Nevermore

I sat in the back of the taxi carriage, my earbuds blaring my favorite song. I like to listen to music to keep my mind focused. I hum a little as I look around outside. The strip of Las Pegasus was bristling with mid-day activity, ponies going to drive-through wedding parlors, strip clubs, and, of course, casinos. I was heading to a local club that I frequented, the Red Light Club. I liked it because of the music and the friendly staff, and it was quite a nice place. It also had one of the few legal brothels in Equestria, but I didn't care much for that. A quick drink, a review of the case, then down to the local ENDA to see the results of the autopsy. Simple.

"We're here sir." the young driver said, the taxi coming to a slow stop in front of the club. Nobody was in line, which was a trademark of the club in midday. Nobody knew how amazing the place was in the day, since everypony went to it after dark.

"Thanks, kid." I hand him thirty bits, enough for my fee and with a 7 bit tip. I step out, take out my earbuds, and turn off my iTrot. I walk in, the music different to the late night dance and electronic, instead being light alternative and soft rock. The bartender and co-owner of the club, Rocky, smiled as I sat in a barstool.

"Hey, Raven!" He smiled. "Wonderful day, isn't it?" he asked, grabbing a glass and setting it on the table.

"Sure is, Rocky." Rocky was young for a club owner. 24, barely out of business school, he ran this place with his best friend, DJ Minimoog Voyager, age 18. "I'll have a glass of cola, please."

"Coming right up!" he replied happily. He grabbed the nozzle of one of those bar beverage sprayer... Things. I'd never been one to know terms for this kinda place. He poured soda into my glass until it was nearly full and slid it over to me. I sipped it and smiled. He smiled back.

"So, any new cases?" he asked.

I nodded. "One. Homicide." I said casually. He'd been a friend of mine since I had arrived in Las Pegasus three months ago. He offered opinions on my cases, and helped me through some tough moments. He knew as much about crime as I did.

He whistled. "Homicide in Las Pegasus. Wow." he said, a hint of sarcasm in the back of his voice. "So, who got whacked?"

"A mister Freak Wave. Casino owner." I said.

Rocky raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Wave? No way. He was a regular here, nicest guy I ever met. Who would kill him?"

"That's what I'm figuring out, Rockmire." I sighed and sipped my soda.

Rocky thought for a second before asking, "What was the cause of death?"

"Three stab wounds to the upper torso."

"Any postmortem trauma?"

I nodded. "Three more stab wounds in the victim's side. And his wings were cut off."

Rocky's eyebrows jumped up and his eyes shot open. He was shocked. "His wings?! Sweet Luna, who would do that?"

"Again, that's what I'm figuring out."

Rocky thought for a second, mixing himself a martini as he did so. "Any possible motive?"

"We were thinking revenge, but considering Mr. Wave's character, that seems very very unlikely." I replied.

Rocky sipped his martini. "Perhaps it was a hit? A rival casino owner wanted Wave dead and made it look like a revenge killing."

I shrugged. "Makes sense."

The doors open and Rocky smiled as he looked up. "Mini!" he exclaimed happily, seeing his friend.

Mini spotted Rocky and smiled, waving to him warmly. "Heya, Rocky!"

I smiled and waved at Mini. "Hey, Moogster!"

Rocky raised an eyebrow. "Moogster?"

I shrugged. "I suck at nicknames." I said to Rocky before turning back to Mini

Mini chuckled at his comment, walking over. She swiftly hopped onto one of the barstools next to me, planting her rump down on its top. "Get me a Grasshopper, yeah?" she suggested, before turning to me. "Heya, Ray. How's life treatin' you?"

Rocky nodded and quickly mixed a perfect Grasshopper, sliding it over to Minimoog. I shrugged. "Pretty average, got a new case today." I said, sipping my soda.

"Mm?" Minimoog hummed, sipping her alcoholic beverage. "Oh, yeah? How's it coming along?"

"No suspects yet, but we have a murder weapon and a partial hoofprint." I said with a slight smile of accomplishment.

Rocky looked at Minimoog. "You'll never guess who the victim was. Mr. Wave." he said somewhat grimly, sipping his martini.

At this, Minimoog's face fell. Her usual happy, energetic expression left her completely, leaving only a look of sadness. She turned to Rocky and gave him a questioning look.

Rocky nodded. "I'm shocked too. I'm going to miss him a lot..." Rocky sighed and I looked over to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry guys. I'm gonna find the bastard that did this and take him down hard." I said, a reassuring tone in my voice. I looked over to Minimoog. "That's a promise."

"What exactly happened?" Minimoog inquired, staring at me with an expression of utmost seriousness.

"Someone broke into Mr. Wave's apartment at about 3:45 and attempted to get a jump on him." I said, sipping on my cola. "They failed to, though, and there was a struggle. His assailant got the upper hand and stabbed him three times in the torso, which we think is the death blow. He then was stabbed three more times in the side, postmortem." I paused, unsure of how to say the next part. "Whoever did this cut off his..." I couldn't say it so I looked to Rocky.

"His wings. The bastard took his wings as a trophy." Rocky said morbidly. His expression had changed to an angry frown.

Minimoog made a sound that I interpreted as a mix between a sob and a gasp. She put a hoof to her mouth and turned away quickly, almost jumping off of her stool.

Rocky gasped and hopped over the counter. He quickly put a foreleg around his friends shoulders and hugged her tight to console her. I sighed. "I'm going to find this guy. I swear on my father's grave I will."

I heard Minimoog sniffle once or twice, eagerly returning Rocky's hug. Her hoof shot out for her Grasshopper, where she gulped the entirety of it down.

I looked at the two. "Don't worry. We have enough evidence that we can get the bastard if we find him." At that moment I heard a telephone ring in the club. Rocky looked over to it. He gave Mini a final hug and then trotted over to it.

He took it off the hook and put it to his ear. "Red Light Club, Rockmire Feldspar speaking." He nodded to something the person on the other line said. "Alright, I'll tell him." He looked up at me. "A Dr. Theorem. Says the autopsy report is in and you need to see it immediately."

I nodded. I looked over to Minimoog. "I'll be back soon, hopefully with some good news." I gave her a hug as I hopped off my barstool. "Hang in there, Moog." I said softly.

The DJ nodded her head and wiped at her eyes with a hoof. "Keep us updated, yeah?"

"Of course." I said, nodding. "The bastard is going down." I released my hug and walked over to Rocky. I gave him a quick hug before walking out the front door to the taxi. "Las Pegasus ENDA HQ, my good colt, and make it quick." I said to the driver, hopping in the back seat.

Time to see the good news.