Lenny Parker, the roadie / PI, is back in action right here at my blog. Here's part one of a new story.
ONE
Lenny Parker was in the Thai
restaurant that he used as his office, eating Mister Janpongs’s famous soup.
“Good to have you here again,”
Mister Janpong said. “Long time ago, yes?”
“Yeah, I’ve been on tour for a
few months with The Texas Sons. Cool band. Just returned yesterday in time to
catch the Bad Citizen Corporation show tomorrow.”
“You are talking about music,
yes?” Mister Janpong didn’t keep very up to date about the latest metal and punk
music.
“Indeedy-do,” Lenny said. “Thanks
for playing my answering service again when I was gone.”
“My pleasure. In fact, a client
is on his way no,” Mister Janpong told me.
“What? No shit? You take good
care of my side business!” Lenny Parker supplemented his income as a roadie
working as a part-time private investigator.
“I think he is coming in right
now,” Mister Janpong said, pointing at the door. Lenny knew the man was probably
right. When you weren’t a regular, you had to be one of my clients or someone
looking for directions. Janpong’s wasn’t the most popular place in San Diego.
The man coming in looked to be in
his late twenties, white pants, experty creased, pullover and well-combed blond
hair. Since Lenny and Janpong were the only other people in the room it was
easy for him to assume I was the man he was looking for.
“Lenny Parker?” he said,
hesitantly extending his hand.
“In the abundant flesh,” Lenny
said and shook the hand with his chubby mitt.
“Oh. Okay. I figured you had to be
but, eh…”
Lenny smiled. “I know, I don’t look
like the prototype of a PI.” He was referring to his tattoos and Slayer
T-shirt.
“Uh… Yeah.”
“I left my fedora at home,” Lenny
joked. “Have a seat and let me know what I can do for you.”
“Sure,” the man said and sat
down. “I’m Thomas Whitman. Tommy.”
“Nice to meet you, Tommy. Can
Mister Janpong fetch you a drink? He stocks Singha beer. It’s really good.”
“Sure. Thanks.”
Lenny took a sip of his own
bottle of beer and said, “Go ahead…”
“Yeah… It’s like this… I had this
thing going with this wonderful girl, Jill. We’ve been engaged for half a year
now, had the wedding date set and all. Then she broke up with me a week ago.
Just out of nowhere, without any real reason. We’d been already living together
ever since our engagement but she just moved out.”
“What do you mean when you say no
real reason. Did she give you the old it’s-me- not- you speech?”
“Not even that. She told me she
thought it would be better if we didn’t see each other any more. She gave me a
hug and a kiss and just started to pack her bags.”
“Sounds pretty weird. Sometimes
they really seem to be from Mars, right?”
“I guess. It’s just that… It’s
not like her, you know?”
“Not really. I don’t know her. But
listen, I’m the last guy you should ask about relationship advice. I haven’t
been in a relationship longer than half a year. I’m a private dick and a roadie,
not a relationship counselor.”
“I know, I know. But you could
maybe investigate why she left me, right?”
“Huh? Can’t you just ask her?”
“She isn’t picking up her phone
or reacting to my e-mails. I don’t even know where she is.”
Lenny sighed. “All right. I’m a
real romantic at heart, you know? Let me see what I can find out for you. I’m
going to need some more information, though.”
“Sure, whatever you need.”
“I’m going to need a picture of
her. Names and addresses of friends and family. Where she works, places she
used to frequent. You know, bars, clubs, restaurants, shops.”
“Sure, sure. I’ve got her picure
right here,” Tommy said and produced a polaroid from his pants. He put it on
the table.
Lenny whistle through his teeth,
reddening and apologizing immediately. Jill was beautiful. Milky white skin,
auburn hair, incredible green eyes.
“It’s okay. I of all people
appreciate how beautiful she is.”
“I can imagine you want her back.”
“It’s not just about looks. She’s
really funny, warm and intelligent.”
“I’m sure. Well, that takes care
of that. Now how about the rest. Her work?”
“She works at the reception desk
of a hotel. But she hasn’t been at work all week. I checked.”
“Give me the address please,”
Lenny said and Lenny asked Mister Janpong for a pen. He used a napkin to jot
down the information Tommy gave him. Then Lenny asked Tommy about Jill’s family members
and friends.
“She always told me she didn’t
have any family she was still in contact with. She’s from Ohio originally but
couldn’t get along with them. It’s one of the reasons she moved to San Diego. She
had a friend from work she sometimes had coffee with, though. Tina Tristam. I’m
not sure about her address though.”
“That’s it? That sounds a bit
weird? No friends, no family?”
“I guess she didn’t need much of
those, the way our relationship was going. I guess my family and friends became
hers.”
“Yeah, guess so then. Fine. Let me
see what I can find out for you. I’m yours for 300 bucks day plus expenses. I
will email you the contact.”
“Okay, fine. Do think you can
find out why she left me?” Tommy asked eagerly.
Lenny shrugged. “Don’t know, buddy. But I will sure as hell do my best.”
TO BE CONTINUED
