Chapter 1: Assassination Attempt
Assassination Attempt
Cast: Peter, Kimi, Angelica, Harold, Camden, others.
One-Shot: Harold helps Peter on an investigation for an attempted assassination attempt.
"Location: Richmond, Virginia, May 15th 2027"
It was dark times in Richmond. During a banquet earlier in the week, someone had tried to assassinate Kimi. Fortunately, the attack had been blocked by Frollo, but the assassin had gotten away, without any leads. Currently, Harold was helping Peter with the investigation. At first, the ginger haired man thought that he wasn't the right person for the job, but eventually agreed to help out. A week after the attempt, he clapped his heels together smartly and presented Peter a piece of paper, a summary of his findings during the past week.
"I've interviewed the soldier's recruitment station. They denied having the assassins in their employ or ever taking a job to assassinate Kimi. Their records and employee history support this, and showed no signs of being tampered with." Harold reported as Peter ran his eyes over the jumbled handwriting.
Of course the station would deny being involved. No one would want even the tiniest link to attempted regicide. However, given their long and steady working relationship with the crown, it was likely they genuinely had nothing to do with this. They wouldn't want to jeopardize a long-term employer, after all. But it was still an avenue that had to be checked.
"So that means the assassin was hired from someone." Peter said.
The criminal half of The Confederacy, the people who would take the dark and dirty jobs people of the law would not. They were the ones you went to for real crimes, not political games but genuine crimes against the crown. They were the ones who would be willing to assassinate a queen, for the right price.
"I believe so, yes. I intend to search the city naval yards next... carefully, of course." Harold said.
He then pulled something out of his pocket and held it out for Peter to see.
"Additionally, have you taken a look at the coins found with the assassin?" Harold asked.
"Their gold." Peter replied, disinterested.
The nation's currency was either copper, silver, or gold. There was nothing unusual about these typical Confederate ones. All they did was rule out the involvement of other countries.
"Gold, yes. Not the kind of coin your common criminal would have. The man or woman behind this would have to be very wealthy. It's very likely they are high up in society." Harold said.
Now that was interesting.
"Good job. Have you any luck with finding the escaped assassin?" Peter asked with an approving nod.
Harold shook his head.
"None, sadly, but it's one of my top priorities. Since you've given me the position of heading the investigation, I have people investigating every part of the nation. She is our biggest lead. If we can find her, we can make her talk. And once we do, we find the employee." Harold replied.
Peter's fingers tightened around the papers as his mind envisioned the neck of the perpetrator instead.
"We will find them. And then they will face the justice of The Confederacy." Peter said.
"Indeed." Harold said.
He then turned sharply on his heel, walking briskly to the door.
"How are Angelica and Camden doing?" Peter asked suddenly.
Harold stopped and turned, smiling a little questioningly.
"They are well. Camden is turning six soon. She's quite a handful for her mother." Harold replied.
"That's good to hear. You can go now." Peter said.
"Location: Richmond, Virginia, May 24th 2027"
"We've caught the assassin." Harold announced.
Peter had been having lunch with Kimi when Harold came. At first, it had been an unwelcome intrusion, even for one of the two's closest friends, but then the words registered and suddenly became the most important things in the world. Peter almost jumped to his feet, but then paused after remembering that he had company. He gave Kimi an apologetic look. She tilted her head, a slight smile on her face.
"It's okay, dear. I don't mind finishing this alone, and this is important... not just to you, but to all of The Confederacy." Kimi said.
Relieved to have her permission and understanding, even though he didn't need them, Peter bid her a quick farewell and followed his friend to the castle's dungeons, where the assassin was chained to a wall in a cell. According to the report, she had somehow gotten a hold of a portal key and fled all the way to the Etherium in the outer rim of the World Of Disney, where worlds like the Caribbean, the Etherium, and the version of space under the control of the Galactic Federation were, after being paid a ransom for her work. While there, Donald Duck, Iago, Bagheera, Scar, and Sheen had spotted her, recognized her from the wanted posters Harold had made, and alerted the inhabitants of that world. Jim and his men (due to him being part of the Royal Armada) and Silver and his band of pirates had promptly captured her and delivered her to Richmond as a token of good friendship to Peter and Kimi. Peter made a mental note to remember their assistance in the future. She hadn't come in without a fight. Dark blue and purple bruises mottled the skin of her arms and face, and two of the fingers on her right hand were crooked. Her mouth was stained red, and when she snarled, Peter could see the broken teeth behind her lips. He knew he should feel ashamed of himself for relishing her beaten state, but all he could see was his best friend and love of his life in harm's way, over and over. This was justice. He took a moment to check his anger, and when he was certain he wouldn't lash out, spoke in a calm level tone.
"Tell me who hired you. Whatever your employer paid you, I will double it." Peter said.
The woman... he vaguely remembered learning her name, but didn't particularly care what it was... laughed bitterly.
"You think you can buy me off like some pampered noble? I may be just a lowborn criminal to you, but I'm not dumb. I know you'll execute me for what I've done, and I have my honor. All my clients are confidential." the woman said.
An admirable trait, but frustrating. Pete took a step forward so his face was inches away from her's, his large frame looming intimidatingly.
"Who hired you? Your death will be swift if you give the name." Peter asked.
"Go fall into a hole!" the woman spat.
Peter sighed, wiping the bloody spittle of his cheek with one hand. He'd offered her the carrot, now it was time for the stick. He turned to a nearby servant.
"Fetch the special interrogators." Peter ordered.
The servant snapped off a salute and departed. He returned in a few minutes, the Disney Villains behind him. Usually, normal interrogators would be used to pry information out of prisoners, but Peter had the Disney Villains break information out of prisoners in special cases... a privilege they took great pride in.
"You had need of us, our friend?" Thunderclap asked, his eyes glittering darkly.
"Make her talk." Peter replied, stepping away to let them go to work.
"With pleasure." Jafar said, his staff glowling dangerously.
One hour and much screaming later, the assassin broke and gave them a single name.
The estate of Emeric Bluehide, the mayor of Rosewood in the Pewter Zone of The Confederacy, was easy to storm. Peter had made certain that Emeric's part in Kimi's attempted murder was announced to the public. The men that hadn't deserted him entirely were fighting listlessly, as if they themselves didn't really believe in what they were doing. In no time, Peter's soldiers had subdued them, seized the estate, and disarmed the mayor of his weapon when he lunged out of a wardrobe to attack the king. They tied him up, dragged him back to Richmond, and conducted a very short trial wherein they proclaimed his guilt. He was then executed in the city square, where countless people had come to watch the execution and rained down loud calls of hate, jeers and cries for death on him.