Law & Order: Leanbox
ORDER, Part 3
by Derald Snyder
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CRIMINAL AFFAIRS
APRIL 7, 12:50 PM
"We checked his home, his office, and all over the base. No sign of Major Tom anywhere," Bennie Crisco reported.
"Yeah, and seeing as that contact number for the weapons supplier was a burn phone, we can't trace it," Eddie Green added. "But we did find that their fake contact page came from a server in Lowee..."
"Which corroborate's Lady Blanc's and Ms. Lisand's statements," Lita Van Braun nodded.
"You think the major felt the heat and flew the coop?" Green pondered.
"Well, if he did, none of his subordinates are cooperating," Bennie sighed. "Gotta admire their loyalty if nothing else..."
"Also, we checked Storage Shed 13, turns out it was completely empty," Eddie said. "The guys from Peloton's unit looked pretty confused at that, so..."
"So maybe they were duped. You try asking anyone outside his unit?" Lita suggested.
"Yeah, hey," Eddie snapped his fingers, "Sergeant Peach and her boyfriend were pretty tight with the victim... maybe they could help us out."
"Well, I've always wanted to see the Basilicom," Bennie said. "Guess now's a good a time as any..."
LEANBOX BASILICOM
APRIL 7, 1:30 PM
"Hope we're not interrupting anything between you two lovebirds," Crisco snarked as he and Eddie sat down with Peach and Adrian.
"Nothing that can't wait, Detective," Adrian said.
"Blanc contacted me and told me what was going on," said Vert as she sat by Peach with a cup of tea. "To think that a dangerous shipment of steroids is being distributed through my nation... I shudder to think of the consequences..."
"That's why we need to find Major Peloton," said Eddie. "Right now, he's our only link to finding those drugs."
"So where do we come in?" Peashy asked.
"Well, no-one in Major Tom's unit will tell as anything about where he might've gone," Crisco explained. "A few of 'em even rattled off their name, rank, and serial number to us..."
"Well, as far as they're concerned, the killer's already been caught," Adrian suggested. "Probably think going after their commander is a witch hunt."
"Those idiots!" Peach growled as she banged her fist on the table. "They don't want to even consider the fact that they were duped into shipping drugs?! As far as I'm concerned, it's those drug-pushers' fault Joe's dead! But do they care?!"
"Peach, please, calm yourself," Vert said in a soothing tone as she rested her hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Getting angry isn't going to help us here..." The blonde soldier simply crossed her arms and pouted.
"So, anyway, do either of *you* know where the major might've run off to?" Eddie inquired. "Even just point us in the right direction?"
"Hmm..." Adrian thought for a moment. "Well, now that you mention it, I remember Joe telling me about a place where Major Peloton would head off to sometimes when he was feeling down and wanted some alone time to think... a secluded bar of some sort."
"Did he tell you where?" Bennie pressed.
"Yeah, I know where it is," Adrian said as he stood up. "By your leave, Lady Vert..."
The busty CPU nodded. "Good luck, petty officer."
"I'm coming too!" said Peach as she stood up.
"No, Peashy, I'd rather you didn't," Adrian held up a hand.
"Wh- but why?!" the blonde demanded angrily.
"Because I'm afraid you'll try to punch him out or something," Adrian said calmly. "Look, it's not as if we're going off to battle a horde of monsters here... In fact, if we play this right, we can probably capture Major Tom without throwing a punch or firing a shot." The petty officer then gently embraced his girlfriend. "Please, Peashy, leave this mission to me this time..."
"I'm sure he can handle things, Peach," Vert chimed in. "After all, he *is* one of the best soldiers in the army, rank notwithstanding..."
Peach took a breath. "You're right, Lady Vert. Adrian... just be careful, OK?" She pecked him on the lips.
"I will," Adrian smiled and nodded.
SPARTAN HALO BAR
APRIL 7, 2:40 PM
Sure enough, not long after arriving at the bar, Adrian saw Major Tom walk in and sit down, before ordering a drink. The petty officer counted to three in his head before moving in... "Major Tom!" he called as he approached.
Peloton looked up, doing a double-take. "Wh... Petty Officer Johns! What are you doing here?"
"Joe told me about this place," Adrian explained as he leaned against the bar.
"That doesn't explain why you're here," Tom pointed out.
"I thought it was obvious, sir... I'm here to bring in a traitor!" His sidearm cleared leather and was pointed at the major in an instant.
"WHOA!" Peloton yelled as he put his hands up, causing the gathered patrons to gasp or cry out in shock. "Stand down, petty officer!"
"I don't answer to your authority!" Adrian retorted. "Detectives!"
Peloton glanced behind him to see Crisco and Green walk up from behind. "Aw, son of a bitch...!"
"Hey, ground control to Major Tom, you're under arrest!" Bennie quipped as he pulled out the cuffs.
"Bet you never heard that one before," Eddie piled on.
"Funny. I want a lawyer," Peloton said as he was cuffed.
"Yeah, you're gonna need one," said Adrian as he holstered his weapon.
"You have the right to remain silent," Crisco read the major his rights as he was walked out of the bar. "Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law..."
*To be continued...*