//------------------------------//
// The Exchange 
// Story: La Femme Fatale 
// by bkc56 
//------------------------------//

The pre-dawn dampness clung to me like a wet blanket. I shivered as a biting cold breeze seemed to blow right through me. We were at a command post just north of the intersection of 12th Street and Sea Breeze. The irony of the one street’s name was not lost on me as I shivered again. A second note from the foalnappers had contained little beyond three things: the intersection name, instructions that we approach from the north side, and a single long hair from my client’s tail. My jaw clenched at the thought of their hooves on her.

The Canterlot police were here in force. I mean, no pony believed that any demand for “no cops” meant that there would actually be no cops. All the ongoing chaos of preparations blocked any chance of me being able to focus, so I headed south towards the intersection. In this space, usually so full of life, my footfalls seemed lonely as they echoed off the empty buildings. I briefly wondered if the buildings resented our intrusion into the early morning stillness. 

I moved to the center of the intersection and sat down. As I looked down 12th, the street lights provided just enough light for the ambient shadows to play tricks on my vision, teasing a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye when nothing was there. I gave my head a shake to dispel the phantoms and focused on the events to come.

Years of experience on the force meant that I could clearly visualize how the event would almost certainly go down.

There was no guarantee they’d actually come up 12th. Frankly though it wouldn’t matter once we were all at the intersection. Whichever direction they came from, those two ponies from the abduction would almost certainly walk up the street with Miss Chapeau between them. She’d be restrained. They would stop just short of the intersection, so as to not be exposed to any officers, either in the buildings or on the surrounding rooftops. The unicorn’s horn would be glowing, charged up as a threat to the hostage. I frowned at that thought. Miss Chapeau would not survive the type of spell he’d hit me with. 

I squinted as I peered into the murky intersection. Those two stinking road apples would be in control of the situation, at least initially.

I tensed as I heard two sets of hoofsteps coming from behind me. No, it’s too early! “Hey, Steel, whatcha doing?” I blew out a breath. It was Citrine and probably Nightly with her.

“I’m trying to figure out their plan,” I replied without turning to look.

Nightly offered, “Walk in, do the exchange, walk out.” He scoffed. “Until we nab ‘em.”

I shook my head. “It’s not that easy. They’ll know that. They should know that.” I looked over my shoulder at Citrine. “Do we have thestrals?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “We have five bat-ponies on the force, all on the night shift. They’ve been assigned to tonight’s operation and should show up soon.”

I looked forward again, then up at the sky. “I know what their note said, but they’ve got to figure we’ll have scouts around. They may not know about the bat-ponies, but they’ll assume that we’ll at least have pegasi in the sky. Which means… they’ll have an exit plan.” I stood up, turned around, and started walking up 12th.

Citrine and Nightly joined in behind me as she asked, “Where are you going?”

“They’ve got four exits out of this intersection. I’m going to walk a block down each one and see if I can figure out their plan.” As we left the intersection, I slowed my pace. My head was in constant motion as I checked the street and surrounding buildings. A fire escape ladder that went to a roof. A narrow alley between two buildings. Any number of doors that might be unlocked.

Nightly spoke up. “But this is the direction we’ll be coming from. They’d have to pass right through us to go up this street.”

I nodded. “Which makes it the one we’d be least likely to be watching or have officers stationed on. The one we’d never expect them to use. The perfect choice.”

Citrine added, “No matter which street they might choose, they could still escape into any of these buildings.”

“That’s true,” I agreed. “And they could potentially move from building to building for a while without being seen. But they’d eventually have to exit and,” I pointed up, “our eyes in the sky should spot ‘em.”

We walked a block down and back on each street, working clockwise around the intersection, until finally we made our last excursion down Sea Breeze. Ahead was a building undergoing external renovations. The entire facade and decorative work was removed from the front. Several large dump-boxes blocked the sidewalk and part of the street. They were all full of rubble from the building and ready to be hauled away. I glanced down the gap between the two of them and saw a door. Probably an emergency exit for the building. Then I stopped. A metal grate sat in the road between the dumpsters, with a corresponding maintenance hole cover set into the sidewalk next to it.

Citrine moved up beside me. “Why are you staring at that storm drain? There are one or two of them on every block.”

I walked over to it and peered through the grate into the blackness below. “True. But this is the only one that would be hidden from view from the intersection. If they could get down there undetected, they could move for blocks before coming to the surface again.”

Nightly was looking up at the surrounding buildings. “We have an officer on that building right there,” he pointed at it, “and another at the end of the block. They’d be able to see ponies vanish between these two dump-boxes.”

“That’s if the officers can see well enough in the dark. And if the two thugs don’t somehow mask or hide their escape.” I pointed at the door. “And should they enter the building elsewhere, say by breaking in the main door, then they could be out that exit and down the hole in seconds, completely unseen.” I turned around to face Nightly. “And seeing them is too late. Once they’re below ground, we’ll probably lose ‘em.” I glanced at Citrine. “Can you station a few officers down there, out of sight? Make sure some of them are unicorns with good shield spell skills, because I’d bet bits to brownies that the unicorn will fight back if cornered.”

“What about the other access points?” Citrine asked.

I shook my head. “We don’t have the pony power, and this is the only spot that might have real potential as an exit. And while I’m not sure I would try to escape this way,” I peered into the darkness again, “a couple of rats might think it’s perfect.”





What stars we could see through the thinning fog were starting to fade, as shades of purple stretched across the east. Dawn was approaching. The saddlebags containing the ransom weighed heavy on my withers beyond just their intrinsic weight. These two million bits were a pony’s life. I could feel my heart pounding, though we still had some time before the foalnappers should show up. But soon…

With Citrine on my right and Nightly on my left, we waited at our end of the intersection. Observers and backup were scattered in various buildings two blocks in every direction, all as good as invisible. The thestrals were somewhere above, circling, and essentially unseen. We stood motionless, ears forward and alert.

The sound of hooves on cobblestone reached us first. Then three ponies emerged from the darkened street opposite us. They stopped at the edge of the intersection, their rumps still in the shadows. Miss Chapeau stood between her unicorn and earth pony captors. My breath caught and I heard Citrine gasp. They had Miss Chapeau in a rope halter. A lead led from below her chin to the earth pony, where he had it wrapped a couple times around a leg. It was demeaning and degrading. For a mare like her to be treated like this was unforgivable. I ground my teeth, seething in anger. Get a grip, Steel, this is just starting.

The unicorn called out, “I said only two cops.”

As I stepped forward a couple paces, I replied, “I’m not a cop.”

He furrowed his brow, then lit up his horn for a moment, bathing the intersection in white light. As it faded, he sneered. “So it’s you. I didn’t expect to see you again. Guess what they say is true: one to put ‘em down, and one to keep ‘em down. I shoulda hit you a second time.”

He was trying to throw me off my game. I’d done it so many times myself with suspects. I wasn’t going to fall for it and stood my ground without comment.

After a pause, the unicorn stomped a hoof in minor frustration. “You got the two million?” In response, I did a quarter turn so he could see the saddlebags. With a sneer, he barked, “Show me.”

I reached back and flipped open the flap, revealing the tied bundle of notes. Turning, I repeated that for the other bag. “It’s all there, every bit. We aren’t going to take any chances by trying to pull something.”

He took two steps forward. “Okay, this is how it’s gonna go. You’re gonna bring those bags over here. Then me, my partner, and this pretty little dame are gonna walk back the way we came. Once we’re clear of all the cops you obviously got waiting for us, we’ll let her go.”

I turned to face him straight on. “Not in your wildest fantasies. I know what you can do. I know what you’re willing to do. She’ll be dead the moment she ceases to be useful. Miss Chapeau is not leaving this intersection.”

His horn lit up again and he inclined his head towards my client threateningly.. “You’re in no position to demand anything.”

“Two million bits,” I replied, giving my shoulder a little flick so the saddlebag swung out a bit. “Besides, we both know you have an escape plan all figured out. And I’ll bet two million bits it does not involve trying to drag a slow-moving hostage with you.”

He paused, squinting. No way he thought we’d go for his original plan. “So what do you propose?”

I took another step forward and turned just a bit to keep the saddlebag in his view. “I’ll walk out to the middle of the intersection.” I tossed my head towards his partner. “He brings Miss Chapeau out. I give him the saddlebags, then Miss Chapeau and I return.” Using the partner kept the unicorn some distance from the actual exchange.

“And what guarantee do I got that your unicorn won’t attack?”

“Because then you’ll do the same. Our only concern is for Miss Chapeau’s safety. I guarantee we will not interfere with your escape or make any effort to pursue you. We just want to get her out of this intersection unharmed.”

Without taking his eyes off me, he stepped back by his partner and said, “Go.” The earth pony tugged at the lead and started forward, Miss Chapeau forced to follow. It’s a good thing I’m not a unicorn, because when I saw her head jerk from the yank of the lead, I’d have made the situation a lot worse. I took a deep breath and started forward.

As we got closer, I could see Miss Chapeau better. She was dirty and disheveled. Her mane and tail were a tangled mess, with a big chunk of her mane missing from just behind her ears. She looked right at me, but it was the vacant stare of somepony in shock. As my client, I wanted to get her to safety. As a stallion, I wanted to pound these two piles of coddy muck into oblivion.

The earth pony opened negotiations. “Gimme the bags.”

I hissed in response, “Let… her… go.”

He reached over and undid the clasp, letting the lead drop to the street. I pushed in between him and Miss Chapeau. I whispered in her direction, “Start walking,” then pulled off the saddlebags, hoofing them over. I walked backward a few paces, keeping a wary eye on the unicorn while the earth pony started back. As I turned, I noticed Citrine had moved forward and to one side. Her horn was glowing… ready. Nightly was still in his place, looking past me and keeping an eye on the two mooks.

I started to think that perhaps we’d pulled it off.

Nightly bolted forward. “Steel, look out!”

Then in quick succession: bang, bang, bang. The loud reports repeated as they echoed off the buildings.

By reflex, I jumped and spun in mid-air to land facing backward, crouched and ready. My vision was obscured by a shimmering shield spell cast by Citrine. The other side of her spell was quickly filled with thick gray smoke. There was a bang to my left down Sea Breeze, followed shortly by two more. Then three more, ahead down 12th. A final three came from the other direction on Sea Breeze.

I turned and yelled, “Run!” To her credit, Miss Chapeau didn’t flinch nor freeze, but immediately took off at a gallop. Nightly joined us, taking up position on the other side of Miss Chapeau. As we passed Citrine, she dropped the shield and brought up the rear. Our footfalls echoed off the buildings as we galloped part way back up 12th, staying ahead of the smoke. When we reached mid-block, we stopped and turned to look back towards the intersection.

“Poison?” Nightly asked. Citrine’s horn glowed again, ready to cast another shield spell.

“I don’t think so… Unless that unicorn can cast a shield bubble while moving. Uhh, still… let’s back up a bit more.” We retreated a few more paces. The advance of the smoke slowed. Then the early morning breeze began to push it back, causing it to dissipate. “Thank Celestia for that breeze. It should all clear up in another minute or two.”

“That was smart of them,” Citrine commented.

“It was,” I replied, “since we now have no idea which street they might have picked. And the smoke probably filled at least half the block, allowing them to vanish without a trace.”

We turned to the sound of two officers galloping up the empty street from behind us. Citrine trotted out to talk with them. “As soon as it’s light enough to see, get all our pegasi in the air doing a grid search along with the bat-ponies. Make sure to spread our other officers out over as many blocks as we can search.” She glanced at a covered police wagon parked on the street. “Oh, and get the ponies assigned to this wagon along with a couple officers down here.” The two ponies saluted and took off at a full gallop.

As Citrine returned, Nightly pointed at the same nearby wagon. “Miss Chapeau, we have transportation to take you to the hospital. If you’d please–”

She cut him off. “No. Not… not yet.” She looked at me and whispered, “Please…”

After a quick scan of the street, I looked at Citrine. “We’ll wait in that alley over there,” I pointed, “Until we hear what the status is. Just for a few minutes.” I escorted Miss Chapeau into the alley, while Citrine and Nightly took up positions at its opening to the street. Miss Chapeau stood against a brick wall that lined this part of the alley. As I moved next to her, I noticed she stood absolutely motionless, head up, eyes forward. She was not trembling, but small swishes of her tail betrayed her uneasiness.

With ears pinned back, Miss Chapeau tensed as I pushed my muzzle into her cheek. There was no hint of honeysuckle, just the smell of stale sweat from multiple days in captivity. The rough rope scratched at my lips as my teeth worked at the knot. Finally, the halter slipped free and fell to the ground. She took a deep, stuttering breath as her ears rose up again.

With a loud snort, I gave the halter a kick, sending it in an arc towards the street. Citrine snagged it out of the air with her magic and gave it to a nearby officer. “Take this, then retrieve a lead you’ll find out in the intersection. Tag them both as evidence.”

We all waited in silence.

After a while, I heard the approach of galloping hooves. They stopped just short of the mouth of the alley. “We got ‘em,” a voice declared. “In the storm drain, just as that detective said.”

I felt Miss Chapeau collapse against my side, her face buried in my mane. She softly sobbed. This was the strongest and most self-assured pony I had ever met. But she was still only a pony, and everypony has their limit. She had reached that limit and the stress from the last few days was pouring out.

“Were there any casualties?” Citrine asked, her voice colored with concern.

“None,” the unseen pony replied. “The unicorn fought back, but we were ready. The shield spells held, and our unicorns took them both down. The earth pony dropped to the ground, put his hooves over his head, and cried like a foal. He didn’t put up any resistance.”

“Where are they now?” Hunter asked.

“We separated them. I think that earth pony will talk, if we keep him away from his partner.”

“Good thinking,” Citrine replied. “Get them to the precinct in separate wagons, then lock ’em up. And tell everypony they did a great job.”

“Will do.” The hooves galloped away again.

Citrine looked back down the alley at us. I shook my head. “We just need another minute. You can get the wagon ready.” She vanished, and in a few moments, I heard the clip-clop of hooves and creak of wheels, as a wagon was backed up to the mouth of the alley.

Citrine came back around the corner and approached us. “When she’s ready, we really should get her to the hospital. We’ll need to take her statement, but we can do that tomorrow. Steel, I assume you’ll want to be there when we interrogate the suspects?”

I felt Miss Chapeau’s leg wrap around one of mine. “Yes, I would, but my first priority is the safety of my client. I will accompany her to the hospital and see her safely home afterward.”

“We have two officers who will escort her the entire way. She’ll be completely safe.”

She tightened her grip. “Citrine, I know she appreciates the extra security, but my responsibility is clear. I’ll meet you at the station as soon as I can.”

“Okay. Here are your saddlebags.” I nodded my thanks as she hoofed them to me. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” Citrine turned and trotted out of the alley.

I spoke softly. “Miss Chapeau, we need to leave now, as I’m sure you heard. Can you walk?”

She lifted her head from my neck. “Oh my, I seem to have made a terrible mess all over your mane. I’m so sorry.”

I shook my head. “It’s fine. I assure you, I’ve had a lot worse on me in the past.” And no doubt will again in the future. “If you can, let’s go to the wagon.” She nodded and we started walking slowly.

As we approached, Nightly opened the rear door. Then he held up a hoof. “Steel, I was wrong about you, and this case. I’m sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck as his ears fell.

“You pushed a little too hard, but you were considering other possibilities. That’s what a good detective does. No hard feelings.” I climbed up into the enclosed wagon, and then extended a hoof to help Miss Chapeau get in. She sat on one of the simple wood benches along the side. I took the other side, facing her. The door closed with a thump and the whole wagon shook slightly. After a moment, the wagon jerked from the unseen ponies pulling it, starting us on our trip.

She sat very still, only swaying slightly to the motion of the wagon. Her unblinking eyes were fixed on a point just to my left. “Miss Chapeau…?” She did not respond. “Miss Chapeau?” I said a little louder. “Jasmine!” Finally, she blinked and met my gaze. “Are you okay?”

She paused for a moment. “I believe I’m uninjured.”

“No,” I shook my head. “Are you… okay?”

Her eyes searched my face before I saw a spark of realization. “Oh, no, they did not hurt me.”

I blew out a breath. “Good. After the incident with your mane… I mean, I was really concerned.” One of her hooves reached up to paw at the large gap in her mane. “Oh,” I blurted out, “I almost forgot. I found this the other day.” I reached into my saddlebag and extracted her hat. Stretching across the gap between us, I gave it to her.

She took it with shaking hooves, held it up to her muzzle, and inhaled deeply. The scent of honeysuckle was still strong on it. Her eyes glistened with tears ready to spill out. It was pure force of will that prevented the escape of a single one.

With years of experience, she reshaped the hat and smoothed out the material. It took her a couple tries to place it just right on her head. The missing mane kept causing it to sit askew. Finally, she was satisfied and put her limbs down. As she looked at me, for the first time I could see a faint flicker of her old self. “Mr Steel. I… I can’t…” She inhaled deeply. “Thank you.”

I smiled. “I know you well enough to know you can’t be seen without one of your trademark hats. Detective Citrine allowed me to check it out of evidence so that it would be ready and waiting for you.”

She returned just the barest hint of a smile as her eyes glanced up. “So says the stallion who never leaves the office without his fedora.”