Case 29 - Frenzied Drama Part 2


    Keiko waited in the private office of Dr. Hal Pullman, DVM.  His receptionist asked her to wait there after she identified herself as a detective investigating a real estate extortion scam involving that particular veterinary practice’s two offices.

    The office she was asked to wait within was much quieter than the lobby.  No whining dog to yell over.  No distant, heartbreaking sound of someone crying in one of the exam rooms, leading Keiko to force herself to consciously avoid thinking about why that was.

    It was a fairly spartan office.  This was one busy doctor, who didn’t seem to have the time to dig in and decorate his office.  The desk was night enough, and a few photos or drawings of dogs and cats were on the walls.  But there was also equipment and a couple of cages piled on the floor, like the room doubled as storage.

    The doctor entered the office with a sullen look and closed the door behind him.  Rather than sit down at the desk, he leaned against it and folded his arms.  Keiko rose at that point, feeling more comfortable standing.  He already looked down at her enough because she was short - sitting down it was worse.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Good afternoon,”  Keiko greeted him.  “I was hired to discover why it’s so difficult to near impossible to open a veterinary office in any shopping center in town.  My client suspects it might be some sort of conspiracy.”

    He raised an eyebrow.  “Miss--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Takashi,”  she filled in.  “Or Keiko if you wish.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I don’t know that there’s any kind of conspiracy,”  he said in a purposeful yet calm voice.  “We signed a contract with the developer of the shopping center so we could get a significant reduction in rent between our two locations.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“So you didn’t know they would be rejecting other vets as tenants?”  Keiko asked.

    He looked away at that point.  “I did...request that they not place a competing vet right next door to my practice, as part of the contract.  But you have to understand, that’s just good business.  I have no problem with one opening at another shopping center.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I understand.”  Keiko nodded calmly.  “You should state that more clearly to the developer,”  she replied.  “These kinds of things could get you into trouble.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Are you going to speak with them as well?”  the doctor asked.

    Keiko nodded quietly.

    He suddenly turned pale.  “I...haven’t had any...direct dealing with them.  But I heard they’re...you know--”  He lowered his voice to a whisper.  “Mob types.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It’s okay, I’ve dealt with that kind before.”  Keiko smiled warmly.  She shook his hand gently.  “Thank you for your help.  I hope I can wrap this case up quickly and without involving you again.”

    She let herself out as the doctor watched, looking a little overwhelmed and confused.


---


    It was easy for Keiko to find the shopping center’s real estate office.  The vet clinic was at the far end of the center’s property, near the street.  So of course, within view of the small building was a sign advertising leasing within the strip mall.  Keiko sat in her car, called the phone number with her cell phone and asked if she could visit their office to discuss leasing a space.  They were eager to meet her.

    The leasing office was, conveniently enough, located in a five floor office building on the opposite corner of the shopping center property.  Keiko moved her car to the front of that building - kind of a waste, if the temperature hadn’t been dropping and she hadn’t been worried that she might have to make a quick getaway.

    She entered the building rubbing her hands together - the leather gloves and leather jacket she wore wasn’t enough to keep out the chill.  As she took off the gloves and stowed them in her jacket pockets, she looked at the directory just inside the door.  The leasing office was the entire top floor.

    Keiko politely nodded at someone who was getting off the elevator as she got on.  She stepped inside and pushed the ‘5’ button.  It didn’t take long for such a short trip.  Pretty soon, she was stepping off the elevator, facing a pair of glass doors with the logo of the property developer on the wall next to them.

    Inside those glass doors was a receptionist.  Keiko smiled and politely asked if she could speak to someone in charge.  She claimed she had an issue with one of the tenants.  The receptionist asked Keiko to have a seat while she checked if he was available.

    A few minutes later, the receptionist waved Keiko back to the desk.  “Mr. Farber will see you now,”  she said.

    Keiko followed the receptionist to a set of wooden double doors down the hall.  She entered that office as the door was held open for her.  Standing behind a large wood and glass desk, in a plush carpeted office, with a window overlooking the shopping center, was a grey haired man in a dark suit.  He was practicing with a golf putter.

    Before the doors even closed, Keiko was aware of two heavy-set middle aged men to either side of the door.  She knew what they were there for, so she tried her best to appear small and non-threatening.  It didn’t quite work as she had planned.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I heard there was an Asian female assassin in town,”  the grey-haired Mr. Farber said.  He looked up from his putting game for a moment and smiled.  “I have sources,”  he said.  “And security cameras all over the building.”

    She didn’t react to that, having years of experience not reacting to shocking turns of events.  “I don’t do that any more,”  she said meekly.  “I’m a private detective.  I’m helping a client investigate why they can’t open a veterinary clinic here.”  She decided to stick to honesty.  That might disarm them.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Do you know what the secret to making money is?”  the man holding the putter asked.  “It’s controlling both sides of the board.  You see, if we have a piece of every shopping center in town...we offer one vet an exclusive deal to those properties...we can charge him whatever we want for rent.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“If you have two vets you’ll have twice the rent,”  Keiko pointed out.

    He chuckled.  “And then you always have the two competing for lower rent.  Threatening to buy their own place.  And it’s usually the one paying the higher rent who threatens to buy their own.  Then where are you left?  With one small single-location tenant who can’t afford the rent.”

    Keiko frowned.  “We can discuss real estate philosophy all day.  Meanwhile I have a client who needs help.  Perhaps I should advise her to buy her own location rather than lease?”

    The greying man looked at the two heavy set men at the door, directing Keiko’s attention to them.  They both nodded once.  “I’m sorry.  I wouldn’t be able to allow that.  It might give our Dr. Pullman ideas about re-negotiating his lease.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You may not have a say in the matter.”  Keiko turned toward the door, implying the conversation was over.  The two heavy set men were blocking her.

    He raised his putter and walked toward Keiko.  “I’ll have to send a clear message, then.”

    Careful not to give a hint to her movements, Keiko suddenly went into action, snatching the putter from Mr. Farber before he thought to grip it tightly.  She whacked each of the heavy set men on the side of the head with it.  They were left stumbling backward as Keiko threw the putter onto the desk.  It bounced off the surface and fell to the floor noisily.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I have a message too,”  Keiko said plainly as she headed out the door.  She paused before she left to add, “Consider it delivered.”


---


    Keiko walked into her home and paused to catch her breath.  She didn’t expect things to escalate so quickly.  She suspected that Mr. Farber did, which she supposed is why he runs things in town.  Lisa wouldn’t be too happy with the result, but at least she wouldn’t be bullied by those fake mobsters if they thought Keiko would visit them again.

    Yes, fake, Keiko thought to herself as she stripped off her jacket and gloves, and savored the warmth in her home.  She dealt with the likes of Antonio Ceres, who would have never resorted to violence so quickly.  His words were far more dangerous, because he carried out his warnings swiftly and without unnecessary posturing.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh...hello Sean,”  Keiko greeted him as she saw him walking from the kitchen to the dining room.  She glanced at the clock.  “You’re home an hour early?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah, wrapped up early today,”  he said.  “Actually a couple hours ago, but I found something to waste time at the station.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh?”  Keiko asked almost sarcastically.  “Did they install video games?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No,”  Sean replied a little too seriously.  It was obvious then that he had an admission to deliver that weighed on his mind.  “You’ve always been my best friend, Keiko, so I’m no good at keeping things from you.”

    She tilted her head, and then folded her arms as she became concerned about what he was trying to say.  Then she figured it out before he said it...because being Sean, it was obvious.  “Who did you have sex with?”  she said, her words soft yet as sharp as a knife.

    Sean cringed, but not because of the language.  He shuddered too, because he was surprised that he was so easily read.  “Karen,”  he whispered, almost hoping she wouldn’t hear.  “I was admiring her walking around the station, and when Matt was called out...I ran into her just as she was about to leave.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“On purpose.”  Keiko concluded.  It wasn’t a question.

    He shrugged slightly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Okay.”  Keiko shrugged.  She still was eerily calm about it, surprising even herself.  Perhaps, she thought to herself, she was beyond getting upset about these things because they happened so often that she expected it eventually.  “If that’s what you want,”  she said.  “I won’t sleep with you anymore, though.”  Even to that last sentence she was emotionless.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m sorry, Keiko,”  Sean said.  But she was already on her way back into the living room.  He followed her, but waited in the doorway to see what she would do.  She sat down on the couch, and looked as if she was going to watch television...but then she lowered her head and clasped her hands in her lap.

    Sean quietly sat next to her, but she didn’t look up.  “Look, I know I’m the one who hurt you,”  he said, “but you’re also my closest friend...and the only one who puts up with me.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I know,”  she surprisingly replied in a soft voice.  She looked at him with saddened eyes.  “The first thing I felt was terribly jealous.  Now I felt guilty for feeling jealous, because I have no right.”

    There was no response.  Sean was shocked into silence - he couldn’t believe Keiko blamed herself for allowing this to happen.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sean.”  Keiko took his hand gently after thinking for a moment.  “If you’re so attracted to Karen, why simply play around with her?  You should consider something more permanent.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m not sure I understand,”  Sean replied.

    Keiko looked into his eyes, the sadness fading in hers.  “I’m speaking as your friend.”  she said.  “Why don’t you marry her?  It seems that would make you happy.  You could have the best sex of your life all the time without having to worry.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What about Matt?”  he asked.

    She shrugged.  “It seems they’ve been on the edge of divorce forever.  It wouldn’t take much to nudge them toward it.”  She smirked mischievously and added, “Or I could take Matt out of the picture.”

    Sean eyed her warily.  “No...no, I don’t want to see someone die over this.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What if it’s the only way?”  Keiko asked seriously.  “If they don’t divorce, sooner or later it will be you or him.”

    He didn’t reply again.  There was a lot of truth to what Keiko said.  He always feared that it would come to a showdown between him and Matt.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Let me know,”  Keiko said as she rose slowly.  “I’m going to make dinner.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Keiko--”  Sean stopped her as she left the room.  “Are you going to be okay?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes.”  she replied honestly, taking a deep cleansing breath as she did.  “It didn’t hurt as much as the last time.  I suppose I was expecting it.  And it was my choice to get into this mess.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m still sorry,”  Sean said.  “As your friend, I’m sorry you were hurt.”

    Keiko nodded.  “Apology accepted.”  She chuckled slightly and added, “It’s not really your fault, though.  I feel so ashamed--”  She shook her head.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Keiko--”  Sean waited until she turned to face him.  She then hugged him tightly, holding her against him.  “I’m sorry,”  he said again.

    She accepted the hug for a few minutes before finally pulling free.  She looked a little shaken after that...but she took a deep breath and said, “I’m hungry.  I should make dinner.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh, I almost forgot.”  Sean raced into the kitchen ahead of Keiko.  He produced a heavy plastic bag he left in there for her.  It was takeout food from one of her favorite places...it smelled delicious.  “I picked up something for us.  It’s the least I could do.”

    Keiko looked at the bag, taking whiff of the food.  Then she looked at Sean and bowed slightly.  “Thank you,”  she said.  “But I want you to remember...you don’t owe me anything for what you’ve done.  I don’t want you to feel like you do.  You’re my friend, and that’s why I can forgive you.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Okay.”  Sean nodded.  He began unpacking the bag, and Keiko started to help.  She flashed him a smile as they worked together as friends.


TO BE CONTINUED
    


-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- World Class and all characters therein are property of 
--    Strike Two and Jason Froikin.