Braxton Snow P.I. (The Snow Adventures Book 1)

by Danny C Estes

  “You've a visitor, Lieutenant,” my guide announced and then allowed me to walk past him.

  Lieutenant Barkly's office looked far worse than mine. Though it was larger by three times the size, every nook and cranny was crammed with file cabinets and law books, every wall plastered with pictures of the city, criminals, suspects in a crime or old photographs of him and high city officials. His desk was somewhat neat under the clutter of case files. Four books of mug shots between bookends. A small blue card file with the lid closed. A pencil holder, with six pencils and one sharpener. A photo of his four teenage pups. Two folders, one set on top of the other, both open for flipping through, and overlooking it all, two light bulbs glowing brightly above his head.

  Fergus looked up from his desk, pushed his glasses in place, and sat back in his chair with a scowl. “What the hell you want, Braxton?”

  “It's good to see you too, Lieutenant,” I said in a bland greeting as the door behind me closed.

  “Like hell it is.” Fergus snorted, his black eyes filled with hate. He flipped the case files closed. “Don't even bother sitting down. I want you to ask your damn question and get out.”

  “Fine,” I snapped since he was in a foul mood. Why fight it? “I need to talk to your partner, detective Zoe Pierpont.”

  “Partner?” Fergus barked. “I ain't got no damn partner by that name. Where the hell you come by this?”

  That's not good. My mind held up a red flag. “You did send Ms. Catharine Nelson to me, right?”

  “You know damn well I did,” he confessed with a glare for reminding him he did so.

  At least she didn't lie to me. “Well, I was at the museum and a Detective Zoe Pierpont had signed in to look over the crime scene. I assumed you assigned her to it.”

  He snorted. “You of all animals know where that'll get you.” Fergus stood and went to a file cabinet. He yanked open the second drawer and started looking through files. “Pierpont, you say?”

  “Ms. Zoe Pierpont,” I corrected.

  Fergus slid his gaze over at me then pulled out a file. “As usual, you have everything wrong. Detective Pierpont is male and deceased as of six years ago.” He shoved the file back in place and turned on me. “So what the hell's this about?”

  “Apparently, about a female arctic fox who's masquerading as a detective.”

  That caught his attention. He re-pulled the file, opened it and then scanned the pages. I wanted to have a look but knew he'd never allow it, so I tried to inch my way over, which of course didn't work. Fergus shifted the folder so in no world would I be able to see unless I could fly. He shoved the folder back and looked darkly at me. “Mmm.” He rubbed his jaw. “Forget about her.” Fergus looked put off, as if he was about to do something despicable as he walked back to his chair. “Tell you what.” He pulled out the top drawer of his desk, shuffled through his case files and brought one out. “I'll give you what we got so far on Mr. Sullivan's disappearance.”

  Share? Him? With me? Apparently I hit a nerve. “Sure…” I said as if I wasn't going to. I reached for the file and he put his paw on it.

  “Your word, Braxton. You forget her name and any other reference to her.”

  I halted my paw. Eyed his hard stare. “My word.” I sort of lied. Sure, I'll drop anything concerning her at this point. But if we cross paths again, I'll put her right up there on my list.

  Fergus nodded and slid the file over. “But know this. I hear one word you've been asking about her and I'll have you arrested for stealing police records. Do we understand each other?”

  “Since when do I not?”

  Fergus grumbled and sat. He started to open his case file and glanced up at me. “What the hell are you still doing here? Get lost.” He pointed to the door.

  In truth I thought he meant for me to read the file here, but with a raised eyebrow, I stuffed the file behind my back into my pants and pulled my shirt over it. Closing the door behind me, I eyed the door, his name clearly printed in black block letters, and I had to wonder as I walked along the hallway and down the stairs who this female was. This Ms. Pierpont must be a family member to the late Detective Pierpont. No other scenario seems to fit. The way she went out the window, crossed the yard and over the wall means young and athletic. Someone in her twenties.

  I secured my pistol in its holster after a cursory inspection before leaving the building. Although I'd never had a problem with the police holding my pistol, I considered it a bad habit to trust someone else with my gun without a good once over. Still, I wouldn't be happy until I'd taken it apart. Pads in motion, I headed to my office for a more thorough inspection and possibly a few puffs on my pipe as I read over the police file.

  Once in the office building, I nodded at a twentyish something Jaguar by the name of Rodrigo, who was presently the daytime security guard with aspirations of advancing to chief of operations in the city. Rodrigo nodded back and went back to his reading of current affairs as I made my way past him to the stairs, where I caught a whiff of a familiar scent. I stopped before the door and tracked the layer of scent to the elevator. With deeper breaths here and eyes closed, the scent became two. I had it, and snapped my eyes open to look around. What do they want? I asked myself concerning the polar bears, Hedrick and Olsten. And where is their boss, Mr. Uchi? I grimaced and turned to Rodrigo.

  “Excuse me, Rodrigo, did you see two polar bears with a fennec fox come in recently?”

  Rodrigo lowered his paper, his mind working. “The polar bears yes, a couple of hours ago. But no fennec fox, Mr. Snow.”

  “Thanks…”

  “Is there a problem?” He dropped his paper and picked up his two-way radio in too much eagerness, as if he was looking for a good fight. “I can call for backup.”

  I dashed his hopes in waving my paw negative. “No need, thanks.”

  His face fell, though his voice still sounded hopeful. “Well, just remember, if you need help just push the panic button in your office and I'll be right up.”

  “That's good to know.” I waved over my head, opening the door to the stairs. That animal is dying to get into a brawl to prove his worth. I shook my head once the door closed and headed up. I reached the fifth level and pulled my pistol, checked the darts and slipped in a CO2 cartridge but didn't activate it as yet. Once the pistol was holstered, I worked the door open slowly only enough to peek down the hallway. The two bears were stationed on either side of my door, arms folded and eyes closed as if slumbering, standing up. If I'm quiet, I considered, I might get past them without either one waking up. I sighed at my stupid notion and shoved the door open to head for my office. The door slammed closed loud enough to wake one, who blinked, startled in seeing me boldly walking down the hall. He made a fist and hit his partner in the arm, who startled awake as well and at first sought to return the punch when the other pointed me out.

  Both reset newly-acquired black vests, by the smell of them on the air, and waited. I pulled my keys and kept my eyes on them and the door. They both started to talk as I approached. Both glared at one another and tried again as I put key to lock. Both grumbled at each other over my head as the door opened and I walked in to close the door without a word to either. The closing of the door must have caught their attention, as they stopped arguing. However, they started right up again. I shook my head, giving half an ear to their argument of who was to do what, and pulled the file out from the back of my pants. I dropped this on my desk and pulled my pistol while I sat down.

  Hedrick and Olsten came to an agreement and one knocked on my door. “Mr. Snow?” one asked.

  I set about a complete inspection of my weapon and without looking up said, “The door's open.”

  It opened and one polar bear filled the doorway. “Mr. Snow, our boss—”

  “Don't say that, you idiot.” The other bear cuffed the one in the doorway.

  The bear in the door turned his head and growled, “Don't you don't me!”

  “Well, do it right then!”

&n
bsp; “What'd I do wrong?”

  The bear in the doorway stepped back out and closed the door as they straightened that out. I, on the other paw, brought out my toolkit and laying a cloth down set to work dismantling the gun. I'd gotten a third of the way done when one polar bear knocked on the door again. I gave my clock a sideways glance in annoyance. “It's still open.”

  The other now stood in the doorway and said, “Mr. Snow, Mr. Uchi would like to see you as soon as you come in.”

  I looked at the polar bear. “As you can see, I'm in the middle of something.”

  He eyed the pistol. “Uh, so?”

  “So, once I'm finished I'll look him up.” I pulled out the rebound slide spring.

  “Uh.” He looked at his partner. “Uh.” He looked back at me. “Mr. Uchi said as soon as you came in.”

  I dropped my arms on the desk and glared at him. “Do I work for Mr. Uchi?”

  He looked at the other bear but asked me. “Do you?”

  “Obviously I don't, as I didn't jump when you told me he wants to see me. However, if you'll wait outside, I'll go with you once I'm finished here.” I slid the spring back with a bit of oil and reinserted the stud. “Please close the door.” After a second, the door closed. I looked up and rolled my eyes. A real couple of bright animals…

  Once the pistol checked out, I slid in a new C02 cartridge and snapped it into the holster after adding a new dart. After a quick wipe-down of my desk, I pulled out my pipe and fed it a woody-flavored tobacco and leaned back to go over the police report, enjoying the smoky scent.

  Hmm. Mr. Oscar Sullivan, missing March seventeenth. A Red fox. An archeologist. Yeah yeah, I know this. I flipped the page. Interviews. Ms. Catharine Nelson, Mr. Bryn Nelson denied an interview, Mr. Avery Gatura, Mr. Mitch Vetrov and his team, Xavier Kozuch the Cat-A-Mite Museum guard, and other employees. Ms. Giselle Deville, page eleven. Hmm, that's right, Neil Deville's older sister. I flipped to the page. According to her statement, she saw him the day before he went missing. I frowned. So why are there holes in this statement? I drummed my fingers on the desk. There should be some detail as to the visit, but all I see here is a timeframe when he saw her and when he left. Nothing of real use. I looked up on my office door, seeing the two outside just standing like statues. I'll need to visit her. A glance at the clock showed the time minutes past fourteen hundred. It'll probably take an hour to see what the fennec fox wants. I considered Ms. Deville. A snowshoe hare might feel better relating her relationship and activities with Mr. Sullivan to another female. Another hare, to be precise. I eyed the clock again. Joann would be at work now. If I could talk her into it, perhaps tomorrow would be best. I rubbed under my muzzle. Before I ask, I'd best check with Neil to ascertain when would be a good time to visit his sister. Joann might get put off if I dragged her there and Ms. Deville wasn't in. I put in a new leaf and puffed, igniting the leaf. Because of the time, I'd best check with Mr. Deville before I see Mr. Uchi. Deciding so, I took a couple more puffs, cleaned my pipe and filed away the police records before leaving the office.

  After locking the door, I signaled to the polar bears. “I've a stop to make before I see Mr. Uchi.”

  “That'll have to wait,” the one on the right said, gaining a nod from the other. “We're late as it is.”

  I took a stance. “Mr. Uchi hasn't hired me, nor has he given me an advance on a future job. Therefore he's a low priority on my time. I am currently working a case that is paying. If you wish to pay me two hundred and fifty notes on my time for the rest of the day, I'll be happy to accompany you now.”

  Both polar bears looked at one another. One actually checked out how much he had in his pocket. Their eyes met and the one on the left said, “We don't carry those kind of bank notes.”

  “Then if you like, we can head to the bank and you can make a withdrawal.”

  They looked at each other, looked at me, and then one shrugged as if saying. What do we do? The boss did say he wanted to see him as soon as possible.

  The one on the right snorted. He knew something wasn't right but couldn't figure it out. “All right. We pay you these notes and you come right away with us, right?”

  “Now you're talking.” I started for the stairs. “There's a lovely bank across the street from the Cat-A-Mite Museum. While you're in the bank I'll pop into the museum for a moment and meet you outside the bank in a few minutes.”

  “Isn't there a bank closer?”

  “Sure, but as I have business inside the museum, it'll save time for the both of us if you make the withdrawal inside the bank while I inquire inside the museum on a matter concerning my present case.”

  Whatever the two thought, I didn't look back to see their faces. I knew I was taking a chance, but it seemed to be working. Once on the street I saw Tanner and his rickshaw across the street and signaled him. “Hey, Tanner.”

  “Mr. Snow,” he exclaimed. “Fancy seeing you at this time. Do you need a ride?”

  “I certainly do.”

  Tanner came across and took note of the two polar bears, who stopped on either side of me. “Er, sorry, Mr. Snow, I can't pull all three of you.”

  “No problem, they can catch another rickshaw.” I looked at both. “Can't you?”

  “Uh, hmm.”

  “Uh, yeah, I guess?”

  “Good. Now if you'll pay Tanner here for my ride to the Cat-A-Mite Museum, then call over another for yourselves, we'll be on our way.”

  I didn't really think that would work. Imagine my surprise when the two polar bears, after some exchanged looks and Tanner holding out his right paw for the fare he requested, the two searched through their pockets and paid my fare.

  Just before Tanner started off, one of the polar bears complained, “Mr. Snow, uh, we haven't enough notes for both of us to ride.”

  “No problem, only one of you needs be there to make the withdrawal and take me to Mr. Uchi.” Before they could digest that, I signaled Tanner to take off. Settling in the rickshaw as Tanner filled me in on the day's happenings, I shook my head at how naive the two polar bears were. Apparently no one ever looks past what the pair of them could do to an animal.

  ****

  Chapter 6:

  A Bad Call

  It was fifteen thirty by the time I stepped out of the museum and saw one of the two polar bears outside the bank looking worried and a little put off. I crossed the street when traffic was clear. He saw me and padded down to meet up with me.

  “Here, Mr. Snow, that's all I have.”

  I took the notes he hastily shoved at me and counted out a hundred and sixty two.

  “If we'd gone to the bank near your office—”

  “Don't worry about it.” I slapped his back in a gesture of friendship. “You can owe me.” I looked for Tanner, whom I'd asked to hang around before I went into the museum earlier. “Let's get us a rickshaw and be on the way.”

  “Umm, like I said, that's the last of my notes.”

  A rickshaw owner saw a chance for a fare and cut Tanner off. “You two gentle-animals need a ride?”

  Tanner snorted, but before he could argue that he was waiting for me, I said, “No thanks, I've a ride waiting.” I guided the polar bear from him to Tanner. To the polar bear, I said, “That's all right, I'll add it to the notes you already owe me.”

  As this was a verbal exchange on a contract, I had Tanner quote me a fare and added that to the amount missing and said as much in front of Tanner as a witness. Now, if I wished, I could bring the matter up before the courts and be awarded the bank notes.

  A little after sixteen hundred we arrived at the Golden Eagle office building, where the offices were pricier than the building I rented in. The outside façade held an overhang standing on rounded stone pillars to protect those coming in from the weather. The first two meters {6'6”} of the building surface was polished granite while the rest was normal brick. The front entrance held a revolving glass door, slightly opaque to obscure those inside the building from those passing by o
n the sidewalk or street.

  Outside the building, leaning on the granite façade was the other polar bear, looking very antsy. Seeing Tanner coming to a stop and the two of us inside, he jumped off the wall like it stood in the hot sun and came forward.

  “Oh, finally. The boss is livid!” he exclaimed. “He wants Mr. Snow brought up immediately upon arriving!”

  “How mad? Mad mad or really mad?” the other inquired as he climbed out after me.

  “Madder then mad. Possibly madder than he's ever been.”

  “Gosh, that's not good.” The polar bear grabbed my elbow as I waved goodbye to Tanner.

  “Hey, keep your paws off!” I demanded.

  “You don't understand,” the bear said, taking up my other arm. “Our boss is really mad.”

  “I'd already gathered that from your posture in climbing out of the rickshaw.”

  The two hauled me up to the revolving door where they stopped, as all three of us couldn't fit at the same time.

  “If you'll let me go…”

  “No, no…” the bear on my right complained. “You don't understand. The boss said not to let you go until you were inside his office!”

  “I see,” I said seriously, while inside I was laughing. “Had you waited until I was inside that might have been a possibility. However, unless you wish to break down the door, you'll both have to let me go.”

  The two looked at each other as if breaking down the door was an option.

  I knew these bears were idiots, but how stupid can one get! Before they gave that a try, I offered, “Look, I promise I'll keep your having to let me go to get through the door a secret between us, okay?”

  “You swear?”

  “Yes, of course.” I nodded.

  “Gee, Mr. Snow, that's awful kind of you.”

  “Just trying to be helpful. Besides, I'm working with you for now, as you've paid for my time.”

  “Ooo, that's right. Gee, that's really helpful.”

  They let me go, but once those two reached the lobby my elbows were seized again and I padded up to the elevator.