The Siren's Call Ch. 1
AN: Hey everyone, sorry it's been a while since I've uploaded anything. I'm doing a rerun at Siren's Call. A few changes from my first trial, this one serves more a sequel to Grinding of the Gears than to Smoothest of Criminals. It's part of the overarching ABAHF canon, so be warned that their may be spoilers for stories within. Thank you all so much for your support. I wish you the best of luck in life and literature. -Kiba
Above the streets of Piltover, Caitlyn adjusted her top hat before tapping her earpiece. "Are you there Valerie?" she asked.
"Right here, Sheriff."
"I'm deploying the eye now." Removing the small oculus device from her pack, Caitlyn set it on the ground beside her. There was a whir as the lens adjusted before rotating to focus on their target. As it calibrated, she lifted the scope of her rifle to her eye. "Carmichael's boys, just like I thought. Somehow, I doubt they need five heavily armed guards to protect a warehouse of books."
"I'm receiving the feed. First target acquired: blue shirt, far left."
"Spotted. Taking aim."
"Wind is moving at 4 knots to the East. Correct 2 degrees for noise."
The sheriff made the adjustments, took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger. A sound like thunder exploded around her. The bullet spiraled through the barrel, flying with pinpoint accuracy to lodge into her target's skull.
The only thing the thugs heard was the sound of one of their own hitting the floor. "Excellent shot, ma'am."
"Thank you, Val. Bring up the second target."
The two passed directions back and forth to each other. Each time Caitlyn pulled the trigger, another criminal was snuffed out. With the final guard down, she lowered her rifle and reclaimed the oculus.
"That does it for the exterior. What can you tell me about the inside of the warehouse?" she asked of her assistant.
"Just a moment...hacking into the system now. We've got four hostiles inside and it looks like they're onto you. Here is the recommended plan of action. Kick in the right door as hard as possible. It will knock out the guard there. Immediately turn to your left and take out the bogie on the catwalk above. The door will give you cover from number three, which is on the other side of the first guard. The last one will be doing his rounds. If you get up on the catwalk, you'll be able to ambush him."
"And the cooks?"
"Unarmed. They'll most likely make a bolt for the rear exit. I'm locking the building down, now. And Sheriff...be careful."
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. Shutting off her earpiece, she hurled herself over the edge of the roof and descended the fire escape. Upon reaching the building, her eyes scanned over the bodies of her prey. All was still.
Not that it surprised her, but Caitlyn was impressed with her own accuracy. Lifting up her foot, she slammed the bottom of her boot into the door as hard as she could. The metal swung fast and sent the guard there into a crumpled heap.
Gun fire immediately rang out from the other side of the door. Caitlyn could feel the repetitive impacts of the bullets against her makeshift shield as she raised her rifle and fired. The one on the catwalk took a tumble and landed face down on the cement floor.
When the volley paused, the sheriff leapt from cover, firing two shots in rapid succession. The third guard took one to the chest, and another between the eyes, leaving a streak of blood as he slid down the wall.
Sure enough, two men in hazmat suits looked up from the table where they'd been cooking the street drugs. "Don't run," she instructed, though she already knew they wouldn't listen.
They took off towards the back, but she still had one more issue to take care of. Thanks to amount of physical training she did, Caitlyn scaled the stairs in almost no time at all. Just as the next guard came around the corner, she pulled the trigger. *Click* Damn it! Of all the times for her gun to jam…
The man leveled his pistol and fired wildly at her. A smaller target was harder to hit, and a moving small target even more so. Caitlyn tumbled forward into a roll, kicking upward and sending the man's gun flying.
Like that, the fight was on. While her hand-to-hand proficiency wasn't nearly as impressive as Thane's had been, she still had picked up a trick or two. Her rifle spun like a baton, deflecting punches from her foe before he turned and kicked her straight in the gut.
"That was a dirty trick," she coughed. The man just gave a low growl and continued his offensive. He grabbed her rifle, and the two began to wrestle over the weapon while he took cheap shots at her shins.
The stinging pain in her legs put a bitter memo in her head to start putting armored padding in her boots. Due to the guard's size advantage, Caitlyn could feel herself losing her footing. When she tried to make a quick step back to pull him off balance, he instead rushed her, slamming her against the banister of the catwalk.
The amount of pressure he was placing on her from her gun was suffocating, and worse she could feel herself going over the edge. Over her shoulder, she could see the industrial grinder, eager to rip her to shreds.
Gritting her teeth, she lashed out with her knee, striking the criminal in the groin. He winced, allowing her to shove him back. This time, the criminal bolted, running for where his gun had landed.
Caitlyn struggled to regain her breath, just as he picked up the pistol. He spun to take aim, and just as he pulled the trigger, Caitlyn took aim herself and fired her sixty-calibre net. His bullet tore grazed her right shoulder, as she sailed backwards.
Her shot, however, found its mark. The weighted net crashed around him, forcing him over the edge and straight into the grinder. A blood curdling scream came from below as the machinery turned crimson.
The sheriff was panting from the exertion and the pain as she stood and began to shamble towards the back wall. Her body ached all over from the fight, but she still had a job to do.
Sure enough, the two unarmed men were pounding on the heavy metal door. The electrical locks had been engaged and the controls disabled. They were trapped and they knew it.
When they turned to see Caitlyn, one hand clutching her wound, the other holding her rifle leveled in their direction, fear was in their eyes. "Freeze," she commanded. "You two are under arrest by authority of the Piltover Sheriff's Department."
Before she could finish reading their rights though, they both took off in opposite directions, running back towards the front.
"Gods damn it," she cursed under her breath, moving to give chase. As she did though, a gleam of metal caught her eye. The throwing knife narrowly missed her, embedding in the ground at her feet. Her eyes tracked the source of the object, to find a figure she knew all too well. "Thane?" she gasped.
The shadow stared at her, saying nothing, before diving out an open window. Caitlyn stood there in shock. What in the world was he doing in Piltover? She hadn't seen him since he left for the League. And why did he attack her?
"Sheriff!" her earpiece whined, causing her to wince.
"What is it Valarie?" she snapped.
"Thank Gods I got a hold of you. I lost visual and audio for a moment there. What happened? One of our suspects escaped. The other is in police custody."
"Sorry, I was...preoccupied."
"Don't worry, ma'am. I've patched through to dispatch. They'll be delivering the perp to the office for your interrogation."
Caitlyn took one last look at the open window near the roof. Had she been seeing things? Shaking her head, she left for the exit to begin the long walk back. Just as she rounded the corner and began marching down the street, a tall man in a trench coat fell into place beside her.
"Good evening, Sheriff," he greeted. "How did your raid on Carmichael's warehouse go?"
"Kiba," she retorted. "I'm amazed you're here. Shouldn't you be looking after your daughter?"
"Gwen? She's eighteen now. She's more than capable of being on her own."
"Eighteen, hmm? So that's how long its been since we last spoke."
"Yeah, well…"
"Save me your sob story. I've got a case to work."
Kiba quickly cut off her path, his blue eyes shining fiercely. "What is your deal?" he asked. "Look, I'm sorry we haven't spoken. I've kind of been dealing with some issues of my own. Ori…"
"Died. I'm aware. Now if you'll excuse me…"
She shoved past him, leaving him gawking at her in the street. So she was being a bit cold. Caitlyn knew it was a bitchy move to bring up his late wife, but it got him to leave her alone. He'd disappeared shortly after they married, and stopped speaking with her altogether when Orianna died.
Now he was trying to just come back into her life like nothing changed? Not a chance. She'd have no part in it. The moment she burst into the interview room, the man stared at her and said the magic words that every cop hates to hear. "I want my lawyer."
Immediately, she marched right back out, slamming the door shut behind her. Valarie scrambled to her as she stormed into her office, holding a cup of hot tea for her. "M-ma'am, are you okay? You're bleeding."
"No, I'm not okay," she sighed, taking the tea with one hand and hanging up her hat with the other. "Our perp just lawyered up. One got away, my gun jammed, oh, and I now have a nine millimeter hole in my arm."
Setting the porcelain cup on the saucer, she looked up at her assistant. The young woman was a genius when it came to computers, and since Vi and Thane had left, she was the only help Caitlyn had in her work.
"I'll patch you up," Val offered, grabbing a first aid kit. Caitlyn sat still, wishing her tea had something a little stronger in it to numb the pain. But Val's steady hand made the sutures go quickly.
Half way through, the door to her office burst open, revealing the reporter once more. "Kiba, I swear to you, if you do not leave this instant I will run you in for obstruction of justice," she growled, but he didn't budge. "Go!"she repeated.
"Sorry Sheriff, but I'm here on business," he replied. "You are presently unlawfully detaining my client, and I demand you release him from your custody."
The cup fell from her hand, shattering against the desk in shock. "Your client? You're an attorney now?!"
"That's right," he smirked, flashing his badge to her. "Kiba Elunal, public defender."
"You son of a bitch!" she snarled, sitting up in her chair. "I can't believe you. Do you know how long I've been chasing down this collar and now you're just going to come in here and...and…"
"Sheriff, please sit still," Val pleaded. "You're going to tear your stitches before I'm finished."
Caitlyn tried her best to relax, but it didn't help any. "Your suspect shot me," she stated. "That's more than enough reason to hold him."
"Then I imagine you've claimed the firearm as evidence and properly documented it?"
"He ditched it," she lied.
"Funny, because according to this police report," he began, holding the paper up for her to examine, "you didn't even make the collar. He was picked up by Piltover P.D. and was found with nothing in his possession. In fact, I'm sure a GSR test will show that my client has not fired a gun within the last four hours."
Valerie snipped the thread and placed a clean bandage over the shot. "All patched up, Sheriff. Now you can strangle him."
"With pleasure," Caitlyn growled, standing and grabbing Kiba by the arm. "You and I need to have a little chat." When they were alone from prying ears, she glared knives at him. "Why are you doing this?" she demanded. "You know I have no intentions of charging this guy. I just need information and then I'll cut him loose."
"So you're holding him without cause, Sheriff? That's against the law, you know."
"Stop screwing around with me, Kiba. This isn't some poor unfortunate soul. This is a meth cook connected with one of the biggest crime syndicates in Piltover."
"Allegedly connected," he corrected her. "And normally, I'd have no problems with you holding my client for an hour or two. Paperwork can take a while. But that's a privilege I reserve for friends, Sheriff."
Caitlyn stared him down for a moment before giving a sigh. "Fine," she whispered. "Please, let me interview him. I've been under a lot of stress lately, and I need this guy's information to take down Carmichael."
"That wasn't an apology."
"Kiba…"
"You can question him, but I will be present in the room. You have an hour, but after that I'll insist that you release my client or charge him."
"Agreed." Following Kiba's gesture to go first, she shot a quick, "prick" under her breath. When the two entered, the attorney moved to stand in the corner of the room while Caitlyn sat down across from the suspect.
"Mr. Hindenberg, my name is Kiba Elunal, I'm your court appointed attorney. I will be advising you. Sheriff Caitlyn just has a few questions."
The nervous mustachioed man looked up at the peacekeeper. Caitlyn's dark hair framed her fierce eyes as she placed her hands on the table. "Okay, Hindinberg, I'll cut to the chase. Right now we have video evidence of you and your partner Mr. James cooking a Class II Narcotic with intention to sell."
"I didn't hear a question in there, Sheriff," Kiba commented.
"We're willing to offer you six months in a low-security jail and dropping the charge to a misdemeanor possession, in exchange for information on your employer," she continued through gritted teeth.
"No deal," Kiba interjected. "If our client has information, we're willing to exchange it for six months parole with a hundred hours community service."
"Seriously?" she grumbled. "One of the most dangerous drugs on the market and you want me to just let him free?"
"On parole, Sheriff."
The two stared one another down as the man just sat between them, unwilling to get between their feud. "Six weeks jail time and a hundred fifty hours of community service. With potential for time off for good behavior," she offered.
The man turned to look at his attorney, curious what he'd say. Kiba nodded his head to tell him to take the deal. "I don't know nothin'," he stammered.
"Mr. Elunal, you may wish to advise your client as to the possible sentence if he were to go to trial."
"If you are found guilty on possession with intent to distribute a class II drug, you're liable to get 20 years in prison," he explained. "I'd advise you take the deal and tell the sheriff what you know."
"Okay, okay," the crook surrendered. "Look, Carmichael, he's started taking orders from someone else. I don't know who. All I know is, this guy has whipped the streets into the shape. He blows his whistle, and everyone knows to keep their heads down and their mouth shut."
"You're certain?" Caitlyn asked.
"Y-yeah. I think so anyway. I heard him arguing on the phone about how it wasn't how he'd run the business in the past. But then he just got spooked, told the guy he'd do whatever. Right now, Carmichael is digging his fingers into the sex trade, at this guy's instruction. You find Carmichael, he'll lead you to the guy."
Caitlyn finished scribbling down the notes before sliding a clipboard towards the man. "Your confession," she explained. "Sign that paper, and Kayle will begin the process to have you indicted. Kiba, a word?"
"Sure thing, Sheriff," he replied.
Stepping out into the observation room, Caitlyn closed the door and turned to face him. "All right, we're alone now. Why are you really doing this? A reporter goes defense attorney? Not a very common transition. What's your game, here?"
"If we're being truthful, Ori's case was probably the highlight of my career. After all that, I wasn't able to just watch and document the stories. I wanted to be part of it."
"But why a defense attorney? Why not join the Sheriff's office?"
"Because, as much as it may hurt me to say this Cait, someone has to keep an eye on you. Besides, I have a daughter now. If anything were to happen to me, she'd be all alone. I can't risk that, not after everything she's been through."
The Sheriff crossed her arms over her chest with a sigh. "Well, if it had to be someone, I suppose it's better that it's you than someone else," she noted.
"Ha. Pull the other one. I'm sure you're thrilled at the idea of going head to head with me again. Just like the good old days."
"Yeah," she sighed. "The good old days…"
For a moment, Kiba didn't say anything. Caitlyn's eyes were glued to the floor as she thought back to the days where Vi and Thane were there to help her. She'd been so idealistic then. Whatever happened to the girl who cleaned up the streets when she was just fourteen?
"Cait? Are you okay?"
The question made her give a start. When she looked at Kiba's face, it was full of concern. "I'm fine," she lied, brushing off his worries.
He reached over, gently squeezing her uninjured arm. "Hey," he said, getting her attention. "I'm not your enemy. We both want the same thing. Take the bad off the streets and keep the good safe. Just because we're on opposite sides does not mean we can't still be friends." When she didn't say anything, he gave her another reassuring squeeze before his eyes went wide. "Caitlyn!"
Her head whipped around to see Mr. Hindenberg, face down on the table, foam pouring from his mouth like a rabid dog. "No, no, no!" she cried, rushing back into the interrogation room. "Valerie! Call an ambulance, now!"
Kiba helped her to get him on the ground, head turned to keep him from drowning on his own spit. "He's seizing. Cait, what happened?"
"I don't know! He didn't have anything in his medical records to indicate..." There was a pause as she sniffed the air. "Almonds...son of a bitch, it's cyanide."
"He killed himself? Why on earth would he do that? It doesn't make any sense," Kiba replied. The man coughed, sending a foamy spray across the floor as he continued to writhe in agony.
Caitlyn grabbed the confession, skimming it for any sign of evidence. All that had happened was that he'd gone through and circled every instance of the letter 'C'. When he fell still, his eyes glazed over.
Kiba placed his fingers on his neck and shook his head. "He's dead."
"Look at this," Caitlyn whispered. "He just kept circling the letter 'C'. What could that mean?"
"Carmichael? Caitlyn?"
"I don't know why, but I've got a bad feeling about this, Kiba."
The paramedics rushed in, strapping him into a gurney and carting him out to perform CPR. When the excitement died down and the evidence collected, Caitlyn continued to stare at the confession. "Sheriff," Val said, peering in on her. "We've got a hit on Carmichael's location. He's in a motel off of Sprocket. Cameras show that he doesn't have anyone guarding him. Should I contact the police?"
Shaken out of her stupor, Caitlyn looked to Kiba then back to her assistant. "Yes. I want his ass nailed to the wall. Tell them to keep eyes on him until I get there."
"You're going after him?" Kiba asked, following her out the door.
"You going to stop me?"
"I've done my job. I'm off the clock."
"Good. Go home, Kiba. I'm sure Gwen misses you."
With that, she vanished off into the night, ready to go to work again.
When the ex-reporter arrived at his house, he closed the door behind him. Already, he could hear the sound of his daughter's loud music thumping from her room. A note on the fridge from her informed him that there were left overs in the microwave.
For a moment, he just stared at the note before pulling it off. Climbing the stairs, he knocked on the door, and the music lowered. "Come in," she called. As the door swung open, he was greeted by the sight of his beautiful blue-eyed blonde daughter, laying on her belly, a pair of headphones on, typing on her laptop. "Hey Dad, welcome home. How was your first day of work?"
"Stressful," he admitted. "What you working on, kiddo?"
"Just some more fanfiction."
"Fanfiction? You're much more talented than that. I don't understand why you don't write any original work."
"Dad, there's nothing wrong with writing fanfiction," she retorted, pulling off her headphones. "And I do write some original stuff...it's just that I prefer fanfiction."
"Not much money in it," he commented, sitting beside her.
"Like you've ever done anything for the money," she countered.
He smiled at her. Sharp as a whip, just like himself. Not to mention that she was as every bit beautiful and kind as her mother. "I suppose you have a point there. I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy," she replied.
Kiba wasn't sure if he believed her or not. As tough as it was raising a daughter as a single father, he could only imagine that it had been even harder for her growing up without a mother. Not to mention, he'd read some of her fanfiction. His baby girl was having some not-so-baby thoughts. And that scared the hell out of him.
He gently stroked his daughter's hair before placing a kiss on top of her head. As he went to leave the room, she called after him. "Oh, by the way, I got a letter today." The lilting sing-song she used lifted his spirits.
"Oh?"
"Mmhm. Piltover University. Want to read it with me?"
"You didn't open it?"
"And spoil the surprise for you? No way."
Kiba laughed. "It's hardly a surprise. Of course they accepted you. But for laughs, let's open it up anyway. I'm sure there's some important orientation info in there or something."
Gwen tore open the envelope and began to scan its contents. As she did, the smile faded from her face. That look of disappointment would have been heartbreaking if she didn't immediately follow it up with a laugh. "Just kidding. It says I got in."
"Congratulations!" her father cheered, hugging her tightly. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks, Dad," she murmured, returning the hug and burying her face into his chest. The two stayed that way for a moment before they parted. "So, the Sheriff is pretty cute, huh?"
"Gwen…" he groaned.
"Oh come on, Dad. You can admit that she's cute."
"We've talked about this. I don't plan on dating again."
"Who said anything about dating?" she protested. "I'm just asking if you think she's cute."
"...Fine. Yes, I think the Sheriff is cute."
"Ha! I knew it! You so like her!"
"I like a lot of people."
"Right. Whatever you say," she giggled. "Seriously though, you should ask her out. Nothing fancy, maybe just a cup of coffee or dinner or something."
"Why are you so obsessed with me dating someone?"
"Dad, it's been eighteen years. And you can't use me as an excuse anymore. I'm an adult. You deserve to have someone. I just don't want you to be lonely."
Kiba sighed. "I told you. You're the only girl I need in my life."
"I know...but I'm not always going to be around, Dad. What will you do when I'm gone?"
"I think that's my line."
Gwen took her father's hand in hers. "Dad. Seriously."
"Maybe when you leave for college."
Kayle shuffled her paperwork, searching for the indictment for her case. Just as she located it her phone rang, causing her to sigh. Lately, it felt as if she were constantly working. "Hello?"
"Kayle? It's Caitlyn."
"What can I do for you, Sheriff?"
"I need a security escort for Larry Carmichael's transfer. I'm going to bring him in, but I just had a CI die on me, cyanide. It was probably suicide on his part, but still I want to be cautious."
"Larry Carmichael? Excellent work, Sheriff. It'll be nice to see him behind bars finally. I'll get you those extra cruisers."
"Thanks. Oh, and one other thing…"
"Yes?"
"How could you not tell me that Kiba was getting back in the game? And as an attorney no less!"
The receiver clattered from the angel's hand in shock. Recomposing herself, she picked up the phone and placed it back to her ear. "I'm sorry, repeat that again. I could have sworn you just said that Kiba is working as an attorney."
"I did. You didn't know about that?"
"This is the first I've heard of it."
"He's apparently the new public defender."
"Son of a bitch," Kayle swore under her breath. "Who is he representing now?"
"He was representing my dead CI. Now, I'm not entirely sure. It sure didn't take him long to show up after his client was arrested though."
The angel's wings stretched outwards from her back. A sinking feeling was forming in her gut, and she didn't like it at all. "Keep an eye on him," she instructed. "I don't want to believe Kiba is wrapped up in this, but at the same time…"
"Yeah, it's too sudden to be a coincidence."
"From now on, any information regarding this case is need-to-know only. If Kiba wants info from you, you point him towards me and I'll handle it. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good."
With that, both women hung up. Kayle immediately scooped up her things. Something was definitely amiss. After nearly two decades, Kiba just shows up and starts investigating mysteries again? Not likely. She'd have to check the League's records. If he was a public defender, he'd have to have passed it by the council first.
Locking her office behind her, she took off down the hall, unaware of the pale eyes that followed her from around the corner. When the coast was clear, the purple-garbed angel emerged from her hiding place. "Well, that is interesting," she commented. "Kiba's back in the game, hmm? Somehow, I doubt my stubborn sister would let her feelings for him go so easily. Besides, I do owe him for that little incident."
A cunning smirk spread across her lips as she turned, shuffling back to her quarters so she could begin her work. She had the perfect idea for revenge. After all, it is a dish that's best served cold.
Later that night, Kiba and Gwen sat on their living room couch watching TV when the doorbell rang. With his daughter asleep where she sat, Kiba quietly tiptoed to the door and opened it.
To his shock, Morgana stood there with a big smile and a bottle of wine. "Hey there, cutie. It's been a while."
To be continued...