Chapter 13
Robbery in Progress
"What's going on?" Theodore asked.
"Let's just say that the necklace thief is about to walk right into our hands," Alvin said as he sat down in the booth.
"What do you mean?"
Simon pulled Jeanette's ransom note out of his pocket and slid it across the table. Theodore's eyes widened as he read it.
"So what does this mean?" he asked.
"It means that if we can come up with a plan, we will be able to catch the crook," Simon answered matter-of-factly.
"But we're going to need your help, Theodore," Alvin added.
"M-m-my help?" Theodore's eyes widened. "Isn't this your job?"
"Of course, but what would the detectives be without the coppers to back us up?" Alvin patted his younger brother firmly on the shoulder.
"What do you need?"
"Well first thing's first, we're going to need you to do some digging in the files," Simon said.
Theodore, uncharacteristically rolled his eyes. "Searching for more files? Guys, you know I actually have the power to arrest people, right?"
"Woah, easy there, hot-shot," Alvin said. "This could be one of the biggest arrests of your career if we do things right."
Theodore sighed. "What do we need?"
"Well the three of us need to do research into the Dollar-Bills," Simon said.
"Woah, the three of us?" Alvin asked. "I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't research. I shoot guns, throw punches, and put cuffs on people, but paperwork is your guys's areas of expertise."
"Again, why me?" Theodore asked.
Simon ignored the pair of them. "The Dollar-Bills are one of the most elaborate gangs in L.A., and we could bring them down. We need to know if there are any mentions of them in files or… Alvin, what are you looking at?"
"Trouble," Alvin whispered. "Look at the cash register."
Simon and Theodore turned in the booth to see the waitress at the register holding her hands up. She looked scared. Her eyes were wide. In front of her was a man in a suit. His hand was in the coat pocket, and there was the outline of a pistol.
"We've got a robbery in progress," Alvin muttered.
"Look out, he's got a gun!" somebody suddenly screamed.
"Shut up, all of you!" the man yelled. "This is a hold up! I'm just gonna take the money and go!"
Another person screamed, "Somebody call the police!"
"No need," Alvin said casually, standing up in the booth. "The police have arrived."
The criminal narrowed his eyes. "And who are you?"
"Detective Alvin, LAPD. This is my partner, Simon, and Officer Theodore, who just so happens to work this beat. We're taking you in."
"Like heck you are!" The criminal pulled the gun from his pocket, pointed it at Alvin, and fired…
There you have it! I promised I would eventually publish more frequently! I might have to raise the rating of this story to T with this chapter, though - haha! Don't worry, I don't do excessive violence or any swearing in my stories.
I suppose you're wondering what this robbery has to do with the mystery. To be honest, it doesn't, except to be a fun action scene. If you have played the video game L.A. Noir, there are occasionally side-missions where you have to do things like stop robberies, and this is meant to be like that.
How are you liking the story? Do you like the concept of the Dollar-Bills? What would you like to see more of?
See you next time on Munk-Noir!