drag before putting it out on the table. "Alright Sketch, I need to know if the good ol' Ice Queen has been purchasing much in the way of red dye, or even red clothing." Sketch pauses, thinking to himself for a moment, before shaking his head vigorously. "Nah, man. No red dye. You know the crazy woman only likes blue. Hates red. There is something you need to know though man. Some guy has been cuttin' down people in both our gang, and the Brow's," he replies, speaking fast. "What? Do you have any idea who it is?" I inquire, surprised at the news. "All I've got is a name man, it's a fuckin weird one too. Ahcem Emirp. Like what the fuck, am I right? And he ain't just been killin people Shade, he dismembers motherfuckers. Tears them apart. It's insane. Got everybody on edge," he's speaking so fast now that his breathe is coming in gasps. "Alright, alright, calm down man. I've actually heard the name before. Any idea where this guy's hideout is?" I ask, as he struggles to calm his frayed nerves. "I don't, but I know who does. The Brow. Apparently one of his guys got away from the sicko, but they're keepin it under pretty tight wraps." His speaking is a little slower now, more controlled. "Alright Sketch, I think that's enough info to run with for now. Keep in touch if anything else comes up," I say, throwing a 50 bill on the table as I stand to leave. First stop, the station. Then the hideout of Liam Hedgrow. Little do I know, things are about to get a bit more complicated for me.

     "Shade, meet your new partner, Miss Elizabeth Morrison!" Guillermo says smugly, relishing the look on my face as I stand in the entrance to the Enforcer Station. A small woman steps from around him, thrusting out her hand for me to shake. "Pleasure to meet you, Detective Shader. I've heard great things about you," she says, her gray eyes burning into mine. I look her over slowly, taking in her stained black slacks, her frayed gray jacket, and her curly black hair. She looks young, too. Probably early 20's. Pretty, but just too young for me. I ignore her hand, turning to Guillermo instead. "I've never had a partner, and I'm not a big fan of trying new things. So I'll pass," I say, heading over to my desk. "Shade, you know I don't pull rank too often, but in this case I really must insist. Miss Morrison is a rookie, just out of the academy in Zeus Sector. You are our senior Detective. You WILL partner up with her. Is that clear?" he says, glaring at me. I sit quietly for a moment, before replying. "Fine. Then get your gun, rookie. You're going with me to The Brow's," I say, turning to smile at Guillermo. "What? The Brow's on her first day? Are you fucking insane Shade?" he says, staring at me open mouthed. I'm about to make a smart ass reply, when the rookie speaks up. "It's okay, chief. I'll deal with whatever he throws at me," she says, that same intense look on her face. Well, at least she has a spine. "Okay rookie, let's go." I don't wait for her answer, already heading for the door. She scrambles behind me, tripping all over herself in her attempt to quickly retrieve her gun from the weapon's locker. Y'know, having her around might not be that bad. Ill probably get a few laughs out of it.