Prologue

Kiara drove us out of the South District, taking the road that joined Industrial Way to Parliament Road in Central. Even though it was so close to the border, it was one of the nicest parts of town. But it wasn't always that way.

Parliament Road used to be the beating heart of the Owl Pals, after all.

Even though the fences had been whitewashed and new buildings were popping up left and right, monuments of the past era remained. Claw prints of the Owl Pals littered the area. They were subtle or faded or worn, but they were there. The old car dealership there still bore the symbols of the Owl Pals and the art school still displayed the shocking 'modern art' of gang leader Mumei Nanashi.

This was the place that Ina and I patrolled when the two of us were just beat cops. I knew it like the back of our hands, so I didn't have to call Dispatch for directions for the Dicey Odds branch here.

I knew the winding back alley road where that joint was hiding. I memorized every twist and turn.

It'll be just like the old days.

You ready for this, Kiara?

Kiara nodded and followed Ame's instructions through Parliament Road. They parked their convertible by the car dealership off the sunlit main road, hiding their leaf of a car in a forest. Then, they ventured forth into the dark back alleys, leaving the sunlight behind them. Steam hissed from pipes and manholes while cigarette smoke wafted skywards around the two detectives.

Officers of City PD patrolled the beat, but they looked over their shoulders often. They didn't linger in the shadows for long.

Kiara looked around the dark, smokey, brick-lined abyss curiously. There, she saw luminous eyes paired with the embers of cigarettes. Ame grabbed Kiara's arm and dragged the rookie along.

"Don't look at them. A bad glance might set them off." Ame whispered, "The old Owl Pals were always looking for trouble, even after their gang went up in smoke." She glanced around the prying eyes in the shadows and scoffed, "Thing is, old habits die hard."

Kiara shook her head and quickened her pace.

Eventually, they found the neon sign of Dicey Odds Bookmaker's Office cutting through the darkness. Two goons were posted outside the front doors, watching the back alleys like hawks. They were wearing brass knuckles and had weapons prepared nearby - a fire axe and a Swingwell-brand baseball bat.

Ame furrowed her brow.

Looks like the rat really plays both sides.

As they got closer, though, Ame recognized the two goons. They were the same ones that she and Kiara beat up in the North District! Ame whispered to Kiara and the junior detective smirked.

Then, the two of them puffed up their chests and marched towards the front door.

The two goons saw Ame and Kiara approach, but their figures were obscured by the shadows of the back alleys. The goons scrambled to pick up their weapons, but the detectives gave them no time to think.

Ame stepped into the light of the neon sign and cried, "Boo!"

"Remember us?" Kiara asked. She cracked her knuckles. The noise echoed throughout the back alley.

The faces of the two goons went pale. They were frozen by fear, but the commotion seeped through the front doors. Eventually, the doors swung open and Baelz Hakos emerged with her Tommy Gun.

Bae's bright blue eyes scanned the two unwelcome guests and frowned.

"I had a feeling that you'd come to visit sooner or later." Bae scoffed and cocked her submachine gun, "So tell me - why should I blow your brains out right here and paint these back alleys red, huh?" She glanced at their hands and their clothes and hummed, "I don't see a gat on either of you too. It'd be like shooting fish in a barrel!"

Ame and Kiara raised their hands up high. But when they did, the tops of their clothes slid up and revealed the detective badges they wore by their hips.

"I seriously doubt that you want to start a shootout with the Police in their backyard." Ame explained calmly, "Shoot me and my partner and this place will be swarming with Uniforms before you can get out of here." She chuckled menacingly, "Plus, even if you do get out - where are you gonna go? You've made an enemy of the Lieutenants of the Shrimps and the Deadbeats, right?"

Beads of sweat formed on Bae's brow. Her sharp eyes saw the badges and the unique shimmer they gave off against the neon lights. Their badges were the real deal.

Still, Bae kept her finger by the trigger of her gun.

"I'm a gamblin' gal." Bae threatened, "I'll take my chances."

"If you're talking about the Owl Pals taking you in, then you're playing a very bad hand." Ame argued, "Their leader seems to be active once more, but they're opportunists. They'll cut you off at the drop of a hat." Her brow furrowed with disdain, "That's how the Owls have always done things. Trust me. I know."

"Think about it, Miss Hakos." Kiara chimed in, "This store of yours is the last safe house you have left in the City."

"You talk…?" Bae raised her brow.

"I can do a lot of other things too. Things that'll blow your mind." Kiara clenched her raised fists, accentuating her formidable biceps, "Do you want me to show you?"

Bae's sharp gaze bore through Ame and Kiara. Tense silence gripped the back alley. After a short while, Kiara loosened her fists and spoke with a softer tone.

"Also remember that my partner and I are allies of Irys." Kiara reminded, "If you kill us, then we won't be able to stop the folks trying to kill her."

"That's unfair…" Bae lamented. She clicked her tongue and lowered her gun. Then, she faced Ame and Kiara with a frown, "Get in here. We'll talk in my office."

With that, Ame and Kiara followed Bae into the Dicey Odds branch of Central District. The two goons picked up their weapons and followed a few paces behind, locking the door behind them. Two more goons, these ones bearing pistols, appeared in the halls. Bae gave them complex hand gestures - ones that wouldn't be out of place in a horse betting joint or a stock market - and gave her wordless orders.

Looks like she learned her lesson after last time. Security's airtight. Ame quietly hummed. She took our warning back then very seriously. No wonder she's still alive after the Nephilim Club shooting. She joined her hands behind her back and sighed. She's a survivor. We can't let our guards down.

Knowing this, Ame and Kiara observed the dimly lit halls they went through with keen eyes. They took note of the layout of the Dicey Odds branch and kept track of all of the furniture scattered about. After all, they too, were survivors.

On that note, Baelz and the detectives could see eye to eye. Their mutual skepticism was their realist way of showing respect.

They reached the office of Baelz before long. Ame and Kiara were made to sit down before Baelz' desk. The rat girl sat down on the large armchair behind it, cradling her Tommy Gun. Meanwhile, the other goons stayed inside the office with their weapons brandished too.

"I've got one last question before I say anything to you two coppers." Bae looked straight into Ame's and Kiara's eyes, "What faction of City PD are you a part of?"

"Faction?" Ame asked, "Like department?"

"You seriously don't know?" Bae hummed.

Ame and Kiara shook their heads.

"I'm talking about a faction, detectives. What side of City PD are you on?" Bae insisted, tapping the weapon on her lap pensively, "Are you working for Chief Enma, or are you working against her?"

Ame and Kiara turned to each other. Then, the two detectives answered with conviction.

"Against."

Bae closed her eyes for a moment. Then, she put away her gun and a small smile formed on her lips.

"Now that's what I want to hear." She stood up from her chair and reached over her desk, offering her hand to the detectives, "It looks like we can work together after all."

Ame and Kiara took turns shaking Bae's hand. Then, the rat-girl had the two of them take their seats once more. Bae also had most of her goons go and prepare refreshments for them.

"Alright then, detectives. Get comfortable." Bae started, taking her own seat as well, "We've got a lot to talk about."


Queenpins

One Does Not Simply Walk Into Dicey Odds


To Be Continued