Author's Note: I was asked what happened after Stris: Inked...and well, here is the continuation! If you have not read the previous Bit, do so. It will help you understand this one. Not recommended for younger readers!
"Thanks for coming up, Chris!" called Street from the edge
"Yeah, thanks Chris!" called the man hanging from the edge, who was glad there was somebody else to help pull him up.
"Shut up!" snapped both officers at once
In a matter of seconds they pulled the man up and apprehended him. They searched his pockets, but found nothing suspicious. Chris and Street decided to wait for backup in the roof of the store adjacent to the tattoo parlor, with the suspect in custody. Just as they had settled the man on the floor, Chris noticed a small black bag tucked in between two posts on the other side of the roof.
"Hey...Street?" she called
Jim, who was busy on his cellphone, looked up as she approached.
"Did he have anything on him when you stopped him?" Chris asked eyes glued on the bag
"No, don't think so. Why?" he answered shaking his head.
"There's something on the other side of the roof. Like a bag." Street tucked his phone away and followed her gaze.
Street shrugged, and then turned to the suspect. "Hey! Did you drop a bag?" he asked
"I 'on't know whatchu talkin bout, man!" he snapped back angrily
"Why did you stop him?" she asked curious looking at Street
"I saw him stuff his pants pockets and when the store clerk questioned him, he swung at the guy. Left the store running."
"So...you did all this" she paused gesturing to the mess in the street, "for a shop lifter?"
"He assaulted the guy in the store, pushed a woman off the sidewalk, who almost got crushed by a truck, and then went at someone with a knife." Street added, annoyed
"I didn't even take two hours in the shop!" Chris complained
"Well, crime doesn't stop now, does it?" Street snapped
"You're insane, Street!" she complained
Since nobody could answer her, Chris decided to investigate the mysterious bag on the other side of the roof. She approached carefully, service weapon in hand. The bag was black, rectangular, with mesh material in both sides and a wide zipper in the top. Something white could be seen through the material.
"What is it?" asked Street standing next to the suspect.
"I think it's...a dog carrier!"Chris said lowering her weapon and looking puzzled
"What? It has a dog in it?" Street was even more surprised
She shot him a look (duh uh!), then approached the bag. She placed her weapon on her waist and bent down to it.
WOOF
WOOF
"It's a Poodle!" she announced as she approached it
"Aren't those things expensive?"
"These are not things, Street!" she snapped angrily, "They're called dogs! And yes, this breed tends to be expensive. Wonder why and how he got up here?"
"Did you check for a tag?" Street asked curious
"On it!" she went for the bag and opened it. She discovered the small white cotton ball pacing up and down the bag. Truth is Chris kinda felt bad for the animal because it was left under the scorching hot sun with no water or shade. "Property of Miranda." she began to read out loud, "Street, we got a contact number!" she called
"Officer Street?" called a voice from beneath. It was an officer who was standing just outside of the store
"Yes, that's me!"
"You requested backup?"
"Yes, sir."
After an hour of reciting their statement, writing down notes, signing off documents, handing the perp and answering questions, both officers were dismissed until further actions were taken in the case. Fortunately, there were no major casualties, only the destruction of public property and the entrance of the tattoo shop, which the police said the state would take care of. There were no deaths and no apparent injuries. So, all in all a good day.
Since Jim was the arresting officer, he was questioned much more than Chris. So, she took advantage of some of the idled time to call the owner of the dog. Turns out he was stolen from the boarding place he was staying while the owner, a rich lady from Rolling Hills, went on a very important job meeting out of town. She had returned that morning and was on the lookout for the pup. Chris got the location and promised the lady for a safe return of her dog.
"Man! I'm never getting a tattoo!" Jim said, exhausted.
"As if you were going to get one anyway." she said rolling her eyes and shaking her head
"Hey! Wait a minute, what does that mean?"
"C'mon, Long Beach! You think I didn't notice you're scared of needles?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure you do! That's why when you saw the needles in the shop you practically ran out!"
"I had a call, Chris!"
"Right!" she said skeptically, "Anyway, we taking the dog back to the owner or what?"
"Oh, right! I forgot bout it!"
"Let's go!"
The afternoon sun was shinning bright, as temperatures kept hitting above the 90s in LA. The bike rode for some miles, as it headed to an expensive part of town. They rode through several suburbs and neighborhoods, until arriving at the address provided by the owner. The huge mansion was composed of several wings and elements. It included two main buildings, a pool and a spa, an indoor pool, a small cinema, tennis court and others.
Street's bike came to a screeching halt in the grand gate. They noticed it consisted of a complete security system with: one guard, cameras and an automatic motorized gate. Chris got off the bike and went to the side to ring the bell.
DING DONG
"Yes? Good afternoon. How can we help?" called a voice behind the machine in the column
"Good afternoon, LAPD with your missing dog!" Chris called
"Allow me to check with the owner. Stay in your vehicle."
Chris nodded her head and returned to the bike.
They waited some 3 or 4 minutes, until the gate slid to the side. Street went up the small hill rounding up the middle center piece, which including a grand structure with a statue of a man in a horse made of white marble. All around the entrance there were beautiful decorated paths with a colorful display of flower arrangements.
"Wow! This place is neat." said Chris as Street made a stop in front of the front door.
"This door alone is worth much more than everything I own now or will own in my life! Damn!" Street complained.
Street chuckled and both approached the door. Chris held the bag on her hands as they went up both stairs.
"Good afternoon, officers." said the lady cheerfully, holding a glass of a golden liquid, presumably Champagne. She glanced at Chris and immediately placed the glass on the tray of the butler just behind her. "Sunshiiiiineeee! You're home!"
"You must be Miss Miranda?" Chris asked as the woman approached her and took the bag. The dog immediately began barking incessantly in the bag.
"Awwww...thank you so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! This is my baby!" she said taking the dog out of the bag and cuddling it. Kisses and hugs were immediately followed. "He must've been terrified! Oh! Was he hurt? Please tell me everything" She situated her dog between her arms, then turned to the officers, "Where are my manners? I'm so sorry, officers. Come in, come in."
She guided them inside as they were amazed at the beauty of the space. Street kept staring at the chandelier for it was the size of his room! Wow! The double staircase that was in front of them was delicately decorated with numerous bouquets. Statues and other fine decorations rounded up the same reception. They found a rounded couch, which she gestured to sit.
"Please tell me everything about Sunshine! Was he hurt? Starved? Oh, my poor baby!" the lady said almost crying.
Street sat down next to Chris, still amazed at the huge center piece.
"Actually, he was under the sun for some time, but I have worked with dogs as part of the K9 unit for years and I can tell your dog is fine. He's not dehydrated or anything. I checked for injuries, but he was cleaned."
"Oh, ok. Do you have any idea how he got to you?"
Both officers shrugged and shook their heads in unison.
"Well, the important thing is that my little cotton ball is home." she said turning to the dog, for more kisses and cuddles. Then she placed him in his bag, top opened, and turned to the officers. "So, a deal s a deal." she turned and snapped her fingers.
The servant behind her approached with a tray. It held a small checkbook, a pen and an envelope. "Here you go!" she said writing and signing quickly. She placed the check inside of the envelope and handed it to Chris.
"Oh, no. No worries. You don't have to give us a reward." Chris said putting her hand up, palm towards the lady
"Sure, I do! You saved Sunshine's life. I must insist!"
After so much insisting, the lady walked away with the dog. Chris was left with the check in her hand, as the butler walked them out.
"Well...first time somebody besides LAPD pays us for doing our job." Street said as they made their way down the front steps
"Ironic."
"How much is it?"
"I don't know. She placed it in the envelop before I could look."
"Give me" Street requested as Chris put on her helmet and sat behind him in the bike
He opened the envelop, took the paper out and "Woah! That's a nice rounded number!"
"How much?"
"Eight Thousand! Nice!" he said placing it back in the envelop and and then into his leather jacket. He turned on the bike and straightened in his seat.
"What are you doing with your half?" she asked curiously
"Wait! We're splitting it half?" he asked beginning to roll out
"What did you expect?"
"I mean it was my bust and it's my bike!"
"And I found the dog, Street! Are you serious?"
"Ok, fine. Half then." he said as they left the compound. "I might get a new pump or upgrade the brake system in this baby. How about you?" he asked stopping on a red light
"Go back to the shop!" she said grinning, as he turned his head around