The Detectives' Story

XVII

November 9, 2016

1458 Hours

"That will be $7.45," the Uber driver demanded from the brothers in a thick German accent. Dan coughed up the money, and quickly exited the cab.

"Thanks Alfonso," James said before getting out of the car. Alfonso grunted, and drove away, leaving the brothers standing there looking at their motel door. It was open part way, with the manager of the motel going in and out with boxes of miscellaneous items.

"What," Dan said, but never finished. He briskly walked to the door, and went inside with no hesitation. James was close behind him, and he saw that the room was turned almost upside down. The beds were slashed, the TV was on the ground with the screen cracked like a spider's web, the desk where the laptop was sitting on was turned over with all the drawers in it pulled out, papers littered the floor everywhere, Dan's and James' clothes and luggage were also occupying the papers here to there. James looked at where the desk was, and saw his laptop snapped in half. He quickly dove to retrieve it, and noticed the flash drive was missing.

"The flash drive is gone," James said, defeat in his voice. Dan pursed his lips, not sure if he could feel any more anger in him at this point.

The door squeaked open, causing the two brothers to turn around. It was the manager, and he looked pissed.

"What are you doing here?" He asked in a threatening tone. The brothers looked at each other, not sure what to say.

"We came to get our stuff," James said, hoping that would work. The manager ultimately didn't care why they were there.

"OUT!" The manager yelled. James quickly left the room, but Dan stood there. He wasn't going to take it from this scrawny man who thinks he's all that.

"Did you hear that?" The manager questioned Dan. He didn't respond to him, but instead walked up to the manager slowly. The manager tightened up, and took a hesitant step back.

"I said, did you hear that?" He asked again, with a little less confidence. Dan got right up to the manager and stared him straight into his eyes.

"I heard." Dan said. Reeling back, he punched the manager as hard as he could in the face. The scrawny man crumpled on the ground instantly. James was outside looking in, and couldn't believe his eyes.

"You probably shouldn't have done that," James commented. Dan shrugged as he looked down on the manager.

"He was gonna sue us anyway," he said.

"Okay, I guess. But what now?" James asked. Dan looked behind at the destroyed room, then back down at the manager. He noticed a pair of car keys on him. Dan's heart felt cold at this point. All the anger in him didn't go away, but instead transferred into motivation. He wanted justice.

"I say we find Sanine. This Kathy Smith." Dan said. James moved uncomfortably in the spot he was in, not sure if this was such a good idea.

"Are you sure, Dan?" James asked. Dan looked at him with dead eyes.

"The police isn't going to help us. No one will believe us. It's about time we go to her, and show her what justice looks like," Dan explained. James had a concerned look on his face.

"What... kind of justice are you thinking of Dan?" James hesitantly asked. Dan didn't answer as he bent down to pick up the manager's car keys. "Dan." James demanded. Dan looked up at James concerned look, then around to look for a car that was being unlocked. He found the car that was making the noise, and we walked briskly to it.

"Dan!" James exclaimed as Dan walked by him. "Dan, you're shutting down on me! Please let me help!" James pleaded. Dan stopped in his tracks, and turned to look around at James.