Twitchy

Chapter 2

Fox had loved her. She was fun, shared his interests, and got along especially well with his mom. Her funeral hardened his heart, a steely determination replacing the affection he once held. He was determined to find this 'Mr. Yeeeta' and avenge his lost love, and he knew exactly where to start.
"Good to see you again, Fox." Tjacki tipped back in his chair, spinning a pen between his fingertips.
"Wish I could say the same," Fox sighed. "She's dead, Tjacki. And I know who did it."
Tjacki swore under his breath, planting the chair back on the floor. "I told you already Fox, no more favors. The chief'll have my head on a platter if he finds out I'm even talking to you again."
"This isn't like last time! I don't need a crime covered, I need it dug up."
Tjacki smirked. "Since when did you become a detective?"
"Since the love of my life was shot point-blank! She knew something, something the killer couldn't have anyone knowing."
"Hate to burst your bubble, but we already caught the guy. Goes by Dr. Healsgood. He's sitting on thirty-five to life in the slammer, you can count on that."
Fox slid a piece of paper across the desk to him. "It wasn't him. He had hired help."
Tjacki examined the paper, a photograph of the gun in Doc's hand, and its bullets. It was fully loaded, all six rounds still in the gun. Next to it was a picture of the bullet extracted from Cinder, a different caliber entirely. He squinted and glanced between the paper and Fox.
"Okay, so there's some meat to your theory. But there's no seasoning, there's no sauce. You're gonna need to give me more than a conspiracy to get me in on this."
Fox rubbed the bridge of his nose and nodded. "Alright, and as usual, we don't talk about this to anyone."
Tjacki laughed dryly. "I wouldn't dream of it."
---
    The rain continued to fall on Fox as he wandered down the street. He'd tried to contact the people that were there when Cinder was murdered, but had gotten no response. He decided to go back farther. Dav. The man was quiet, kept to himself, avoided trouble. That was, up until he met Doc. The two clashed like oil and water. Something about tanking, he'd heard, but it wasn't of interest to him. His apartment was off-limits while the investigation was on, but his neighbors… they might know something.
--
    Sirmushroom hadn't been up to much, a simple day of rest at home was all that was planned. What wasn't planned was a knock at the door late into the evening. He was cautious, of course, his neighbor had just disappeared only two days prior. He kept the chain in place and opened the door a crack.
    "Who goes there?"
    Fox gave a tired smile. "I'm a friend of Dav's. Was, anyway. I was hoping you could tell me anything you know about his disappearance?"
    Shroomie regarded him suspiciously. "Who are you with? The police? I've already told them everything I know!" He started to close the door.
    Fox frantically put his foot in the door. "No, wait, please, I think the same man that killed Dav killed my girlfriend!"
    Shroomie paused. "He's struck again?"
    "So it IS the same person! I knew it…"
    Shroomie kicked Fox's foot out and closed the door. Fox worried he'd just lost his best lead yet when he heard the sound of the chain shifting. The door opened wider and he was pulled in. Shroomie quickly closed and locked the door, peering through the peephole to make sure no one saw.
    "Yes, he goes by Mr. Yeeeta. He'll 'clean up' anyone, so long as you've got the dough. I know someone who can help you find him, but you've got to promise to keep my name out of it."
    Fox nodded, making the gesture of locking his mouth and tossing the key. "You've got my word. Now, who's this source of yours?"