Treasured Bones

The water hits my face, flattening my mane and soaking my coat. It's become more of a habit to shower since the mishap with Vanilla a while back. But it's always nice to shower after a case, despite the longevity of it.

The last two cases Note's put me on were, uneventful, to say the least. One was helping dig up an old zebra burial ground. (And for the record, Qwick is not helpful whatsoever when not interrogating ponies.) And the second was a body found in an alley of the Christal empire. Though bodies are eventful, the perpetrator turned his self in within a day. So that one went quick. But having Silver back for that one was something I cherished every second I could.

Shaking my head out of thought, and painfully getting water in my nose, I grab the coat wash when a loud ring rings, causing me to slip. I land on my back, probably disturbing the ponies below with the loud slam caused by my body.

I groan and flip to my side. Not bothering to get back up. If it's my parents they'll call back later. It really was a bad idea to install a phone in my bathroom. Thanks for the advice Silver.

After climbing to my hooves and checking to see if I broke anything, I lather my mane in shampoo.

RING!!

"Dammit!" I shout angrely. With a head full of soap I step out and stand at the counter. Thinking who it could be, I pick up the hoofset with a soggy wing.

"Hello?"

"Hi Andreah. It's Qwick."

"And Silver!!" A voice shouts desperately over Qwick's causing me to giggle.

"Hello boys." I chuckle out.

"Chief Note wants you at HQ A.S.A.P. We've got a new case." Qwick informs me. I sigh.

"Can I at least finish my shower?"

"I could help you, it'd make it go faster!" Silver shouts from the background. It took all I had not to laugh.

"I'll see ya two soon." I replace the hoofset.

A short stop at my office to grab my badge, then off to Chief Note's office.

Stepping into my bosses office, I'm greeted by a golden coated stallion, his hooves red and mane a sleek and shiny silver. I knew that under his soft black trench coat whould be a cutie mark that was a pair of hoofcuffs. On his face is a smile stretching ear to ear.

Closer to me, and after an empty seat I assume is for me, is an ash-grey stallion. His mane jet black. Anorexic looking and a cutie mark of a Griffin arms pistol.

"Well, somepony's happy." I giggle, looking at Silver. He franticly nods.

"Ihadalotofcoffee!" He sputters out. Closing the door behind me, I look at him questioningly.

"You don't like coffee." Raising an eyebrow at him, I sit between the two.

"Iknow! ButafterourlastcaseIrelisedidolikeit!" He nods again, smile widening. I shake my head, stifling a laugh.

"Pleasentries aside?" Note asks us across from his desk. I turn to him and nod.

"Yes sir." Qwick acknowledges.

"Alright. Vanhoover bay. Two divers were diving yesterday when they found a chest. Hoping they found gold, they opened it. Only for it to be a bunch of remains."

"If it's a normal case, why are both Silver and I here?" Quick asks.

"Because. This is going to be the case where Andreah is going to choose who she would prefer as her partner." He turns to look at me. "After this case you are to report back here and tell me which stallion you would prefer as your partner."

I nod nervously.

"Y-yes sir. I-if I may? Why me?"

"Well, I trust you to make a wise choice. If you pick Silver, I can sent Qwick back to his old job." Chief note informs me.

Bump. Bump. Bump.

There should be air travel. Some way that would get ponies around faster than the dreaded train. Maybe I can get Celestia to fund something like that.

Five dreaded hours I'm to be on this dreaded machine. Silver has fallen asleep in the seat ahead of me. Qwick has long given up on trying to get my attention and moved from sitting next to me, to across the passenger car.

Scooting to the isle seat, I look to make sure nopony is walking up it. Once I'm satisfied I won't bump into anypony, I stand up and move one seat row up, sitting next to Silver.

"Hey..." I slightly shake him. "Silver."

A second goes by, then another. I shake him again.

"Si-"

"Boo!" He shouts, turning to me and raising his hooves to eye level. I totally didn't jump, fall onto my back and scream. That's crazy, I'm a full grown mare!

"Did you just shriek?" Qwick asked, suddenly behind me. Silver breaks out into uncontrollable laughter.

I pick myself up off the floor and dust off the dirt on my trench coat.

"No. No I did not " I respond poshily, raising my muzzle in the air. Still laughing, Silver falls over onto the floor. "Was it that funny?"

"Kinda. But I bet I could get you better." Qwick nods.

Silver stops laughing almost emediatly.

"Nuh uh."

"Yes, I could."

Ugh... To much testosterone.

Instantaniasly after stepping off the train, the smell of salt water hits my nostrils.

"Ah..." Qwick sighs from my left. "I've missed this."

"I miss a good bed." Silver complains.

"Well, since it is pretty late, its...seven... Almost Eight. I say we all go to bed and hit the case first thing in the morning." I tell them, looking back and forth.

"Sure." Silver nods. "But I call the room with Andreah!" He shouts.

"No! That position is already occupied!" Qwick protests. I wince at their fighting over me.

"How about. Because there is two rooms. You two take them. I'll just rent myself another." That shut them up.

Well that was painstaking. The motel receptionist, for the longest time, refused to rent me another room because it was a 'waste of a room when you've already got two!'

I sigh with relief once I take off the saddlebags. Placing them next to the bed, I fall face first onto it.

Sleep will come naturally.

"How did ya sleep, madam?" Qwick asks me from across the diner table causing me to look up from my pancakes.

"Did you just--?"

"I did." He smiles smugly while raising his muzzle into the air.

"Putting your ego away." Silver looks from Qwick to me. "How did y-"

"Awww." I coo. "Did Siwver just use a big wowerd?" I speak like a child. He looks at me with slight contempt shifting to amusement.

"Hey! I'm smart!" He sticks his tongue out at me.

"Yeah." Qwick scoffs. "It's evident."

"Hey!!"

"Alright!" I break the fight. "Just finish your breakfast! We have a crime scene to get to."