Chapter 4: Robbery on Downing Road
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Erza knocked on an ornate oak door. "Master," She called urgently, "there's some new intelligence you need to know about."
"Come in," Makraov's reply came from the other side. His voice strained with exhaustion and stress.
Erza pushed the door open and hurried inside. She strode over to the master's desk and stood at attention.
"Relax Erza," Makraov smiled fondly at her, the circles under his eyes betraying how bone tired he was.
"Master…" Erza slumped a little, "strange things have been happening through our territory. There's an increase in unauthorized muggings, things have been disappearing in places they shouldn't, and last night someone robbed the convenience store on Downing Road."
Makarov's eyes narrowed, "someone's trying to elbow in on our turf hu? Send in a team to investigate the robbery on Downing."
"Yes Master," Erza gave him a shallow bow and backed out of his office.
Erza strode purposely down the hall towards Fairy Tail's main gathering area. She powered through the doors and made a b-line for a couple of men, who were sitting at a table drinking.
"Gray, Loki," she towered over the duo menacingly, "I have a job for you."
Both men immediately sobered up and put all their attention on the red head.
"What's going on Erza?" Gray asked.
"I need the two of you to investigate a robbery on Downing Road. Can you handle it?"
Gray grinned mischievously and shot Erza a wink, "you came to the right guys for the job Titania."
Erza stiffened at the use of her alias. "Don't use that name so freely," she warned.
Gray and Loki waltzed into the convenience store wearing blue and brown two-piece suits, respectively. The suits weren't expensive, but something that looked professional. When they picked out their disguises they were going for PI, not lawyer, they didn't want to draw too much attention. The duo was trying to be as forgettable as possible.
"Excuse me miss," Gray said, approaching the counter. "Can you tell me anything about the robbery that happened here the other day?"
Loki stayed in the background, looking through the store's wares, pretending to be uninterested in what was happening at the counter.
"Well to be honest, I wasn't working that night. Haven't you guys already interviewed everyone?" The clerk looked Gray over dubiously.
Gray shrugged, "they brought us in from another division." He flashed the girl a badge. "Can you put me in contact with the person who was working that night?"
"You're in luck," the girl replied, relaxing after seeing Gray's identification, "today is her first day back. I'll go get her."
"Thank you," Gray said, flashing the girl a friendly smile.
After she disappeared into the back Loki drifted over to Gray. "The security in this place is terrible. I'm honestly surprised they didn't get robbed sooner."
Gray nodded in agreement. "Have you noticed any calling cards?"
Loki shook his head, "whoever it was didn't leave anything behind. Maybe we can get them to let us look at the security tapes."
"What security tape," a girl scoffed from behind Gray.
Gray whipped around and Loki took a step to the side so that he could see the girl more clearly.
"What about that camera?" Gray asked, pointing up towards the corner of the store's ceiling.
"It's fake." The girl replied flatly.
Gray and Loki shared a look.
"I'm Chelia, I was here during the robbery."
"I see," Gray said, looking the girl over intently. She had pink hair kept in a pony tail and a determine look in her eyes. "What can you tell us about that night?"
"We can't talk here," Chelia replied cryptically. She eyed the girl at the counter, then whispered, you never know who you can trust. Come to this address tonight at six." Chelia shoved a piece of paper into Gray's hand. Then she turned and walked away. As she walked she called out, "sorry I can't be of more help to you guys. If you have any more questions, let me know!"
Gray looked to Loki, who shrugged, then they walked out of the store.
Gray checked his phone. 5:50.
"Do you think this is a trap?"
The duo watched their surroundings carefully. They searched for any sign of ambush or surveillance.
"It's probably a trap," Loki mused. He fingered the gun in his pocket. "We'll be ready for it though."
Gray nodded, then he knocked on the door.
They heard the patter of footsteps, then a soft voice called out, "who is it?"
"Um-" Gray realized that they had never given the girl an alias, "it's us, from the store."
There was a pause, then a couple of clicks, and the door swung open.
Both Gray and Loki's jaws hit the floor. Inside was a ton of surveillance equipment, a board covered in notes and pictures, and sitting at a desk, studying something fiercely was Lyon.
"Welcome to my home away from home." Chelia smiled mischievously.
"Hey Ice Man," Lyon said cheerfully.
"Lyon?" Gray couldn't believe it.
"That convenience store belongs to Lamia Scale, shouldn't you boys know that?" Sherry asked, coming out of the kitchen.
"Ooooohhhh" Gray and Loki said in unison.
Gray and Loki sat on the couch, while Chelia perched on the coffee table across from them. Lyon and Sherry stood on either side of her.
"That girl is an outside hire. We have to be careful around her. As for the surveillance, you can see here that we do, in fact, have the place covered. We need it to fit in though, so we play it off like there's no protection there.
Those thieves were professional. They managed to slip past all of our surveillance, like they knew it was there."
Gray was stunned. "How is that possible? Even Loki and I didn't notice."
"No one ever accused you being observant Gray," Lyon quipped.
Gray stiffened, ready for a fight.
"No," Chelia interjected, "you'd have to have inside information to know that."
"So Lamia has a leak" Loki said thoughtfully.
"It looks that way," Sherry sighed. "We've got our own investigation teams out, but if you hear anything, please let us know."
"Of course," Loki replied warmly, "Lamia Scale is one of Fairy Tail's most treasured allies."
"I see." Makarov looked Gray and Loki over as they stood in front of his desk. "So Lamia is stumped, and it looks like they may have a traitor in their midst."
Gray nodded. "Master, why didn't you tell us the store belongs to Lamia."
Makarov laughed heartily, "I just wanted you boys to stretch your detective skills a little, and I bet your faces were priceless. I'll have to ask Lyon for a screenshot!"
Gray sighed.
"Anyway," Makarov wiped away a tear, "we'll have to be careful with Lamia for a while. They're good friends, but we can't risk sensitive information getting out. I'll send out a notice that no members of Lamia Scale can enter the base until they have their little problem sorted out."
"Good call Master," Loki spoke coolly.
Makarov nodded, then shewed the boys out of his office, "you're dismissed now."
Erza met them outside the door. "This is concerning news," she mused.
"You were listening?" Gray eyed the red head.
"Of course not!" Erza scoffed. "But to think that Lamia Scale could have a leak… They're one of our most skilled and trusted allies. Without their help much of our own tech would be far behind. Do you think they would take our help in the investigation?"
"I don't know," Gray shrugged, "Lamia is pretty proud. They like to take care of their own problems."
"But this needs to be taken care of quickly and accurately," Erza argued.
"Just hold on." Gray tried to sooth her. "Give them some time before you go storming in. I know this problem puts us in a vulnerable situation, but Lamia is an independent gang. At least give them a chance to find the leak themselves."
Erza nodded. "I suppose you're right Gray. I'll be patient for now."
"Good," Gray smiled.
As the trio talked, they walked back to the base's main room. They entered just as Gray and Erza finished their conversation. Gray turned, and was about to head for his seat, when he was tackled out of nowhere. Someone squeezed Gray tightly, and all he could see was dark blue hair.
"Juvia?" Came his muffled voice.
"Where have you been Gray!" Juvia sobbed.
"Geez, I was on a mission calm down."
"But Gray didn't tell Juvia Gray was going! He just suddenly disappeared without a word. She didn't hear from him all day. Juvia was worried!"
"I-," Gray glanced around quickly, "I'm sorry Juvia. I should have told you I was leaving for a while."
Juvia sighed contentedly and snuggled closer, "it's okay. Juvia is glad that Gray is home safe."
Gray was glad the pyro is still in the infirmary. He'd never hear the end of it if that fire freak saw him acting so soft. Gray's mind drifted to his friend and decided to go check on him. He detached himself from Juvia and made his way to the infirmary.
Gray knocked softly on the infirmary door.
"Come in." It was Lucy's voice that answered.
Gray pushed the door open and found his way to Natsu's bed in the back. Lucy sat in a chair beside his bed, book in hand. Natsu slept soundly, his mouth hanging open.
"How's he doing?"
Lucy smiled softly. "Better. Porlyusica said he's free to go back to work tomorrow as long as he's careful and keeps his arm in the sling."
Gray smiled. "I'm glad. Just don't tell him that."
Lucy laughed lightly, "I won't."
