"How are you feeling?"
Ally and Austin twirled on the floor with the other dancers. It was a pretentious looking ballroom, with high painted ceilings and sparkling crystal chandeliers. A small band played their instruments for the guests in the suits and flowing dresses. The detective was still anxious about Austin's health.
Austin shrugged in reply as they danced a waltz. "I'm okay, stop worrying."
"It's not easy," Ally kept on staring at the bulge in the otherwise fitting suit Austin was wearing. The injury was particularly noticeable because of the bandages he needed. She felt the pangs of guilt whenever she looked at them, or when he would give a small wince. Her friend thought she wouldn't notice when he winced in pain, but she did. Ally was a detective, after all. "You didn't have to take that bullet..."
"You need to stop blaming yourself for this. I knew the consequences, okay? I took it and would do it again right now if I have to." Austin took a deep breath. "You're my best friend, and I don't want to see you hurt at all. Cheer up a bit!"
"Ditto. I'd do the same for you too." Ally's smile matched Austin's while they glided across the room. She was immensely grateful for such a great friend. "We'll see who can get to the bullets faster next time."
Austin let out a roar of laughter. "There's the Ally I know. You've been moping around ever since I got shot...you know what would make me feel better right now?"
The detective's gaze snapped to his. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing. Not spitting out blood or anything. I'm fine, I just want out of this fancy party."
"You scared me there." Ally's heart was still hammering against her chest. "And they want to thank us for rescuing Ellen and Eva."
"Couldn't I just stay at home? I've been shot and all that. You could have just come here alone. I'm just your right hand man anyway; they want the famous detective."
"You're just as important as I am-you took that bullet. Besides, they would have waited until you were 'fully recovered' and then have this party thing. There was no way you could have gotten out of this." The detective smirked.
"True..."
Ally recognized the look on his face. "If you have something you want to say, just say it."
"Am I just your replacement for that crazy guy Alex?"
A look of shock came over Ally's face at his words. Ally stumbled in her steps and almost stomped on Austin's foot. She composed herself before answering firmly. "No, you're not. I am not using you to fill his place, you are you, and I wouldn't have anyone else."
"Right."
Ally let out a noise of frustration. "Austin-"
The music stopped and Mr. and Mrs. Wyner called everyone's attention to the front. Ally flashed Austin a look saying I'll talk to you later. The rich owners of the butchering company were the picture of elegance. Mrs. Wyner smiled at everyone before speaking. "First of all, thank you everyone for joining us. I hope you have an enjoyable night. Tonight, we have put together this gathering to thank two very essential people who saved our daughters. Austin and Ally, would you please come up here?"
The couple did what they were told to as the crowd clapped politely. Mr. Wyner gestured for Ellen and Eva to approach the detective and companion. The two girls held little boxes in their hands and handed it to them. Ally hugged the twins and muttered a quick thank you. They looked so much better since she last saw them. Honestly, this was the best part of what she did. She loved protecting people.
Mrs. Wyner spoke again. "This is only a fraction of our gratitude, but I hope you find it to your liking. We could never repay you for what you have done. Thank you so much."
Everyone else cheered and clapped loudly. "Please enjoy the rest of the night, everyone!" Mr. Wyner said, "The dancing will continue shortly after some performances from some very talented people."
Two people came out with a large box behind them. They introduced themselves as magicians, and Austin leaned over lower to whisper into Ally's ear. "Typical trick. They're going to make a big show of how normal and empty the box is, and then have the other person go inside. Some swords are stabbed into the box and the person walks out completely unscratched. Geez, you'd think rich people would hire some better magicians with more original tricks."
Ally just smiled while the magicians did exactly what Austin predicted. They spoke of how ordinary the box was, and showed it by turning it this way and that. One of them grabbed the handle and opened the door to show the empty interior. However, it was not empty. There was already someone inside.
Along with some swords and long objects pierced through him.
Shrill screams filled the room as the guests were put into a frenzied panic. Ally strode to the box containing the corpse with purpose. Austin tried to calm everyone down.
"Shut up, people!" He yelled.
Mr. and Mrs. Wyner stood horrified. The security was overwhelmed by the mass of people going in all directions. They could probably trample over each other at this point, so Austin and the security were desperately trying to stop their panic.
Ally tugged the collar of a magician to her. "Did you two do this?"
"No, I would never!" The magician was no doubt being honest. She was shaky and as stunned as everyone else, so she couldn't have done this. Ally nodded and turned to the box itself.
It was such a bloody mess that Ally was not surprised to hear retching in the background. The detective inspected the box from every angle, before closing her eyes. It was time to do what she did best-deduce and solve the problem.