"You know where we can find this PR?" Richards asked and Kirk moved his foot.
"I don’t know nothin’," she said now that she had the money.
Both detectives laughed as they left the apartment. Kirk took out his phone and called Detective Sanchez. "Gene, its Kirk. You got anything on somebody called PR? Might be the new player behind tonight’s victims."
"Name isn’t familiar, but I’ll float it around and see what comes back."
"Thanks, Gene," Kirk said. He hung up the phone and got in the car.
"Where you wanna go now?" Richards asked.
"You call it."
"Let’s go see Stark," Richards said and drove off.
According to information they had gotten from Sanchez, Stark could be found at a cafeteria-style sit down restaurant called Fat Larry’s. It was a chicken and rib joint that he had taken over from a guy name Larry Mills. He kept Larry around as a front, and besides, he was a great cook; nobody made ribs like Fat Larry.
In one of their many conversations Black recommended that Stark buy or open a business. "Makes you a business man, not a drug dealer," Black told him. "And makes it a cash business."
When they arrived at the place there were a few people enjoying their meal. "Smells good," Kirk said to his partner as they entered Fat Larry's.
"What; you wanna stay and eat?"
"Maybe another time. I’ll come and checkout the food," Kirk said as they approached the hostess.
"Two?" she asked.
"No," Richards said and flashed his badge. "We’re looking for Bruce Stark."
The hostess picked up two menu place mats. "Follow me, please." Kirk and Richards looked at each other and then followed the hostess as she led the detectives to a table. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No thank you," Kirk said.
"Okay, I’ll let Mr. Stark know that you’re here. Someone will be with you soon," she said and walked off.
When she left, Kirk got up and checked out the food behind the counter. "Food looks good too," he said as Moon approached the table.
"You detectives mind showing me your ID?" Moon asked then he looked at Kirk. "I remember you. Detective Kirkland, isn’t it?"
"That’s right," Kirk said and was about to show Moon his badge.
Moon held up his hand. "No need, gentlemen. Mr. Stark will be out in a minute," Moon said and walked away.
It wasn’t long before Stark came and joined them at the table. "Detectives," he said and sat down.
"Nice place you got here," Kirk said.
"Thank you."
"How’s business?"
"It’s been a little slow lately, but hopefully it will pick up."
"How’s your other business?" Richards asked.
"What other business is that, detective?"
"The business you were in the last time we talked," Richards said.
"The last time we talked, you asked me about the death of two old friends. Then you told me some ridiculous story about me being at war with Mike Black," Stark said and laughed.
"I hear you and Black are like buddies now," Richards said.
"I’ve met Mr. Black on several occasions since then, but I wouldn’t call us buddies," Stark said.
At that point Kirk had had enough. "Let’s cut the crap," he said. "We’re investigating several drug murders. They were all execution style. You know anything about that?"
"No, I really don’t know anything about that, detective. And since we’re cuttin’ the crap, if I did know something about it I would tell you. Mr. Black speaks very highly of you. So anything I can do to help you, detective, I’m all over it," Stark said and smiled.
"You wouldn’t be going to war with anybody?" Kirk asked.
"Nah, things are all good," Stark said and they actually were. The word was getting around that Black was behind him. Kirk’s visit was proof of that.
"Ever hear of a guy that goes by the name PR?" Kirk asked. "It was his people who got hit."
"No," Stark said quickly and wondered if Kirk picked up on the apprehension in his voice. "But if I hear anything I’ll let you know."
Kirk stood up and handed Stark his card. "How’s the food here?"
"I think it’s pretty good. Larry makes the best ribs on the East Coast."
"I’ll have to come back sometime and check it out."
"Any time, detective. For you,"-Stark said and looked at Richards-"it’s on the house."
"I like to pay my way. But thanks for the offer."
Once they were back in the car, Richards turned to Kirk. "‘Mr. Black speaks very highly of you. I’m all over it, detective.’ What the fuck was that about?"
"Black thinks he owes me for clearing him on the murder beef."
"Are you kidding? He does owe you-big time. If it wasn’t for you Mr. Black would be doing life right now," Richards said and drove off.
"Whatever. But I think we have an answer to one of my questions."
"Which question was that?"
"There is at least an alliance between Black and Stark. I mean just look at him. How he acted, the way he was dressed. Black’s influence is written all over him. And did you notice the look on his face when I asked him about PR?"
"Yeah, he may not be involved in it, but he knows who PR is."
"So, let’s go talk to Black," Kirk said.
"Like you read my mind," Richards said and headed in that direction.
When they arrived at Cuisine, Black’s supper club, Lexi the informed the detectives that Mr. Black would join them shortly. Kirk and Richards took a seat at the bar and looked around for any familiar faces.
It wasn’t too much longer before Lexi returned and asked the detectives to follow her. She led them to the rear of the club to Black’s office. She knocked lightly and then opened the door to show the detectives in. There sat Black and Bobby.
"Detectives." Black got up and shook both of their hands. "What brings you here?"
"I came to ask you a couple of questions about a triple homicide."
Black looked at Bobby. "I’m tempted right away to say, I don’t know anything about it. But go ahead, ask away," he said and offered the detectives a seat.
"You ever heard of a guy goes by the name PR?" Kirk asked.
"PR? No I haven’t heard the name before. What about you, Bobby?"
"Other than every Puerto Rican in the city, you mean?" Bobby said and laughed.
"Sorry, can’t help you on that one, detective. But if I do, I will let you know. What’s goin’ on?"
"That would be police business," Richards said.
Kirk looked at his partner. "You heard anything about some dope-boys gettin’ robbed and then executed?"
"No, I haven’t heard anything about that, but I’ll ask around, let you know what I find out; if that wouldn’t be interfering with police business, of course?" Black asked and looked at Richards.
"Pat?" Kirk asked his partner to answer.
"Go ahead and ask around," Richards said.
Black smiled. "Anything you need, I’m all over it, Kirk."
Kirk gave Black a look. "What, all you guys got the same answer?"
"I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about."
"While we’re sorta on the subject, what’s the connection between you and Bruce Stark?" Kirk asked.
"You wanna know the truth?" Bobby asked quickly.
"Yes I would," Kirk said.
"I know I would," Richards chimed in.
"Idol worship," Bobby told the detectives.
"Nothing business related?" Kirk asked.
Bobby laughed. "Black and Mr. Stark don’t do the same type of business."
"You of all people should know that, detective," Black said.
"Look, Kirk, the fact is that the kid worships the ground Black walks on. And that’s it," Bobby said.
"How you feel about that, Black?" Richards asked.
"Personally, I think the kid should pick better role models."
"I think so too," Kirk said. "So I guess there’s no truth to the rumor that you, Stark and Angelo Collette are in business together?"
Black laughed. "Where’d you hear that one?"