Chasing a Lead


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They both got out of the car at the same time, slamming shut their doors. Larry Stein was the first to get into the bar. He turned his head to face his partner, Susan Wright.

"You got us into a yuppie bar". He commented.

"I disagree. Not a yuppie bar". She retorted.

"Are you kidding? Look at the crowd", he fired back, "definitely yuppie". Susan Wright sighed.

The bar was classy. It had some really great vibe about it. There were several men and women- singles mostly- clustered in it; working men and women mostly in their twenties. "Let's just do our jobs".

"Isn't that why we are here, Susie?"

"Christ, Stein! I told you not to call me that. Jesus!"

"Let's not bicker about it. I hate being around yuppies".

They made their way to the barkeep who looked them over. Larry Stein showed his ID.

"I'm detective Larry Stein. This is my partner, Susan Wright". He gestured to her. "We need some information regarding an Asian man, about 5 ft 6" tall, that was here earlier. He wore an Armani suit, had like reading glasses on, sweating profusely. Remember him?"

"Yeah, I remember him". The barkeep said, nodding dutifully.

"What can you tell us about him?"

He shrugged, "He was Asian. Seemed kinda nervous, looking over his back from time to time, eye darting around. He seemed afraid, like someone was coming to get him".

"Know where he headed?" Wright chipped in. The barkeep shrugged again. He had no idea.

"Ok. Thanks for your time". They went back the way they came.

"Think we should ask around? Maybe try the crowd?"

"Not me, told you I hate 'em yuppies".

"Jeez Stein, what's with you and the yuppies?"

"Bad history!" Then, "So, what's this guy's name again anyway?" Stein asked

"Ishiguro. Thomanson Ishiguro. I already told you before, about a thousand times?"

"Can't keep track". By now they had made their way to the car. "How come you remember so well?"

"Because he's Japanese".

They got into the car. "That helps how?"

"I once dated a Japanese guy in college whose last name was Ishiguro".

"No kidding?" Stein asked as though he couldn't believe it, and he couldn't. He tried to picture this big, thick African-American chick, with a Serena Williams kind of body, dating a small, wiry Japanese guy. "You messing with me, Wright?"

"Nope". Stein snorted. "What?"

"Let me ask you something, Wright. This Japanese dude, he got a big pecker or was it undersized? Cause I hear Asians got really small willies".

"You know you can be a dick sometimes, Stein. Just start the car and let's roll".

Larry Stein laughed then started the car and they rolled out into the night. They had received a call earlier from Dispatch about a Japanese immigrant by the name of Thomanson Ishiguro who had called the LAPD to report about a possible attempt on his life. The two had rolled to the address provided immediatelly only to discover the apartment in a chaotic state and Ishiguro having fled. So they followed his trail as best as they could and ended up in the bar.

"Think we'll find him?"

"If his assailants don't find him first". Stein replied. He was forty-five, lean and tall, with a military styled crew cut. He liked to believe he was military. He carried himself that way too. He gave the impression he had been in the army to anyone who was meeting him for the first time. Truth was, he had never been in the army. His partner, Susan Wright was thirty-six and married, a fact she doesn't fail to mention from time to time. She was married to a pro footballer who was built like a bull. The couple had a son, Jerry. Stein knew that much about her life. he thought she was probably happily married.

They drove in silence for awhile then a call came through from Dispatch.

"The Japanese guy-"

"What about him?"

"He's dead. A bullet to the head".

"Jesus". Wright whispered

"How long ago?"

"Ten minutes tops. We've got a patrol car already at the scene of the shooting. Reporters swarming in too".

"So what was his deal?"

"According to officers on scene, it was a professional hit- execution style. We'll be looking into this pretty closely. Got the feebs there as well".

"No way". Stein said

"Better believe it. It's a matter of national security if you believe that".

"Alright, thanks". They clicked off.

"Crazy night". Wright shook her head.

"Happens. Wanna get a bear? I'm buying".

She thought about it. "Yeah, okay. Let's do it".


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