''[i]Thomas Grant? Database search? Should be doable. I'm headed for Melinda's Spiritual Emporium first, though. No, no, it's nothing like that. Found a receipt of the place in David's drug stash... Yeah, place's a mess. Looks like a horror movie set. Demon sigils, crackpot books and stuff about Santa Muerte lying all around. 

Oh, that reminds me, Jimenez' calendar says he's supposed to have coffee with Grant on the 6th. Yeah. Later.[/i]'' 

Daniel didn't rush going over to the 'mystical domain' of this Melinda person, in fact, had he not been reminded of the fact that this was a team effort by the recent phone call, he would've likely stopped for a moment to buy a hot dog. He didn't like Tucson, for he had always been a man of colder climates, at least, until recently - the weather didn't bother him much these days. But habits and opinions are hard to erase in a single day, and thus, Daniel still felt an opposition to the desert-like climate of Arizona, for the sake of old times. Philadelphia wasn't anywhere as cold as, say, Fairbanks or Fargo, but nonetheless, it wasn't anything like Tucson either.

From outside, the Spiritual Emporium looked nowhere as grandiose as its name suggested, and in fact was smaller than what Dan expected. It was likely that he had been simply captivated by just how a dazzlingly ornate background its name implied, or perhaps he had simply wanted to dream of something akin to that. The truth was, as if often were, much more banal - a mere headshop - a hippy's dream come true, and at the same time, a trip to the 70's.  

Inside was another story entirely. Unfortunately for Daniel, it was exactly what he expected, and with his internalized dislike of everything trying specifically to be 'free spirited' and 'unique', stemming from his serious countenance and his upbringing, he could not help but harbor an easily repressed but nonetheless strong desire to set the place aflame. Decorated like an enlarged kaleidoscope once inhabited by hippies, and riddled with Pagan posters and tour dates (a Psych-Fest festival stood out amongst them, and Dan made a mental note of its date). even with his dulled senses Daniel felt almost overwhelmed by the smell of incense, herbal tea, and faint doses of marijuana. 

''How may I help you?'' A woman shouted from behind the counter, not looking at him first, which brought Daniel back to his immediate presence rather than pondering on about Occultist and New Age movements and their various byproducts. She seemed harmless enough, but then again, it was hard to meet anyone downright hostile in such a place, which was likely the only thing Daniel did not hate about them.

''Hello. I am Special Agent Daniel Allen from the FBI. I have a few questions for you about David Jimenez.''

The woman turned back quickly after that, and her face took a somewhat nervous expression upon seeing Daniel's badge, but Daniel did not blame her. Her line of work wasn't exactly adored by the 'law', and neither did he have any support for it. Plus, who has ever been relieved to be questioned by the police?

''Has something happened to David? Is he in trouble?'' 

''He's gone missing, I'm afraid, and I had hoped that you could give me some information on his whereabouts.'' 

''Oh.'' The woman sat down quietly, one hand playing with the dreadlocks hanging from her head. She seemed affected by the news, although Daniel himself more focused on the swastika tattoo on her shoulder. Although it wasn't the politically incorrect kind, what with the seemingly Sanksrit writings underneath it, and its own curly look. It was only normal in such a shop. He didn't make any comments on it, and just waited for the woman to tell her, and David's, story. 

''Well, David's a friend of mine. He used to buy pipes and some books and somesuch.''

''Have you ever sold him drugs?''

''No!'' The woman reacted, looking at Daniel with slight hatred. She quickly regained her composure. ''I-I don't sell such things. I've got a business to run here. And David never asked me about such stuff anyhow.'' 

''Alright. When'd you meet David?''

''Uhh, a couple of years, maybe? I tried to hook him up with a friend of mine, but not much turned out of it. Not a lot of chemistry between them.''

''Who?'' 

''Francine. Francine Rodriguez. She's, well, was, a pretty close friend of mine. She's 'straightened her act' now. Studying at college, I think. That's where she first met David anyway. I think she lives up north with her boyfriend now, Tracy.'' 

''[i]Tracy?[/i]'' 

''Tell me about it. But hey, accept all living things as they are, eh?''

''Yeah, sure. Thanks for the help,'' Daniel said, monotone, as he turned away from the counter. This Francine woman could be a better lead - she ought to have had some outlook into David's personal life. But first, he had to search the internet about this 'Psych Fest'. God knows what sort of shit that is.