A story out of time (part 2)

[zybala]

As before, everything is black and white...


It felt weird to be back at the station. After the pier fight where Bifford finally got what he deserved, Tommy made true on his word and brought me back into the force. Hell, he made me a detective right away. Apparently, despite him being a mole in Bifford's gang, Dylan didn't know about the dock meeting. My tip off helped bring down the fat man's empire, and Biff himself. He's resting on a slab at the morgue and I'm shuffling through papers trying to find leads on who the mysterious P.I.C. is. Dylan thinks it's still a red herring, but I ain't so sure. Too many clues, and too many crooks afraid of some mystery man can't be a red herring.

It was when I was looking at my files when a dispatcher came to my office. Apparently, the commish wanted me to meet him at the morgue. I say my thanks, grab my gun and badge, and see what Tommy wants. I make tracks to the morgue in quick time and exit my car. When I get into the building, the familiar stench of death hits me. I don't care how much formaldehyde they put in the bodies, after a war, you can recognize death's smell anywhere. I talk to the desk clerk who points the way, barely looking up from his newspaper. I follow the path to an operating room to see Tommy, the mortician, and on an exam table, Bifford's dead, naked body. After introductions are made with Mort The Mortician, I point at the useless slab of meat that was once a formidable man. ~

Why'd ya call me down, Commish? I knew dis guy already croaked. I was there, remember?

That's what I thought, but then Mort here got ahold of me. Mort?

Well, as I was examining the corpse, I noticed something peculiar. We all remember the very publicized fight between Alice Knight.

Yeah, she stabbed him in the back wit dat weird owl claw.

It's called a talon, and you are correct. Nasty wound too from what I recall reading in the papers. Lots of stitches needed. So when I examined the body, I saw that there was no scar!

Could you show us?

Mort motions for us to help him roll the big galute over, which we do with a lot of effort. With the corpse on his stomach, we look at the back. Mort was right, no scars at all. I looked at Tommy and Mort in confusion. Mort discretely pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket. If Tommy noticed, he doesn't let on, so I stay mum.

What does this mean? Did Bifford have a twin?

Nah, only child. When I first started working the case, I looked up his family tree.

Perhaps this may help, gentlemen?

Mort hands the paper to Tommy, who unfolds it. He begins reading it, and then looks like he sees a mortar shell coming his way. He then hands the paper to me. Guess he ain't fond of just reading for the class. I take the paper and read aloud.

"Dearest Police,
It is I, The Big Bifford. If you're reading this, you have discovered my body double. The handsome fellow before you was a homeless man that bore an uncanny resemblance to me, so I took him in. I fed him, taught him my mannerisms, et cetera. After Zybala started his investigation on me, I knew Kenny couldn't be my only backup plan. That is this chap here. While the Kenny scheme led to the death of Zybala's policing career, and my innocence, I still remained cautious. So I made this man my insurance policy. By the time you read this, I will be well on my way to Canada. If you happen to see Zybala, tell him that I hope he is enjoying unemployment. After all, a private eye doesn't pay that well. Hopefully, I can be the end of that career some day. Maybe his life if he keeps pursuing me…
Best Regards,
The Big Bifford'
Well, ain't that just aces…

I storm out of the morgue and the building. I pull a bottle of hooch from my jacket pocket, only to find it empty. Angrily, I throw it against the building and the glass shatters. Tommy follows me out. He looks at the glass shards and shakes his head.

How does this fat bastard keep getting the better of everyone?! How is he this good?!?

Mike, don't blow your wig. You're letting this get personal.

How can I not?! The scumbag kills homeless people, and Internio goes to jail for it!! We thought we killed him, and he escaped because of a body double!! He's taunting us with his letter!! He even wanted to put the kibosh on my P.I. career!! How the hell can he do that from Canada?! He always has the bulge!

How the hell is he gonna do that from Canada??

Wait… How IS he gonna do that??? Do we still have his oriental in lockup?

Uchiha? Yeah, he's in the clink.

We need to pay him a visit.

I get in my car and head to the big house with Tommy hot on my heels. When we get there, I ask the desk sarge to bring me to Uchiha. He's about to give me guff, but Tommy walks in and nods. That's all it took. We get brought to Uchiha's cage and the guard on duty opens the door for us. With Tommy hanging back with a hand on his heater, I step right up to the Jap, who has a smug look on his mug.

Alright, ya crumb, why's Bifford going to Canada?

Solly. No speakie Engrish.

Don't give me that, you twit. Why did Bifford go to The North?!

Biffowd? No Engrish, prease!

Feeling my blood boil. I ball up my fist and sock Uchiha right in the kisser! Hes stunned, but keeps up his "No Engrish" malarkey. A shot to the ribs; nothing. I start unloading on Uchiha, and with each hit, I picture Bifford in front of me. The anger I feel towards the fat gangster builds with every blow. Bifford, the escape artist. Bifford, the Butcher. Bifford, the Untouchable. I get so lost in my anger that Tommy has to pull me off of a crying Uchiha. I struggle a moment before eventually calming down. Uchiha looks up at me and miraculously starts speaking perfect English. Tommy releases me when i stop struggling.

Jesus Christ, copper! I'll talk, just keep him away!

Good. Now that you see what happens when my pal get mad, you'll be more chatty.

Fine! I'd rather piss Bifford than your whacky gumshoe. Fucking round eys, man. You have such short tempers.

You wanna see how short it can really get?!

Easy! I said I'd sing! The big guy got a few hot tips not that long ago. One was about some land up in the Canadian Tundra where there's supposed to be huge oil reserves under the ground. He's looking to buy up the property for cheap.

Is that all?

No. He also got a good tip about some folk who know how to make good imitation leather. He wanted me to free up funds for him to hire these people.

What for?

Shoes. He wants to make imitation Oxford's and the fancy Italian ones using the fake stuff. His sweatshop makes it on the cheap and easy…

And he sells the finished goods for full price. That sneaky cad.

That devious son of a bitch. Who clued him in on these tips?

I don't know.

You lying, little bastard!

I take a step forward and Uchiha flinches. Good, he's scared. Scared people tend to lie less. Tommy makes another show of restraining me as Uchiha cowers. Tommy lets me go and I give Uchiha a look that could melt iron. I wouldnt be surprised in he messes himself.

I swear I don't! Rumor has it that it came from someone even bigger than Biff.

You mean this PIC person I keep hearing about?!

Could be. It's all a rumor. I ain't high enough to be let in on that stuff.

Thanks, stool pigeon. You were a big help.

You uh… you ain't gonna tell Biff that I snitched, are ya? I don't wanna try on cement slippers if ya catch my drift.

Tommy calls for the guard and we both leave the cell without answering. Low life deserves to sweat a little. Let him think Biff might find out he snitched. As we walk, I make up my mind. I'm gonna end this crime ring, one way or another. I stop and turn to Tommy.

Do we have any contacts in Canada?

You aren't thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?

Of course I am. I can't let this guy keep on winning! He is making a mockery of the force. Of all coppers! This needs to stop, especially if I can get this PIC boss too!

He's just a rumor! A boogeyman! You're making this too personal, Mikey!

The Big Bifford made this personal when he declared war on my career! He threatened my life!! You expect me to sit here while he tries to get even more money and power up in Canada? You want him to be even more untouchable? Nuts to that, Tommy! We stopped his prostitution ring on the docks. That proves he can be beat. We gotta stop his plans in Canada. You know he won't stay up there. He'll come back and then the feds won't even be able to take him down. Especially if he's working with this PIC character. If we take down Biff, truly take him down this time, we can get to an even bigger threat! We can find out if Bifford truly is the top guy or if someone's above him. I would say I'm staking my life on this, but Bifford's made it crystal clear that whats on the line. He not only wants to destroy my livelyhood, but he wants me to meet Saint Peter! So, I'm gonna go to Canada, with or without your help. I need to take Biff out before he takes me out!

Tommy looks at me as he ponders. He knows me well enough to know I ain't Whistling Dixie. I'll go to Canada without the department's help. I'll find a way to get across the border. I'll find The Big Bifford on my own. He needs to be stopped. It's clear that this won't be able to end with him in cuffs. He has too many connections, too much money. No. I have to make sure he takes a final ride in a meat wagon. It's funny how things escalated so quickly, but that's just how things are. Bifford may have the edge on me in just about every aspect, but I have the one thing he seems to be lacking. Desperation. I'll do whatever it takes to put him six feet under. He'll, if Uchiha was telling the truth, I'll throw him off of one his oil rigs and watch him sink into the ground. Tommy clears his throat, breaking my train of thought.



Look, I know there's no way I'm gonna be able to talk you out of this. Just give me a day to make a few calls. I know some Canadian authorities who I served with at Amiens during the war. Let me get ahold of them and see if they'll help. Just one day.

I give Tommy a nod before leaving the Station. I had home. I got a trip to pack for, guns to clean, and a madman to stop. Watch out Bifford, I'm coming after ya.