The Underworld Chapter 5
A/N Thanks for reading. :D A bit short, but I don't want to put this chapter off any longer...
Gumshoe looked down at the menu in front of him. Everything seemed so expensive to him, but it probably wasn't that expensive to a man like Mr. Edgeworth who made so much money.
Miles looked over the top of the menu at him, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Order what ever you want, Detective. I can afford it."
"If you're sure, sir..."
"What can I get you sirs?" The waitress took out her pencil and notepad as she came over.
"I'll have the steak," the detective decided. "And a coke."
"And you?" she looked at the prosecutor inquisitively.
"The Lobster, and a glass of water." He handed his menu to the waitress, who nodded.
"Your food will be served shortly..." She left a basket of rolls on the table before walking off toward the kitchen.
"Wow, rolls," Gumshoe commented,taking one "I haven't been to a restaurant that serves rolls in... a long time."
Edgeworth blinked. "Your salary is that low?"
"Yes sir..."
He winced guiltily. "Oh... I see..." If they managed to get out of this mess alive, he would have to change that...
"Don't feel bad, sir," the detective said, frowning. He took a bite of his roll, chewing slowly to hide his discomfort. He didn't like talking about his salary to Mr. Edgeworth. He swallowed. "Let's talk about the case, sir."
Miles nodded. "Yes, of course... Tell me everything that happened last night. Keep your voice down."
Gumshoe took a breath to calm his nerves before delving into his story. He started with Vitcko, and ended with Viola instructing him to plant the bug. He faltered a few times, his throat tightening when he spoke of Maggey.
He listened to his friend speaking, saying nothing and taking note of every detail, not interrupting even when the detective began to ramble. Taking a breath, he closed his eyes, allowing the detective to get every thing off his chest.
"I know that as soon as I make a wrong step, they'll kill her... I-I'm worried about her, Mr. Edgeworth... I want to warn her, but... I know that that if they find out that I warned her, they'll kill her... I-I'm not sure that there's a way I can save her."
Finally, he opened his eyes and spoke. "You mustn't think like that, Detective."
Gumshoe didn't reply, staring down at the table as their lunch was served. He picked up his fork and began pushing things around the plate for a few moments. Finally, he looked up. "You're right sir... Besides, I know you'll find a way to save her!"
Edgeworth tried to hide his discomfort. In Gumshoe's eyes, he was infallible, but at the moment, he felt anything but... He decided to change the subject. "So it's safe to assume that the Cadaverinis have bought Tres Bien... Probably because no one goes there."
The detective began eating his steak. "You'd think they'd just meet at his house or something..."
"Well they couldn't have their informants go in and out of their house, it would be too obvious... They like to have some amount of discretion..." He pushed his food around his plate, not hungry.
"Tres Bien is around here, isn't it?"
The prosecutor nodded. "It's only a few streets down from here..." His eyes were drawn to the window as he heard the sound of an ambulance rushing by.
Gumshoe's phone began ringing and he hurriedly picked up. "Hello?"
Miles stared at his friend as he listened to the voice on the other end, carefully observing his facial expressions.
"T-Tres Bien, sir?... Yes... I-I understand sir... I-I'll be there soon. I'm in the area." He ended the call, then looked over at Edgeworth, his expression cool for a few moments before the facade shattered. "Mr. Edgeworth... There's been a shooting at Tres Bien. There's one dead, one injured. M-Mr. Edgeworth... M-Maggey... We have to go."
Wordlessly, he stood, throwing money down on the table. He didn't bother counting it, probably throwing down twice a much as necessary. He headed for his car, Gumshoe following close behind, nearly stepping on his heels.
The tension in the car as they drove to Tres Bien was so thick, someone could have cut it with a knife. Neither of them spoke, not wanting to admit their worst fear.
Edgeworth had barely even stopped the car before the detective jumped out, running toward the restaurant. He burst through the doors, almost slamming into two police officers.
The victim was on the ground, sheet covering them. With a shaking hand, Gumshoe drew back the white sheet... And immediately sighed in relief.
"Not who you were expecting?"
He whirled around to find himself face to face with Vitcko.
"Maggey Byrde was just admitted to the hospital, a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. She was lucky; a little bit lower and... Well, you know."
Gumshoe's eyes narrowed into a glare once the shock wore off, and Vitcko's eyes met his.
The other detective lowered his voice. "Consider that a warning, Dick... I wouldn't cross them again if I were you..."