Chapter 17
Bad News
Alvin and Simon passed late evenings trying to work out their plan. Searching through the files — and even talking to their fellow detectives — had revealed nothing. The Dollar Bills, for being one of the most effective gangs in LA, were a riddle wrapped in a mystery (Simon said that guy Winston Churchill over in England coined that phrase).
But now a plan was being put together, and with any luck they would have at least one of the "Bills" behind bars by the weekend. Alvin could just about taste the vacation he was going to take when this was all over.
Theodore made constant trips to their desk to bring them mugs of coco and meals from local diners — usually Ian's. Alvin really had to admit, that food was growing on him more and more. Occasionally along the way Theodore would run into Eleanore, or Simon would give a phone call to Jeanette, just to let them know that this could all be solved soon, that they had a plan to dupe the Dollar Bills.
Alvin couldn't help but shake his head at how sappy his brothers had become over those two girls. At least he wasn't losing his own head over anybody… especially over that Brittany. With that infuriating glimmer in those… deep, bright eyes.
He shook his head again, for a different reason, then noticed his mug was empty. He needed a strong coco if he was going to keep his mind on task. Most of the other detectives were gone for the day. Only a couple remained in the office. Alvin rubbed tired eyes then decided that it was time to call it a day.
He put on his suit coat and tightened his tie. After turning off his desk lamp, he exited the precinct and made his way down the street. The light of the street lamps poured across the nearly empty sidewalk. Most of the shops were closed up. The occasional car passed by. Already Alvin was thinking about the snack he would make before bed tonight… no, the snack Theo would make him before bed tonight. Although, Theo was probably on his shift right now.
Just then, Alvin felt the fur on the back of his neck stick up, his cop's instinct practically stopping him in his tracks. Years on the force had sharpened that instinct to a point.
Something was wrong…
...
Simon emerged from a shop with a bag in his hand, containing something they would need for tomorrow… the day they would catch the Dollar Bills. He normally liked to be analytical, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't giddy about all of this.
In his mind's eye, he saw himself putting handcuffs on the criminals, a medal being pinned on his chest, flashbulbs from reporters' cameras, and Jeanette gazing at him with heart-eyes. He liked that. Usually this daydream ended with Captain Dave stepping aside and naming Simon as the new Captain. He could hope!
He looked at his watch. It was long past time to be getting home. He would need all the rest he could get to keep his mind sharp.
Speaking of sharp, out of the corner of his eye he glimpsed something that had his blood running cold…
...
Alvin was being followed.
He was a detective… and a chipmunk. He knew a tail when he saw one.
Someone was keeping a safe distance behind him: a man, wearing a trench coat and hat, keeping his face in shadow.
This was the second time in a week that Alvin found himself being followed and if he was honest it was really starting to tick him off. His mind started to race with ideas, things he could do.
For a moment he considered confronting his little spy, but then decided against it. You never knew what kind of a weapon a man would be hiding in a trench coat. He once knew someone who concealed a Tommy gun behind one of those things.
A new idea struck him, and he hoped it would work.
With a sudden turn, he went down a different street.
...
Simon knew that somebody was on his tail.
For a moment, he considered going straight home, but then decided against it. The last thing he wanted to show somebody in pursuit of him was the place that he lived.
The best thing he could come up with was turning around and heading towards the police station. No criminal in his right mind would set foot near that place.
From there he would —
With a jolt, Simon tripped and his glasses came off. They landed somewhere… he didn't know… he couldn't see a thing without his glasses!
Then he heard the sound of footsteps…
Look at that, I finally posted again!
And I decided to leave you guys on a bit of a cliffhanger - mwuahahaha!
Hopefully you enjoyed and I hope that life is treating you all well! School has been so busy on this end that I've hardly had time to sit down and work on this story, but DO NOT WORRY! I don't plan on being one of those authors that won't finish a story. You can bet we're going to see this through to the end!