Cruisin' South

Chapter 2

UCA Sara Martinez was to make her big debut on her second undercover assignment tonight. All she knew was what Luna had consulted to her earlier. For all she knew he could have left some parts out since something just wasn't making any sense to her. Or was she just being doubtful?

She just knew it was a group that dedicated their time to armed robbery in private properties, such as homes, small stores, and garages. That's how they made their living. No jobs. No school. No education. Luna provided their descriptions. Six of them and two different races–Mexican-American/Chicano and African-American. Sometimes two girls were seen with them. Luna presumed that they were the girlfriends. He didn't know for sure if the girls were involved in the gang's hobby. Sara was set to start on that and determine whether it was true or false.

"Every month there's about four to six reports of property break-ins at different locations in South Central, Inglewood and Huntington Park. On the nights of the reports they turn me down whenever I suggest to go out for a beer or other shit. Coincidence?"

"What do they steal?" Sara asks after taking a sip of her coke bottle.

Luna is hesitant. He looks away from her and seems to get irritated.

"You don't know what they steal? How do you not know that?" She almost drops her burger.

"Reports state mostly junk. But I'm thinking there more to that than the property owners claim."

"Why do you think that?"

"They seem too upset for having a radio and other junk stolen. There had to be more than that. I don't know. That's what we have to figure out. It's got to be something heavy. Something narcotic," he mumbles the last sentence to which his partner can't make out.

"What?"

He ignores her and finishes the last of his sandwich.

"Do you even know for sure that you're on the right group?"

"On most of the reports it mentions that the vehicle used is a sand or brown 1976 Ford Granada. Jonny Ruiz drives the same car. Same color too."

"Sand or brown?"

"Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

"I'm sorry, Luna, but sand and brown are two different colors." Sara argues.

"They're the same color. At least in the same color range. God. Why I'm I even arguing with you over the color of the car?" He slaps his forehead.

"They're different shades. One's darker than the other. What about the license plate?"

Luna sighs. "None on the reports."

"Okay. What else?"

"They wear masks, dress in all black and are described as having dark skin. Three of them are chicanos, Jonny, el Rey, and Pauly. The other three are black, Donavon, Shawn, and el Loco. That and the car add up."

"Not precisely," she disagrees. "But we should definitely start on investigating that Jonny guy's car since you can't tell the difference between sand and brown colors."

"Anything else you need you know?"

"Yeah. So who you do get along with better?" Sara mocks him.

Once again, he ignores her question with an eye roll and continues. "They're having some BBQ gathering at 6 o'clock at Shawn's house. You don't come in until an hour later, got it? You're going to play as my clingy younger sister. I need you to get close to the girls, that way you have the perfect excuse to be around all the time."