Mina found herself in a sordid place she hadn't thought about in a long time. A place she...and her mind ...avoided indefinitely for fear of triggering a trauma. The Venetian Hotel was a place where a cat fisher known as The Duke had lured her into a relationship under false pretenses and she had been so desperate for love at that time, she had allowed herself to be his stool pigeon and be set up for a crime.

Even after all these years, the towering Venetian Hotel, known for its thick, film noir blinds and privacy remained just as sus as it had been back then.

Now, it was time to revisit a bad memory...and probably create more in the process.

The chief and her overly loyal deputy waited outside their cars along with Mina and Raven. But even before they proceeded inside, O'Law brought unfortunate news that this encounter would not be pleasant.

Holding up her phone, she showed a document on the Canadian Star. "Turns out!" The chief said boisterously. "That our dapper senorita was involved with the Quebec thievery. In fact, she had a bit of a standoff with a rival jewel thief, Pierre Le Risque! She managed to rob the Canadian Star AND leave Pierre Le Risque to be captured by the police!"

The defense attorneys turned to each other. Mina in particular was shocked she had never heard that name before. "Who is Pierre Le Risque? Whoever that is, that's a very French name for a jewel thief."

"French-canadian!" The deputy added and suddenly, Mina's eyes shot open.

"Like the detective!"

"And if you think that's telling," Rita O'Law answered. "Pierre was known for stealing the Rubylove. Something the French canadian detective has obtained from the thief and he brought to our local museum!"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Raven rubbed his goatee. "It's not much of a risk to say, that Santiago, Le Risque, and Croissant are connected."

"Hold my E-Phone!" Mina added, "because I think they're the same person!"

Raven chuckled. "That would take a lot of surgery for Pierre Le Risque to look like Maria!"

"No silly," Mina remarked, putting her fingers to her head like the psychic she was. "Croix-Saint and Pierre! And here's where the plot becomes twisted and salty like the biggest pretzel ever! I think that after Maria Santiago exposed Pierre and he was arrested, he somehow escaped and faked his identity as this detective. That way he could not only get his revenge but steal back the gems he has stolen!"

Everyone was silent. Both hard-nosed police officers had to process this revelation, but Raven thrusted a thumbs up so close to her face she saw his swirly finger print. "This is why you are my protege and my proud successor!"

Mina blushed. "Gee wiz. Raven, you never called me your successor!"

Raven nodded and flashed her a second thumbs up. "Heck yeah, kid. If anything were to happen to me, you would be the proud attorney running Bird Brain. The mastermind behind the bird brains so to speak!"

Mina grinned widely. But she paused for a second thought. "If anything were to happen to you?" she asked. "Where would you be going?"

Raven shook his head and grinned to match hers. "Nah, just hypotheticals. We attorneys always have a good understanding of insurance and you will inherit the building!"

Mina nodded. She still didn't process why he was saying this, but after he had his recent stint as a wacky mayor with a different name, anything could happen.

"So..." she said. "If this detective is really a master jewel thief, we should obviously take precautions."

"Exactly," the chief nodded. "And me and Sparky not are the precautions. If anything goes south of France, we'll be here. Just question him as Maria's attorneys."

"Got it," Mina nodded and she gazed at the thick blinds covering every window.

Whatever happened in the Venetian hotel, no doubt stayed there. And they weren't even in Vegas, just a potential trap that lay in wait for them. She and Raven's eyes met and they both nodded.

"Let's do it!" the master and protege said in unison.