DARKSIDE of the FAE WORLD

Chapter 4 Shiny Things

(At The Bank)

Third party POV

My team and I arrived at Firestone Bank ready to put our plan into action. I can't believe I'm doing this again. I got out of the game 5 years ago after serving 7 years in jail for armed robbery, but I have no choice, my family needs the money to pay for a cancer treatment for my son. I can't lose my son Caleb I already lost my wife to Cancer I can't lose my son too. As I was reminding myself why I had to take up Sean’s offer to one of my old partners and go back to my old stomping grounds I was pulled out of my thoughts by one of robbers I did a job with before I went to jail.

"Aye dude you good?" He asked

"Yeah, I'm good"

"You not having second thoughts are you man?"

"I said I'm good now chill out and let's get this over with" I spat at him. He just rolled his eyes started putting on his mask. We began raiding the bank shooting our bullets at the ceiling to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone on the ground now!!" One robber said

"You where's your boss?" I asked

"He is not here" the bank teller answered

"Well, get someone that's in charge down here now or you won't make it home to your loved ones" I ordered

She picked up the phone and called the manager.

"I'm the manager" he said

My partner stepped in and demanded that he open the vault in the back. See we scouted the place ahead of time and found out that they had a pure fiery red ruby that's worth billions. He nodded his head yes which I was happy about because I'm not the type to kill anyone and my partner tends to get trigger happy when he his demands don't get met with satisfaction. He led us to the vault and unlocked it to where smack dabbed in the middle is the ruby. Once the manager put in the code to remove the laser security system that guards the ruby my partner shot the manager.

"What the f**k shoot him for? We agreed that no one gets hurt!!" I yelled after grabbing his shirt.

"Look you agreed to no one getting hurt but I didn't. His job is done, he was no use anymore. Now quick being a little b***h and grab the ruby so we can go" he spat

I just couldn't believe what just happened, but I couldn't worry about it right now because my goal was more important. So, I grabbed the ruby, and we gathered the guys and bounced before the cops got there.

(At the police station)

Kevin POV

I'm arriving at the station with coffee for the team since it was turn for once to buy coffee. Yeah, I've been slacking on my coffee duties. I walked towards my desk after handing out the coffee when I got a call from my cousin Cino Blackwood. He is the second son of the Royal Mafia in the Fae community also we are first cousins for my mom who is a werebear and his uncle got married but I took after my mom as a werebear with dragon tendencies. Meaning when I shift, I’m a werebear but I’m stronger and more possessive than your average werebear and I can control some fire but only in my claws. So, no I can’t double shift and no I don’t breathe fire. The family are ancient dragons from my Native American culture called Gaasyendietha aka meteor dragon. My family are distant cousins from them but me and Cino are close like brothers.

"Hey cuz what's up" I asked when I picked up the phone.

"Cuz, I need you at the Metro hospital now!"

"Are you ok Cino? What happened?"

"I'll tell you when you get here but just know it's not good"

I agreed to meet him at the Metro hospital before hanging up. I informed Venom that I had a family emergency and needed to go see my cousin. She just nodded her head and told me to hurry up and get there. That's why she is the best Lead Detective and friend. I would follow her to the end of the earth if that's what she needs me to do. I made it to Metro hospital where Cino waited for me in the waiting room pacing back and forth.

"Cino what's emergency?" I asked while panting

"Firestone Bank was robbed this morning and Ben my best friend and manager was shot"

"I'm sorry to hear that cuz but I'm only a homicide detective so unless someone is dead my hands are tied"

"Listen Kev I need your help they stole the Ancient dragon heart"

"Are you serious? Ok Cino I can investigate it but I'm going to need special permission from my captain to do so"

As we were going back and forth there was a code blue coming from Ben's room. We rushed over to see that Ben was crashing. Next thing we knew Ben was dead for the doctors couldn't pinpoint where he was bleeding from hence, they couldn't stop the bleeding. I looked at my cousin Cino and said, "this just became a homicide case now". I called it in to the team and they immediately rushed to the hospital to meet me.

"What we got Kevin?" Venom asked

"Well, the victim is Ben Sikes 27-year-old male. He was shot twice in the chest and one of those bullets hit a main artery which caused him to bleed out internally and the doctors couldn't pinpoint where he was bleeding from, and they couldn't stabilize him. He died about an hour ago." I explained

"Ok so, he clearly didn't get shot here at the hospital. Where did the shooting take place?" Venom asked with a slight sarcasm in her voice

"Well Ben was a manager at my bank Firestone Bank Detective, and it was just robbed this morning" Cino interjected

"And what's your name Sir?" Venom asked

"I'm Cino Blackwood"

"Oh, you’re the second son of the Royal Mafia head dragon Scar Blackwood, which is one of the most longest existing families in the Fae community"

"Well, I see that you're well informed of my family's legacy. Ms.?" Cino asked while giving a charming and flirtatious smile

"Venom, and I'm the Lead Detective it's my job to know" Venom stated before continuing "Anyways, let's go to the bank and check out the scene. TJ go retrieve the witness statements from the officers that arrived at the scene and any other statements that might have been missed, Peri, I need you to check the surveillance camera footage let's get a visual on what happened, and Kevin you're with me at the vault where Ben was shot. Cino once we know more, I'll have Kevin update you or if you know more don't hesitate to call." Everyone nodded yes.

"Kev come here" Cino pulled me aside before everyone started heading out.

"Yeah, what's up"

"Listen, you think you can try and solve this quickly because you know I have to inform my father and Ben's parents are not only family friends, but big contributors and he is not a patient nor mild temper man" he warned

"All I can do is follow where the evidence takes me and go from there, but I'll do my best" I said as he nodded

Once we reached the Firestone Bank, I followed Venom to the vault while everyone went off to perspective task. We walked in and all I could do was just stare at the pool of blood where Ben was shot and left for dead. I was taking pictures of the crime scene dusting for prints but so far there weren’t any prints to be found. However, there was a partial shoe was there where the blood pool is.

"So, who would be stupid or desperate enough to steal from the dragon clan. The most feared and territorial creatures of all time. Then if you only want money why steal something that would make them go to war for" Venom thought out loud

"Your guess is as good as mine for the dragon clan love their treasure and hates for when one of their own is targeted" I stated

"Unless the robbers didn’t know who they were stealing from, but let’s find out before assuming that’s the case”

I just nodded and finished gathering the evidence. As I’m looking for more evidence, I get lucky and find a partial print where the ruby was, it’s not much of a print so I hope it helps with this investigation.

We got back to the station when I saw Cino and oh s**t my uncle Eric Blackwood in the captain’s office. This day has just gotten more stressful now, I look towards Venom, and she just eyed me with a don’t worry I got your back. Once the captain was done speaking with Eric Blackwood and Cino they walked out and straight to my desk.

“Good morning, Kevin” my uncle greeted

“Good morning, uncle”

“How’s my brother and your mother doing?”

“They’re good they are in Rio right now celebrating their anniversary”

“Good, listen when Cino told me what happened I was enraged however, when he informed me that you were in charge of the case, I calmed down a little because I know you will get our family justice for this disrespect”

“Thank you, for the belief in my skills however, my Team Lead Detective Venom is in charge” while pointing to Venom

“While Ms. Venom Kevin already knows how important getting what belongs to us back, but I hope you know the severity of retrieving our family jewel.”

“Yes Mr. Blackwood my team and I are well aware, and I promise you we will catch the culprit” Venom reassured him

“Good to hear because if I find whoever did this, I won’t be doing it by the book” he warns after walking away.

“Sorry cuz and Detective Venom my dad can be really intense when he feels disrespected” Cino apologized

“Don’t worry I’m use to people like him and just call me Venom”

Cino nodded with a flirty smile on his face and ran to catch up with my uncle. I just shook my head because my cousin was flirting with my boss, and it was embarrassing. I mean yeah, they’re adults and all but still that’s my cousin and that’s my boss. Nothing against my cousin because he is a great guy and all but way better than his two brothers. However, I would like to keep my personal life and work life separate so that way if there’s a blow back of destruction I don’t want to be in the middle. I know I am being dramatic about it, but I’ll just blame it on my mom for that’s where I got it from.

“Ok, everyone we don’t have much time to solve the case because from that warning Mr. Blackwood just gave us, he is good at keeping his word. So, Peri what did you get from the security cameras?” Venom asked

“From what the cameras caught before they were knocked out there were four robbers two of them stead behind when I’m assuming the man that took the other two robbers away was the Manager our victim Ben. Over here on this camera is where they walked to the vault and the manager opened it but there was nothing in the vault but the ruby. Now in this camera which was in the vault this robber was grabbing the jewel and the other robber shot the manager which looks like for no reason. From what it looks like the robber that was grabbing the ruby wasn’t expecting that and there was internal disagreement and then they shot the cameras.” Peri explained

“So, you’re telling me that the robber that shot Ben went off script?” I asked

Peri nodded before saying “that’s what it looks like”

“TJ, what did the witness statements have to say about the incident” Venom asked

“From what was written down and asking the bank tellers and the customers that the robber just burst in and started shooting up at the ceiling demanding to get on the floor. Then the two robbers went up to the teller directly asking for someone in charge which matches what the cameras caught. The other robbers didn’t demand any money, so it looked like they were only after the ruby in the vault instead.” TJ explained

“That means they had a plan from the beginning, and it wasn’t half c**k or random” Venom pointed out.

“How do they know that the Ruby was at that particular bank for my uncle owns multiple banks and the ruby is not common knowledge” I thought out loud

“That means it was an inside job, which means the robbers had help scouting the place and knowing what’s in the vault and where the cameras were for all the available cameras were knocked out.” Venom stated “Find me that inside man or woman” she demanded we all nodded and went to work.

I went to go meet up with my cousin Cino Blackwood to give him an update on the investigation because of the warning his dad gave my team. After work I went to go meet up with my cousin Cino Blackwood at our favorite bar to give him an update on the investigation because of the warning his dad gave my team.

"Hey Kev, thanks for meeting me. I know your team is doing everything and I don't want to rush or put pressure on you, but I need some type of update to relay to my father"

"It's no problem I know how important it is. Well, so far from what we had gathered my boss Venom thinks it might have been an inside job"

"Are you f*****g kidding me? So, you're telling me that someone from our tribe betrayed us?"

"It looks that way, but we will confirm once find the connection. Until then watch your back and tell uncle to do the same"

"Ok, thank you cuz"

"No prob and don't worry you have the best detective on your side" As I was getting ready to leave Cino called me back to the table.

"Hey so what's the story on detective Venom?"

"Oh no cuz, boss is off limits"

"What? All I want to know is something about her because you talk about her in so much admiration"

"Sure, she is the best detective the force has in our department. If it weren’t for her attitude and willingness to bend/break the rules she would be the captain instead, but she hates politics and rubbing elbows with suits. Lol"

"Huh, sounds like my kind of woman."

"Yeah, I bet, but I would like to keep my personal life and work life separate please"

"Ok I'll step back but it happens it happens, and you can't get mad"

"Yeah sure, but it won't" I said with confidence before leaving the bar.

Third party POV

After making a run for it with the Ruby in hand I went home to lay low till I got the call to meet up and go over how we are going to sale this on the black market and then divvy up our cut. After showering I got a call saying to meet up at an abandoned warehouse. Once I arrived, I'm looking around to see no one here.

"Yo! Where y'all at?" I yelled

"Right here man stop yelling" Sean said the one that got me back into the game.

I nodded at him and then started looking around wondering where the other two are at. As I'm walking closer to Sean, I get this uneasy feeling. Good thing that I didn't bring the ruby with me because I feel like this is going to turn left.

"So where are the other two?"

"Don't worry about them because you are going to be joining them" as he reaches in his back pocket for his gun and points it straight at me.

"Whoa, what the f**k are you doing Sean?"

"Tying up loose ends" he stated before shooting at me

I ducked down to the ground just in time. Then I pulled out my gun and began shooting back. Taking cover behind an old steel beam Sean still shooting, yelling saying "It's nothing personal but that's a lot of money that I just can't share it's in our nature Chris when being a Raven"

"Then why bring in on the robbery if you weren't going to hold your end of the bargain?"

"Because robbing that type of bank wasn't going to be an easy foot and once, I get that ruby from you I will send an anonymous type that you have the ruby, and the dragon clan will come for your blood instead of mine"

"So was that bank manager you shot for no reason apart of the plan"

"Of course, he was my eyes and ears he was the one that gave me the run down on how to rob the bank swiftly"

"I'm guessing you killed him, so you won't have to give him his cut of the money, right?"

"You got it Chris; I have to say you're pretty smart but yes he was a loose end that needed to go just like you" he began shooting again

Fuck I should've just said no to his offer when he first approached me but now, I must figure out a way to get out of this situation and go find Kevin. What should I do think Chris thinks. While Sean was steadily firing bullets at me when one of the bullets hit me in my right shoulder. I hissed in pain, but I had to keep it together if I'm going to make it out of here alive. I looked around to see what could give me cover long enough to escape and go find Kevin. I looked up to see sprinklers above my head, so I aimed my gun towards the sprinklers and shot at it. Hitting my mark, the sprinklers came on and a whole chain reaction began. Throwing Sean off for a split moment, I ran as fast as I could and hopped in my car and drove off.

Kevin POV

I was laying down in my soft bed when I got a call from Peri.

"Yeah Peri"

"You need to get down to the station Kev, there's someone here that needs to speak with you" she stated

"Ok I'm coming now" I assured her before hanging up and getting dressed.

Once I walked into the station Peri gave me the rundown and mentioned that he would only talk to me. I nodded then walked into the interrogation room where he was waiting just to see it was my old friend Chris. Shock doesn't begin to describe how I feel right now. Chris was one of my good friends growing up, he is a Raven type Fae. Greedy little things with sticky fingers meaning they like to steal mainly shiny things or things with a payday type value. Chris was no different, he would still your draws if it meant getting paid. One time he stole a rosary off a nun just because it would shine when the sunlight hits it. But as years went by, we lost contact till about few years ago I heard he stopped all that stealing and got married had a kid I thought things were looking up for him until now when he looks like s**t, and he has a bullet wound in his right shoulder.

"So, I'm here Chris what's so important that you only want to tell me?" I asked while taking a seat across from him

"Listen, I need your help to hide me"

"Wait, What? Hide you? Why do you need to go into hiding?"

"Ok, I robbed the Firestone Bank with a few others and stole the Ancient dragon ruby"

"Are you f*****g serious Chris? You told me years ago that you were done with that s**t that you learned your lesson once you got out!" I stood up hovering over the table

"I know I know but it's not what you think"

"Then tell me what am I supposed to think"

"I didn't know I was stealing from the dragon clan and that doesn't excuse for what I did but I needed the money"

"What is so important that you were stupid enough to steal from the Royal dragon Mafia"

"My son has cancer, and I can't afford the treatments for him. I already lost my wife to Cancer I couldn't lose my son too"

I slumped back in my chair rubbing hands through my hair and down my face feeling frustration and anger flowing through me. Then I understood why he did it because if I had a kid and they were sick like his son I would've done everything I could do to make sure he got the best care possible. But right I need to figure out how I can protect him from not just my family but now his old partner in the robbery. After coming out of my thoughts Chris told me that a man name Sean that brought him into this was the one that killed Ben and Ben was the one that helped them make robbing the bank easy to do. Sean not only killed Ben he also killed the other two accomplices and now he's after Chris and from what Chris just said this Sean character is trying to tie up loose ends. Once I finished getting his statement, I went to the team to tell them what was confessed to me.

"Wow, ok well we need him to testify so he will have to be put in witness protection till we one catches the Sean person and two smooth things over with Mr. Blackwood. Afterwards we can try and convince the judge for a lighter sentence" Venom said while pacing back and forth as she normally does when forming a plan in a tricky situation.

"Do you think we should get the captain involved with handling Mr. Blackwood because once he is informed of this new development, he's going to want justice at the highest capacity and knowing you Venom you'll be ready to shift and snap his neck" Peri stated with a slight chuckle

Venom just rolled her eyes and pulled up the middle finger at Peri. I couldn't help but laugh at those two. But I agree with Peri by letting the captain deal with my uncle because when he gets riled up even, I can't talk him down and I'm his favorite nephew, but he will never let anyone know that. So, Venom and I went to the captain’s office and informed her of everything and what we needed from her.

"Don't worry about your uncle Detective I've dealt with people either just like him or much worse, so you and Venom go track down the suspect and I'll have detective Troy and Priyanka take Chris to a safe house to be guarded till this case is wrapped up" The Captain order

"Copy that" Venom and I said in unison before leaving the office.

I went back to the interrogation room and informed Chris of the plan and where he would be going. He was hesitant at first and could see that he was worried about Sean going after his son, so I made a few calls to have some people at the hospital to keep an eye out for his son. Once he Informed him, I put extra security on his son he let out a breath of relief and I handed him to TJ and Peri to take him to the safe house while Venom and I loaded up on two sets of guns and throwing knives just in case and headed out to find this fucker. The first place we went to was Chris's house to secure the ancient dragon ruby. We saw that the door was forced open. We drew our guns slowly open the door fully scanning our surroundings. Venom signaled me with her hands to go left and that she would go right. I nodded and went to the left side of the house. I'm checking behind corners, under beds, inside closets, etc. but nothing.

"All clear" I yelled

"Yeah, same here" Venom said before continuing "if Sean was here, we just missed him"

"f**k! And the way he tore this place apart he was looking for the Ruby"

"You know Chris, right?"

"I knew him but that was so long ago he is different now"

"Doesn't matter you knew how he would hide things that he doesn't want people to find back when he was stealing like crazy right?" I nodded to her before letting her continue "Then try to remember his way of keeping things hidden"

I closed my eyes to remember how he made sure no one finds what he hides. Then it came to me, I went into his son's room pulled back the big dresser and saw a secret compartment behind the dresser. Once I opened it the Ruby was right there wrapped up in some black cloth-like material. After grabbing the ruby Venom and I headed to the car when a round of bullets came flying at us at a serious speed. We ducked done behind the car pulling out our guns and started firing back.

"f**k, how this bastard know we were going to be here" I asked while crouched down firing every other shot

"He must have been waiting for Chris to come back to grab the ruby instead of us since apparently he couldn't find it himself" venom answered while also shooting and dodging every other shot.

"Hey Boss cover me I'm going to go around and catch him from the other side"

She nodded and began shooting like a damn maniac. I'm glad we are on the same team because I know that Venom would put me six feet under if I was her enemy. I hurried and was making my way to the other side of the street to trap him in. I was hiding behind every other object so he wouldn't see me. I got behind a big oak tree that was directly behind him. I signaled Venom to let her know I was in position. Once he started to reload his gun I jumped from behind and tackled him to the ground rolling and tussling till we both separated. He throws a punch at me which I easily dodged and gave him a swift kick to the ankles knocking him flat on his back. He got up quickly and tried to charge at me. I stepped to the side and held out my arm clothes lining him which flipped him in midair landing on his stomach. I got on top of him and put the cuffs on him and yanked him to his feet.

"Sean you are under arrest for robbing Firestone Bank, the murder of the bank manager Ben, and the attempt murder on Chris and two police officers" I said with a slight grin and hauled his ass to the station.

Once we got back, I handed Sean to a fellow officer to put him in a cell. I saw my uncle Scar and cousin Cino talking to the captain. At the same time TJ and Peri brought Chris back from the safe house and I pointed to the interrogation room to wait for me there. After they escorted him there my uncle and cousin came out of the captain’s office.

"Thank you, Kevin, for finding the thieves and retrieving the ruby. I should've never doubted you and your team" he gave me a hug and bowed his head to the others and shook hands with Venom as a sign of respect for she is the leader.

"Cuz thanks" Cino said

"No prob, we're family"

"Hey, are you sure I can't make my move of Venom" he leaned down whispering in my ear. I just shook my head and pushed him away

"I hope to run into you again Detective Venom" Cino said with a cheeky grin while shaking her hand

"Well, the only way that would happen is if you're dead" Venom said with confidence and sarcasm. I couldn't help but laugh and wave him goodbye.

After everyone left and informed Chris that we got Sean and that we would need him to testify against and the judge would only have him serve two years house arrest and the only time he can leave the house is for appointments, to get food/supplies, work, and that's it. The judge decided this because he helped us catch the real culprit and my family wasn't going to press charges on him, just Sean. He cried his eyes and then cried more when I told him my uncle is willing to give him a loan to pay for his son's treatment and that he starts paying them back once his two-year house arrest is up. That should give him time to put some type of money aside so he can have a head start. Chris just kept hugging me even tighter and cried even harder. I was happy it all worked out for the best now I'm ready to go home and sleep. I did my report, gave it to the captain and left for my meeting in my bed.