[Detective Thursdays] The Ship
#1 of Detective Thursdays
"Where's Girun?"
"I ain't seen Girun in two weeks."
"So you're saying that he isn't here?"
"No sir, I's jus' sayin' I ain't seen 'im."
I could tell Jigun was lying but, with nothing aside from a hunch that the Hyena Brothers were responsible for the recent influx of AK's, my hands were tied. I walked back to the car, my ears down in disappointment. With a click I popped the door open and dropped into the seat.
"Any luck Tanu?" Uki, My partner, inquired from behind the wheel.
"None what so ever, Jigun's tightlipped as ever." I responded, punctuating my irritation with the car door. "Lets head to the usual spot, I -"
"- Need a drink?" There was a tinge of disapproval in her voice.
I affixed the female 'coon who'd been dropped in my lap three months ago, fresh from the academy no less, with a glare. She ignored me, acting like turning the engine over and putting the car in gear took all of her focus; she'd gotten used to my silent admonishments and I wondered why I bothered. As we pulled away from the docks I slipped deep into my thoughts.
Crime had always been a fixture in Bay City, like any large city, a malignancy that could never be totally cured. Over the last few years though, the crime had changed, evolved. The War was looming and the Russian mob had started to grab up port towns on the coast. Bay City was one of those. The mob was difficult to combat, they didn't move quickly or openly but, they took over all the same.
Arriving at the usual spot, I set my musings aside, trading them for my hat.
"You want to come in?" I asked, even though I knew the answer.
"No, I'll stay with the car. Say 'hi' to Ant for me, though."
I nodded and hopped out of the car. Two steps took me inside, jazz and whiskey washed over me and I had to blink twice before I could take a third. I walked along the bar; a cup was placed against the polished oak half way. I met Ant's questioning eyes with a nod and the black bear poured me out a martini. I grasped the cool glass as I walked past, not breaking stride. I sat down in a seat across from a man obscured by a TIME magazine.
I began to speak but stopped as he lowered the magazine. An old ferret's muzzle, shot with grey and framed with rose glasses, looked out over the top edge.
"I was -"
He spoke over me, "One step ahead of you." He leaned back and at the same time put down the magazine. It slid over the table towards me while the ferret lit a cig. "You should read the article in there about Regan's new policies. I think you'll find it enlightening."
I scooped the magazine up and tucked it into my coat pocket.
The ferret continued as he got up. "I'm gonna go to the can." He looked at me with his dark eyes. "Your niece says hi by the way."
I squinted at him; that was code for...
I leaned back and a split second later a bullet hit the wall; I felt relief that it hadn't been my head. The table across from us flipped over and two jackals dove behind. Diving, I pulled my own firearm, an old p85. I hit the floor of the bar with my shoulder and rolled into the upended table. As my back pressed into the wood one of the jackals made for the door. I spun around the table and brought my gun up, the remaining jackal froze mid stride, gun half pointed at me.
"Drop it."
He turned to face me and put the revolver most of the Russian thugs were carrying down. It alone was enough to let me know that I was on to something; the attack just clenched it.
"Who sent you?"
"I vill not talk. Government Dog." he spat.
I rolled my eyes. This bit was so old now. "One, you will talk; you just did. Two, I'm a raccoon, not a dog."
The door opened and I flicked my gun up. Uki stood in the door, a limp jackal hanging by his collar in her grasp. The other took my moment of split attention to swing a punch. I jumped back and it just grazed me. I brought the butt of the pistol down on his head and felt him hit the floor.
"Call Headquarters and tell them we've got two more."
Uki nodded and I took my seat again. Flipping through the magazine I found the article the ferret had pointed out. It was about imports and exports. I flipped the page and a scrap of paper stared out at me. Friday 2am. Dock 23. I flipped to the next page and then closed the magazine. I dropped it back over the table, a five tucked in the front cover.
Sirens cried in the distance. so I downed my drink and made my way back to the front door, the jazz and booze pulled at me, invited me to stay but, my mind was occupied. What could be coming in tomorrow night, by ship no less, that the Hyenas Brother's would be involved with?
I put my glass back on the bar and the Ant picked it up. "Sorry about the fuss Antony; I owe you another one."
The bear shrugged. "As much as youse in here, forgetaboutit."
I laughed and took the last few steps to the outside. Uki fell in behind me.
"So what'd old grey snout have to say?" She inquired.
I didn't lie to her, not really, I just didn't think she was ready for a night operation yet. "Oh, nothing really; just that imports are on the rise." She gave a huff that said she didn't believe me.
April 8th response to poettigress' Thursday Prompt on FA. Theme was 'a ship'
Detective Thursdays updates weekly, when there's a prompt.