James Stirling

The office door opened easily. James Stirling looked at his etched name on the door

“James Stirling Private Detective”

He remembered his ex wife’s comment,

“You really think this retro shit will work? Come on its 1980 now!”

James shrugged his shoulders and walked into his office. He sat down in his well worn leather swivel chair. The phone rang,

“Hello James Stirling”

A muffled voice said,

“Gum Shoe get out of your office right now!”

James was used to crank calls, its part of the job. Suddenly a .45 calibre bullet slammed into the wall opposite his desk. James brushed the broken glass off his three piece suit and said,

“What the fun!”

James pulled out his .38 Berretta hand gun from his shoulder holster and break- rolled onto the floor. He then in an instant pulled back the slide on his gun metal blue Berretta. James had 13 shots in the magazine and one up the spout making 14 live rounds. James lay still and tried to monitor his breathing. His hands didn’t shake; being an ex SAS under cover agent stood him in good stead. James looked out of the shattered window.

The road opposite his office in Lincoln town centre offered many shooting opportunities. The problem was who shot at him and why? Mary came in and sat at her desk. She said,

“Morning Jim what’s new?”

James went into the tiny reception and spoke,

“Err someone just shot out my window. Can you ring a glazing company please”

Mary ran her left hand over her blonde hair and said,

“Ok boss, you are joking aren’t you?”

James replied,

“Nope and order breakfast I’m famished. Nothing better to get me hungry than being shot at”

The police car skidded to a halt and two officers ran up the three flights of stairs to James Stirling’s office. The taller sergeant burst through the door and shouted to Mary,

“Get down woman someone is shooting at this building!”

Mary said,

“I know James told me. I’m just ordering breakfast do you guys want some? I mean I’ll order it but you pay, that’s the deal”

The two well built officers looked at each other then the senior officer said,