Prologue
I've heard a lot of folks say that the truth will set us free. Why, then, do those same people choose to be bound by lies? Inconsistencies like these aren't unusual in this sham of a city. Everyone wants to be free, but they're quietly afraid of what that 'freedom' would bring them. Everyone wants to bathe in the light of the sun, but they dance with shadows without fail. In a city of black and white, this paints everyone gray.
The Nephilim with-two colored eyes is no exception.
She's cheated Death, yes. But she withheld the truth until now. Her songs are as bright as the stage of the Nephilim Jazz Club. Her voice is broadcasted on the radio and recorded on vinyl records scattered around the city - and yet her heart can only speak in whispers.
I can almost sympathize with you, Irys Hopewell.
But what is your purpose?
What is your aim?
Kiara and I will find the answers soon enough. Your deception will be uncovered by our deception. The Shrimp pins on our lapels will do what the badges stuffed in our pockets could not. There will be answers to our questions, one way or another.
But even then, will Kiara and I be satisfied by what we learn?
We can only Hope.
Signed - Amelia Watson.
…
Ame signed off on the page of a small pocket notebook. She dotted her i's, heaved a satisfied sigh and gave Kiara a thumbs up. The disguised Phoenix detective nervously smiled and returned the gesture. All the while, the curious eyes of the Nephilim Irys watched the both of them with curiosity.
"You had a really intense look on your face while you were writing just now, Miss Amelon." Irys observed, "Are you really so disappointed that I kept things from the media and from City PD?"
Ame shook her head and smiled. Then, as her fake persona 'Amelon', she responded to Irys.
"Not at all. I'm sure you have your reasons." Ame changed her expression on a dime. She pointed to the Shrimp pin on her lapel and joked, "I mean, our Boss didn't send us here to whack you or anything!"
"Why the notebook, though?" Irys tested again, "Miss Erika handed it to you and you just started writing up a storm!"
"Oh! I was writing in German for Erika's sake!" Ame promptly added new lies to her story. She twirled a pen between her fingers and explained, "We're gonna be talking about lots of high level stuff in English and Erika wanted to know what's going on! You know, she's new to the gang - so she's surprised by your story! We always thought that the Calliope of the Deadbeats hated our boss!"
"Ah! I see!" Irys' two-colored eyes finally shone brightly. She promptly joined her hands together and apologized to Ame and then to Kiara, "I'm sorry - I didn't realize that, Miss Erika."
Kiara shook her head and forced herself to reassure Irys with a smile. Irys smiled back and turned to Ame again, "Please! Don't mind me - write down as much as you want! I don't want Miss Erika to be alienated."
What a true performer, this Irys. She wants everyone in her audience to enjoy the 'show'. As expected of the Nephilim Club's star.
Ame cleared her throat and got back to business.
"So anyways, Miss Irys. You said that you kept info from the media and the police. Why'd you do that, if I may ask?"
Irys paused. She turned to Ame and gave her warning.
"What I'm about to share with you will make your Lieutenant Bloop look bad. I hope and pray that your loyalties lie with Gura and not Bloop. Otherwise, I'd like to ask you two to leave."
"Bloop's a tough guy, but we joined because of Gura." Ame spoke honestly. Then, she raised up her leg and pointed to her shoe, "Plus, Gura already saw our feet!"
"Gura looked at your feet!?" Irys gasped. Then, she smiled, "Heh. If Gura let you two join after seeing your feet, then she saw something good in your hearts."
I guess that's one way to judge a person. That stinky shark.
Either way, Ame's reassurance whittled away Irys' reservations. The Nephilim realized that she was speaking with friends. She could finally let loose the whispers of her heart.
"Okay. What you hear today will be for Gura's ears only." Irys gave a preamble, "If word gets out about this, then City PD might try to clamp down both gangs. Or maybe one of the smaller gangs might get crafty and try to muscle in. You understand?"
Other gangs? They're still active, huh? The Shrimps and the Deadbeats control the territory, but loyalty isn't one hundred percent. That's why they were putting the new recruits through the wringer at the cannery.
Ame turned to Irys again and nodded, "You have my word."
"Alright." Irys conceded. "Gura will have to hear the truth sooner rather than later anyways."
She clenched her fists and began recounting her story.
…
It was a night just like any other at the Nephilim Jazz Club. The usual patrons were there, but the most popular ones were nowhere to be found. The table reserved for Gura and Calli was empty - up until halfway through my performance at least.
I saw your Lieutenant Bloop take a seat on one end of the table. Then, the Deadbeats' Death-sensei sat across from him. Neither of them seemed to say a word to each other, but they weren't exactly watching my performance either. It ticked me off a little, to be honest.
But anyways!
The two gentlemen were soon joined at the table by a host of other patrons. I was still singing songs for the rest of the patrons, so I couldn't get a good glimpse of them. Those folks smoked an awful lot too, so it was hard to see through the were about six newcomers, though. As far as I know. With Bloop and Death-sensei, that made eight.
When all eight of them were at the table, they started talking amongst themselves. Bloop's voice was the loudest of the bunch, but Death-sensei spoke more than his fair share. Soon enough, the eight brought out suitcases and passed them around. Some suitcases went on top of the table. The others passed underneath.
I wish I knew what it was they passed around, but I didn't have the chance to find out. An argument broke out and got heated. Guns were drawn. Big guns.
Threats were made.
Shots were fired.
What happened next was a blur in my mind. Bullets flew all over.
I got hit a few times, arms and legs and all, and fell down to my knees. It hurt like hell. My consciousness was fading. My life was flashing before my eyes. I thought I was gonna die!
All of a sudden, someone picked me up from the ground and carried me. Bullets whizzed past us, but this brave person's back protected me.
I dared to open my eyes. Then, I saw her.
A dapper rat-girl with a pinstripe suit and a matching hat and a Tommy gun.
She carried me in her arms, brought me out of the warzone and into the safety of the dressing rooms. That was where the police found me.
But the rat girl? She told me to stay put. Then, she charged back into the fray with her gun.
Then, I blacked out.
The rest is history.
…
By the time Irys finished her story, her cheeks were flushed red. She was playing with locks of her long maroon hair and she had a fond, longing smile on her lips. The Nephilim realized what she was doing and forced herself to sit upright.
Then, Irys finally made her confession.
"Aside from protecting Gura and Calli, I also wanted to protect whoever it was who saved me that night. The shooting at the Nephilim Club was bad enough as it is. If that rat-girl managed to survive, which I believe she did, I don't want to inconvenience her."
Ame and Kiara turned to each other. They were tempted to tease the lovestruck Irys, but they held back their barbs.
After a short while, Irys gathered herself and made her request to the disguised detectives.
"Here's what I want you two to tell Gura. I want her to know that her Lieutenant Bloop may not be acting in her best interest. Bloop is involved in something shady, and it's something big enough that he was willing to throw this city into a war. Gura trusts you enough to send you here - so she will listen to you. If she can work with Calli, the two of them can stop this war before things get out of hand!"
Irys tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear again and added, "Plus… if you could have Gura find out who my savior was, I'd be grateful. I want to thank that rat-girl for saving me. I wouldn't be talking here with you if it wasn't for her."
Ame finished 'writing' down Irys' story on her notepad and closed it emphatically.
"Our Boss Gura will hear about this immediately, don't worry." Ame reassured, "We'll talk to her about the rat-girl too. If she's in the North, we'll find her."
"Thank you." Irys bowed her head graciously, "Seriously, thank you!"
…
Queenpins
Knight in Pinstripe Armor
…
Epilogue
After a little more smalltalk, Ame and Kiara bid farewell to Irys and took their leave. The two disguised detectives walked out of the Eugenia Medical Center. On their way to their car, Ame gave her assessment.
Everything that they heard that night, Ame and Kiara would have to hold in their hearts for just a little while longer.
"I've got some hunches about the rat-girl." Ame revealed, "But we'll need to double-check with Ina and Subaru. We don't want to go door-to-door and question every rat-girl in the city."
They passed by a gamewell telephone on by the parking lot. Tempted as Ame was to call Dispatch, she knew that Subaru wasn't there to watch the switchboards at night. That, and Ina was probably already gone home.
Or fast asleep on the floor of her office.
"We could go North and tell Gura about Lieutenant Bloop." Kiara suggested.
"You really don't want to be prowling around in the North or South without a solid plan at night." Ame explained, "Besides, we have to drop by the cannery tomorrow anyways. Better for us to give our report then."
"I see..."
"Let's call it a night for now, Kiara." Ame suggested.
"Heh. Agreed!"
Ame reached into the pocket of her coat and brought out the pocket notebook. She passed the notebook back to Kiara and smiled at her.
"Thanks for lending me this earlier, Kiara." Ame chuckled, "I was gonna hold back my monologue, but you gave me an outlet."
"I'm just doing my job~!" Kiara smiled back and took the notebook, "The two of us got a lot of work done today, huh? This case is moving forward pretty quickly!"
"Yeah… but with every lead we get, the lake gets deeper and deeper." Ame frowned. She caught herself slipping back into work and shook her head, "Never mind that. Do you need a ride home, Kiara?"
"If it won't be a bother, that'd be great!" Kiara nodded graciously, "I live in the GI projects! The homes they built for the troops coming home from The War."
"The projects, huh?" Ame rubbed her chin, "That's in Central, but it's awfully close to the South."
"Do you live far from there, senpai ?" Kiara tilted her head.
"Yes and no." Ame scratched the back of her head, "Technically, I'm homeless. My medical bills added up over the years. I live in my office in City PD HQ! I have a sofa there - and the gym showers are…"
"HUH!?" Kiara squawked like a chicken.
Ame winced and recoiled, "Is it really that bad?"
Kiara glanced at her senpai for a moment and made her decision.
" Senpai. "
"Y-yeah?"
"Drive me home tonight. You're staying over."
"Huh? But…!"
"No buts, senpai! You're gonna rest on a proper bed, have a proper shower and eat a proper breakfast! Is that understood!?"
Ame glanced at Kiara's eyes and teased, "You navy girls are persistent, huh. Do I really have a choice here?"
"Nope!" Kiara snickered.
Ame heaved a sigh and smiled, "I"ll be in your care then, partner!"
To Be Continued