Darkness in the Detective's Shadow

In the town of Spartan was a light brown haired girl named Ellen, ever since the young age of sixteen backed by years of snoop novel reading she had been melding in the affairs of many of her town’s crooks and criminals bringing them all to justice one by one. None of this would be possible without her trusty friend and sidekick Addie who arrived in town after Ellen had made a few of her first busts.

Ellen didn’t know how, but Addie had a lot of resources available and always got much needed info when needed on any case she was working on. Thanks to her Ellen was able to clean up her town making it a better place to live and now many years later and after many cases that usually ended Ellen with being in a hopeless binding situation and getting free and busting the bad guy, Ellen was now twenty-two in age with Addie being age twenty-three and they were facing their hardest challenge yet.

For the past few weeks Spartan had been rocked with mass amounts of robberies, thefts, shady dealings and anything else one could think of. Ellen had did her best but she couldn’t find any clues who was behind it and all the past criminals were still locked up with no proof of connection to anything currently going on. She searched high and low, looking for any possible clues and talked to anyone who may known but there was nothing on the current happenings which left Ellen stump.  

“I don’t believe this.” Ellen said with a long sigh as she sat on a park bench on a beautiful sunny day. “I’ve never had this much trouble trying to find out what is going on.” She said as she had on a green t-shirt with dark tan color skirt with dark tights with brown knee high boots on.

“Maybe our luck has finally run out?” Addie suggested as she sat next to Ellen trying to encourage her. She had long white snow like hair and wore a purple shirt with black shorts with thigh high dark blue socks and black boots.

“Yeah, maybe.” Ellen said depressed as they were approached by a female with blue hair wearing a causal blue business outfit with nude stockings and black high heel shoes.

“Well the mighty Ellen is stump, never thought I live to see the day.” The female said slowly shaking her head.

“Oh, hey detective Oasis.” Ellen and Addie said as she sat down next to them.

“Between you and me we don’t have a clue who is behind this, guess all those days taking off and leaving the investigation to you two has left me rusty.” Oasis said adding her own sigh to their heavy problems.

“Yeah, sorry. But I got nothing this time.” Ellen replied.

“Well don’t worry about it, you’ve done a lot for this town but now things are more serious than they have been before. Just go home, concentrate on your college studies and leave this to the officials.” Oasis said standing up.

“I guess.” Ellen said in a glum tone, it bothered her she couldn‘t figure things out.

“Get home early now, things aren’t safe anymore.” Oasis said walking off.

“I need to run some errands, I’ll call you later.” Addie said getting up and taking off.

“Right.” Ellen said as she gazed up at the darkening sky. “No.” She said shaking her head. “I’m not going to give up, yet.” She said racing off to a place she only used if she truly had to.

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Ellen had walked deep into a dark alley and then stood in front of a black metal door which above it was a flickering neon sign which said; Trash Alley bar. Taking a deep breath she entered the place she rather never step foot in and as the door slam shut behind her it drew the look of all the shady people in the bar. Granted the bar hadn’t been as busy since she rounded up most of the criminals in the city.

She quickly scanned the area over and through the many glaring looks she got, she found the person she needed in the back and slowly made her way over to the man who wore a long grey overcoat with matching top hat and was currently reading a newspaper. Without saying a word Ellen had set across from him in the run down booth.

“Well miss Ellen, I haven’t seen you since you let me go after busting Big Boss Shark in his gambling operation.” The man said as he hid behind his newspaper.

“Ed the Wise, the only reason you’re not in jail right now is because of that info you gave me at the last second that saved me from getting cut in half by that old saw machine.” Ellen said in a annoyed tone.

“And in a way I’m in your debt miss Ellen, what can I do you for? Perhaps info on the recent happenings?”

“Yes.”

“Well I got two bits of info, one free and one that will cost you.” Ed replied through the newspaper.

“Which helps me the most?” Ellen asked curious.

“The free, but it will be worth paying for the extra.”

“I’ll just take the free then, I hate to finance whatever you do in your free time.”

“Hey now, I’m just a simple info broker making a living.” He said with a grin.

“Sure you are, now can I have the info?”

“Everything that has been stolen is going to be shipped out of the pier tonight by midnight. You don’t have much time.” He said as the clock was at 9:30PM.

“Thanks, just keep your nose clean.” Ellen said running out of the bar.

“Careful miss Ellen, there is a shadow behind every hero.” Ed said with a laugh.

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“The pier?” Addie replied over the cell phone in a surprise tone as Ellen had called her.

“Yeah, got the tip from a somewhat trusty source.” Ellen said in a breathless tone as she was running towards the docks as fast as she could.

“Did you call the police yet?” Addie asked.

“Not yet, I just need to make sure before I call them.” Ellen said.

“Alright, I’ll meet you over there.” Addie said before hanging up and Ellen ran as fast as she could before she finally reached the docks.

“Now where are they?” Ellen wondered as she began to creep through the docks making sure she stay hidden among the shadows and the towering stacked crates.

After a little searching she found them in the middle of the docks loading up a large boat which was being done by many strong looking men.

“Jackpot! I found them.” Ellen said excitedly as she pulled out her cell phone to call the police but stopped when she saw all the men become distracted and soon her eyes went wide when she saw them drag a struggling Addie out in the open which two large men were holding her by the arms. “No! Addie!” She gasp under her breath as she watched the brutes bind her wrists with large white rope and tie a cloth between her lips.

Ellen could only watch as the thugs laughed and then dragged her away into a nearby warehouse.

“I got to save her before I call the cops.” Ellen said as she vanished into the darkness and worked her way over to the warehouse without being seen. Once there she found a broken out window and used that to slip inside which there was only Addie who was struggling on the ground.  

“Don’t worry Addie I’m here!” Ellen called out reassuringly as she worked her way over to Addie by climbing over all the boxes and other objects making sure not to make any loud sounds to draw attention.

“Mmrrmprm!” Addie called out as she squirm happily into her bindings as she exposed the knot to her gag.

“Don’t worry, once your free we’ll get out of here and let the police arrest these guys.” Ellen said as she removed Addie’s gag which she was now smiling.

“Yeah about that, change of plans Ellen.” Addie said as the door to the warehouse slam open and in walked all the goons.

“What the?!” Ellen cried out as with a flex of her wrists Addie’s bindings fell away and she stood up and walked away from Ellen and over to the grinning men.

“Get her boys.” Addie ordered as the men pulled out sturdier and thinner rope and rushed the stun Ellen.

Ellen couldn’t fight back and was lost in deep shock as the men easily tackled her and quickly bound her wrists and elbows with more rope wrapped around her chest. Her lower legs were tightly bound at the thighs, knees and ankles and her mouth was packed full of tiny balls of white cloth with a long strip of cloth tightly wrapped around her lower face and knotted off.

“Mrmrmprm!” Ellen grunted out as she was left on the floor completely helpless and started up at her friend with confused and bewildered eyes as Addie laughed.

“Guess an explanation is in order huh?” Addie said as she walked over to Ellen with a smirk.

“First off, introductions. My name isn’t Addie Heilpack. My actual name is Addie Le Lombardi, of the famous Lombardi family who practically run Chicago’s underworld. Daddy felt it was time I start learning the family business and was given the task of taking over a rival underground in another town. As I searched I found this town though hard as it would be to get rid of the competition I saw your article how you got lucky taking out a few bad guys.” Addie explained as Ellen started to shake her head.

“So I had a idea, what if I just help this girl out? She busts all the criminals with my help and I stand in her shadow learning all her skills and secrets! And guess what? It worked!” Addie said in a joyful tone.

“Mmrmprmr!” Ellen shook her head as tears began to well up in her eyes.

“I’ll admit these past few years have been grueling and painful to bare being your joyful little side kick, but in the end it will all be worth it. You help me get rid of everyone and in turn I learned everything I needed about you which allows me to skip town with all this loot. Thanks for helping and now goodbye.” Addie said leaving the warehouse with her men as the door slam shut.

“Mmm, hphpm, Mrrrrrrrrrr!” Ellen cried out as everything sunk in and made her feel sick. The mere thought of everything she did was at the help of a crime lord’s daughter shook her soul and made Ellen want to crawl into a hole and never come out.

Ellen curled up in a ball, crying into her gag wishing she could just die.

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“So boss, we just going to leave her?” A henchmen asked.

“Of course not, once we leave port my little gift in that warehouse will start to tick down from five minutes.” Addie said holding up a bomb switch.

“Oh good, we like explosions.” A thug said as they all laughed.

“Now we have little time, have the boat ready to go in less than a hour!” Addie ordered as all the men went back to work. “And has anyone seen my secretary?” She asked as everyone shrugged.

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On the other side of the docks was a dark brunet woman wearing a red business suit with dark tights and red high heels. Tape was running around her chest, wrists and ankles and a piece was being smoothed over her lips by detective Oasis.

“Thanks for the info, I’ll make sure your police escort is done by some handsome single officers.” She said with a wink.

“Mmpmphff.” The woman moan with a blush.

“Now, I have little time.” Oasis said kicking off her high heels leaving her feet clad in nude stockings and she ripped her skirt up the left side so she could run better and began to race to the other side of the docks.

Once there she hid behind some boxes and saw all the men loading the boat and quickly sent a signal to HQ for backup. As she kept hidden she herd some weak moans coming out of the building next to her and decided to check it out. Once inside she found Ellen bound and gagged on the floor crying her eyes out.  

“Ellen!” Oasis cried out racing over to her and freeing her of bindings quickly. “Whats wrong?”

“It’s, it’s hic, it’s…” Ellen tried to say as Oasis pulled her into a tight comforting hug.

“Yes, I sadly learned the truth just a short moment ago. She had us all fool didn’t she?”

“But, but, how, I-” Ellen said lost in her emotions as Oasis rubbed her back and stroked her hair.

“Shhh, it’s alright now. She did trick us in a bad way, but we won’t let her get away with it. Now will we?” She asked easing Ellen out and looking at her.

“I, I guess so.” She said still upset and crying.

“Come now, wipe those tears you have work to do Jr Detective.” Oasis said wiping Ellen’s tears away and using a cloth to clean her face up.

“Th-thanks.” Ellen said taking a moment to compose herself.

“I know Addie help you a lot, but in the end it was your will and skills that nabbed all those bad guys, you don’t need her to keep being the hero you are.” She said bringing a smile to Ellen’s face.

“Thanks, Oasis.” Ellen said as a ruckus could be herd outside. “whats going on?”

“Back up, come on!” Oasis said racing outside with Ellen following to see the cops had the area surrounded but the bad guys were resisting.

“Hold them back, launch the ship now!” Addie said as she made her way to the boarding stairs.

“No you won’t!” Ellen said racing off as Oasis eyed something in the warehouse.

“So, you got free? Well looks like you get to live to see another day.” Addie said just stopping short of reaching the staircase leading to the boat.

“I’m Jr detective Ellen Pagie, your under arrest Addie!” Ellen declared.

“How cute, still acting like a make believe detective. Give it up, your nothing without me. Maybe you like to come work for me?” Addie offered.

“Sorry, I don’t work for criminals.” Ellen replied with a glare.

“Are you sure? You worked well for me all these past years.” Addie said which angered Ellen more.

“I refuse!”

“Oh well.” Addie said as she hit the bomb button and raced for the stairs.

“Got to stop her!” Ellen said as she looked around and found a broken crate full of sport supplies and then looked at the ship to see a crane loading a bunch of tiny sports balls onto the ship. Grinning Ellen grabbed a boomerang from the box and threw it at the case holding the balls.

The boomerang spin towards the case and shattered it open sending balls all over the place and into Addie’s path.

“What thhheeeaaaahhhh!” Addie cried out as her foot ran onto some ping pong balls and she quickly lost her balance and fell to the ground. “Dammit, launch, LAUNCH THE BOAT!” She yelled out as some thugs on board echoed the order and the ship left the dock.

“Got you.” Ellen said handcuffing Addie.

“For now, but I got away with all the supplies and daddy will free me in no time, legally or illegally.” Addie said grinning.

“You sure about that?” Oasis said walking up as there was soon a explosion on the lower part of the boat making it sink.

“What? NO!” Addie cried out in shock.

“I found your little present in the warehouse and quickly got it on the ship, got to hate it when you leave stuff behind right?” She said grinning.

“Gaahhhhh!” Addie cried out in frustration as some SWAT officers carried her off to a police truck. “This isn’t over!” Addie declared before she was taken into the truck but resisted as they tried to shut the doors. “I will have revenge!” She cried out before she was finally shoved in and the doors slammed and locked.

“Well, guess my detective days are over.” Ellen said in a tone of despair as the police began to clean up the dock.

“By the way, how far are you in your studies?” Oasis asked.

“To the part where I need to work with a real detective. You know, shadow them as they work.” Ellen replied.

“Well I could use a partner, how about it. Assistant detective Ellen?” Oasis offered with a smile.

“R-really?!” Ellen asked with a joyful look.

“Sure, I think we both need to be partners if we want to keep this city clean.”

With a joyful nod they walked off forming a new powerful friendship that would keep the city clean for many years to come.

The end.