Wednesday

It was mid afternoon and Canal, like all the streets, were crowded. They rode through Chinatown and really didn’t notice anything. They turned and went back. At a stoplight, they noticed a man crossing the street quickly but with an unusual gate. “Pull over,” said Danny.
For a few minutes no one said anything until Davy pointed to the other side of the street. “Watch that second building.”
Danny watched, and while he watched, several people went to the front of the building and leaned against a window. Each person placed their hand on a ledge, left it there for a moment, then left.
“It’s a drug house,” said Danny. “Watch them. They drop something on that ledge and then pick something up. They’re buying drugs. It’s a beautiful setup. No way whoever’s inside can be seen. Come on, let’s take a walk.”
The two got out of the car and walked up the street. As they passed the building, they slowed to watch a man step up to what looked like a partially open window and drop something in. In a second, he reached back at the same spot, retrieved something and quickly left. “That’s exactly what it is,” said Danny. “It’s a drug drop and it’s on Canal. This is what the detective was talking about. And I guarantee you this isn’t their only drop.”
“Maybe so, but one is all we need.”
“We need a drop?”
“Okay, we’ve seen they’re doing a land office drug business, but what’s that got to do with Mr. Kim. His problem isn’t drugs, it’s extortion.”
“Right,” answered Davy, “but the drugs are the Sing Wa’s bread and butter.”
“Yea, I can see that, but I wonder why the cops aren’t doing anything. It’s sure not hard to see what’s going on.”
“Because the cops are at a disadvantage. You’re right, the drugs aren’t a problem for Mr. Kim and the people at the temple. That gives us two advantages. Have you read a good book lately?”
“Book? What are you talking about?”
“This car of yours is about as plain-jane as it gets. It will be perfect.”
“You’re not going to tell me why it’s perfect are you?”
“Nope.”

The next morning Danny met Davy. “Your car is perfect because it looks like a cheap police car. And today all we’re going to do is sit.”
“Sit?” questioned Danny.
“Yes, we’re going to sit. We’re going to sit outside the drug den and look like cops. We’re not collecting any information. We won’t be trying to arrest anyone or even collect any evidence on anyone. All we’re going to do is sit.”
As soon as Davy pulled in front of the drug house, the plan became obvious. A man walking toward near the front window saw the car and quickly moved away. For the next hour, Davy and Davy watched as people approached the building, saw the car, turned and walked away.
“You know you are brilliant, don’t you?”
“I must be,” smiled Davy.”
“This place hasn’t sold drug one since we got here.”
“That’s the plan. I believe our friends in the Sing Wa will be in touch with us very soon.” Davy saw a curtain move in an upstairs window. “Yes, very soon.”
In a few minutes, a neatly dressed Chinese man walked out front and to the driver’s side of the car. He tapped on Davy’s window.
“Do you know what you are doing?”
“Yes, sitting here.”
“You are police, I assume,” he said.
Davy said nothing.
“Do you know who we are?” the man asked.
“No, not really,” replied Davy. “Should I?”
“Yes, I think you should. I believe you need to ask around and maybe someone will tell you.”
“Okay, if it’ll make you happy, I’ll be sure to do that.”
“So, are you about ready to move on?”
“No, not really.”
“I think you are.”
“May I ask why?” inquired Davy.
“First thing you're not cops. If you were, you'd have already announced it. And, you're ready to leave because you’re not welcome here and the gun in my pocket says you're ready to leave.”
“I can’t say I’m too worried about whether we’re welcome or not, but it’s a nice day and the gun I have behind this car door that’s pointed at your crotch says we’re in no hurry.”
The man began nodding his head and exhaled. “How long do you plan to stay?”
“Don’t know for sure, a day, maybe two. Maybe a week. Like I say, I’m not sure.”
“Okay then, suit yourself, but you can’t stay here twenty-four seven. You got to eat. You got to go to the bathroom. You can’t just stay here.”
“Oh no, you’re right. We’ll come and go. Like you say we do have to go to the bathroom, but there’s quite a few restaurants around here. We’ll be okay and we’ll be here most of the time. And fella, thanks for the concern.”
The man nodded and walked away.
“I figure in the next hour or so this thing will start to work like clockwork.”