"Hm, that is my stoop, but I cannot see the face," Block said, "I do have lots of people visit my studio."
"Studio?" The officer asked. He looked around the mostly empty sitting room.
"I am a miniatures. Quite lifelike is how the Times Critic described them."
"Here's another photo."
"Oh, the Cowboy!" Block exclaimed, "that was a month ago. Was he abducted on CCTV leaving my shop?"
"Cowboy? David Barnstable is his name, and the CCTV shows him entering you establishment, but not exiting."
"It's been a month? I cannot recall whether he left by the front or back? Is there a time gap between photos? Maybe he left between photographs. Or maybe a lorry of something else blocked the camera's view?"
"Mind, if I come in, and look around a bit?"
"No, not at all. Please come in. Hm, you are in good shape."
"Huh, I am always on the look out for new models. Let me show you some of my work. I haven't sold the cowboy yet."
"So Barnstable posed as a cowboy? Sure show me."
Right this way officer. The sitting room was warm, but the display room was like a sauna. The officer in his uniform started to perspire.
"Awfully warm in here, don't you think."
"I guess I am cold blooded, I like it warm. Besides my models pose in the nude, and the temperature prevents shrinkage, if you know what I mean," he said petting his crotch.
Involuntarily, the officer began loosening his clothes. He leaned in and stared at the 10 cm tall cowboy. It looked just like Barnstable's face. The detail was amazing. The clothing fit perfectly too. Normally, doll clothing that size looks bulky and awkward. Somehow this tiny outfit didn't.
"Oh, you can take off your clothing, if you like. It will help me evaluate whether I make a mini policeman out of you," Block said.
"Huh, the shirt maybe."
As the officer who revealed his name was Bill Collier, made him self more comfortable in the windowless, skylit display room, Mr. Block smiled. He extracted the cowboy from the display cabinet, and had set him on a green velvet topped table next to a leather kit containing very fine tools.
"You see I pride myself on realism. All the buttons are real." He used a tiny hooked tweezers and a straight metal rod to unbuttoned Barnstable's shirt, and button fly jeans.
"Whoa! That's the tattoo Barnstable has!" Officer Bill exclaimed.
Mr. Block handed Bill a magnifying glass.
"I'll be. It is anatomically correct."
"Yes, right down to the last mole. Some say I should take more artistic license," Block sighed, "But sometimes, the subject is perfect the way it is. Barnstable had that tattoo of a bull, and weathered farmers tan, and that three day shadow of a beard. Aside from dressing him in a cowboy hat, gunbelt and boots, he was the perfect cowboy already. Would you like to see the rest of my collection? "
Bill was soon examine Chad and Tony on the green tabletop.
"These look like a couple of punks I rousted down at the beach yesterday morning."
"Indeed. Well, most of my models are locals. So it's likely they posed for these. So would you be interested in modeling for me?"
"Well, the police department has strict policies..."
"Oh, I wouldn't necessarily have you model as a policeman. I have custom order for a spaceman, and I was hoping for a model that would, er fill out Barbarella style spacesuit. I think you'd fit the bill. Perhaps, the beginning of next week?"
"I am off Tuesdays and Wednesdays?" Bill said uncertainly.
"Pay is one thousand cash," Block said.
"That seems like a lot?"
"It's my standard pay for a model," Block explained. He smiled, as he extracted a contract from his desk. He hadn't bothered with one for Chad and Tony, but Barnstable wasn't about to show any skin unless the money was guaranteed.
"So Barnstable left here with a thousand in cash? Was it dark yet?"
"Oh, I don't know when I sculpt, I lose track of time. Possibly? You don't think I get this detail in a few minutes, do you?" Block snickered.
"No. Of course not. I'll need to take the contract, and I'll give you a receipt," The officer pulled out a pad, and gave Block an official receipt.
"Perhaps, you could bring the original back on Tuesday or Wednesday after making copies?"
"Sure, uh-"
"Here is a blank modeling contract for you. See the fee is preprinted," Block said handing the blank copy.
"Do people know that your models are leaving with a grand?"
"Possibly, it's not a secret."
"Anyone try burgling you?"
Block almost said all the time, but that would lead to questions as to why he hadnt called the police. His eyes drifted to the big safe, where a dozen would be thieves were stored with a million in cash, and a lot of raw putty.
The officer dressed, and briefly checked around. He exited the back of the property to see if Barnstable might have escaped the CCTV cameras view. There was a large construction dumpster in the alley. And it didn't appear well lit. He could've been way laid, or gone on a bender. Diligently, the officer made inquiries at the neighbors.
Meanwhile, Mr. Block made some other arrangements. Next week, there would be big trucks parked in front to block the CCTV camera views. Now he needed to get a clear plastic space suit. Bill looked like a size 46? Better make it a size 42, be a really tight fit. He grabbed his sketch pad, and called a custom costume shop.