Mina was left to wonder why Raven said she'd be defending a caped criminal. After the Himbolake incident, there was nothing she wanted less than crusading in the name of a vile person. But Raven insisted that it would be different on their drive to the Police Precinct.
The following morning, the forestation of Business Park was shedding leaves in the brisk October air. They fluttered as Raven's purple jalopy cruised the streets. Mina had finally managed to get Raven to cough up the truth. And when she did, her head nearly spun in its shoulders.
"Maria Santiago?!!!!! What in the mega huuuuuhhh?!" Mina screamed, with her hands dropping as well as her mouth.
"They captured her?!"
Mina paused. "They know where the heck is Maria Santiago?!"
"Well!" Raven chuckled. "She wasn't in heck, that's for sure! But I wouldn't put it past her to find a way down there!"
Maria Santiago had become a bit of a folk hero in Business Park. Very rarely had a criminal been so charismatic, so fashion forward and so outwardly foxy as Ms. Santiago. She was truly a master criminal because she stole the show too. In the last year, she became a fashion icon in addition to being highly marketable too.
Hastily snapped photos adorned magazines nationwide as the fashion industry tried to emulate the tailored perfection of her purple overcoats and matching floppy fedoras. Even the normally pink Mina could resist being swept up in the fashion fever of purple perfection.
No matter how hard they tried, cops could never nail her. She was so quick, so sly and so clever it was like she was in two places at once.
Even Blind had tried, but he remained sightless and in the dark. And not just literally. But now, someone had finally managed to bust the legendary senorita. They had to be a super genius megamind, Mina thought to herself, feeling a bit disappointed that Santiago's crime stint had come to an end.
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"But just to warn ya, kid," Raven said, and he lifted a fluffy pretzel he had purchased from Uncle Salty's. "There's always a twist."
Mina pursed her lips and yet, rubbed her hands together hungrily. Of course there was a twist, but at least, she'd finally get to meet the stylish thief who stole hearts, gems and gem hearts!
"I just wish you got me a pretzel!" Mina pouted. "That's the most twisted thing you've done!"
Raven looked away. "I dunno about that, kid."
***
Inside the lobby of the Police Station, they were greeted by Rita, Sparky and a new strange man who had both questionable fashion sense and taste in food.
Rita raised her hand. "Hello Mina…and…Mr. Mayor."
The normally boisterous police chief winced when she acknowledged the mayor, Mr. Ivor Ebony.
To her, he was still her beloved sweetheart and baby boy (and daddy) Raven. Nobody had told her that the Raven had regained his memory either. Mina felt bad, but Raven was busy working undercover for the man aka himself.
Raven nodded.
"Heya chief, deputy and uh…"
The man in front of them had slick black hair, matching black mustache that curled in spirals beneath his thick nostrils, he wore a black beret, a monocle and a tan overcoat. He nibbled on a croissant smothered in escargot.
"This is Inspector Croissant!" Sparky said with a grin.
The man narrowed one of his eyes while the other one bulged open. He whacked Sparky on the back of his head with his croissant. "Ow!"
"The name iz Inspector Croix-Saint, pissant!" the man growled in an indecipherable accent. It sounded vaguely European.
"Another Frenchman?" Mina exclaimed. "Rave…er…Mr. Mayor is the twist we've secretly been living in Paris the whole time?"
Raven shook his head. "Sorry kiddo. This isn't the Fratrix. No, this man is someone very special."
"Special is right!" Sparky muttered, before Croix-Saint thrusted his greasy, snaily pastry forward, knocking Sparky in the head.
"I am zi masterful mastermind who captured Maria Santiago! Can I get a zoot allures, pissants?!"
Ominous accordion music played in the background and everyone noticed a musician in a stripey shirt and beret in the background.
Mina narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure he's not from France?"
"Even worse…" Raven chuckled, nudging her. "French Canada."