The Case of the Mad Scientist novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Practice Makes Perfect

“Here are the addresses of all kore ya mama Pharmaceutics properties. Fortunately they have only one main manufacturing plant. The headquarters are not far off. Their research labs are in the same building as the headquarters offices.”

“Koriyama,” Stella said, correcting the pronunciation.

Blaze looked proud of herself as she placed the list of addresses on a coffee table.

“I have been told,” she went on, “that it is more likely Sorren would be using the research facilities. So I think that is where we should check first.”

Sounded good to me, so I didn’t say anything.

“Stella is still putting the finishing touches on her show, so I guess it’s up to you and me, Sled.”

“Sure, babe.”

I might have been a little more certain if my head didn’t feel like a whole platoon of soldiers were marching around inside it. That sack-key stuff is stronger than it looks. Still, a Private Dick’s gotta do what a Private Dick’s gotta do. I pushed my porkpie hat back an inch and told her, “When do we go?”

“Now. It will take us about two hours to travel to kor aye amma.”

“Koriyama,” said Stella, again.

“Yeah, what I said. We can look around, and later tonight, after the offices have closed down, we’ll go in.”

No one said anything, so I guess the plan was fine with Stella and Tara also. I was happy at the prospect of some action. Sitting around eating funny food is not the lifestyle for an action guy like me.

Stella and Tara left, leaving Blaze and I alone in her hotel room.

“I have arranged for a car to drive us to Corry Amma,” Blaze said. I liked the way she frowned when she tried to pronounce Japanese words. “We leave in twenty minutes.”

Twenty minutes, huh? That didn’t leave us any time for anything but a good, old-fashioned “quickie”, but I didn’t know Blaze well enough to suggest that. Too bad. She did have a nice body and a face that made men’s heads turn every time she walked by. Well, maybe the body did it more, but she was also very pretty.

“Pack an overnight bag,” she said, “we’ll stay in a hotel there and return here tomorrow morning.”

I told her I would meet her in the lobby, and went back to my room.

To take a quickie cold shower.