Carter felt awkward walking out to the parking garage with his new partner. He was used to Broomstick towering over him like an NBA player walking back from the locker room. Carter wasn't sure but he felt two inches taller than Paul. And what kind of name was that? Paul? So plain sounding. He may as well call himself John Doe.
Paul had offered to drive and Carter assumed that he probably drove something girly like. Like a VW Bug or maybe a Ford Focus. Paul pulled out a set of keys and pushed a button on the tiny black plastic box attached to the key ring and brake lights flashed on a brand new black Lincoln Navigator.
" That your ride?" Asked Carter. " Yup. Just bought it last week."
Carter jumped in the passenger's seat and fastened his seat belt. As soon as Paul climbed into the driver's seat he pulled out a sanitary napkin and began wiping down the steering wheel. What a fruitcake! Thought Carter to himself. Paul started up the Navigator and reggae music came on the CD player. Paul used the sanitary napkin to turn down the music because he didn't want to dirty up the dial on the radio. The ride to the ex-city councilman's home was very quiet. Carter was daydreaming about Travis. He wished he could still be working with him instead of this dork for a detective.
Patrick Adamson's home was nothing like they expected for someone who used to be the city's councilman. They eased into the driveway of the ranch style home and cut the engine. The tacky red shutters looked out of kilter with the rest of the middle class neighborhood. Carter noticed that a large creek ran through the back yard. Perhaps a perfect place to hide bodies or evidence. When Carter and Paul stood on the ex-councilman's porch Carter nudged Paul in the shoulder.
" Ouch! Why'd you hit me?" Asked Paul rubbing his shoulder.
Carter got defensive." I was just horse playing. Travis and I used to do it all the time."
Instead of hitting Carter back Paul just whined like a baby." Well, I'd appreciate it if you didn't touch me."
Carter turned his head and silently repeated Paul's words while making a face and mocking his new attitude. It was going to be a long day. Getting used to this nerd was going to take a while.
The front door opened up and a very short man with a perm wearing only a white bathrobe looked up at the two agents.
" Can I help you?" Asked Patrick Adamson. He was extremely short with prominent chest hairs like Austin Powers and beautiful silky,dark,brown permed hair. Paul rested his right hand on the doorway then quickly removed it realizing it was probably dirty. Carter was still flush red in the face from the embarrassment earlier over the horse playing.
Paul said," Are you Patrick Adamson?" He tried to peer into the house just to be nosy.
A startled look ran across the councilman's face realizing he might be in trouble." As a matter of fact I am. Is there a problem?"
Paul rolled his eyes and looked at his watch." Not at all sir. Have a good day." Carter looked at his new partner dumbfounded.
"Let's go." Said Paul walking back to the Navigator. By the time Carter opened the passenger door Paul had already started up the Navigator. Carter got in but didn't shut the door.
"What the heck is going on?" Asked Carter impatiently. " He's not the perp."
"How can you be so sure?" Asked Carter demanding an explanation.
"Did you see how short that guy is? I read the report on the getaway van that the perp blew up. The driver's seat was pushed way back. That little midget in there would've never been able to reach the gas pedal."
Carter snapped still crimson red in the face." That doesn't mean anything! The kidnapper is smart. He could've pushed the seat back before he blew it up."
Paul pulled out a lemon scented wipe to clean his hands from touching the dirty doorway." You really want to go back in there? Fine. But this might be our last day and we're running out of time before the kidnapper asks for the ransom."
"Let me do the talking this time." Said Carter handing him a legal pad.