| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Joey just comes in and breaks the good news to everyone.
“Guys!” Joey called for attention.
Everyone gathers around without being asked.
“I just remembered and looked it up last night. Maybe this could be our break.”
“What, Madame?” Brad asked.
“Everyone here knows the bakery couple blocks from North Star Café?”
“You mean Wu Long Bakery?”
Joey nods. “Yes, that one. They had been delivering quite a lot of orders lately to this particular location. I mean it’s beyond normal. Who could consume so much cake or let’s say bread even in a week?”
“Where are you going with this, Madame?” George asked.
Joey smiles. “Does anyone know who owns that place?”
Brad scratches his head. “Uh….it’s a part of North Star Café, isn’t it? I mean since that restaurant is the most famous around the area. I heard they also own a bakery, so I guess it’s that one. Even though it’s kind of near, but draws in a lot of businesses.”
“Yes, it does draw in a lot of business. But North Star Café’s bakery is called Four Seasons Bakery. And it’s not anywhere around here. It’s several towns over.”
“Come on, Madame! We’re not fast enough. Who owns that rotten bakery then?”
“Jason Zhao.”
“What?!” Everyone exclaimed at the same time – including Kenneth.
“Yes. We overlooked it. I just realized last night that we’ve been missing something the whole time. Something that’s right in front of us. So I browsed around on the Internet and saw it.”
“Wait a minute,” Kenneth interrupted. “Doesn’t Jason Zhao own an investment company? I mean he wants to compete with his brother after all.”
“Yes, he does. But his main interest is in foods. I mean he’s a chef, but it’s not a good profession to be in with such a background like his family. But after he started his own investment company, he bought over a small company that was having problems in management. It saved the company from going bankrupt and he could also fulfill his dream of owning a food place of some sort.”
Everyone in the room is shocked of the information that they overlooked. Joey pauses for them to sink it in.
“So…the bakery has been delivering an enormous amount of cakes and the like to a certain location?” Kenneth asked.
Joey nods. “Yes. I did research on the company last night and then I went earlier today to the shop and asked around. The manager said it’s been good business for them. Probably because of the curiosity surrounding Jason Zhao’s case.”
“But is Jason Zhao dumb enough to order out of his own shop so he would get caught just like that?” George asked.
“I know it sounds too easy after so many days of not having any information, but it’s the best we got. Maybe it would lead us somewhere.”
“All right then,” Brad said. “Let’s go for it!”
Everyone divides up the work. They divide into groups and take turns staking out near the shop to see what’s going on and maybe they could follow the delivery man when the time comes.
The stakeout didn’t go as well since they change shifts in between and try to stay alert, but nothing happens. It’s not until almost sunset that they see a delivery truck that contains numerous amount of boxes pulls out from the warehouse in the back. Brad’s team is the current team on shift. Brad gives Joey a call before following them from behind, making sure to give the truck some space, not wanting to be exposed. They follow the truck into the woods and far away from the city. Too far for comfort. It’s one of those locations that give people the chills, especially after sunset. Brad stays alert since he knows this could be something. He doesn’t want to mess up when they’re so close. He doesn’t know to what, but this could be something.
Meanwhile, Jacky is at the station with Joey and Kenneth. They are talking further about what to do if Brad’s team could really find Jason Zhao. Joey has sent some back-up for Brad in case needed. But they don’t want too many people involved or they’ll be exposed. About 20 minutes from Brad’s last call, he calls in again.
“Brad?” Joey said. “Go ahead.”
“Madame, we got something,” Brad informed her.
“What?”
“George and I are checking the warehouse out right now.”
“Warehouse?”
“Yes. We thought it was some area in the woods, but they were just taking a long way around. We followed them until they turned, cutting toward the harbor. There’s a warehouse near there that they stopped at. I saw some men receiving the deliveries. George and I are checking it out right now. The other guys are a distance away in case we need them.”
“Whatever you do, don’t do anything rash. If it’s really Jason Zhao and his gang, we can’t afford to lose them.”
“Yes, Madame.”
“By the way, how many people are there?”
“Strangely, only two guys. But I’m guessing the others are somewhere else. Maybe they’ll be back later. Or this is just one of their hiding locations.”
“Okay. Be careful then.”
“We will. I’ll call back and report when we’re done here.”
“All right.” As Joey hangs up, the phone rings again. She picks it up. “Hello?” She pauses for a few moments to listen, then her expression turns to shocked. “What?!” She listens some more before saying a “Yes” and hangs up.
“What happened?” Jacky and Kenneth asked at the same time.
“Someone made a hit on Victor Zhao at his home,” Joey answered.
“What?!” Jacky and Kenneth exclaimed out – yet at the same time again.
“I’m not kidding.”
“I’m not saying that,” Jacky clarified. “But how…”
“Luckily, I have one of the teams stay there to check on the Zhao resident. They caught some of the guys. Some of them got away though.”
“Is he okay?” Kenneth asked.
“They’re sending him to the hospital right now.”
“That serious?” Jacky asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“I’ll go check for you,” Jacky and Kenneth blurted out at the same time.
Jacky and Kenneth turn to look at each other, then at Joey.
“Umm…why don’t you two stay here and wait for Brad and George to call back? I’ll go. You guys need to wait for the others to bring in the captured guys too. They’ll probably stay here temporarily until they can be transfer to the courthouse jail.”
“All right then,” Jacky said. He could see the anxious look on Kenneth’s face. “But Kenny can come with you if he wants. After all, it’s decent to have the lieutenant visit Mr. Zhao in such time.”
“Okay then. Come on, Kenneth.”
Jacky sits on top of one of the tables when they’re gone. When will all these crazy things end? He thought he was wasting his times on these cases, but now he’s not so sure anymore.
Jacky almost nodded off waiting for someone to call or come back. He is about to fall off the table when the phone rings. He snaps up and grabs the receiver.
“Hello?” He said anxiously into the phone.
“Some more people are coming back, but I can’t see Jason Zhao or some familiar faces there,” Brad informed him.
“How many came back?”
“Four. I think they’re mad about something. I heard they said they were close. Not sure to what.”
“Don’t do anything like catch them. We’re still waiting for the big fish.”
“I know.”
“All right, I guess you’ll just have some of your men stay there and you can decide to stay or let George. One of you come back here to help me.”
“What happened?”
“Kenny and Jo went to the hospital already.”
“What?! What happened?”
“Victor Zhao got attacked. I heard Jo said that the other team reported that some escaped. I think that must be those four guys that you saw. As long as we have them in our sight, we’ll definitely find Jason Zhao.”
“All right. I’ll come back then.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“Yea.”
They hang up at the same time.
Jacky begins to pace the room. He hates to be the only one there. It drives his nerves insane. For once, he’s not in on the action. He feels a bit useless standing around there waiting. But then he knows that he couldn’t just go with Joey earlier since it’s only right to let Kenneth go. Besides, it’s not a good idea to argue in such times. What else could happen? He sighs out again, wondering how serious Victor Zhao is injured.
Another 15 minutes pass by. Still no news of anyone. Jacky thought that Joey said the team posted at Victor Zhao’s house should be back soon. “Soon” was supposed to happen about 20 minutes ago. And where in the world is Brad? He tries to rub the sleep out of himself again. Just as he’s hopping off the table to go get a cup of coffee from the break room, he hears voices. He snaps back to alert mood and sees the front door opens. Brad walks in – finally.
“Where in the world have you been?!” Jacky blurted out.
“Calm down, man,” Brad said. “Delayed.”
“Don’t tell me you decided to take ‘the short-cut’ during this particular time.”
“No. Madame Meng needed me.”
“What for?”
“Public relations.”
“Huh?” Maybe he’s so tired that his brain has slowed down. But he has no idea what Brad meant.
“Things didn’t go well with Victor Zhao, so she called me over to the hospital. She could have called you but you’re the only one here so yea.”
“What?!” The more Brad explains, the more Jacky’s head spins.
“Oh. Sorry. Lieutenant Ma and Detective Meng got to the hospital in time to see Victor Zhao. He’s okay. Only minor injuries. But he was blaming us for being lousy cops. First letting his brother escaped, then now the attack on him.”
Jacky wants to tell him to get to the point, but bites his tongue down, trying to be patient.
“His family was trying to calm him down too, but it didn’t help. Madame Meng meant to call you since they couldn’t get through him. It’s surprising Lieutenant Ma – who is usually good at those stuffs – got tongue-tied too. They had to call me in instead. I finally calmed him down somewhat. But when he’s done getting mad, you know what he asked?”
Jacky raises one eyebrow. “What?”
“He said…” He stops to clear his throat, disguising Mr. Zhao’s voice. “…‘Where is Jacky?’”
Jacky’s beyond shocked, thinking Brad just put him on. “He said that?”
“Not kidding. Anyway, you want a cup of coffee?”
Jacky’s walking along with Brad to the break room. “Yea. I’m having trouble staying awake here.”
“Talking about that, where is ‘the other team’? You know.”
“Yea. I wonder what happened. Did they get outnumbered and the others escaped too?”
Brad shrugs. “Beats me.”
After their trip to the break room, they sit down at the table where Jacky’s at earlier to talk. Jacky’s glad to finally have someone around.
Brad pulls out his cell phone. “Let me call Roger to check what’s going on.” Brad waits a few seconds before someone picks up. “Roger, what the world is going on? You guys were supposed to be here about an hour ago.”
“We’re stuck in traffic,” Roger informed him.
“What?! Are you kidding?!” Then he remembers what Jacky said earlier. “Don’t tell me you took ‘the short-cut.”
“How did you know?”
Brad slaps his free hand on his forehead before answering. “I don’t know why we put you in charge of a team. Dude, everyone knows that route is a trap. Unless you want to do it on purpose, you shouldn’t take that route. This isn’t your first day working here, you know. Or should I say, ‘It’s not your first day driving in this area’?”
“All right, all right. Stop yelling at me.”
“With that much time you’re there, they might as well escape too.”
“We should be there in ten minutes. We finally get out of the traffic.”
“You better or I’ll personally come and get you.”
“Okay, man.”
Brad hangs up before he blows up for real.
“Well?” Jacky asked.
“I can’t believe them.”
“They took ‘the short-cut’?”
Brad nods, taking a sip of his coffee. “At least we know when they’re coming. Let’s get ready.”
Jacky nods and gets up to follow Brad. They turn left at the corner of Joey’s office and walk down the hallway. Brad gives a quick glance around to make sure that all the cells are good to keep these guys here for a while. Then they go back to the main room and wait for Roger’s team.
Ten minutes later, Roger’s team comes in with the captured parties as promised. Jacky and Brad help Roger put them into individual cells as the rest of the team guard the ones that are left behind. Each of them grabs one guy and leads them towards the cells. They try to go slowly and keep a distance from each other so these guys wouldn’t pull anything – although it’s impossible at this point.
As Brad’s unlocking the door to one of the cells, one of the three handcuffed guys speaks up.
“You guys are going to pay for this,” The guy threatened. “It’s not over yet.”
“Sure,” Brad muttered. “We’ll pay. Get in!”
Brad pushes that guy into the cell he just unlocked and turns the other way to unlock a cell nearby so Jacky could put the next guy in also. Although Brad tries to ignored the “loud-mouth”, but he still manages to speak up again.
“You know why?” The guy continued. “Because…”
“Shut up!” A second guy shouted out although he’s being held back by Jacky at the moment.
“…our backups are going to get you soon,” The first guy finished while the other guy was telling him to shut up.
Jacky pushes the second guy in and steps back so Brad could lock the cell.
“Are you trying to give us information here, gentlemen?” Jacky asked.
“No, I’m threatening you, numb skull,” The first guy fired out.
Jacky turns his attention to the first guy. “Threat towards an officer?” He puts his right hand up. “Hold on.” He pulls a little notebook out from his left pants pocket and a pen from his right pants pocket. He begins to scribble something down. Then he turns his attention back towards that guy, smiling. “Got it. So I can keep scores for you.”
“Talk all you want!” The same guy continued. “I’ll make you pay. Think you’re smart? You have no idea!”
“Shut up!” The second guy yelled from the cell across the way.
“What is he going to do? Beat me up?”
“Just shut up.”
“What? He already captured Andy.”
The third guy, who has been quiet all this time, raises his voice also. He’s one cell over from the second guy, but his voice still carries loudly across the first guy’s cell. “Stop it or else!”
“What? What I said is true. They probably already know Andy set up the whole thing with…”
“Shut up or I’ll kill you!” Both the second and third guy shouted out at the same time.
Jacky, Brad, and Roger look at each other but pretend to check the remaining cells so the others could continue to argue.
“What?” The first guy’s spoke up again. “We’re all in here now, how are you two useless whims going to attack me?”
The second and third guy look at the first guy with murderous looks.
“See? All you can do is stare. Keep wishing. You might poke a few holes in my body with those burning eyes.” He sniggers at the other two before going on. “So what if I told them? Like they got proofs to back it up.”
“You stupid idiot!” The second guy shouted out. “They might have cameras here.”
Jacky pretends to lose it and turns to the second guy. “No, we don’t! Can’t you see?” He points towards the ceiling.
All the three of them look up.
“See?” The first guy continued. “I told you guys they don’t.”
“Jacky, come on,” Brad interfered. “Don’t lose it. We have three more to lock up.”
As Brad says that, he pushes Jacky towards the main room again. Roger stays there to keep the other three in line – or so he says.
This time, one of the other officers from Roger’s team follows Jacky and Brad inside. Brad hands the one he’s in charge of to Roger as he goes back to unlocking the remaining cells. Apparently, Mr. Smart-Mouth still hasn’t learn or shut up yet. He’s still carrying on about something.
“What are my afraid of anyway?” He continued in that same bitter tone.
“Yea,” The third guy said sarcastically. “You’re very brave and stupid.”
One of the guys who just got place into a cell next to the first guy speaks up.
“You guys got nothing to do or something?” The fourth guy asked.
“I guess not since we’re in jail right now!” The second guy answered, rolling his eyes.
Jacky swallows back laughter as he places the fifth guy into a cell Brad just unlocked.
“Why are we going at each other now?” The fifth guy asked. “Did those cops here trigger it? They’re probably trying to extract some information. Why don’t you guys just use some common sense and shut up?”
“He started it!” The first guy exclaimed, pointing to the second guy across the way from him.
How old are we all here? Jacky thought to himself before speaking up. “I can see you all are very mature.”
“Jacky, don’t start with them,” Brad interfered once again. “It’s not healthy. Let’s go back out and wait for Lieutenant Ma and Detective Meng.”
Jacky nods and the two of them leave. Only Roger and the other officer are around to guard the prisoners.
As they step back into the main room, they see Kenneth and Joey present already. The two guys walk up to the other two.
“So, what happened?” Jacky asked. “Got it under control?”
Joey nods. “Yea. Somewhat. You should have gone though. Victor Zhao was mad. That’s just an understatement though.”
“Yea. I heard from Brad.”
“So, how are things here?”
“We just got done locking those…” He points his right thumb towards the cells. “…‘smart alecks’ up.”
Joey gives Jacky a puzzled look.
“We were provided with an interesting and I must say quite entertaining show while doing that particular task,” Brad informed her.
“What?”
Brad sits down at the table. “Those guys got into a little argument.”
Jacky sits down next to Brad. “Little?”
“Okay. Little turns into big, thanks to you.”
Joey and Kenneth have already sat down and are listening intently to the two guys.
“What?!” Joey asked.
“No, Jacky just add a bit of oil to get the fire going, you know,” Brad said.
Jacky grins. “Guess what we found out?”
“What?” Joey asked.
“You know who Andy is?
“Who?” She pauses to think. “No wait…you don’t mean one of the guys we already captured?”
“Bingo! Thanks to you who made us discuss about the whole case every single day this past week. I even memorized all the names we got so far or was able to identify.”
“And?” Kenneth prompted.
“I was getting to that.”
“Jack!” Joey jumped in.
“What?”
“Be serious.”
“All right. Anyway, one of the guys blurted out Andy’s name and said that he was the one who set up this whole thing. I don’t know what that ‘whole thing’ is but sounds like the kidnapping case. Then two other guys tried to shut him up so I didn’t hear the last part. But I’m guessing there’s someone else behind it who’d set the ‘plans’ with Andy.”
“So…Andy’s involved, huh? Let me see.” Joey taps her chin before speaking up again. “We have to go over the files again.”
“What?! Again?”
“Not you. I mean I’ll tell one of the teams to do that when they’re coming back. We have to check all the evidence also.”
“Looking at this whole case with a new perspective might help?” Kenneth asked.
Joey nods.
Jacky gets up. “You guys do it. I’m outta here. Being shut in this place is driving me crazy.”
Brad stands up with him. “You’re not sticking around to watch the show?”
“I had enough already. You can go back and pour oil in once awhile to keep them talking.”
“Nah. I was playing the ‘cool’ cop, remember? I’ll tell Roger or George to do that later.”
Jacky smiles. “Sounds good.”
With that, Jacky leaves the group to go back….to the hospital. Yes, not home, but he has to switch places again. At least he gets to see Jan, he thought positively.
*****
A week goes by before Joey calls for a meeting at the station. This time, Jacky, Gallen, and Cory are present at the station. Jacky told Wallace earlier that it might not be a good idea for him to come along. It’s better if he sticks around the girls and looks out for them. Jacky, Joey, Gallen, Kenneth, Brad, George, and Cory sit in the conference room. Joey in the middle so she can direct better and Kenneth’s next to her. She makes sure that everyone’s attention is on her before she begins.
“I’ll start with Vincent and Alyssa’s first,” Joey said. “Kenneth and the others found what was thought to be Alyssa’s bracelet after the kidnapping incident in the woods.”
“‘What was thought to be’?” Jacky jumped in. “You mean it’s not Alyssa’s bracelet?”
Joey nods. “It was all a trap from the beginning.”
“It was made to look like Alyssa made some scratches on the bracelet and left it behind on purpose as clues for us,” Kenneth continued from where Joey left off. “We have no doubt that Alyssa is a very smart person, but the time was too fast for her to do that. According to the marks on the bracelet, it was too deep for her nails. If you look at it carelessly, you might be fooled. But in actuality, it’s impossible when examined more thoroughly. The bracelet, of course, has a ‘J’ on it. It was meant to frame Jason Zhao, Vincent’s uncle, for it. But…”
“But it’s actually just something those crooks left behind to throw us off?” Jacky jumped in again, getting impatient. “What’s the whole point?”
“I’m getting to that part,” Kenneth said, annoyed.
Joey gives Jacky a look so he would leave Kenneth alone.
“All right,” Cory jumped in, sensing the tension. “Let’s get back to the explanation.”
“Yes, those kidnappers left the bracelet behind on purpose to throw us off,” Kenneth continued, answering Jacky’s question. “Jason Zhao was busted out to complete their plan. For whatever it is, they still want to play safe until the end. They want to have Jason Zhao to take the fall for them.”
“That’s not it folks,” Brad jumped in excitedly. “Major gossip material! The controversy at hand is to sort out all the mess between the Zhao family and the South Star Corporation’s people cases.”
Jacky looks over towards Brad, waiting for further explanation.
“While those new dudes we captured last week were doing their harmony back there, of course, things got ugly. They turned against each other somehow. Mostly without our help. Seriously, I don’t know how they became a team in the first place since they kept arguing like they’re sworn enemies.”
“How did that happen?” Gallen asked. “Why did it get so messed up that the two cases are linked?”
“First we thought that guy Zack is the leader of the gang who was responsible for Vincent and Alyssa’s capture,” Joey said, taking over again. “Since he’s the most fierce and stubborn among them. But we were wrong. It’s actually Andy. He’s always in the shadow and seems less suspicious among them. He’s a guy with great plans in mind, trying to go for both things at once – a little money for himself and trying to establish a name in the process also.”
Jacky sits back in his chair. “Sounds complicated.”
“Of course. That’s why after we heard what you told us, we have to go right back and analyze the evidence all over again. Thanks to Mr. Smart-Mouth last week for blurting things out, we were also able to identify the rest of the guys that we caught. It was a good idea since it paid off.”As she says those last words, Joey waves the folder in her hand for effect.
“With those guys singing half of the time last week, it was hard not to crack the case so fast,” Brad jumped in with a mischievous smile. “You missed out on all the fun.”
Jacky folds his hands together, still having it on the table. “Back to the Zhao family case, how do you know that Jason Zhao isn’t involved? I mean the bracelet that was meant to be fake could have been intentional, so we could find out and just let him go anyway.”
“That’s a possibility,” Joey said. “But I have a gut instinct it’s not him.”
Jacky clicks his tongue, smiling “Detective Meng relies on ‘gut instinct’ to solve cases?”
Joey smiles also. “I’ll let that pass since you’ve been helping us a lot.”
Kenneth clears his throat at that time while Gallen and Cory smile, knowing too well the familiar scene playing out in front of them.
Joey clears her throat. “We still have to take care of several things.”
“Which are?” Jacky asked, his hands still crossed.
“We have to find Jason Zhao and who’s behind this whole mess. It could be one person. It could be two or more.”
“If we get to those guys, then we won’t have to figure out the motive,” Kenneth said. “We just have to try to get them to confess.”
Joey turns to Jacky. “By the way, how is your case going? Did you find whatever it is that those guys were looking for while they were attempting to search Annie’s apartment numerous times already?”
“No,” Jacky said. “Not yet. We’re betting on Mr. Lam. But he’s not moving. Or at least he’s very careful. Or maybe Miss Man is hiding stuffs from us.”
“You guys drop it with the whole ‘hospital scene’ yet?”
Jacky nods. “Ages ago. No, I mean couple days ago. We let Annie go back home, so Mr. Lam could visit her at Constant Comfort. Better to keep an eye on them that way.”
Joey nods. “Good luck then.”
“I wish it would be more exciting though. I’m better off with your case. Since waiting like this is driving me crazy.”
“No patient at all, huh?” Joey teased.
Jacky shakes head. “We’ve been wasting too much time.”
“We have to be patient on Frankie, you know,” Cory jumped. “He’s not stupid. I know he’s hiding something. Just that we need to be more patient so we can get him.”
Jacky turns to Cory. “He wasn’t guilty to begin with. At least not with the whole scene with his uncle. Probably he knows where those files are, but he just doesn’t tell us.”
“I bet you 100 bucks that he did it. And he’s just around here to get some more answers from Annie so he can report to his uncle. The uncle’s already in the hot seat so he fled and let Frankie stay to keep watch.”
Jacky laughs and shakes his head. “Haven’t you been paying attention since the last two weeks? He’s not the guy. He wouldn’t lie to Annie. And oh yeah, is that 100 American dollars? I’ll bet you then.”
Brad clears his throat. “Guys! No gambling at the police station.”
Jacky turns to him.
“Count me in too though – I mean when we’re outside.”
Jacky have to laugh at that.
“Which side are you choosing then?” Cory asked, turning to Brad.
“Jacky’s,” Brad replied without thinking.
“Hey! My theory is smart too.”
“It got leaks. Jacky didn’t mention them all yet to save you the embarrassment.”
“Oh yeah? Why don’t you point them out too?”
“I thought you guys got the segment of what happened when Jan was Annie and was trying to extract information from those guys. They apparently said that Annie has the files and that Larry Lam was the one who got the information from Frankie. He probably let it slip accidentally or the uncle must have snooped around to get it.”
“What if they’re lying? I mean how can you guys expect those masterminds like Larry Lam or anyone to just tell their muscle men their plans? It’s probably to throw us off.”
“If Frankie’s in this together, then why have he been wasting his time for two weeks to take care of Annie? I mean every single day he came and visit. It’s a bit exaggerated. Over-killed even. There’s only one explanation. He likes Annie so he won’t lie to her.”
“Liking someone and lying to them are two different things.”
“Just ask Jacky. Would he lie to Jan?”
Jacky lets out a cough. “Don’t bring me into your battle.”
“The point is we know Jacky, but we don’t know Frankie, okay?” Cory shot back.
“Okay, we’re still on for 100 dollars then?” Brad asked, ignoring Cory’s attack completely.
“Fine.”
Joey has been taking some times to look through the files to see if she missed anything. She barely paid attention to the guys, but now that she’s done with the files, she interferes. “Guys, could you stop? We’re trying to discuss the cases here.”
“I am discussing the cases.”
“Correction, not the ‘cases’, just one ‘case.’” Brad jumped in again. “And you’re trying to fight a losing battle.”
“Okay, guys,” Gallen said. “How about not bet with money? The person who loses will have to treat all of us to a meal? How about that?”
“Good idea! You’re the best, man. The only way to remain friends and we all get a free meal!”
Joey clears her throat. “Are we done yet, gentlemen?”
“Yes, ma’am!”Brad exclaimed out, smiling brightly.
“All right then. I guess we’re done here. Just a few more things to take care of then this case is done for. Well, we have to turn things over to the court, but that should be it for us after we sort things out.”
Jacky stands up. “Sounds like we still can’t rest, huh?” He lets out a yawn.
Joey gets up also. “Don’t be a cop if you want rest, Mr. Chu.”
Jacky shrugs and starts to stretch.
“When are you guys heading back?”
Gallen looks at his watch. “Right now. Let’s go.”
“Wait. Let me go with you guys.”
“Got a plan?”
“Yes. But I’m just catching a ride halfway. I need to see someone at the local newspaper.”
“Don’t tell me you have to deal with that loud mouth Ricky,” Kenneth said.
“Ricky’s not bad. He’s only a smart-mouth. If you can handle Jack, you can handle anyone.” She smiles after saying that.
Jacky smiles also. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Jacky, Joey, and Kenneth make their way towards the entrance with Kenneth taking the lead. The others stand up and follow those three. Joey drops some files in her office and pulls out another folder before joining Jacky, Gallen, and Cory. Brad and George go back to work right away, making sure everything’s still in order. Kenneth follows the other four outside.
They walk in silence out of the station. Jacky, Gallen, and Cory head towards their own direction, trying to look for Jacky’s car as they passed the entrance door. Joey follows closely behind. Kenneth watches the four of them from the entrance, wondering why Joey doesn’t take her own car or ask if he could drive her. Kenneth sighs out and turns back in, used to this kind of treatment these past days.
*****
The guys drop Joey off in front of the newspaper place. Jacky gets out with Joey since he wants to meet the “loud-mouth” dude that Kenneth was mentioning before.
“Are you sure?” Gallen asked, looking at Jacky. “It’s hard to catch a Taxi at this hour.”
“Don’t worry. If I can’t find one, I’ll call you. And don’t wreck my car.”
“You want Cory to drive?”
“NO!”
“Thanks a lot, man,” Cory snapped from the back-seat.
Jacky has on an innocent smile. “Anytime.”
“Come on then,” Joey urged.
“All right, Detective Meng.”
Joey rolls her eyes and heads towards the entrance. Jacky opens the door to the entrance for Joey. They walk through a little hallway before reaching the double doors. As soon as Joey walks in, the room becomes quiet. Everyone waits patiently for her to speak. Jacky looks at all the faces around the room, seeing the effect that Joey has on them. Looks like everyone knows Detective Meng then, he thought.
“Is Ricky here?” Joey asked them.
“He’s in Editor Cheung’s office,” Someone nearby replied.
Joey nods and walks towards the Editor’s office. Jacky follows behind, looking around to see that everyone there is still silent. They’re probably waiting to see the next move. As Joey’s raising her right hand up to knock on the door, the door pops open. She snaps her hand back down in a quick motion. A guy in his early 30s steps out at that time. He sees her and stops short.
“Hello, Detective Meng!” The guy said with a bright smile. “What brought you here today?”
Joey glances into the room to see Editor Cheung. She hesitates, but says it anyway. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“All right then. Let’s go outside.”
“Not a good idea.”
The guy scratches his head. “Break room?”
Joey nods. The guy leads the way after he closes the door to Editor Cheung’s room. Joey walks after him while Jacky tags along. When they’re in the break room, the guy closes the door after Jacky passes by.
“Okay, can you tell me what’s going on now?” The guy asked anxiously. “The suspense is killing me.” He signals to a circular table as he finishes the sentence.
They sit down before Joey starts.
“I need you to write an article for me,” Joey began.
The guy looks puzzled. “Uh…are you serious?”
“Why would I be here if I’m not serious?”
“I thought you want to see Ken.”
Jacky, puzzled, jumps in, his right eyebrow rises up. “Ken?”
“My co-worker.”
Jacky eyes Joey with curiosity. “Oh.”
Joey gives Jacky the eye. “Jack, it’s not funny. I’m trying to be serious here.”
Jacky shrugs. “I didn’t say anything.”
“ Detective Meng, may I ask who this is?” The guy asked, his eyes studying Jacky cautiously.
“Jacky Chu,” Jacky said, extending his hand before Joey could introduce them.
The guy shakes it and introduces himself also. “Ricky Chan.”
Jacky takes the guy’s image in better. He doesn’t seem like the loud-mouth type or “smart-aleck” like Kenneth and Joey put it. Or maybe because he’s trying to show his serious side in front of Joey.
Ricky turns his attention back on Joey. “So…what do you want to talk to me about? I have a story to cover in…” He looks at his watch. “…twenty minutes.”
“Did you hear about the whole Zhao scandal lately?” Joey asked.
Ricky nods. “It’s a big thing right now. Editor Cheung wants to have a hand in it, but he’s too late. I heard that we can’t cover it though.”
“Okay. Since Editor Cheung wants a cover story, I’ll give you guys a chance. I’ll give you the info, but I want you to exaggerate it a bit further.”
Ricky smiles. “That’s my job. You can count on me.”
Joey smiles also. “Okay. I hope you can deliver your end of it. If the plan goes through, you guys get the exclusive for this one. Deal?”
Ricky nods. “Anything to help Detective Meng.”
Joey stands up and hands Ricky a folder she has been carrying. “All the information you need are in here. I had some notes on it. Exaggerate but only on the points that I indicated in there, okay? Don’t overdo or it won’t work.”
Ricky nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ll wait for your call at the station.”
Ricky stands up also. “All right then. I’ll walk you two out.”
“It’s okay. I know my way out.”
“All right then. I’ll just…” He points to folder. “…get to work.”
“Tell Editor Cheung so he doesn’t bug you about it.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll get Ken to cover the next story for me and work on this right away.”
“All right then.”
Ricky looks after them as they leave the break room.
Once again, as Joey walks back outside, the loud room becomes quiet again. It is only after they’re out in the hall again that Jacky hears their voices resume like before.
Jacky smiles. “You sure have an ‘effect’ on them.”
“I can’t help it that I’m a cop,” Joey said.
“You made it sound like it’s a sin to be one.”
Joey smiles. “Do I? I guess this case is more than it is.”
“Tired? Want to take a break for a while?”
Joey shakes her head. “It’s okay. I want to get this going. And I don’t want anything going wrong this time.”
Jacky remembers back to what happened the last time they took a break, so he nods. “I guess I’ll be heading back.”
“Not taking a Taxi?”
“I need the walk anyway.”
Joey nods.
“Be careful on your way back.”
Joey nods again, not feeling like talking anymore.
They part ways. Jacky disappears into the crowd while Joey stands at the street corner, waiting for a Taxi to come by.
*****
Jacky arrives at Constant Comfort to see Frankie walking out of the building. As he passes, he blurts out his usual greeting. This guy needs to make the move or I’ll go crazy, Jacky thought.
While he’s walking casually into the lobby area, he hears Frankie on the phone, talking to someone. He steps aside towards the entrance and kneels down, pretending to be tying his shoes. Just then, Gallen walks by, seeing Jacky on the floor, he kneels down also.
“What are you doing?” Gallen asked, curious of Jacky’s actions.
“Tying my shoes, what else?”
“You look like you’re trying to look for some loose change that just dropped out of your pocket.”
“Good idea! Go look in that direction for it.” He points towards the entrance where Frankie’s standing to the side, still talking.
“Are you spying on him?” Gallen whispered.
“Haven’t I always?”
Finally, Jacky stands up since he can’t pretend to “tie his shoes” forever. Gallen stands up along with him.
“Wait here,” Gallen said.
Gallen doesn’t bother to wait for Jacky’s reaction or reply, he walks towards Frankie. Jacky watches them closely, leaning on the counter behind him. He sees Gallen gives something to Frankie. They exchange a few more words, then Gallen turns back to go inside.
“What did you give him?” Jacky asked when Gallen’s close enough to talk.
“Someone called him but to Annie’s number so I had to give him a message.”
“Who?”
“Some guy name Johnson.”
Jacky scratches his head. “Did you check it out?”
“No yet.”
Jacky waits for Gallen to continue. They’re walking towards the elevators now.
Gallen waves a piece paper in front of Jacky. “But I got his number!”
Jacky smiles. “Good job! I knew I could rely on you.”
As they’re about to enter the elevator on the right, Ms. Yeung storms past them. They have to jump out of the way to avoid from being hit.
“Whoa!” Jacky exclaimed, surprised. “What’s wrong with her?”
“You haven’t heard?” Gallen asked back, turning to him.
“Heard what?”
“Someone has been playing pranks around the building. Ms. Yeung has been trying to track that person down.”
“Who dares to do it?”
Gallen shrugs and pushes the elevator button again since the elevator had already closed on them when they had to jump out of the way to avoid Ms. Yeung.
“I mean haven’t they had enough drama around here already?”
“I’m guessing it’s one of those people that just moved in.” He pauses. “But I’m not investigating into it. As long as it doesn’t harm Ray, it’s not my territory.”
“I would love to pull that person out though.”
Gallen glances at Jacky quickly. “You mean you haven’t got enough on your plate yet?”
Jacky shrugs. “No harm in trying to figure this out. After all, we do live here, you know.”
“Not for long. At least for you.”
Finally, the elevator comes again. It seemed to come from the 15th floor or something since they’d been talking for a while now.
Jacky gets into the elevator after Gallen. “Doesn’t matter, I’ll look into it after I sort this mess out. That is if Ms. Yeung hasn’t sorted it out yet.”
As the elevator door is closing, someone shout out a, “Wait!” Gallen’s closer to the door, so he puts a hand out to stop the door. Who else but Kevin rushes in? Jacky and Gallen look at him. Kevin doesn’t bother to explain to them what’s going on, but steps to one side and pushes the “Close” button on the key pad.
Kevin sighs out. “That was close.”
Jacky raises one eyebrow. “Hurricane hit?”
“No. Auntie was looking for me.”
“Don’t tell me you were the one who has been playing those pranks around the building.”
“Of course not!”
“That’s a strong reaction there.” He eyes Kevin more carefully. “Are you sure it wasn’t you?”
“Of course not.”
“You repeated the same phrase,” Gallen said.
“And?”
“Possible guilt so you can’t provide any other answer aside from the one you already ‘crafted’ in your mind.”
Kevin wrinkles his face. “You guys are out of your mind. Why would I sabotage Auntie’s place? Besides…I’d been living here for a long time already. If I want to mess around, I would have ages ago.”
“Maybe one sunny day you decided you don’t like this building, so you want to do some rearrangements?” Jacky suggested.
Kevin gives Jacky a look that said “You’re crazy”, which Jacky smiles proudly.
“All right, we’re just messing around,” Gallen said. “Why are you running away from Ms. Yeung then?”
“She wants to introduce this one girl to me,” Kevin said.
“I thought she thinks you’re dating Mandy.”
“Thanks to Ray, she found out it was only a scheme because I didn’t want to go to the hospital that one time.”
Jacky shakes his head. “I can’t believe that Ray couldn’t even keep a secret. I think I have too high of an expectation towards him.”
“He was being too loud about it and Auntie walked by and heard.”
“Not surprised.” He pauses. “I mean about him being loud.”
“So…you guys managed to find some stuffs on Frankie yet?”
Jacky shakes his head. “Not yet. We’re onto something though.”
Just then some more people get into the elevator as the door opens on the third level. Jacky would have reached his point of destination sooner if people didn’t had too much time on their hand to hold the door still for about two minutes or more on the 2nd level. The guys tried to be polite and talk among themselves. But now as the door of the 4th level is being opened, Kevin gets impatient. It’s one of those few rare times that he does. He’s about to speak up about the “ongoing opened door”, but some more people dash into the cart. The elevator beeps at that time, indicating too many people. Jacky signals for Gallen and Kevin to get out with him. The guys take in a deep breath before they head towards the door that leads them to the staircase.
“Could you believe those people?” Jacky asked as they’re climbing up the stairs.
“I know,” Kevin agreed. “When did the elevator become the ‘socializing place’?”
“This way we get more privacy,” Gallen said. “Good exercise too.”
“The problem is I’ve been exercising way too much lately,” Jacky said.
“Do I detect a complaint coming from Detective Chu?”
Kevin chuckles while Gallen waits for Jacky’s response.
“Hey, I can’t put on a happy face every single day, you know,” Jacky said.
Gallen smiles. “This case is that bad?”
“More like boring. I’d had better patient before.”
“You want more people dying or something?”
“No. Of course not. I just think that that Larry Lam is so good at hiding. Is he a chameleon or something?”
“What about Frankie?” Kevin asked.
“He’s innocent.”
“How can you be so sure though?”
“You sound like Cory when he’s arguing with Brad earlier at the station.”
“I just want to know what made you reach that decision,” Kevin said defensively.
“Cop instinct.”
“Hmmm…”
“Don’t believe me?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You’re humming.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Defensive, huh?”At that time, they finally arrive at the 5th level. Jacky reaches for the door. But before he goes through the door, he turns back to the other two. “I’ll catch you guys later. And 'Tim', I’ll call to discuss with you regarding Frankie’s call later.”
Gallen nods. Jacky walks through the hallway. Just then he seems to remember something and turns around, opening the door again. Gallen and Kevin are three steps up already. They turn back as they hear the door opening again.
“I forgot to tell you guys, but I’m picking Jan up later also so if you don’t see me around here, I’m at the hospital.”
Gallen nods.
“We’ll probably get to see Madame Meng in action too.”
“Good show tonight?”
“Definitely.”
This time Jacky goes for real. Gallen and Kevin continue their walk to the 7th level.
© Sunday, September 9th, 2007
Re-posted: Monday, October 12th, 2009