“This is Dispatch. How can I help you?” The dispatch operator took a call.
“This is Shuttle One out on Whipple. There’s a car that’s been in our lot for about two weeks. See every Monday we do an inventory, because sometimes people dump cars here. This car has shown up each Monday now and we can’t tie it to any of our riders. I think someone should come out and look it over. You want the VIN and license?” Norman Bailey looked out the office window at the offending vehicle, hoping the police would take this car off his hands.
“Sir, I’ll have someone follow up on this as soon as possible. Will you be there for the next hour?”
“Yeah, I’ll wait.”
Dispatch ran the license plate number and discovered it was listed on a BOLO for Lisa Wood’s car. She immediately called Fred’s cell phone to alert him.
“Thanks, Kathy. I’ll head over to Whipple and take a look. Will you alert the crime technicians to pack up and come over as soon as they can?” Fred started in motion the assistance he would need.
“Hey, Fred. Looks like you found your missing car.” Bob, from crime tech, greeted the detective as he unloaded his van.
“Photos, prints, and inventory, please. Let me know what you find. I’m looking for a purse and papers.” Fred handed out assignments.
“Well, Fred, honey, if you lost your purse, we can always go get you a new one. Perhaps a black patent leather shoulder bag?” Bob chuckled at his own joke.
“You pickle. Just get started. It’s going to be a hot one. I’ll call dispatch for a tow truck.” Fred shook his head at the warped sense of humor Bob displayed.
An hour passed as the technician worked methodically on the vehicle. “Fred, the tank is sitting on empty. Prints all over. Do we have the owner’s to eliminate? I bagged and tagged everything inside. There was a purse, but I don’t think it’s yours.” Bob continued razing the detective.
“Did you inventory the purse?”
“It’s hers. Wallet, keys, makeup, candy bar, hand lotion, and surprise, surprise, a .25 Smith and Wesson.” Bob read from the inventory.
“Okay, let’s get the car to impound and do a more thorough search.” Fred was ready to find answers to some of his concerns.
“Are you saying my search was NOT thorough, Fred?” Bob registered hurt at the accusation.
“That’s not at all what I’m saying. We just need to get the vacuum and spray, although the spray probably won’t reveal anything. Come on, Bob, don’t give me a hard time.” The detective was feeling anxious and a bit short-tempered.
The tow truck left the parking lot with Lisa Wood’s car and Fred called Oriole to ask her to meet him at the impound.
“We have the purse, the car, all we’re missing is the check. Nowhere in the car?” Oriole asked Fred.
“Nope. Still missing. I called the bank to see if it had been cashed. They don’t have any record of it clearing. They said it is good for 90 days. Things are coming together. We sure need a break on who might have done this to Lisa.” Fred recounted his most recent information.