"Well, so much for number thirty-seven…"
Mike's voice had grown tired, as the continuous tension and stress his ever-vigilant mind had put his body through over the past six hours of checking abandoned houses for any signs of their killer, or their missing victim, were beginning to take their toll.
So far, their sole results were an assortment of dust and dirt stains on their clothes and the grumbling of his nervous stomach begging for food.
"Bill and I found this amazing Turkish restaurant just down the road from here if you want to stop for lunch in a bit…"
Sitting next to him and clenching the steering wheel of the Galaxy nervously, Lee smiled wearily, undoubtedly having a hard time getting accustomed to working side by side with the Lieutenant instead of Tanner.
"I don't need any exotic cuisine. I need real food. Like a hamburger or something, not some vegetable soup that'll make me hungry again in an hour."
Regretting the ill-tempered outburst the moment it occurred, Mike glanced over and smiled, trying to make up for his growing gruffness the only way he knew how.
"Fast Rogers is just down the road on VanNess if you want to hit that up.", the African-American Inspector countered and pointed north, "We can always backtrack from there and hit up a couple other houses before we head back downtown."
"Yeah, Steve and I went there once. They have good chili. Let's try that. It's early enough, hopefully the lunch hour crowd won't be too big."
Lee had just shifted the Galaxy back in Drive, when the busy police radio once again sprang to life.
"Inspectors 8-1, this is Headquarters, please respond."
Reaching for the receiver in unmasked tension, Mike put a hand on Lessing's arm, having the young Inspector hesitate before driving off.
"This is Inspectors 8-1, go ahead, headquarters."
"Inspectors 8-1, Unit 1 Charley 17 reports sighting of homicide suspect Albert Mulligan. Corner of Kearney and Green Street by the bus depot. Pursuit in Progress going north on Kearney. Unit 1 Charley 17 requests immediate backup."
"10-4 Headquarters. ETA is 5 minutes out. All Units in the vicinity please respond."
Hanging up the receiver, Mike switched on the siren before placing the gumball onto the roof of the Galaxy, having to hold on tight as Lee sped the tan sedan up significantly, erratically weaving in and out of the busy northbound traffic.
"He isn't following his MO. What do you think he's up to, Mike?", the African-American Inspector asked as he turned onto Columbus.
"I don't know. Lenny did say that he's becoming more and more erratic. He may be looking for his next victim already."
"God, I hope not. This is insane."
"Slow her down just a bit, okay? I want to arrive there in one piece…", Mike cautioned nervously when Lessing narrowly missed a blue sportscar pulling out in front of them. Slowing down somewhat, the African-American Inspector steered the Galaxy through the rest of the early lunch-hour traffic, before turning east onto Green street.
Even from several blocks away, Mike could see a handful of black and whites responding to the call and working their way down the narrow two-lane road, stopping several times to look for their suspect.
"He could be anywhere in this area…", Mike grunted in growing frustration before reaching for the radio again, "Headquarters, this is Inspector 8-1."
"Go ahead, inspectors 8-1"
"Headquarters, is there any detailed description of the direction and area the suspect has fled to by now? We're on scene and on standby."
"Negative Inspectors 8-1. Unit 1 Charley 17 reports no further sighting of suspect since he fled north on Kearney."
"10-4 Headquarters.", Mike mumbled angrily, his eyes searching every corner and every window for a sign of Albert, "He's frighteningly well versed in finding his way around this city. I am starting to get worried."
He was pulled out of his brooding when Lessing tapped his arm, then pointed east.
"Hey Mike, do you know this guy? Because he's waving at you."