A/N: Not that booze and oil can keep professionals from finding prints, it's artistic lisence.
Twenty-One
At the hotel, the police checked the room. They found broken funiture, overturned bedding, a bottle of 80 proof and some oil. Looked like a mess but nobody was there. A team was sent in to dust for prints but the apparent fight had gotten the oil and booze everywhere. The police lieutenant in charge shook his head. Probably some crazy kids. He checked with the desk clerk that told him a businesswoman had checked into that room number but she had paid cash.
"Do you remember what the woman looked like?"
Gum popped. "Nope. Just tired and paid cash. That's all." Pop.
No manners, thought the officer. "Security camera?"
"You kidding?" Pop.
Thanking the bored girl, he headed toward the parking lot and checked with the rest of the team.
"Anything in the room?"
"Nuthin' but booze and oil. Somebody musta had a good time."
"Save it for later, wise guy. Any prints?"
"Not that we could find, sir."
"Anything missing?"
"It looks like some bedding may be gone but nothing else."
The lieutenant nodded. "Well, that's a whole lot of nothing. Better than a car wreck in my book. Wrap up here, boys and book it back to the station when you are done."
The crime-scene photographer stepped into the room and flashed some pictures. When the others weren't looking, he took a good look around. It was messy. Definitely. Too messy. Too convenient. He stepped back out side, headed toward the police van. Once inside, he made a call.
"They were here."
…How do you know?…
"It's an old trick used to throw attention away from what you want to be missed. He showed them what they wanted to see and that's what they saw."
…You're sure?…
"Yes."
…Time is running out. We need that information. The drugs will loose their effectiveness in less than twelve hours and then we'll have nothing….
"He'll make a mistake and I'll catch him."
…Don't let this get personal……click
Out of the van stepped a non-descript civilian who just walked off into the night.