Baldwin Has Fallen

PART 1 BALDWIN THE VALIANT

"Great job nabbing the leader of the Frost Giants like that, bro;" Tori Asheir said praising  his brother. "I'll bet the P.C. will be really proud." His brother, Detective Baldwin, pulled a digusted face. "Yeah, I guess he will;" he agreed. "It's not the first time I've gotten a gang member off the street. Besides if I get promoted it'd look like nepotism on his part"

Police Comissioner Owen Asheir was indeed both Tori and Baldwin's father. He had never played favorites with his sons or other officers. Both of them had worked hard to graduate from the police academy at the top of their class. Both had made their own collars and earned their rank. They and the rest of the department knew the Asheir brothers pulled their own weight. Although Baldwin sometimes acted as if he needed to work harder and often worried others would think he didn't deserve the recognition he got.

Both Tori and Baldwin arrived at their desks in the precinct to begin work. A heap of papers and mail waited to be opened. "Looks like you were right about the P.C. being pleased;" Baldwin said. "I just got notice, apparently I'm going to be promoted to cheif after Michaelson retires." Tori sat up a little straighter in his seat. "That's great!" Tori exclaimed. "We'll have a special dinner! Maybe mom'll make her special roast or something."

The smile that had been on Baldwin's face dissappeared. "Take a look at this though;" he urged. Tori took the letter from his brother and read it.

Dear Nephew:

Ha! Why should I call you dear? I've been locked up thanks to you and the other hob goblins!

All I did was run a few con jobs and you think your lot can just shut me up?!

I'll get my revenge! I'll be watching you Baldwin!

Signed,

Uncle Logan Bard

Tori frowned, causing his thick blonde eyebrows to merge above his nose. Neither brother had heard of Logan's release from prison. Their uncle had been arrested five years ago for mail fraud and racketeering. Logan had been claiming to collect money to support Central Park's Rangers when he'd really been funneling the cash into his private horse breeding business.

Logan Bard had been their father's step brother. He hadn't taken the Ashier name when grandma had married grandpa because he felt like he didn’t fit in. Owen had treated Logan well enough, even adopted one of his horses before Logan turned into a conman. But ever since their uncle had started his less than savory enterprises, he had become more estranged from the family.

No one knew why he blamed Baldwin for his arrest, but Logan did. The letter sounded threatening yet vague. "Do you think we should get you some protection?" Tori mused. "Uncle Logan sounds really angry. He could try to come after you." Baldwin's gut told him that might be a good idea. "Yeah maybe we could get a couple of Unis;" he admitted. "Just uh, let me keep working okay?"

The day had been uneventfull enough. No major drug busts; some prostitutes got arrested. Of course they refused to give up their pimp. Not that it mattered, Sergey "Sert the Destroyer" Bromski ran the ghetto the girls were working in. Sert was enough to scare anybody into silence. People who crossed him tended to be found brutally murdered or missing.

When it came time to clock out, it was a relief that Logan had not shown up yet. Maybe there wouldn't be any trouble. Still Baldwin felt better knowing that two unmarked patrol cars were following him.

After being let in to their parents' brown stone appartment, Baldwin told his mother about his upcoming promotion. "Oh Sweetie thats great!" Fran squealed with motherly pride. "We'll have a big dinner tomorrow! I'll make my potatoes Augratin and ham caserole suprise! We'll have the whole family over!" It was hard to tell her the bad news after seing such a happy woman. "Speaking of family, I got a letter from Uncle Logan;" Baldwin told her. "He's out of prison and looking for revenge on me." His mother's face paled as her lips formed a suprised 'O'.

Fran shook her head trying to deny that her son was in any danger. "Aw, Baldie;" she said using his nickname. "Don't worry, you've got Ashengrad's finest protecting you! Plus, you can wear your vest! No one could hurt you in that unless, they use something special. Right?" Baldwin smiled at his mother. Fran had always been an optimist. She did have a point though. "Okay mom;" he said. "I got to get Tori and I home. Nancy and Sylfia are probably waiting for us."

The next evening came and found all of Baldwin's siblings and cousins, neices and nephews as well a his wife Nancy and his son, Forest all sitting crowded in Fran and Owen's living room.

There was laughing and lots of food. Tori's twins, Maddy and Moe asked their grandpa to tell the story about how their grandpa had lost his eye. "I was talking to a confidential informant" Owen rumbled. "Everything, was going fine when this guy brings out a shiv and--" Baldwin tapped his glass and stood interrupting to make a toast.

"I would like to thank you all for coming. You all mean so verry--" his words were cut short by the window busting open and a bullet peircing Baldwin's chest. He collapsed to the floor.
Everyone got down on the ground waiting for more gunshots. When there had been silence for a while, they all checked on eachother. Tori crawled over to see if his brother was still alive.

Blood soaked the front of Baldwin's clothes and trickled down the corners of his mouth. His eyes gazed sightlessly at the ceiling. Tori checked for a pulse but it was all pointless. Baldwin was dead.