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Oct-6-2009 15:36

Things don't always go as you would want them to go. I looked at the dead body of 26 year old Carol Fisher. She had been mutilated by someone. Stabbed a total of seven times and then shot once in the head. The local police knew who the killer was. The problem was finding him. They had a name. They had proof. They had physical evidence that linked him to the crime and witness evidence. It was enough evidence to put him a way for life.

I was worned that he is a master of disguises. He can disapper with the blink-of-an-eye.

Detective Thomas McDonald looked at me when I was finished examining the body. "I heard about your reputation around here."

"What about it?" I asked

"If you can catch our killer, Charles Craig, I can promise a handsome reward." he replied.

I thought about it. Money. I needed money real bad. I was behind on rent for both my apartment and my office. Money is good.

"Fine. I'll take it," I said and I left back for my office. I reviewed the background and case file of Mr. Craig. This wasn't going to be easy, that was for sure. I decided to make a phone call to a few friends of mine to see if they would be interested in making some decent money in helping to find a killer who could blend in to even the smaller crowds.

It was dark and there was nothing I could do for the night. I'd have to start in the morning. So I went home for the night to get some sleep. The next morning, went to my office to make a call to a few friends to see if they'd be interested in making a few dollars in helping to find this killer.

Oct-11-2009 12:39

"Why thank you, Detective Maltese. I am rather fond of it, myself," the reporter replied. Then, addressing the room at large, she went on, "Good day to you all. I am a reporter with The New York Post, and I want to apologize to you, Detective Lacrimosa, about the article. I know it will make the case more difficult for you. I was the one who found the story, and I had not been going to name names, but an... overeager copy boy grabbed it and printed it up," Nellie was keeping a visible hold on her temper.

"You are that reporter friend of Heimlich VonVictor, aren't you?" Lacrimosa leaned in to peer at Nellie's face.

"Yes, we met briefly at the Tricky Mister, quite awhile ago," Nellie confirmed. "He made sure I knew the rules about publishing ongoing investigations. Which is why I am here. I am offering any help that I may be to make amends for any of the hardships the Post's indiscrations may have caused for you. I can do research, question people, and do stakeouts, if need be."

Vulkie had been eying Nellie suspiciously. "What is in it for you?" she finally inquired of Nellie.

"The story when it is done, of course," Nellie tipped her head slightly to the left.

"The Post sent you?" an amazed Charlie inquired.

Nellie blushed ever so faintly. "Not exactly."

"That sounds like a 'No!' to me!" piped up Molly.

Oct-11-2009 12:57

Molly clapped her hands and hopped a little, her red lipstick sparkling in the light.

"My my, how very exciting!" she said vibrantly. Leaning in close to Nellie, she made shifty eyes in a very exaggerated way. "What's the deal? In danger of losing your job? Will you get in very much trouble if the Post catches you doing research of a Definitely-Not-Quite-Legitimate persuasion?"

Nellie shoved Molly away lightly and spent the next few minutes trying to rub away the tiny smudges Molly's dark eye makeup had left. Slighly abashed, Molly abruptly twined her hands together and assumed a business-like air.

"And what about the rest of you? What're you bringing to the table?" she asked, looking around the lose circle and purposely making eye contact with everyone in the room.

Oct-11-2009 20:06

There were four detectives and one reporter in my tiny office. It was cramped. "First off nothing personal, Nellie is it? I dont much like reporters so here my rules. If you are going to be on this team making front pages, only I will say what goes on the record and what stays off the record. Is that clear?" I said.

Nellie looked at me flustered. "Fine." she said

I looked at Charlie. He couldn't have been any younger than I. Maybe by a year or two..but who knows....I've been wrong before.

"I'm assuming all of you have heard about the case I'm taking and have something to offer for help. Correct me if I'm wrong," I said, "so here is what we have. Nellie, this is off the record, "I said looking at her. "Charles Craig is thirty-five years old. He is a master of disguises and can blend in into even the smallest crowd of about five people and we'll never find him. Mr. Craig is a slim man, about 5'7 with hair that he slicks back under is fedora. He has connections with La Cosa Nostra, so if they know anything about him, they won't tell us. We have a better chance at being shot with Tommy Guns than getting information from them. However, I did look into his background. He has made some enemy's with certain people; some being his family. We may be able to get some information out of them." I said.

Nellie looked up at me. "I have access to City Hall's Hall of Records. I can get some information about him and bring it to you and you chose what goes in the paper and what doesn't. I can also pick up information in some areas of the city..I have contacts that know something about everyone." She said.

It seemed to me that everyone wanted a part in this case. Myself, Vulkie, Charlie, Molly, and Nellie. Molly and Nellie were interested. I knew Vulkie was too. I looked at Mr. Charlie. "So, do you want to take a shot into the case of Mr. Charles Craig?"

Oct-11-2009 21:07

Molly listened as Marc spoke, and nodded decisively. The falsely-moustached man sounded a lot like Craig. She weighed the options in her mind, and then cleared her throat, looking thoughtfully out the window as everyones eyes turned to her.

"Well, I wasn't going to say this, since the less people know about who I am the better, I've found." Molly began haltingly, but her voice strengthened and she looked Marc in the eye. "How sure are you that no one in La Cosa Nostra will talk about Craig? Because I am... acquainted with one or two Santanellis about midway up the food chain. If...you wanted me to, I could see what I can find out from them."

She flashed a big smile, and then shook her head firmly as Nellie started to ask what she meant. "It's better I stay Molly Maltese to you all. Unfortunately, it could mean life or death."

Her thoughts strayed once more to Jack, and then she blinked and smiled graciously.

"Or I could work on another assignment, your call, Lacrimosa."

Oct-12-2009 07:15

Charlie looked around the room then back at Marc " I'm in I need a real description of Craig though. " He said.

" Good I want you Charlie to go to Lucilla Craig its his sister see if you can get anything useful from her." Lacrimosa said.

" Sure thing I'm on it. Lets all meet at the Tricky Mister tonight at 8 sound good?" Charlie asked.

Everyone nodded their agreement. With that Charlie headed out the door he knew time was working against him. Cases like this were always working against time. As Charlie made his way down the sidewalk he felt rain drops and looked up in time to see the black clouds rolling in.

Charlie climbed in his car and headed over to the address of Ms. Lucilla Craig. Charlie got out of his car and made his way up to the front door of a rather nice house on the outskirts of the city.

Charlie rang the door bell and.........

Oct-12-2009 11:16

"Hmm,nobody didn't ask me anything yet.." Vulkie thought. "Well,I can still be of any help though. I'll go after Charlie,making sure he's alright."

***10 minutes later***

Charlie rang the doorbell of Lucilla Craig's house and he went in. For the 5 minutes that past,it stayed silent. Then,the door opened. Charlie gave a hand to Ms. Craig and went down the stairs. Just as I approached him,a car sped up in the street and 2 tommyguns stuck out of the window. "Charlie,DUCK!" I yelled and pulled out my Colt .38 revolver. Charlie ducked to the ground and evaded the gunfire. Unfortunately,I saw one body sink to the floor and a door hanging in the hinches.

"My god,a massacre..." I murmered and I ran up to help Charlie up.

"What you got out of Lucilla?" I asked. "Why?" Charlie replied and I turned him around and Charlie turned green immediately at the sight.

"That's why. So,what you know now?" I asked and waited for a reply..

Oct-12-2009 13:51

Charlie and Vulkie left to pay Lucilla Craig a visit. I looked at Nellie and said, "Nellie, I want you to go down to City Hall's Hall of Records and get any information you can about Charles Craig. Any thing." Then I looked at Molly. "You and I will go into town and see what we can dig up about about him."

Nellie nodded and left. Molly and I left my office and took my Ford Model A into town. Our first stop was at his mother's house; Margaret Craig. Molly knocked on the door. There was no response. "Mrs. Craig," I called out, "It's the police. We have some questions for you about your son, Charles."

Still nothing. I looked around and there was no vehicle so maybe she wasn't home. As I looked at Molly, she took the words right out of my mouth and said "Let's come back later."

"Good idea." I replied. We left

***20 minutes later***

It was noon and we had a break in the case. After we left his mother's house we started talking to people in the street asking them if they knew him. It was risk I was willing to take but finally we got someone that knew him. His favorite place to eat was Sami's. SO that's where we went.

We walked into Sami's . As we walked in we saw him. Charles Craig himself rushing passed us. He pushed us out of his way running out of the restaurant. "CHARLES! FREEZE!" I yelled. Molly and I ran after him. He was fifteen feet in front of us. And there was the after noon crowd. I knew we'd lose him. He stopped and turned around giving us a sly grin on his face. We continued to run toward him. Ten feet away and the crowd surrounded him. We slowed to a walk, with Molly giving people a gentle push and I doing the same.

He was gone. I only hoped that Nellie, Charlie, and Vulkie had better luck.

Oct-12-2009 14:48

Frowning in concentration, Molly studied their surroundings in thought.

"That's definitely him, Lacrimosa." Molly said with a decisive nod. "He seems to have opted for a less extravagant moustache for this segment...there's something I don't understand though."

Reaching into her pocket she methodically made notes on the case on the small notepad she carried around. She scrawled a few lines and then shut it with a snap.

"Here's what I don't understand." She said, turning to Lacrimosa. "Why is Charles Craig still in New York? The Tricky Mister, Sami's. All his old haunts basically. He's a wanted killer with his name and his victims name splashed on the front of every major newspaper in the city, and he's still HERE? I would be in Shanghai by now!"

She resumed her sharp pace, sweeping her hair behind her shoulders. Suddenly she smiled at Lacrimosa, as she lifted a hand to punctuate her words.

"Charles Craig is still here in New York for a reason. If we find out the reason, maybe we can apprehend him! He has to be in hiding, is there any word on his last known address?"

Oct-13-2009 21:28

There we were with nothing. It was time to start all over again.

We went back to his mother's house and she was home this time. When Molly introduced her self as a detective, she knew her son had killed someone. "Charles has always had a bad temper," She said, "even the smallest things would make him mad, which is why he killed that poor girl."

"Ma'am," I said, "Do you know where we could find him? I understand he is a master at disguises but he needs to be brought in."

Mrs. Craig let out a sigh. She didn't want to have her only son behind bars rotting for the rest of his life. But she didn't want to have a son who would kill again if given the chance.

"Since he is wanted in this part of Sleuthville," She said, "he will most likely go to another bar. One in particular that he is well known at is outside of Sleuthville and in the lower east side of Manhattan. I'm not familiar with the name, but I know it's there."

The lower east side....that's where I grew up and it's not a pretty place. That area is crawling with crime and future mob bosses. Yes, I was grew up there and might I say, my parents were happy when I joined the army instead of taking a life to crime. But it doesn't matter; that area is dangerous.

We thanked her and left. It was five minutes until 8:00 p.m. Molly and I got to the bar and walked inside. No sooner had we sat dow, Vulkie came through the door. She looked like she had been to hell and back and Charlie didn't look much better.

They sat down across from us. It was still a few minutes early. Nellie should be here any minute. I looked at my pocket watch. Ten minutes went by and she didn't show up. I knew Nellie could handle her self. I sent her to City Hall alone because that's where most reporters went to get research done for their papers.

I looed at Vulkie and Charlie. "We spoke with Craig's mother today. It seems he is well known in the lower east side of Manhattan," I said, (cont...)

Oct-13-2009 21:35

"We'll have to go and check it out-"

I was cut short by Charlie. "That's kind of a dangerous place for detectives to be snooping around don't you think?"

Molly and Vulkie both nodded. I agreed. "Yes, it is dangerous. I do know that town like the back of my hand. I grew up there so I think I know which bar that his mother was talking about. Which is why we follow him out of the city quietly. Don't attract attention to your self when we go. We go in quietly and anonymously and we leave that way. He can't stay in the city for ever. He hasn't got any money. Which means he'll probably go begging to mommy for money." I said

We stayed quiet for a full minute trying to assess how we were going to do this.

"How did you two do today?" I asked.

Vulkie was about to reply when Nellie burst through the door.

"You guys aren't going to BELIEVE what I found about Charles Craig!" She said excitedly. I knew it was good news...It had to be.