Act I: AWARE
Chapter XI: Through the Wire
Mafia: Unknown Location, Monday 9:35 PM
With his head in his hands, Shadow's foot tapped at a quickening rate, the monitor
turned on before him. Jet stood behind him, as Wave stood on the other side,
computer turned on as her programs whizzed – attempting to route the location of the individual they were about to talk to.
Shadow was totally lost as to why this person needed to chat with him – and more confusingly, why he had the items he had. Rouge was sorting through them,
though her eyes always landed back on Tikal's necklace, passing it through her fingers absentmindedly.
"You think this person killed Tikal?" Rouge asked, finally breaking the tense silence.
Shadow and Jet looked at her – Wave continuing tapping away on her keyboard.
With a sigh, Shadow stared at his desk. "I don't know." Shadow whispered, the color draining from his muzzle. Jet began whistling, rocking back and
forth on the balls of his feet.
The silence continued for what felt like centuries after that – the only sound being the ticking of the clock, and the keys of Wave's computer tapping away.
Then – the harsh tone of an incoming call jolted all four of them – Shadow's hands beginning to shake. He was the most feared criminal in this city – why
is some random code guy shaking him up so much? Sharing a look to the three of them, his finger pressed forward on the iPad monitor in front of him, accepting the face call.
They were met with a dark wall – the symbol of an upside-down cross painted on the grimy wall surface. Heavy, masked breathing was heard, the side of the person's face
creeping into view but obscured by shadow.
"Ah – I have been waiting to speak with you, Shadow."
Shadow's eyes remained fixed on the screen, Rouge peering over Wave's shoulder as she tried to land a location on the man.
"Who are you?"
"Irrelevant, what you need to know is what storm is beginning to brew."
"Why did you have Tikal's necklace?"
"A gracious donor gave it to me – and I passed it along to you. That was my proposal of business, should you be so keen to accept."
Shadow's eyes flickered between Jet, Wave and Rouge, before landing back to the screen. "And if I don't?"
"Then I cannot offer you protection."
Protection? From what? What does Shadow need to be protected from?
"I don't follow."
"I figured you wouldn't. I have already sent the CCPD a message – one that I hope they have taken seriously."
"The car through the church – that was you?"
"A clever spectacle – but as you know, the politicians in this city work for you. I wish to dispose of them for their heinous behavior – for they have wronged
me, and so many others…"
"That puts you in conflict with me."
"Not if you listen to my proposal and accept. Weed out the corrupt, and pave a way for you to exert more will over this city. It could be your domain, should
you so wish for it to be."
Wave growled, the location returning scrambled. "Damnit – it's a bunk." Shadow shushed her, before returning his eyes to the picture in front of him.
"What's your deal?"
"The individual behind Tikal's death is one that you know quite well. The CCPD, upon finding the person responsible, will inevitably be led towards
you. My mission is to weed out the corruption of this city – but you…"
There was a harsh pause.
"I respect you."
Rouge and Wave looked at Shadow, Jet's grip on the desk tightening a bit. Shadow attempted to remain as passive as usual, but on the inside he was terrified.
"I am glad to have your respect. What do you propose, then?"
A small snicker followed this question, before an elongated breath was sucked in by the mystery individual.
"The city is close to catching fire – and the CCPD are pulling out all of their tricks to contain what is coming. To steer them further from the
question of Tikal's demise – I wish to begin my mission of weeding out the corruption that lies in this city. However, now that Silver and Blaze-"
There was a gasp in the room, Shadow's eyes widening, as Jet clenched his jaw.
"Pardon, Silver and Blaze? They've returned?"
There was a chuckle.
"Oh, yes. They have returned from dormancy. As you can imagine, this complicates things. I also shall regret to inform you that what was found
at the scene of the crime – does point to you."
Shadow felt all three of the eyes in the room land directly on him. His brow furrowed as he clenched his jaw tight. He knows he didn't kill Tikal. So – someone was attempting
to frame him.
Still, he kept his composure.
"They suspect Robotnik – and it would be in his sleeve to attempt to frame me for something he did."
"The vial of Zypothime is in evidence. You may count yourself lucky they currently suspect Ivo – but once they hit a wall with no evidence, you are
next on their list. I do not wish for that to become reality – so, I have developed a distraction. Focus their attention on the killings of
political figures in the city – the Elite. Then – we will begin procedures to completely wipe your slate clean. You must begin moving in a much more
secret manner, Shadow. Your stealth must be taken to the maximum."
Was this Nazo? Was this someone else? Who the hell was this – and how does he know so much? Nazo wouldn't need to come to Shadow with such dramatics. This
was a new face – or an old face that he isn't picking up on just yet.
"I request you make your targets individuals who I do not do direct business with first. Then – once we are in a more secure spot, you may begin picking off
whomever you please."
"Why of course, Shadow. It is also imperative we eliminate the ones who may talk. The message to the citizens is that they cannot trust their
people in power, their police, their saviors. The other side of this mission is to keep you out of their spotlight."
There was a long pause, the man's breathing getting slightly heavier.
"Do we have a deal?"
Shadow's eyes remained fixed on the screen. Rouge, Wave and Jet all looked at him nervously, waiting for his answer.
"Yes. We are in agreement."
A light chuckle sounded from the man on the phone, before pushing his eye closer to the camera – yet strangely, all still covered in darkness.
"Excellent. Until next time, Godfather."
The call ended – and the tension immediately dropped. Rouge didn't even realize her body had locked up, quickly walking off to stretch as Wave closed her laptop,
eyes fixed on the desk ahead.
No one said a word. No one acknowledged what happened.
Shadow continued staring into space, before his eyes peered down to the fake rose, twirling it in his hand.
Until next time.
C.C.P.D: Main Precinct, Monday 12:03 PM
Sonic tapped his fingers on the desk – as Amy and Sally began to deliberate with some of the men that were brought in from the tailor shop.
Tails sipped his coffee, typing away at a document on the computer. Sonic couldn't take the waiting anymore, opting to light a cigarette while the
minutes passed. A wrapping on the door came, causing Sonic and Tails's heads to whip up – only to yet again see Sonic's brother, suited up with a briefcase.
"Howdy howdy, big bro. Tails."
Tails merely nodded, a half-smile on his face as his eyes flicked back onto Sonic.
"Here to represent even more of Robotnik's guys?" Sonic asked.
"Ah – well, we don't know if they're Robotnik's guys – do we?" Manic said, taking a seat next to Sonic and across from Tails.
Sonic had one hand on his head, the other holding a lit cigarette, as he took a quick drag from it. Sonic threw Manic a cigarette, a small grumble coming
from his mouth. "You never quite get off on trying to help the people I put away, do ya?" Sonic asked, a small chuckle leaving his lips. The chuckle was anything but
humorous, however.
Manic sighed, leaning back slightly in his chair. "It's my job, man. I don't wanna keep having this conversation, Sonic. I don't like being against you – but this
is how I put food on the table."
"Even when there is simply no doubt they're guilty?"
"Like I said last time – we look for pleas here, lessening of sentences. It's not always trying to let bad guys go free with me, yanno?"
Sonic sighed, half-smirking, before another knock was placed on the door.
The three turned, as a magenta hedgehog opened the door, brushing her short-cut hair from her eyes.
"Well, well, well – if it ain't big sis!" Manic said, laughing as he took a drag from the cigarette.
"Hey boys, Tails." Sonia said, ruffling his head.
"What are you doing here, Sonia?" Sonic asked, as Sonia took a seat at the head of the table.
"I needed to ask you about this outstanding warrant. I'm not sure if you are wishing to continue pursuing prosecution against Robotnik?" Sonia asked.
Sonic sighed, looking at his state prosecutor sister with haggard eyes. "That's'-sorta the thing. We aren't sure it's him anymore. Honestly, we aren't sure of
any of it."
Sonia scoffed, cocking an eyebrow. "Well – count that as the first time I've heard my little brother say he wasn't sure of something." Her eyes moved to Manic,
a small sigh escaping her mouth. "And let me guess – you're here to represent some people you probably shouldn't be?"
Manic chuckled, putting his cigarette out in the ashtray. "You do your thing to get paid, and I do mine, sis."
Sonia rolled her eyes, turning to Sonic. "Look – I know I haven't followed up in a while, but I'm sorry about Tikal. We all loved her, and I know you're doing
what you can, bud."
Sonic sighed, shooting a wink to Tails. "Yeah – well, we're trying our best. I won't lie, this case, so far, has been topsy turvy. I think it runs deeper then we
anticipated. It's been sending us right back into the criminal underworld."
"I'm sure it is. I did want to let you know though – Spike is retiring as District Attorney. After that church thing, he kept saying how he was "in the crosshairs
of some bad people". So, I guess Central City truly isn't free of corruption."
Tails sighed, tapping his fingers on the desk as he closed his laptop. "I feel awful for him. He didn't deserve to go through that."
Manic nodded – turning to Sonia. "So – who's his replacement?"
There was silence – as Sonia had a big smile on her face. Sonic's eyes widened, before laughing loudly, standing up to hug his sister from behind.
"Well look at that! My sister is the new DA, baby!"
"Wow, congratulations Sonia!" Tails cried, as Manic smirked.
Sonia laughed, scrunching her face at Sonic's excessive affection, before straightening her blazer.
"Thank you Tails, and thank you dorks. I'm just happy to take this responsibility, so we can finally get this city back on track." Sonia said, stretching her arms.
Knuckles walked in, followed by Amy, Sally, and Bunnie – who all made their greetings, and gave their congratulations to Sonia on the big news.
After the celebrations died down, Knuckles turned to the detectives.
"Well – turns out they stopped caring about any of this loooong before you got here, Manic."
Manic sighed, opting to light another cigarette to mourn his wasted trip.
"They told us everything we wanted to know." Amy said, sitting down as she passed the notebook to Sonic and Tails. The pair stood up, sitting next to
each other as they began reading through it. "Well – looks like it is indeed a Robotnik operation place. So – that basement belongs to him. It has too." Tails said, smiling.
Sally chimed in, sipping her coffee. "Seems like that's enough circumstantial evidence to arrest him for Tikal's death. Would you say so, Sonia?"
"No body, no crime." Sonia said – as all eyes went on her. She stood up, huffing a sigh as she flicked the dust off her pants.
"Look – I know you guys wanna catch who did this. I do too. There just isn't enough here to prosecute. Robotnik, for all charges he's faced, has never
pleaded guilty, and I'm assuming my lovely brother here would probably get called to defend him – considering he's all the big-time criminals go-to here."
Manic smiled, leaning back in his chair as he watched his sister's pseudo-speech.
"You can arrest him on drug trafficking with those kids' testimony, and that alone would be enough to convict him. However, on a murder? Those are so
much trickier. You need to have heaps of witnesses, crime-scene photos, hell – you'd need to establish how he killed her, what he used to do it, and if he
sent someone else to do it – then you'd need to find out who he sent. Judging by what I've read how the only witness was a street thief who – and I'm sure
he's lovely – happened to be the only one who didn't get put in some weird trance before the body was taken, that one witness would not be enough to
convince a jury – let alone the fact that he is a criminal himself. Jurors have a bias against criminals of all kinds."
Sonic watched as everyone's hope was cut away piece by piece – even his own.
She didn't just get promoted for no reason – she was one of the best prosecutors this city has had – and everything she said was completely correct.
There really was no case to be made for the murder of Tikal. It doesn't point to him whatsoever. It would just be constructing a possible murder scenario
and praying the jury would buy it – and if you're trying to get a conviction off a prayer – might as well not try at all.
"So, I guess we really are back to square one, ain't we?" Bunnie said, opting to look down at her coffee mug, as Antoine put his hand on her shoulder, having
walked in as Sonia was giving her shpiel. Knuckles sighed, crossing his arms. "Even if we are – we can't give up just yet. The person who did this is out there, it's up to us to
keep looking."
Sonic was about to speak, before Knuckles's phone went off – taking it off his belt-loop and putting it to his ear.
"Espio – what's up?"
There was some murmur on the other line – as Sonic watched the colors drain from Knuckles's face. Tails caught this – crossing his arms with a furrowed brow.
"Alright – alright, thank you. We'll be down there immediately." With that, Knuckles hung up, leaving everyone to peer at him curiously.
Amy spoke up first, her teeth clenching slightly. "Knux, is everything okay?"
Knuckles look up, small beads of sweat forming on his face.
"Espio needs us all to get down to the DA's office now."
Sonia tilted her head, stepping forward.
"The office? What for?"
Sonic waited for Knuckles's response, as he glanced nervously amongst
everyone, taking a deep breath and speaking up.
"They just found Spike. He's dead."