Detective David Troy stood at his desk. "Ah damn" he said as he read the paper that was attached to his computer monitor. David Troy was a seasoned detective with over 20 years experience. Troy, a tall African-American man worked in the City Homicide division.
"Chang!" He yelled to his partner, Liu; "We got a report to investigate a homicide at the Vincent Van Go- Go".
Detective Liu Chang just walked into the room. Chang was a 40 year old Asian-American who was just promoted to homicide. Chang's barely insulated coffee cup was starting to burn his fingers and he quickly raced to his desk to set it down. "It should be an easy case to solve. The music they play there can kill you" Liu replied.
Troy was confused. "Don't your friends the Gorillas play there?" he asked.
"Not the 'Gorillas', The Monkees and they're the only saving grace in that place" Liu responded. Liu's wife, Kait was good friends with the guys and a long-time friend of Peter's. It was through Kait that Liu knew the band. "The Vincent Van Go-Go is a hangout for the younger crowd" Liu explained. "The only time you can tell the boys from the girls is during intermission. I'm surprised nobody Watsui-ed themselves into an aneurism yet"; he added.
Troy smiled; "it sounds like your kind of place" he said to Liu. "Yeah after a few drinks- a few STRONG drinks"
Liu said as he reviewed the report on his desk as well.
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Later that morning, the guys with instruments in tow, approached the nightclub ready to rehearse for that night's performance. They were greeted with the infamous yellow tape- POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS that covered both the front and back doors.
"Funny, I don't see any police" Peter said as he looked around.
"No Peter." Mike said shaking his head. Just then, an unmarked police car pulled up to the club. Liu and Detective Troy got out of the car. Instantly recognizing Liu, the guys smiled and waved.
"Hey Liu, can you tell us what's going on?" Micky asked. Liu did not smile back, but only stared at the quartet as he calmly chewed his gum.
"Can I speak with you guys" he asked.
"Sure, of course!" Davy said unconcerned. "Thank you, Mr. Jones" Liu replied.
"Mr. Jones?" Liu, it's me, Davy, you know me." he replied.
"This is business, Mr. Jones and we will need to speak with the rest of you as well" Liu explained.
"I think it's best that we talk at the station." Troy added. Just then, another squad car arrived.
"Care to come with us, gentlemen?" Liu asked.
"They're not joking." Mike declared as he swallowed hard.
"You mean we're going to ride in the car with the psychedelic lights?" Davy asked in nervous sarcasm.
"Let's go" Liu said politely as he showed them to the police cars.
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Troy and Chang led the guys into the station. "Please take a seat, gentlemen" Troy said as Chang nervously twisted his wedding ring.
"Hey, man, if this is some sort of prank, it's not funny" Mike said seriously.
"I assure you, this is no prank" Troy said. "First, I want to say that no one is considered a suspect-yet. However, we would like to break up you guys." the older officer explained.
"Break us up, but we're a quartet" Peter said in a mild panic.
"Not musically" Chang interrupted; "only for questioning".
"Why would you want to question us?" Mike asked in a distrusting tone.
"Because we think you know something." Troy replied.
"Like what kind of something?" Micky asked following Mike's lead.
"Like something very valuable to our case" Chang answered. "We're counting on your cooperation." he added.
"I'll talk to the one with the wool hat and the shorter one. Chang, you take the blond one and the curly headed one. And let's see if their stories add up." Troy said smiling.
"Mr. Tork, Mr. Dolenz, come with me please". Liu said politely. Liu felt his mouth become dry.
"These are my friends" he thought. "But this is my job"; his inner voice responded.
Chapter 2
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