[b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M37Sm9s_CWo]Act (a) - Something Rotten[/url][/B]

Blurred photos, schematics and a few delivery itineraries were spread out across his desk, a veritable feast of evidence for him to delve deeper into. When that dame had first come to him with a request (well, she had approached his partner, but he was handling the bulk of the case), he hadn't really expected much. Just a bird whose steady had disappeared when he'd gone out for some grub (his pal'd pumped her for more information; it was a Pizza Hut). Once he'd gotten started though, the entire flat case had gone queer. He'd assumed a dido, maybe some folks bumped the guy off for failing to scrounge up some dough. The usual, you know?

Oh boy, had he been a dumb onion.

"When does the truck come?"

Ah, there was the broad who he called a partner (he still wasn't sure if he worked for her or the opposite, but she was one helluva smart cookie despite appearances, so it didn't really matter; though the entire freeloading in his basement thing needed to stop). She looked like she stepped right outta bed (which to be fair, given how late she'd been out the night before, wouldn't be too surprising) if that bedhead was any indication. Didn't mean she was gonna be an easy rube. Those eyes were sharp.

"Gotta be there in thirty lest I look like a boob," he replied, shooting her an easy grin. "I'll scram in about ten."

"You sure it's got what you're searching for?"

Her reply was expected. Had he been in her position, he'd be pretty sketch as well. How could some delivery truck help him find more evidence on this case? It'd taken him a bit to make sure somebody hadn't loaded his drinks, but after that, the sap he'd hooked into seemed to be really truthful. This was the fish that'd lead him to water. The lead. The dingus that'd explain what the hell was going on with this missing person's case.

"Take a gander," he said, sweeping his arm over the papers on the desk. "You'd be real surprised, girl."

She took hold of one of the photos, and he could only smile as her eyebrows rose in curiosity. A real queer case they were dealing with here. Maybe not the top, but the score on this bajoomah really put it up there. Tokyo Tower up there.

"I had to do some real illegal stuff to get hold of this," he continued, the admission barely phasing his partner a single bit. "We're not gonna be sent upriver by some bull, will we? I've spent time in the clubhouse before, and let me tell ya, it ain't pretty."

Hey, he was worried. He had bills to pay, and with the crazy prosecutors in this country, he didn't want to risk it.

"You'll be fine," was the casual reply of his partner. She wasn't taking it seriously at all. "Do remember that we [i]are[/i] acting with the Emperor's blessings."

What went unsaid was which emperor.

"I don't have any noble blood in me, girl. I can't grease the johns."

She snorted in amusement.

"Neither do I, but if you're really that worried, I'll adopt you later today," she said, waving a dismissive hand in his direction. "Now go do your job. The client won't be happy if you don't bring her good news."

He sighed in exasperation. Man, that bird really needed to be less carefree. Still, she was right. He'd better dangle and get the scoop on that truck. Rising to his feet, the detective reached for his beloved hat, picking it off the hanger and placing it snugly upon his head. It was time for him to do some business. Hopefully without ending up a con.

"I'm scooting then," he said, waving a salute in his partner's direction. "Don't break our coffeemaker again."

Her denial was cut off as he slammed the agency door shut behind him.

He had a truck to intercept.