Equestria Noire Case #4: The Pianist Case

-/-The Purple Dove-/-

“Yes. He was here last night. I can’t believe he’s dead. He was a very kind stallion, yes he was.” The bar tender said to us as we sat at the tabletop, while fixing Ruby and I a drink. I know I said earlier that I’m better at this job sober, but one drink wouldn’t kill me. I hope.

We were at this fancy looking bar that, according to Colton’s financial records, was the last place he spent money on something before he was murdered. He was found dead at around 1 or 2 AM. The financial records say he bought a few drinks at around 11:30 to midnight. There wasn’t anything else spent on his cards.

He served a fruity cocktail to Ruby, while I was given a Ginger Ale mixed a small amount of cider. Pretty good shit here.

“Did Colton come here often?” Ruby asked, looking over her fruity little cocktail.

The bar tender nodded. “Every night for the past 7 months. He became a regular here.” He said. Maybe I’ll ask some other patrons here if they knew anything about Colton.

“What time did he come in here last night?” I asked while levitating my drink.

He thought for a moment. “I would say at around 10:50, maybe 11:05. He had just come from practicing for his performance in a few months.”

“You’re talking about the Piano Trio, right?” I asked him, taking a small sip of my drink. I was right. It was good shit.

The bar tender nodded. “Yes. He even told me one night that this was his big chance to go National. He loved Canterlot, but he knew there were greener pastures out there that he wanted to explore.” He said, wiping down his table top and a few glasses.

After Ruby took a drink of hers, she asked him, “Was Colton with anypony?”

“No. But I do know that he was going to meet somepony.”

“How’s that?” I asked him, taking another drink.

“He received a text message from his phone. He payed for his drink and then left.”

“Did he tell you anything about who he was meeting?” Ruby asked.

The bar tender shook his head. “No. He had been doing this for a while now, and never told me about it.” He said, as he quickly served a drink to a patron at the far right end of the bar. Ruby and I were sitting about in the middle, but a bit closer to the left. He actually slid the drink down toward the patron, like in the movies.

I saw Ruby catch on to that statement he made. “He had been doing what for a while now?” She asked, looking curious.

“Meeting up with somepony after he received a text. Always came here for a drink or two, get his text, then leave. Always gave a nice tip.” He said with a smile on his face, while searching under the tabletop for something.

“Can you give me a number of months he was doing this?” I asked him after taking another swig of my drink. Man, this shit is delicious. I may ask for another, but I think one is enough for now.

The bar tender tried to think. “Hmmmm, I’d say about 3, maybe 4 months. That’s about right.”

Eventually, Ruby and I finished our drinks and payed for them. “Thanks for your help. And the drinks. Good stuff.” I told him, leaving my bits down, while Ruby put hers down.

The bar tender gave an appreciative smile. “My pleasure. When you find the pony who did it, I’ll make sure to give you ponies free drinks when you come in next time.” He told us, taking our bits and our empty glasses.

Unfortunately, after that, we spoke to a few patrons in the bar and came up with Jack shit. So, Ruby and I left and proceeded to walk the streets of Canterlot.

“I’m thinking Colton was meeting up with male prostitutes.” I told Ruby flat out.

“Either that, or a secret boyfriend. Maybe Ludwig.” She said.

“I’m thinking that too, but we don’t have any physical evidence or proof that Colton and Ludwig had a romantic relationship. So, we shouldn’t dive deep into that right now.” I said as we passed a few good looking houses. Fancy Shmancy shit appears to be everywhere here.

“Should we search the streets for any male prostitutes? Ask them if they’ve ever seen Colton around during the working hours?” Ruby asked as we then noticed something. There appeared to be two unicorn mares across the street from us. They both appeared to be very young. Maybe about 19 years old. One was a bright pink coated mare with a long brownish red mane, who also had light purple eye shadow and false eyelashes.

The other one was a forest green coated mare with a tree sap colored mane. She had light rimmed glasses over her brown eyes. She went natural, but her mane looked styled like something from a mane salon.

Sad to see them like this, but some mares choose this lifestyle. Survival sex workers. They need the money and will go to this level to do it.

I also won’t lie….two times, once when I was on the force and another time when I became a private detective, I gave in and spent a night with one of these very ponies. Even though I knew I would tarnish my good name(unfortunately, I ended up doing that anyway). I’m not exactly proud of it, but sometimes a stallion has his needs.

I can also say that both times, the sex workers weren’t all money hungry butches(even though that came with the territory; it’s about making money by using your body for sexual pleasure). Some of them had morals and knew where to draw a line that they wouldn’t cross. Also, those two(I can’t remember their names, and frankly, I’m not meant too), they just were really sweet and kind mares as well. Makes you want to help them get out of this lifestyle and get them a career they could be proud of.

But, sometimes, it just doesn’t work out like that.

“Maybe we should ask them.” I pointed them out to Ruby. She looked over and saw them. The two mares noticed us and gave us a look that showed they were open for business.

I saw Ruby give a sad look before she turned to me. “Colton was gay. He wouldn’t have spent a night with either of those two. Or any other hooker in Canterlot.” She told me.

I nodded. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have walked the streets and some mare’s offered themselves up to him. Not to mention, they might know if there are any male hookers around Canterlot. Could be a lead.” I said, still pointing over to them. I could tell the pink mare wanted us over there. Now, me or Ruby was up for debate, but still. She wanted to talk to us.

Ruby looked back over and saw them inviting us over with her their looks. She sighed while also shrugging her shoulders. “Well, it’s worth a shot I guess.” She said, as we walked over to the other side of the street.

The pink unicorn walked all seductive like over to me. “Hello, hot stuff. You can call me Candy. You looking for a fun time? If you pay the right price, I’d be happy to give it to ya.” She said while circling around me. Her tail swishing around my body. Again, like DJ P0N-3, this mare is a pretty sexy little piece of ass. If I weren’t on the job, I’d definitely take my sexual frustrations out on her. Although, I’d feel bad too, seeing as how she’s a hooker and everything.

Anyway, I saw Candy look over at Ruby, who looked at me in somewhat disgust. Which was surprising. She had the exact opposite look when DJ P0N-3 did the same thing not too long ago.

Was it because Candy is a hooker and Vinyl wasn’t?

“Your girlfriend can join too. I mean, I don’t have too much experience with mares, but a little is better than none, am I right?” She said, now eyeing me.

Then, all of a sudden, the green unicorn mare levitated Candy off of me.

“Hey! What was that for, Fauna?! Can’t ya see I’m trying to work here?!” Candy yelled at her fellow working mare.

“Well, Candy, if you were smart, which you aren’t, you’d know these guys are cops here.” Fauna said to her in a stern voice.

We were both surprised at this. How did this mare figure that out so quickly? Has she been with a few cops before?

Candy looked surprised too. “Is that true?” She asked us.

That’s when Ruby pulled out her badge and announced herself before I could. Strange. I’d never seen her do this before. Wonder what’s up.

“Smart girl. I’m Detective Ruby Glow, of Ponyville. This here is my partner, Detective Shadow Haze, also of Ponyville.” She said to them.

They both looked a little nervous now. They probably think we’re gonna arrest them, because prostitution still isn’t TECHNICALLY legal, even though I’m sure a lot of ponies turn a blind eye to them.

“Don’t worry. We aren’t here to arrest you. We just wanna talk. Ask you two ladies a few questions. Can we do that?” I said, stepping in.

Candy flipped her mane. “Talk about what?” She asked.

I levitated my phone toward them and showed them a picture of Colton. “This stallion was found murdered in his carriage early this morning. Around the time of the working girls stroll.” I told them. I quickly looked over at Ruby and saw a remorseful, yet upset look on her face when looking at these two. I wonder what it is about these two that are making her look like this.

Fauna looked at my phone with a thinking type look on her face before replying, “Oh yeah! That’s that music dude. Colton Von Gallopson.”

“Hm. Word travels fast on the streets, huh?” I asked her, taking my phone back.

“Word of mouth ALWAYS spreads faster then in the papes, baby.” Candy said. “Speaking of fast, how fast are you in the sack, big guy?”

“Do you know him or not?” Ruby asked, very rudely I may add. This doesn’t seem like her at all.

That didn’t fly well with Candy either. “Hey, listen missy. I don’t gotta deal—“

“Do you ladies want a bite to eat?” I asked them, which just came right from my mind.

They both looked confused and interested. Ruby didn’t appear to like that.

“If you both come with us down to the Detention Center, I can get you some grub if you’d like.” I offered them.

Candy and Fauna looked at each other for a split second before looking back at me and Ruby with an interested smile.

“Can I get a nice Hayburger?” Candy asked.

“And how’s about a nice Haydog for me here, eh?” Fauna asked.

-/-Canterlot Detention Center-/-

“Typical Working Mare behavior. Offer them money or a good meal, they’ll do anything for ya.” Captain Bisette said as we watched Candy and Fauna chow down on their food that I bought for them. I even got them a meal deal, which came with hay fries and drink. They both seemed to be enjoying their food.

“Yeah, including selling their bodies for a quick buck.” Ruby Glow harshly said watching them.

Captain Bisette turned toward Ruby with a very defensive look on her face. “Detective Ruby, I can do without the comments about these ladies. They’re ponies, just like us.”

“Yeah, and they do risky, self destructive behavior. It wouldn’t surprise me if these two one day were found dead, or got infected with some sexual disease.” She said, apparently not backing down from Bisette.

“And we don’t do risky things either? We’re fucking police ponies, Detective Ruby. We put our lives on the line everyday for other ponies.” The Captain said, raising her voice at Ruby. I better step in before this gets out of hoof.

“Don’t you DARE try to compare us to those…those-“ Ruby started to say before I stepped between the two, facing Ruby.

“Those what?” I asked her, intentionally using my intimidation factor. It seemed to work, because she stopped talking shit. I even saw her gulp with fear.

“Ruby, what’s going on with you?” I asked her calmly. She had a quick look of shame, before it was turned into a scowl.

I continued. “I’ve never seen you treat anypony like this. Just because they’re prostitutes, doesn’t mean they aren’t good ponies. What’s wrong?”

She glared at me in a way I don’t think I’ve ever been glared at before. Like, she was angry at me for not taking her side.

“You know what? If you think you’re such a good judge of character, why don’t you interview them by yourself.” Ruby said, now walking away from the interrogation room.

“Where do you think your going?” Captain Bisette called out to her.

Ruby turned back to us with a scowl on her face and said, “Watching those two eat made me hungry. I think I’m gonna grab a fucking bite too.”

“Ruby!” I called out, but she didn’t turn back.

“Ruby, wait.” I called out again, but she said had disappeared down a hallway to the right. Particularly, toward an entrance to the Detention Center.

I wonder what caused her to get all pissed off about a pair of prostitutes. Something about them just irks her apparently.

My thoughts about her were interrupted by a loud scoff from Captain Bisette. “What monkey crawled up her ass?” She said, sounding very annoyed.

I sighed in disappointment. “I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve seen her like this.”

“Didn’t know she could be such a bitch, huh?” Bisette asked.

I turned to face her. “Look, I’ll talk to her. But, for now, I’ve got some ponies to interview. I’ll figure this shit out.” I told her, now turning away from her.

Before I entered the interrogation room, I heard Bisette tell me, “Good Luck, Shadow.”

I stood a few feet away from the table that Candy and Fauna were sitting at. Candy had just finished the last of her fries, while Fauna had thrown her wrapper away in the trash bin in the left corner of the chained up window behind them.

Candy had now done the same after eating her last hay fry.

“Now this is what I call hospitality. Maybe we should come down here more often, eh Fauna?” Candy said, throwing her wrappers away.

Fauna rolled her eyes at her friend. “It’d be nice, but the nice police pony here will always want something in return. It’s not like it’s free food just for being kind.” She said, pushing her glasses up toward her muzzle.

I walked over to the table and sat in front of them. “Unfortunately, you are absolutely correct Miss Fauna. That’s what comes with the territory.” I told her, now bringing my notepad out.

Candy have me her seductive, half lidded eyes. “Aw, really? You sure it’s not to an excuse to have a fun night with me? I taste really sweet, Detective. That’s why my name is Candy, baby.” She said, running a hoof lightly over my arm.

Fauna gave her a stern look. “Candy, girl, knock it off. We made a deal. Let’s get this over with so we can make the next stroll.”

Now it was Candy’s turn to roll her eyes. “You are no fun sometimes, ya know that.” She said with a smirk looking at her friend. Fauna turned her head away with a pouty looking face.

“Are you two done? May I please ask you some questions?” I asked them.

They both sighed. “Yes sir.” Fauna said, before giving me a confused look.

“Wait, where’s that other detective lady?” She asked.

“She had step out a moment. So, it’ll just be me and you two.” I told them.

“Now that’d be a hot three way.” Candy flirtatiously said, before Fauna shut her up with a stern look. Guess I know who’s in charge of this little duo.

Alright, time to get started.

“So, how many ponies do you usually see on your nightly strolls? And, how many customers do you usually get?” I asked them.

“We get a lot of guys. Sometimes girls too. I couldn’t give you an exact number though. And me and Candy here usually get about 4 or 5 customers a night. We’d give them a price. If they’re willing, they pay, and we service their bodies.” Fauna told me, followed by a push of her glasses.

“Yeah. And most of the time we usually get a regular. Like, I get this 35 year old stallion every weekend. Tells me to call him “Tigey”. Hehe. The guy is married, BTW. Kinda hot that I fuck around with a stallion like that.” Candy said with the most proudest, kinda smuggest smile on her face. Even Fauna looked disgusted at her friend’s attitude.

Yeah, remember how I said if I wanted to, I’d fuck this mare to let off some steam? Now, I’m starting to reconsider. She’s lost a lot of likeability to me.

“Anyway, did you ever see Colton on any of your nightly strolls?” I asked them.

“Funny enough, I did.” Fauna told me. “It was about a month and a half ago. I offered him a night to spend with me. But, he turned me down. Said that he wasn’t like that. At least he was respectful and polite about it.” She pushed her glasses up again.

I turned to Candy. “How about you?”

“Yeah, yeah. I remember I bumped into him one night. It was about 2 months ago.” She turned her head toward Fauna. “Maybe it was literally not too long before you.” Fauna just shrugged.

“So, what happened?” I asked her as she turned her head back to me.

Now, while Fauna was more chill and accepting of being rejected by a famous pony like Colton Von Gallopson, Candy here, on the other hoof, just looked a little whiny. Granted, not full on temper tantrum, but you could tell it still bugged her.

“Yeah, I came up to him one night. I put my charming ways to good use. Told him I’d make his fantasies a reality if he payed well.” She started to say.

“And?” I urged her to continue.

Now she got all pouty face. “He goes “I’m very sorry madam. But, I’m just not that kind of pony. I apologize, but I decline.” And then I’m like “But, why?”” She said in an annoyingly whiny voice. Fauna looked irritated too.

She continued. “And then he goes “You’re a very lovely young lady, but I’m just not a pony who is into paying for sex. But, I’m not one to judge. So, good luck.” And then he just leaves me hanging. I mean, why wouldn’t he think little me isn’t worth his time? I’m young, hot, and a fun pony to hang with.” She said with a look of confidence.

Which was then wiped off her face after Fauna spoke next. “If by fun to hang out with, you mean hang myself after hearing your annoying as hell voice, then yes I’d say you are.”

Candy looked cross with that statement. “Oh yeah? Well, maybe you’re just jealous, cause boys think I’m prettier than you. I get WAY more customers than you on a nightly basis.”

Fauna did NOT look thrilled after that. “At least I have more regulars than you. All you have is a guy committing adultery. I’m more likeable than you.”

“Shut up. Both of you.” I said to them before more words were said. It appears my intimidating tone worked. That shut these two up right away. Especially Candy. She looked away from my eyes after that.

“I’m not done with my questions. Now, can you two not argue while I’m asking them?” I said, somewhat easing off on the intimidation tone, but still having it be there.

They both nodded their heads in agreement.

“Now, did you have any other run-ins with Colton after that?” I asked them.

Fauna shook her head. Candy, on the other hoof, spoke up. Now, sounding a bit more respectful, knowing who she was talking too.

“There was this one night about 5 nights ago. I saw him walking down our stroll with some stallion. I knew Colton wasn’t gonna want me, so I thought I’d ask his friend there. I went up to them, made my moves, and you wanna know what the guy said?” Candy asked me, now looking a bit angry. This doesn’t look good.

“His friend tells me “Go away, you two-bit slut”. And I’m about to tell this guy off, when Colton tells him to apologize to me. Says “That’s no way to treat a lady”, and his friend did. Hmm. He kinda redeemed himself after rejecting me last time.” She explained to me.

“I should’ve been with you for that one.” Fauna interjected before I could speak. “I’d have slapped the piss outta that asshole.”

“I can take care of myself, ya know.” Candy said, folding her fore hooves.

“Still, no pony speaks to you like that, except me.” Fauna said, kinda surprising Candy a little bit. I guess these two are friends after all.

“Okay. Now, did Colton ever name drop this stallion he was with?” I asked her.

“Yeah. He said the name Ludwig. Ya know, I coulda sworn I’d heard that name before, but I just couldn’t remember.” She said.

“Now that you mention it” Fauna said “I think I’ve heard that name too. Just off the top of my head.”

Seems kinda weird that these two, who are street mares, know things and certain ponies from street talk, yet they can’t remember that Ludwig is the son of Sebastian St. Clipton. The DA of Canterlot.

“Did any other mares who work the nightly strolls come across Colton or Ludwig or both?” I asked them.

“Yeah.” Fauna said. “And they’ve all said Colton turned them down. Respectfully of course. Most of the time it was just Colton. When he was with Ludwig, they said the exact opposite. He was rude and disrespectful.”

“What about any male prostitutes?” I asked.

“We haven’t seen any. Not to say there aren’t, but all the sex workers we’ve seen, they’ve all been mares.” Fauna told me.

“Same here.” Candy said.

Maybe, I should take a walk through a nightly stroll of these survival sex workers and ask them if there were any male prostitutes. I’ll ask them when I go and try to look for Ruby.

But, I’m done for now. “Thanks you two. You’ve been a big help.”

Fauna shrugged with her meh face. “Happy to help, I guess. And thanks again for the grub.” She said, standing up from her chair and grabbing her purse.

Candy did the same thing, while seductively brushing her tail under my chin. Damn, this mare doesn’t give up. Maybe, it was after Colton’s rejection.

“My offer is still up, ya know. Ya change your mind, you know where to find me. And Fauna too for double the fun.” She whispered in my ear.

Fauna just rolled her eyes again before grabbing Candy with her magic. “Come on, Ho. Let’s get outta here.” She said, pulling her by her ear. I heard Candy muttering “Ow, Ow, Ow” while being pulled away. It feels like she’s playing a Foalsitter to Candy.

-/-Streets of Canterlot-/-

It appears Candy isn’t the only working mare that would offer me a “good time.” Apparently, I’ve stumbled onto the nightly stroll for the sex workers. And, after a few flirtatious chats from them, I got down to business, and started asking a few of them if they had ever seen Colton or Ludwig or both on their nightly strolls.

One mare, who looked about in her mid to late 20’s, told me she had indeed seen Colton, but not Ludwig. This mare was slightly slim looking, had a really short blond mane that went to her neck, a light purple coat, and wore light blue eyeshadow. Like Candy, she said he turned her down, but in a respectful and gentlecolt type way.

Another mare, this one about the same age as the previous one, maybe a year or two younger, told me she had seen both of them on her nightly stroll. She had a raspberry colored mane that looked to have been stylized in a salon, a blood orange type coat with a snazzy looking saddle on her back, and even wore an exceptional amount of makeup. Lip gloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and even wore blue eye contacts. Seems some of these working mares REALLY want to look good to make some bits. Some go au naturale, some make a little effort, and some go all out.

Anyway, she tells me that before she could even speak, Ludwig tells her to leave them alone. That he didn’t want some mare who looks like a whore. She even looked about ready to cry, before Colton REALLY got in his face. She told me exactly what Candy told me back at the Detention Center. Colton would apologize for his friends behavior, politely turn her down like a gentlecolt, and then tell Ludwig to apologize to her, which he did, albeit not really wanting too.

I also asked both of these mares if there were any male prostitutes who ever worked the nightly strolls. They both told me that they had never seen one.

There were a few other mares I talked too, and they pretty much gave me the same story. Although one in particular surprised me.

One mare, around her mid twenties. Her name is Zoe. She had a long and curly light blue mane, an Indigo colored coat, and went au naturale. She ran into Ludwig one night. Alone. No Colton with him. She tells me he didn’t look in a good mood that night. But, money is money. She tells me she approached him one night, offered herself up to him, but this was where all the other mares’ stories differ from hers.

She tells me he called her a whore and to go away. However, instead of walking away from him, she tries again to persuade him to spend a night with her. That’s when she tells me a pretty scary story that could’ve ended up bad for her.

He grabs her by her shoulder and pins her up against a near wall. He yells in her face to shut the fuck up and get outta here before he loses his temper. She’s scared for her life and runs away from him. She even told a few friends of hers.

Now, unfortunately, none of them went to the police. I guess their thought process was “Who’s gonna believe who: The DA’s son, or some random hooker who no pony gives a shit about?” She tells me this happened about 6 days ago.

Well. Seems this Ludwig is now getting more and more interesting.

So, after walking the prostitution stroll and asking the working mares about Colton and/or Ludwig, I pull my phone out to try and contact Ruby Glow. Hopefully, she’ll answer.

I started to get nervous after no answer on the third ring. And right as the fourth ring was starting, I heard the pick up.

“Yeah?” I heard Ruby answer in a kind of nonchalant tone. It appears she’s not exactly in a good mood after that performance at the Detention Center.

“Where are you? I’ve got some information that you might wanna hear.” I told her as I noticed a few working mares talking to a few stallions not too far away from me.

“You mean, you got something off of them?” She asked, kinda rudely. Okay, this isn’t like her at all. Something’s up.

“Yes.” I told her in a tone that let her know that I’m not fucking around. “And I wanna know what’s up with you. So just tell me where you’re at and we can talk this over like reasonable ponies.” I paused for a quick second before I said something I have been wanting to say to her for a while now.

“We aren’t just partners, ya know. You’re my friend, Ruby. And I wanna help you.” I said.

There was silence on her end for about a minute. A minute that felt longer, and just made me more anxious.

“Didn’t know you considered me that. Not a lot of ponies do. Maybe except for Cadaver.” She said. I didn’t notice any slurring in her voice. So, it looks like she’s not at any bar getting drunk or something. I mean, that’s normally where ponies who don’t want to talk about their problems go to.

“Well, I do. And you need somepony to talk to. Hell, I may have some things I could talk to you about.” I said to her. Do I dare talk about my past with her? I mean, I know we’ve done a few things together. However, this is our first official case together. Could I trust her with my personal shit?

“Like what?” She asked, still not sounding all that happy.

“Well, tell me where you are, and we can talk. We’ve got a case to solve. And if we wanna get the fucker who did this, we have to be cool with each other. Even if it means airing some dirty laundry. So, just tell me. Where are you?” I asked her.

It was that silence again that worried me she was gonna hang up on me.

However, thankfully, that didn’t happen.

“Meet me at Canterlot County Buffet. Hell, you haven’t eaten yet. Might as well get some grub yourself.” Ruby told me.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you Ruby. I’ll be right there. Don’t go anywhere.” I told her.

“Yeah, yeah. See you when you get here.” She said before hanging up.

I am getting a little hungry myself. And a buffet does sound nice. Not to mention, what better way to talk about your shitty experiences then with a good meal? Depending on how good the buffet food is to begin with.

So, with that, I trotted over to the Canterlot County Buffet. Hopefully, after Ruby and I talk, she is good enough to keep on going with this case.

And I hope the food is good too.