Non-challenge: A Policeman's Tale (Day 25)
Title: A Policeman's Tale (Day 25)
Author: ytak
Word count: 1307
Rating (chapter): K+ (PG)
Rating (whole story): T (PG-13)
Comments: I'd say I'm making good progress to get out 10,000 words for this story this month for fic_off. One more chapter ought to do it. Then I can take a little break.
Other chapters can be read through here or here.
Day 25
“What's going on?” Takagi asked himself as he pulled onto the street he lived on. A uniformed officer was directing traffic to a side street. He counted two patrol cars in front of his apartment complex and what looked like two detective's cars. I think I know those cars..., he thought. I've probably passed by them in the parking garage at one point or another.
Traffic moved slowly as the officer had to stop and answer the questions of the drivers, I'm not even going to stop to ask. I already know I'll have to go around unless I want to get involved. Quickly, he plotted an alternate route to his parking spot. Unless I'm really unlucky today, I should be able to get there.
The patrol officer looked a little relieved to not have to explain to another driver that they would have to go around and why (not that he really knew, he just told those who asked the department approved response).
Circling around took longer than normal because all the traffic was redirected that way. Looping around, nearly going the wrong way on a one way street (he was glad no one he knew saw he almost do that), and a turn of dubious legality (which he did not think too hard about), Takagi arrived at the small parking garage for his apartment. The road road block set a little off of the entrance of the garage was being moved by a uniformed officer.
Of course, just ten minutes and it has already been cleared up, Takagi thought. Not that I could have known how far along the investigation would take without getting involved.
He looped around in the garage, working his way around to his parking spot. A small, heavily customized motorbike zipped past him, driving faster than he should have in the enclosed space. Takagi frowned. I don't recognize that motorbike. Was he just visiting someone here?
A moment later he arrived at his assigned parking spot. It was a tight spot, designed for a car smaller than his but it did guarantee parking for him when he came home at odd hours instead of trying to find parking on the street.
A chill hit him as he stepped out of the car. He scrunched further down in his comfortably worn coat and made a bee line for the entrance. The thought of snuggling under his heated blanket made him mover faster for the elevator than normal.
The elevator 'dinged' and opened, letting a wave of warm air sweep over him. Quickly, he moved into it and pushed the close button, then pushed the button his floor (no sense in wasting the warm air). Arriving at his floor, he stepped off into the chilly evening air. I really wish I lived in an enclosed apartment, he thought. But I can't afford it, he finished with a sigh.
He was a few steps out of the elevator when he realized that there were a lot of people milling around. A lot of people in uniform and a few in suits. With a groan, he realized that whatever had happened, had happened here. On his floor. Hopefully not to his apartment.
“Who was watching the elevator?” snarled one of the officers. “He shouldn't have let anyone up!”
He's right about that, thought Takagi. I know he'll be the one to get chewed out for not securing a crime scene. It must have just happened right after I got off work.
“Someone get his statement and get me the name off the officer who was supposed to be watching the elevator,” the officer snapped.
Takagi frowned. “There was not anyone at the elevator,” he said, catching their attention. “And I know what sort of disciplinary action would be given for just leaving,” Takagi stated holding out his own badge. “I just got done with my shift.” He wanted to sigh at the stares he was getting. “I live just down there,” he said, nodding further down the floor.
The other officer (whose name Takagi still did not know) looked like he wanted to hit head on the wall. He appeared to collect himself before he turned to Takagi. “Fine. Did you notice anything?”
Takagi thought about it a moment and the motorbike flashed through his mind. “The was a man on a motorbike. He zipped past me in the garage. The bike had a really fancy paint job and chrome. And I know I haven't seen that motorbike here before.”
Another officer's radio squawked, “We found him sir! He was knocked out and dumped behind a car!”
“Dammit!” the officer snarled and ran past Takagi to the stairs. He was followed by two other officers, leaving the floor a lot emptier.
Takagi blinked and wondered if he should go after them but realized that he knew nothing of what was going on. Nor did any of them look very familiar, which meant they worked in a different division than his own. He looked at the remaining officers. “So, can I ask what happened?”
“Multiple burglaries. Suspect was reported to still be in the building last seen on this floor.”
Takagi was almost hesitant to ask which apartments but he had to know.
“We're still trying to figure that out,” the officer said. “A lot of people here don't lock their doors. Apparently they feel safe having a police officer living on the same floor.” He laughed a little at Takagi's sigh. “Yeah, they forget burglars don't know always know that. Not to mention most people aren't home during the day.”
“At this time? Maybe he forgot to keep an eye on the time?” Takagi suggested.
The officer shrugged. “Well, if your apartment is on the list of ones we have checked and wasn't burglarized, you can go in.”
Takagi rattled off his apartment number. I really, really hope mine didn't get hit. But knowing my luck... The officer looked over his list. A moment later, he grinned at Takagi, “Looks like your place wasn't hit. Door was still locked and no evidence of entry.”
Takagi let out his breath he did not know he was holding. “That's good news. I really don't need to fill out more paperwork than I already have,” he hefted up his briefcase to indicate he had to take it home tonight.
The other officer winced. “That's why I want to stay patrol and in uniform. Less paperwork. Far less paperwork.”
Takagi could understand that viewpoint. It was a given fact that the amount of paperwork increased with each promotion. Some officers simply felt that the trade for more pay was not worth it.
He walked down the hall to his apartment. He noticed that the knob had been dusted. Not surprising. If the burglar did not wear gloves and he left prints elsewhere, his path could be tracked.
He unlocked the door and walked into the apartment. It was rather chilly, but not as bad as outside, since keeping the place heated while no one was home made no sense and would have driven up his bill to the unpayable range. Quickly, he plugged his electric blanket in and piled it onto the couch.
The next few minutes were spent throwing together a quick meal (of dubious nutritional value). When it was done warming up, he took it to the couch and curled up under the blanket with his supper. A moment later, he turned on the TV and located some mind numbing reality TV show.
I can get to the paperwork in a bit. It isn't going to go anywhere, he thought. “At least there were no new cases to investigate today. Slow days are good days,” he mused. After all, if they are slow, that means that violence is down and less violence is always a good thing.