Business Office, Woodland Luxury Apartments, Bullfinch Street, Upper West Side Manhattan, 2002.
"King Cole surprised us. He managed to hold out for two whole days before putting pressure on us to get this case settled," Bigby remarked as we entered Snow's office with a computer.
"Where the hell did you two get all that?" Snow questioned while we approached her desk.
"From Jack's apartment. We just finished looking through it. It was full of computers, at least six complete systems. We borrowed one so that you can look through it and maybe figure out what he's doing with them," I explained while I was carrying a monitor and keyboard.
"Why me? Why don't either of you do it?" Snow asked in confusion as Bigby and I placed the computer down on her desk.
"Because we're going to be too busy investigating...and I can't work the damn things for the life of me. I'm a genetic Luddite that's incapable of operating anything more complex than my toaster," Bigby stated dryly as he puffed on his smoke.
"And what are you two going to be doing while I'm doing your work for you?" Snow questioned with an arched brow.
"We'll be working on a few things here and there. We're going to be giving Jack his lunch, and we still have a few details to figure out on this case," I said as I helped Snow set up the computer.
"Implying that you two already solved most of it?" Snow inquired eagerly.
"Yes. We solved nearly all of it within the first hour. We pretty much know what had happened and most of how it had happened, but we still can't figure out the who and why," I grumbled in irritation and scratched my head.
"And when exactly are you two planning on letting me know about this?" Snow asked.
"When we rule you out as a suspect," I declared bluntly.
"At least tell me that my sister's alive or dead," Snow pleaded.
"We'll see," Bigby said calmly which didn't sit well with Snow.
"God, you can be one frustrating son of a bitch!" Snow snapped in irritation.
"Literally in my case, but she was nevertheless a loving and nurturing mother a cub could want," Bigby stated, and I smiled a little in nostalgia when memories of Winter ran through my head.
"When are you planning to see the "loving" Prince Charming again?" I inquired curiously.
"Never would be nice...why?" Snow asked.
"Because my Deputy and I want you to help him sell his title, but not quite the way he has in mind," Bigby explained cryptically.
"Why would you and Nate care about that? What are you two up to?" Snow questioned in suspicion as Bigby and I went to leave the office.
"A plan so crazy that it might actually work to make everything turn out alright in the end without further bloodshed, and just maybe the entire Fable community doesn't collapse in the process. Though with our luck, it probably won't work," I stated dryly as we left the office.
After getting Jack's lunch, we headed down the stairs and approached the front desk where Grimble was taking a nap. I cleared my throat and Grimble woke up drowsily.
"Rise and shine, Grimble. Sorry to interrupt your grueling schedule of daily naps, but we need the keys to the holding cell," Bigby suggested.
"Why?" Grimble asked.
"We brought Jack's lunch so that we can feed him," I explained.
"Again? Are you two trying to fatten him up for the slaughter? If you're gonna treat convicts this well, then I volunteer to be your next one," Grimble stated as he lifted his hat to get a better look at us.
"Grimble...what the fuck are you talking about?" I questioned in confusion since I didn't recall Bigby and I feeding Jack earlier today.
"His royal jackass just brought your boy a big damn meal not ten minutes ago. Garlic roasted hen if my nose wasn't lying," Grimble said and my blood ran cold at the implication of what had just been said to us.
"Oh shit...that fucker better not have decided to do what I think he's doing," I thought in disbelief as Bigby and I looked at each other warily.
"Who was it?" Bigby inquired uneasily.
"That pompous prick Bluebeard, that's who. He said you two authorized it. In any case, if you want the keys, you're gonna have to get them from him because he ain't returned them yet," Grimble clarified lazily but I didn't care about the keys at the moment.
"That fucking idiot! C'mon Sheriff, we need to stop a certain dumbass before he does something stupid!" I exclaimed in outrage as we quickly turned around and started to run.
I unholstered my P226 and Bigby shifted into his anthro stage as we rushed down the stairs to the big metal door that was partly open, bursting inside to see Bluebeard holding a knife to Jack's throat.
"Bluebeard! Drop the knife and back away from him, or I'll rip your fucking throat out! That is if my Deputy doesn't shoot you first," Bigby growled menacingly with his fur bristling, his tail twitching in agitation, and I stood beside him with my gun aimed at Bluebeard's head.
"Oh look. After all these centuries, the wolf has finally shed his sheep's clothing to once more show us the true beast underneath. Most of us knew it was only a matter of time before you reverted to your old ways, Bigby. Nature cannot be denied," Bluebeard stated gleefully.
"Oh thank God! Bigby, Nate, he's crazy! He's going to kill me!" Jack shouted in terror while Bluebeard used him as a shield.
"Nonsense. If I were trying to kill him, he would be dead already. I don't intend to kill the boy until after I've bled the truth out of him. Wolf, Pierce, let me have another hour with him and young Jack will beg me for the chance to tell us what he did to Rose and where we can find her...or her body," Bluebeard tried to reason.
"That's not the way we do things anymore, asshole. Drop the knife and back away or I'll use lethal force. Though I'll let Bigby tear you apart slowly in an agonizing way if I'm not feeling merciful, and that's running out quickly," I threatened coldly with a steely glare.
"So? Do you imagine that you two would be the first of your kind I've had to kill? I've kept lands free of such vermin for centuries," Bluebeard scoffed arrogantly.
"Always from the safety of a lance's distance I'd bet, and with plenty of armed men around you to keep you out of any real danger. Let's see how you do this time, with only one measly blade to help you," Bigby snarled softly while his muzzle's lips were peeled back to show his razor-sharp teeth.
"Point taken, but there is no way either of you will get me before I slit young Jack's throat," Bluebeard threatened.
"You don't want to do that!" Jack exclaimed in alarm.
"Did you forget that one of us has a gun aimed at your head? Go ahead and kill him, but I am a quick shot and I don't miss...if you do kill him, that gives us all the excuse we need to eliminate you," I warned coldly and Jack trembled at the prospect that he could die.
"Wait, fellas, we don't want to talk ourselves into rash actions here! Let's all step back, take a deep breath, declare a minute's moratorium on the chest thumping and see if we can't think things through rationally, okay? Guys?" Jack yelped frantically as the situation turned into a standoff.
"Pick up my shoes, Jack," Bigby ordered gruffly as the three of us walked up the stairs.
"Has it escaped your notice that I'm bleeding?! I need a fucking doctor!" Jack protested and I sighed in irritation at how he was complaining about the tiny cuts that were on his face.
"Will you quit your bitching? They're not even life-threatening, so use some Neosporin and slap a few band-aids on them," I stated just as Snow, an unglamored Grimble, Bufkin, and Trusty John came rushing down the stairs with weapons until they stopped when they saw us.
"What the hell?!" Snow cursed when she saw Jack's face.
"Holy shit!" Jack exclaimed when he saw the sword, the spiked mace, and the baseball bat.
"Whoa, where's the fire?" Bigby questioned humorously.
"We were coming to help you two, but I can see that everything's under control," Snow remarked.
"Well, that's mighty kind of you. John, Grimble, would you two get Jack to his apartment and use the first-aid kit...and make sure that he doesn't go anywhere," I instructed and Grimble grabbed jack by the back of his shirt as he, Bufkin, and John went back up the stairs.
"Where's Bluebeard?" Snow inquired after lowering the sword.
"He volunteered to take Jack's place in custody. I hope he likes spending time as a prison convict because he's going to be one for a long time. He was in the middle of torturing Jack when we burst in the cell," Bigby stated as he took out a smoke and lit it up.
"Why?" Snow asked.
"Apparently, he believed some of the more outrageous rumors about what actually happened to Rose Red...listen, I don't care if Bluebeard is this community's benefactor, no amount of money or bitching is going to get him out of the stupid situation he put himself in. Anyway, what were you planning to do with that sword?" I inquired as we went up the stairs and headed to the elevator.
"Help you two," Snow stated as we approached the elevator.
"We're flattered, but my Deputy would've shot and killed Bluebeard if he even attempted to kill Jack. Besides, we need to focus on the Remembrance Day celebration and how I need you to be in one piece while we go there," Bigby said with a wolfish grin and Snow rolled her eyes.
"When did we decide that I'm going to the Gala with you and Deputy Pierce? For that matter, when did you and Nate decide to go? You never go to the Remembrance Day celebration and Nate was never fond of going since..." Snow trailed off, and I knew that she was talking about how going to the Gala brought back bad memories about Winter passing away and how I was in a very dark place after that.
"I can't avoid it this year. If there's any chance to work everything out, then I need to be there and you have to go as my date. It's all very complicated and we can't explain it yet, so just play along. Now, if you'll please excuse us, we need to go home and get changed," Bigby stated as he and I entered the elevator and took it to our floor.
(Hours Later)
"Bigby, Nathan, glad you two wandered back in before going to bed because neither of you will believe what Jack's been up to this time. It seems our Jack Horner is the sole owner of Dream-World. Com...some kind of adventure tours startup company that he's been trying to take public for nearly a year...trust Jack to try and ride the wave of the dot-com investment hysteria only after everyone's finally gotten wise to them. It looks like he lost a bundle with his latest get-rich-quick scheme...but where did Jack get the bundle to lose?" Snow wondered as Bigby and I walked up to her desk with grim expressions.
"Snow...you need to prepare yourself for some bad news..." Bigby trailed off, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here.
"What? What did you say?" Snow questioned after paying attention to us.
"We were hoping that you had gone home for the night so that we could put this off until tomorrow morning...normally, the average adult female has a little more than nine pints of blood. When 40% or more is lost, the person goes into shock because of it," I stated and Snow's eyes widened in horror.
"Why are you two...no, please God no," Snow begged softly.
"Snow...Bigby and I got a call that the amount of blood that was found inside Rose's apartment was a minimum of five pints...I'm sorry," I said quietly while looking away.
After that, Snow started sobbing and I left the office so that Bigby could have a private talk with her and I arrived at my apartment to get ready for the Remembrance Day celebration. Before I knew it, a week had passed and I was standing in front of my bedroom mirror after conjuring up a tuxedo and shaving my five a-clock shadow. I observed myself in the mirror, seeing the same short black hair that was spiked up at the front, intense green eyes that had seen so much hell throughout the centuries, and the tiny shrapnel scars that were on my face...my eyes showing a man that had been broken from survival and loss but grew stronger and more wiser.
I finished observing myself in the mirror and left the apartment, heading to the Gala and entering the ballroom...seeing many human Fables and non-human Fables that were unglamoured for this one night. After looking around, I spotted Bigby and Snow awkwardly dancing and I tried to keep myself from laughing at Bigby's uncomfortable expression.
"Well...hello Deputy, glad to see you are mingling," a female sultry voice announced behind me, and I looked back to see Cassandra Reynard, a beautiful redheaded woman in a black dress walk up to me with a grin.
"Casey...it's been a long time," I said calmly as she stopped in front of me.
"It sure has...you don't come up to The Farm often. You should visit us again so that we can hear more of your fascinating stories," Casey offered with a kind smile.
"And deal with your obnoxious brother? I would rather deal with anyone other than Reynard and his smartass attitude...I still don't get why he tries to get you and me together? Ever since he caught us alone while we were conversing, he's got it into his head that we are meant to be together and he always tries to play matchmaker while the two of us are talking," I grumbled in irritation as I thought about Reynard shooting a cheeky grin at me and teasing me whenever I see that trickster fox Fable.
"What? You don't think we are perfect together? I'm hurt, Nate," Casey pouted and I sighed.
"Look Casey...you're sweet and kind and I would get together with you if the circumstances were different, but..." I trailed off, thinking about Winter and Casey laid a hand on my arm in concern.
"But you still love Winter...don't you? Nate, Winter wouldn't want you to live a life of loneliness...she would want you to find someone else to care for and be with that person," Casey said softly as she looked at me.
"I...don't know, Casey. It's not that easy and I don't want to be unfaithful to Winter," I admitted quietly.
Casey didn't say anything and just smiled at me as everyone around us started heading to the roof so that Bigby could expose Rose's killer and get him arrested. Casey took my hand and we went to one of the balconies nearby so that we could watch the starry sky.
"It's beautiful..." Casey commented while we were stargazing.
"It is...Casey, about what you said, I'll think about it...besides, it makes me wonder where my life could've gone if I hadn't lost everything," I stated while we looked up at the stars.
"So...what was it like? Being a Mundy before changing into a Cardinal Wind?" Casey asked me curiously and I chuckled.
"A lot more boring compared to the life I've led now, and those first three months as a Hope County Sheriff's Deputy was not as exciting as my current job. Not to mention that shape-shifting into practically anything is most certainly an interesting experience," I remarked humorously.
Casey laughed in agreement and after a while, I heard people coming back and to my shock, I saw that Rose was among them with Jack, Bluebeard, Bigby, and Snow.
"What the fuck...is that Rose? I thought she was dead," I said in disbelief as Casey and I went back inside to greet the others.
"Deputy," Bigby greeted.
"Sheriff...did I miss something? Cause I could've sworn that Rose was not among the living," I questioned with an arched brow.
"About that...turns out that all of it was nothing more than another con that Jack planned and Rose faked her death so that she could get out of Bluebeard's marriage contract and steal his money," Bigby explained while Rose and Jack were looking more than unhappy.
I was surprised at this unexpected turn of events, but I was pissed at Rose for what she had put her sister through for the past few weeks.
"Well...at least you solved it. Nice work, Sheriff," I praised Bigby and he nodded in gratitude while puffing on his smoke.
"We should probably get these two processed and get the paperwork out of the way," Bigby suggested and I grumbled in irritation.
"Yeah, the fun part of being a cop..." I muttered lowly and Casey cleared her throat to get our attention.
"Well, I'm gonna go back to The Farm so that I can keep my darling brother out of trouble. Nate, it was nice seeing you again," Casey stated, and she waved as she walked away. When I looked at Bigby and Snow, I saw that they were grinning.
"What? What the hell are you two smiling at?" I questioned in confusion.
"So Deputy, chatting with Casey again? Or were you two doing something else?" Bigby teased and I started sputtering in response.
"Oh for God's sake...why the hell does everyone think we are together? The one time someone sees us talking alone and now everyone thinks we're in a relationship," I snapped in irritation.
I started sulking while everyone laughed good-naturedly and Bigby, Snow, and I escorted Jack and Rose out of the ballroom.
After getting Jack and Rose processed, I got dressed in my Deputy uniform again and Bigby, Snow, and I were now talking to Bluebeard a day later.
"Thank you Lord Bluebeard for coming by so promptly," Snow said politely while Bluebeard sat down in front of her desk.
"Your pet wolves didn't give me the impression that I had any choice in the matter," Bluebeard grumbled and I rolled my eyes subtly while clasping my hands on the buckle of my duty belt.
"This is America, where we all have the freedom of choice. For example, this case contains all of the money you originally gave to my sister, as her dowry in cash. If you choose to accept it, as for your only payment for all the wrongs you've suffered, then everything can end nicely," Snow stated as I placed a suitcase on her desk and opened it to show that it was full of money.
"There's still the matter of the wedding," Bluebeard pointed out.
"The wedding's off," Snow said bluntly and Bluebeard looked shocked.
"But I have a contract!" Bluebeard protested in disbelief.
"Yes, a contract you broke. You promised, as one of the conditions of your agreement with my sister to keep the engagement secret for one year, specifically until the night of the Remembrance Day celebration," Snow explained.
"So?" Bluebeard scoffed.
"So you told me, Bigby, and Nathan about it several days before the celebration," Snow clarified and Bluebeard started looking purple in the face from anger.
"Only when we all thought she'd been murdered, and I told you all in a response to your questions in an official investigation!" Bluebeard exclaimed angrily.
"So? You broke the conditions of the contract, making it null and void. You're lucky enough that we're willing to reimburse the money you've lost. We can always not do that," Snow said firmly.
"This is an outrage! I won't stand for this!" Bluebeard roared in outrage while standing up.
"Then we'll have no choice but to take back the money and reinstate the charges against you for the attempted murder of Jack Horner while he was still in custody," I warned pleasantly.
"Unfortunately, that means your head goes the way of so many of your past wives' heads," Snow remarked while Bluebeard closed the suitcase with a slam, picked it up, and stormed out of the office fuming.
"I get the feeling that he's going to be trouble later," I thought grimly as the three us went to deal with Jack and Rose.
"Here's the deal, you two. You both get to stay out of prison but you're on probation for a year and you each owe 200 hours of community service and 10,000 dollars in fines," Snow stated, causing Jack and Rose to look at her in horror.
"We don't have that kind of money and it might as well be a million each," Rose protested.
"Too bad, because you'll have it by the end of the day. Our sources tell me and my Deputy that ex-Prince Charming is willing to pay at least that much to get his lands and title back," Bigby stated while puffing on his smoke.
"So that's it? No one ends up with anything?" Jack questioned unhappily.
"You two end up with your freedom, which is more than either of you deserves. And you keep that much as long as you two behave," Snow lectured firmly.
While Jack and Rose sulked, I thought about what Casey said and realized that she was right. Winter wouldn't want me to live a life of being alone and I had to admit that Casey and I would be perfect for each other. I decided that once I visit The Farm, I would give it a try with Casey and see what happens.
A/N And done. Now, if you all have read the comics, then that means that the rebellion at The Farm is going to happen in the next couple of chapters. So, what do you think about Casey and how do you think Nate will make a difference against the non-human rebels? Make sure to put down a review or send me a private message so that I know what to do next. Stay tuned.