Part 53 (1/2)

Hearn looked at the man in the car. His expression was one of compromise.

”Look. My buddy's in a real bad mood. Step out and we can all calm down.”

Corescaneu looked at Hearn carefully, then complied.

”I'm running him in'” said Sha.s.sad.

”f.u.c.k his diplomatic immunity. I'm arresting himl” ”You can'tar-”

began Corescaneu.

”Don't tell me what I can't do!” snapped Sha.s.sad, his eyes raging.

”Don't you know what a red light means?”

The Romanian shook his head.

”Liar,” snarled Sha.s.sad. He looked down at the license and registration.

”How do I know this is you?” he asked.

”Of course it's me,” said Corescaneu defensively.

”Prove it Indignantly, Corescaneu did what Sha.s.sad wished. He produced a pa.s.sport. Hearn noted the number.

Corescaneu was obviously concerned now. Not by any legal trouble that he'd be in, his diplomatic status would protect him. What he feared was hara.s.sment from an enraged local police officer. Sha.s.sad paced up and down beside the car, looking for something wrong.

”I say this is a hot car,” he finally decided.

”Hot?”

”He means stolen” Hearn offered.

Corescaneu kept l'looking around, feeling trapped and in danger.

”Is not a stolen car,” he said.

”Prove it.”

He pointed to the registration.

”That don't mean nothing,” sneered Sha.s.sad.

”Hey, Aram, take it easy,” said Hearn.

”I want this f.u.c.ker fingerprinted. I want the car searched' He looked back to the diplomat.

”What's in the trunk?” he asked.

”Nothing” ”Bulls.h.i.+t,” Sha.s.sad said.