Northern Downpour

Part 7

Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit.

You didn't know what to think. Well, that wasn't true, you knew what to think, but you didn't know what to do. You looked at Bigby.

If there was one thing to be made absolutely clear, it was there you were not afraid of Bigby. You never could be. But the look on his face suddenly made you glad Crane wasn't here in this moment, because you were pretty sure he'd be dead.

Not that you would mind.

"That motherfucking piece of shit."

You blinked. Bigby was leaving the room. You and Beauty followed him down the hall and downstairs. He started dialing the payphone on the wall.

"What's going on?" Beast asked.

"Crane's the killer," Bigby said.

"What? Ichabod Crane? How do you know?"

Bigby cursed. You glanced at him then looked at Beast. "Crane's been--"

Bigby slammed the phone back in place so hard the whole thing almost fell off the wall. It made the rest of you jump. You cursed.

"Will someone please explain this to me?" Beast demanded.

Bigby whirled around. "That perverted little fucker might be after Snow. I need to find her right now."

"Where did you see her last?" Beauty asked. "Did she say where she was going?"

"She took Holly to the Business Office to prepare for the funeral," you replied.

"Lily's funeral?" Beast asked.

"Yeah."

"I was just at the Trip Trap, and I heard Gren telling some folks about a funeral at the Buckingham Bridge--"

"The Trip Trap?" Beauty interrupted. "Have you been drinking again?"

"Priorities," you snapped. "When?"

"Right now," Beast said. "They were on their way out."

You and Bigby rushed out of the hotel and started down the sidewalk. You began trying to flag down a cab. Beauty called after you. You ignored her. A cab finally pulled over for you. You opened the door and looked over your shoulder.

"Bigby!" You called.

He turned. You gestured rather vehemently to the cab. You got in the cab, and he joined you. You told the driver where you were heading, and the cab took off, leaving Beauty standing on the sidewalk.

------------------

The cab barely stopped before the two of you got out and pushed past the construction gate. You weaved around blockades and equipment until you reached a small clearing. Holly, Nerissa, Gren and the woman who let you into the club were sitting on benches. Snow was giving a speech. Bigby went to go up, but you caught his wrist. He gave you a look.

"I know," you whispered. "But let her finish. This is a funeral, Bigby, and Crane is clearly not here."

You didn't let go until he nodded. You both hung back, and you looked around while you waited. There was an offering table on your left. On it was a bottle of alcohol and three cards. Snow finished and stepped forward. You and Bigby met her halfway.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

Holly stood and glared. "No, not you two."

"Holly," Snow began.