Chapter 1 - A Case of Deception and Betrayal
Every detective has that one case they regret, the case that keeps you up at night wondering the if, whys, and hows of the human psyche and if you did everything you could to help. A case that leaves you drifting from bar to bar every night drinking yourself to death. A case that will ruin your marriage and haunt you till the day you die. I was never one for all the smoke and glamor of the Los Angeles socialites and politicians. No I was a man of simpler tastes that was until I met her. About five years ago I started working for the L.A.P.D. I was young, naive, and impressionable. I had always dreamed of being a big shot detective like in the old noir movies me and my father use to watch. When he got the news that I was joining the force my old man gave me one hell of a smile before giving me hug saying how proud of me he was after that we spent that entire night drinking, playing cards with his buddies as they swapped stories from the war and from there time working the beat. Now, I was no brave fighter like my dad and his friends. I've heard the dangers of wearing the blue uniform, I've heard how every second could be your last, I've heard that I could meet my end in a number of gruesome ways so naturally I was scared to death but I liked seeing my dad smile. Deep down though I knew he was scared to after all ever since mom died I’m all he has left, but I was gonna do my damned best to stay alive and continue to make him proud. So there I was not even a cop for more than thirty minutes and I already had my first assignment. It was a simple job it was me and my partner. Manny was a good kid, tall, olive skinned boy with a wit sharper than a sword. In retrospect I can see why they had me partner up with him. Apart from being in his late twenties he was also damn good at his job, if I was gonna learn anything about what it takes to be a cop it would be under his supervision. However that didn't stop Manny from growing on everyone that kid had enough charisma to sway anyone's opinion.
Our assignment was simple, we got a report of a domestic disturbance a couple streets over from where the precinct was so it didn't take us long to get there. I remember my dad telling me about this cases, Husband gets home from the bar or work drunk of his ass or angrier then all hell. The women tries to be a good housewife to her hardworking husband but sometimes the husband just didn't care usually the woman would make it out with a couple bruises and a black eye, but sometimes things would get ugly real fast and the wife would end up severely hurt or at the worst the husband kills her in his fits of rage. I can’t blame all of them though some were raised in broken homes, some were abused, and some were just naturally violent. We arrived at the house and from the outside everything seemed quiet, that was never a good sign. We head up and knock on the door. After a minute or two of waiting the door opens and before us stands a rather intimidating man. He was easily around six feet two inches and was one fat son of a bitch. assessing the situation Manny pushes me gently behind him and stepped forward. Manny knew the risks that a call like this could bring so he didn't want in the direct line of harm's way.
“What the fuck do you guys want?” the man said in an annoyed tone and looked me and Manny up and down all while hiding most of his body behind the cherry red door.
“We got a call about a domestic disturbance at this address, are you Mr. Sentry by any chance?” Manny said in a stern commanding tone.
“Ya, I am and there ain't no disturbance here just a slight argument with my wife.” said Mr. Sentry, the good thing about people like him is they were dumber than a bag of hammers so it was easy to tell when they were lying.
“Is there someway we could speak to your wife Mr. Sentry? We just have a few questions to ask her we won’t be long.” Manny said with a smile on his face giving me the ok to come up from behind him.
“Fraid not officer, she is in the shower at the moment, now get the fuck off my property.” The man said slamming the door.
“You think he’s telling the truth Manny?” I asked taking my hand away from my holster.
“Hell no, men like him are easy to read. No there is something going on here and if Mr. Sentry won't cooperate than we will have to take matters into our own hands. Follow me son” Manny and I snuck into the backyard as we peered into the window of the kitchen. Just then we heard a loud scream. Manny and I ran and kicked in the door weapons drawn and aimed at Mr. Sentry who was about to strike his wife with a baseball bat.
“Mr. Sentry put the weapon down and get on your knees with your hands behind your head. Do it quickly or I will shoot you.” Manny yelled in pulling the hammer back on his revolver with an audible click. Mr. Sentry goes to swing at his wife without thinking I fired my revolver and put three rounds into his back. Sentry dropped the bat and crashed to the floor with loud thud. All I could do was stand there gun still aimed at were Mr. Sentry used to be as my hands shook and i could feel my gag reflex acting up as a burning sensation rose in my throat. I lowered my gun and ran to the trashcan as I began to wretch and spew my breakfast all over the inside of the can. Manny lowered his gun and walked over to help Mrs. Sentry up and check Mr. Sentry’s body. After confirming that he was dead Manny walked the lady over to the couch and sat her down before walking over to me.
“You ok there Eric?” Many said patting my pack. “That was some damn good shooting but next time son try not to panic. In our line of duty we gotta always have calm rash minds twenty four seven...even when we're being shot at.” Manny laughs as he hands me a wet washcloth from the bathroom. “Here clean yourself I’m gonna go ask Mrs. Sentry some questions.” Manny says once again patting my back as he walked away. This was the first and definitely not the last time I had to kill someone. Shit never got easier. I waked over to the telephone and called dispatch and after giving the women on the phone my name and badge number I called the city coroner to come pick up Mr. Sentry’s body for autopsy and a tox screening. After a few minutes of waiting they carted his body away and we took Mrs. Sentry down to the station for a statement. Once at the station we took her into Exam Room One and began our questions.
“Hello Mrs. Sentry I’m Officer Manny Fence and this is my partner Officer Eric Hoofer. We would like to ask you few questions about your husband. Is that alright with you?” Manny says with a warm smile as we sit down. I pull out the case file along with my notebook and pencil to jot down case notes.
“Now, miss is this the first time your husband as acted violently towards you?” I asked looking her in the eyes. She was a beautiful women, couldn't be younger than twenty two or twenty three, her navy blue hair was in a tight bun and I noticed two streaks of purple and pink running through her hair. Her face looked soft and innocent despite the cuts and bruises that line her face. She took a few seconds to steel her nerves before speaking.
“No, he has hit me several times in the past but never this bad. Flash was never that violent. He used to be so kind a caring but ever since he got blown off at the factory he would spend night after night at the local bar. I had asked him to stop several times before but he would just yell at me and strike me before storming out the door. This however was the first time he threatened to kill me I’m just glad you officers came when you did.” She begins to tear up as I stand up.
“Hey Manny I’m gonna go get her some coffee I’ll be right back.” I get up and slide my papers over to Manny and head out the door.
“Now, Mrs. Sentry is there anything else you can tell us about your husband for our records.?” She pauses for a few before answering.
“Please call me Twilight.” she says with a smile. “Well a couple weeks ago I found a note in one of his coat pockets. It was from a women named Rarity. She said with a slight growl and a furrow of her brow.
“I take it you're not a big fan of Mrs. Rarity?” Manny said writing down the new information Twilight had just provided him.
“I’ve never met the women but this isn't the first time I've heard that name. Flash had mentioned her several times before but I had just assumed she was one of the local bar whores and that Flash was having an affair with her. One night though I overheard him talking to her about leaving L.A. and the two of them running off to New York or Manhattan.” she said twiddling her thumbs. Manny continues to write this down.
“Here you go miss and one for you to Manny.” I said placing the coffee on the table before Manny slides me the new information and I look over the new developments as something catches my eye. “Rarity I know that name. She is a Cabaret Singer over at the Gilded Tassel.” Manny looks at me confused, “What after my mother died my father frequented that place a lot, he still does and according to him Rarity likes to play fast and loose with men that have a ring on there finger. Real grade A whore from what my dad tells me.” I sip my coffee as i felt the stares of my partner and our young victim.
“Eric why don’t you go call your dad and see if you can get more info on this Rarity girl.” he said passing me my coffee.
“Sure thing Manny.” I said getting up and head out the door. I quickly find a phone, pop in twenty five bits and dial my house.
“Hello.” my dad said in his normal deep toned voice.
“Hey dad its me. Hey listen I’m working a case and I need some info on that girl that's always at the Gilded Tassel.” I pull out my notebook to begin taking notes.
“Oh ya that Rarity broad, she usually performs around twelve every night and doesn't leave the club until around three in the morning. What’s wrong is she in trouble?” he asked softly.
“We don't know yet dad, see I’m working a domestic violence case that's now being bumped up to attempted murder and we think this rarity girl could be involved. Has Rarity ever tried to trick anyone into doing anything for like, steal, murder, or mug. I know it doesn't make sense but me and my partner think that Rarity convinced Mr. Sentry to murder his wife. issue is we don’t have any clear motive as to why she would do that. Don’t cabaret Singers make a lot of money?
“From what Rarity tells me, no they actually make very little but what's this about Mr. Sentry?” he said in a concerned tone.
“Well dad Mr. Sentry is dead I shot him in the back three times because he was going to hit Mrs. Sentry with a baseball bat. According to her, ever since he got laid off at the factory all he would do was drink then come home and beat her.” I said studdering as the thought popped back into my head causing me to gag a little.
“Mr. Sentry never got laid off son, he came to the Cabaret club every night one night I heard him talking about taking out a life insurance policy on his wife. Apparently something was gonna happen to his wife and once he collected her life insurance they were gonna run off to the east coast.” he said taking a drink.
“How do you know all of this dad?” I asked confused and astounded.
“Flash was my drinking buddy he would always blab to me about everything and then ask me no to tell. See son even after you quit the force you never forget the skills you learned along the way. Now, I gotta go I’m meeting the boys for steaks in an hour. Good luck on your case son.” he says getting up with an audible grunt.
“Thanks dad, love you and I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up the phone and stop by the coroner's office. Standing at the table sewing up Mr. Sentry was a short middle aged man with blue skin and gray balding hair.
“Ah Officer Hoofer what can I do for you?” the man asked snipping the thread.
“Hey Mr. Alder say when you were going through Mr. Sentry’s clothing did you find anything like a piece of paper or a wallet?” the man shuffles over to the clothing on the table
“Well, I did find this form in the inner pocket of his jacket, it looks like a legal notice. Here” he hands me the paper as I unfold it.
“Bingo. thanks mister Alder.” I walk out of the office and back into the exam room. “I just busted this case wide open. See according to my father Rarity and Mr. Flash saw each other on a regular basis on top of that Flash never got laid off so either you were lying to us Mrs. Sentry or your husband lied to you.” I take the piece of paper out of my pocket. “The coroner found this little piece of evidence. It’s a life insurance letter stating that in the event of his wife's death he would paid a sum of fifteen thousand bits. My dad even went as far to confirm your story about Flash and Rarity running off to the East Coast Mrs. Sentry.” I smile as I flick my suit and sit down.
“So Rarity did want Flash to kill his wife.” Manny says crossing his arms and shaking his head.
“This is crazy who could convince a man to do such a horrible act.” Twilight says in shock as Manny stands up.
“Miss when it comes to women like Rarity they can convince a man to do anything with a flutter of the eyes and a quick peak between the legs. In any case miss Twilight the other officers are gonna have you sign a formal statement and we will have Ms. Rarity in custody within a few hours.” Manny and I stand up as we shake her hand and head out of the room and get information on where Rarity lives. After learning her address we speed over to her apartment and knock on her door. After a few seconds the door opens to reveal a tall beautiful woman with long curly purple hair and alabaster skin and stunning blue eyes.
“Yes how can I help you gentlemen.” she says in a soft aristocratic voice.
“Are you Ms. Rarity?” Manny ask pulling out a piece of paper.
“Why yes I am is everything ok.” she say with a pseudo worried expression on her face.
“Miss I’m Officer Fence and this is my partner Officer Hoofer you are under arrest for the attempted murder of a Mrs. Twilight Sentry. You have the right to remain silent anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney if you cannot afford one the court will appoint one for you.” We head downstairs and load rarity into the back of the police van and they drive her off to the station for processing and Manny and I head back to the station. Once inside Twilight comes running up to us.
“Were you guys able to get her, is it safe for me to return to my own home?” Twilight said with hope in her eyes.
“Yes ma’am she will be going away for a long time, if you would please follow Officer Philmont over there he will escort you home.” Manny said as Twilight hugged us.
“Thank you so much Officers for saving my life.” Twilight said with a smile as she walked to the receptionist's desk. On our way to our desks the police chief stops Manny and shakes our hands.
“That was impressive work gentlemen, I send you out for a domestic abuse case and you bring me conspiracy to commit murder. Well done both of you. Especially you young Hoofer. you sir have shown flying colors in the field today, you to Manny. If you two keep this up you’ll be promoted to detectives in know time.” He walks down the steps as me and Manny shake hands and head to our desks. Later that evening as I put on my coat and hat Manny walks up to me.
“Hey Eric, how about I treat you to a nice steak dinner tonight for all your hard work today.” He smiles and pats my arm putting his arm around me.
“Why the hell not I could go for some steak right now I’m starving.” We turn out the lights and head to our cars and drive off as I silently congratulate myself on solving my first case.
Over the months following the Cabaret case I quickly made my way up in the L.A.P.D and after a rather difficult case ending in a gunfight leaving several mobsters dead and three big name mob bosses in custody. I was promoted to detective and given my own squad car. Even better was Manny got promoted along with me. So there i was one of the finest detectives in L.A. Cases soon came flying in ranging from murders, to robberies, and hostage situations to taking down drug warehouses and stoping con artists. Pretty soon I developed a reputation known by the civilians and known by LA’s more seedy side.
Then, one day I met her, beautiful young girl fair blue skin, long blood red hair, and matching red eyes that could pierce a man down to his very core. She noticed me drinking at a table near the back and made her way over to me swaying her hips and smiling seductively. This girl was amazing and she was making her way to me of all people.
“Hey there handsome how are you?” she said in a soft yet high voice.
“Well I’m doing fine young lady how are?” I said back trying my best to be equally seductive.
“I’m doing fine.” she says with a wink as she sits down in front of me. “My names Bookbind, Amber Bookbind.” She reaches out as we shake hands.
“My names Eric Hoofer, it's nice to meet you Ms. Bookbind.” I say leaning down and kissing her hand.
“Oh Eric please call me Quill. No need for formalities here” she says stirring her drink as we talked well into the night.
“Oh so you're the Eric Hoofer? The young detective everyone has been hearing so much about. Word around town is your the best detective in the entire west coast.” she said eyes wide with excitement.
“Please Quill you flatter me so much but it's not just me, I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren'tF for the hard workers down at the Station.” I said taking a drink of my Martini.
“Handsome, Smart, and Modest. I bet you have to shake all kinds of girls off you, huh.” she said with a giggle and a wink.
“Actually no apart from the occasional street whore girls don’t really approach me. Honestly though I’m glad it’s like that. My job would be hard to do if every women in L.A threw themselves at me, ya know?” I finish my martini before signaling the bartender for another.
“Well I for one am glad women aren't throwing themselves at you.” It means I have you all to myself.” she says licking her lips as I blush and gulp down my martini.
Quill and I talked late into the night before I offer her a cab back to my place so we could talk some more. One thing is certain, the day after that night was the day everything changed.
