It had taken them almost forty-five minutes to reach the westside in the heavy pre-lunch hour traffic.
Mike mostly kept to himself, his mind still busy sorting out the details of this disturbing case. At least while he was busy doing that, he could ignore the horror that befell his heart each time he remembered that a child was murdered. The most innocent of all victims. And in their case, it was a child carrying a child.
Looking at the busy street ahead from underneath the rim of his fedora, Mike's mind wandered to Mavis' teenage years. Compared to what he was doing at that age, it was safe to say that times were indeed changing.
"Headquarters to Inspectors 81, please respond."
Both Steve and he flinched when the radio sprung to life. Reaching for the receiver, Mike shared an ominous glance with his partner.
"This is Inspectors 81, go ahead."
"Mike, Sandra Orelli called the office. She wanted to talk to you guys. Said it is urgent."
It was Tanner's voice on the other end. Saying a silent prayer that the phone call meant Chantal Simmons had been found, Mike pressed the receiver button.
"10-4 Headquarters."
He felt Steve slow down, before sliding the large Galaxy into a parking spot on Irving Street that featured two adjacent payphone booths. Mike reached into his pocket for a dime and stepped out into the unusually sunny late Tuesday morning.
Even the fog had held off for once.
Maybe it was a sign that their luck was turning around after all.