CHAPTER FOUR

After Sparky had filled Peter in on what he had learned, and Peter had set him straight on who was in charge, Peter fired up the car. Before he could pull out three muscular men approached the car. One stood in front of the car, one was at Sparky’s window, and one at Peters. The one at Peters window started the conversation.

“You know, you look very familiar.”

“I am afraid you have the advantage on me.” Peter Stated calmly.

“In more than one way, my friend, now turn off the car, and you and your buddy there slowly step out of the car.” As he finished that statement, they noticed that all three placed their hands inside their coats. Sparky leaned back in his seat and placed his arms up towards his shoulders as if to stretch.

“Ah Peter it is such a nice day, perhaps a stroll is in order.”

In a flash, Sparky’s right arm stretched out and his fist knocked the man at his door back several feet. At the same time, his left hand extend all the way past Peter’s face and knocked the man at his window back several feet. As soon as his left arm retracted enough, Peter threw the car into gear and knocked the man in front of the car over onto the side walk. As Peter sped away. The three injured men scrambled into one of the cars parked nearby and followed in pursuit. It didn’t take long before shots began to be fired at Peter’s car.

“Sparky, I do believe that it is time to get some assistance from our friendly neighborhood police force.”

Sparky plugged in to the outlet on the dash and turned a couple of nobs.

“The closest units are up on the corner of Third and Vine.”

“Of Course, the coffee shop,” Peter remarked as he swerved the car though traffic, trying to avoid running into anyone, and at the same time trying not to get shot.

“Coming up on Vine,” Sparky called out and braced himself for the sharp left turn in front of oncoming traffic.

They managed to make the turn cleanly, but the pursuing car was not so lucky. The commotion did indeed get the two police cars attention. One took on the ones who were now pinned in their car, while the other pulled Peter over.

“Man, we are glad to see you!” Peter stated as the officers approached the car.

“I have my doubts about that,” the officer replied.

It was two hours later before an office came to the jail cell that the two of them had been not so politely been tossed into.

“The Lieutenant wants a word with you two.”

He unlocked the cell and led them up to Lieutenant Browns office.

“I got to hand it to you James, you know how to bring some of the dirtiest criminals out of the woodwork.” The Lieutenant commented as he rustled through some paper work.

“And I have to say that you have a strange way of thanking the ones that are trying to help you keep your job!” Peter said as the officer shut the door to the Lieutenants office.

“I think this makes us even, for you stealing my squad car.” The Lieutenant stated as he finished signing the papers in front of him and then looked up at Peter.

“I didn’t ‘steal’ anything!” Peter insisted emphatically.

“Right! Anyway, those three thugs that were chasing you are on no less than six, most wanted lists.”

“I told you Lieutenant, with the size operation that is going on at the F&D, it doesn’t surprise me. Now do you have all your people in place?”

At that the Lieutenant jumped to his feet and pointed at Peter.

“Look James, I don’t tell you how to be a Hustler, so don’t you even begin…”

“Calm down, Lieutenant, I will leave it all up to you. All I need, is a copy of the arrest reports, so I can collect to rest of my fees from Mrs. Ford. I do believe there will be more than enough evidence in them for her to get her divorce.”

“Look James, let me make this crystal clear, I don’t want or need you anywhere around when this operation goes down.”

“Don’t worry Lieutenant. We have a few other loose ends to take care of and with any luck, between your interrogations, and the return of Mrs. Fords missing file folders, you may be credited with a few more arrests. before this thing is all said and done” Peter stated as he turned to leave.

“James!” The Lieutenant said in a frustrated tone.

“Don’t worry, I will make sure you are there for any new evidence.”

Three days later, the combined efforts of five police precincts, had rounded up one of the biggest crime rings in city history. The F&D operation, including the underground renovated subway tunnels had been completely shut down.

Peter and Sparky had finished their final part of the investigation, and set an appointment with Mrs. Ford, to collect the rest of Peter's fee for the recovery of the files that had been stolen.

Mrs. Ford was fashionably late for her 4pm. appointment. Becky was just about to give up on her and leave when she walked in the front office door.

She sat down in one of the sets of chairs and waited for Becky to announce her arrival to Peter. After an exchange of dirty looks from both women, Becky walked to Peters door, opened it, and said in a perturbed tone,

“Your four o’clock, has finally made it. I am out of here and will see you tomorrow.” Becky, closed the door, went, and got her stuff, and as she was leaving stated,

“I do believe you are capable of going in without any assistance.”

Mrs. Ford huffed at her and walked into Peters office. The way Mrs. Ford was dressed, was most assuredly designed as to be an extraordinary distraction.

“Oh Mr. James, I knew I had made the right decision in hiring you. She said as she made her way around to the side of his desk. She slid a few papers out of the way and sat on the desk.

Sparky, who was seated in a chair off to the side, let out a low whistle.

“Okay then, I guess I will go on upstairs,” Sparking stated, and quickly made his way up the steps.

Peter tipped his hat to Sparky, then began,

“Mrs. Ford, I do believe…”

She bent over and got close to Peter’s face and whispered,

“Please call me Lori, I will not be Mrs. anybody soon.” She finished off with a big smile.

Peter cleared his throat and backed his chair up a touch.

“Very well, um Lori. I have recovered the missing files that you requested, and I also have the statements made by your husband, and several of the ones he was involved…”

“Shh Peter, I don’t want to know what that crumb had to say. My lawyer will serve him his papers soon enough. He and that “girlfriend” of his, along with those other crooks, will be getting what they deserve," she said sharply.

She reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope and placed in on the desk. She then leaned forward again letting her shirt open slightly.

“I um, put a little extra in there for you, you can count it after I leave. So now handsome, can I please have my files, and I will be on my way.” She said with another big smile.

“Well, there will be a small delay with that I am afraid.” Peter stated.

The smile quickly disappeared from Lori’s face, as she slid off the desk and stood up.

“What do you mean, a delay?”

“Well as you might expect, the police are going to want to examine those as part of the case against your husband.” Peter explained.

“But I thought you said you have them. Besides, those are my files, and have nothing to do with him.” She paused a moment and bent in front of Peter again.

“If you do have them, you could give them to me, and if the police need to see them, they could get them from me.”

“Well, Lieutenant Brown knows I have them, and is expecting to have me turn them over to him. Besides, I believe he has already gotten a look at some of the contents.”

Lori now stood up quickly and backed up a few steps. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small Derringer.

“In that case, you got about five seconds to produce that file, before you become an ex-hustler.”

Peter noticed the door to his office opening slowly, so he put up his hands and said.

“Calm down there Lori. The file is in my safe. I will get it for you.” Peter said as he stood up slowly.

“Keep facing me and keep your hands where I can see them. I assure you that I well know how to use this weapon.”

“I am sure you do” Peter stated as he slowly backed away.

In the next five seconds, four things happened in quick succession. (1) Peter dropped to the floor. (2) Lori’s shooting hand was karate chopped and a shot was fired at where Peter had be standing. (3) That same arm was quickly and painfully twisted behind her back, by Becky and (4) Lieutenant Brown and three other officers, rushed into Peters office.

Becky handed over Mrs. Ford so she could be handcuffed. Peter stood up and dusted himself off.

“I thought, you had gone for the night,” Peter said to Becky.

“No descent women, high class or not, dresses that way just to pay a bill.” Becky said with a sneer to Lori, as the officers were hauling her away.

“James. I am going to need a statement and that file, in the morning.” Lieutenant Brown stated.

“I will be there at 8 am. sharp,” Peter replied.

“Make it ten. I have two briefings tomorrow morning,” the Lieutenant said in a grumbling voice, as he left the office.

“I need to be going also,” Becky said as she turned to leave.

“Um, have you had dinner yet?” Peter asked.

“No, why? Are you offering?” She asked with raised eyebrows.

“Well, I can’t afford to give you a raise, but now that I have to add bodyguard, and nurse to your job description, I should at least spring for dinner.” Peter said as he grabbed his coat.

Becky, looped her arm in his and stated as they headed to the door,

“You know regular dinners out, could save me enough to where I might be persuaded to hold off asking for that raise.”

“Don’t push it.” Peter grumbled.