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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-11-2009 04:34

((Note: The phone call Zeo made to Vulkie few posts above happened later in the evening that same day))

Zeo held so tight onto Trepov's business card that his knuckle turned white. <i> Graham Barnes, that two headed snake. </i> Zeo thought. He knew about the bastard, how he got promoted to be Captain...

Lieutenant Barnes and Sergeant Zeo were under the same team not too long ago, and Barnes had been taking bribes from all the notorious gang members in the vicinity. About five months ago, their good captain planned to lead a raid to takeout Henri 'Hawkeye' Rizotto and his minion along with their gambling den. Barnes of course sold that piece of information to Hawkeye at a hefty price, but in the shadow he was planning his own little game. On the day of the raid Hawkeye single handedly topped the police troop, killing the captain. Barnes held his own team's attack until both parties were exhausted from the fight, and reaped the benefit in the end. Barnes killed Hawkeye and became the hero of the day. Zeo unknowingly participated in Barnes team, and only found out what really happened afterwards.

Barnes entire team got a promotion, but Zeo tried to steer away from Barnes as much as possible. There was nothing else he could do, for all the proofs had died along in the incident. Barnes had called Zeo the ungrateful bastard ever since, and Zeo just wanted to do his job without any association with that snake.

"I'm telling you Eric, if they put Barnes in the middle of this, we will never able to get Leon Kobetz. Ever." Zeo said with grinding teeth.

Aug-11-2009 04:37

"I don't know, Zeo. Maybe we don't have the whole picture. Barnes seem to be working with Cambridge and Ambassador Trepov quite well on this." Marvington replied. To Zeo, non-involvement seemed to be Eric's preference so far. He didn't know how to explain the whole history to Marvington. The clock was ticking; they only had a few days before Sergie's trial. With the way things were going now, he was not sure if Heimlich would survive to see that day. He just hoped Cambridge was wise enough to keep VonVictor's whereabout to himself alone... what if he wasn't? Zeo felt exasperated and marched out of Sami's, lighting another cigarette.

Early that evening Zeo called Vulkie to make sure she was alright. He didn't tell her about Barnes supposedly 'undercover' assignment to capture Bjorno Adelé. He wanted Vulkie to be on Barnes trail, to find out everything about the corrupt cop's dealings with the NKVD. 'Best that we find Leon Kobetz ourselves instead of relying on the untrustworthy self-proclaiming Captain', Zeo thought.

Zeo was restless, what if Cambridge did let Barnes and Trepov know about his association with Heimlich? The thin detective contemplated if he alone should trail Cambridge tonight just to make sure he was not being followed by the others.

Aug-12-2009 19:15

"Two pair! Aces over Kings!" Heimlich declared proudly as he placed his cards on the table, "What do you have Sergei?"

Kobetz smiled and placed his cards down, "Three two's defeats your Aces and Kings Mr. VonVictor!" he boasted.

"What?" Heim shouted, "That's ten hands in a row Sergei! You said you never played poker before!"

Sergei smiled, "Well maybe once or twice." he admitted.

Their conversation was interrupted as the door at the top of the stairs opened and a figure began to descend. "Evening boys! I hope you're hungry! I've cooked chicken fricassee for you!" the voice called from the top of the stairs. They quickly cleaned the cards off of the table as Richard placed the two dishes down in front of them

"Wow, Richard you've really outdone yourself!" Heimlich exclaimed, "This looks absolutely delicious!"

Cambridge smiled, "Thank you," he beamed, "I'm sorry I couldn't get back sooner. I had a meeting with Barnes today that ran late and then I had to stop by the store to pick up the food."

Kobetz raised his fork towards Richard and said through a mouth full of food, "Is good Mr. Cambridge! Thank you very much!"

Heimlich nodded in agreement, "Yes Richard, thank you very much. Now are you sure you weren't followed?"

Cambridge smiled, "If I was, then the person must think I'm awfully eccentric cooking myself a big dinner and then eating two separate plates of it by myself in my basement before returning to my kitchen to eat a third at my kitchen table."

Heimlich laughed, "I guess you're right," he said, "the safest place for us is with you. How did you know that I was involved in Sergei's disappearance?"

Cambridge put on his best poker face. "I took a guess. Your argument in court convinced me that he deserves more of a chance than Haliwell would have given him." he lied.

Heimlich nodded and asked, "Who is the new judge on the trial?"

Aug-12-2009 19:24

"Cooper," Cambridge replied, "Jacob Cooper. Someone involved in Haliwell's murder investigation found proof of the judge taking bribes and forwarded it to Cooper. As a result he declared a mistrial, so we start from square one on Tuesday."

"I suppose that's for the best," Heimlich responded, "but how are we going to get Sergei back into police custody for the trial?"

Cambridge winked, "Leave that to me," he teased, "I came up with a plan for that as soon as I offered my home to you. We'll drop him in the street outside the station on Monday night and have Eric or Joseph happen to pick him up and bring him in. He'll claim to have no memory of where he's been since the kidnapping."

"No!" Sergei interrupted, "Is not truth! Is lie! I will not lie! Sergei Kobetz is not guilty and Sergei Kobetz will not lie on stand!"

Cambridge glared at Kobetz, "You won't have to lie on the stand because neither of us will ask you that question on the stand. Just say it to the judge or he'll add escape onto your charges, which you did do."

"Did you make contact with the others?" Heimlich asked with a note of urgency in his voice.

"Yes," Cambridge replied, "and they're all fine. They're all safe, although they seemed reluctant to share information with me. I'm positive Eric knew something that he didn't reveal."

Heimlich scratched his chin, "I wonder why he would do that," he pondered, "and we're still no closer to figuring out who committed this murder!"

Cambridge and Sergei both nodded in false agreement.

Aug-12-2009 20:08

I knew Joseph was hiding something from me. I just didn't know what he was hiding. I heard it in his voice. He sounded tired and distraught and he didn't want me to worry.

After the phonecall,I went immediately to bed and slept.


**********Next day,8 a.m.***********

I woke up,made some breakfast and hurried towards the policestation. As I pulled my car up the parking place,I saw Bjorno Adelé entering the building. I made sure he was in,checked my outfit and hair and went in. As I went to Barnes's office,I noticed something strange; Joseph wasn't in yet. That's strange,because Joseph is always an early bird,grabbing his cup of coffee and going through cases.

As I looked at Joseph's desk,Barnes knocked on the window and pointed towards me to come in. I came in and said : "Sorry I'm a bit late Captain Barnes. I had to grab a cup of coffee first. Been a long night yesterday. Spent some quality time with...". Just then,Barnes cut my conversation off and I sat in the chair with my typewriter and began to type the conversation that Barnes and Adelé had. It was mainly about updates.

Just then,I noticed that Adelé was looking at me,curiously. He seemed to know me from somewhere,I thought. Oh no,he can see it is me. I almost began to panic but maintained very calm.

"End of conversation" Barnes said and I typed that and finished it. "Good work Valerie,good work. Give a copy to Mr. Adelé so he can show it to his friend." Barnes ordered and I made a copy.

Barnes left the office and Adelé and I stayed behind in his office.

"Don't I ghnow you not from somewhere?" Adelé said. "Not me sir,I've only been to this station for a few days. Before,I had work at the Tailor's place here in New York. It was fun,I made this dress all by myself" as I said and showed him the label to prove it was from the Tailor's shop.

"Alright,but your voice sounds very familiar. I'm sure I've ghmet you somewhere" Adelé said.

"Excuse me sir,here is your copy." I said and left.

Aug-12-2009 20:17

As I left the office,Adelé stared blank for him and tried to remember where he had heard that voice. When I left the office of Barnes,I saw him chatting a bit with Marvington and heard the words of "promotion" and "good work".

Joseph sat at his desk,with his hat over his face,snorring.

"Wake up Joseph" I whispered and Joseph placed his hat on the desk and looked at me. "What you want from me, "Valerie" " he said and I explained the situation.

"We've got to get you out of here. If he recognizes you,you will be "dead". Cover blown and you will be brought to the office of the NKVD." Joseph said and he escorted me towards the entrance.

Just then,Adelé came walking out of the office,shouted : "Halt,NKVD. Stop that lady and that man" and pulled his gun out. Joseph immediately turned,pulled his gun out and fired a shot. It hit the water boiler where Barnes and Marvington were chatting and it dripped dry.

I started to run,towards the entrance,but was floored by Barnes. "You're not going anywere. You're under arr..." Barnes said,and just in time,Joseph gave him a kick,pulled me up and ran with me out of the office.

"I'll get you for this Zeo. Your head is mine!" he shouted and we went for the parking place.

As we ran towards Joseph's car,it was suddenly blown up,by a car bomb. We took cover behind another car and just then,Adelé came around the corner. Joseph fired shots at him and hit him in the arm.

"My car is nearby Joseph. We can make it,we just need to make a run for it and you need to give me cover." I said quietly and Joseph nodded.

And so we ran. The car was 30 meters away and Joseph fired some shots and I ran towards the driver's seat. Suddenly,a bullet was fired and I felt a sudden pain in my leg.

"OUCH!" I screamed and Joseph came rushing towards me,dragging me behind a car that was near my car.

"It's not bad,the bullet is stuck,we can get rid of it at a safe place" Joseph said and he dragged me towards the driver's seat....

Aug-12-2009 20:26

Joseph tore a piece of his shirt to stop the bleeding and getting pressure on it. Just then,another bullet was fired and Joseph fired some shots back.

Joseph opened the door and just then,another bullet was fired and shattered the window. "Joseph,get to the other side of the car,quickly and from the passenger's seat,hoist me up in the seat." I said and Joseph did so.

I shut the door of the driver's seat,started the car and drove away from the station.

As Joseph and I drove and drove,we started to think of place we could be safe. Just then,I remembered.

"Heimlich and Kobetz's old safehouse. We can use it. It's still unknown to the NKVD. Our first safehouse,you remember. My apartment and your apartment aren't safe anymore,that's for sure. They'll tore up my apartment,searching for clues" Joseph said and stared out of the window. I got him again in trouble, I thought, and this time,it wasn't as easily forgivable.

I took everything from Joseph away,it was all my fault,I thought. I took his job at the police station. I took his apartment away,probably. I...

Just then,we arrived at the safehouse. Joseph pulled he out and escorted me towards the bathroom and took all measures to remove a bullet.

"This is going to hurt a little bit. Just stay still and take a sip of whiskey against the pain" Joseph said and handed me the bottle. I took a sip and Joseph almost started,when I said : "Wait. This was just the test sip for the whiskey. It's a great 12 year old one" I said and laughed at Joseph. Joseph gave me a "just hurry up" - look. I took another sip and braced myself for the removal of the bullet. Within seconds,it lay in a tray and Joseph stitched me up.

I thanked Joseph for this,he layed me in bed and started to make a phonecall...

Aug-13-2009 12:34

Zeo picked up the phone and started dialing. There was only one person in the world whom he wanted to talk to. 'No.' Zeo quietly said to himself and hung up. He could see Anais' wise and intelligent eyes in his mind, but for some reason he just couldn't put himself through calling her. This was not the first time.

Picking up the receiver again to dial for another number, Zeo read from the small business card in his hand. "Ambassador Trepov? Joseph Zeo.... You know already? Yes, I am sure Barnes have told you about it... yes, but she's the one who helped us get the right judge to prevent the wrong Kobetz from getting convicted. We both want the same thing, to catch the real murdered... Do you know the music room by the shore and 63rd?... Good! Tell Angela Caban that you need room 'Zero'. I'll meet you there at 12 noon."

Lighting another cigarette, Zeo past by Vulkie's room to see her fast asleep. The girl should be alright. Zeo knew that the arrest would happen eventually, he just didn't imagine them going out with a bang. Someone had planted a bomb in his car. The police headquarter by now was of course no longer a safe place. Eric was on his own, beyond Zeo's reach now. The thin lieutenant (if he's still one) just hoped Marvington was not too trusting with Barnes. There was however someone whom he could warn; someone who perhaps would listen to some sense.

Zeo wrote a note, to tell Vulkie not to worry, and that he'd be back soon. He didn't tell her where he was going, for he knew the headstrong girl might come after him with a badly injured leg. Vulkie needed rest.

He then took up his summer jacket and lowered his fedora before exiting from the side door.

Aug-13-2009 12:35

* * *
1542 Rancine street. The place gave out a chill even in the middle of a late summer morning. It didn't take long for Richard Cambridge to answer the doorbell, which was a bit out of tune.

"Prosecutor Cambridge, this is Joseph Zeo."

"I know who you are, but what business brings you here?" Cambridge eyed the surrounding defensively.

"Don't you worry. I'm not being followed." Zeo then smiled slyly, "That's a great appetite you had last night. Three full chicken dishes..."

Cambridge took in a deep breath and made his already tall frame loomed over Zeo. "Lieutenant I have no idea what you're trying to imply--"

"Nothing. I do not try to imply anything. I am here only to say a few words, to you, Mr. Cambridge, and I do not intend to go inside. I don't want 'anything' to be compromised either."

"You could've called." Cambridge said quietly.

"Don't you know the Bureau now have the ability to tap into people's telephone conversation? You never know who's listening. So, I need to let you know: do not trust anyone with 'what' you have. Especially Barnes."

"I do believe you have prejudice against the Captain..." Cambridge defended.

"Please! Just... don't let him know. You all don't know Barnes..." Zeo broke off in mid sentence. Whenever he felt emotional his words tend to fail him. He needed another cigarette; Zeo sighed. "Trepov have captured another NKVD agent, who might give us more leads." Cambridge's brows narrowed together for a fraction of a second. Zeo wondered if he had said too much, but continued with his final sentence, "I thought 'uncle' should know about this. Good day." Zeo tipped his hat down and left Rancine street.

Aug-13-2009 12:36

* * *

The music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky floated out from the numberless room at the back of Angela Cuban's music studio. Zeo recognized it as a piece from Opera Eugene Onegin. Trepov must have gotten here before he did, and it was only ten minutes to 12pm.

His headache had been bugging him all morning. It seemed like the pain had gradually gotten worse since the car accident. Zeo tried to shake the headache away to no avail. He pressed down on the handle and the door pivoted open. He couldn't believe what he saw in front of him.