Chapter 7
"How did you find out?" She mumbled into her pillow sleepily. Don watched her closely, the dog pleased that she noticed that. He raised a finger up as if he was proud of his investigation skills "I caught wind of a taxi being seen from New York, it's not often but Backfish ain't one overlooking the nicer taxis like that. I immediately knew it was you".
She cracked an eye open, from that alone word spread around like that? "How.. alarming" she mumbled. Her gaze dropped to the bed. The thought that their toons keeping an eye on her merely for showing up in this town wasn't good news.
"You need to keep yourself safe, why would you come this way anyways?" Don crossed his arms confused, clearly interested in her reasoning. What lead could possibly be here that lead to Andrew's death? The dog sighed.
"I don't.. think it was Mr. Drew. Sure he is a star but I don't think the rich guy is capable of killing anyone, especially someone innocent" Don finished, Yona sitting up and brushing her fingers through her long hair. "That's where you're wrong, Don." She said.
The pooch narrowed her eyes with uncertainty "What do you mean Detective?".
"I mean that the deceased Andrew, played his hand in some dirty business and got the wrong end of the stick." Don took in her words, it made more sense but why did she have to come here herself? It wasn't safe, especially for a woman. Regardless if you're a demon or not.
"Did his sister tell you that?" He inquired, curiosity always being a terrible trait of his. He was the help after all, this wasn't his case. In a bustling city like this one, there's no reason for him to even bother checking on her.
The demon's tail smacked the bed "She was grieving but expressed she didn't get along with her brother, strange but she did expose that he did come around to a casino of sorts. Some place in Backfish".
The dog frowned, glancing away whilst trying to puzzle the clues together but not better than the Detective. Her years of experience with these types of cases outweighed his own, but his experience with everyday life helps her in some cases. Like the little facts about this Mr. Drew.
Yona stood from the bed and grabbed a brush, working on her now long tangled hair. The dog turned his gaze away to his hands that now remain folded in his lap.
"I strongly believe this Mr. Drew fellow is the same as the one you told me about, I was to speak with him- he is somehow involved and a suspect" her mint gaze narrowed, lips pressed into a tightly line.
It couldn't be a coincidence his name would pop up at every given chance, a bank account previously receiving large sums of money from Andrew. Bank statements with missing information- which by law is illegal. More or less the information was misinformed.
Vicky's startled and forceful reaction wasn't one could overlook as well, she seemed so easy to ask questions about. No arguing or displeasure- just a sad woman who lost her brother.
Clearly she's had some kind of interaction with this Drew fellow.
"Well um.. I remember hearing he owns a bunch of restaurants around. I could get some more information from Cookie down at the parlor".
Yona turned to him, surprised that he had a good idea "Yes, that's.. really helpful. Thanks". Don gave her a smile and stood from the seat, making his way to leave "I've been invasive too long, I'll get back to you around 4 sharp! Find a phone by then Detective".
With that she was left alone in her cozy room, turning back once more to see her reflection in the mirror. Meeting back at her were mean glare, mint glassy eyes and huge black horns on both ends. A threatening, yet lady-like appearance suited her. At least she thought so.
With Don leaving to get Cookie to get more information, Yona thinks she'll go around town and ask herself too. Locals and such must know the itty bity parts of the hidden secrets this nasty city likes to keep hidden.
It was good that Cookie worked back as a dancer at many places, the ice cream parlor was just something she picked up as a hobby. To see the nicer side of society. A small smirked peeked at the edge of her lips, nostalgia wanting her to remember how she and Cookie met.
Shaking her head slowly, Yona quickly jumped to get ready. Packing her things safely together and leaving the apartment. She ensured the locks were strong and nobody who does somehow break into there will find her belongings to steal anything.
With one more secured tap to ensure her hat wasn't going to fall off she leaned closer to the street to look for a taxi or any kind of pedestrian too. Mostly old folk and toons walking their pets around were all too calm for a city like Toon Town.
Even with the warmth of summer kicking everyone's butts, Yona found the weather exceptionally nice for today's work. Her heels tapped loudly on the cement, her gaze shifting to different things and buildings.
During her walk, a waft of food blew through the air. Turning her head towards the location of the smell. "A dinner, that's a good place to start" she says aloud, unintentionally.
She headed to the place, the bell dinging on her entry causing eyes to immediately look her way.
Weird.
She glanced around until she found a clean table, a lady coming over with a notepad in hand. A pink uniform to go with the dinner's aesthetic.
"Good morning, what can I get for you Officer?" She started with a bright smile. Yona stopped herself from correcting her and lifted the menu, the service barely giving her time to even see what she wanted to eat.
"Surprise me, I haven't been here before" she finally spoke, her voice quiet enough to keep others wanting to lean closer. The lady smirked and wrote something down, it was going to be a mystery. She turned on her heel and headed to the cooks.
The dinner smelled good, fresh food, pancake aromas, it wasn't heavy but quite cozy and comfortable. It was different from most Dinners in New York. She would often have to wait at least thirty minutes for any kind of service.
Her tail scooted closer to her, feeling someone from the booth behind shift around loudly. Whipping around defensibly when an elbow touched her neck, a glare present.
"Woah relax Officer, just saying hi" the toon chuckled, his condescending smirk made her uncomfortable. Her chin is raising "It's Detective Ballimore, to you". The toon smirked more, raising his hands like he was about to surrender "My apologies, Detective!".
She turned around to ignore the man, clearly waiting for her food to arrive. Despite her dislike for the toon he continued to push his luck and hopped into her booth seat across from her.
"What-" she paused when he showed his ID. He too, was a police Officer. She sighs annoyed, turning away "Sorry for that, I guess I'm not as popular with all the ladies".
"I'm surprised you are at all" she mocked coldly, his hand holding his chest like he had been shot. "Ouch, that one really hurt!"
"Get out of my booth" she sternly demanded but the man frowned, putting away his badge "Look, I want to help. Clearly you're from some fancy spancy Agency, but in a place like this- people like us aren't welcomed".
She narrowed her gaze, arms folding across her chest "As I'm aware, you aren't even wearing a uniform". He smirked and winked "That's the idea!"
She glowered at the sight of him, perhaps it was her hunger making her more displeased with his presence. She wasn't in much mood to talk right now.
"I'm busy, could you go someplace else?" She asked, as calmly as she possibly could. The officer huffed, deciding on his next course of action. "Fine but I do have some valued information on a buddy of mine, by the name of Drew".
He stood from the booth, adjusting his jacket "But I can tell where I'm not wanted!". Yona clicked her tongue displeased, this sucker knew exactly what he was doing this whole time! She stopped him from walking with an outstretched arm.
"Alright.. I'll hear you out" she says in defeat, quietly, not wanting it to be much of a big deal. The toon gave her a teasing uninterested look "Doesn't sound like I get anything out of this?"
Yona scoffed, in disbelief that a fool of an Officer like him, is somehow an officer. Then again the agencies would hire anyone these days. "We're the law don't be ridiculous".
Somehow and in some way Yona lost that argument and is now seated across the man again, but this time was buying his breakfast. She sighed deeply as she handed the waitress a few dollar bills "Thanks l" she grumbled. The toon was pleased and happy to stuff his face with pancakes and sausages.
"Anyways... Like I was saying, There's this special hidden pub I've been hearing about. I've been investigating it for weeks! Luckily I've been able to find ways to get into it through an invitation" he finished, the rugged older man scratched his bald head.
"I don't follow, an invitation? It wasn't like the police weren't aware of the parties. Why is this one hidden?" She inquired, poking at her plate intently listening. He hummed in thought, cheeks stuffed with food "This one's a speakeasy, many gals will try and take up any rich man just to get in!"
As they pushed their conversation on a bit longer, they began to lower their voices when a man gave them a look of suspicion. Making the two workers uneasy, they lowered their always hushed topic into leaned closer proximity across the table.
Her gaze narrowed "I suspect there are certain individuals that wouldn't be seen walking down a street?". The man smirked and twiddled with his metal fork from side to side "More or less. More's ...like yous see on the news, Broadway, anywhere that the tele can fix you with".
"I can find Mr. Drew there?" She finally mentioned.
He hummed after putting their finished plates aside, a bit easier for the waitress who will have to come and collect them soon.
"That and much more. Which brings me back to my other concern.." his hand reached his chin, stroking that pointed angle as if hair remained there but it was quite bald and bare of any facial hair. Yona chewed on her bottom lip, finding it hard that all this information was casually handed to her just because this officer worked around here.
Couldn't the agency have mentioned this beforehand? Especially if her own case aligned with this man's own suspicions. Her hands clenched under the table, there was always something unclear.
"It isn't the same like New York, even if it's an hour away it's not the best idea to flash around your shiny badge in these parts" he finally explained, she sighed. This again, it was like they were making it seem like she had to disguise herself to get around these parts. She isn't far too unfamiliar with Backfish so why must everyone act like that?
This is annoying, it's like he wants to keep pulling my leg. Does he want me to double-decker him?!
She was firm, wanting him to see her point and end this topic before it wasn't all friendly. She was a detective, seeing things can make one harden or go crazy "I see your concern but I'd advise worrying about yourself above all else. I'll go around in my own fashion, I have no shame for my uniform".
With a frown and a long sigh, his hand ruffled around in his jacket before pulling off some crumpled papers. Leaving them closer towards the Detective who stared warily at the items which had no form of care put into them.
"Nice" she says sarcastically, making the man blush and an awkward smile "Eh, sorry.."
"It is probably more helpful than I am with words, it's everything I've gathered about the speakeasies annnnnd not to stress but these aren't the originals" he spoke with a sly smirk, trying to show off his own skills but the Yona remained unaffected.
"Right, good to know there's backups if something happens. May I?" She reached for the papers to investigate and without a second thought he nodded- fully trusting this detective to help this blood ridden town. Despite that smile he wore, he felt incredibly nauseous. About this town, himself and especially what might happen to this woman who seems adamant to help this town.
She belonged to the big city.
But she was a demon, did it really matter then?