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Jul-25-2009 17:35

"This book was written by Heimlich VonVictor & describes true events that occured during his time as a detective." As he finished these final words on his manuscript he dropped his pen onto the desk. He had just referred to himself as a detective in the past tense for the first time in his life.

He didn't want to believe that it was over, but when one takes pen to paper and scribes one's life story as a matter of record, there was a sense of finality to it.

He picked up the stack of papers before him, each page a piece of a life he would never get to live again. He looked up at the framed newspaper article celebrating his 100th case solved as a detective. It had already started to yellow and fade.

He walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of gin and a glass. Even if it was a bittersweet occasion, it called for a celebration, and that meant a good Tom Collins.

He looked up at the plaque on the wall that his agency presented him upon his retirement.

"Retirement! Psh! That's rich!" he grumbled out loud to no one in particular. He remembered the exact conversation.

Eric had called him into his office and said it very clearly, "Heim, you're a liability. Some of the stunts you've been pulling lately have got the other detectives mighty scared."

He had tried to brush it off, "I'm a liability!? Do you realize how much money I pull in for this agency each year? You should be down on your hands and knees thanking me for being able to make bank!"

Eric sighed at him, "Heim, I can't keep you on. The Baltimore incident was the last straw. We'll let you retire, and we'll let it look like it was your decision to do so. We'll keep it out of the papers."

What choice did he have? He had put on a grin, went to the dinner, accepted his plaque, and faded into obscurity.

He was reliving this oh so favorite of memories when the phone rang. Startled, he dropped his drink on the floor and the glass shattered.

Aug-8-2009 14:27

Eric was shocked. Russian assassins in New York! How had they gotten in? More importantly Heimlich was protecting one of the most dangerous ones right now and he had no way of reaching him! After a minute of mulling things over he said, “Mr. Bjarkhov, we’re going to take my car back to the station. When we get there I’m going to see what I can do about putting you into protective custody and getting your wife and daughter back.”

They exited the apartment and walked towards the car carefully. The street was completely abandoned, which was strange for any New York City neighborhood at this time of day. He handed Bjarkhov his keys, “Start the car,” he said, “and I’ll be back in a minute. I want to canvass the neighborhood and make sure there are no surprises waiting for us.” Bjarkhov opened the passenger door and got into the car. Eric walked up towards the nearest alley with his gun drawn; it wasn’t unusual for these types to hide in alleys. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the car start behind him and then a tremendous bang, which knocked him to the ground. He stood up and turned around to see a burning pile of wreckage where his car had been only seconds before. He felt something warm on his head, so he reached up, felt it, and pulled his hand away, blood. He must have cut his head when he fell.

Somebody didn’t want him to get out of here alive. Somebody didn’t want him to share the information that Bjarkhov had just imparted with his friends. Somebody had just killed accidentally killed the prosecution’s chief witness. And it looked like that somebody was nowhere to be found.

It would make sense to be as far away from the scene as possible, he thought to himself as he began the long walk back to the station.

Aug-8-2009 15:45

"Something's not right" Joseph said to me. "I just saw a man with an army visor cap going into my Captain's office." Joseph said. "When I tried to ask Barnes's secretary about it,she refused to say a word about it." Joseph said.

"Army visor cap? Let me think if I know any guys which such caps" I replied and I began to think. And then,it flashed in. "No,it couldn't be...." I said. "What couldn't it be Vulkie. Tell me,please!" Joseph demanded.

"It's... It's... It's that NKVD guy,that tried to get me then." I replied to Joseph,who looked astonished.

"You mean the NKVD is here,in the building?" Joseph whispered. "We've got to get you out of here,the room at least. They sure would like to have a word with me,that's for sure. Barnes has been looking into this case about Kobetz,almost from the beginning." Joseph said and so,we began to slowly walk downstairs,past the office.

And suddenly,the blinds went open and Barnes knocked on the window. "Zeo,come in here. Let the lady wait,she can talk to you anytime. This is important" Barnes said and Joseph looked at me,nervously. I nodded,knowing what he was thinking. As soon as he went in,I had to make my way out of this room asap.

Joseph went into the room,and just as the NKVD "chief" turned around,the blinds were pulled shut by Joseph.

As I was walking towards the exit,I thought it would be handy to listen to the conversation. So I took a glass of water,placed it on the window silently and started to listen.

"Zhis will not be tolerated in Russia if you were there. Failure is no option. You would immediately get a bullet in the ghead." the NKVD chief said.

"We will assure you,Lieutenant Joseph is the best person to crack the hardest cases. He has done things most people would be scared of and that means a lot here." Barnes said.

"We can assure you,sir,that we will find this Kobetz and deliver him to you,asap. We know what to do. In fact,we got a nice lead" Joseph said

And then,the doorknob rumbled

Aug-8-2009 16:02

I quickly placed the glass back where it belonged,made my way downstairs and slipped somewhere in,not knowing it was the lockerroom full of women.

"Hey there cutie. Can I help you? " a blonde woman said. "Ehmm,no,I was actually looking for the toilets,but I saw my ex-friend. Ya know how that is,ex-boyfriends. Furious you left them,dumped them and wanting you back." I said and the blonde nodded.

"I'll walk you towards the toilet,don't be scared" she said and I was escorted towards the toilets.

As I got back,I saw Joseph smoking a cigarette,almost if his nerves were breaking it.

"Are you.... Are you alright Joseph?" I said. "Vulkie. Take a look at this..." he said and he shoved a paper towards me.

"But.... But this is an arrest warrent Joseph. For who is it?" I asked.

"Actually.... It's for you. The NKVD gave you up as their prime suspect,of kidnapping Kobetz probably and refusing to cooperate." Joseph said.

Just then,I saw Barnes coming out of his office,looking suspicously towards Joseph. "They ain't got your picture,so no worries. There's only a description. I suggest you got to the Tailor's and the Hairdresser,today,and take a new style of clothes and haircolor. We can eventually mask you with this,making the arrest warrent useless. I'll drive you towards the Tailor and the Hairdresser." Joseph said.

And so,we departed from the policestation,to get me a new outfit. I picked a nice,yellow dress with a nice skirt and my haircolor was dyed blonde,since I was a brunette.

As we returned to the policestation,we saw Barnes again,with the NKVD chief. He probably returned from a small lunch break,since I saw a napkin of Sami's on a desk,probably left there by him.

And just as I sat nicely in a comfortable chair,I saw the NKVD chief coming towards Joseph. "Don't forget Lieutenant,I want a full scale report,within 24 ghours." the NKVD chief said and he left.

Then,Barnes came out of his office,looking a bit nervous....

Aug-8-2009 16:17

"Zeo,make that report,immediately" he said,pointing a finger towards him. "And don't have so much ladies here on the station. What you do at home with them,I don't care,but get rid of her."

"Yes sir,immediately sir." Joseph answered,staring blankly in front of him. "And stop that grinning!" Barnes demanded.

"Sorry sir" Joseph said and began to type. "Well miss Juliano,you reported a break-in at your house...." Joseph said,as he watched Barnes leaving the room.

"Alright,this is what we do..." Joseph said,just as the phone began to ring.

"Joseph Zeo,homicidal department,how can I help you" Joseph said and listened to the call.

"Vulkie,that was Heimlich. It seems that Eric has some new information for us,regarding Kobetz and a "new suspect" . Also...." Joseph said.

"What's the matter Joseph. Oh no,you don't mean...." I replied and Joseph nodded.

"Eric had his hands on Vladmir Bjarkhov,but he got "accidentely" blown up. I swear it,the pile of forms is just getting bigger for me" Joseph said and sighed. I tapped him on his shoulder. "We're close to the end Joseph. I feel it. We can still solve this. We got in this deep,let's finish it!" I said to Joseph and that little pep talk seemed to have done much for him.

Just then,Barnes came walking in again. "I TOLD YOU TO GET RID OF THAT LADY!" he shouted towards Joseph.

"I'm terribly sorry sir,for keeping your Lieutenant busy. You see,my house was burglarized and..." I said and Barnes smiled towards me. "No offend lady. My Lieutenant has a lot of work to do,don't you Zeo?" he said and grinned. "Yes Barnes" Joseph replied. "IT'S STILL CAPTAIN FOR YOU!" Barnes shouted and invited me in his office for a nice cup of coffee....

Aug-8-2009 16:30

"Here is your coffee. Do you need sugar?" Barnes asked. 'No,I'm sweet of myself" I replied and Barnes began to laugh. "That's a good joke lady,I like that. Maybe we could go out some time,have a nice bit of dinner." Barnes said.

"Well,you are a captain. That's pretty high huh?" I asked and looked at the certificates in his room and his "throphies". Barnes acquired a lot of them,the recently one was being 40 years in service.

"Yes,that's high. Ah,I still remember the day of when I first started here. Just a plain cop,like Zeo was. I was made captain and he was made Lieutenant. Did he ever told you that story?" Barnes asked. "No,he didn't. But I will ask him" I replied and sipped my coffee.

"Mr. Barnes,Captain,if it isn't asked too much.... I would like to work for the police maybe. I always have been interested in police work and police men,but I don't have a job at the moment. Could you maybe find something for me? A kind of secretary job?" I replied,lifting a bit of my skirt up. "You're hired!" Barnes immediately said and he brought me back to Zeo.

"Zeo,meet my replacement secretary. When Molly is on vacation or on a free day,Miss.... What's your name sweetie?" Barnes asked. "Miss Juliano. Valerie Juliano,captain" I said. "Well,she's going to replace Molly on her free days and on vaction days. Just to inform you. Now,how is that report going on?" Barnes asked.

"Being busy sir,with writing it. Almost finished it." Joseph replied and Barnes went back to his office,tapping on my shoulder.

Joseph grabbed me by my shoulder and almost yelled,but still whispered : "Are you mad! Working here?! You must be out of your mind. If that NKVD chief comes back,you will be dead!" Joseph said.

"I know. But this is the best way to get some new information. Also,I've changed my hair and clothes style,so I won't be easy recognized. Only if he's seen my face,which he hasn't. So I'm safe here." I replied and Joseph sat back in his chair and sighed....

(cont)

Aug-8-2009 16:36

"I really could use a drink" Joseph said. "Well then,Lieutenant,let's go out for a drink. My treat" I said and so we went to The Tricky Master bar. I ordered a Bloody Mary and Joseph ordered a whiskey. The shady figure,sitting in the back,nodded to us. He came to us,shaking Joseph's hand and sat with us,wanting to know what happened in the daily life of us.

"Well,we can't really tell. Secret job Shady. You should know all about that" I said and Shady nodded.

"Yea,that's right. I know everthing ya guys need to know,don't I" he said and sipped his own drink,a beer.

"Well Shady,it was nice,but we've got to go." Joseph replied,being a bit annoyed of Shady and we shook his hand and departed to my safehouse,to only find a note from Heimlich.

"Sorry guys for leaving you. Kobetz needs to be hided. This safehouse ain't "safe" anymore. Left you directions towards new safehouse. Meet us there.

Heimlich,Sergei and Eric"

So,we locked the place up tight and went back to the car. "Joseph.... What happened here,between us... I.... I'm sorry for getting you in such trouble. You know how I act,just to reach the goal first." I said and Joseph blinked his eyes. "You're not crying,are ye?" I said and gave Joseph a small punch. "Now I'm crying,of pain" Joseph replied and I laughed and Joseph laughed.

"So,let's go to the new safehouse!" As I said when I started the car and so we drove towards the new safehouse.

Aug-8-2009 17:28

(Srry guys. I made a small mistake,which Heimlich pointed out for me. As I said in my second part,Heimlich phoned us. This is not possible,because Eric couldn't contact Heimlich in any way. So let's assume Eric called Joseph xD. Again,srry)

Aug-8-2009 17:48

(also,last part,forget Eric's name on the letter with directions + the letter with directions. heimlich wants to be not found xD. Just noticed that also)

Aug-8-2009 19:28

((correction to Vulkie's last line above:

...Joseph replied and I laughed and Joseph laughed.

"So, as I've told you. Heimlich is not here in your safe house anymore, and he didn't leave a note or anything. Let's return to the police station. That's the place he will call to find us when he has settled Kobetz. According to Eric's call earlier, he's on his way to the station too. Let's go." ))

Zeo returned to the police station with Vulkie, and found Marvington sitting his the office holding onto a bad cut on his forehead.

"Where the hell have you two been? I thought you're supposed to stay in the station and wait for Heimlich's call." Eric said, breathing heavily.

"That's a nasty cut you got there!" Vulkie said, "Let me help you!"

"Don't change the subject!" He was definitely in a bad mood.

"Hey buddy, I know you've been through a lot, but so have we. Look!" Zeo threw Marvington the arrest warrant on Vulkie. The injured cop read the warrant over and over, then he looked at the 'new' Vulkie.

"Blonde." Vulkie smiled. "You like it?" She finished patching up Marvington and was happy with her work.

"You could try red next time, then you'll understand how I feel. Being called a carrot all my life!" Marvington smiled for the first time since he was in the station. He looked around the station office. "I guess the most dangerous place IS the safest place for her. No one could guess that she's hiding in the police station."

"I think she'd be alright for now. Back to what you found out. You said that Bjarkhov told you Leon, Sergei's brother killed the Romanskis?" Zeo asked. Marvington nodded." So Heimlich is hiding one of Russia's most notorious assassin, but he didn't know about it..."

Aug-8-2009 19:57

"But there's no way to inform Heimlich about this. We can only wait for his call..." Vulkie said.

"Where the hell is the guy anyway? What's taking him so long?" Zeo lit another cigarette and offered Marvington one.

"There is also one thing that has always bothered me." Marvington said, "Heimlich told me he got a call from someone and that's how he got involved in the case. He never told me how the guy on the phone convinced him to take the case, but he did say that he had never met that person. Who is he?"

"Could it be Leon?" Vulkie asked.

"It would be silly, getting one of the best detective to defend your own brother, when you did the killing yourself..." Zeo exhaled.

Just then, Barnes poked his head into Zeo's office. "What is this? The Ritz? Zeo you better get back to work. Look at that disgusting pile on your desk!"

Zeo was furious. That lazy-bastard-unable-to-solve-a-case was part of the reason why Zeo's desk was piling up. "I am discussing a case here with Eric here. Urm, I got him to work on some stuffs for me."

"Have you applied for a temporary transfer? Have you submitted the application to Hogan?" Barnes grilled. Formalities and paperwork, that's all the bastard was good at. Zeo thought.

"Captain Hogan had already approved it." Marvington intervened. "There isn't much work in the missing persons department anyway. People don't go missing in this city long. Their bodies usually get washed up by the shores, so like myself they get transferred to homicide."

"Very funny!" Barnes barked, then he mellowed down and looked at Vulkie "Hey skirts, you wanna come to my office? I have some work for you."

"I thought she only works when Molly's off," Zeo protested, "Sir." He added sarcastically.

"Well she ain't right now. She just conveniently took the afternoon off." Barnes said and waved Vulkie over.

Zeo whispered to Vulkie as she walked passed him, "You be careful, and try to find out whatever you can."