“That looks like the dirty white car,” Miller observing as McCord turns around the bend towards the elementary school. “A Chrysler K car from the looks of it,” Miller adding; “you want to spook the fellow?”
“Why not,” McCord hitting a button activating the vehicle’s lights; “run the vehicle’s license plate while we are at, see if the car is stolen.”
Stepping out of the unmarked cruiser and making their way to the vehicle in question; both Miller and McCord observe as a greasy looking man steps out of the driver side, looking apprehensive. Spotting that he is favoring one foot over the other; both police officers realize that this was the reporter that harassed Mayor Twist earlier in the day.
“What can I do for you officers,” the man speaking nervously; trying to decide if it was worth making a run for it or not.
“Let’s see some identification to start,” Miller speaking up first; making sure that the man keeps his gaze on him as McCord circles around in case the suspect decides to take off.
“For what reason,” the nervous man fumbling for his wallet to produce a driver’s license.
“You and your vehicle match the description of a person loitering around city hall earlier today,” Miller looking at the i.d. Seeing that the man is from Pasadena California and that his name is Jose Ricardo Juarez, Miller looks at the man once more before walking back to the cruiser to start punching in the name and the vehicles plate. Meanwhile McCord was standing behind the man observing a few anomalies on the vehicle.
“Do you realize your vehicle’s inspection sticker is expired,” McCord causing the man to turn around and wince as he had to put weight on his hurt foot; “and your vehicle’s front bumper looks like it’s about to fall off.”
“It’s road worthy,” the nervous man mumbling; “I can assure you of that.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if you do a quick field test to determine that,” McCord getting a strong whiff of the man’s body odor. Noting that the man hasn’t bathed in some time and seeing that he has been living in the back of the vehicle; a military grade sleeping bag displayed prominently as well as empty fast food wrappers littering the vehicle.
“Is there really a need for that,” the man asking nervously.
“You tell me Jose,” Miller coming back from the cruiser; handing the man his driver’s license as shakes his head to McCord, indicating the man is clean in the “legal” sense. “Mind explaining why you were harassing the mayor earlier,” Miller speaking; “as well as following a woman about town?”
“What woman,” Jose sounding defensive.
“The woman you have been following from Sheriff Cooper’s private residence to the elementary school just over there,” McCord chiming in.
“Oh,” Jose trying to find a quick excuse to get out of the predicament he is in. “I’m a reporter,” Jose quickly pulling out a dirty looking press card; “for an online news agency, reporting about the Frederick Parker arrest. I thought I was following the sheriff,” Jose speaking quickly; “hoping to get his take on Frederick Parker.”
Miller just stares at the man for what seemed like an eternity; looking at the man’s shabby attire. Consisting of dirty unwashed jeans, a flannel t-shirt with more mustard and ketchup stains on it than a toddler eating their first hamburger; Miller was finding it hard to believe that this man is a reporter.
“If you are a reporter,” Miller looking at the man; “then where is your equipment?”
“It’s in the trunk of the car,” Jose quickly answering; “you want to see it?”
“Open it up,” Miller signaling to Jose; “let’s see it.”
Watching the man open the trunk of his car, Miller sees a tripod along with a few bags. One looking like a suitcase, Miller guesses the it’s the man’s extra set of clothes; dirty or not, he was getting a strong smell of dirt and sweat from the bag. The other bag was more well maintained; new looking. Opening it up to see a state of the art digital camera as well as various lens; Miller sighs as lets Jose close the trunk of his car.
“Are we done,” Jose feeling smug at the officers.
“No,” McCord speaking and handing the man a slip of paper; “this is a ticket for your expired inspection sticker. You have twenty four hours to get a new one,” McCord stating; “your vehicle will be impounded if you don’t get one by then.”
“And stop following Sheriff Cooper’s fiancé,” Miller warning the man; “or you will be arrested for stalking and possibly harassment.”
“And take a shower,” McCord walking by the man and nearly gagging; “you stink worse than a rotting deer carcass on the side of the road.”
“You believe his story of being a reporter,” McCord asking as they watch the man drive off in his vehicle.
“For an internet news agency,” Miller sighing; “if I didn’t see the camera equipment, I would have kept pressing him with more questions.”
“He never mentioned the name of his news agency,” McCord following the man at a discreet distance; “you suppose he is a private investigator instead?”
“It’s a possibility,” Miller still looking at the man’s information on the vehicle’s laptop; “if his i.d was a fake, it was a good one. And his vehicle is in his name.
"I never thought a normal could stink so bad," McCord seeing the car pull into a parking lot; "better give the Sheriff an update on who this person is.
*****
Meanwhile, Jose was driving aimlessly about the town; aware that he was being followed, yet unable to do anything about it. Pulling into a parking lot, Jose gets his cell phone out and dials a number.
“It’s me,” Jose speaking; “think I’ve been made.”
“WHAT,” the other man shouting; “What are you talking about!”
“Some deputies pulled me over,” Jose sighing; “and started asking me questions about why I’m here and what I do.”
“Did you maintain your cover,” the man snapping back.
“Of course,” Jose speaking; “I’m not an idiot, but this town, Moon Lake? It feels off.”
“How so,” the man answering.
“Well everywhere I look,” Jose answering; “the town’s residences look like they are in the prime of their life. Apart from some elderly couple I saw being helped out of a vehicle; everyone in this town looks really younger and extremely fit. It’s like they discovered the secret of eternal youth.”
There was silence on the other end before the man spoke up.
“You never mind that,” the man speaking; “just keep an eye on the sheriff, the mayor and the other people I’ve told you about.”
“About that,” Jose grumbling; “I was already warned to stay away from the sheriff and his fiancé. As for this Benton Knight and this Tachibana woman,” Jose unsure if he pronounced the name right; “I’m having a difficult time looking for their residences.”
“Some private investigator,” the man sounding disgusted; “did you not read the email I sent you?”
“If I could get a wifi signal to piggy back off of,” Jose speaking; “then I wouldn’t be telling you this Crawford.”
“Just do what I hired you to do,” the man snapping; “I’m not paying you to belly ache.”
“Fine,” Jose rolling his eyes; “I’ll update you when I have something pertinent to tell you.”
Jose disconnects the call and looks around where he is parked. Seeing that he pulled up to the only motel in the town, Jose could think no better place than to get some internet connection along with a shower.