Unfinished Business

by Roaming Tigress

Chapter Four:
Interrogation








Back at the police station, Darkwing Duck sat alone in a sterile room containing Javert and Roberto. His temper growing short, he just wanted to get to the bottom of this and head back home for a good night's sleep. Unknown to Steelbeak's stalkers, the entire conversation was secretly being recorded into a specialized lie detector attached inside the interrogator's jacket sleeve.

"I was there when Steelbeak attacked you, Mr. Volatili, and I agree, it was a vicious attack, but I must ask you this - - "

"Ask away!" Roberto interrupted defensively, avoiding eye contact.

"How can I be certain that you aren't really plotting the death of your son?" Darkwing asked, getting up to circle the table.

"Plotting the death of my son? Don't be ridiculous!" Roberto replied quickly, his voice acidic. "Don't you dare question my ways. My family means the whole world to me. I would never in my life even raise a hand to my son, let alone kill any of them!" His angered tone softened somewhat, he looked down sadly at the ground.

"My sons are precious, and ever since Antonio's death they've been even closer to me. Valentino disappeared years ago after a car accident that nearly took his life, and I never saw him again. I left the family because I felt I was a bad father. If I stayed, I may have snapped."

"Interesting . . . " Darkwing murmured, not believing the seedy lawyer's sincerity. He quickly looked into his sleeve to look for a green light that would indicate lying. It was red, meaning that what the accused had said was true.

"Do you not believe him?" Javert said in an accused tone, suspiciously watching him pace around.

"I can't decide if I can!" Darkwing scoffed arrogantly, hands folded back as he continued to pace. "I listened to half of that conversation!"

Growing weary of his incessant questioning, Javert pounded a fist on the table. "That conversation was part of an acting class! Roberto and I are studying to become actors!"

Darkwing raised an eyebrow. "You also said you were just out for a regular stroll around the neighbourhood!"

"That was only part of it!" Roberto muttered, rubbing his temples. "We were on the way to the theater when this metal-beaked monster came up from behind and assaulted me, totally unprovoked!"

"Then why did you not step in to intervene?" Javert sniped. "Or are you taking Steelbeak's side?"

"I'm not taking ANYONE'S side!" Darkwing gasped, taken aback. "I wouldn't take that larceny-loving, power-hungry poultry's side if I was paid a million dollars!"

With another check of the lie detector, he sighed in defeat. By instruction of a prison guard, he was ordered to leave the facility and did so in a huff. All was not lost, for Darkwing had one more thing to do, and that was to find Steelbeak before the police would.

Meanwhile, the wild rooster chase was coming to an end. After spending the entire night running from the law, Steelbeak was nearing exhaustion. The veteran king of the villains had heard the wailing of sirens, but this time, this sound did not frighten him.

As he calmly made his way back to his parked convertible, Steelbeak suddenly found himself surrounded by a squad of police cars. This left with no other choice but to surrender, but he would not let himself be taken down easily. Although tired, Steelbeak still had some energy left to fight for his freedom.

"Who d'ya t'ink I am, some sorta mass moiderer?!" He shrieked, raising an arm to shield his eyes from the bright headlights.

"If anyt'ing, I'm da victim 'ere!"

"Keep your hands above your head!" Commanded an officer, stepping out of his vehicle with a pair of handcuffs. "You have the right to remain silent!"

"NEVER!" Steelbeak snapped in defiance, curling the corners of his beak back in an ugly snarl. "Youse 'ave no right to do dis ta me! I'm innacent!"

"You're about as innocent as Negaduck on a bad day!" The chief scoffed, motioning his fellow officers to arrest him.

Steelbeak cursed in Italian and thrashed about violently as five burly policemen tried to restrain him. He bit two as they attempted to handcuff him and swiftly kicked another in the groin. Three down, another two to go.

"I guess it's two for tango, eh?" He laughed, keeping his eyes the remaining two and fought them off once more as they tried to subdue him once more.

Three more policemen got out of their vehicles and tackled Steelbeak to the ground. He fought back, but not nearly as savagely as before. The largest of the three placed a knee against his broad back and forced his head to the ground, keeping a firm grip on the scruff of his neck. As he squirmed, the smallest of the officers slapped the handcuffs on the wrists and assisted the others to get him back onto his feet. For safety, a rather heavy and macabre iron muzzle was placed over his beak to prevent further biting.

"Take him away!" The chief ordered, pointing to an armoured police truck. "A night or two in jail will cool down those nasty nerves!"

Steelbeak planted his feet firmly into the ground and surged ahead, only to be roughly pulled back. He tried to thrash his head to one side, hoping to knock out at least one of the officers. However, the muzzle was too heavy and he scowled bitterly as he felt himself tire out.

"I'm afraid there's no other option, Mr. Steelbeak!" Muttered an officer who was keeping a firm grip on his right arm. "In you go . . . "

With a deep sigh, Steelbeak closed his eyes and accepted the fact that he had lost another battle.