//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: "Eye For An Eye." // Story: Morning Meir Mysteries: Case 2: A Fright On Nightmare Night // by XombieSlayr //------------------------------// Chapter 10: "Eye For An Eye." "One who does wrong to others, can never be right." - The Goddess Nawlans Police Station (5:00 pm) Karosta read the document, as I, Goldbloom, Gold Digger and Pensipony all sat near the far wall, anticipating the moment when Karosta would go off. But after she had read through it, she merely set it down on her makeshift desk and sighed. She reached over and took a sip of her coffee, then set the mug back down. Then without warning, Karosta yelled out as she kicked her makeshift desk so hard, that it smashed into the far wall to join her actual desk as a wall decoration. Afterwards she stood there, huffing and puffing as her eyes flared. Our eyes moved from the desk to Karosta. "Better?" I asked. "Better." Karosta confirmed. Karosta went over and got another filing cabinet to use as a desk, then set her coffee on it as she took a seat. "Okay...so, to recap: The stallion that has run this city for the better half of 25 years, the guy who signs my Celestia-damned paychecks, the one whose supposed to stand for this city's safety, has been in the pocket of the worst threat Nawlans has ever seen, for basically his entire political career....is that right?" Pensipony nodded, apparently unphased by anything that had happened. "That about sums it up, yes." "Perfect. Thank you." As Karosta sat down rubbing her temples, I decided to give our options. "The mayor of this city is working with the cartel. We need to confront him. He'll know more about them then anyone." I explained. Goldbloom nodded. "I agree. But as corrupt as he is, he's still the mayor. It won't be easy getting an interview with him, let alone- "Done!" We all turned to see Gold Digger come back into the room (When did she leave?) and take a seat on the couch. For a minute, we just looked at her. Then I asked. "Um...what's done?" "You're interview with the mayor, of course! It's been arranged. You're meeting him in his office in an hour." Gold Digger said cheerfully. I looked at her in awe. "How did you arrange something like that, in less then a few seconds?" I asked, genuinely curious of how this was possible, even with her level of wealth. "Gold Group is one of Nawlans highest level benefactors, so naturally it only takes a second for me to reach any of their major political figures. Including the mayor's office. Arranging the interview was just a matter of using the right words." Gold Digger explained. "Oh. Well...thanks, Miss Digger." Karosta said, sounding as though she was still confused, but thankful anyway. Gold Digger smiled warmly in return. Pensipony even gave the very slightest of smiles at the situation. "That's all well and good, but there's still the matter of confronting the man. Once were in his office, we'll be on his grounds now. If we ask for or say the wrong thing, he could have us arrested." "But we have evidence!" Goldbloom exclaimed. "No, we have a document that shows our Mayor knows something about voodoo, and that's it. We may know what it means, but to everypony else he's just another fan of Nawlans oldest trend." Pensipony explained, crossing her legs and arms as she leaned back in her chair, collecting her thought process. I nodded in agreement. "She's right. Without solid proof, all we'll be doing is making insane claims on the most powerful figure in the city. We need to catch him in the act. Get him to say something he shouldn't have." Gold Digger gave a short chuckle. "We'll then it's settled: You and Pensipony will get him to talk!" Me and Pensipony exchanged surprised looks. "Why just us?" I asked Gold Digger. "Because you're both the brains, here! Working together, you can really mess with his head, make him talk without him even knowing!" Goldbloom called out. "And then we get him to tell us everything he knows. Simple." she finished with a smile. It was very clear that me and Dr. Pensipony were both gifted orators. And it wouldn't be too much of a challenge to get one stallion to slip up. Especially if he didn't know what we knew about him. "Alright, I'll give it a shot." I agreed. The room turned to look at Pensipony who still held onto the same uninterested yet intelligent look she almost always wore. She closed her eyes and gave a short sigh. "Very well. Let's see what we can do then." she agreed, as her scowl once again, very nearly turned into a smile. City Hall (Mayor's Lobby, 6:00pm) We had spent the remaining hour, coming up with a plan of action in case we had to leave in a hurry. As the police chief, Karosta could hang out outside City Hall, and keep an eye out for us. If we had to leave quickly (For whatever reason) she could load us into the back of her police carriage and we'd be gone in an instant. I just hoped we wouldn't have to worry about that. Me and Dr. Pensipony sat beside one another in the lobby outside the mayor's office, while Goldbloom had gone to the bathroom (By which of course she had gone to the main lobby to keep an eye out for us on the inside. She had wished us luck before leaving, which I had appreciated.) Apparently Gold Digger had told the mayor's aide that me and Dr. Pensipony were working together on a project that would greatly improve the standards of Nawlans medical community, that would need government funding. Naturally the mayor was more then happy to hear us out. (Even though no such project existed....well, not in Nawlans anyway, but I would work on that later.) The mayor's secretary was a short and smart looking mare with her red mane in a bun and horn-rimmed glasses. She smiled at us as she spoke in a perky voice. "The mayor will see you ladies now! Good Luck!" she said cheerfully. "We'll need it." I thought to myself as we thanked her then allowed ourselves through the double doors into the mayor's office. Fairmont's Office (6:02 pm) "Ah! Welcome ladies! Truly an honor to meet such beautiful and intelligent ponies as yourselves! Truly an honor!" Fairmont said joyously, hooves outstretched in front of him in warm greetings. He was a tall, mint green earth pony stallion, with a well groomed slicked back black mane, sharp looking spectacles, and an intelligent steely face with stubble. He wore a black business suit and green tie with great posture and athletic build. His cutie mark (appropriately) was that of a snake. I compared him to a cheating game show host or a sleazy used carriage salesman. We put on as cheerful a fake smile as we could muster. "Thank you for seeing us, Mayor Fairmont. We won't take up too much of your time." I said politely. Fairmont smiled in response, and led us over to his desk were we seated ourselves in the two fold out chairs in front, and him behind his desk in his throne-like leather chair. We might as well have sat on the floor. (At least it would be carpeted) But we ignored the uncomfortable state of our chairs, as Pensipony began our "Interview", setting things up for me to jump in with questioning in between. "Mayor Fairmont, as you know the safety and health of our city's citizens is both our highest priority." "Of course!" Fairmont exclaimed, lying clean through his white teeth. I could read him like a book. He didn't give two bits about this city's citizens. But I said nothing as Pensipony continued. "With all the, shall we say 'incidents' as of late, Nawlans is facing a major crisis. Ponies are scared, and rightfully so, with all this talk of these so called 'voodoo murders' popping up in the paper." Pensipony said, doing a great job of sounding like a trustworthy reporter. I saw a flash go off behind Fairmont's blue eyes. A brief streak of worry, that he covered up with another smile, and a 'don't worry' sort of voice. "Oh, now, all that voodoo talk is just the papers trying to give everypony a good scare for Nightmare Night. It's only a few days away, after all!" Fairmont lied. Pensipony caught this and retorted with lighting speed and unparalleled professionalism. "I see, so you don't believe in voodoo at all?" Pensipony said, burrowing her razor tipped eyes clean through Fairmont. Fairmont gave a slight pull at his tie, but kept up his charade. "Oh dear Celestia, no! I would never disrespect the traditions and cultural background of this beautiful city, but I don't believe in any of that voodoo nonsense." He said with a laugh. "Then how do you know about Hounfours?" Fairmont turned in his seat to look at me. Apparently he didn't think I would be saying anything here. He was very wrong. "I...I beg your pardon?" Fairmont asked. I didn't smile as I explained. "On a mayoral statement to the city, that you issued just today, you said that there were no 'secret voodoo Hounfours in the city.' So if you don't know anything about voodoo....how did you know what Hounfours were?" I saw it in his eyes. He knew who I was. What I was here for...What I knew about him. He couldn't possibly fool this pony, he thought. Morning Meir was too smart for him. But this Pensipony gal, was clearly here for other reasons! As long as he kept her talking, he wouldn't have to deal with me, and he'd get out of this one, Scott free. He just smiled as always. "Oh, I just knew from a book I read once. But this whole voodoo scare is nonsense I assure you!" he lied, yet again. At this, Pensipony spoke up. "Ah, so the voodoo is fake, then?" she asked in a fake surprised tone. Fairmont nodded. "Of course! Just a clever prank by our friends at Nawlans Times!" I saw Pensipony narrow her eyes slightly. "Interesting claim, Mayor Fairmont." "I'm sorry?" "Because I have a doctorate in Zebrican Religious cultures, as well as having mastered and studied the practices of voodoo for the better half of my adult life. I am, without exaggeration, Nawlans foremost and most respected authority on voodoo culture." "Oh? Congratulations! I've held quite a few doctorates in my time as well!" Fairmont said, trying in earnest to change the subject. But Pensipony was done playing games. She ignored him as she continued. "Mayor Fairmont...I have taken time from my busy schedule to study the as you say "fake-voodoo' in these murder cases, myself. Curiosity, I suppose. And do you know what I've found?" "Um...I'm not sure what this has to do with- "I've found that not only is the voodoo in these murders real, but to call it in any way fake, would be like saying the Mona Lisa is a simple scribble on the Louve's wall." Pensipony never took her eyes of Fairmont, as her tone grew more and more serious. "In other words: A complete and total lie." I spoke up, as we stared down Fairmont. "You know about voodoo, because you've been working with the cartel for decades. You've let them have there way with this city the entire time you've been in office., and until now, nopony has stood up to you. But that's changed now." Fairmont's smile slowly faded from his face, as he and Pensipony locked eyes. "So," Pensipony began, as she tipped her glasses back on the bridge of her muzzle, "Why would the honest and trusting mayor of our city, lie about knowing anything about voodoo? Or perhaps you know more about these murders then you let on." Pensipony sat back in her chair as her eyes never wavered in their ability to pierce through Fairmont like two knives. I heard a chuckle from Fairmont. "Now....I think you two should listen up for a second: You're playing a dangerous game here. One you have no chance of winning." he said menacingly. The smile never left his face. But Pensipony and me only smiled back. "We like dangerous games, mayor Fairmont." I said just as menacingly. Fairmont leaned back in his chair and looked at us, as he rested his hooves behind his head. A smug smile still on his face. "Fine. Ask your questions. But it won't matter what I tell you...nopony will ever believe you." he said smugly. So that was his game. The facade was gone. He wasn't pretending to not know anything because he actually thought that him being with the cartel made him invincible. Why would it matter what he said, if no one would believe us anyway? He could do whatever he wanted in this city, and nopony could stop him. But we were going to change that. I chuckled to myself as I got up out of that awful chair. "You really think you're untouchable don't you?" Fairmont laughed. "Well, I AM the mayor, little lady! I can do whatever I please, and no one can do anything about it. Not even you, The Smartest Pony In The World. Not so smart now, huh?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "We'll see about that." Questioning (Mayor Fairmont, Corrupt Mayor of Nawlans, Working with The Cartel) "Alright, lets get right to the point here: You're going to tell us EVERYTHING you know about the cartel. If you lie, we'll know. And we won't be so nice anymore." Pensipony threatened, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh, of course. Won't matter what you find out anyway." Fairmont said smugly. I ignored my urge to slug him in the muzzle, and asked my first question. "Who are the cartel? What are they planning?" "Ponies with power. REAL power. They made my career, and unmade all my opponent's in every election. They run this city, while all I have to do is look the part. Easiest job there is." "So, you're willing to let innocent ponies get killed, just because you would rather be the cartel's lap dog, then an actual mayor?" Pensipony asked, with anger in her voice. "I'm my own man, Amalia. As long as I'm left alone, I can still run the city." "Sure. Right into the damn ground." she spat at him. He shrugged. "At least it's running." I stopped Pensipony before she could make a grab for Fairmont. "Easy. He'll get his soon enough." I whispered to her. She said nothing as she backed off. I asked my next question: "Where can we find them?" "You don't. THEY find you. But if you're so eager to get killed, then try the graveyard. They have agents there day and night. Maybe they have a temple or something there." The graveyard? The most notable graveyard in Nawlans was St. John's cemetery in the French Quarter. There had always been rumors of voodoo rituals happening there at night, but was that really were we could find the cartel? It was a start if anything. A strange smile suddenly crossed Fairmont's face. His eyes glared at us as he reached for a drawer in his desk. "Now then..." He withdrew a notepad and an ink quill. As well as a small knife. "I have so enjoyed our chat, but....I'm afraid this is where you lovely ladies make your exit." Pensipony raised an eyebrow. "So you learned some of their tricks? Impressive." Fairmont smiled "Just another perk of working with them! All I have to do is write your names, a drop of blood, and you two end up convulsing on the floor! Very convenient. Very easy. Not so easy to go through." Neither me nor Pensipony batted an eye. "You're more then welcome to try." I said politely and with a smile. Fairmont nodded. "Polite as ever, even in the face of mortal danger. I really do admire you Miss Meir. It's a shame you got involved." He scribbled my name down on the notepad with the quill. His eyes went over to Pensipony. "Not you though. You were always a bitch." Pensipony only smiled. "Thank you. I try." Fairmont shook his head as he wrote down Pensipony's name under mine. Then he pricked his hoof with the knife and allowed a drop of blood to fall onto the paper. "I'll be sure to call the ambulance. Not that it'll save you, but It'll save me face. So that's a plus!" Fairmont laughed. He finished the spell by whispering a short incantation I couldn't hear. Then he sat down and waited. He just sat there smiling at us. And we smiled at him. Then as the minutes went by, his smile wavered. His eyes started darting back and forth between us, looking for some sign that his spell was working. But we just stood there, still smiling. Rightfully smugly, I might add. Finally I saw fear overtake him as his eyes suddenly looked panicked. "I...I-I don't understand-did I do it wrong?" he asked himself. He opened another drawer and pulled out a tattered looking leather bound book and started flipping through its pages in a hurry, trying to find the proper spell. "You're wasting your time, Fairmont. Cast all the hexes you want, but none of them will work." Pensipony elaborated. "What??" Fairmont said, utterly bewildered. Pensipony revealed the Loa Legba on her chest, as I simply stood there, knowing full well that this particular voodoo trick wouldn't work on me: Because I have more then ten letters in my name. This particular hex was known as The Nòt lanmò Death Curse. (After teaming up with Pensipony she had shared some of her voodoo expertise with me, including the curse that the cartel used to kill ponies from miles away, just by writing their name. I had also read of this curse on the train ride to Nawlans. The curse caused the heart to basically pump blood at an out of control pace, before a sudden stop in flow, causing the victim to go into sudden cardiac arrest, in which their heart can no longer pump effectively. Death is supposed to follow shortly after, as the curse prevents the heart from being able to restart contraction, no matter what medical technique is applied. The only thing you can do is stop the heart entirely, which is how I saved Crash. A powerful and very effective curse to be sure, but it had it's limits. The curse couldn't work on anyone with more then 10 letters in their name. This was supposedly because the Loa behind the curse, Bogun Legba, could not read more then 10 letters on a piece of paper. Any more then 10 letters, and the curse can never effect you. My name has 11 letters. (Voodoo is very rule-based isn't it?) Fairmont let the book fall from his hooves as he just looked at us, fear was his only expression. A nervous smile crossed his face, as he tried desperately to plead for himself. "Ladies, I-I think we may have gotten off on the wrong hoof. Let's just talk this- "Were done talking." Pensipony said menacingly."But you, are going to start listening." Fairmont looked at both of us, his smile gone, his eyes wide. ".....Okay. I'm listening." He said in a dull defeated tone. Which was appropriate. I'm not an...how should I say this, aggressive, sort of pony. I can't ever really be mean, or unpleasant to somepony. It's just not how I was made. I can pretend, and I can defend myself when I need to. But I'll always be nice, in most situations. You'd have to be pretty bad to get me not to be. Pensipony on the other hoof, was made differently then I was. She did not care about being nice, or being pleasant. Right now, what she cared about was the fact that her city, her home, the place where she grew up in, was being threatened and that the mayor of said city had been sitting by and letting it happen for decades. I was very glad to not be that mayor right now. Pensipony's eyes drilled deep into Fairmont with white hot intensity, as she spoke very clearly, and very seriously. "I'm going to tell you to do three things. And you are going to do them. Do you understand?" "Y-Yes." Fairmont said in a defeated, scared tone. Pensipony gave another almost smile. "Good." "First: Get out of that chair." Fairmont gave her a look, like he had misheard her. "I...what?" Pensipony leaned forward over the desk at Fairmont, as she put both hooves down at the corners, and glared down at him menacingly. "Get out of that chair." She repeated. "That chair is for the mayor of this city." Pensipony narrowed her eyes at Fairmont, making him shrink in his chair like a student being scolded at school. "And you are NOT a mayor. Of this, or any city. Get. Out. Now." Fairmont leapt from his chair and moved so that he was standing to the side of the desk. Sweat beaded on his forehead, as he was shaking all over. Pensipony went behind the desk and pushed the chair in gently, as she looked down at it fondly. I gave a little jump in my seat as her eyes darted from looking down at the chair, to directly at Fairmont again in a split second. He himself jumped much more then I did. "Second" Pensipony stated, as she came back from behind the desk. "You are going to make a speech to the whole city announcing you are stepping down as mayor of Nawlans. Effective immediately." Fairmont's eyes flared."You can't do that! I've run this city- "Into the ground for over 20 years" Pensipony interrupted. "You are not fit to call yourself a mayor. You are a liar, a coward and a low life criminal who is going to pay for what he has done to the innocent ponies of this city and my home. As of now, your 'career' is over." Fairmont was furious at this. He was going to say something when Pensipony interrupted him again. "And finally: After you have resigned from this office, you are going to go to turn yourself in, for corruption, gross dereliction of your mayoral duties and consorting with an underground group of murders and criminals. And Nawlans will be better off for it." Fairmont looked enraged, as his once perfect hair was now looking disheveled and wild, as sweat dripped down his face which was contorted into a furious snarl. He clenched his teeth as he spoke. "Now you listen here- "If you refuse to do anything I have told you to do, then I will let my ENTIRE family know of your transgressions. And then let's see how long your career lasts after that. Not just as a mayor...but ANY career. Anywhere in Equestria. For the rest, of your miserable life." Pensipony said in the most threatening voice I'd ever heard her speak in, with her eyes narrowed to slits. With that Fairmont was now a sweaty, disheveled, worried husk who, knowing there was nothing he could do now, simply collapsed to the floor in a heap, his hooves covering his head, as he muttered to himself. Pensipony looked satisfied with the result. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Mayor. Enjoy using that title while you still have it." With that we left Fairmont's office, and rejoined our friends in the lobby. We filled them in on what we had gotten out of Fairmont. "The graveyard? Appropriate, but why something so...obviously, voodoo-ey?" Goldbloom asked us on the way out of City Hall. I shrugged. "Not sure. It may just be coincidence, but there are a number of old family crypts in St. Johns. Maybe one of them is tied to the cartel." I said speaking my thoughts. "You think, this is a family operation?" Goldbloom asked. "Could be." As we approached the corner where Karosta had parked, we were surprised to see that she wasn't there and her carriage was nowhere to be seen. "Huh. Where'd Karosta go? Wasn't she supposed to meet us here?" Goldbloom asked, looking up and down the street. I thought for a moment. "She is the police chief. She might have gotten called back to the station for something. We should head back tomorrow morning. See if she's there." "Fair enough."Goldbloom shrugged. With Karosta gone, Gold Digger picked us up in her limousine, and let me and Goldbloom spend the night over in her suite. Pensipony wished us good night and went back to her penthouse, to see what she could dig up on St. Johns Cemetery. And as me and Goldbloom shared the guest room, she seemed to sleep rather soundly. Me. Not so much. I was in the nightmare as always. But once again, something was different. This time I see that there are faces. Dancing around the fire. They laugh as the mare attacks the stallion again. Blood splatters a medallion. Then I see myself, sleeping. But I'm being watched. But not in the dream.