“So - you go to the central South-Western District often?” Sitting on the passenger seat, Mick asked Detective Brian Sai, the youngest and possibly the quietest one of the detectives.
“Not since I made detective.” Brian Sai smiled and shook his head: “I used to walk a beat on the border of the South-Eastern and South-Western Districts, and it was only a few streets away from the Northern District. It was quite an experience. Safe, but kinda boring and - there’s so much politics. I hated it. After I transferred, things changed. I do miss an occasional craft coffee though.”
“Oh, man. I agree.” Mick chuckled as he leaned back on his seat: “When I was still in my old precinct, there’s this one where the owner has his own special bean roaster. He has connections to some out of city supplier who provided him with a kind of especially fragrant beans. And he only sold those to known customers or family and friends. My captain knew him and got those for us once a month, and man that was some good coffee.”
“I should really get back there some time, you got my caffeine withdrawal acting up.” Brian Sai laughed out loud: “I had this usual spot I used to frequent. But just a few months before my transfer they shut down out of nowhere. And the boss is nowhere to be found. I got some bags of beans on clearance, and too bad, I’ve never been able to find them again.”
“Bang!” Just when they drove past a crossroad, two young men in hoodies broke out of an electronic store and rushed into an alleyway on the side. In each one’s arms tucked two expensive looking thin and flatscreen monitors.
The pedestrians close by just stepped away from their path and the store itself, then went on with their day.
“Things have changed quite a bit, huh?” Brian Sai looked around and did not see law enforcement anywhere. “Should we - should we go after them?”
“This is not a good area.” Mick seemed embarrassed: “Don’t worry, someone will check on them. ”
“You’re sure? There’s no patrol cars or police stands around.” Brian Sai sighed and shook his head, if not for their being already a bit late and his not being familiar with the road he would have gotten off the car and pursued those two hooligans.
“It’s okay. You’ll get used to it. People here are much more relaxed about things like this.” Mick shrugged, then pointed at a turn in front of them: “Here, turn right, then turn left at the first corner and you can see a parking lot.”
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“Alright, if you say so.” Brian Sai shrugged. He was never a good pursuer anyway. He was always more of a desk-bound, evidence gathering and analysis focused detective.
The parking lot was only half full. One side of it was occupied by street food vendors, food trucks and people lining up in front of them. They pulled into one that was just outside of the entrance to a tall building.
“This is the building of their precinct? It looks too - too commercial.” Detective Brian Sai asked.
“Nah, it’s a newly built shopping center.” Mick chuckled: “The precinct building is behind it. Somehow the previous captain chose a good spot.”
“And this - this Sergeant Fu will be meeting us here?” Brian Sai looked up at the metallic building Signia, sighed and shook his head: “I mean, I guess I am regretting my transfer now.”
“It’s okay. I’ve got some cheap vouchers and discount codes.” Mick chuckled and pulled out a small pile of shiny cards, some were of official print, some were just printed out using their normal printing machine.
“That’s - so great.” Brian Sai chuckled.
The arranged meeting place was a clean and neat looking coffee house. The prices were not as ridiculous as the exterior and interior decorations would suggest. Even without the vouchers and discount codes, Brian Sai could still afford it.
“Hey, hey. ” Before going in, Mick came to the barista: “Can you do me a favor? I’d really appreciate it if you do.”
“Sure, what’s up?” The barista was one wearing a nose ring with a full left arm of tattoos.
“Can I store these coupons and vouchers at your place? So whatever we order later, you can just apply them?” Mick slid over a small bill of ten dollars: “I want to meet with a friend of - select taste. And we don’t want to embarrass ourselves. If you could help us, that would be great.”
“Sure.” The barista covered up her laughs and she accepted the bills: “You don’t know how many people have this kind of requests. So, I got you sir.”
“Uncle Fu!” Mick’s earnest and plain face immediately put a facade of elaborate friendliness and excitement: “How have you been?”
“Little Mick! ” Sergeant Fu was a slightly chubby man in a pair of frameless glasses with light brown lenses, he greeted Mick with open arms and a similar smile on his face. “Oh boy, you sure have grown quite a bit. How’s your new precinct treating you?”
“Good! Good, I’ve been learning a lot, and seen quite a bit of action.” Mick showed a wry smile: “How have you been? How are things with you? Still living that peaceful life?”
“Meh, you know, that same old, same old.” Sergeant Fu shrugged and led Mick and Brian to their seats. He then turned to Brian: “You must be Detective Sai! I’ve heard quite a bit about you. You’re quite the expert in solving some obscure cases, huh? Pleased to meet you!”
“Pleased to meet you as well.” Brian Sai shook hands with the sergeant: “And thank you for making time for us.”
“No problem. Any friend of Mick is a friend of mine.” Sergeant Fu shook his head and waved to a waiter: “Hey, can we get some matcha latte here? And not the usual kind, your craft kind, with a little butter and icecream on top?”
“On it.” The waitress nodded.
Mick let out a sigh of relief. Sergeant Fu was indeed a man of expensive taste. The first thing he ordered was from the secret menu with three times the average price.