Chapter 16: Checking the Facts
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Another day, another interim chapter. You guys know the format for this chapter. Don't fix what isn't broken, right?
Uh, Sly Cooper belongs to Sucker Punch.
And with that out of the way, let's get to the story.
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"Personal Log Number Five. I haven't yet had a chance to confirm the intel Cooper gave me, but I should record my thoughts while I can.
Mon Dieu, so much has happened. I certainly was not expecting le Voleur to be at that party, nor was I expecting the host to turn into a drug-enraged giant. Par bonheur (fortunately), all men have the same weakness. He's reverted to normal, or so I'm told, and is being held in the Interpol Maximum Security Penitentiary.
On a related note, it seems word has spread of how I subdued him. The other officers have been giving me a wide berth since I returned to Paris… Quelle bande de mauviettes (What a bunch of wimps). At least it means that I can get my work done in peace.
Le Voleur, however, has a way of sticking in the mind. Happy news there; there are now several active warrants for his arrest. As it turns out, he was directly responsible for a string of smaller thefts before the museum heist. Added on to the museum warrant and the one from Russia, I can now detain him without any further justification. That will make capturing him in Macau much easier.
I am confused, though… If his intel is accurate, he will be in Macau in approximately four weeks, ready to bring down the gambling empire of the richest member of the Steele Ring. So why would he share that information with me? The answers he gave me back in the forest… I don't trust them.
…I suppose the first step would be to check his story. I've got too much to think about, and I have not had the time to think it through. End of log."
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"Personal Log Number Six. I almost can't believe it… Le Voleur's story checks out to the smallest detail. Rumors of a grand opening of Miss Fortune's biggest casino yet in Macau… They've been confirmed. She will be attending the opening day ceremony personally, and that will be the only opportunity to strike at her… And the vault supposedly under her new facility.
Begging the question; why? Why would he give me this information? It just doesn't make any sense at all. I just know there's some trick up that damn thief's sleeve… But I can't see what he's planning, and it's making me angry.
I've had some time to sort out my thoughts as well. Most of what le Voleur told me in the forest… Is probably accurate. Enfoiré, je ne veux pas le croire ([expletive removed], I don't want to believe this). I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of his answers, and that's just making me even more confused… Which is only making me even more angry.
Regardless, I should record my thoughts in full. I'm sure I'll be able to look back later and laugh at my own bêtise (foolishness)… The tango I shared with le Voleur was. It was… Zut, je dois me ressaisir (Hang it all, I've got to pull myself together)… Enjoyable. I shudder to think what was going through my mind before I realized it was Cooper in disguise. Merde, how could I have been so blind? A little fur dye and a different outfit shouldn't have fooled me for an instant!
Still, he was a skilled dancer… I'll admit that much. Looking back, I'd have been disappointed if he weren't. He's proven himself skilled, if infuriatingly coy, and has to step lightly in order to go unnoticed. Not only that, he's evaded my capture twice now… Even if the first time was because I let him go. I'd be honestly disappointed if he wasn't agile enough to dance.
Merde, que dis-je (Hell, what am I saying)?! He's a criminal. No matter the circumstance, I shouldn't be paying him a compliment… Especially considering the size of his ego. If there is one thing I have learned about le Voleur, it is to never compliment him to his face.
I should get back to work. Plenty of preparation to deal with. End of log."
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"Log Number Seven. Bad news, then good news this time.
The bad news is, there have been… Rumors. Apparently, some imbeciles have been spreading lies about the relationship between me and le Voleur, and now half the department thinks I'm head over heels for that stupide Voleur égoïste sale (stupid egoistic dirty thief). This has caused… Taunting. I should've shot him the instant I realized who he actually was.
The good news is, the half that does not believe these rumors includes all of my superior officers. They know I have a completely spotless record, and I suppose if I had to choose, they would be the ones I wanted on my side the most.
What really infuriates me is that he knows. Ce Voleur fichue béat sait (That damn smug thief knows). How do I know this? Because he broke into my vault - again - and left me another note. I won't do him the courtesy of reading it aloud, but he very much knows about that damn rumor.
I may have to reassert myself to the other officers through force of arms. In happier news, preparations for my arrival in Macau are going smoothly. It's a tourist city, so my accent… And ignorance of the language… Should not be a problem. The real question is whether or not I can convincingly imitate a gambler long enough to really infiltrate their operation.
What I've learned thus far is as follows. Miss Fortune, birth name Victoria Buenaventura, has received her position in the Steele Ring the same way she received everything else in life; stunning cruelty, ravishing good looks, and a dash of unbelievably good luck. She runs every casino in the world in one way or another, whether selling them 'licenses' to operate or outright owning them.
Physically, she's not altogether too imposing at first glance, if these pictures are any indication. She's a white-furred rabbit, and a bit of a small one at that. Strikingly beautiful, though. Reminds me of fine china, actually… Je ne devrais pas tourner poétique (I shouldn't turn poetic). Bright blue eyes, glare cold as ice. Reports say she favors a black business suit.
Reports also say that the bunny has claws. Literally and figuratively. She's evidently much stronger and more resilient than she looks, and has a reputation for snapping bones like twigs with lightning-fast kicks. When I arrest her, I'll have to render her unconscious beforehand, then restrain all four limbs. No chances can be taken.
She also has a reputation for being rather incredibly lucky; hence, her taken name. No matter the situation, it turns out in her favor. But luck has to run out, and karma must take its course. I don't care how lucky she is touted to be; in two weeks time, her luck runs out.
That's all for this week. End of log."
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"Log Eight. This has not been a good week. The rumors have only intensified, and I don't know who to punch to get rid of them.
My superiors have become even more convinced of the falseness of the rumors, but as far as my collègues crétin (dumb coworkers) are concerned, the steps I've taken to defuse the situation are only more proof of the 'truth'. My job remains secure, but becomes more intolerable by the day.
The only good news all week? Le Voleur has not shown his stupid face, so my preparations for Macau have gone uninterrupted… Despite the rumors. He hasn't even broken into my safe. Perhaps he simply has nothing to say on the situation now. I'd pay good money to see him speechless, now that I'm thinking about it.
I've learned a little more about Macau while preparing. While we do not have good intel on the casino, defenses there are extremely tight. My cover is solid, but I have to do this alone - bringing in another officer would almost certainly break my cover. When I need backup, I'm going to have to be ready to press charges against Miss Fortune.
Interpol presence in Macau is practically nil, and local police presence is as unreliable as they come. The casinos operate massively unregulated; there are a few huge winners, but most people who walk into that city walk out penniless. Un imbécile et son argent sont bientôt séparés (A fool and his money are soon parted).
And to make matters even worse, I just found out that expenses has not approved much of a budget for my assignment. I have to be frugal without looking like it… If I run out of money, the mission is as good as over.
Ugh. I have to work out my aggression on something. My accuracy and quickdraw have improved tremendously over the past few weeks… I've been spending a lot of time at the range. I should go there now. End of log."
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"Log Nine. Qu'est-ce que l'enfer (What the hell)?!
First things first. I'm packed and ready for the trip to Macau. Good thing too - it's tomorrow. I have a plan, I have a cover story, I have my equipment, and I have authorization.
Secondly. Qu'est-ce que l'enfer?! I wake up this morning thinking it's another day of being taunted and wishing that tomorrow would just come already, then I get to work and the rumors have died overnight?!
Not only that, but most of the people responsible for the spread of that rumor are out on medical leave. I have no idea what's happened! Oh. Oh, wait. Ne me dites pas (Don't tell me)…
That explains it. I just opened my safe. There's an audio log pinned to one of his calling cards… And… A rose. Of course there's a rose.
Let's see…"
Click.
"Sorry to have caused you so much trouble at work - I really thought that rumor would've blown over by now, given your stalwart dedication to your job. I taught a couple of these idiots a lesson I dearly hope was wrong, and they're probably out on medical leave at the moment. Their newfound knowledge and relevant silence, I hope, is enough of an apology that you won't kill me next we meet… The rose is just a little present. See you in Macau, my dear Inspector!"
Click.
"…Je ne peux pas le croire (I don't believe it). Just a moment. I need to check le Voleur's file."
*shuffling noises in background, accompanied by hushed cursing in French*
"Alright. According to this report, he… Struck up a conversation with six officers. He revealed his identity immediately, along with his knowledge of the rumors, and proceeded to berate all six officers for believing that I would ever be in that sort of relationship with him. Reason given was… Irreconcilable professional differences… He then led the officers to an abandoned lot and proceeded to beat them into a collective pulp. Six assault charges are being filed against him for that.
Ce Voleur stupide (That stupid thief). Il a battu six officiers d'Interpol pour moi (He beat down six Interpol officers for my sake)? Je ... Je ne sais pas quoi penser (I… I don't know what to think).
Merde tout à l'enfer (Damn it all to hell). Je pourrais avoir à le remercier (I may have to thank him).
I… I should stop thinking about this. I'm flying to Macau tomorrow, and I can't afford to be distracted. End of log."
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Wow, didn't think it'd take this long to get this one done… Sorry about the wait, everyone. Life caught up with me.
On a more positive note, I'd like to give a shoutout to my first reviewer; Guy! They're a really good guy, you know?
No blurb for next chapter here, no sir. But I'll tell you what it's called. Tune in next time for Chapter 17: Card Counting.
Until then… Which hopefully won't be too long… I'm KeyFire, and I'm also out of here!