//------------------------------//
// Case 8: The Haute Hooficure 
// Story: Clover Clues and the Shattered Salon 
// by Argentium 
//------------------------------//

Pietr sat alone in the interrogation room, staring dejectedly at his skinny cloven hooves. He was indeed all white, except for a spot of black around his right eye. His three brass earrings glinted in the solitary light of the austere little room. The Chief and I watched him through the reflective mirror. "So Chief, will you allow it? I think I can get him to open up."

The Chief grumbled, "If you think it will help, I don't see why not."

"Thanks Chief!" I put on a stern face and walked into the room. The calf looked up at me like I was his executioner. I assumed my gravest tone of voice. "I hope you understand how serious this is, Pietr. You and your friends did something very illegal. Somepony could have gotten badly hurt."

Tears welled up in his big eyes. "Please don't tell my mother."

I looked thoughtful. "Hmm...maybe that can be arranged."

He looked suspicious. "Wait, really?"

"Yes. If you tell us why you did it."

A scowl darkened his face. "I'm not a snitch..."

I leaned on the table, looming over him. "And you're not a gangster, either. You're smarter than this. Why are you running with these fools?"

He couldn't meet my gaze. "Well, I...they're cool, and they have money, and--"

"And they hurt ponies unless they pay them. Have you hurt somepony, Pietr?"

"No! He just told us to break a few windows."

"Who told you?"

He shrugged. "The Beshenyy Byk."

"The Raging Bull?"  Pietr's eyes went wide as he realized what he let slip. He looked like he was going to be sick.

I gently put my hoof on his shoulder. "Thank you Pietr. It'll be alright. What you said will not come back to you, I promise. We're going to find this bull and stop him from hurting anypony else."

The young bull looked hopeful. "...and you really won't tell Mama about this?"

I grinned. "Nope. You will." Pietr groaned and buried head between his hooves.

~~~

Soft music was playing as I sat back in a poofy-cushioned lounge chair. Two pegasi were filing and shaping my hooves, while two more massaged my shoulders. "You know, this is pretty nice. I don't know about this goop on my face though."

Burlington Satin laughed. "It's a mud mask, Clover. It's supposed to take years off your face! It's the least we could do to thank you for freeing us and the other local businesses from those extortionists."

"And I refuse to believe putting cucumbers on my eyes does anything but make me look silly." I ate the offending vegetables, and they were swiftly replaced with a fresh pair.

I heard Sheer Satin say, "Cucumbers contain antioxidants which reduce eye irritation, while the cooling effect reduces puffiness around the eyes."

"If you say so."

Laser chuckled. "Just relax and enjoy it!"

"You know, I could get used to this treatment," said the Chief. "Stellar job on this case, Detective Clues."

"Wow, thanks Chief! That's...literally the nicest thing I've ever heard you say."

"Yeah, well keep it to yourself. I don't want the other officers thinking I've gone soft." He then sighed contentedly as a pony polished his hooves to an elegant shine.