Chapter 1: In Media Res
It's funny how a seemingly insignificant event can change the entire course of your life. The thing of it is, this was supposed to be a run-of-the-mill case. Some quick dough to hold me over until something real happened. Well something real did happen, just not how I ever would have expected.
2:16AM Tuesday
'This city's so damn wet.' A rainy city at night, as cliché of backdrop as you can get in a detective story, right? As romanticized as the whole setting may be, traipsing through a wet, dark and miserable concrete jungle ain't exactly pleasant.
Splish Splosh
The sound of rubber on wet concrete, muffled slightly by the endless cacophony of traffic. Each step brought me closer to what I sought. I only had my wits and my slingshot with me, but by God, I was prepared for anything. Or at least, I was under that illusion.
My feet came to a stop as my attention came to a street sign. 'Raccoon Street, eh?' This part of town was rather worse for wear. You might say it was on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. The street had a history of corruption. It was a hotbed for organized crime, the operating grounds of the Nook family.
I let out a sigh, then continued my path. I had arranged a tête-à-tête with an informant of mine. He was to flash a light on and off 3 times in the alley near Brewster's, a local bar. As I approached the alley, I noticed a shadowy figure.
CRASH
'What an appropriate time for thunder.' Out of the figure's pocket came a flashlight, then came one flash that lasted about two seconds. Then another, and then a final third flash. I nodded and continued down the alley, steeling myself for what might be in store.
"Well, Diamond, it's nice to see that you're alive and well." Diamond cleared his throat, and took a couple of steps forward. Diamond wasn't exactly what you'd call human. Actually, he wasn't human at all. He was a dog with grayish-brown fur, freckles, and odd-looking specks for eyes. I can't say I knew him personally, other than the fact that he had a sister that he cared deeply for.
"I think you should quit while you're ahead, Spade." Diamond looked worried, more so than usual. "The Nook family has an extraordinary amount of influence in this city. You can't stay under the radar forever. Tom and his goons are already suspicious." He gulped. "I don't think this informant gig will last much longer."
Tsk. "I know I've asked a lot from you in the last couple of days, and believe me, if I had known things would escalate to this degree, I would have never taken that case." I let out a deep breath. "But we've come so far. Just a little more work and we can end this nightmare."
Diamond sighed and shook his head. "Look, Spade. I'll tell you what you want to know, but this can't happen again. I'm taking enough of a risk just being near you."
"I appreciate it, Diamond."
"Well, you s-" Diamond was interrupted by the sound of a car coming to a screeching halt. An ominous figure slowly rolled down the back window. 'It must be one of the Nooks.' I sprung behind a nearby trash can as I clumsily reached for my slingshot. Diamond wasn't so quick. He stood, frozen in fear, staring at the dark vehicle.
"Diamond, what the hell are you doing?" I whispered through clenched teeth. I scrambled to my feet in a vain attempt to bring him to safety. I was too late.
SPLASH
Diamond had been shot. 'No. It wasn't supposed to be like this…' Time slowed. I could hear each individual heartbeat, not unlike a timpani section. I turned to face the mysterious assailant with as much speed as I could muster, but the time it took felt unending. I couldn't make hide nor hair of the culprit that struck down Diamond. All I could make out was the impression of a slingshot.
Pointed right at me.
The rain seemed to have fell silent. All I could hear was the sound of rubber being stretched, followed by silence.
4:16PM Friday
It had been a slow week. Serious crime seemed to have taken a week off in our fair city, and I was desperate for some work. The life of a private dick ain't all luxury, you know. I've got bills to pay like everybody else. I leaned back in my chair, put my feet up on the desk, and let out the biggest sigh in years. I glanced at the clock.
'4:16, huh? I guess that's another uneventful day for an uneventful week.'
KNOCK KNOCK
I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of loud wrapping on my office door. "Come in." I shouted, trying but failing not to sound too desperate. The door creaked open, revealing the figure of a white cat, with a stylish tuft of blonde hair and an immodest amount of makeup.
"And what might be the nature of your business?"
The feline took a seat and cleared her throat. "My name is Monique. I need you to find somebody, pffffft." I stared incredulously for a few seconds. "Oh, that's right, I forgot about those verbal tics some of you animals have."
I put my feet down. "Ahem, so, who do you want me to find?" She pulled out a picture from her purse, then handed it to me.
"His name is Joey."
