"Got him", Brenda yells, finishing her sentence and disconnecting from the chat room. "I've got the son-of-a-bitch in my sights", she cries, slapping her father on the back. "The Dirty Fuck will be here Friday night."
"Calm down, baby", Bill says, putting his arm around his child. "Remember, you're twelve and shouldn't talk like that." They all laugh, closing the link and leaving the computer on. "Tomorrow, check all the flights from Dallas into LAX on Friday. He'll probably fly in at eight or nine and go straight to the pier, hoping to take Missy back with him that night. Now, let's have dinner."
Dano's is busy for a Wednesday evening but there is a table reserved for the Detectives. I am at the bar nursing his dry Martini and talking to the bartender.
"Hi Rudy, hungry?" Bill asks with a big smile. "I think we got the guy. He's coming to town on Friday."
"Too bad, I'll be in Phoenix talking to vice about updating their equipment and trying to get in a couple of rounds of golf."
"I'm sorry. It will be great to nail him. Are your going to be there for the weekend?"
"Yeah, leaving here tomorrow evening and on to New York, maybe on Monday. Then I should be back in LA late next week, if everything is all right. Sooner if you guys have a problem."
"If we get this guy tomorrow we won't have any problems", Bill says laughing. "You must like to travel!"
"Not really but it's my job. No one does the job done like the owner, or President in my case. Really the same, only the names are different. So, Brenda", I ask, " ... how long have you been in this division?"
"I graduated from the academy when I was twenty-one, about two years."
"Have you ever busted a pedophile?
"No, but I've got this one in my sights." I lift my hand, pointing my finger like a gun, lowering my thumb. "Bang!"
"You got it, Sir. Gonna blow his damn head off. That is if I could."
"Cops don't do that!"
"I know, but I would sure like to. Trying to seduce a twelve year old ... the Bastard!"
"But, you're not twelve !"
"He thinks I am so that makes him bad, doesn't it?"
"I guess so. That is if he doesn't show."
"He'll show", Brenda says, as we walk to the table. "I can feel it. I know he's going to come."
"I'm sure he will, but I'm glad I won't be here. I don't like rough stuff."
"You would enjoy this."
"Maybe but I'd rather be playing golf. I'll leave the police work to you and your dad."
The conversation at dinner shifts to trivial talk, I'm being careful not to question the setup or let on that I am too interested in the actual bust. Leo, is a golfer, and we talk about several courses in Phoenix and Los Angeles, deciding that we'll play a round when I return in a week.
After dinner, I excuse myself as I have to check out in the morning and leave before Phoenix at noon.
Bill, Brenda and Leo stay at Dano's, and I walk the short distance to the hotel.
"He really knows his stuff", Brenda says, sipping her Shirley Temple, looking much like the teenager that she impersonates.
"The best", Bill says, turning to Leo.
"I guess so", Leo adds in agreement. "I think he's too smooth. All the stuff about his not having a back door to the program. I don't believe him. I want to look myself and make sure."
"What good would a back door be to him? He can enter any way. We let him in if he wants."
"He could come in when we don't know. If he has a hidden entrance with a private password, he could spy on us."
"Well, Ok", Bill answers, " ... but I don't see any advantage."
"I don't either, but I'd like to know for sure."
"And you can find out?"
"Give me a couple of hours and I'll find out."
"Tomorrow you can look, but now let's go over the plan for Friday", Bill says. "Leo, you're going to check the flights tomorrow and Brenda you're going to photograph the area around the elephant ride at the pier. I want everything covered. If I'm correct, he could run north or south along the beach or escape up the bridge. We'll need three agents covering the exits and myself near the ride. Leo will be the ride operator. Brenda, you will be next to the ticket booth. We'll use a female agent in the booth to protect you. Any questions?"
"Yes", Brenda asks, " ... what if he doesn't show?"
"Then we go back to work. It's happened before, but I have a gut feeling about this one."
"So do I!", Leo adds. "I have a gut feeling and I don't like our teacher. I think he's weird."
"Weird ... how", Brenda asks?
"I can't really say but I don't like the way he has all of the answers. "
"About what? He doesn't even know where and when ... any way, he'll be in Phoenix."
"Maybe, but I'm not comfortable."
"Not comfortable", Bill asks. "You're too young to be uncomfortable. I know that we shouldn't trust anyone, but I agree with Brenda. He'll be out of town when the bust goes down. You want to follow him to Phoenix?"
"I wouldn't mind. I could get in a round of golf", Leo says laughing as he finishes his drink. "At least I'm going to call and check tomorrow after I look for the back door."
"Good night, Kid", Bill shouts as Leo walks toward the door.
"You get him, Brenda", he replies."
"I will. You run the ride and let me play with the pervert.
"Good night, Leo", Bill adds.
"Dad, I'm worried", she says, turning to Bill who is finishing his forth shot. "I think Leo is too ... well ... too smart for his own good. "
"Why?"
"All this back door crap and his attitude. Haven't you noticed lately, he thinks that he has all the answers. He's really a young kid with a bad reputation."
"He knows his computers and that's why he's in our department."
"Just the same, I don't feel comfortable around him. "
"Jerry, another shot", Bill yells, taking a drink from his bottle of beer. "One for the freeway my little darling. I have to get home." Jerry looks at Bill with a frown as he pours the shot. "She's driving, butt head! By the way, where's your hot red head?"
"Not very hot", Jerry adds, setting the shot in front of Bill who finishes the shooter in a gulp. "Not hot, but very nice. She's supposed to be back in a week or so."
"Don't hold your breath", Bill answers laughing as he takes Brenda's hand and they leave.