"Where is she?!" Caitlyn stormed into the department with fury burning in her veins. Her subordinates trembled in her presence, never before seeing her in such a state, but she didn't particularly care about worrying them. All she cared about was Jinx.

"Jinx? She's in maximum, ma'am. Level one, row two, cell twenty nine," one of her officers replied nervously. Her eyes widened for a split second before she returned her shock beneath the rage filled veil. She curtly thanked the officer and left for the attached prison, neighboring the department.

Now out of the sight of her subordinates, she was open to stress over the situation. Jinx was placed in maximum...

Piltover's maximum security cell block was divided into two echelons based on the crimes the criminal committed. Level one was filled with horrible serial killers, terrorists, and the like. She had personally placed several scumbags there, and she knew just how malicious they were. And several of the long standing inmates-those before her time-were just as bad, if not worse than those she placed within.

It was not a place Caitlyn felt Jinx belonged. At all. Still, level one was better than two, where the death row inmates temporarily found respite, but not much.

She couldn't worry much longer on her thoughts, though, as she reached level one. Had she cared enough to pay attention to the detail around her, she would have noticed all of the guards standing at attention at the entrance. But as it stood, she merely overlooked the peculiar occurrence and moved onward to Jinx's cell.

Some of the inmates recognized her, jeering and taunted her along the way. She ignored their bitter remarks and sexist howls, continuing her pace, searching for only one in this prison. Eventually, she had found the cell she was searching for.

But she wasn't prepared for what she saw.

Jinx was lying on her side, gazing dead at the wall with a black and blue face and a wrapped side. Physically, Jinx wasn't too worn down besides those two obvious injuries, but the emptiness within violet orbs told how weary she was mentally and possibly emotionally.

As she took in the sight, Caitlyn's anger evaporated, and was replaced with concern and sadness.

Luckily, Jinx was placed in a cell far from the degenerates occupying the entrance and middle cells, so none of the other inmates could see or hear the sheriff in such a state. But either way, Caitlyn didn't particularly care, focused only on aiding the girl in front of her.

"Jinx…" She murmured. The girl in question heard Caitlyn and slowly moved herself to a sitting position on the bench, cringing as she repositioned her side. Her violet orbs regained their brilliance at the sight of the sheriff, thankfully, but Caitlyn feared they would return to that dull state in her absence later.

"Oh hey, Cait. I've been wondering when you would come and make things better," Jinx joked, humorlessly.

"Oh, Jinx. I'm so sorry…" Caitlyn wanted to hug Jinx, kiss her, anything to take away the sadness from her face. But the damn reinforced glass face of the cell separated them against her wishes.

"Huh, what are you sorry about? It's not even your fault."

"I know, but you just look so miserable here. It hurt to see you look so dead to life a minute ago. I don't want that for you."

Jinx sighed before responding. "I am miserable in here. It's only been several hours, but I'm already bored out my mind. And beyond that, this place reminds me of the hell I experienced back in Zaun. I had a cell like this back there and it wasn't a pleasant place."

With that, Caitlyn realized that Jinx had been reliving her past horrors, which explained the dead look in her eyes a moment ago. That realization made her wish even more so to be able to pull Jinx out of the cell with no consequence. Sadly, their reality did not work as she wished…

"Hey, come on, Cait. You can't be all sad now. I'm already depressed, so you can't be too. Our relationship works with one of us consoling the other after shit happens, and right now, I'm gonna need some consoling, You owe me, anyways, after I helped you after that council meeting," Jinx joked again, with actual humor in her voice this time.

Despite herself, Caitlyn couldn't help but giggle at Jinx's humor. She knew that Jinx was right, as well. At least one of them had to be positive for the other in hard situations. And why couldn't it be her this time?

"Alright, I'll be the optimist. For you, my dear," she returned with mirth painting her face.

Jinx returned it with a smile of her own as she replied, "Good. Now Ms. Optimist, what good news can you tell Ms. Pessimist to make her an Optimist again? Cause I got nothing right now."

Caitlyn chuckled as she responded, "Well Ms. Pessimist, I already have a plan to get you out out of here."

"Wait, what? Really? Jeez, when I called you Ms. Optimist, I didn't think you'd actually give news like that. I figured you would just tell me a joke or something. But having a plan already is awesome! What is it?"

"Well, technically it's my dad's plan, but let's say I contributed. Anyways, we plan on winning your freedom and deputizing you in court."

"What? In court? The city hates me still, though. And if we lose, I'll be stuck here permanently! I can't handle that, Cait!" Jinx panicked.

"Relax, Jinx. You are a pessimist right now. We thought of that problem already, and planned for workarounds. My dad is looking into the law side of things, and is hiring an excellent lawyer for you. And I'm gathering evidence and any information that will help you look better in court. We will make it work."

"So you guys really do have a solid plan. Wow. But wait, why didn't you tell me anything before if you had all this figured out already?"

"Oh...um. I wanted it to be a surprise?" Caitlyn nervously chuckled in addition, but it seems Jinx was unamused with the deadpan she gave.

"...Sorry. I was really busy trying researching, and I assumed you were too preoccupied doing good deeds," she weakly explained.

"...Vi told me you two went to a bar yesterday…"

"Ah. Haha...about that…" Dammit Vi.

Jinx simply rolled her eyes at Caitlyn. "Whatever. She told me you two only went because you needed a break anyways. Just...make sure you get me out of here. I hate prison."

"Don't worry, I will." A thought came to Caitlyn, and she decided to voice it. "Hey, speaking of Vi, I wonder why she hasn't come yet. I know you two aren't exactly the closest of siblings, but I still expected her to come after how distraught she sounded when she contacted me."

Jinx waved her off before speaking, "She was here a little while ago. She's the reason why all the guards are back at the entrance. She ordered them back so that I'd be alone. Anyways, she went to go see if she could figure out who the hell those guys that captured me were. And she thought we might need some privacy."

"Ah. So speaking of those men, you don't know anything about them?"

"No, it was too dark last night, and I didn't see them when I woke up today. All I know is that they are working for...Whist," Jinx explained, uttering the name with bile and hatred heavy on her tongue.

The name instantly set Caitlyn off course, chilling her spine. She couldn't come up with a nightmare worse than Whist actually being somewhere in Piltover, with enough power and resources to hire a task force. She hoped it wasn't true. It couldn't be true.

"Whist? Here? No, that can't be."

"I wish it wasn't, but I heard one of the robbers talk about him before I went under. He's somewhere in Piltover, pulling strings again like he did in Zaun."

"But where? He had to have gained a fairly decent amount of resources to obtain that task force. In addition, he would've had to have access to the information that you stayed there. And unless he stumbled across you entering your house, he would have no way known that you were there. No one knew that you were there, except for...except for the...council…"

With an alarming start, Caitlyn realized that Whist was on the city's council. That was how he had the power to be able to construct a task force, and how he knew Jinx was there.

But who was it. It went without saying that it wasn't her dad or any of the female aldermen, and she highly doubted it was Alderman Sanford with how long she's known him. So he has to be one of the newer members, or the...mayor.

The same mayor who had asked her where Jinx had been staying in the first place...

The same mayor who had been the final one to cast the vote against Jinx…

A deeper chill ran down her spine as she began to realize the high probability that the mayor was Whist. And now that she was processing things, she remembered something that she had skimmed through when researching what she could find about Whist. Something that drove the nail into the coffin.

Whist's full name was Laurence Whist, or as she had found out. And she had noticed when she was in the council meeting that Twils's first initial on his plaque was H.

H. Twils.

L. Whist.

It was an anagram.

Whist was truly the mayor of Piltover…

Jinx watched as the dread overtake her, becoming alarmed. She voiced her concern hoping she could find out what was the matter.

"Cait? What's wrong?" She questioned.

"...Whist...is the mayor," Caitlyn murmured in reply, shellshocked.

"...What?" Jinx had heard what she said, but didn't want to believe it.

"Whist is the mayor, Jinx. I just realized that. Twils is just an anagram, a cover up. He's the most powerful person in our city…" She repeated slowly, to weigh the immense gravity of their situation with her words.

Jinx now understood her dread, and reflected it on her own face.

"B-but how? How the hell did he manage that? What do we do about it? What can we do about it?!" She stammered out.

"...I don't know. I don't know what to do about it. I...need to confront him. I need to get to the bottom of this…"

"What? No, don't go. If he knows you're associated with me, he will bring hell to you, and he might harm you."

"I have to go, though. I need to confirm it's him and stop him some how. I can't simply stand by here doing nothing about the fact that he's the damn mayor," Caitlyn argued.

She doesn't know exactly want she is hoping to gain from going after him, but she needed to at least confirm Whist to be the mayor. After that, she can figure out how to expose him later on.

"It's too risky, though. He's a snake that will test you with everything, and will use every single word you say against you. I don't want you to experience that, Cait," Jinx argued back, concerned about the Sheriff and her foolish desire to chase after the man who ruined Jinx's own life.

"I don't care. This is something I have to do for myself. I have to look that bastard in the eye and condemn him. I suppose I can't expect you to understand that. Hell, I barely understand it myself. But I know I have to go. I need to figure out what he is up to."

Jinx stayed silent at Caitlyn's explanation. Caitlyn could obviously tell Jinx hated the idea of her going to Whist. But eventually she appeared to relent to the idea, as her eyes softened.

"Alright fine. You can go, but you better promise me that you'll stay safe, and that you won't screw yourself over speaking to him. Don't you dare compromise your job or endanger yourself or your family. If you do, I'm going to kick your ass after I'm done beating the shit out of his. Got it?"

Despite herself, once again Caitlyn found herself chuckling at Jinx's words.

"I promise that I won't endanger myself or anything. So don't worry about me. I'll be fine," she reassured.

"...You better..."

Mayor Twils, the plaque in front of Caitlyn read.

How unfitting.

She barged into the office, not caring about formalities. The receptionist had told her that he was busy, but quickly gave her access after being presented with a just a fraction of Caitlyn's fury. And so, nothing stood to block her path from the 'mayor' studying some form of paperwork in front of her.

"Sheriff Rosen," he started, setting his papers down. "I had not expected your presence. What brings you here?" He gave her a false smile that she didn't attempt to return.

"Mayor Twils. I have come for...information." She bluntly stated.

He rose a brow in curiosity. "Oh? What exactly do you wish to learn?"

"I was wondering if you know anything about the name...Whist."

His smile was no longer fake.

"Ah, I see you have discovered something fairly interesting. What, pray tell, would you like to learn about that particular name." The bastard had the nerve to sound jovial...

"I want to know why you are using a name that's not it. And what you intend to do with this new name."

"Cutting to the chase quite soon, are we? Very well. I suppose games can only last so long. At any rate, I intend to perform significant accomplishments with this new name. Spectacular things that you will witness quite soon."

He didn't even deny my accusation, she noticed, gritting her teeth.

"I don't really like surprises. Why don't you tell me what 'spectacular things' you intend to do."

"Ah ah ah. That would ruin the surprise; and I promise you, it will be a surprise you will find interesting," Whist evaded with a chuckle.

Caitlyn growled, getting frustrated by his games. "And what's to keep me from ruining your 'surprise' by simply arresting you for fraud on the spot?"

Whist chuckled once more, much to her annoyance. "Aha. Not much, my dear. I'm afraid I had not properly anticipated you catching on to my ruse. I'm quite curious as to how you did so, by the way. But at any rate, you couldn't arrest me even if you wanted to. You and I both know that you don't have any hard evidence that I am not who I proclaim to be."

Caitlyn decided to bluff, seeing if she could get any information through it, "That's a bold assumption, one that may prove to be your undoing."

"Please, Sheriff Rosen. Don't make me laugh. I can easily see through your bluff. You would've simply came in with cuffs prepared if you had the intent to arrest me. No, you came here to confront me, to see if I was the person you believed me to be. As such, I hope you were satisfied by what you have heard," he relaxed in his chair as he finished his words, amusement clear on his face. At this point, Caitlyn realized just how much she hated Whist, and how much she desired to see him rot in the same cell he had forced Jinx into.

"Why are doing all this?! Why come to Piltover and become mayor. And why Jinx of all targets?" She questioned. She knew he wouldn't answer anything, but she attempted anyways.

"I already told you, my dear Sheriff, it's all for my big surprise. I can't reveal anything else for now. But I suppose I can answer the latter two questions. After all, you came to learn, and I am a giving person. As I am sure you know, Zaun is ruled by those who have the power to take it. Those with the biggest, most incredible ideas shine, even if their ideas are utterly useless in reality. Piltover, however, is a place where practical science is exercised. A place where my brilliance can truly shine. In addition, it is a place where I could begin anew, where my blunders from my younger days are nonexistent." Whist winced for a moment, as if he was reminded of a particularly bad memory before continuing.

"And as for Jinx, she has been a thorn in my side for a very long time. Perhaps you know of our unfortunate history," Caitlyn gave no visual clue as he examined her, attempting to not reveal anything.

"Anyways, what a better way to secure one's position in office and chance for reelection than to play a major hand in the arrest of the city's most wanted. The same most wanted who has evaded Piltover's 'Finest' for nearly a year. As we speak, I will be on the headline as people learn of my role in her capture. And in two weeks from now, once the jury secures Jinx's spot in prison, my name will be hailed throughout Piltover for removing Piltover's most infamous from her reign of chaos," He explained, finishing with a smug grin.

Caitlyn was equally shocked and furious at the knowledge of his reasoning behind the capture of Jinx.

"...You bastard," She growled out.

"I can assure you, Sheriff Rosen, that I am quite legitimate," he responded with a chuckle. "Now if you would excuse me, I have a meeting in a couple of minutes. As much fun as this session has been, you know how impatient the treasury is, and I would prefer to not be late." He got up from his desk, and walked past her.

"This isn't over, Whist. I won't stop until I see you behind bars for life, where you belong." Caitlyn threatened, stopping him at the doorway behind her.

"Aha, I am sure you will, Sheriff Rosen. I'm sure you will…"

Caitlyn needed to find something, anything that could lead her to new evidence. Not only did she need to find information to keep Jinx out of jail, she needed to now find incriminating evidence on Whist as well.

She slammed her hand on her cruiser's door in frustration as she thought on how difficult that would be. Wincing as her glove did little to protect her hand from the impact, she sighed, knowing that taking her anger out on a vehicle would do nothing to help her.

She just feels so lost. Never before has she had such a complicated case to work on. And never before has she not had a lead of sorts to go on. She had never experienced anything so difficult to deal with, and the pressure was getting to her. If only she could gain access to Zaun's records...

Sighing once more, she got in the cruiser, resigning herself to go back to the department and search through its databases once more. Perhaps there was something she overlooked…

When she returned back to the main room of the department, ready to search through the database, she found it to be fairly empty. Finding the occurrence to be peculiar, she asked around, hoping to find out where her officers went. After having her questions evaded for quite some time, she managed to gather that a group of them were wasting time in the break room.

Irritated, she traveled there, ready to scold the hell out of them for slacking off, especially with how the day had already been turning out. She assumed that they were watching another Fields of Justice match broadcasted by the Institute of War, as those idiot officers had done something similar in the past. But as she got closer to the room, and thought on the Institute, she began to remember something significant about it.

The Institute held records for all of its champions, including their background information. She remembered how they asked her for her own history, and scanned her memories for a detailed record on her.

If the Institute did the same for every champion...then she could find the evidence she needed for Jinx's from there.

Suddenly, she found the lead she has been needing. And with it, she gained a new hope for the case. She knew what she had to do now. She had to go to the Institute, and gain access to that information. Surely with her standing as Sheriff of Piltover, and a champion for their League of Legends, she will be able to get it. She will be able to secure Jinx's story…

Now smiling to herself, she continued to the break room, ready to thank her lazy officers for helping her realize a lead...only to scold them and make them get back to work afterwards.

Author's Notes

I'm sure you all saw this coming… I wish I didn't make it so obvious, but whatever. Here's hoping it was a surprise to some of you.

Also, I hope you guys hate Whist as much as I loved writing his lines.

Review Responses

Nyx Sigma ZERO - Heh. The viewer's intuition is always the best.

Lunali3 - I'm glad you did. I checked out your story, as well, and left a review on it. Good luck with it! And yeah, I'm feeling much more comfortable, and having a beta reader helps alot (thanks Lux du Couteau!).

Jackalphawolf - Thanks! I love new reviews like yours, especially when it comes to the plot. Also, sorry, you were correct.

Thanks to all my readers, and to all my new readers. Let me know how you guys felt about this chapter, and Whist.

Special thanks as always to Lux du Couteau for betaing.