Lenny Parker, PI / roadie / metalhead is back in a new serial, blending a bit of comedy with a hardboiled detective story, one feet into metal culture. This time he is hired to track down a missing dog. Read the other parts here.
TEN
The cops had shown up pretty
quickly. They arrested all of the spectators who hadn’t fled away yet. Among them
was Cliff. It was satisfying to see him get led away in handcuffs. Among the dogs
in the cages in the building was Ozzy. Obviously Cliff had dognapped it to sell
to Luis and his men. An animal protection unit showed up to take care of them
and managed to catch the loose dogs.
The cop who seemed to be in charge,
a forty-something black man with glasses and a big moustache told Lenny, “Even
though you called this one in we will need to cuff you as well until we’ve sorted
this all out.”
“I understand,” Lenny said. “I’m
just glad you guys are here. I hope these animals get back to their owners or a
good home.”
“Yeah. I have to admit I wouldn’t mind
throwing these assholes in the ring with these dogs so they can do some justice
of their own,” the cop said.
Casey walked in, flanked by a young
cop. She was wearing handcuffs. He told the black cop, “This lady was in a car
outside and got kind of aggressive when I prohibited her from going inside.”
“I just wanted to make sure my
friend is okay,” Casey said.
“Calling me a pig wasn’t the best
way to achieve that,” the young cop said.
“Excuse my dear friend,” Lenny
pleaded. “She can get a bit worked up sometimes but means well.”
“Yeah. Uncuff us. We’re not the bad
guys here. We just blew the lid off a whole dognapping ring and illegal dog
fighting organization. We’re heroes.”
“We’ll work that out at the station,”
the black cop decided.
*
After the paperwork was done Casey
and Lenny were allowed to go home again. No charges were pressed against Casey
after she suggested the papers would be interested in hearing how she was
arrested after freeing helpless animals from captivity. The cops didn’t need
the bad press from animal rights organizations and she got off with just a slap
on the wrist.
They visited Janson a day later, together
with Janice. It was so good to see Ozzy reunited with the old man. The dog didn’t
leave Janson’s side.
“I want to say I’m very grateful
for your help. All of you. I really appreciate your help too, Janice. Please
come over for coffee more often,” Janson said.
“I’d love to. And you should come
over for diner sometime.”
Janson handed a crate to Lenny. “Here’s
the Black Sabbath albums I promised you. A very small price for the danger you
put yourself in.”
“I’m not sure I can really take
this,” Lenny said. “Honestly, I think it was just my civic duty to do what I did.
I can’t stand animals getting hurt.”
“Please, my hearing isn’t getting
any better and I’m getting older. I’d rather leave them to you than my kids who
never visit me. Take them.”
Lenny took the crate and looked
inside. It was looking inside a treasure chest, but instead of gold doubloons
it was filled with vinyl.
THE END
