A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Tipstaff, Ghastly, Erskine, Skulduggery or Sanguine. I don't care if anyone is reading this, I like this pairing. About time Val got the wind knocked out of her sails methinks.
I had read the file and knew we were hunting for Sanguine. Hunting being the right world. Tipstaff looked absolutely gleeful as he glanced over at me. "I realize that Detective Pleasant never allowed you to carry a firearm. However, I think something in a smaller caliber should be in order. We'll have to take you to a range, of course, so I can see your level of marksmanship."
"You're letting me carry a gun? Me?" I asked in disbelief and Tipstaff nodded.
"Indeed, you are not a child anymore, Detective. I trust you won't manage to harm yourself or me in the process of loading a firearm. Ah, there's our quarry now." He said, spotting Sanguine entering a dry cleaners. We parked and followed, Sanguine smirking at us as we entered.
"William Raymond Sanguine, you are under arrest. Please come along peacefully or I shall have to resort to violence." Tipstaff said politely. Sanguine laughed.
"And you're going to take me in, pretty boy? You and a girl? Good luck with that." Sanguine said turning his back on us. He whipped around, his straight-razor flashing as he went for Tipstaff, and in a maneuver too quick for me to see Tipstaff had not only disarmed him but had the razor at his throat.
"Detective Cain, if you will be so good as to reach in my jacket pocket you'll find a serum. There you are." He said as I fished it out. "Now then, young man, I suggest you drink." He said and Sanguine stopped trying to claw at his arms and took the bottle and drank.
Tipstaff released him from his hold then cuffed him. "We have a new type of cell, just for you, Mr. Sanguine. I think you'll rather enjoy it." Tipstaff said as we loaded him into the back of the car. "And don't bother trying to escape. That serum has bound your magic for the next several days."
I didn't dare say a word. I only wondered how he'd manage to retire with honours as he seemed more capable of violence than Skulduggery ever was. I shivered inwardly, hoping he really didn't carry grudges, and was glad for our brief emergence into the sun when we arrived at the Sanctuary, a silent and sullen Sanguine in tow.
With him locked safely away Tipstaff and I saw to our case report in his office, and had it on Erskine's desk within the hour. Ghastly was there with him and when they kept me after dismissing Tipstaff he looked concerned. "Are you all right? Tea?" He asked, escorting me back to his office.
"I'm fine. I just can't believe he can fight. And he was ready for Sanguine, he knew how to bind his powers. I've never even seen Skulduggery manage to do that. Are we sure Tipstaff is even human?" I asked and Ghastly shrugged.
"Still waters run deep, Val. From what I've read other than being polite and civilized he's similar to Skulduggery when it comes to making arrests or getting information. He only retired as a distinguished detective because the world was a rougher place back then. But if you can't handle him-"
"No." I said, squaring my shoulders and determined to not be awed by Tipstaff. "I can handle him."
Yeah, right. Tippy disarmed the bad guy and she just stood there. Way to handle him, Val.