Corner Blitz by David Chill

Author:David Chill
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Mystery, Private Investigators, Hard-Boiled, Thriller & Suspense
Published: 2015-02-11T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

When I was on the LAPD, I saw this tragic scene unfold far too often. Losing a child is a calamitous event, from which many parents never recover. It is catastrophic beyond anything imaginable. The world normally dictates that children are supposed to bury their parents, hopefully after a long life. When parents have to bury their child, they bury much of themselves too.

The police interviewed Sofia's parents, and they wore the same heartsick look I had seen so many times in the past. The same look the Garcias had. They were in shock, they had no idea who would do such a thing. The locals weren't saying much, although various gang names came up as they always did. Bitter memories of scores not settled were bandied about by people in the neighborhood. They may or may not have been correct, but this kind of response would always be given. There were usually no eyewitnesses to the slaying, and the detectives were left without much to go on. Except in this case, the name Molly Palmer was now being openly discussed. Finally, Dennis Lally took me aside.

"Okay. Looks like your missing girl case is now priority one," he said.

"Sure," I said. "Everyone wants to talk to Molly now."

"Where do you think she is?"

"Gee, Detective, let me see. Hmmm. Does I don't know work for you?"

"You're doing a real bang-up job here, Burnside. I'll bet the governor gives you a bonus soon for all your great work."

"If he's still governor, that is."

"Oh, now you're a political guru, huh? You just have so much to offer. Why don't you take off and go do whatever it is you do. Leave the police work to the pros."

"Sure, you're a pro all right. How much have you accomplished? You eat sandwiches with the best of them."

We stared hard at each other for a long minute before Lally turned and walked away. My connection with Juan Saavedra probably saved me from a physical altercation or being cuffed and driven over to lock-up. As I walked away, though, I heard my name being called out. I turned and saw Adam Lazar approaching.

"Hey, you learn anything here?" he asked.

"Just that the cops know as much as we do," I said. "Maybe less."

"Yeah, those guys keep things too close to the vest. Where you headed?"

"Haven't decided. You?"

"Stone Canyon," Lazar declared. "Time to turn that place upside down."

"With that attitude, I'm sure you'll be entering from the back way again. Your dry cleaner will become rich getting those grass stains off your pants."

"Uh, yeah. I thought maybe I could ride in with you. I think I burned my bridges with that security guard."

I looked at Lazar and sighed. He was a handful of trouble, but I wasn't making much progress on my own.

"Why not," I said. "Park your car off of Beverly Glen, south of Sunset. There's a small street called Bainbridge Avenue. I'll pick you up over there."

The rain had stopped, but traffic was heavy as I made my way slowly out of downtown.

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