I spun around, and saw Arnie's Dry Cleaning. The plate glass windows listed the phone number, and the address : 4405 Pinemont Ave. It seemed like a good place to start at least. Marissa and I quickly discussed a plan. She would waits the street. If I didn't come out in half an hour, with no communication, she'd have to assume the worst and call SMPD. I'd try to find out if this place really was the place. Too bad I left the Polaroid at home.

 

I took a deep breath, and walked in. Nobody behind the counter. I could hear something, but couldn't make it out in the back. I tiptoed my way over in the direction, and spotted an alcove with two doors. I put my ear against the farthest door. Ringing. Chatter. Hoots. Doesn't sound like a dry cleaners to me. I opened the door a crack, and took a peek. I wasn't surprised to see a similar casino set-up in front of me. The cigarette smoke, the hoots from hollering guys, waitresses in skimpy outfits, and the usual underground casino stuff. I was wondering what to do, when I heard footsteps somewhere behind me.

 

I turned around, and spotted the other door. I ducked in there, which turned out to be a supply closet. I closed the door fast, but silently. I could hear one of the guys chuckling as they came up. They were having some conversation, and it turned out to be that "the boss" was expanding across SoCal. Business was booming, and they had ways of making this work without getting caught. "Not for long," I thought. Then they talked about basketball, and a bunch of other things. I text messaged Marissa that I was stuck in a supply closet, so maybe she could make a distraction so I could flee out of there. I heard the ringing of the door as somebody entered in the shop, and Marissa said, "Hey, I just thought you might want to know that a couple of punks are tagging the back of your building. I think they even said 'the fatso will never get us anyway".

 

"Oh yeah?" growled Mr. Conspirator. "We'll see about that. Come on boys." And with that, they left the building. I quickly opened the door and vamoosed with Marissa out of there. I collided into a lady as I ran out. "Oh my goodness" she yelped, as her purse flew in the air. The contents spilled onto the pavement.

 

I quickly helped her scoop her stuff back in, and apologized. At first, I thought she was giving me the evil eye. Though it disappeared as if it never appeared. "Oh, it's all right dear. Accidents happen. I'm new to this town, and my mind just isn't all together."

 

"Do you need any help?" Marissa offered.

 

"Well it would be nice if you ladies could give me a nice tour of the town, for the next few days. If you don't mind. It'd be great to have a local show me around a bit. To help me get familiar to the area." I didn't see how I could do this, with me doing work and solving a mystery and all. But Marissa didn't seem to have a care. "Of course we'll help!" yelped Marissa. "It's the least we can do since Sammy knocked you down." I gave Marissa a look, and told the lady that'd be great, but not for the next few days. I had work to do. She agreed to meet us at Moonlight Diner at 9 in the morning.

 

With that taken care of, I realized I didn't have evidence. Even if I told the cops, they wouldn't believe me. Even trying didn't seem viable. I guess I'd just have to wait until Saturday.