//------------------------------//
// The Shadow Bolt Part 5 
// Story: The Anthology of Detective Pipe Glass 
// by The Stainmore Phoenix 
//------------------------------//

The next morning, Pipe smelled something cooking. He yawned and after stretching, he walked out to see a plate with toast, eggs, and hay bacon with a cup of coffee and a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. In the kitchen was Moorland.

“Morning,” she said.

“Morning,” he yawned.

She gestured to the table and he sat down.

“Go ahead and start,” she said.

Pipe sat and as soon as she was sat down, he dove in along with Moorland. When the two finished, they went their separate ways. Pipe returned to his office and began to look the evidence over again.

“So, I know what's missing,” he said aloud.

After gathering everything, he made a call.

“Is Moorland in, Desk Jockey?” he asked.

“She is. Why?” Desk Jockey asked.

“Tell her I have the case solved,” he said.

“You what?” Desk Jockey growled.

“I have the case solved,” he repeated.

“This better not be a fast one,” Desk growled.

“It isn't. Can you also have, at my office: Safecracker, Storm Break, the on duty security guards, yourself, Moorland, and four officers, by say, 11:45 am?” he asked.

“Right,” she said. “I'll relay the message.”

“Good,” Pipe said and hung up.

He drafted two letters-one to Cadence and one to Celestia. Once they were perfected, he sent them off “Urgent Delivery”. Once done, he sat back and waited.

“Talk about obvious,” Pipe chuckled as he prepared all the evidence.

11:45 am on the dot came and there was a knock. He opened the door and Cadence entered with two guards, followed by Celestia and her two guards, then in came the ones he requested, with Moorland bringing up the rear.

“So what's going on here?” Moorland asked before noticing the large gathering. “PIPE! YOU SAID THIS WASN'T A FAST ONE!”

“it isn't,” he said.

“Then why is Celestia here?” Desk asked.

“She has a vested interest now,” Pipe said.

Desk said no more and watched as Pipe turned to the Pegasus and Earth Pony sitting between Cadence and Celestia.

“You two are the best case bunglers I've seen,” he said.

“I don't know what you mean,” Safecracker said.

Pipe pulled out the envelopes and laid their content out.

“These were found in one corner of the room where the stolen goods were found,” Pipe said.

Moorland jumped up and ran over to examine the evidence as Pipe continued.

“You, Safecracker, have got to pick better friends. Storm Break was planning to sell you out,” Pipe said. “A piece of paper I found had plans to sell you out to the police after you helped him secure his place in the Wonderbolts.”

Celestia turned to Storm Break, who was sitting composed.

“That's a blatant lie and I'll have you on charges,” the Pegasus said.

Pipe chuckled and sat back. Five minutes later, Safecracker cracked from the anxiety and stress mounting in the room with the Princesses looking at him.

“Alright! I admit it! We pulled the job to frame Dash!” he blurted. “Storm Break had a vested interest as he's protective of his position!”

“Safecracker....” Storm Break said in a growl.

However, the dam was now broken and the truth rushed out.

“He bribed the security guards for the safe combinations, had plans to hire Wind Ryder and then frame Spitfire,” Safecracker spilled.

Moorland jumped into action and immediately ordered her officers to lead the two out. After the officers were out, Celestia and Cadence had their guards wait outside. Cadence looked at the detective.

“How'd you get the confession that quickly?” she asked.

“Knowing him, something underhoofed,” Moorland said.

“You know the “Plans” I said I had in my desk?” he quizzed.

“Yes,” Cadence said.

“You fabricated that, didn't you?” Moorland asked.

“Yes,” Pipe said. “They're like us, thick as thieves. However, with a name like “Safecracker”, he'd crack when told he'd be sold out.”

Moorland chuckled and left, followed by Celestia, leaving Cadence.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Your welcome,” Pipe said.

She smiled and after getting confirmation from him he'd send a bill, she left. He sat back and relaxed.

A few weeks later, he got a package from Cadence. Opening it, he saw it contained his payment and another wrapped package. He cracked the package to see that it was an entire collection of research books on Moorlings and Swamplings. Tucked at the bottom was a little note.

“Pipe,

As a thank you, along with this payment, accept these books on Moorlings. Hope this helps as you're friend and Police inspector is one such Moorling and it would help to have a full understanding of them.

Many grateful wishes,

Cadence.”

He wrote her a thank you and had it sent off. Once done, he sat back and cracked open the fist book and began to read up on Moorlings.

“Now this is a mystery I can solve without straining my mind with idiot criminals,” he said.