Chapter 1 for summery and copyrights.
Chapter 2: And so, the Plot Thickens
"But she's usually very well behaved?" Espio asked. He stood looking up at the female cheetah; it made him feel short, he didn't like that at all.
"Yes, actually, before she was kidnapped, she offered to make dinner, Maggie can be so sweet." Mrs. Patna smiled, it was mostly to herself.
"Um...yeah; So, Mrs. Patna-"
"Please, call me Mary."
"Uh...Mary...When did you last see your daughter?"
"She went out to the store to get more cinnamon."
"And she always goes to the same store?"
"Yes."
"How did her father act; was he a good influence on her?"
"Mark? Oh, he ran out on us when Maggie was three."
"Oh, I see." 'What's with all the M's!?' "Well, have you ever met Maggie's boyfriend?"
"Oh, once was too many for me."
"He's that bad?"
"And worse, he just came in here and acted like he owned the place."
"And what's his-" Espio was stopped in mid-question when he felt his arm get yanked roughly, knocking him to the ground a foot away.
"Outta the way Shorty!" A gruff but tough-sounding voice commanded. Espio picked his self up and looked at the one who knocked him over; He was a black panther with green eyes and tall as Mrs. Patna. Espio tagged him a possible threat and listened to the two.
"You know my boy went missing cause of your daughter!?" The panther screamed.
"My daughter went missing cause of your trashy son!" Mary yelled back.
"Your daughter's the only trash around here!" Mary's eyes widened and then in one quick movement, struck the male panther in the face.
"Don't you ever talk about Maggie that way!" Mary was almost crying after that last remark. Espio actually found this all interesting, how two forces of equal authority battle it out for something near and dear to both of them.
"You just keep your trash away from Matt and we won't have any problems." The Black Panther said getting up off the ground and walking for the door. 'Oh no, not more M's.' Espio thought and turned over to the female Cheetah, she stood strong until the male left; then, she broke out crying. She wrapped her arms around Espio and continued to cry, it must have been a habit.
"Why would anyone wanna hurt my little baby girl?" She cried. Espio stood frozen; he was never one to comfort people and didn't know what to do now.
"I...um...dunno Mrs." Espio said, now patting her back lightly, hoping she would let go.
"Why can't more men be like you and your father?"
"Father?"
"Yes, the green one." Espio almost choked right then. 'Vector!? My father!?'
"Um, actually Mrs.-"
"Mary."
"-Mary, Vector is more of an acquaintance rather then a father." Espio said. Mary (Mrs. Patna if anyone is confused) let go of Espio and sat on a nearby couch. He walked over and sat down next to her.
"So who was that man?" Espio asked.
"That's Maggie's boyfriend's father, Bill." She replied. 'Ugh, thank Chaos it wasn't another M.' Espio thought but quickly got up and headed to the crime scene.
æ♥²\░
"Find the coat?" Espio asked looking to Vector, who was now searching the outside deck.
"Nope, you find anything good?" Vector asked, looking over the side of the deck to estimate the size of the drop.
"Well, the girl's name is Maggie, her boyfriend's name is Matt, and his father's name is Bill. I'm surprised you didn't hear them fighting."
"Anything else about the boyfriend?" Vector asked, ignoring the last part.
"Well, if he's at least half as bad as his dad; we're gonna need to be careful if he's involved in this."
"What else?"
"Disregarding Matt, Maggie offered to make dinner the night of her kidnapping and she went to the store to get cinnamon."
"For what?"
"I don't know."
"Okay, that all?"
"No actually, Mrs. Patna thought I was your son."
"Oh Chaos, I'm gonna have nightmares now!"
"Heh, I can beat that, I even be able to sleep."
"What store does she go to?"
"Joe's grocer or something."
"Alright, let's go boys." Vector stated and walked down the stairs on the deck followed by Espio and Charmy.
What will they find at the store? A worthless clue or the ultimate clue? Keep reading!
