Return To LA

Chapter 7

                                               Once on the street, the sat on the hoods of the two car, James' Ford and Walt's Mercury. James and Walt discussed various ways to start tracking Wanda's movements. it was decided that Brenda would stay with James, and Walt would go by himself, They divided up the list of known associates. They were to check in at Roberts office every hour, if for any reason one missed a check in, they would head to the last place they had reported from. Walt fired up his big Mercury. Off the headed to the warehouse district. James and Brenda headed for the theater district, where Manny had said he'd seen her, and Philip Drossel before.

Very soon after that they reached their first stop. The service station he been at before. Manny came out to meet him. Visibly afraid of James. James got out and approached him.

"Tell me more about Philip Drossel, and Wanda, when did you see them and where. Details Manny." James pressed. loosening his trench coat. By now he had backed him against the wall next to the office. He had quit caring about discretion, He didn't care who saw, or what he had to do to get get the information he needed. Brenda sat in the car. She kept an eye out on the area , while James talked to Manny. Manny knew James wouldn't hesitate to get violent if he didn't get his answers.

"Where and When did you see them, Manny, and theses guys?" He pulled out pictures of the dead men. Manny shuddered and swallowed hard, and looked at the morgue pictures of the gunman. James deliberately showed him the morgue pictures. Hoping that would help scare him. It did.

Manny became a fountain of information. Phillip had brought his cadillac in here for repairs, Wanda had been with him. That was about a week ago. He'd also seen them together at the Vogue Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard . James thanked Manny for his cooperation, and got back into his Ford. Just as he got in, he glanced up. There was the Old Chevy, he had been following, He didn't care. He stopped looked directly at them. and carefully slid his coat away from his shoulder holster, revealing his Colt. The message was clear. He knew they were there, and he was more than ready to tangle with them again if they wanted. Brenda noticed his pausing as he got in.

"Just some old friends, I was letting them know I know they're there." With that he started the Ford. With a weary eye, he kept an eye, on his mirror as he pulled out. Sure enough, the Old Chevy pulled into traffic behind him. James debated with himself what to do. Let them follow him around, or lose them. He decided to lose them. He let them catch up with him, and suddenly turned into a empty parking lot. Driving through it he headed for the back of the building. Once out of sight he waited. The old Chevy hadn't learned anything. They followed him, as he figured they would. Once they pulled into the back lot he pulled up behind them. Blocking their way out. he got out gun in hand. he walked right up to the drives door. before they could react, he Took his pistol and smashed the window in, Glass went all over the driver, and the seat.Some even went as far as the passenger .As quick as he got the glass broke. he pointed the gun at the driver's head.

"I'm only going to say this once. Get off my ass. ! If I so much as think I see you idiots following me again, I'm going to do more then break a window. Oh, and tell, Drossel, I'm coming for him. The next we meet I'll be on my terms. " Still keeping the gun carefully on them, we slowly walked towards the front of the car. When he could see the grill of the Chevy. he lowered the .45 and fired. Sending a round into the radiator of the car. Another round went into the hood, about where he figured the carburetor was, smashing the carburetor, and other pieces of the top of the motor. Coming back to the door.

"Your guns, Let's have them, Slowly." The two men slowly removed their guns from their holsters. One was a .38 special revolver, the other was automatic like James's. With one hand James released the magazine of the auto, Letting it drop to the pavement. Then he tossed it into the weeds.he managed to release the cylinder on the revolver, tipping it barral up. he dropped all six rounds to the pavement, They clattered, and rolled as they hit the hard ground. James slowly backed to his car. Brenda reached over and opened the door, so he could slide in. Out of the corner of his eye, James noted that Brenda had her revolver out, and was covering him. James carefull closed his door, and stated his car, and backed out of the driveway. Once back in the front parking lot. he quickly turned around and headed back to the street. Once they were heading down the street, James commented to Brenda.