by M. A. Owens
He sighed, slowly slumping back into his chair. “Party? It was the Feline Liberation League. An activist group. Maybe you’ll recall, you were in here on the day they came by to pressure me for a donation. I told you they were bad news then. But ‘party’? Seems they’re changing from activism to something a little more hands-on. So, how did you escape?”
“That’s the thing. I didn’t.”
“You didn’t?”
“He let me go. Said he wants us to be friends.”
He scratched his head. “Uh-huh...”
“Basically, he’s my biggest fan because I took out Mr. B as far as he knows. He’s eternally grateful. Mr. B was into all of that awful equality stuff, and Saint, well, he’d much rather be every dog’s leash holder.”
Rick went quiet for a moment, just staring down at his desk. “I think maybe you should let this one go, Trigger. At least, that’s what I would say to you if you weren’t so hardheaded. Instead, I just have to say that I cannot help you, at least not right now. If they come back around here, I’ll see what I can find out, maybe play both sides a bit. Doubt they’ll give me the time of day, though. It sounds like Mr. B probably had a run in with him before, maybe lots of times before.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Only problem is Mr. B is locked up so tight you’d have to either be the warden or another prisoner before you could talk to him. Even if we could talk, I doubt he would have very much to say. At least to me.”
“I don’t know. He probably has a lot he’d like to say to you. But you got the next best thing, and she’ll be more than happy to talk to you. Plus, she’s not far from here. In fact, I think maybe she has a thing for you, Trigger, if I’m being honest. Maybe bring her a bouquet and I bet she’ll tell you everything you want to hear.”
I held up my paw. “Wow. I was waiting for that. What took you so long? Usually you get on me about my love life before my butt hits the chair.”
His laugh echoed throughout the room. I was more relieved than embarrassed, even though I was pretty embarrassed. Rick finally sounded like Rick again.
“Alright! Fine. Guess I better get out of here before you tell me about all the other dames who are in love with me.”
I hopped up from my chair and stamped toward the door. “Hey, pal.”
I turned around and replied, “Yeah?”
“Worry about yourself for a change, alright?”
I smiled. “Not a chance.”
12
Sugarplum was a hard nut to crack. Her name was coming up less and less these days in the gossip columns, but she seemed to be making more and more money. Everyone still associated her with Mr. B, being his adopted daughter and all. She moved into insuring most of the businesses that Mr. B was extorting protection money from before. Couldn’t blame her for that. She did pretty much say upfront that was her plan. Still, Mr. B had given her everything. Their problems were recent, and they had gotten along well for most of her life. He had saved her from foster care, even though it was probably his fault that her real family died. It remains one of the few shreds of evidence that Mr. B did in fact have a heart, even though it may have been tiny and black.
But one question still remained in my mind to this day. Even though she had helped take down Mr. B, what was the genuine reason for their falling out? She had given me an answer, but I didn’t buy it, not completely. She said it was a simple disagreement over how the enterprise should be run. She said she wanted to legitimize the entire organization. Make it all legal. However, he wouldn’t agree.
Was that enough to turn on your own father? Most people seem to think so. Everyone accepted that answer and let it go. All the same, I wouldn’t press the issue further. Sugarplum was my friend. By any account, she was an excellent friend. Wasn’t Mr. B also the dutiful father?
Sometimes, I think the business gets to me. Makes me question too much, too often. Maybe it was making me doubt a loyal friend where it wasn’t deserved. Then again… maybe not. I was hoping to encounter less trouble at Sugarplum’s place, but I guess that depended a little on me. The receptionist at the front desk remembered me, called into Sugarplum’s office, and gave me the go-ahead to head on in.
The layout had changed a bit since the last time I was here. Before, she had a lobby full of clients she was enthusiastically chatting up at every opportunity. But now this was more like Herman’s office. No waiting room just outside, just the few seats that were in the main lobby, which were all but empty. I knocked on the door and stepped inside. Sugarplum leaped to her feet when she saw me, running over to give me a hug before I sat down.
“Come on, it hasn’t been that long, has it?” I squeaked, struggling to breathe.
She released me, then slapped me on the back. “It wasn’t long ago when you really couldn’t help yourself but to see me as often as possible. I could hardly keep you away even if I wanted to, and let’s be honest, you could barely keep your eyes off me.”
She really was every bit as bad as Rick. No, actually, she was even worse. At least when Rick teased me, it was about others, not himself. Was I really that much of an easy target?
“Well, that’s not exactly how I remember–”
“Oh, Trigger. It’s a good thing your charm is so much better than your memory.”
She’d been like this for as long as I can remember. Not that I had a thing for cats, but as a cat she was easy on the eyes. Slender, solid black coat, with big green eyes. Usually, she was dressed in the latest, most expensive fashion, but today she traded that for a bland pantsuit she probably found in the bargain bin. I really never thought I would see her in something like that in my life. It was a bit jarring, actually. Was she finally tired of being the center of attention?
She poked me in the shoulder, playfully. “You know, I do wish you would come by sometime just to chat. You’re always so busy. You’re busier than I am!”
I scratched the back of my head. “Yeah, seems like that’s true lately. I was hoping this case would be a bit of a vacation, but it turned out to be the opposite. Clients really making me earn my paycheck this time, and it’s a big paycheck. Just not sure they make a paycheck big enough to cover this one. I think I’m going to need your help, actually.”
She looked me up and down before returning to her desk. “Tell me, what is it that your dear friend Sugarplum can do for you today?”
“Know a cat named Saint?”
She seemed to freeze for a moment, then shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Yeah, I know him.”
I have to admit, I was a bit surprised. Even though she was Mr. B’s adopted daughter, she didn’t seem like a cat who would shutter at the name of a cat like Saint. Maybe I was getting ahead of myself.
“You’re the first one I’ve talked to, so far, that does. How do you know him?”
She paused for longer than usual, seeming to search for just the right words to say. “His real name is Richard, you know. He worked for my father. When I was a kitten, I remember how they would argue about the role cats should play in the city. My father put him in charge of elevating cats through the law. My father believed everyone was most effective when pursuing their passions, even if he disagreed with part of them, or even if they posed a danger to him.”
I tilted my head. “I’m a little surprised to hear you speak so fondly of your dear old dad. That almost sounded like admiration.”
She wrinkled her nose and looked away. Had I struck a nerve?
“It was admiration. Believe it or not, I loved my father. It’s just that the things he was doing were no longer good for the city. The strong-arming, the extortion, the blackmail, controlling everything.”
“And what about Saint’s way?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?”
“I’m not judging, but you heard me fine.” I would have to beg my friend's forgiveness later, but I couldn’t very well pass up such a rare and genuine moment with her like this. Tongues are always loosest when fur was ruffled.
S
he sighed, again looking away, down at the desk in front of her. “To be honest? I don’t know. My parents were killed when I was just a kitten, fighting for the rights of cats in this city. By the cops, no less. You were a cop, so maybe you won’t enjoy hearing this. Maybe you see it differently.”
I shook my head. “Was a cop. Important distinction. And I wouldn’t disagree. Back when I was a cop, it wasn’t something to be proud of, not like now.”
She forced a smile. “Now? Let’s hope that’s true. Still not seeing a lot of cats on the force.”
“You should visit Black District sometime. I could introduce you to a dog and cat duo I met on my last case. You’d like them. You’d like Petey too, I’m guessing.”
“Maybe, but it shouldn’t just be happening in the Black District. It should happen everywhere.”
“Patches, the new chief, inherited quite a mess from your dad’s dealings. He had a lot of corruption to clean up. I’m sure he’ll make it more of a priority soon. These changes can’t happen overnight, so give him a chance.”
“Let’s hope that’s the case. You’ll forgive me if I’m skeptical.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I understand. Anyway, sorry for interrupting your story. Mind continuing?”
She sighed again. “I’m just saying I hope you understand that I’m still a little bitter. Not just because of what happened to my parents, but because of how… the effort it took for my father to take cats from second-class to equal citizens. For most of my life, I kind of thought the way Saint did. Can’t say I cared very much about dogs.”
“And now?” I flashed her a sly smile.
She giggled. “I guess there are a few mutts that aren’t so bad.”
I chuckled a little myself, but was stopped by a nagging thought that came back into my mind. The change in dress. A talkative Sugarplum changing her office to some secluded corner of the building. I didn’t like what that added up to, if it even added up to anything.
“Let’s detour for a second,” I said. “How are you doing?”
She leaned back, passing me a sidelong glance. “Oh, Trigger. You’re so sweet.”
“I’m serious.”
“At least finish the current case before trying to pick up the next one. You work too hard.”
I sighed. “Okay. I get it, but if you want to talk or you need my help, I just want you to know that I can make the time. That’s all.”
She smiled at me sweetly. In a way that caught me off guard. In a way that seemed more genuine than usual. “Thanks, Trigger. I’ll keep that in mind. Be careful with Saint. He’s dangerous. If he gives you the opportunity to stay out of his way, consider taking it, and not getting yourself involved.”
“Too late for that, I’m afraid. Can you tell me anything that I can use against him?”
“Sorry. I’m sure daddy could tell you a lot, but I’m not sure he would even if he were allowed a visit. Sorry you had to come all the way down here for nothing.”
I stood up. “I wouldn’t say I wasted my time. It was good seeing you again.”
“You too, detective. Don’t be a stranger. Come by when you’re finished with this case. We’ll talk more.”
I tipped my hat and left her office.
Looked like I was on my own with Saint, and it was looking more and more like a battle I wouldn’t be able to win.
13
I had half a day left and barely anything to work with. I was right back to where I started, and nowhere to go but back to the bank. Good thing I’d been doing my morning runs, so at least my legs weren’t sore.
I stepped back into the bank, showed myself to the elevator, and was met by Sunny as I came out on Herman’s floor.
“Getting comfortable around here, I see,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
She raised a brow. “Where’s your escort?”
“Turns out I can figure out my way around without the babysitter. Anyway, you got anything for me?
“I do, actually. Let’s go into Herman’s office.”
I followed her down to the office, where Herman was waiting alone inside. He nodded to us, and we both took seats.
“Don’t worry about Sunny, Trigger. There’s no way to avoid involving her anyway. Besides, I think you’ll like what she has for you.” He nodded to Sunny, expectantly.
“One of the earliest incidents we had involved a client in the Capitol District. No one here has been to that branch since the incident, so the records there may show what happened.”
“So?” I protested. “Couldn’t one of you have just gone there in secret?”
She nodded. “Sure, one of us might have gone there in secret, but we wouldn’t have left in secret. They wouldn’t let just anyone access those records, and if someone with the authority did, we require the branch manager to verify everything in record. Not just who, but when they visited, and for how long, and for what purpose they pulled those records. There're no guarantees here, but this may be the best lead we’ve got. If you hurry, you can get over there before they close today. More importantly, you can get over there before we close today. I had to consult others to crosscheck this information, about which accounts were accessed and when. So, assuming it was someone here, they may go straight over there or have someone destroy the evidence tomorrow, or tamper with the records.”
I rested my chin on my paw, giving it some thought. “That’s a fair point, but how do I know that hasn’t happened already?”
Sunny and Herman both shrugged in almost perfect unison.
“I would say it’s likely that it has happened already, but it’s also the best lead we have,” Herman said.
I shook my head. “Fair enough, but daylight’s burning. You got everything I need to access the information? Hopefully you haven’t called ahead.”
He grinned. “We’re a little more thoughtful than that, detective. Here’s what you’ll need.” He opened a desk drawer and pulled out a manila envelope. He slid out the contents onto his desk, first giving it a look over, then turning it around so I could see.
“This should be everything you need to access those files. They will have my personal contact information in case I’ve already gone home, and I will verify your permission for them.”
I pulled up my sleeve and checked my watch. I’d have to hurry if I would make it to the Capitol District in time. One page had directions written on it, which I certainly needed.
“Alright, no time to waste then. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” he said.
I showed myself out and made my way to the Capitol District. At least this time I had daylight to spare. Made an ambush a lot less likely, but I couldn’t rule it out.
Adria District was really something to marvel at during the night. The streets were all crowded, and it seemed like half of those traveling were holding a bag of merchandise in each paw. The other half? Probably just on their way to buy something. I had been to the Capitol District a few times, but boy did I hate it. It was the center of corruption here in the city, now more than ever. Patches had cleaned up the police force, but politicians were still cut from the same corrupt cloth that they had always been. Always seemed strange to me we needed someone to tell us what to do. Then we choose the worst dogs and cats among us for the role. No thanks. Not that I had a choice. My line of work required a license, and that license was regulated and awarded by the same bureaucrats. Without their say-so, I didn’t work.
My train of thought was interrupted about halfway down an alley, when suddenly my intuition nudged me to pay attention. Why were the directions sending me down a narrow, abandoned alley in the first place? Sure, this route was probably faster, but not safer. I got careless.
At that moment, I heard a gate shut behind me. Should’ve seen this coming.
I turned around to make for the open side, but that side was closed too. Organized, again. Even if I had seen it coming, would it have made any difference? Getting caught again would be risky. I needed to find some way out. I i
mmediately recognized the two cats from before, but I knew they didn’t follow me. I was very careful about that. They had been waiting for me down this alley. An alley they knew I’d be traveling down… in advance. That meant only one thing, but I didn’t have the luxury to think about that right now.
I needed to catch them off guard. Do something stupid that maybe they wouldn’t expect. I sprinted toward the one closest to me, and the look on his face told me he didn’t expect that.
When I was almost on him, I pulled out my trusty, but still defective shock stick and brought it down in an arc for the cat's head. He brought up his arm to block, but quickly fell back against the gate. I’d hoped to see dogs and cats on the other side, but no such luck. It was a dead end on the other side, and they probably hoped to pin me there but had a backup plan to pin me on the other side if I dillydallied too much. I glanced over my shoulder to see if the other cat was still waiting down the other side, or maybe he was just now running to help his friend. The paw I caught to the side of my face told a different story. He ran this way the moment I did. On my heels the entire way.
I spun around, held by the force of momentum from his punch, and caught him in the jaw with the base of the metal rod I held in my paw. He staggered and caught himself against the wall, and I held up my paw to give him another shot. The first cat came from behind me, and brought both his arms up beneath mine, restraining. The cat leaning against the wall tried to spring upright, but I used the support of the cat behind me to bring both my feet off the ground and slam them into his chest, sending him back to the ground. I followed up by throwing my head back into the face of the cat behind me, connecting in spectacular fashion.
Still holding on to the shock stick, I tried to bring it down on the cat I’d knocked to the ground again, but he recovered quickly, tackling me into the wall opposite him. I brought down the shock stick into his lower back, and made a solid connection. I felt his grip loosen, but he didn’t let go. The other cat came in from the side and caught me in the chin with his paw. This time, I collapsed and faded fast. Once again I’d found myself in a situation with all the odds against me. Then again, I wondered, what was new?