Setback

"AGH! I can't believe it! Nothing! I still have nothing! After all of this investigating and interrogating, I STILL have nothing! The Purple Ferret SHOULD be here! My sources are rarely off, but I was certain… AH!" Nami shouted while pacing about in her nice new Inn room.

The red-head agent was in one of her recently common fits of anger. She had just gone through inquiring many of the local villagers for the whereabouts of her intended target with little luck. She even checked out a few of the houses just in case he might be hiding, but to no avail.

Nami went through a few of her inquisitions in her mind.

"Uh… sorry, no gangsters here. We've had a pretty peaceful living her for quite a while now. How about checking the city?

"Well, I don't believe we've had any strangers of that sort come along. But I do know we're supposed to have a new farmer arrive today. Do you happen to be the new farmer?"

"I'm afraid not, lass. How about you, brother?"

"Nope, not me. Too busy tinkering around to notice, though."

"Right! Right! I'm the same way!"

"HAHAHAHAHA!!"

"Nope, no Mafia man. But we have run into the occasional thief running around. I believe his name his Steiner. He's an odd one, though, because people claim he can use ancient magic. Kinda funny, huh?"

"Hmmm…. Interesting. I've seen many things around here: A Goddess, An ancient princess, some sprites, a fuzzy white guy, and even a witch. Haven't seen a Big City Mafia man around, though. And Miss Agent, if you're also here to arrest me for excessive drug usage, you've got the wrong guy… it's a shame this world ain't open-minded enough to accept all the possibilities."

Nami sighed thinking about the last. "That guy HAS to be lying about drug usage… but, since this place allows it, I can't exactly take him in. Besides, petty cases aren't for my department."

She then shook her head. "Bah, Steiner. He sounds too sleek to be a pseudonym for Nicholas Pattywack. Besides, the psycho is too boisterous and proud of his work to disguise himself. And considering his wild strike, the guy wouldn't even consider settling down for unexciting farm work. Still, it would be worth my time checking out that abandoned farm." She said aloud." Come to think of it, I also haven't seen this laboratory of this supposed mad scientist and the exalted Lacreme Villa. Though accessing the later thoroughly might prove to be difficult."

As she continued pondering over her investigation, a cell phone rang right on top of the bed. Nami rushed over to pick up the dark blue cell phone and pushed the talk button immediately.

"Hello?" Nami answered in a surprisingly calm tone.

"Inspector Granger?" a polished, deep voice answered on the other end.

"…Alex?" Nami cried back.

"Good to hear you're still up and about." The voice going by Alex said. "So, how goes the investigation on Pattywack? Has your lead been correct?"

"So far, I've got nothing except news of a phantom thief and a delusional hippie." Nami sighed. "There's also claims a new farmer that's supposed to arrive today, but it doesn't sound like our man. I don't take him as the type to get into agriculture."

"Hmm… well, maybe you should check it out, anyway. I assume no one has really met this farmer yet, so you never know." Alex suggested. "Anyway, since you're at Forget-Me-Not Valley, I've called to inform you about another case. Apparently, some visitors have claimed suspicious activity has been going on in the laboratory of reputed eccentric scientist, Daryl Longing. It seems the man keeps most people out of the facilities, but those who have reported a locked trapdoor that is always locked. Some have claimed they heard unseal voices. Our department believes it to be a possible kidnapping for the purposes of human testing, but we haven't found the convenient means to send someone else over. Luckily, we caught of your investigation, so it'll be up to you."

"What? Another case, right now? But what about Pattywack?" Nami shouted.

"I'm afraid you'll have to forego that investigation for now. Besides, you have plenty of time for that, I assume. For now, checking out the Laboratory comes first." Alex instructed.

"Fine. I'll take it. Not like I have much of a choice at the moment." Nami sighed.

"Very good." Alex replied. "And Inspector Granger? I may have said this many times over, do not allow Cliff's death to distract you, especially when dealing with Pattywack. It could lead to your end as well when you least suspect it."

Nami sighed long and hard.

"Got it." She said irritably.

"Good. Now get to work, Inspector" Alex ordered.

"Yes, sir." Nami groaned.

The disgruntled red-head hung up her phone and placed it in a pocket. She left the room immediately and headed downstairs."

"Oh, hello again, Welcomed Guest! So, are you ready to order lunch now? You've been upstairs for a very long time since you got back from touring the valley."

"Nope, sorry. I'm heading out again." Nami replied coolly before exiting the Inn.

"Hm. Well, that's a shame. You have quite a taste." Ruby said aloud while fiddling with a ladle.