Chapter 40

"Attempted Assassination"

While we had been in Europe, Pikachu had been moved out of Intensive care and in a normal hospital bed at St. Vincent's. The cut he had to his throat had been healed enough to the point he didn't need to be in a coma. However, right outside his bedroom, a pair of NYPD detectives were assigned to guard his hospital room in case Team Rocket agents tried to harm Pikachu in any way.

"Makes me sick," said the older detective.

"What does?" asked the younger detective.

"Why should Pokemon be targeted? They are creatures that should be left alone at all times. Especially after what happened in Scotland."

"Yeah, I get that, Lennie," remarked the younger detective. "Those poor kids from the Academy. My oldest daughter is the same age as one of the students killed. Gave her and the other girls a big hug tonight before I came in."

"Well right now, Pikachu here is our responsibility, Rey," said Lennie, ensuring that his gun was fully loaded to be used at any moment. "We're to guard him at all times and I'll be damned if anything were to happen on Christmas Eve of all nights."

"You're Jewish."

"So? Nobody's perfect."

The two detectives shared a small laugh at the remark as at that moment, a figure walked into the hospital holding what appeared to be a bouquet of flowers. He approached the receptionist and asked for Pikachu's room.

"And what is your relation to the Pikachu being hospitalized?" she asked.

"A fan," the figure answered. But the receptionist wasn't convinced and told a colleague to notify security.

The figure then proceeded up to the floor where Pikachu was staying just as Lennie and Rey saw him coming around the corner.

"Hey!" Lennie called, suddenly drawing his gun along with Rey. "POLICE! FREEZE!"

"Drop the flowers," ordered Rey. "We want to see your identification."

"I..come in peace?" the figure asked, taken aback by the sudden actions of the two detectives. "Bringing flowers?"

"So, you are?" asked Lennie. "Are you affiliated with Team Rocket in any way?"

Now, the figure was becoming disgusted by the lack of intense questioning.

"I'm not going to ask you again," warned Lennie, his voice rising. "Drop the flowers and let me see your face!"

Acting fast, the figure then reach into his side pocket as Lennie charged at the figure, revealed to be a man in his early 20s, throwing him down and shattering the vase filled with flowers.

"Hey! Get down!" Lennie growled and the suspect fought one another. "Rey! Hold the door!"

From inside, Pikachu began to shake with fear at the noise going on outside his hospital room.

"Get off of me!" screamed the figure, trying to dig his weapon into Lennie's throat as two hospital security guards arrived on the scene, lifting the figure up. "Let me go! Get your fucking hands off of me!"

"Against the wall! Against the wall!" Lennie ordered. "Spread out your legs. Do it!"

When the suspect refused, Lennie smacked him on the buttocks. He then noticed a black bag lying on the ground, next to the flowers.

"Rey, get that bag!"

"That's private property, assholes!" snipped the suspect.

"Its evidence now, pal! You're under arrest for attempted murder of a Pokemon!"

Struggling, the suspect tried to break free, loudly grunting and groaning against the security guards.

"You all right, Len?" Rey asked as he helped Lennie up while Lennie fixed his tie. "This was an attempted assassination or kidnapping here."

"Yeah, let's check on Pikachu."

The two detectives entered the room and they saw Pikachu shaking with tremendous fear as Rey walked over to comfort him.

"It's okay, It's okay, little guy," he said in a comforting tone. "We're not going to let anyone hurt you. It's all right."

But those words did little to comfort Pikachu as a nurse came in to see what had happened.

"Attempted assassination," Lennie said. "On Christmas Eve of all nights!"

At that moment, Pikachu buried himself in Rey's arms and cried it's eyes out, feeling disoriented and frightened by the experience.

"No question it was a Team Rocket agent," said Rey. "And this was to kill, not to kidnap."

"Better tell the Loo what's going on," sighed Lennie. "Who knows how many more of these clowns are about?"

But the main focus was calming Pikachu down as it was gently laid back down in bed, still shaking and scared, wanting us to be near him again. However, we were over in Europe and now it seemed like the sudden urge to put an end to this investigation just grew more and more with each passing minute.

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