The Night Beat

if you had your car stolen the other day, only to find it in the church parking lot.”
    They both nodded. “You took it?” Johnson asked.
    “All in the line of duty. We’re taking it again. I just want to make a quick call, and then we’re all piling into the luxury mobile. I’m driving.” Johnson opened his mouth and I put up the hand. “It’s not optional.”
    “I wish it was,” Ralph muttered.
    “Can I drive with Martin?” Benny asked. “Or really, anybody else?”
    “Actually, no. The angels can fly. You and the bag I want up close and personal. You’re coming with us. Trust me, there’s plenty of room in that car.”
    “It was covered with animal fur,” Johnson mentioned. “Does the city reimburse for auto detailing?”
    I gave him a long look, turned into werewolf form, then wolf, then back to human. “Wanna ask again?”
    “Not at all. I love animals!” Johnson seemed to realize his faux pas, possibly due to Ralph’s growling. “I mean undeads. Whatever you people are!”
    “Beings. Beings with souls, just like you. Now that that’s all cleared up and Hitler’s ashes are all cleaned up, let’s get moving.”
    Black Angel One ensured the rest of the humans got into their respective cars while I threw the P.D. a bone and checked in. “Darlene, how goes it?”
    “Detective Wolfe! You’re alive.”
    “Yes.” Well, in that sense. “What have you got for me?”
    “Every available squad car is waiting at the south entrance to the Estates. The Chief says he hopes you know what you’re doing.”
    “Not as much as I do.”
    “Sorry about Detective Wagner.” She sounded sympathetic but also a little angry.
    “Ah, just what did you hear?”
    “Variety of rumors. I’m sure the more lurid one is the closest to reality.”
    “Possibly.”
    I heard the radio band click and all the background noises disappear. “We’re secured now, Detective Wolfe. The story around the precinct is that Wagner wooed you, suggested a polygamous relationship, and when you said no, he ran off with Susan from day dispatch.”
    “Wow, in a nutshell, accurate. In that very high-level, doesn’t really get to the gist way, I mean.”
    “Per the Chief, Wagner tried to lure you to the Prince’s side and if we’re able to dust him, good, though chances are that you’ll beat us to it.”
    “How long have you known?”
    Darlene chuckled. “Oh, a while. I got it out of the Chief.”
    “How?” In my experience, no one got anything out of the Chief he didn’t want to let out.
    She cleared her throat. “Let’s just say I see him in the off hours and let it go at that. For now, at any rate. From what we’ve heard, your time would be better spent stopping the forces of evil from destroying all the realms of existence.”
    “Succinctly put. Please advise the black and whites that I have about twenty cars, luxury through to POS. I want funeral procession, but the fastest funeral procession ever, and I don’t want any of the civilian vehicles other than mine allowed out of police protection. Someone tries to make a break, shoot out the tires and handcuff anyone in the car, children included.” I heard Cain sharing these instructions with the humans.
    “How will the officers know which car is yours and so allowed to drive erratically and fly in the face of all the traffic laws?”
    Geez, it wasn’t like I was that bad a driver. “I’ll be in a black S-Class. They’ll recognize it, it was recently stolen and recovered.”
    “We do admire your style and dedication to the suggestion, versus the letter, of the rules and regulations, Detective Wolfe.”
    “I unlive to serve, and so forth. Oh, and Darlene?”
    “Yes?”
    “In case…well, we don’t actually make it? I just wanted to say it’s been a pleasure bantering with you all this time and, having just had the opportunity to compare you to the day shift, there is no dispatcher anywhere that’s your equal. And I thought that before I hated Susan on a variety of personal levels, too.”
    “I appreciate the kudos, Detective. Same to you, in that sense. I’ll pass your thoughts along to the Chief, however I’d like to mention that we’d all prefer it if you succeeded. Just saying, and all.”
    “Thanks, Darlene. I needed that little bit extra pressure to turn into a diamond.”
    “Good. They’re pretty much indestructible. Go with that.” The radio went dead. I heard another click, and the standard background bands were live again.
    I