As Mina took a taxi from Le Coffee Shoppe, her mind was working overtime. Even though it was still 8:00 AM and she had only started to slurp her choco-latte frappuchino with extra choco-chunks, her mind was mulling over how she'd approach Ravengate. Her trusted mentor had left her to walk through an alleyway and nearly get harmed by a jaded new jersey Frenchman, all so he could go to a destination that wasn't what he said it was. He wasn't at the police precinct that night, and who knows where he was. He could be in the top secret head quarters of the Aura, for all she knew!
On the other hand, he did leave her a few texts that night asking if she made it home safely....so he did care. She hasn't responded though. Even if he wasn't up to anything suspicious, she still had to deal with the return of the infamous Bunting Dupree.
D. Vito, her favorite taxi driver grunted from his cigarette affected throat. "You ok back there, bubba? You're surprisingly quiet? I know it's only eight in da morning, but even you manage to tell me about da latest Ninja Kitty episode."
Mina sighed and blew bubbles into her overloaded sugar latte. "I'm sorry, D," she said. "I had a really rough night. I was almost attacked in an alleyway because of the carelessness of a close friend."
"You kiddin' me?!" D. Vito said, raising his fist as the stopped at a stop light. "Tell me who dis schmo is and I'll give em a five finger discount for a knuckle sandwich!"
"As much as I'd like that," Mina said, "I still don't know if it's an honest mistake, or it was intentional. I mean, I don't think he realized he did what he did."
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"Well then," D. Vito responded as the light turned green. "Tell me what it is so I know whether I should give him a taste o' da streets. I'm gonna make concrete and chewed gum his favorite flavors"
Mina slumped in her seat. As funny as it would be to see the short, grubby, tank top wearing D. Vito manhandle the lanky Raven for his carelessness, it wasn't helping her feel a lot better.
"But seriously, pal," D. Vito said, sounding less like he wanted to challenge someone to a fist fight. "Try to figure out what truly happened. Like the court cases I used ta work on, a good lawyer always tries to get all the facts before they makes an accusation."
Mina nodded, her eyes tracing the city streets as they passed. "Of course, I just don't know how I should go about this...it's kinda awkward and a half...."
"Well then, kiddo," D. Vito said earnestly. "Just go in, hear his side o' da story and whatever will be will be. Like a testimony from da heart, you may be surprised what ya hear!"
"My lawd," Mina said with a squeak and a gasp. "That's true. That's the best way to handle it. Thank you so much, D!"
"Eh, don't mention it," D. Vito said, pulling into the street where Birdbrains Lawyering Co was. "I'm just happy to be of assistance to my favorite customer!"
"You bet I am!" Mina said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Especially," D. Vito said, looking from side to side. "You don't give me a bad rating for my beef and cheese smell."
"Of course!" Mina said with a polite head bob. "Nothing wakes you up faster than the smell of a cheap deli!"
Mina bid farewell to her surprising friend. She was in a much better mood that morning after she spoke to Mr. Vito. This always was the case whenever he was her cab driver.
Opening the door, she shuffled up the stairs into her office where Raven was standing. She let out a puff of air. "Here I go," she said to herself, hoping for the best.
In his bright purple suit with his slick pile of curly hair on his head, the head lawyer grinned from beneath his beaky nose. "Hey kid," he squawked. "I was on my way to police office last night, but you'll never guess where I ended up!"
Mina squinted her eyes. "Where?"