Monkey Boy's Playground

Sighing, “That’s a fair deal. I’ll be seeing you in one week; I’ll meet you in this very spot.”

Andrew walks up to the man, who stands to greet him. Next to where the man is sitting is a standard black briefcase. “So, it would appear that you have an offer to bring to the table, Mr. Smith.”

“Yes I do, and I’m very confident that you’ll be pleased.” The man opens the case and turns it toward Andrew. “I do hope that this is sufficient compensation, as seeing that the last known location of Lord Sy was in southern Texas.”

Andrew takes the open case and quickly takes a visual count of money within it. “This is half?”

“Yes, don’t worry where I got it. I know how this sort of thing works, it’s crystal clean money.”

“This is $50,000; you have your man.” Andrew stands and shakes the man’s hand. “What’s the name of the town, this dark lord was last known to be in, and do you have any photo of him?”

The man reaches into his pocket and takes a photo of his daughter and a man. “This is him. Not the best looking fellow in the world. He was seen at the Joe’s Crab Shack in Corpus Christi. He’s never alone, and I’m sure he and his men are always armed. Please bring them to justice for what they’ve done to the daughters of this world.”

“I’ll do my best. Should you hear any other leads on him or his associates you let me know before the police have a chance to ruin them.”

Andrew and the man shake hands and part ways. Andrew gets into his truck and sets for Corpus Christi.

After a leisurely drive through the heart of the American Midwest, Andrew arrives in Corpus Christi. He secures a hotel and after settling into his room, he locates the local Joe’s Crab Shack, where he should be able to pick up the trail.

Walking into the restaurant, “Hello, I need to speak with your manager; I’m conducting an investigation.”

“Sure, just one minute, let me find her.”

Offering an outstretched hand, “Hello, my name is, Allie Madock, how may I assist you.”

Shaking her hand, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Madock. My name is Andrew Irons; I’m investigating a murder suspect.”

Smiling and laughing slightly, “Sorry, just call me Allie, I’m not really the formal type.”

Pulling out the photo given him, “Allie, have you seen either of the people in this photo?”

Taking the photo and studying it, “Nope can’t say I have. The man looks like the night type, Bill, should be of more help.” She points Andrew in the direction of the bar.

Taking a seat at the bar and flagging down the man holding it down, “Andrew Irons, I’m looking for, Bill.”

The man coming over to him, “That’s me, what can I do ya for?”

“First I need a Jack on the rocks, and second,” handing him the photo, “have you seen either of those two.”

Handing the photo back, “Let me get your drink.” He walks over to the center of the bar and makes the drink, he then walks back and hands it to Andrew and takes a lean over the bar, “Saw the guy in here about two months ago. He had quite the entourage. He carried himself like he was the biggest man in the world. I didn’t like the way he looked, and since he looked under 40, I carded him when he order a drink. Clinton Sypher, California; wrote that one down, damn glad I did. Everyone around him, called him, My Lord, or Sy; guessing it depended on how close they were to him. I knew that at least two of his buddies were packing, but they seemed to scare everyone away, so I wasn’t worried about them causing trouble.”

“How many did he have with him, and what was the makeup of the crowd?”

Thinking back, “I’d say about eight. Two of them seemed to be his body guards, sat on either side; not really big guys, but they looked like they were rather familiar a weapon. The rest of the crowd seemed to be his fans; four girls in their early twenties, and a guy who looked youngest of all.”

“Was this girl,” pointing at the photo, “one of those girls.”

“No, she wasn’t there.”

Sighing greatly, “Any idea where they hang their hat?”

“No, but, one of the girls,” grabbing out a memo pad and flipping through it, “Candice Ashford, hails from Fritch, up north near Oklahoma.”

Finishing his drink, “Awesome, that gives me something to go off of; best start to a job ever.”

“Glad to be of service, hope you catch your man.”

Andrew drops a $50 on the bar and leaves back to his hotel room to plan for his next destination.

Andrew sits at his laptop and begins to plan his route to Fritch. As he browses the route and road layout within Fritch, his cell phone rings.

“What’s up my brother from another mother?”

“Dude, I specifically remember seeing OUR mother holding you the day you were born.”

“I know. So how the Hell are you? I don’t hear from you unless you’re after something.”

“Word on the street is that you’ve been charged with finding one, Clinton Sypher; he’s one of the more elusive men ever hunted by authorities. I’ve been asked to speak with you about making sure you bring him in alive.”

“Well now I know his name isn’t fake. I’m fixing to head to Fritch, Texas, from here in Corpus Christi in the morning. He may or may not be where I’m heading, been a few months, so unless you can somehow meet me there, there’s little I can do.”

“Shit, you’re in Texas,” pause on the phone. “Is there any way you can hold off on leaving for at least one more day?”

“Nope. Sorry bro I have to take these leads as they come. It’s three now and I hate getting up early, but I have the alarm set at six, to be on the road by eight. The drive is slated at eleven hours.”

Heavy sigh, “I might be able to pull this off. Can I ask you to do a personal favor?”

“I’ll try not to kill him. I’m not in the business of killing people, but he pulls off one round and I get him in my sights, it over.”

“Good, you’re not ordered to kill him.”

“Nope, my employer wants me to bring him to justice. This Lord Sy seems the perfect type to rot in a prison rather than be a martyr.”