Free The Case of the Stolen Film by Gareth P. Jones Page B

won’t be sleeping,’ said Dirk. ‘Besides, it’ll be easier to travel across the roofs at night.’
    â€˜Across the roofs?’ said Putz.
    â€˜Of course,’ said Dirk casually. ‘Don’t worry, city-dwelling humans don’t look up much and most of these seem to be in cars.’
    â€˜But what if one of them does look up?’ said Putz.
    â€˜If you get spotted, just stop and blend,’ said Dirk. ‘Humans are easily distracted. A song will come on the radio that they like, or they’ll see something in a shop window, or they’ll catch a whiff from a fast food joint and the memory of the shadow that passed overhead will vanish like that.’ Dirk clicked his claws together and jumped on to an L.
    â€˜Blend? What you talking about?’ said Putz. ‘Desert Dragons can’t blend.’
    â€˜Really? I didn’t know that,’ said Dirk innocently.
    â€˜You know full well that only Mountain Dragons can blend,’ said Kitelsky.
    â€˜Then you’ll just have to take your chances.Unless …’ Dirk paused.
    â€˜Unless what?’ said Kitelsky.
    â€˜No, forget it,’ replied Dirk.
    â€˜Unless what, Dilly?’ repeated Kitelsky.
    â€˜Look, you two are quick but you don’t know this environment. Me, I’m an urban-based Mountain Dragon. Why don’t you stay here and keep look-out? I’ll go find the tape and bring it back.’
    â€˜No way,’ said Kitelsk. ‘We’re comin’ wi’ you.’
    â€˜Fair enough,’ said Dirk, heading down the hill. ‘Just remember to keep away from convertibles … oh, and watch out for window cleaners … and all those tall buildings in the financial area could cause a problem … and don’t forget roof gardens …’
    â€˜Gee, Kitelsky,’ said Putz. ‘You know what he’s talking about?’
    â€˜â€¦ and builders …’ continued Dirk.
    â€˜It seems to me like this Mountain Dragon spends a lot of time around humans,’ replied Kitelsky.
    â€˜â€¦ and astronomers can be a problem. They’re always looking up,’ added Dirk.
    â€˜Maybe we should leave it to him,’ said Putz.
    â€˜I’m inclined to agree wi’ you,’ said Kitelsky.
    â€˜You’re not coming?’ said Dirk.
    â€˜Don’t look so pleased,’ said Kitelsky. ‘We’ll be here,cooking up some fresh poison that’s comin’ your way if I smell so much as a whiff of double-crossin’.’
    â€˜You have my word as a dragon and as a detective,’ said Dirk.
    â€˜We’ll wait here by the sign,’ said Putz.
    â€˜You’d better come and tell us when you find some-thin’,’ said Kitelsky.
    Dirk headed down the hill, where the trees got thicker and provided enough cover to move swiftly to the city.
    One of the tricks of the trade that Dirk had picked up in his years working as a private detective was the ability to make a phone call without a phone. It was more difficult in London, where the telephone cables ran underground, but in Los Angeles they were raised on poles, giving Dirk easy access.
    He landed on a roof next to a mast, in a quiet part of town. He reached out his right claw and connected to the wire. He held his left claw to his ear like he was holding a phone and adjusted his right until he heard a dialling tone. He tapped out the number Holly had given him and waited for an answer.
    â€˜Hello?’ said a familiar voice.
    â€˜Hey, kiddo, it’s me.’
    â€˜Dirk!’ she exclaimed. ‘Where are you?’
    â€˜Let’s just say this isn’t a long-distance call,’ said Dirk.
    â€˜You’re in LA?’ said Holly.
    â€˜LA? Listen to you, you’ve gone all showbiz on me. How was your big film role?’
    â€˜It was strange.’ She told him about the scene in Little Hope Village Hall then she said, ‘How about you? Any