The Brokens

5

5

Nicolette looked around the cafe. At first, no one stood out, but then she noticed a ducked down light brown head. She had done her research into the PI, so it was not easy to forget her hair. Nicolette walked to the table and sat down quietly.

“What’s your progress like?” she asked quietly something about the secretive meeting was a thrill to her. Beth looked up at the eager girl and raised her eyebrows before deciding that it was probably better not to chastise a nicely paying client

“Steady as usual. My biggest lead is that it seems like a different person was the muscle behind the kidnapping… different style.” Jeanine nodded and scribbled something down om her notepad.

“You have any idea who?” she asked, tapping her finger impatiently. Private INvestigators were supposed to be faster than the law, right? If not, what was their use?

“No, but I’m working with an old friend and another investigator on this one. It’s stupid to bet on cases but I can safely say I’ll probably come up with something notable within a couple days. Case should wrap up in maybe a few weeks?”

“Weeks?” asked Nicolette, worried. Once again, slow much?

“Sorry princess, but these cases are never solved. My goal is exposing the brawn and leaving the organization to the Feds if they ever decide to give a damn.” If it wasn’t already clear, Beth didn’t have much patience for stuck-up rich brats who wanted a popularity boost which would come from helping the charity case kidnapped girl whose parents didn’t even want her.

“Wow, okay sorry. Look, is there anything that you think is going to help?”

“Sure. I’m meeting with one of the other investigators after this to go hunt down new evidence and watch a couple suspects.”

“Good, because that’s what I’m paying you for. I hope you can get this wrapped up quick because I’m not super patient.”

“Neither am I, particularly with hyper-priveleged brats… forget I said that. Look, you just need to understand that I’m trying to solve one of many unsolvable cases. I’m no CIA agent or FBI analyst, but I can tell you that promising trails go cold… a lot. Just be patient with me.”

“Wow, we’ve used the word patient a lot over the course of this conversation.”

“And you’ve said wow a lot.”

“Wow, who’d have thought. I think we’re done here. Goodbye Ms. LeCruz.”

“Yep.” Said Beth. She stared out the window as Nicolette walked away. Elizabeth thought that she’d ought to improve her social skills. Sure, PI’s often dealt with angry clients but she had a feeling that if she pushed the wrong buttons, this girl would make Beths’ life a living hell, graciously put. Maybe it was just second nature to her, driving people away. After all, she had done it to Chenny. Then again, maybe her second nature was plummeting down holes of random assumption and seld-blame. The world would never know.

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Chenny pulled the car into park as he pulled into the parking spot. The car was a 1961 red volvo, restored of course. The police officers at the station had insisted that he buy an old car once he became an officer. Their reasoning was that then no one would expect it having undercover cop lights, but he was pretty sure they just wanted to make some wise-crack about being one of those old hoots who bought and restored old cars because no one would give them cases. Car tangent aside, Chenny swung the door open and stepped out, the chilly air breezing against his face. It would probably start to rain soon… again. He saw Beths’ head perk up as she heard the old cars’ engine powering down. His footsteps echoed across the unpopulated walkway as he made his way to Beth. Finally, the smell of old pastries and underpaid waitresses flooded his nose as he walked into the shop.

“Over here.” she called. Chennys’ mind suddenly flashed back into the present, where Beth was a sarcastic and quiet PI who he had parted ways with long ago.

“Hey.” he said as he pulled up a chair. Beth chewed on her lip.

“Hi.” she said, and then paused as it quickly became clear that neither of them were prepared for this meeting. “So, do you have anything?”

“Uh, yeah. I tracked the serial number on that chair and got the number of a safety deposit box, somewhere out of country.” Chenny said. Beth raised her eyebrows- classic criminal, paying dor things from an off-shore account.

“Uh, cool. I’ll see if I can track it.” Beth said.

“Then, um I guess I should go.” Chenny said. Beth nodded. “Bye.”

“Bye.” said Beth. She waited for a few minutes to pass, and then stood up to get going. She had to time carefully, so that she wouldn’t run into Chenny on the way back. As she walked the desolate streets, rain started to patter. Beth ignored the rain as she pulled out the slip of paper which he had given her, containing the account number. She ran her eys over it as she walked into the lobby of her apartment building, dripping with rain. She let out a sigh as she repeatedly pressed the call-elevator button. Finally, the door dinged. Empty, thankfully. She pressed her floor number, and tucked the paper back into her pocket. Beth tapped her fingers on her leg, annoyed, as the elevator stopped a couple floors below hers’ to pick up another person- some guy in a hood. The elevator closed with a screech. Beth started to feel uncomfertable as she felt the persons’ eyes following her every movement.

“Hey, can you ma-” her comment was interrupted as a harshly swung metal rod hit her in the forhead, forcing her down with stunning impact. Beth groaned as the person rifled through her pockets before grabbing the slip of paper.

“What are you-” she groaned, but her question was once again ceased, as the person stopped her with a harsh kick to the ribbs. Beth grunted and rolled on the floor as the person stepped out of the elevator and her vision darkened till nothing was left.