The Captain sat behind his desk, brushing some crumbs from the paper strewn about it. “Oh, the Abyss is our maximum security cell.” He gestured for the Detective to take a seat as he explained further. “Underground, one entrance, magic nullifying, and restricted access. It is not the most fun of places to be, but it will keep Frank safe until he can be sentenced or relocated.”
Grugg nodded as he took a seat on the flat bench, casting his eye idly over the surrounding animal statues to see if there were any amusing ones. With a name like ‘the Abyss’, Bart had been a bit worried over what that entailed for the bandit. Despite the clear criminality of Frank, the wizard wanted him to receive a fair and just punishment. The cyclops' judgement was more apathetic; he liked Frank, but not only was he guilty of many crimes, but he had also destroyed a good deal of Grugg’s clothing.
[At least that should keep him safe from the other leaders for now.]
“Once again, top marks on the interrogation. The Nightshade organization is extremely secretive and are quick to silence any loose ends. Or tie up loose lips. Sorry, I forget the expression. Our previous Detectives tended to go missing once on a lead…” Trailing off, he rubbed his chin and sighed. “I feel like giving you the badge was a burden you did not deserve, and for that, I apologize.”
“Going to have lots of criminals try to fight Grugg?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” The half-orc leaned forward, elbows on his desk and palms placed together in front of his mouth. “There will be a target on your back, as you had already found out earlier today with the twins.”
[Oh yes, he may have interviewed them already. I am sure they squealed on Harold.]
“Have ogres been questioned?” the cyclops asked, rubbing his neck after the earlier scuffle returned to memory.
“Indeed. They would not give up much information, but seemed to squirm away from the name ‘Harold’ based on the information from your report. As unlikely as it may be, we sent a couple of men over to bring the old stable owner in for questioning. They came back empty-handed.”
[It sounds like he heard about the arrest of his thugs and decided to lay low.]
“Suspicious,” Grugg nodded, thankful that he didn’t have to do that errand anymore.
“My thoughts exactly. I know he is not fond of you due to the fate of his old stables, but hiring some muscle to rough you up is beyond the pale. Beyond the law, too.”
[I guess he doesn’t know about the fighting ring. Should we keep it to ourselves for now? It might be hard to catch any of the big players there if the Town Guard starts shaking it down.]
“Grugg has heard… not many people like Harold.” The Detective pulled a grimace as if even the sound of the stable owner's name had a foul odor to it.
“True enough,” the Captain leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the edge of the desk. “But we will keep an eye out for him.” Wanu’s eyes drifted off over, the rows of miniature ornaments on one of his shelves. “Oh, but we have to discuss your reward, or rather, I have something again to offer you.”
The electric-blue eye of the cyclops lit up at the potential of further shinies.
“Obviously, view this under the light of the fact that I just said that having the badge was a curse and invited danger into your life. You are getting results at an unprecedented rate, however, and although the Treasurer has a tight grip on our budget, there are a few benefits I can give someone who has been such a paragon of justice for the town.” There was a gleam in his eye as he gave a wry smile. A bittersweet excitement fought for control of his features.
[I am not a huge fan of how everyone seems to be layering peril on us lately. Although, that has been relatively constant since we first met.]
“We have a safe-house we can repurpose as a base of operations - I am sure you will soon tire of your temporary accommodation. It is only fitting that you have a place to call your own whilst you are doing important work for the town.” Wanu paused to watch the grin widen on the cyclops. “Also, I believe you mentioned an assistant? If they are up for the challenge, then-” The Captain struggled with the stiff desk drawer, before it finally relented. “-then we can officiate them as a part of your team. If there is anyone else you need to employ to assist with your investigations, just run it past me first.” A similar brass badge with an immaculately polished shine was pushed across the table.
[I’d like to think Gregor would be happy with that, but he never seems to be satisfied.]
Grugg, on the other hand, was elated. He hadn’t even needed to say anything, and the Captain had already given him a house and a badge for the ratman. It may have been a long, eventful day, but all the trials and tribulations washed away under a warm glow of excitement. The Detective nodded but was unsure of what even to say.
“Patson will remain your first point of contact, and I believe he left you with a Messaging Stone? Ah, which reminds me - the one you recovered from Frank. Usually, we would take this as evidence… however, as it is part of your ongoing investigation, I will allow you to keep hold of it.” The half-orc picked a folder off the desk and flicked through it. “Of course, there is the Evidence Release form to fill out. I believe you need to do the paperwork for the warehouse and suspect arrest, the Evidence Gathered form for the said incident, and also, there is a post Interrogation notation to be signed and certified.”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
The beaming smile of the Detective slowly lowered with each mentioned form. Gregor couldn’t get his promotion soon enough. Although, part of the cyclops doubted that the ratman would want to be stuck on pencil duty. Or any kind of duty, really; the now-official Deputy Detective seemed to be nothing if not chaotic and independent.
“I understand that writing is perhaps not something in your wheelhouse, and you are already doing enough uncomfortable work for me,” the half-orc smiled warmly. “So, just signatures on the forms. If you could take the report with you and have the Deputy fill it out, I will need it back tomorrow.”
[Very reasonable, assuming we don’t get into any fights where they get destroyed. Or is saying that tempting fate?]
“Thank you, Captain,” Grugg grunted; he was definitely going to have to get something more professional than a sack now. If only his family could see him now, dressed in a full suit and working a job in a human town. They’d probably just laugh; they had always picked on him for being smaller and softer than the others. This would only prove their derision warranted in their eyes. He tried to move past this gloomy cloud. “Grugg get any coins too?”
“Of course, you’ve only been on the books a couple of days, and we usually pay weekly - however, I authorized a week in advance due to your performance. You can pick it up from Diane at the front desk as you leave.” Wanu stretched out, his armor creaking against the movement, and yawned. “I apologize for talking your ears off; I am sure it has been another very tiring day. Are there any questions you have for me?”
The Detective casually felt for his ears as he pretended to ponder, half expecting the wizard to fill in some questions, anyway. Thankfully, Bart did indeed do that, and his ears were still where he left them slightly below the hat.
[Ask what information they already have on Nightshade.]
“What Nightshade information does Captain have?”
“Well, that is a good question.” The Captain leaned back on his chair once more, “Frank was probably the most visible of the five, we had previously caught a few of his more careless underlings, but he himself would elude us. Other than that, mostly rumors or sightings - cloaked figures, the aftermath of crimes, that sort of thing. The occasional murder of a Town Guard or civilian when they got too close to finding something substantial out.” Wanu sighed and looked down at a chipped dog statue. “In truth, we are struggling. We had hoped the Crown Guard would do more than pass through, as we have requested assistance from the Capitol more than once.”
Grugg watched as the Captain trailed off. Wanu seemed too invested in his job to be one of the Nightshade leaders, even if it would be the perfect cover. With a grunt, the cyclops stood and folded his arms. “Captain, Grugg and friends will beat up all the criminals-”
[Arrest them.]
“-will beat up and arrest all the criminals,” he corrected. It looked like the Nightshade were behind the death of the wizard’s brother, and Grugg was prepared to stomp his way up the food chain until he got to those responsible.
“I know you will, Detective.” The smile was kind but had a brief sadness to it. “I will have Patson drop off the full case file tomorrow so that you can have a proper briefing on what we know. Aside from that, I hope you sleep well and tomorrow is not as harrowing.”
“Arrows are pretty bad,” the cyclops agreed. Projectile weapons when you were a large, slow target were almost as unfair as having a pocket wizard. Hat wizard, he corrected himself. More than anything, he was looking forward to the team meeting tomorrow. He didn’t even feel that tired currently, despite the sunlight now waning.
“Oh, before you go.” The Captain scribbled some notes onto a hastily grabbed a bit of parchment. “You will need the address of your new quarters; just message Patson in the morning when you are ready to go see it.”
Grugg took the piece of paper and stowed it away in the sack immediately, without even the slightest attempt at deciphering the half-orc’s handwriting. A couple of forms were pushed across the wide, cluttered desk, and the necessary signatures were provided with a single harsh pencil line. It was a matter of pride that he managed both without snapping the end of the writing implement. “Bye, Captain.”
“Best of luck, Detective. And.. thank you.” The usual stern appearance of the half-orc had melted away, his appreciation given with a soft, warm smile.
H[e looks… sad? Maybe relieved. I can imagine Nightshade have been a stress on him for a long time.]
The office door closed with a gentle click as Grugg turned with a sigh. There were a lot of sad people in this town, he had come to realise. If he were to guess, he would say he had three fingers out of ten fingers of his emotional-mana left.
“Here’s your pay packet, Detective.” The short-haired woman at the desk pushed an envelope towards him with a nervous smile. “Good thing you brought an umbrella; it looks like a storm out there.”
A rattle of coins as the packet slipped into his sack, the cyclops just acknowledged Diane with a nod. Two emotional-mana. Grugg picked up his umbrella from the corner and readied to deploy it, pausing momentarily to listen to the heavy rainfall outside.
[We didn’t hear the rain when in the Captain’s office, right? How peculiar.]
Once more into the windswept rainfall of the cobbled streets of Helpart. The umbrella offered up some relief, yet also tried to run away with the wind. Thankfully for Grugg, the route back to the tavern had been memorized and even with the setting sun and dark clouds, he was able to traverse the dour environment. Left at the Hobbled Sheep inn, across the flower garden, squeeze down the alleyway as a quick shortcut, and then it wasn’t much further than a few more twists and turns.
The alleyway opened into a courtyard, a small square of plain stone at the back of a group of shops, perhaps as an emergency exit or place for goods to be loaded. In the dim light of the storm-laden evening, the dark buildings surrounding all sides loomed over the small space. As Grugg began to cross towards the alleyway on the other side, a lantern flared into life from the shadowed center about fifteen feet away.
Now illuminated in the warm flickering glow of the flame, Gregor stood drenched from the rain. In his other hand he held his whip, and from the end of his tail, the amber reflection of the lantern light danced along his dagger.
“It’s about time you showed up,” he hissed through bared fangs.