Part 52 (2/2)

Sha.s.sad and Hearn approached it from different sides.

The driver of the Nova, sitting 'with his arms folded, looked through the window at Sha.s.sad.

”Lower that window or I'll punch it in!” snapped Sha.s.sad.

”I want a license and registration out of you!” He banged the window twice with his fist.

Hearn watched the driver and inspected the Nova from the other side.

With deliberateness that was meant to antagonize, the man at the wheel slowly rolled down the window.

”What seems to be the problem?” he asked calmly in foreign-accented English.

”You! License and registration.”

Grudgingly the driver handed both doc.u.ments to Sha.s.sad.

”I'm a member of the diplomatic corps” he said.

Hearn eyed the trunk of the car. Then he walked around to join Sha.s.sad.

Sha.s.sad glanced at the man's license. Andre Corescaneu, an attachi of the Romanian delegation to the United Nations. -Sha.s.sad knew he couldn't touch him with a motor-vehicle violation. He also knew he couldn't tip his hand and let Corescaneu know that Jacobus, whom the Romanian obviously knew, was the subject of surveillance. There was no other choice. The detectives would have to slip into their act. It called for a temper tantrum.

”You see?” said Corescaneu.

”Diplomat. You cannot-” ”Get out ”What?”

”Get out!” roared Sha.s.sad.

”Get out of that car before I haul you out!”

Apprehension showed on the diplomat's face.

”You can't-” ”The rules are off, fella” barked Sha.s.sad, glaring into the car.

”I'm doing whatever I want tonight.”

Corescaneu was flabbergasted, not knowing how to react.

”Come on, come on,” Hearn said.

”Calm down.” He put his hand on his partner's shoulder.

”No, f.u.c.k it!” screamed Sha.s.sad.

”I've had it with these frigging foreigners. I'm writing him up!”

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