Chapter 26: They All Fall Down

After a week of horribly boring cases, Lucifer was pleased to hear the next case was investigating a murder at a local strip-club. It was a great low-key start to his Monday. He had been up late "interrogating" a few of the dancers from the club and was much less thrilled when Maze hauled him out of his bed early Tuesday morning.

"Natalie canceled on me," She started while pushing Lucifer toward his closet, "Something about a special lunch date. It could be our chance to find something out."

He slipped on his Armani suit, his brooding mood returning at the mention of her. He followed Maze, driving the convertible as requested. Once they arrived a couple blocks from her flat, he had the roof extend up to decrease the chances of them being spotted. Their wait was short, before Evan came bounding out the building. It was easy to tell he was talking quite adamantly, his finger waggling in warning back toward the door.

When she walked out, Lucifer could feel his grip on the steering wheel tighten. While Evan appeared to be wearing a well-tailored suit, she was in jeans and a pressed button-down. Evan made another hand movement, gesturing to the clothing difference as well. He was only meet with eye rolls and dismissed as the target of Lucifer's ire went to the small blue car.

Maze and Lucifer followed behind the pair carefully. The blue car pulled in to an upscale habachi, and Evan sprang from the car to rush the door. There he was meet by a smiling man in khakis. The two shared a hug, and Evan whispered something – Lucifer assumed a warning – in the ear of his lover.

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Natalie watched Evan hug his boyfriend and gave the two a few minutes to themselves. She could tell Evan was stressed about this lunch. He had practically thrown a tantrum when she hadn't worn full formal wear. For someone that interfered in her own life constantly, Evan had even given her a speech about how she had to promise to be as normal as she could. She took a moment to evaluate Devin from the privacy of the car.

He was roughly the same height as Evan, and held himself with confidence. While not dressed as fancifully as Evan, the shirt Devin choose complimented both his deep skin tone and Evan's suit. 'Kid always had a soft spot for well dressed men.' She thought with a chuckle. As she exited the car and approached the couple, Devin's attention to the detail of his outfit became even more apparent. She was convinced that even the groupings of his corn-rows had not a single hair out of place or braided into the wrong line. She couldn't stop the approving smile she gave the blushing Evan.

"You must be the infamous Devin." She said, before Evan could do introductions himself.

Devin gave a warm laugh and nodded, his hand offered, "Infamous, huh? You're fairly infamous yourself. It's a pleasure to meet the Natalie Varquez. There's no lawyer worth their bar in this town that doesn't know your name."

Natalie gave him a firm shake and a brief smile. "A lawyer? Well, well. That's much more impressive than a business man." She shoot Evan a look that Devin chuckled at.

"Well, I am the CEO for the firm, so he's not wrong."

Evan gave Natalie a smug look back, before holding out his suited arm. "Shall we?"

Devin looped his hand in the offered arm, and Natalie walked behind them. The three were brought to their reserved balcony table. In truth, it was a wonderfully pleasant afternoon. Devin proved to be just as charming as handsome, and Natalie soon found herself agreeing to cover the lunch check.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. You two go to a movie or something." She said, waving them off as her slice of cake came to the table.

While the two love-birds left, debating which movie to see, a familiar stranger brushed past Natalie's table. She dropped cash for the bill and tip, and followed the coated-back out. Down an alleyway, she waited till the footstep came to her.

"This is unexpected. I thought everyone was done with me after the Christenson thing." She taunted the coat.

"Think of this as a second chance. Your removal of Christenson left an opening for a new associate of mine. Now, the Sinner Man offers you a deal. Your life back, in exchange for another."

A seal envelope dropped onto the ground. When Natalie's eyes shifted to follow the envelope and then looked up, the coat was gone. She stepped forward, scooped up the envelope, and pried it open. A dark chuckle passed through her.

"Really? He's always at Lux, this will be a breeze." She said into the alleyway.

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At the entryway of the alleyway, Lucifer and Maze stared at each other before sprinting back to the car. The trip back to Lux was a blur. Once they were in the safety of Lucifer's pent house the heavy silence only lasted a couple moments.

"The hell kind of name is 'Sinner Man'?" Maze commented as she headed for the liquor shelf. "Regardless, we'll move you to a safe house for now and I'll watch for our little traitor to make her move. Once she shows her hand, I'll handle it personally."

Lucifer barely heard Maze, but nodded along anyways. His mind twisted for a means to explain. Sure she appeared to be some strange, inhuman monster-slayer; however he was no monster. Arguably, they were friends! Perhaps more on a good day. Before Maze could leave, he raised a hand to call her back to his side.

"It... could not be me." He said softly.

"You heard her, 'he's always at Lux.' And you are the only person in this club that's really worth making a fuss about. Besides, did you ever stop to think it's not about you?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"This 'Sinner Man' could want to take down the detective that was responsible for the last guy losing power. Anyone with eyes knows that you and Chloe are close. If they take you, they can keep her in line." Maze finished, anger clear on her face.

Lucifer leaned back, shocked. He nodded to Maze and turned to pour himself a drink. Were they friends? She refused to call him by his first name. Even dancing, or when he kissed her, it was always "Mr. Morningstar" or just "Morningstar". Granted it was in a variety of languages, but it was still only that.

"For her life back..." He mumbled, repeating the cloaked person's offer. In that dreadful moment, Lucifer Morningstar realize he truly knew nothing about Natalie Varquez.