Chapter 2, Fastlane

Fastlane isn't mine...

The Candy Store - Three days Earlier.

'This is Raymond Hickes.'Billie said as she turned her head towards the screen.' He is a known criminal who did indrugs, stealing,and prostitutes.Yes I say 'did' because his laywer made sure that that part of his life belongs to his past and that he has changed 'his ways' so to say.That is what he told the media anyway when Mr Hickes came out of prison three years ago.I thinkHicks has changed his way in an even worse manner.'Billie paused for a moment and stared at Hickes' picture.'Look good at this man guys, because this man does whatever he wants and truly thinks that he rises above the law.'

Van looked at the picture ofRaymond Hicks too.He had brown slick hair and dark brown eyes, anda goatee on his chin.He wore a very expensive suit.His character probably was as slick as his hair.

'He looks like a sleeze-bag.'Van mumbled.

'Yes he is, and I want him to go down.'Billie said sounding stern.

Shepushed another button on her computer and another picture appeared on the screen.

'Since the last years Hickes lives here, woman keep dissappearing, the last woman that got killed was foundin the Brenton Forest.That's hours away from here.There is no proof that he killed her but Hickes has a cabin up in the Brenton Forest and he was the one that was last seen with the woman; Natalia Conner.'Billie now looked both at Deaq and Van.

'So why didn't he go down?'Van asked.

Billie stood up from her chair, crossing her arms in front of her chest, pacing back and forth in front of the screen.

'Because he still hasthat good laywer who told everyone what a good man Hickes has become.His name is Benton Fanizi and he protects him very well.The DA can't even lay ONE finger on him.'

Billie looked at the screen and continued while she began pacing again.

'Raymond Hickes has built up a big imperium in LA over these last years.He has connections everywhere.He has so much money that he can swim in it.He probably knows all the criminals in LA.In one word; he is untouchable.'Billie said, stopping her pace at these last words.

Van looked at Deaq.

Billie began to pace again, putting up her hand while talking further.'And we are going to change that.'She said, pointing with her finger at Hickes.

'What's your plan?'Deaq asked.

Billie looked at him, her eyebrow arched a bit and a sparkle in her eyes.The sparkle she got when sheknew how to lure someone in one of her traps.

'The plan is to infiltrate in his business and when we have his trust we grab him.'Billie said while she went to sit down behind her desk again.

Deaq nodded.

'And how exactly is a man like that going to trust us?'Van said, leaning forward in his chair.

'You two are going to pose as former drug dealers, but you climbed up to something new; escort-service.You are opening bars everywhere, putting the drugson the street that way, dealing in prostitutes.To make a long story short; you two are going to be fresh to the scene and in need of...Let's say...Advice and protection of someone who knows the bussiness.'

Three days later - the street.

Van sighed and looked at his watch.Okay, he knew that woman were late sometimes, or that men shouldn't be early, or that men should be in time for a date but he was getting really nervous now.

Deaq and he had followed Farizi a few days ago and had found out who he talked with, and where he came.Deaq and he found out that there would be a big party going on where Farizi would come himself, together with other 'hotshot's'.Ofcourse they had to be at that party.Deaq and Van already had made acquantence with some of Farizi''s friends.One of them was Ron.

And they had met Ron in a bar this afternoon, which wasn't coincidental ofcourse, and Ron had invited them over for a party that same nigth, he told them to bring someone, while Deaq was smart enough to say that he couldn't wait to meet someone at the party, Van bragged about their escort-service in another town, about this hot chick he could take along with him.The idea had seemed good at the moment, having an escort service had to mean that they had woman around them all the time rigth?

But once Deaq and Van were outside this idea didn't have so many good sides to it anymore.First problem was where to get the girl, the second was if they got a girl how to make sure she wasn't endangered; which she would be given the fact they were amongst criminals and undercover, and the third part was that now he would be less able to get to know other woman to find out something about Natalia.Although Deaq could take that part.

Van thougth back about the discussion he had hadwith Deaq.

'And where are you gonna get a girl in such short notice!'Deaq jammered as they walked towards the sportscar.

'Look, it seemed like a good idea.'Van said while he went to sit behind the steering wheel.

Deaq shook his head in annoyance.'Yes, I have heard that before!And let me tell ya!If I hear you say that I always know there is trouble on the way!'Deaq said angrily.

Van started the car and drove away from the bars.

'I just thougth given the fact we own escort-services it would be weird if we wouldn't have girls to bring with us.'

'Yeah and that is exactly the problem man!'Deaq snapped;'You -think-, that is something you should never do!'

Van shook his head, his eyes on the road and in deep thougth.

'Man.'Deaq mumbled annoyed while he shook his head now tooand looked out of the window.

Van parked the car near the Candy-Store.

'I can't wait to find out what you are going to tell Billie.' Deaq said when he got out of the car.

Van sighed.He hadn't thougth about that yet.Probably because he didn't want to think about that.

'I am sure we can solve this easily.'Van said sounding sure of himself.But he wasn't, he was just telling himself to relax and that he would find a solution to it.

'Look man, think!Billie told us Farizi kills woman wether they are prostitutes or not, she won't be happy to hear that you pulled someone new in our job Van!OUR job, not the job of other cops!'It probably would mean they had to work undercover with someone from another division.

Van nodded.'Well you know what. 'Van said stopping suddenly.Deaq turned towards him.

'We don't have to ask another cop.'

'What are you talking about now!'Deaq said irritated.

'Billie.'He said in a high tone.As if she was the answer to his problem.Deaq just kept looking blankly at him.

'Billie!'He said again.'She is a woman.'Van explained.

'Ooo...'Deaq said laughing mockingly and shaking his head.'No, you're not man.You're not gonna do this.'

'Why not?That's the perfect solution.'Van said, getting new energy because of his new plan.

That was when Van had entered the Candy Store, followed by Deaq.Billie had told him to get someone else, although she knew it was difficult to get someone at such a short notice.She obviously didn't care that it had to be another cop.Well on the other hand, it was just for one short evening.And it probably wasn't that worse, playing his girlfriend or love-interest, was it?

Van sighed impatient while he ticked on the steering wheel.He looked at his watch.Okay, that was it.He unbuckled his seat belt and left his car.