Too Fluffy For You?

As Jane hosted me into the police car, sadly I had to go behind the bars, I noticed Cho was seated up front on the passenger side. A sick knot twisted in my stomach and I turned my head back to look at Jane, his smile made me feel woozy and I asked worriedly, “Who’s driving?”

Cho didn’t look back at me, only said, “Jane.” before looking back at his book.

Instantly I started to scramble backwards, but Jane nudged me forward and slammed the door shut. When he hopped into the car and slipped in the key to start the engine, he looked over his shoulder at me. “Come on,” he said joyfully. “You’ve driven with me loads of times.” I answered his happiness with an unsatisfied grunt.

The car engine started an I jolted in surprise. Fuel scent stained the air and I tried to cover my nose with my hair as the car bounced beneath my hooves.

“So Lisbon, I was thinking. You know, since you’re a pegasus and all, we should see if you can actually fly, it would be interesting wouldn’t it?”

“No!” I shouted. Panic continued to grip me as the car jumped and shuddered again. Perking my ears, I caught Jane the sound of Jane growling, “Sheep dip.” while he jiggled with the key.

Finally the car started properly. Steadily we began to make our way to Laura's house. Restlessness soon soon began to nag at me and to pass the time I stretched my light wings, pondering if Jane’s idea was worth testing. Suddenly I shook my head with a shiver. No way! Never would I fly! It defied ever rule in life, people don’t fly, or at least used to be people. Sighing I touched my foot against the bars and wondered if this is what it would have felt like to be in jail had Jane and I not caught Roy. I still wanted to kill him. That no good therapist of mine had planned it all along!

“Lisbon, are you okay back there?”

Realizing that I had drifted off, I backed off of the bars that I had been leaning against and unclenched my stiff jaw. Looking up I noticed Jane looking back at me expectantly.

“I’m fine!” I hissed back with frustration, more at myself than him. Looking down I closed my eyes and tried to get myself to relax. Suddenly shock  ripped through me and I snapped my head back up. Jane was still looking at me. “THE ROAD!” I squeaked hastily, “WATCH THE ROAD!”

Jumping out of the car, I took a breath in. It felt good to be out of the horror movie set up, and I knew that Cho felt the same way.

As my team started walking towards the door, I turned and went to sit by a large tree growing in the front lawn. I concluded it would be better I sat this one out. If I went inside, I would just cause a fuss. Yawning I admired the small neighborhood. Gardens clattered each and every property, and large trees cast dark silhouettes down upon the smooth road that split the streets. Laura’s house was probably the least attractive house on the whole block. It was covered in moss, and the brick seemed to have corroded away. Shattered windows hung open and the roof was more dreary than any I had ever seen.

All I had to do was relax. It wasn’t my job right now to be butting in and investigating. I could trust Cho to take care of Jane . . . Jane . . . No. No one could handle Jane except me. Growling I slammed a hoof down. I needed to be in there with them!

Shooting off the ground, I raced towards the door at full sprint, but a voice from behind me made me stop dead in my tracks.

“Hello!”

I turned around, no one was there. A small dog was wagging it’s tail back and forth, but I payed it no heed. Was I going nuts? Sighting I began to walk to the steps again, but was halted by laughing.

“Do you wanna play a game?”

Snarling I whipped around, anger flaring in my eyes. “Whoever is messing with me better stop! I’m Lisbon of the CBI! Please come out!” But no one answered. I looked down at the dog again and when it opened it’s mouth, I nearly fainted.

“Do you wanna play?”

I stared for a minute, hoping that it would bark, but it never did. Slowly I crept towards the door, and when I got inside I quickly saw Jane and Cho. But something else caught my eye as well. On the inside, it was a whole new world. A lovely chandelier hung from the ceiling with shimmering beads dangling from the main glass. Rows of chine glass covered the walls, filled with beautiful cutlery that I could only dream of having. Underneath my hooves was a stainless white carpet that extended all the way down the hallway to what looked to be the kitchen.

“Guys . . . There’s a problem.” I started, remembering the dog. But as I got closer to them, another person came into view. Laura Granet . . .

Laura was staring at me with wide teary eyes and flushed cheeks, and I couldn’t do anything about it now! I should have thought! I should have known that she was here! I felt stupid and frustrated at the same time.

“Hi, I’m agent Lisbon of the CBI. This is agent Cho and my consultant Patrick Jane. If it’s alright I would like to ask you some questions.” I said as I walked up to the table, trying to pretend nothing was wrong. I could barely see overtop the counter, so Cho grabbed me a stool, which I clumsily clambered up with Jane’s assistance. I accidentally slapped him in the face a few times with my whirling wings, but I trusted that it didn’t hurt him to much seeing as they were made of feathers.

“I umm . . .” Laura seemed lost for words, so I just carried on as usual, my heart pounded and my voice shook a little, but I tried to hide it. Though the only reason was so Jane didn’t have anything to “read” into.

“Where were you yesterday in the afternoon?”

“I, I was at home . . .” Laura answered, drawing a tissue from the white box beside her.

That was a common answer, and I didn’t want to interrogate her when she was crying like this. I was almost happy I looked cute and cuddly right now. Nudging the box closer to her I continued, noticing out of the corner of my eye that Jane had walked off and was looking through Laura's bookshelf.

“What were you doing?” I spoke softly.

“I was reading . . . actually I was reading the book he has in his hands.” She answered with a slight sniffle, pointing to Jane.

Jane looked back at us with a surprised expression. He whispered a quick apology before setting the book down in front of me. It was titled, The Price Of Luxury.

“Alright, thank you.” Sighing I looked straight into Laura’s eyes. “I only have one question left, do you know anyone who might have wanted to hurt Jessie?”

“I don’t think so . . .” Laura whispered stunned. I sighed disappointedly and was about to attempt to leave when Laura spoke again. “Actually, there might be one person. His name is Richard Luis, apparently Laura owed him money, I don’t recall her ever paying him back . . . He might be upset about that . . .”

“At least now we have some sort of lead.” I said tiredly. “Alright, thanks Laura.” I struggled off the stool, but before I left I turned back. “Oh, Laura?” I started.

Laura lifted her head and stared back at me with curiosity.

“Does your dog talk?”