A Gift From A Friend

It had been a long night. One of those that made Zagreus question his decisions. He had more of these since Aletheia had retired as a private detective. Hell Or High Water Investigation Services was a one bun operation now, and it was exhausting. He would not trade it for the world.

He had been hired to search for a missing bun, but all he was getting was dried leads. He was not surprised, not with how the police had been coming up empty with the recent string of disappearances, and the murders. Remembering the murders, he patted his belt, verifying his trusty knife was where it belonged. He had thought about getting a polearm, but he knew to be good enough for protection, he would have to spend more time training, which would only be detrimental to his business. Maybe when the disappearances and murders were solved, he could spare time.

The blond stifled a yawn as he walked. He needed to get some sleep, but it was too early to think about bed, at least for him. The street lights buzzed as he walked. He thought of his contacts. They were not cheap, normally, but they were more willing to talk to him than most cops.

He could try Hector, the spymaster normally had good information. The more Zagreus thought, the more convinced he was to ask Hector about this case. The investigator sighed and turned around. He had to find the spymaster’s hideout, and the only place to learn the current location was in the back alleys.

He felt wholly underprepared. Usually when he came to these areas, he had his bat, but tonight he would have to rely on his hand-to-hand combat skills. Entering the back alley was a bit different as he recognized no bun. This would make his job harder. He walked to a group and started talking to them, trying to discreetly see if they even knew Hector.

He fell silent when he sensed someone behind him. He looked back in time to see a hand beginning to reach for his coat pocket. He grabbed the bun’s wrist and twisted it behind their back. This caused almost everyone in the alley to stop and look, curious of the scene before them.

The next sounds were footsteps before a voice spoke. “Now, now, we do not target Zagreus. He is a friend.”

The sloth let go of the bun as he turned to see the speaker. “Well, just the pride I’m looking for. Think we can speak in private?”

“Of course. I do apologize for the rough treatment, the new members have not had a chance to learn the faces of our friends. They were terrified of Aletheia, though.” He leads the way to a private room, closing the door after Zagreus is in.

“Hector, Aletheia makes her life by scaring buns.”

“I know, Zagreus. She is good at what she does. Now, what is it you need to discuss?”

“Have you heard anything about the missing buns?”

“Oh, that. I would actually tell the police if I heard anything about that. Buns going missing in this quantity is bad for all of us. It is why I have the new recruits hanging around current headquarters instead of training. It is safer for everyone, even if they’re not being properly trained.”

Zagreus sighed. “That’s what I figured, Hector. I was truly hoping to be able to solve this case I have, but it leads to nowhere.”

“If I hear anything, I will let you know. It is the least I can do.”

“Thank you. You know where to find me if you need anything,” Zagreus said. Hector was one of his more frequent customers, and the one littermate he regularly talked to. He would not let Hector’s profession come between them.

“When you see Aletheia next, tell her to bring her spooks with her. My recruits need to learn how not to jump.”

“Are you calling her employees spooks?”

“Have you met them? I am honestly surprised they’re not all scare actors,” Hector laughed.

“That… is fair,” the investigator sighed, realizing he could not argue with that.

“Before you leave, what do you have for defense?”

“My knife.”

Hector looked at Zagreus like that was the dumbest thing he had heard. The spymaster sighed. “You know how to handle a sword and you are not carrying one during this time?”

“Sometimes investigations call for a light, discrete touch, which means unnoticed weapons.”

Hector shook his head. He grabbed a cane and handed it to the sloth. “There is a release button towards the top, so you can draw a sword. It is a gift, and you will not return it.”

“Fine, since I can tell you will not let me argue,” Zagreus said as he took the cane.

The two buns said their farewells and Zagreus started the long walk back to his office. The cane was a welcome companion of sorts, providing him a bit more protection than he originally had.