Chapter One:
The day started off shitty. It was 2:33 am on Sunday or Monday depending on how you look at it. I hate Mondays. Not like the goofy cat in the newspapers. I mean I truly dread Mondays, nothing good ever happens on Mondays. As a rule of thumb I usually I have Monday’s off. Well I did before I got suspended. The Lieutenant didn’t like my attitude. Told me I was being insubordinate. I didn’t give fuck. I saved a little girl’s life and put a monster in the ground, but that’s not the story you’re here for. I never should’ve answered my phone. I should’ve turned it off, but I didn’t. Ride of the Valkyries blared from my cell phone and damn near gave me a heart attack. It woke my girlfriend, Brandy, up. She was pissed. Normally, I would’ve been too, but she pissed me off earlier that night. Sunday night was “Happy Night” and Brandy wasn’t feeling happy so she went to bed early. “She had early day,” she said. Then she quoted some bullshit Chinese proverb her granny Bai used to tell her. The early bird or some shit. I’m getting off the point.
I looked at my phone. It was some expensive touch screen led flashing gizmo. Brandy gave it to me for my birthday. I didn’t like it but what the hell, it was free. My mama always said, “Never turn down anything free.” The screen was flashing and vibrating. Damn near gave me a seizure or was it a heart attack. It was Sergeant Phillip Edwards on the other line. If I was smart I would’ve pushed ignore, hell I should’ve pushed ignore, but something about this phone call drew me in. I mean it felt like destiny was waiting on the other line. “Are you gonna answer that?” Brandy half groveled. “No I like this song,” I snapped back. “Dammit Chris! Some of us have to work in the morning.” She yelled as she hit me with a goose down pillow.
I answered it. I wish didn’t but I did. The phone hissed and static poured in from the other end. It was raining or maybe he was standing under water. Ace detective skills right? “Ray’s pizza bus, Home of the Hotdog pizza. What can I do ya for?” I should’ve known how bad it was when he didn’t crack back. There was a moment of silence as the receiver hissed then he spoke. “Coyle, 27th and Polk.” He started in with his grizzled voice. “Jesus! That’s like 5 blocks away!” I blurted it out. “Yeah I know…you got an hour.” He demanded. “I thought I was suspended.” I spat out. The phone disconnected. Interesting right?