Chapter Nine: Tanglewood:

Daniel and Edwin stayed by each other as they began the walk down the trailer park. It looked quiet today. The town has fought over this block for years. Some want it bulldozed over and made into something new. Others think it would be better if it rotted out. Nobody knows what to do with it really. So for now, Tanglewood stands.

“Where is everybody?” Daniel whispered.

“Hiding,” his partner said.

“Why?” the detective asked.

“You know what we do for a living, right?”

“Yeah…”

“And you know where we are, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Wouldn’t make sense of why it’s quiet?”

Daniel thought about it for a moment. Then he nodded. “Good point.”

“You must be new here,” Edwin said.

“Shut up,” his partner said. They kept their guns to their chests. There were some people around, but they just peeked out of their windows at the cops. According to their notes, Lanie’s drug of choice was heroin. This would be one of the places where she was said to get her drugs. There was only one dealer they could talk to.

The cops walked up to trailer 54. Daniel looked like he could handle this much easier. He only had on a t-shirt and jeans. Edwin hung back in the yard. Just keep this simple. No need to spook anyone.

Daniel knocked on the door. Inside the trailer was quiet. The detective took a listen as he knocked on the door. He backed up when the door opened a crack. A brown and red eye peeked out.

“What do you want?” a low voice hissed.

“We’re looking for Lanie Cape,” Detective Paige said. “Do you know where she is?” There was a pause.

“Why?” a man’s voice asked.

“It’s her grandfather,” Daniel said. “He’s dead.” There came another pause.

“Really?” the man asked.

“Yeah,” the detective said. “Is she here with you?”

“No.”

“Have you seen Ms. Cape?”

“No.”

“When was the last time you saw her?”

“Why?”

“Look, I just want to let her know. She could even be in danger.” Daniel looked around for a bit. “The police are seeing it’s murder.”

“Well, she didn’t do it!”

“Oh? And how do you know?”

“I… I don’t know. Look, just go away!” The man tried to slam the door in Daniel’s face. The detective turned to his partner. He gave him a shrug.

“Now what?” Daniel asked.

“We just keep looking around here, I guess,” Edwin said. Daniel sighed.

“Fine,” he said. The cops picked up their walk. They started around noon. By five, the cops came up with nothing. Some people yelled at them to go away. Others wouldn’t even come to the door. If Daniel had a nickel for every time the door got slammed in his face, he’d have about $2.50. Detective Paige and his partner had to face it:: Tanglewooddwas a bust. They sat on the hood of their car, looking defeated. Daniel rubbed his forehead.was a bust. They sat on the hood of their car, looking defeated. Daniel rubbed his forehead.

“What did you expect out here?” Edwin asked. “No one wants to talk out here.”

“You take that land lady gave us a false lead to get rid of us?” Daniel asked. His partner shrugged and shook his head.

“Now what?” the detective asked.

“Back to square one, I guess,” Edwin replied. Daniel groaned and threw back his head.

“Damn it!” he shouted. He took another and moved his lips to make a motorboat noise. His partner just ignored him as he was lost in thought. Well, today was a bust. Or… maybe not?

“Excuse me,” a small voice said. “I think I can help you findd Laniee.” The two cops looked up..” The two cops looked up.