Author's Note: This is Case 1 of my newest 'story' Case:Zero. Some little info that is needed for you guys to know is that yes, this story is based off of the cases I've done over the course of my life. But, Case: Zero is a fantasy-reality type story where even though the cases are real, they're modified to create something a bit enjoyable. For example, I am not a detective in this story, but instead a thief, as mine and Vale's roles have basically switched. Not to mention though I am nothing more than regular English tongued in real life, I am... Australian in here. Another thing, I am eighteen and Vale is twenty-one.

Something more, is that I, as I've always wanted to be, am a wolf, half-wolf actually. I appear to have long, white fluffy ears and a long, white fluffy tail. Two important things with this though, is that whenever I come in contact with water, I change into a full white wolf and don't change back for another few hours and I can also change whenever I want to and change back whenever I want to, if manually that is.

Disclaimer- I own almost nothing in this but the fantasy-based ideas. Characters are technically not mine, besides myself, and credit for the cases go solely to the LIPD.

Heh, enjoy!

-0-

A Murderous Love Game

    A tall woman, with brown hair and brown eyes, cuffed, walked down the halls of the prison, a guard leading her to the main entrance.

    "Alana Acres." She heard her name being called and smirked, walking forward towards the head guard and her cuffs were removed. "You're free to go."

    Her smirk widened as she was led out of the hell hole after two years of being away from the outside world and was being set free, off into the wild. "I'm coming, love." She purred out into the wind.

-0-

    "Alright people, listen up." A tall, man stood in front of a group of people, his blond hair messy from having just woken up. "Three weeks ago, a man was found murdered in a hotel room, the doors and windows locked, strangled with what we figured to be laces." He said, pointing to a picture on the board of a man, dead, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and thin burn marks around his neck. "A woman had been spotted leaving the hotel room the night before.

    A few days later, another man, similar to the previous one, was found in the same situation, dead in an apartment room, strangled, a woman seen leaving his apartment the night before." The slide moved and another picture of a similar man was shown, and then again, another man in the same way. "And again a week later." The man sighed, turning the screen off and turning to the others in the room. "Now we have reasons to believe that the same woman was involved in those murders, but we have yet to find anything on her or the people whom she killed. All we know of was that each man had the same specific features, blonde hair, blue eyes, was at least six feet tall, and had a name starting with K."

    A man, with red hair, beside the blond nodded, clearing his throat before attaining all attention on him. "Yes, thank you Detective West." He said and the detective nodded, stepping away. "We have all available forces working on this case, and we need anyone else who is available to search up anything that you can on this."

    An officer, a brunette in the front, raised her hand, timid though, biting her lower lip; her glasses sliding to the tip of her nose and she pushed them back nervously as all eyes went on her. "I-I don't mean to interrupt, but w-what about that thief? Aren't we supposed to be looking into him?" She questioned and Detective West spoke up before the other man spat at her for such a stupid question.

    "This murder is our top priority Mrs. Bakers and we need to look into what we have and solve it before anyone else turns up dead. The thief can come later." He answered and ignored the small glare received by the other.

    "Dismissed." The man gritted his teeth before turning to walk towards his office.

    Detective West let out a soft sigh, shaking his head at the chief before turning to go to his own desk, sorting through various files, including numerous on the elusive thief that had everyone's mind hooked. The thief known as Zero, now whether or not that was his real name, he hadn't a clue.

    "Detective West, sir… um, can I speak with you?" West turned his head to the side, raising an eyebrow at a young, pony-tailed, officer, and the newest member of the police department.

    "Yes?" He questioned, frowning in concern.

    "I was wondering if you could tell me about the thief." He wondered, sounding quite curious, although his tone had a slight mischievous note to it.

    "I don't know as to why, for your top concern should be the case everyone else is working on." The detective said, stern and the newbie, Vale, grinned sheepishly.

    "I know, but I figured why waste my time on the case when that thief could beat me to the details and solve it before I do?" He questioned and the detective gave another sigh.

    Yes, the elusive thief that had everyone stumped had always managed to solve almost every single case that had even the best of the police puzzled.

    "Look, kid, work on this case and I'll grant you access to the basics of his file, understood?" He said and Vale beamed, nodding his head before turning away to work on the current case.

-0-

    Zero stood on top of the club's roof, on top of the famous Black Diamond, watching, waiting.

    He had stood there for hours, until nightfall, watching as many women and men walked in and out of the building and he had come up fruitless, unable to find his target.

    His ears twitched as the cold winter air hit them like a blast of frozen wind and his trench coat flapped silently behind him, his tail hanging limply from behind.

    He had heard from the police scanners of a new case, about a woman who was killing off guys she took back to their room, right after she had sex with them and as usual had taken the case for his self to solve so those pathetic 'law enforcers' didn't have to over work their brains for it.

    His ears perked up as he heard laughter, a man's laughter and a woman's giggle. He looked below him, shadowed by the night sky to see a man with blonde hair and blue eyes and a woman, wearing a wig obviously, with black hair. She looked familiar to him, from light descriptions he memorized from the witness' who saw the woman the night before the men were found murdered and the man she had with her had the same features as the others.

    Zero narrowed his eyes as he studied the woman, probably somewhere around the age of twenty-eight. She had a slim body form, most likely to help with picking up the men, her teeth whitened to a great extent, most likely because of her 'job', and her clothing style, also a result of her job. Tucked in her boots was most likely the cash she earned from the men who swooned over her and around her wrists and neck and in her ears were several forms of jewelry, probably matching her personality.

    Hidden under the wig she wore were slight traces of brown hair, most likely her natural hair color and her voice, he could tell, showed the slightest trace of an Irish accent, though it was obvious she was trying so hard to conceal it. And another small detail he had not failed to notice was the little name tattooed on the back of her ankle, Alana. It was most definitely either her real name, tattooed on there so she would not forget it playing off the 'innocent' prostitute looking for fun, or it was a close family member's name, like her daughter perhaps.

    The very last detail he'd noticed that the faint band around her finger, saying that she'd recently had a ring there but took it off for some reason, most likely because of a recent divorce or her husband had died.

    Zero sighed. He had not liked much that he was so intuitive, but it was one of the reasons he was able to beat the police and he cherished that.

    The wolf gave a shake of his head and disappeared into the night, going to find everything he could on the woman and her obsession with blond haired, blue eyed men.

-0-

    "I can't wait to show you my room." The man, Kaine, smirked, bringing the woman, whom he had come to know as Delilah, closer to him and kissed her on the lips, biting her lower lip as a tease and she giggled at the action.

    "Oh me neither, baby." She purred out, her Irish accent thinly disguised by a simple American one that had taken her a few years to master.

    It wasn't until a few minutes later Kaine was pulling Delilah through a small apartment complex, going towards him room, fumbling with the key card, and getting the door open, all the while kissing Delilah again. He succeeded in getting past the door and closing it before being tackled, already aroused.

    Kaine chuckled sharply, breaking away from the kiss, pulling his shirt over his head and throwing it off somewhere to the side of the room, making his way to the bed with Delilah trailing after him, pulling her own tank-top over her head, biting her lower lip in a 'sexy' way, eyes half-lidded as a show.

    She crawled her way over to him, pushing him against the bed, straddling his hips, working on getting the lace-like belt from her panties untied. She leaned forward, kissing him once more, leaning to his ears as she got the lace undone and held tight in her grasp. "Are you ready?" She purred out and he let out a small growl in reply, grabbing her hips just as she leaned back, and brought her arms around his neck, wrapping the lace tightly around it. Her face showing no emotions as she frowned, watching as Kaine's eyes went wide and he brought his hands up to try and get her to stop.

    And before she knew it, he fell limp against the bed and she sighed, getting up. She was getting tired of this game and desperate to find her catch, and it was time to step up her game.

    She took the time to take the man's money, a pair of pants and a shirt and slipped them on before walking out, locking the door behind her, the lace tucked deep in her pocket and she walked out, not at all worried about the police ever catching her.

-0-

    Vale groaned, running his hands through his hair, letting it down from his ponytail and spun around in his chair for a few seconds before turning back to the computer, having nothing better to do and meeting a dead end in his current case.

    He stuck out his tongue in concentration, opening up a search browser and typed in 'International Thieves', clicking search and scrolling down to find a link that looked good enough to go through, clicking on it and reading through what the text had, frowning.

    'Thief better than actual police…?' 'International thief turned wonder detective!' 'Thief outsmarts the law once more!' He read through all of the headlines and felt a small smirk tugging at his lips.

    It was odd, not impossible, to think a thief was smarter than the actual detectives of the law, and odder still to find the same thief helping them out, even if it was just meant to get him more attention, though Vale doubted it was. Now Vale didn't know much, but he at least figured the thief was noble to a certain extent.

    "What do you have there, kid?" Vale, startled, jumped at the voice and quickly closed the browser, chuckling nervously as he saw an older officer, Officer Reeds was his name.

    "H-hello officer." Vale greeted warmly with a bright smile before turning back to his computer, faking innocence. "I was just trying to figure out a break in this case before you came up." He answered, half-lying.

    Reeds chuckled and crossed his arms. "Ah, is that so?" Vale nodded, slight hesitation to it and the officer shook his head, laughing wholeheartedly. "You were searching up stuff about that thief, weren't you?" Vale frowned at that before giving up and nodding. "Don't worry kid, everyone's just as curious about the guy as you are. But we have a case to solve, and if I'm not mistaken, Miles promised you the basics of the file, didn't he?" Vale nodded at that and he grinned, once more pumped to get the case solved before any old thief did first.

-0-

    Zero's eyes narrowed as he scanned the info in front of him, every little detail on an Alana Acres, the only female that matched what he found out about her and he sighed as he realized he was right.

    Alana did have a husband, a blonde, blue eyed, thirty-five year old man named Kale; which explained why she was going after men with those specifics.

    Apparently though, the man declared her crazy and she freaked, nearly going after him and she was sent to jail for two years. She had been released just a few months ago and now Zero's only guess was that she was now after the man who'd imprisoned her, Kale, Kale Acres.

    As much as he hated doing so, Zero immediately opened up the website for the police department and began messaging the police as an anonymous user, typing in all he knew, leaving nothing out as usual. He may have been a thief, but he was honest and he had a code and certain standards to follow.

    For instance: Zero always told the truth, he never let anyone get hurt while he was responsible, he only stole that which has been stolen first, and always returned the stolen jewelry to its original owner, no matter how hard it was to find the people in the end.

    He closed out everything after sending the message and then stood up. 'Now I wait.' He thought to his self.

-0-

    Alana sat at the computer; legs crossed, with a small smirk on her face, her now blue hair drawn back into a ponytail. She cracked her knuckles and set on the computer in front of her, setting up a web page and went to searching.

    She typed the specifics into the search bar, and clicked enter, her smirk widening as she saw the first link and clicked on it, reading through the new found info: Kale Acres, male, thirty-five years old, blond, blue eyes. Though what struck her off was seeing a little piece of side info, about him having a new 'toy'.

    "Oh Kale, you want to play that game do you? Fine, we'll play that game." She said, writing down his address before standing up, clearing all browsing history, closing the page, and shutting the computer down. "Let's play the Love game." She added, walking out of the building.

-0-

    "Um chief, you might want to come read this." Detective West frowned at the new message the department received.

    "What is it you want West, damn it, I'm trying to work a case here!" Chief Harrison growled out, stomping over to the departments main line and looked at the detective expectantly. "This better be important or so help me god," he gritted out.

    "It's from the thief." That was all West had needed to say before the entire department seemed to cast its attention towards him.

    "How do you know?" Another officer piped up, coming next to the desk, but no one paid him any mind.

    "He says that he figured it out, that he found the final pieces to the puzzle of this 'murderous love game'." He sighed, shaking his head at what the thief called it, having no idea what he meant.

    "Don't read it." The chief bit out and West stared at him with wide eyes.

    "Are you insane? If he really does know it then we may as well read and find out what he knows! It doesn't hurt to check it out at least." The detective argued, not at all deterred by the glare he received.

    "We are not receiving any more 'helpful' tips from that thief! This department is already on the edge as it is." Harrison spat, turning back. "Everyone, back to work!" He commanded, the department doing just that, all but West.

    West had sighed once more, turning to the message that the thief wrote and reading it over, planning on checking out what the thief was saying about the case. "Ross, here, now." He directed, the newbie immediately coming to his side in a rush, not wanting to get into trouble with the older officers, yet anyway.

    "Yes sir?" He asked, standing straight and West smirked.

    "Think you can trace back to which computer the thief used to send this message?" Vale brightened up with that and he nodded, saluting.

    "Absolutely sir!" He grinned, bouncing off to get his job done, as resident hacker and electronics genius, before West stood up, grabbing his things and going straight to the address listed in the message, taking a few officers with him just in case something happened, something the thief said was going to happen.

-0-

    Zero narrowed his eyes, watching the two shadows in the room. 'No, no, no, this was not supposed to happen. What? There wasn't supposed to be anyone with him, who the hell is that lady? His girlfriend I'm guessing. Oh shut up!' He thought bitterly, arguing with his inner voice, a voice that sounded plain to his own ears, with said ears twitching in anticipation.

    No innocents were supposed to be around when this took place, so why in the hell was she there!?

    Zero hopped down to get a better look, immediately regretting it as he did so. Inside the bedroom, there on the bed, was a half-naked Kale and a woman in only her underwear and her bra, the bra coming undone. 'Sick…! Yes Zero, I suppose it is.'

    If there was anything that Zero hated more than anything else in the world, it was sex. How such vulgar activity can be seen as an act of love, Zero did not know. Just the idea grossed him out in more ways than one and he'd never have found a use for the activity anyway. Not to mention in all his years, he's never once had an attraction to what other guys would call a hot and sexy woman. He just figured himself asexual, but that was near impossible, so he just went and accepted the fact that he was different, and preferred guys rather than girls, though that fact has yet to be proven since he's never felt anything towards either gender.

    Zero gagged mentally, wanting to turn away, having seen too much already but couldn't since he had to keep a look out for that crazy psycho bitch that was looking to blow this guys' head off, since it was obvious that she wouldn't use the same methods as with the other men.

    He took a deep breath and let it out before continuing the scan for the woman's car, one he'd come to know as the 'Cherry Bomber'… a name etched into the side of the red vehicle, a bright red sedan as well as the blasted police force, and a car he'd known so well over the stretch of his life, a black convertible owned by the very Detective Miles West that Zero had come to rely on and trust, even though he'd never say that out loud, ever.

    It wasn't long before his ears picked up the soft hum of a 'cherry' engine and he turned towards the front of the man's house, seeing the very red car that he'd come to hate. Zero never liked red much and this little case had only further increased his hate for the color.

    He walked a few paces forward, still staying hidden and watched as Alana came out of the car, dressed as she always had been, as a slutty teacher. Her hair, no longer wearing a wig, was pulled back into a tight bun, she wore sharp pointed glasses that were either for show or she really had needed them, most likely the former as Zero had never seen her wear the glasses before, her clothes were classy and sharp and had shown more cleavage than he would've liked. She also had a handbag strapped on her right shoulder, most likely used to hold the gun she was going to use.

    Zero's hand itched towards his pockets, the silver barrel of his own barely showing in the shadows of the night.

    If she pulled that gun on the guy, or even the woman, before the police showed up, he'd have to take action his self and shoot the damned weapon from her grimy, 'blood' stained, paws. Even if she was clean with every last one of her murders he still considered that if you kill anyone, no matter how, you're just as bad as those who had gotten blood on their hands.

    And even though Zero himself had used his gun for many things, he'd never once actually hurt or killed anyone with it.

    And so, he waited, patient as usual, once more for the events of the night to unfold.

-0-

    Alana stepped out of 'her' car, the one she'd borrowed from her deceased mother-in-law, straightening her outfit, her bag, and her glasses before turning towards the house in front of her, smirking. She moved a hand to the side of the bag to make sure that her… toy was still in there before walking towards the building, a confident air to her stride as she did.

    She neared the door, lifting a hand and pressed the doorbell, hearing it ring softly from inside the house.

-0-

    The doorbell rang, interrupting the little moment inside the master bedroom and Kale groaned, rolling his head back in exasperation. "Damn, it seems I can't get any alone time with my girl now a days." He chuckled and his girlfriend, a woman with short black hair and bright blue eyes, giggled, pressing a light kiss to his cheek before kissing his lips.

    "Don't worry about it honey bun." She said with a small fake pout, wanting her boyfriend to stay here so they could have fun.

    "Oh baby, the things you do to me." He growled playfully, tugging at her bottom lip before sitting up. "I'll be right back, alright?" He said, grabbing his robe and putting it on before climbing down the stairs just as the doorbell rang again. "Yeah yeah, I'm coming." He said with a slightly agitated tone before unlocking the door, opening it with a small glare to whoever dared ruin his one night of fun with his girlfriend.

    "Hello Kale." Alana smirked, pushing her way inside just as the door opened, staring at the dumbfounded expression her ex-husband held.

    "A-Alana…!?" He questioned and she chuckled.

    "You remember my name, oh how flattering." She said in a sarcastic tone and he narrowed his eyes.

    "Of course I remember your name, you psychotic woman!" He shouted out before lowering his tone. "What the hell are you doing here?"

    "Can't a woman visit her ex-husband after spending the last two years away from him?" She asked, tilting her head with a wider smirk and he crossed his arms.

    "I have a girlfriend, Alana." She smiled at that, as if her hearing that was the most obvious thing in the world and she nodded.

    "Oh I know. Is she here right now?" He narrowed his eyes further and she showed a glint of amusement. "So she is…! Oh! And I suppose you were about ready to have a little… fun with her, hm?" She walked closer to him, and he backed away. "Funny how when you get done with one miss you find another to play with," she said, a bit harshly. "Just as you did before you met me, isn't that right, Kale?"

    "I don't have a damn clue what you're talking about woman." He growled out and she scoffed.

    "Oh sure." She replied, nodding before stepping back.

    "Honey bunny, is everything alright down there?" They both turned to the stairs to see his girlfriend, whom Alana had come to know as Virginia, walking down with a robe wrapped around her.

    "Yes love, go back upstairs." Kale instructed, but she didn't listen, seeing Alana in front of him and frowned.

    "Kale, who is she?" She asked and Alana smirked, about to answer that question before Kale cut her from saying anything.

    "She is no one." He bit out, sorry for snapping at Virginia. "Alana, leave now, before I call the cops." He demanded and she looked as if she was debating someone.

    "And leave before I got a chance to do what I came here to do?" She said, reaching for her handbag and Kale tensed, Virginia just looked confused. "No, Kale, baby doll. Today is the day I exact my revenge, get payback for you sending me to that hell hole." She gritted out, pulling out her gun and pointing it at Virginia. "And I'm going to start by taking your precious little girlfriend here."

    Virginia shrieked, hand flying up to her mouth and her eyes went wide. She didn't know what to do, except stand still, frozen, since she knew if she moved, Alana would most likely shot her.

    "A-Alana, no! Wait, don't bring Virginia into this! She's innocent!" Kale's eyes went wide and he began to move forward until he heard a click and stilled.

-0-

    Detective West drove quickly and silently to the address, only a few officers remaining with him, since he had instructed the few others to go and find the apartment in which the thief had said there was another body, another man that she, Alana, had killed.

    He drove past the other cars and into the neighborhood in which the man moved to a few months ago, due to not being able to live another day in the house that held memories of the 'psycho bitch' as Zero had put it so lightly in the message.

    And he slowed down, searching the houses for the right address until he pulled up to one with a red car and a white van in front of it, the van probably belonging the man's girlfriend, Virginia Clause.

    He quickly got out of the car and moved to the front door, his gun already out. And he knocked harshly on it. "Police, open up!" He shouted out and got no answer, so he tried again. "I said open up!"

    "Go away!" He heard a woman's voice from inside and narrowed his eyes, recognizing the voice as Alana Acres, released only a few months prior for good behavior. Of course she was behind all of this! How could he have been so blind to realize the truth was in front of them the entire time!

    He growled and kicked the door open, holding gun at the woman with the gun. "Drop your weapon." He demanded and she didn't move. "I said drop the weapon or I'll shoot."

    Alana glanced sideways but didn't move. "Don't move Detective or she dies." She said calmly.

    "Alana, please…!" Kale begged, trying to reason, though that always failed with her.

    "Drop the gun." Detective West ordered once more, moving his finger to the trigger after clicking the gun back, readying it for fire.

-0-

    Zero bit his lower lip, observing the situation, his gun already out and ready in case he needed to fire to help Detective Miles out. His ears twitched in anticipation and his eyes widened as he saw her finger pull back on the trigger and immediately pulled his gun up, firing without hesitation.

-0-

    Alana's eyes went wide, the sound of two gun shots being heard, as her own gun was knocked clear from her hand and she gripped it, confused as hell.

    Miles, stood, shocked at what happened, watching as a bullet split right passed him and straight towards Alana's gun just before she fired, her own bullet lodged right in the wall beside Virginia, and the weapon was sent spinning towards the ground, hitting with a loud clang that pulled everyone from their stupor.

    Miles quickly and expertly grabbed hold of Alana, holding her hands behind her back. "Alana Acres, you are here-by under arrest for the murders of innocent men and the attempted murder of Virginia Clause and Kale Acres." He said. "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." He cuffed her before handing her to nearby officers, watching from the corner of his eye as Kale went to Virginia's side to calm her down and comfort her. "Get her out of my sight." He grumbled before turning with a sigh, immediately looking up as he saw a shadow and saw the thief, clad in black, with silver hair standing on the roof to the next house over and he smiled, nodding, mouthing the words 'thank you'.

    Zero did nothing but turn, a minuscule smile gracing his lips after having seen everything was fine, and run away, disappearing into the night.

    Miles shook his head softly before turning back to the scene, intent on getting full statements from both of the victims who were lucky they were alive, all thanks to a certain thief he knew of.

    "Shh, shh, it's okay baby, I'm here… its okay." Kale comforted her, sending a small frowning glance towards the detective and shaking his head while Miles nodded and knelt down, giving him a piece of paper with his number.

    "When you're ready, give me a call." He instructed and Kale nodded, turning back to Virginia, leaving the Detective to stand up and walk out; meeting with the others.

-0-

    Vale sighed, lowering his head in failure. He'd traced the message route to a library computer in a little city miles and miles from where they were, he was smart, but apparently Zero was smarter and it pissed him off to great lengths.

    He closed his computer with another dull sigh before turning as he heard the doors to the station open, seeing Detective Miles, the few other officers that he took with him, and a woman in handcuffs who he'd read about, Alana Acres, the woman who was declared a psycho by both the thief and her ex-husband and sent to two years in prison after assaulting him.

    "Detective West." He greeted, though not as warmly as he would've liked and West smiled at him before frowning.

    "What is it Ross?" He asked, standing by the newbie and Vale lowered his head again, frowning.

    "Zero bugged the search, I wasn't able to find out where he'd sent it from, and what I did come up with was miles away from here." He answered, honest and the detective sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder.

    "Hey, don't worry about it; you did your best with the assignment. Besides, you can't be called a Coal State Officer if that blasted thief hasn't bested you at least once or twice kid." He chuckled. "So welcome to the team." Vale grinned at that, his spirits brightened immediately.

    "Oh thank you sir!" He said happily and Detective West smirked, jerking his head towards his desk.

    "Follow me Ross; I have something I need to give you." He said, walking over to his own desk and sitting down in his chair, getting into the file cabinets, Vale following him, curious.

    "What is it sir?" He asked, forgetting about the officers promise to him earlier.

    "I owe you for helping us out, and as promised, I'm going to give you Zero's file, but as I said, you'll only find the basics in here." He said and Vale's eyes went wide, a bright spark to them as he accepted the folder, bowing.

    "Thank you sir!" He said, grateful, before returning to his own desk, plunging into the depths of the mysterious thief's file.

    "West!" The loud voice rang through the station and Detective West sighed, standing up and walking to the chief's office.

    "Yes chief?" He asked, stepping inside the office and rose an eyebrow towards the chief of the department, seeing the red hair a mess from the man constantly running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

    "What do you think you were doing!?" Harrison snapped and West was tempted to cross his arms and glare.

    "I followed a tip, and thanks to that tip, we caught a killer and stopped another murder." He answered as if it was obvious and Harrison fumed.

    "You gave the thief more credit, that's what you did. You're ruining this departments good name and it's all thanks to that damned thief!" He raged, storming towards the detective, who didn't at all flinch under the chief's glare.

    "That thief has been a big help to this department and because of him, we've solved more cases in a week than we do in a whole month." West said, raising an eyebrow. "He's smarter than any of us can ever be and we need to use that to our advantage. We need to get this station back to the way it used to be." He finished, making his point before turning away.

    "Miles," he paused at the softer voice and turned his head, seeing the chief's head lowered. "Good work out in the field, and… and with the newbie." He said and Miles smiled.

    "Thank you, George." He chuckled before walking out, going back to his desk to finish the reports.

-0-

    Zero stood outside the chief's window, hidden by the shadows with a small smile on his face. It was rare that he smiled, but if he did, it was usually always because of Detective Miles, and hearing the chief compliment him made the smile return.

    Zero gave a soft shake of his head when he confirmed from the quietness of the office that Miles left, and walked away from the building, undetected as always.

-0-

Read, Rate, and Review! I'd love to hear what you guys think about the story and/or the initial case! Thanks!

2: Inanimate Murder

Author's Note: This is Case 2 of my 'story' Case:Zero. Some little info that is needed for you guys to know is that yes, this story is based off of the cases I've done over the course of my life. But, Case: Zero is a fantasy-reality type story where even though the cases are real, they're modified to create something a bit enjoyable. For example, I am not a detective in this story, but instead a thief, as mine and Vale's roles have basically switched. Not to mention though I am nothing more than regular English tongued in real life, I am... Australian in here. Another thing, I am eighteen and Vale is twenty-one.

Something more, is that I, as I've always wanted to be, am a wolf, half-wolf actually. I appear to have long, white fluffy ears and a long, white fluffy tail. Two important things with this though, is that whenever I come in contact with water, I change into a full white wolf and don't change back for another few hours and I can also change whenever I want to and change back whenever I want to, if manually that is.

Disclaimer- I own almost nothing in this but the fantasy-based ideas. Characters are technically not mine, besides myself, and credit for the cases go solely to the LIPD.

Heh, enjoy!

-0-

Inanimate Murder

    The lights flickered on in the room; the statues still as a man in a blue guard's uniform stepped in, whistling the tune of a popular video game. In his right hand he held an unused flashlight, and in the other, a small black stick, while around his neck was a whistle he used for the day job and a ring of keys.

    He walked around the room, passing several large paintings of various and uninteresting scenes before coming around to a stiff blue marble statue of a human, standing, with his arms crossed and eyes closed, its head lowered.

    "The things people call art these days." He scoffed, poking the statue with his stick, only turning around after a few more pokes, planning on walking away.

    The statue lifted its head slowly, the sounds of stiff bones cracking like rock scraping against more rock and opened its eyes, bright hazel eyes meeting the harsh light of the exhibit as it spotted its target only a foot in front of him.

    "Going somewhere chief?" He asked and the guard stilled, holding out his stick just as the statue uncrossed his arms, reaching for the knife he had hidden behind his back the entire day of staying still in the damned building, acting as a statue while the man flitted around, doing his job, oblivious.

    "Wha-?! Who's there? Show yourself!" The guard called out into the room and the other chuckled, the sound coming out harsh, as a grin stretched across his face.

    "Turn around." Was all he needed to say before the guard did just that and the statue sprung forward, digging the knife into the others chest. "Sweet dreams, chief." He snickered, the guard's strangled scream vibrating through the museum until it died down and he fell limp.

-0-

    Vale entered the station, a large smile on his face, with a small box in his arms. He walked over to his desk and set the box on the edge, moving over a few file papers and reports from the previous case from this morning. He let out a light sigh and unfolded the wings of the box before turning his head as he heard a sharp whistle.

    "Hey kid, what's in the box?" Miles walked up to the newbie, his eyebrows raised and Vale grinned.

    "Just a few stuff to create a homey… environment for me." He answered him, bringing out a few photos, of a young girl with long black hair, from the box and placing them on the surface, shifting their angle before getting out a few office supplies and setting them on the desk. "I figured since the rest of you got to do it, I might do it too." He hummed, straightening the pencil rack.

    "Of course, well, don't get your hopes too high kid, you might not keep this job that long." Miles smirked and Vale shrugged, showing he didn't much care. He'd lost many other jobs, so it didn't matter much with this one.

    "Maybe not, but I'm willing to risk it." Vale replied, continuing the humming until both heard someone clearing their throat and turned. "C-chief Harrison!" Vale gasped, straightening his composure while Miles just raised an eyebrow.

    "What's up Chief?" Miles asked, crossing his arms before uncrossing them as Harrison passed a light brown manila folder to him.

    "Pack it up Miles, you and the newbie are going on a field trip." He said gruffly and Vale frowned, confused.

    "A field trip?" He heard Miles question as he peeked at the folder's label.

    "The Manning Art Museum…" Vale murmured before grinning. "Sweet!" He said, excited.

    Harrison glared slightly at Vale before looking back at Miles as he looked through the folder. "Last night, a security guard disappeared. We have no idea how, no idea why, and no idea where he is now. So I'm sending you two over to investigate and question those around." He said crudely and Vale mentally exclaimed.

    'Finally! My first actual case!' He thought, grinning wider and Miles sighed.

    "Very well." He answered, nodding before turning to Vale, smiling. "Well then, you heard him. Let's go have ourselves a bit of fun." Vale nodded back, barely able to contain his excitement.

-0-

    Zero yawned, lying on his 'bed', eyes closed and ears tilted lazily to the side. It has been a little over a week since their last case and he was growing restless and bored, and a little more than agitated.

    There were no robberies, no murders, no thefts, and no psycho idiots that were running loose stumping the police with every move they made and it frustrated Zero since he wasn't able to help in any way, wasn't able to best those pathetic law enforcers, and wasn't able to do anything that he enjoyed.

    'Very well, looks like I'm going to have to find something to do… You get bored so easily Zero, no wonder most people you meet don't like you. Shut up.' He thought, getting up and out of his bed, getting dressed in his beloved outfit after showering and brushing through his hair and fur. And after grabbing the little hair clips to keep his bangs from getting in his face, he strolled over to the computer to get the insights on any new jewelry celebrities either bought or stole from others.

    'Jennie Anderson with a new lovely pearl bracelet… no, not stolen from anyone, pearls were made recently, they're obviously fake. Um, Cole Sanders and a diamond choker, not stolen either, though I wouldn't be surprised if it was, those diamonds are genuine down to the last karat.' Zero sighed before scrolling down to a beautiful picture of a woman with long brown hair and lovely hazel eyes in front of what looked to be the white house. And around her neck was a silver chained necklace, and on the front was a charm, the shape of a lily, the gems in the casing a bright dark sapphire blue. 'Well well, what do we have here? A Sapphire gemmed Lily charm necklace, the Lily Among The Thorns Zero. Interesting…' He thought before opening a new page and typing in the search bar.

    It wasn't long before he came to a little fan based website where millions of people had posted their… jewelry and he came across a picture of a young blond girl with beautiful blue eyes, and around her neck was the very same necklace that the celebrity had. He found her first name to be Lily, just like the flower.

    'Looks like I have something to do, finally.' He thought with a small smirk before it dropped as his ears perked up to what was said on the radio.

    "Last night, thirty two year old Daniel Manson, the Manning Art Museum's prized guard, disappeared during his shift. Arriving at five this morning for his shift, Frank Law reported the guard gone without a single trace." A woman by the name of Jennifer Herring, the newscaster, said, Zero picturing the scene with her standing in front of the large museum, the news crew around her, people in the background, and police around the area, looking into the disappearance.

    "I-I don't know what happened, when I got there to relieve him of his duty, he was gone, vanished without a trace. He never clocked out or nothing!" a man, probably Frank Law, said, well placed worry and panic in his tone. 'He probably doesn't give a single damn about the guy. Neither do you, thief.' Zero sighed, shaking his head and closing the browsers, clearing his history after having written everything down.

-0-

    Vale exited the black vehicle, feeling a bit queasy. "D-detective… c-can you not d-drive that fast when…" he placed a hand over his mouth, groaning as he leaned on the side of the car, "when I-I'm in with you…?"

    Detective Miles grinned, chuckling as he got out of the car as well, closing the door just as Vale did. "Sorry kid, figured you'd be the type to love that kind of thing, suppose I was wrong then." He teased and Vale huffed, crossing his arms, feeling a bit better.

    "Oh I do, you though, drive like a fugitive trying to outrun the police." He retorted and Miles smirked.

    "Is that right?" Vale nodded before turning to the museum, seeing the news reporters and some officers already there.

    "Aw, and here I thought we'd be the first here." Vale sighed dramatically before walking to the detective's side, walking with him to the entrance, only to be stopped by a woman with short black hair run up to them.

    "Detective! Wait, detective, can I have a word with you?" She questioned, looking to Vale and he blinked, pointing to his self and she nodded.

    "Uh, look lady, I'm no-" Miles interrupted him with a small smirk, nudging him in the side.

    "Go on," he pushed him forward and Vale frowned, nervous before turning to the news reporter and nodded.

    "S-sure." He cleared his throat.

    "Is there anything that you can tell us of this case?" She asked and Vale shook his head.

    "I'm afraid not. We know nothing so far besides what Frank Law said and the info that was provided for us from the particular event." He answered, pleased when she nodded and Miles nodded as well, approving what he said.

    "What do you think happened to him?" She asked next and Vale bit his lip, backing away slightly as she neared him and Miles sighed, stepping up to the plate.

    "No comment." He had said quickly and she frowned before looking to Miles.

    "And who are you?" She questioned and he rolled his eyes, though was careful not to show that to them.

    "Detective Miles West, lead officer on this case." He turned to Vale. "And this is my partner," Vale lit up at that statement, grinning, "Detective Ross."

    'But I'm only a newbie officer, not a real detective…' Vale thought, confused, though cleared his emotions and nodded to what he said, bowing to the reporter and she giggled as he smiled at her in what was only described as charming.

    "Charmed to meet you Miss…"

    "Jennifer Herring." She held out her hand and he took it, kissing the back of it and she giggled more.

    "Miss Herring." He finished and Miles rolled his eyes once more, nudging Vale in the side again.

    "Come on Detective," he said and Vale stood up, nodding to the others around them before following Detective Miles into the museum.

    "So… the guy just disappeared in the middle of the night without any kind of footage or trace from him…?" Vale questioned and Miles nodded.

    "Apparently." He answered, nodding as they reached the statue exhibit. "This was where Daniel was last spotted, before the security camera's cut off."

    "So then… his disappearance was probably either deliberate or… someone kidnapped and or murdered him." Vale retained a grin at that. After all, the case being declared a murder and him being able to work on it with the best detective around was thrilling to even think about.

    "Don't sound too excited about it kid," Detective Miles warned. "If there is even the slightest possibility that this case is a possible murder, you're getting booted off and sent back to the station, understood?" Vale frowned at that but nodded, sighing as he crossed his arms and lowered his head.

    "Yeah, I understand." He murmured and then quickly brightened his attitude. "But aren't partners supposed to work every case together?" He questioned, grinning cheekily and Miles shook his head, groaning.

    "Kid, we aren't partners yet. You're barely an officer of the law." He commented and Vale immediately went back to being depressed.

    "Right." He grumbled and looked around, spotting an empty statue plate. "Um… isn't there supposed to be a statue there?" He asked and Miles walked near the plate.

    "Yes, there is, but it's missing along with the night guard." He answered, turning to Vale. "That was mentioned in the file; didn't you pay attention to the words?"

    "I did… but I didn't really… oh never mind. But, maybe then, the disappearance of Daniel was deliberate, and he took a few things from the museum?" He questioned, putting out his theory for questioning and Miles sighed, shaking his head.

    "No, the statue itself, and I had already asked the manager of the museum this, isn't worth barely anything at all. Only a mere one fifty in cash."

    "One hundred and fifty bucks!? But isn't a statue like that one supposed to be… like millions or something?" Vale asked, shocked and confused.

    Miles only nodded, turning to the plate. "Yes well, the statue was only a mere copy, not the real thing." He answered and Vale paused before sighing and nodding, saying nothing more on the statue. "Let's go check out the security footage for last night."

    "Okay." Vale smiled, following the older detective to the security room, looking forward to viewing the actual footage of what was recorded last night. "Oh wow…" he blinked when they got inside the control room and Vale spotted the many little computers stacked up along the wall. "So many computers…" he commented, after being pushed aside by a snot nosed little officer having the same idea.

    His dark brown hair covered by a dark blue uniform hat from the rival department on the other side of the city. "Move out of my way." He huffed and Vale growled, narrowing his eyes at him.

    "Excuse me, but who the hell do you think you are, just pushing me aside like that!" He spat, and Miles sighed.

    "Ross," he said sternly, and Vale ignored him, crossing his arms.

    "Officer James Crane," The officer spat back. "Who are you?" He asked, suspicious. "I've never seen you around here before, are you even a law official?"

    Vale turned away at that. "Detective Vale Ross." He then smirked. "It's no surprise you've never seen or heard of me, I'm of high class and you… well you're just a puny little sidekick. No, you're a sidekick of the sidekicks." He snickered and the other officer fumed, clenching his fists.

    "Ross." Miles gritted his teeth and as Vale's eyes went wide and he turned to the older detective, he smacked him upside the head. "Pay attention, kid." He ordered and Vale nodded, resisting the urge to hit the man beside him as he snickered at the two Coal State detectives. "Sorry about that sir, now please, continue."

    The security guard nodded and turned back to the screens. "Well uh, there isn't much to say or show… one moment; Daniel is wandering around the statues, poking at one of them,"

    "Hey, that's the one that went missing along with him…" Vale whispered, no one paying mind to him, Miles taking to count what he said though as the other officer glared at the black haired newbie.

    "And then the camera's go off." The guard said and Vale tilted his head. "And after a few minutes," 'A half an hour he means.' Vale rolled his eyes, "the footage comes back on, Daniel and the statue both missing." He concluded and Miles sighed.

    "That doesn't help us at all at the moment." He commented and the guard frowned, looking down.

    "Sorry detectives…" he said quickly and Vale grinned.

    "Nah, he's just kidding. That helps us a ton. Thanks!" He said, countering what Miles said and before Miles, the guard, or the officer could say anything, he dragged the detective out of the room.

    "What in the world are you thinking?" Miles growled. "That did nothing to help, and… and you knew that, didn't you?" Miles sighed, frowning and Vale nodded crossing his arms.

    "Of course I knew, I just thought it'd be better if we told the guard that he did help instead of leaving him like that. Besides, he needed some cheering up and that would've done the trick, knowing he'd helped some law enforcers with a big case." Vale said, smiling and Miles smiled back, patting his head and Vale swatted his hand away.

    "Good work kid," he appraised, walking back down the hall and to the exhibits to see if anything new would be found.

-0-

    Zero stood, hidden by the thin leaves of the mid-winter season, along a branch, surveying the grounds before him. 'This will be a most difficult heist.' Zero thought, rolling his eyes. 'Although, it is day time… so that may prove to be more difficult than doing this at night. Of course since no man is perfect at everything, not even you, Zero.' He watched as a guard paced the perimeter of the houses roof, ignoring his thoughts. It looked like he wouldn't be using the roof as entry to the house anytime soon.

    Zero took a deep breath and jumped from the tree to the ground, hiding along the wall. He swiftly made his way to the back of the house, surprised to see no guards at the back entrance or windows and eyed the open window to the houses kitchen.

    He crawled under the window, peeking inside to see no one around and gave a soft breath of relief, pulling up his famous poker face before slipping inside the opened window and crossed through the kitchen, hidden by the shadows of the dimmed rooms before coming to an isolated bedroom. 'Now this is… odd. What room is this…? Tch, it's not odd, you just weren't thorough with your examination Zero.' He ignored his thoughts once more, narrowing his eyes as he looked around the room.

    His ears perked up after a few seconds, hearing footsteps from the hallway and he quickly made for the bed, rolling under it, ignoring the dust and the dirt, just as two sets of shoes, a black pair of boots and some red girly shoes, walked in.

    "Darling, how'd work go for you last night?" The woman asked and Zero held his breath, his ears tilted in the direction of the conversation.

    "I've taken care of what was needed, we're free to do what we want to now." The man belonging to the boots, who had the same voice as that Frank guy from the news only deeper, answered, a chuckle sounding throughout the room.

    'I need to get out of here so I can find that necklace…' Zero growled to his self and his thoughts answered back. 'Then smoke them and quit whining.' Zero frowned. He never liked the idea of smoking anyone, only because the smoke he used sent them right to sleep and people ended up hurt if they were caught unaware by it and he never hurt anyone, he just didn't like it.

    "You did well, getting rid of that damned bloody guard." She purred out and Zero froze with his eyes wide. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

    "Yes, and it was all for us." He replied back and she giggled, or at least, it sounded like a giggle to him. Zero squirmed and took a deep breath, regretting it after as he felt he was going to sneeze. 'Shit! Way to go stupid wolf, now you're definitely going to get caught.' His thoughts growled to him and he held his breath once more, looking around for an escape before pausing as he saw a box and crawled over to it, making no noise as his curiosity got the better of him. "He's not going to be telling the police anything now that I've taken care of him for good."

    He moved his hand near the lid, examining the bird crest on it, and opened it, hearing the faintest of creaks that only his ears could pick up before looking inside.

    "Where's the suit?" She asked him and Zero could practically hear him grin and heard as footsteps were made towards the bed.

    "Under the bed." He answered and Zero panicked, just after he saw the blue marble skinned suit, closing the lid quickly just as the man kneeled down on his knees and reached a hand for the box, coming deathly close to Zero's arm before grabbing onto the wooden object of the conversation and pulled it out, Zero sighing in relief to his self. 'That was a close one. Yes, too close Zero, you almost screwed up! It's not my fault she just so happened to want to know where the box was!' He shouted at his self.

    "And the body?" She asked another question and he chuckled once more, setting the box on the bed.

    "Hidden still, at the museum." He answered and Zero gulped, his ears lowering before he got an idea that could get him in the lead once more with those bumbling idiots. 'This is great!' He grinned before gasping as he heard the bed squeak and grimaced. 'Oh god, please no…'

    "You've been… a very good boy." She purred and Zero's ears lowered, his eyes closing tightly. "And I think you deserve a… reward." She finished and Zero shook his head swiftly, covering his ears up.

    'Damn it…!' He cursed, hiding his face, the urge to sneeze completely gone now.

-0-

    Zero shuddered, sitting up against the wall, below the window of the kitchen, his face pale and ears lowered. 'God, why…? Cheer up; at least you got the necklace now. Gee thanks, but that doesn't get rid of what I overheard.' Zero growled, opening his eyes and looking at the necklace. 'Then focus on what you heard before that, the guard and the box, the suit and the location of the body, hell, even the guy's boots!' Zero sighed. 'I guess so, well, let's get back to the base.' He nodded before crawling back across the yard and ran through the base of the trees before making his way back to his hideout.

-0-

    Vale gave a soft sigh as he sat back at his desk before pausing in his ministrations, getting out the thief's file, staring at the snow white folder, labeled in small dark purple letters at the bottom 'The White Wolf, Zero.'

    'Zero… that's an odd name for someone like him, although having silver hair is as well.' Vale thought with a small smirk as he flipped the folder open and began reading what was written, not at all believing what was in fact on the papers in front of him.

    'Age isn't known, teenager is the guess though, that much is obvious. A boy, duh, except through pictures he looks a lot like a girl. Okay uh, silver hair, yeah got that, his eye colors unknown though.' Vale sighed softly before continuing. 'His personality is basically unknown, except that he's quiet, shy, and avoids human contact at all possible times, well I could've told you that.' Vale rolled his eyes before they widened at the wolf's criminal rating. 'Holy fuck! Five stars! But no one has a five star rating! That's insane! Oh damn, he's smart too… above two hundred at least, that's high.'

    "Ross, get to work." Vale snapped the folder shut immediately at the chief's word and began working on the paperwork he was assigned yesterday, giving a soft and bored sigh.

-0-

    Zero sat at his computer, opening up two browsers and used one, sending a quick, short and sharp message to the idiots who ran the Coal State Station before giving a small grin and signing it as he usually did, 'The White Wolf' the nickname he'd been given by Detective Miles, the one and only person who knew his true persona and identity. 'For you, Detective Miles. Yes, the oh-so great Detective West, the only one who has ever gotten past your walls. Damn it, leave me the hell alone you annoying bloody little thing! So rude.'

-0-

    Miles sighed, sitting at his desk, frustrated with the case. 'Damn, why can't I figure this out?' He stood and paced, looking around the empty station, save for a few night officers.

    He was startled out of his thoughts when he heard a rather loud beep and turned to his computer, reading what was flashing on the screen.

    'I have info on your case, detective. And I just so happened to get it while on a little case of my own.' That was what he was able to read before another message popped up. 'It's about our dear old friend, Daniel, the night guard that had… disappeared the night before.'

    'What are you playing at, Zero?' Detective Miles sat down just as another message popped up and he read through that one.

    'He said that he was the one that had gotten rid of him, killed the guard. Who he is, I don't have a clue yet, but don't worry so much about that little detail for I'll get it to you soon. He had said, to a woman that I was… borrowing… from, that the body of the guard was still in the museum. Also, I had found a key piece of evidence, a suit of some kind, like a disguise, one used for someone acting as a statue would. He's your killer, and if you don't hurry back to the museum by morning, he'll dispose of what evidence we have against him. Good luck, Detective.'

    He closed out the message, leaning back in his chair with a light groan. 'The chief is going to have my ass for this.' He thought bitterly before standing up, grabbing his things and preparing for a trip back to the museum in the morning, of course only once he'd taken a good nap to gather his strength back up.

-0-

    Zero let out a small wolf-like yawn, his eyes half-lidded as he stared at the computer screen. He'd been trying to figure out the girls' address, as well as a way to forget the vulgar things he'd heard back in that room and he'd been up all night doing it, coming up with absolutely nothing.

    'Damn. Failure again, wolf? Shut it, it's not a failure, it's just a small road block. It's not and you know it. No.' He shook his head. He wouldn't give up, not now, not ever. He gripped the necklace tighter and began searching for every Lily in the area once more, coming up with more pages than he wanted and sighed. 'Fine,' he sighed and lowered his head, setting aside the necklace. 'Let's search something else.'

    A small smirk appeared on Zero's face after a few minutes of looking for what he wanted and he made a mental note of it before closing off the browser and standing up, grabbing his gun and heading out.

-0-

    Detective Miles slammed his car door shut, eyes narrowed, a small envelope in his right hand with Vale and a few other officers trailing behind him. "D-detective, what is this about?" Vale questioned and Miles ignored him.

    He walked up to the doors and barged inside, seeing the manager straight away talking with the morning guard, Frankie or whatever his name was.

    The manager turned to him, his eyes widening and he ran immediately towards the detective, looking worried and both relieved. "Detective! Oh thank goodness, have you found anything more? Did you find him?!" He questioned and Miles almost glared at him, but kept his gaze firm.

    "I'm afraid to inform you, Jacob, that Daniel is dead." Miles informed him and the girly manager gasped, hands flying to his mouth.

    "No! But why!?" He all but shouted out, looking like a deer in the headlights like that and Miles sighed, holding up the warrant.

    "In my hand is a warrant to search your museum for the body of your night guard." He said swiftly and carefully, choosing his words carefully and Jacob looked enraged by what he chose to say.

    "What are you implying Detective!? Why would… would his b-body be hidden anywhere in my museum!? It's outrageous that you would even think so! How dare you!" Jacob looked as if he were going to be in tears and Vale's eyes widened as he got a small theory from all of this. 'Of course…! It's so obvious of what he's doing!'

    "We've received… an anonymous tip saying that he is stashed somewhere inside this building, sir, and we will find it no matter what." Vale bit his lower lip and tugged on Miles shirt, pulling him over to the side. "What do you want Ross?" He questioned harshly and Vale crossed his arms, stating out his theory.

    "Detective, it's obvious that his body would not be here, can't you see? The manager has nothing to do with this, he…" Vale cleared his throat and lowered his voice for this. "He and the dead guy were obviously an item, either that or Jacob loved the dude but never said anything or had told him but was turned down."

    Miles sighed. Yes, he had figured that, but one never went through on just theories. "Maybe, but even then, we still have to search the museum for the body."

    "What, why!?" Vale looked shocked and Miles groaned before leaning in and whispering to him.

    "The anonymous tip we received, Vale," Vale's eyes went wide as the detective said his first name as well as what was said after, "was from the White Wolf."

    "The thief…?" Vale questioned and Miles nodded.

    "Yes, from the thief." He replied before turning back and frowning as he walked back to the manager, he looked more upset now than he was angry, only proving more to Vale's theory. "Jacob, please. We won't take long. After this, I promise you won't need to deal with us any longer." He sighed.

    Jacob frowned and looked down and away, closing his eyes tightly as he nodded. "I don't much less care if he was found here in my museum… I just want him found…" he said, almost begging and Detective Miles nodded looking to his officers and waving them off in different directions before he too went off to search and find Daniel Manson.

    Vale frowned, staying where he was before watching as Miles and the others disappeared and he walked up to Jacob, placing a hand on his shoulder, causing the man to look up at him and he offered a smile. "Don't worry, we'll find him." He said, and Jacob smiled back, even if it was only for a second before turning away from Vale, leaving the younger adult to his duty.

-0-

    Miles, Vale and the other officers met up in the statue room, having looked everywhere else and coming up with nothing. Miles had even searched the museum basement, archives, and the storage rooms and Vale had searched the security offices but neither was successful in finding anything.

    "Face it detective, he was wrong this time." Vale said, frowning just as the manager walked in.

    "No, Ross, he is never wrong, there was supposed to be something, anything here." Miles argued, shaking his head and he started pacing. "He had said it was here…!"

    Vale sighed and looked around the room, his frown deepening before he came to the no longer empty statue plate. "Hey, the statues back." He pointed out and Miles looked up, blinking.

    He was right; the statue was back, a blue marble statue of a human with his arms crossed, his eyes closed, and head lowered. 'Wait a second… what did that thief say? Something about a suit… a disguise that looked as a statue would? …hey! That's it!' Miles' eyes opened wide as he figured it out and walked towards the statue, examining it before placing a hand on its shoulder, confirming what he suspected for the statue was anything but rock and marble.

    "Detective, what are you doing…!?" Vale questioned, confused.

    Jacob's eyes went wide and he stepped forward. "Detective, we do not touch the art." He said, wondering what in the hell he was doing. "Detective, detect-!" Everyone froze, their eyes wide, and collective gasps rang around the room as the statue fell with a single touch and a loud thud sounded throughout it.

    Vale couldn't believe it, the statue was actually a real human in a disguise! He cringed at that, going over that thought and before it was too late, looked immediately at Jacob who looked just as he did before, only worse. "J-Jacob!" Vale gasped and ran towards the manager, catching him before he fell, seeing the familiar symptoms of shock settling in.

-0-

    It wasn't long before others arrived, including the news reporters, Daniel's body taken away to be examined, and Jacob in tears with Vale comforting him.

    Miles paced, gritting his teeth, annoyed and frustrated.

    'Detective, what happened here?' 'How did you find the body?' 'How did you know it was here?' 'Who is responsible for doing this?' 'Did the thief fill you in on anything in this case?' Questions bombarded him and he chose to ignore everything with a small curt 'no comment' thrown towards them.

    Vale growled as a reporter swarmed Jacob and threw question after question at him. 'Jacob, how do you feel about all this?' 'Did you know your night guard had been killed?' 'Do you have anything to say about his body being hidden here?' 'Jacob, what was your relationship with the victim?'

    "Buzz off you vile little fly! Can't you see he doesn't want to answer any of your questions?! Go bother someone else and leave him alone!" Vale snapped at the reporter and he chose, smartly, to listen to the newbie, quickly scurrying off to question another officer and Vale sighed, turning back to Jacob.

    "I loved him…" he murmured and Vale frowned, kneeling down and hugging him, continuing to comfort the man.

    "I know you did…" he answered softly as he continued to cry.

-0-

    "Can I question him?" Vale asked; his face straight as he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had to ask, he didn't want anyone else upsetting the broken hearted man and he knew Miles would say yes.

    "No, Ross." Well there goes that theory.

    "And why the hell not? He doesn't trust anyone else." Vale pleaded.

    "You're still a newbie; you can't participate in an interrogation." Miles said, walking towards the interrogation rooms, Vale treading behind him.

    "Yeah, but you let me participate in a murder case!" He argued and just as they reached the door, Miles turned on him.

    "I hadn't known it was murder until later on." He replied, knowing it wouldn't work on the smart young man before him.

    "You took me along anyway after you received that anonymous tip!" He retorted and Miles sighed, frowning before looking into the room, Vale following his gaze to see the man sitting at the table, his head buried in his hands. "Look… his boyfriend just died, he was murdered… Miles," Vale said, not correcting the name. "He needs someone who can relate to him, someone who won't hurt him anymore than he already is."

    "You…" Miles sighed, shaking his head before backing off. "Very well," he said, motioning towards the door. "Your very first interrogation, I expect you to do well. You're smart; you'll get something off of him I'm sure."

    "Thank you detective." Vale said before going right in and Miles watched as he sat at the other end with a small smile, the detective walking back to his desk after a few more seconds.

    And not long after did he hear a beep from his computer, a message popping up with only two words, a name. 'Frank Law'.

    The detective immediately stood up, grabbing his jacket just as Vale came walking out.

    "Sir." Miles looked up at him. "Jacob says that Daniel and Frank never got along well… if that counts for anything." Miles nodded and turned away before Vale added something else. "Detective… Jacob and Daniel… they have a daughter you know? A little girl named Lily."

    'That bastard…' Miles thought bitterly.

-0-

    Zero sat on the balcony of the house he was currently at, in front of the little girl's room that was on the second floor. He'd finally found the house, the one he was looking for, the one belonging to the little girl, Lily, the owner of the beautiful necklace he'd stolen back from that bitch of a celebrity, Maria Garden.

    He sighed softly before hopping from the railing and knocking on the glass, seeing the blonde haired princess look up from a stuffed animal she was holding, a white wolf, making Zero smile.

    Her eyes widened when she saw him and she scrambled to her feet, running to the door and sliding it open, his ears twitching and his smile grew wider. "You're a wolf!" She immediately squealed out and Zero giggled lightly, nodding, amused that that was what she thought about when she saw him. "Can I touch them? Your ears I mean?" She asked and his ears twitched again before he lowered his head, her hand reaching up to feel if they were real and she giggled as she drew her hand back. "I like wolves."

    "I can see that Lily." He spoke with his voice clear as the full moon on a cloudless night and laced with a small Australian accent he tried to hide so well, as he only did with little children, pausing as her eyes got huge once more. "That is your name, am I right?" He smirked when she nodded and leaned down a bit, holding his hand out. "And, is this your necklace?" He asked, tilting his head and she nodded again, gasping.

    "Daddy and mommy gave me that necklace for my seventh birthday!" She exclaimed, taking it from his hands and putting it on around her neck before she stared up at him, her bright blue eyes sparkling with happiness. "Thank you!" She jumped up and hugged him and he hugged her back, forgetting just as he did with little kids, about his façade, his poker face and his walls.

    "Lillian?" Zero's ears perked up at the voice and he pulled back from her hug.

    "I have to go now, Lily, alright?" He asked and she nodded but frowned and he stood up straight but not before she grabbed his arms and tugged, causing him to turn back towards her.

    "You'll come back soon, won't you?" She asked and he smiled hugging her once more before going to stand along the edge of the rail.

    "I promise." He said before jumping off, Lily's eyes widened and she ran to the railing, peering over the edge just in time to see him running away, disappearing just before Lily heard her door open.

    "Lillian, princess?" She turned towards her 'mom', Jacob, who she believed was a woman and ran over to him, jumping up to hug him.

    "Mommy! You're back! Are you okay, where's daddy, is he okay?" She asked and he frowned, kneeling down and hugging her back tightly, tearing up.

    "Oh Lily…"

    "Why are you crying…? Mommy, are you okay?" She asked, worried. She'd almost never seen him cry in front of her.

    "Daddy… he's… he's gone away." Jacob cried and Lily tightened the hug, feeling tears come to her own bright blue eyes she inherited from her 'mother'.

    "Don't cry mommy…" she said, trying to be comforting. "Daddy will come back, just wait. He always does." She said and Jacob smiled, pulling back and kissing her cheek.

    "My little princess… thank you, you always know how to cheer me up." He whispered softly.

    Lily smiled at that, happy that she got him to smile.

-0-

    Miles burst in the house, gun raised and he narrowed his eyes at his target who was standing a few feet away talking with one of the maids of the house. "Frank Law, you're under arrest for the murder of Daniel Manson. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." He growled out, cuffing him and pushing him to other guards before seeing a woman walk into the room.

    "Honey, what's going on?" She asked, blinking in confusion, turning to Frank.

    "Miss, are you Maria Garden?" She nodded to that and he huffed, nodding to another guard. "Her too." He ordered curtly before walking out of the house watching Frank carefully. 'They had no right to do what they did, no matter the reason.' He thought, shaking his head before going to his car and getting in, resting his arms and head on the wheel. 'Now poor little Lily will be without her father and Jacob will have to live with the constant memory of seeing what he did. Damn it…!' He hit the wheel of the car, pissed despite what was going on before turning the car on and following the others back to the station.

-0-

Read, Rate, and Review! Tell me how I did and what you liked or didn't like! I'd love to know what you guys think! *grins*

3: The White Wolf

Author's Note: This is Case 3 of my 'story' Case:Zero. Some little info that is needed for you guys to know is that yes, this story is based off of the cases I've done over the course of my life. But, Case: Zero is a fantasy-reality type story where even though the cases are real, they're modified to create something a bit enjoyable. For example, I am not a detective in this story, but instead a thief, as mine and Vale's roles have basically switched. Not to mention though I am nothing more than regular English tongued in real life, I am... Australian in here. Another thing, I am eighteen and Vale is twenty-one.

Something more, is that I, as I've always wanted to be, am a wolf, half-wolf actually. I appear to have long, white fluffy ears and a long, white fluffy tail. Two important things with this though, is that whenever I come in contact with water, I change into a full white wolf and don't change back for another few hours and I can also change whenever I want to and change back whenever I want to, if manually that is.

Disclaimer- I own almost nothing in this but the fantasy-based ideas. Characters are technically not mine, besides myself, and credit for the cases go solely to the LIPD.

Heh, enjoy!

-0-

The White Wolf

    He turned towards the computer screen, pulling up a web page and searching the sites. His eyes trained on the only link he found and he clicked on it, reading through the info before he came to several pictures, two of a beautiful ruby red colored gemmed bracelet, and one of a rather large building, one that looked like a mix between a museum and a circus.

    'This will be fun.' He thought, smirking.

-0-

    Vale sighed for the umpteenth time that evening, rolling a pencil across his desk in boredom. He'd finished his paperwork, finished the assignments the chief had given him for the previous case, finished up tracing the signal for that kid who tried to hack into the department's computers and completed the work Miles had given him.

    And all that had taken a little under two hours to do.

    "Hey kid, I need you to do something for me." Vale looked up, regretting it immediately as he heard a sharp clang against the tiled floors of the department as his pencil fell to the ground, seeing Detective Miles walking over to him. He quickly scrambled to grab the pencil before coming up again, setting the pencil in the rack, smiling at the detective.

    "What can I do Detective?" He asked, greeting him with normal cheery tone, and Miles smirked.

    "I need you to hack into the Fisher Station." Vale's eyes went wide at that.

    "Are you crazy, no one just hacks into the Fisher Police Departments! They have the best computer genius' and technicians that there ever was…!" Vale flailed, frowning.

    Miles chuckled. "They're not that good." 'Oh yes they are, I've tried several times to hack into their grids… never worked, though I never got caught doing so.' Vale thought meekly. "Besides, you'll want to after you hear my reason."

    Vale raised an eyebrow at that. "Yeah?" He questioned, slightly curious.

    "There are some rumors that Fisher knows something about a certain thief and as lead detective of the Coal State Police Department I want to know every little detail they know. I just need someone who is good at hacking into things to do just that, and that someone is you, Ross." Vale bit his lower lip. Yes, he wanted to, but it would still be almost impossible to do it.

    He sighed and nodded. "Fine, I'm bored anyway." He said as a cover up before sitting back in his chair and scooting up to the desk, turning his computer on. "If I get caught, I'm blaming this on you, Detective." He mumbled bitterly and Miles just shrugged.

    "I will manage." He answered; watching as Vale did what he did best, hacking into the Fisher department's main grid.

    "Look, Fisher has too many firewalls; I'm not going to be able to get through. It's just not possible." Vale sighed, turning to Miles to see the detective frowning and Miles shook his head.

    "You'll figure it out, you're a smart kid." Miles said before turning away and back to his desk. "Let me know when you find something." He called over his shoulder and Vale groaned, leaning back in his chair, frowning.

    'Fine, I need a challenge anyway.' He thought to his self before putting his skills to work, steeling up to the challenge before him.

-0-

    James growled, clutching his mouse tightly as he stared at his computer, eyes narrowed at the little message on the screen. "Chief," he started, looking up at the red haired female walking near his desk, talking to the two new kids that came here for a school project.

    Ironically enough, they chose their topic as research on the White Wolf.

    James never did agree with the nickname, only because a certain rival detective came up with it. Those damned detectives at the Coal State Department… what nerve they had showing him up on that Manson murder case.

    "Yes Officer Crane?" Chief Bianca Harrison walked over to him, her head tilted as she leaned forward slightly, placing her hands on her hips.

    James rubbed his hand on his forehead before motioning to the note on the screen. "We got trouble." That was what he always said whenever Fisher received a note, letter, message, or riddle in general from the mysterious White Wolf.

    "From the thief?" Her eyes lit up and she grinned. "Well read it, Crane!" She quickly instructed and looked to the screen, not having her glasses with her and James groaned.

    "Why not just grab your glasses and read it yourself?" He suggested in an aggravated tone and she rolled her eyes, used to the officer's attitude towards her.

    "Just read the damn note." She ordered him and he shook his head before turning to his screen, mumbling bitterly to his self before he read the riddle out loud.

    "Fine… 'Following the crowded river north, when the moon shines high and the wolves sing the chorus, an act I will play in this fun little song. Silver will meet with red when the melody is voiced, and I race towards the final note as the song truly ends.' Wait, what?" James blinked, incredibly confused.

    "A riddle unlike the others, what are you playing at thief?" Bianca sighed, standing up as she went over the riddle in her head.

-0-

    Vale bit his lower lip, typing away his keyboard, trying multiple different codes to get access through the firewalls and into the main grid. "No… no, um this one? No…" he sighed, running his fingers through his hair, having taken out his ponytail earlier that morning. "What about… this? D47uf-m20.0-bV8yC-csRlk…" he voiced what he typed out before pressing enter, his eyes lighting up as he was brought through the screen and into the main program. "No way!"

    Miles perked up as he heard Vale's exclamation and raised an eyebrow in question. "You okay there kid?" He asked and Vale grinned at him.

    "I got it, ha-ha! We're in!" He shouted out, not caring about the other beings in the office at the moment.

    Miles stood up, walking over to Vale's desk, leaning in, resting an arm on the back of the younger males chair as he peeked at his screen. "So then, Mr. Genius Hacker, what next?" He asked and Vale hummed, moving his pointer to the screen and typing something else before being brought to what looked to be a control page.

    "What we do next is hack into their main security program and once… that… is… done," he struggled to keep up his sentence as he typed in codes and clicked on the several different buttons, so much that Miles couldn't keep up with what he was doing, before coming to a screen that looked as if they were watching through a camera, "we come to the main camera, the only one that is able to record with both video feed and sound." He answered him, grinning, pleased with his work. It'd been a long time since he'd worked on something like this, hacking into a program or building or computer as difficult as this.

    Miles laughed in victory, patting Vales head as he usually did when the kid succeeded. "Good job." He praised before both went quite as Vale turned up the volume, playing with a few keys on his keyboard.

    "And all systems are a go." He grinned, leaning back. 'I've always wanted to say that.' He thought briefly before giving all his attention to his screen, watching the video.

    "Wait; is that a message from Zero, from the thief?" A kid with long dark purple hair tied up into a ponytail, a little younger than Vale, bounced up to Fisher's chief, a female with the same basic features as Harrison, Chief Bianca.

    Chief Bianca sighed, nodding. "Yes Nathan, June, I suppose then it's your lucky weekend." She said.

    Vale raised an eyebrow at that. "Lucky weekend?" He questioned and Miles shrugged.

    "Probably kids from Fisher High. It is that time of year that kids from there are working on reports from the end of the third quarter. Theirs is probably on the thief. He's a popular subject, you know?" He answered and Vale nodded, though not before rolling his eyes at that, a small smirk playing on his lips.

    Another boy with dyed white hair and bright violet highlights grinned, opening a notebook, grabbing out a pen and sneaking a peek at the computer screen, writing down what he could before Officer James pushed him away. "Don't crowd my computer damn it," he growled out and June bowed his head, apologizing.

    Vale scoffed. "Those two are quite the White Wolf fans." He commented.

    "Nathan and June hm?" Miles thought quietly before turning to a female officer. "Rayne, do a search on two kids from Fisher High School, Nathan and June." He ordered and she nodded, turning to her screen with the information.

    "June, what'd you get?" Nathan scrambled to his friends side, looking at the others notebook.

    "Um, all that was written in the message." June answered him, holding his notebook out for the other. "I think this heist will be the best one yet!" He exclaimed and Nathan grinned, patting the others head before reading from the notebook.

    "Got it." Rayne said immediately and Miles looked up. "Nathan and June Bright, both are eighteen, they're twins, both born on December 25th." She said, looking up with an amused grin. "These guys aren't just fans of the White Wolf; they're complete fanatics, practically obsessed with the thief."

    Vale chuckled. "Nice." He murmured, before going back to the screen as Nathan read from the book.

    "Hm, alright, 'Following the crowded river north, when the moon shines high and the wolves sing the chorus, an act I will play in this fun little song. Silver will meet with red when the melody is voiced, and I race towards the final note as the song truly ends.' Following the crowded river north? River…?"

    "But there aren't any rivers around here." June frowned, looking to his brother.

    "Maybe, little brother, he isn't talking about a river, but instead a road." He beamed and June nodded in agreement.

    "I-I knew that." He replied sheepishly and Nathan rolled his eyes.

    Vale smirked. "These guys may actually be able to help with the riddle, we should call them in, have them help us out." He said and Rayne chuckled.

    "Funny you should say that. Nathan and June have helped the police several times with anything that involved the thief." She said, nodding to herself. "The two were even reported helping the thief in one of his heists, though that was a little more than a year ago, at the San Margo heist."

    Nathan walked to the chief and bowed, grinning. "June and I have to run, we'll be back later okay?" Nathan grabbed Junes hand before anyone could say anything and proceeded to walk out of the station, James sighing in relief afterwards.

    "Thank god those two are gone. Now can we just figure this out, nab the thief and be done with the damned wolf? He's getting on my nerves." He growled out and turned to the screen.

    "Heather, contact Nathan and bring both him and June here as soon as possible." Miles ordered and the black haired officer near them scrambled towards the nearest phone, grabbing the number from Rayne. "We need to have a little chat with them." He added as Vale logged off the program, returning everything how it was before closing out his computers browsers and code crackers, turning off his computer after.

-0-

    If anything was worse than the Coal State officers, it was that damned thief. With his so called wolf features, his mute attitude, and his righteous actions in stealing the gems and 'returning' them back to their original owners. James was not shy in saying he thought that the thief was nothing more than a fake.

    "Find out the riddle and keep the press out of this. We don't need Coal State up our asses about this." Bianca ordered and James nodded.

    "No problem there." He grumbled, getting straight to work. "Damned thief, each heist only proves more how fake you are. And I'm going to figure you out even if it's the last thing I do."

-0-

    Zero's ears twitched, his eyes narrowed at what he overheard. He had known that James wasn't a big fan of him, but he never knew this was how much he hated him.

    He lowered his head before shaking it and taking a deep breath, letting it out before going to follow Nathan and June, his two favorite teenagers, despite what he thought of others. He ran along the edge of the building, hopping along the roof before jumping to a street light, keeping his balance pretty well.

    "Hey brother, when do you think the thief is going to ever talk?" June asked and Zero's ears shot up, his lips twitching downward in a frown. 'Talk? Yes Zero, because you don't ever talk around adults or teenagers such as yourself. I… I talk enough. Only around children, little wolf, never around older beings. Stop… I don't care. You do, I know you do.' He shook his head to clear his thoughts before paying attention to their conversation.

    "Don't know little brother." Nathan patted the others head, running his fingers through his ponytail.

    "I wonder what his voice is like." June hummed and Zero blushed lightly, looking up in thought before looking back down and jumping along the posts as he followed the teens down the street, only to stop abruptly as the two did when a loud annoying ringing was heard and Nathan reached into his pocket to fish out his phone, Zero's ears tilted in confusion.

    "Hello?" He questioned before his eyes lit up. "C-coal State…? W-wait… Detective Miles! The Miles West!? O-of course, we'll be right there. Yes, r-right away!" He hung up, turning to his brother with a wide grin. "June, we just got a call from the Detective Miles of the Coal State police! He wants us to help with their current case!" He exclaimed and June's eyes went wide before jumping up and down like an excited little school girl.

    "Let's go then!" He said happily, grabbing his brother's arm before both raced down the sidewalk and to the other side of the city, to the Coal State department.

    Zero gave a sharp sigh before jumping down and going in a different direction, preparing for the upcoming event, he'd have to step up his game, having his two most loyal fans chasing after him now. At least this would provide a new challenge for him, one he'd been waiting for for quite a long while.

-0-

    Vale paced back and forth, his fingers constantly running through his hair. "Sit down kid, you're making me dizzy." Miles mumbled; his eyes narrowed at the younger male, even as Vale turned to him and then turned back to the floor, continuing his pacing.

    "E-excuse me, you have no right to be in here." The three, including the chief, in the area looked up at a female officers voice and Vale grinned, seeing two teens walk right past her, one with purple hair that was a little longer than his own and another with white hair.

    "Wow, so this is the Coal State station?" Nathan grinned, ignoring the female officer. "I'm impressed."

    "S-stop…!" The officer tried once more to get the two to stop, but failed.

    Chief Harrison grumbled to his self before shaking his head, lifting it and nodding to her. "Let them be, Officer Druid, Miles called them in." He said and she nodded, letting out a sigh of relief before backing off and going back to her post.

    "Hm?" Nathan looked to the three, as he neared the office, giving a wide smirk. "Let me guess, Chief George Harrison, right?" Harrison nodded, looking unamused as the two walked through the open doors. "And you're Detective Miles West! What an honor it is to meet you!" Miles nodded to him, smiling.

    "You as well Nathan, June." Nathan grinned and June timidly waved.

    "And you are…?" Nathan turned to Vale, confused. 'A newbie huh?'

    "Vale Lynn Ross at your service." Vale grinned childishly, bowing, his untied hair falling neatly beside his head. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

    "Yes, yes, we've all introduced ourselves; now let's get down to business." The chief stood up, leaning on his hands as he placed them on the desk in front of him. The other four turned to him before Miles nodded and Vale shrugged, both turning to Nathan and June.

    "Right, as you probably already know, the White Wolf has given another heist notice." June brightened at that and Nathan smirked, crossing his arms and tilting his head up.

    "Yeah, we know." He answered calmly, though he was secretly jumping up and down inside, not believing a single thing that was happening right now.

    "Well, we need your help." Miles finished, smiling at Nathans little charade, and Vale stepped in.

    "We know that you two are Zero's most loyal fans and we would like to ask if you would help us, the department, decode his riddle before the next heist." He concluded and Nathan chuckled before full out giggling.

    There was no way he'd ever say no to that, but he'd have to take advantage of the situation before doing so, of course.

    "Are you kidding me? June and I would love to help," Miles raised an eyebrow, knowing exactly where that sentence was going.

    "But?" He questioned and Vale tilted his head slightly to the side, his arms crossing.

    Nathan always liked how Miles was smart, smart enough to figure there was more to what he was going to say. "But, before we help you, we want something in return."

    "Absolutely not." Chief Harrison growled out and Miles held up a hand.

    "Name it."

    "What…!?" George snapped at Miles and Miles sighed.

    "The kids aren't going to help unless they get what they want, so we have to agree or there is no heist because we won't be able to decode the riddle in time." He reasoned and the chief sat down, huffing. "So," he turned back to June and Nathan, "what do you want in return?"

    "What I want is a picture of the thief, from the upcoming heist. June wants a new wolf stuffed animal since his old one was ruined." He bargained and Miles sighed but nodded.

    "Is that all?" He questioned and Nathan tilted his head up as if he was thinking, even though he knew what he wanted. And he wanted in.

    "Take me with you when you go." He stated and at that Chief Harrison immediately disagreed.

    "No way Bright." He answered. "No civilians are allowed on any case, and that includes the damned thief's heist." He said, clenching his fists tightly, even more so when Nathan shook his head and turned away.

    "Then we won't help." June nodded to that.

    "What about June?" Vale asked, confused.

    "Answer me first." Nathan demanded and Miles sighed.

    "Fine," he agreed, finally, after a heavy silence fell upon the room.

    "Good, and to answer your question Vale, June won't be coming along because he has a night class on the day of the heist." The Chief narrowed his eyes, glaring at the teens, and Nathan continued. "Okay look," he took Junes notebook and opened it up, going to the page of the riddle before reading it out loud. "It says 'when the moon shines high and the wolves sing the chorus'. He's obviously talking about the full moon, you know? 'When the wolf howls to the full moon'?"

    Miles nodded. "Right. So, following the crowded river north means following the road north, though which road we have no idea. And we know that it takes place on the full moon."

    "Here's a question for you two, being his loyal fans and what not. Why is the thief writing words situated with songwriting?" Vale asked, leaning against the desk as June sat in his chair and Nathan leaned against the windows. "Melody, chorus, note, song…" he listed the words and Nathan frowned, looking down in true thought.

    "Actually, I have no idea. But I'm thinking that since Zero writes his riddles as both a hint to what he's stealing, where he's going, what night he's doing it, and who he's returning the gem to, he's probably giving us a hint as to who he's returning the gem to. Like maybe a singer, or a high school girl who's in choir." He said, rather to his self than to the others.

    "Alright, well, what does he mean by 'an act I will play in this fun little song'?" The Chief asked and Nathan chuckled, liking that one line.

    "An act I will play… in this fun little song." He repeated softly, looking back up, his head tilted to the side. "Well I'm going to guess his hints in that phrase are act, play, and fun. And well, by act and play, he could mean a theater."

    "But theaters aren't naturally fun." Miles mumbled. "He could mean a park, fun and play?"

    The Chief shook his head. "No, because parks don't involve any kind of acting." Vale smirked at that, getting an idea.

    "I got it! How about a circus…?" He suggested and the four looked at him, giving the twenty-year old their attention. "The circus involves all three words."

    "But there isn't a circus around here…" June spoke up, for the first time since entering the station and Nathan shook his head.

    "He's right, so how could he have meant circus?" He asked and Vale grinned.

    "Yes, there isn't a circus around the area, but, there is a museum not far from here that I've always thought it looked every bit like a circus. The Deidra Heart Field Museum, the place is every bit of fun as the circus is, as well as it's looks, not to mention it's a great place for kids to go to." He said and continued on when the others looked puzzled. "You guys said that Zero always wrote in riddles, and so, if it's not a circus that he meant, then what about the museum?"

    "He's got a point, actually." Nathan said, placing a hand on his chin. "The Deidra Heart Field Museum is exactly what Zero would be talking about, using those three key words. Act, fun, and play." He paused, frowning in confusion before his eyes widened. "Oh! Silver meets with red must mean when Zero steals the gem!" Miles hummed in agreement and turned to Vale just as he pulled out a miniature tablet, getting right to work.

    "Right um… a red gem staring at the museum. Got it, the Deidra Field Museum is staring a ruby gemmed bracelet in three days, the night of the full moon. Nathan was right." Vale confirmed and the others nodded while Nathan scoffed, crossing his arms once more.

    "Of course I was right." He retaliated and Vale ignored him, turning to the chief.

    "So, what do we do now?"

    "The only thing we can do. We prepare for the heist, the thief's smart, he'll know we figured the note out by now and will be waiting for us."

-0-

    Nathan sighed softly, leaning his chin in the palm of his hand, smiling as he stared at the few photos on his desk, one in particular. It was a photo that he'd been lucky to take, of Zero at one of his heists.

    The thief had been running from the police and when he thought no one was following him anymore, he'd stopped to catch his breath and take a break.

    Nathan had been trying to keep up with him, his camera in his hands and ready to take a photo when he was able, and was glad he did because he'd been able to spot the thief and take a picture of him, timing it right as the thief had looked behind him.

    But, unfortunately, when hearing the click and seeing the flash, Zero took off, but at least he'd gotten the photo, a clear head shot of the thief that showed his darkened silver hair and his dark color eyes. He also happened to be smiling at the time as well, so that was a plus.

    He'd always thought that Zero would come and steal the photo back, but he never did, much to Nathan's thanks, as well as disappointment from not being able to meet the thief head on.

    Nathan turned to the TV when he heard the reporter talking and saw Jennifer standing in front of the Deidra building, police in the background, of course only a few to take preparations for the following night. And he smirked at that. "They'll never be able to catch him. He's the smartest person I've ever known, he'll find a way to avoid your cheap little tricks, Chief." He murmured, before standing up, stretching and getting ready for bed, casting one last glance to the photo. "Good night, Zero, heh, I'll see you tomorrow."

-0-

    The thief huffed, shaking his head, standing on the top of a building not far from his target. 'Ne… Chief Harrison, do you honestly believe you'll catch me with more police surrounding the building?' He questioned in his mind, before kneeling down, sitting on his feet. 'You can't afford to make any mistakes wolf; you can't get caught, he's depending on it. I know he is, and don't worry, I won't. I'll grab the bracelet and get out of there, but… But what? I have to put up a show for my loyal fans, now don't I?' Zero grinned at that thought as he looked at the large crowd surrounding the building, several police holding them back.

    He stood back up and proceeded to run along the buildings before jumping down into an alley way unseen, hiding in the shadows. He peeked around the corners, finding the police preoccupied by the crowd before dashing to the back of the building, and halted immediately when he saw a few officers, both of Fisher, guarding the perimeter and he sighed. 'Damn…' he thought. 'Only a minor obstacle, Zero. I know.' He answered back, reaching into one of his coats many pockets and grabbing out two smoke bombs. 'Perfect.' He grinned, throwing the bombs towards the men, watching.

    The officers looked at the tiny spheres before looking at each other in confusion, about to investigate the balls until one of them exploded, the other following after and Zero dashed out immediately after they went off, climbing up alongside the building as the officers were distracted, reaching an open window and slipped through it, knowing he was slipping into a trap.

    His ears twitched as he heard an alarm go off and waited for a few seconds until he was cornered by Fisher and Coal State officers, and he hid a smirk.

    "Give it up, we have you surrounded." One of them said and Zero snickered, his ears perking up and he tilted his head in a playful way before shaking it. 'I don't think so.' He thought lightly before reaching back behind him and grabbing one of the bombs that when set off, put people to sleep.

    "Stop thief…!" Another officer shouted and Zero ignored him, throwing the bombs on the ground, setting them off immediately, covering his nose and mouth, waiting for the initial thumps to sound before dashing out into the hall, finding it void of any more idiotic policemen. 'Hm, this is boring.' He thought, frowning before shrugging and walking towards the hall that held the Firestone Cuff, his bracelet.

    Zero peered once more around the corner as he reached the hall, spying his target as well as several uniformed officers, the two chief's of each district, and Detective Miles. But where was Nathan…?

    He shook his head, clearing the thoughts. He wouldn't let a single missing fan get him down, not after coming this far.

    He cleared his throat, changing his tone, as well as his language, to one that Chief Harrison and Bianca knew well: Spanish.

    "Jefe Harrison! Jefe Bianca! El ladrón no ha sido visto en la planta baja, date prisa! Él va a escapar!" He shouted out into the halls and ran back, hiding in the shadows as both Chiefs ran out of the room, several police following after, to go to the lower floor. He gave a wolf-like laugh before running back into the room, the police disappearing and he stopped when he saw Miles, cursing in his mind.

    "A nice trick, thief." He said, playing up an act in case anyone came into the room while they were talking.

    Zero gulped, lowering his ears before raising them as he heard nothing and stood straighter, facing Miles directly. "A simple voice change can fool anyone, apparently not you though." He said, bothered very little by the fact that Miles knew his real voice, spitting out the last words.

    "I know every trick in your book, Zero." Miles answered, smiling. "Comes with knowing everything about you." He added and Zero sighed, lowering his head and loosening his posture.

    "Yeah, I guess."

    "The bracelet is all yours, that is, if you really are returning it to its original owner." Zero looked up, shocked before stepping forward and to the case, opening it and grabbing the bracelet, hearing the alarms blaring and turned to Miles, nodding.

    "I am, but now I have to go." Miles nodded back.

    "I understand." He said, watching as Zero grabbed a bomb from his coat, and smiled as Zero bowed his head.

    "I'm sorry." He apologized before he threw the bomb to the ground, running out of the room before it made contact and before he could hear Miles fall to the ground, asleep just as it was supposed to be, but not how Zero wanted it to be.

    He ran up the stairs to the roof, sighing in relief as he made it, only stopping for a brief moment to catch his breath.

    "You have the bracelet then?" He froze at the voice and turned around, seeing Nathan leaning against a fence and backed away, his eyes wide. "I knew those pathetic traps couldn't hold you, the greatest thief alive." He continued on, looking up at Zero with a smirk playing at his lips. "A fun heist, but as we all know, the fun has to end sometime, right?"

    Zero could do nothing as Nathan continued talking; only listen to what was being said before turning away as he paused in his words.

    Nathan frowned, wanting some reaction besides that, anything, he would take anything! "Come on, you got to give me something! I risked my ass getting passed those police and up here to finally meet with the thief who I've always looked up to, not stand around and talk while you do nothing." He said, standing up and walking towards the thief, watching as he backed away a few steps and stopped, sighing. "Please? You're my hero, say something, anything…!"

    Zero's ears lowered at that, at being called his hero, and looked down and away, shaking his head. He couldn't talk around others… he wouldn't… not after… no, he just won't, and no one but Miles could make him! 'Zero, you have to. No! I won't!' He shouted in his head, backing away more before turning to the building behind the museum, grabbing out a small grappling gun and holding up towards the top of it.

    "Fine. I understand, I guess. You've never talked around anyone else so why would I be any different?" Zero flinched at the tone he used, not liking the fact that he sounded disappointed and upset. 'I'm sorry…' he thought before pulling the trigger, watching as the hook latched to the edge of the building and he took a deep breath, calming his nerves. "I'll hold the police off long enough for you to escape, alright? And you can return the bracelet to Lord Maverick."

    Zero's ears lowered back to his head before he got the nerve to turn around, hand still gripping the gun, and he smiled at Nathan, nodding. Nathan smiled back, happy to get at least that.

    "You're welcome, thief." He grinned, knowing what Zero wanted to say before watching as Zero jumped from the building and swung to the other one, climbing up the side and over the edge, disappearing after a few seconds.

-0-

    Chief Harrison ran back up to the Fire Room, his eyes clouded by rage as he saw the case open, gem gone, and Miles knocked out on the floor. "Damn it!" He shouted out, running to Miles to wake him up.

    Miles groaned, pain hitting him as he woke up from the fall he took after Zero gassed him. "Ugh… damn, that hurt." He murmured, opening his eyes as he sat up, blinking when he realized Chief Harrison was staring at him, angered apparently. "Chief…?" He questioned, only half greeting the man.

    "What the hell happened…?" Harrison grounded out and Miles smiled sheepishly.

    "Sorry sir, he took me by surprise… gassed me the second I realized he took the bracelet." He lied and Harrison stood up, fuming.

    "Let's go, we can still make it to the Maria Santa home before he does. I hope." The chief grumbled and Miles nodded, silently hoping against that.

-0-

    Zero sighed in relief as he made it to the lord's home, a beautiful white mansion, before climbing to the third story balcony, to a room where music was coming from, and slid inside the doors, stopping only when he got inside.

    "S-señor Maverick?" He questioned, in Spanish, and the piano music stopped, a man with gray hair shifting where he sat.

    "Si?" The man turned in his seat, his white suit moving against him as he did and he faced the thief, smiling brightly when he did, his bright lavender colored eyes shining against the light of the moon. "Ah, ladrón. Bienvenido a mi humilde casa."

    Zero nodded to that, bowing in respect. "Gracias, Señor Maverick. Supongo entonces usted sabe por qué estoy aquí?" He asked and Lord Maverick stood up, bowing back and nodded.

    "De hecho yo, que he venido a devolver lo que es muy importante para mí, ¿no?" He tilted his head and Zero's ears twitched as he replied.

    "Su brazalete. Pertenece a usted, no a esa perra de un distribuidor, S-señora Victoria." Zero cursed and the lord chuckled, shaking his head and walking to Zero, who held his hand out to the man, the bracelet in his 'paw'.

    "Le doy las gracias, lobo blanco. Esta pulsera es muy querido para mí, una reliquia de la familia que ha estado en mi familia por generaciones y ahora, gracias a ti, seguirán siendo." He answered and Zero smiled, his ears perking up.

    "De nada." He purred out and the man smiled back.

    "No voy a olvidar este encuentro, ladrón, gracias."

    "Adiós, Señor Maverick, y mantener a salvo, ¿de acuerdo?" The thief turned to exit the building, and the man nodded.

    "Usted también, lobo." He replied, just as Zero climbed out, no doubt to return to a safe place, back to his home.

-0-

    Harrison frowned at what he was hearing. "What exactly do you mean?"

    "Zero's gone." Nathan said simply. "He returned the bracelet and disappeared. I called Lord Maverick myself to confirm that." He added and the chief groaned, the Fisher police having already gone back to their station, the Coal State officers going back to the department themselves.

    "I'll take your word for it kid, but only because I'm tired as hell and don't want anything more to do with that damned thief." Nathan nodded to this, stopping and watching as the chief got into his car and drove off, leaving Nathan by his self.

    Nathan sighed and walked over to a bench, sitting down and waiting for the bus to arrive. "Well, Nathaniel, you did your best." He sighed again. "You at least got to see Zero up close and received a smile out of it." He chuckled without humor before lying back on the bench, staring up at the sky.

    He closed his eyes, yawning, before opening them again, now more sad than anything else.

    "I just wish that he would've at least talked once. Just once… that's all I asked for." He murmured softly, barely in a whisper. "Next time then, little wolf." He added to his self.

-0-

    Zero frowned, sitting on a pole comfortably, his coat falling around him. 'My most loyal fan and I disappointed him. You'll disappoint a lot more people if you keep up what you're doing Zero. I don't know what to do though.' He thought, lowering his ears as he stared at Nathan. 'Three words little wolf, forget the past.'

-0-

Read, Rate, and Review! Tell me what you think, what you liked or disliked! I'd love to know! *purrs*

4: Beware of Dogs

Author's Note: This is Case 4 of my 'story' Case:Zero. Some little info that is needed for you guys to know is that yes, this story is based off of the cases I've done over the course of my life. But, Case: Zero is a fantasy-reality type story where even though the cases are real, they're modified to create something a bit enjoyable. For example, I am not a detective in this story, but instead a thief, as mine and Vale's roles have basically switched. Not to mention though I am nothing more than regular English tongued in real life, I am... Australian in here. Another thing, I am eighteen and Vale is twenty-one.

Something more, is that I, as I've always wanted to be, am a wolf, half-wolf actually. I appear to have long, white fluffy ears and a long, white fluffy tail. Two important things with this though, is that whenever I come in contact with water, I change into a full white wolf and don't change back for another few hours and I can also change whenever I want to and change back whenever I want to, if manually that is.

Disclaimer- I own almost nothing in this but the fantasy-based ideas. Characters are technically not mine, besides myself, and credit for the cases go solely to the LIPD.

Heh, enjoy!

-0-

Beware of Dogs

    The loud howling and barking of dogs filled the dense and dark forest as dogs and people of all kinds gathered around the clearing. Terriers, Hounds, Beagles, and Pits all raced around their owners, waiting for the event to start.

    "Ah, hunting." Miles grinned wide, walking into the clearing with Vale and his terrier, Lucille, trailing behind him.

    "Detective," Vale groaned, "why am I here?" He asked, sounding extremely bored. Vale had been excited to get out of the station, but when he learned where they were going, his mood dropped.

    "It's Miles, Newbie, when we're not at work." Miles corrected, shooting him a grin.

    "Then can you quit calling me Newbie? I've been here for two weeks now." Vale huffed, crossing his arms as he watched Miles set up his stuff; he leaned down to pet Lucille on her head when she padded up to him.

    "You're still a newbie, Newbie." Vale rolled his eyes but shut up as Miles clearly wanted to end that conversation. "Now then, I wonder how much longer it is until the event starts…" Miles trailed as he looked to the man who was obviously in charge of said event.

    "Ladies, Gentlemen, Dogs…" the man paused as the people and the dogs quieted, "I, Vincent 'Coon' Hunter, welcome you to the tenth annual Raccoon hunt." He held his arms out and the dogs howled out, the people cheering and the event started. "Let the hunts begin!"

    "Alright Lucille, this is our year. I just know it." Vale had to smile a little at the barely noticeable desperation in the detective's voice.

    "Go get 'em Tiger." Vale snickered lightly and Miles grinned back at Vale.

    Not even five seconds later did he hunters start the event, running from the clearing with their dogs and disappearing; along with Miles and Lucille.

-0-

    It was two hours, exactly, later that the group found themselves back in the clearing; both with their dogs and their loot.

    "Alright, alright, settle down now." Vincent hopped back up onto the large tree trunk and motioned with his hands to quiet the contestants and their dogs. "Just two hours ago we started this hunt, racing out to catch as many 'coons as we could and now here we are. Let's count those 'coons and find our winner."

    Vincent hopped down and walked to the closest hunter, a tall man with a small black and tan Coonhound sitting beside him.

    "Benet," Vincent grinned. "What have you been doing this entire time? Chasing rabbits?" Vincent snickered as he counted the coons in the hunters' bag. "Only three; well we all know you aren't going to win this year." Most of the men erupted into laughs or snickers while Benet only chuckled.

    "Oh, this gal is just getting old. The coons are too fast for her now." The dog beside him huffed, turning her muzzle away and Vincent smirked.

    "Yeah? And where's that pup of yours hiding?" Vincent questioned, walking off to count another hunters catch.

    "He's back at home." Benet answered, somewhat quietly.

    Vincent shrugged and counted the coons. "Six; four, come on Drake you can do better; Seven, good work Jules." The man came around to Miles and Vale and he grinned, placing his hands on his hips. "A newbie huh? First time hunting?" He asked Vale and he backed up, shaking his head.

    "I don't hunt." He answered simply, his black hair whipping around with each jerk of his head.

    "Nah, Vincent, Newbie's with me." Miles grinned, holding out his catch. "I've got eight coons here for you. Hah, Lucille hasn't lost her touch yet."

    Vincent smirked. "Is that right?"

    Miles nodded and opened his mouth, about to answer until he was interrupted by a very loud howl. 'That's Jack's dog!' someone exclaimed and the hunters turned in the direction the howl came from. 'Something's wrong,' another person said and Benet walked to the front.

    "Come on, Jack could be in trouble!" He said and rushed into the forest.

-0-

    A small silver wolf looked down from the tree he was in and narrowed his eyes, tempted to cover his ears to block out the annoying dog; but the hound was right to do that, as he had just found his owner… dead.

    He frowned and looked over the body, shivering at the sight and jumped down, looking to the dog. I'm a friend. He said to the now bristling dog and, understanding, the dog nodded before continuing the howling. Though not before the wolf bowed his head and said: I'm sorry for your loss.

    Upon hearing the shouts and loud footsteps of people, he bolted from the spot where the man lay.

-0-

    Miles and Vale rushed through the forest, following the howl of the dog with the others in tow. When they reached where the dogs was, their eyes widened and gasps rang through the area.

    The hunters started talking all at once, 'Jack!' 'What happened?' 'Is he alright?' 'Oh poor Fang...'

    Vincent walked forward, a torn look on his face as he saw the man against the tree. "What in the Devil's name happened here? The poor lad looks like he was mauled by a bear!"

    Miles stepped forward, only to turn his head as he heard something to the side and caught glimpse of a small wolf and he narrowed his eyes. "Step aside." He quickly ordered the men and they followed his order, Vale walking beside him to the body.

    "That doesn't look like a bear attack." Vale pointed out meekly and Miles shook his head, observing the markings.

    "It's not." He said stiffly and he motioned to the tracks beside the body.

    "Aren't those wolf tracks?" Vale questioned, and Miles nodded.

    "It's rare to see a wolf out here in these parts. The poor thing was probably looking for food." Vincent said solemnly, frowning.

    "No, there's plenty of prey out in the forest; there is no reason for a wolf to attack Jack." Benet said, narrowing his eyes and the others agreed.

    "Doesn't matter. A wolf attacked and killed this man." Miles said before standing up and pulling out his phone. "Chief..."

-0-

    Vale paced the forest ground, waiting for Miles to emerge from the crowd of police as they investigated the area. "What will happen to Jack's dog?" He asked the older officer just as he walked up to him.

    "He'll most likely be taken to the animal shelter," Miles said, sighing and Vale frowned.

    "Poor Fang… I wonder if he saw the attack." Vale murmured and Miles huffed.

    "If he did, Newbie, then he'd have a few scratches on his body, but he doesn't." He said, and Vale shrugged. When the two reached the street, where the police cars and other cars were parked, they walked to the detective's car and got in. "We're going back to the station. You have paper work and I have to talk with the chief." He sighed and Vale nodded.

    "Alright."

    Arriving at the station, Miles immediately got out and headed into the building, heading straight for the chiefs office.

    "Chief," Miles stated when he entered the office and the red haired man lifted his head up, looking tired.

    "What is it Miles?" Harrison groaned out and Miles sighed lightly.

    "Here's the report for the Jack killing." He said, politely and respectfully as he handed a file to the chief and the older man grabbed it reluctantly, scanning through it before stopping on a specific page; eyes narrowed.

    "A wolf killed this man?" Chief Harrison asked and Miles grimly nodded, glaring at seemingly nothing.

    "Yes sir. The wolf was running away when we reached the body." He said and the chief shook his head.

    "Then it's a closed case. Have a few of my men search for this… white wolf… in the forest and have it restrained." He ordered and Miles took back the file before bowing.

    "Yes sir." He answered and left the room. He walked over to his station, throwing the file on the desk before sitting in his chair and he looked to his computer.

    He clicked a few buttons for a while, searching through different pages before sitting up straight when a message popped up on his screen; startling him.

    He read it and his eyes narrowed before he stood up sharply, causing the chair to spin and he grabbed his jacket before leaving.

    The single message that was left on the screen disappearing only a few seconds after he left: 'Meet me in the alley by the dog park. We have a lot to discuss, so hurry.'

-0-

    Vale sat at his desk, bored, not to mention scared. He was scared for the dog though, Fang; because now that little dog was in the pound and there was a really good chance no one would adopt him.

    "Newbie." Vale shot up from his desk as he heard the chief's voice and turned around, at attention.

    "Y-yes sir?" He asked.

    "Take Detective Ruby and go back to the hunting grounds, question everybody there." Harrison said sharply, turning away before adding, "I want no statement left out, you understand?"

    "Y-yes sir!" Vale nodded, excited, forgetting mostly about Fang as he grabbed his coat and things and went to go get the female detective before heading out.

-0-

    Zero narrowed his eyes as he looked around; sitting on a lamp post near the alley he wanted to meet the detective.

    It wasn't long before he saw the familiar black car drive into the parking lot of the dog park they were near.

-0-

    "Thief." Miles gritted out as he neared the alley by the very noisy Pheasant Hills Dog Park.

    "You came." Zero jumped down from the lamp post he sat at. He didn't bother trying to hide his real voice, as he did with the other's that he 'spoke' with. Of course, he's never hidden his voice from Miles. He was the only one besides… besides someone else that knew who he really was.

    "What is it you want, Zero?" Miles asked, crossing his arms. He was pissed. "We're in the middle of an investigation, one of my dearest friends was killed and I don't want you getting in the way and fucking that up." Zero flinched at the tone Miles used but stood his ground, glaring at the detective.

    "Oh I know." He said simply. "The victim was Jack Graham Martin. He was forty three years old, had a wife named Jennifer Martin, and three kids. All of them are in their twenties now. He was found mauled by a wolf. If I'm not mistaken." Zero snarled out and Miles stilled.

    "Of course you know all that." Miles sneered, turning away. "Nothing evades the elusive White Wolf…!"

    "I know you think I had something to do with this." Zero said, after a few seconds of silence and Miles turned back, finding the thieves head lowered, his ears as well. "He was one of your friends, if you have a pretty open and shut case, then why not just arrest me now? I'm the wolf you're looking for, because yes, I was there before you came running." Zero admitted, holding his hands out. "So… what are you waiting for?"

    "You know something I don't, don't you?" Miles asked, skeptical.

    Zero let out a dry chuckle and put down his hands, ears twitching with the movement. "Maybe." He answered simply.

    "Tell me then." The detective ordered, strict and brief. He wasn't going to put up with any of the wolfs games.

    "Your guy wasn't killed by a wolf. Not me, not any wolf." Zero said softly, voice filled with emotion.

    "Then what killed him?" Miles asked, frowning.

    "Not what, who." The wolf answered. 'Why, Zero? Why what? Why do you tell Miles everything? Why don't you just solve it yourself? Because I'm not the detective… and I trust Miles. You trust him too much, wolf. So? It doesn't matter. It does, Zero. No, it doesn't.'

    "Who?" Miles narrowed his eyes.

    "Your guy was killed by one of the people you were hunting with; the man no doubt ordered his dog to attack Jack." He said.

    "And you saw this happen?" Miles asked, shaking his head and Zero sighed.

    "No, I did not. But I could smell it." He said softly.

    Miles stilled at what he was hearing and he turned around swiftly, confused and more than upset. "You, Zero, are telling me that one of my dearest friends was killed by a fellow hunter and his beloved hunting canine?" Miles huffed out, turning back around. "Do you have any idea what you are saying? The accusation you are placing on one of the finest men in the city?"

    "I do. Are you going to stop me?" Zero asked, tilting his head up slightly. 'You're playing a dangerous game... Zero, and you are not the predator. I know.' Zero let out a soft sigh, taking a few steps towards Miles. "Let me help, please... Miles. You've helped me, let me help you now."

    Miles frowned at what the wolf was saying before letting out a harsh sigh and he smirked. "I better not regret this, wolf." He said, nodding his head in answer to Zero's question and Zero smiled a small smile.

    "You won't."

-0-

    A tall man with black hair and blue eyes entered his house, a wide smirk on his face and an evil glint in his eyes.

    He dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and hung up his coat on the rack.

    With the wide grin still on his face, he whistled loudly.

    Immediately, a large retriever came running into the kitchen and he knelt down to pet the dog. "Hey there, boy." The man grinned, and the dog bark. "Have fun?" The dog barked again, wagging its tail and the man laughed loudly, reaching up onto the counter to grab a dog treat and he handed the pup it. "We got him. We did, no more mean old Jack to ruin our fun. Right?" The dog howled in delight with that and twirled around.

    I knew I smelled your scent around the area. Another dog walked into the kitchen and the pup turned to her, looking proud.

    I did it, I did what Master said to do...! Aren't you happy, aren't you proud of me? The older dog frowned and shook her head.

    You killed a man, she said softly before walking away, leaving the younger dog confused and no longer joyful as the man stood and walked away, whistling in victory.

    Was I wrong to do that...? The pup whimpered to his self.

-0-

    Vale sighed softly as he walked around the gathering and looked to each man and woman standing before him. Each with their dogs and each with a distraught look on their face.

    "Miss... you only had two coons in your catch, if I remember correctly," Vale started, looking to an older woman with a small black terrier dog who looked just as old as her. "From what I understand, you could have caught more than that... so my question is, why didn't you? What were you doing?"

    "That's two questions." The older woman said, smirking. "And the names Misty, this here is Rune. And to answer your question, Rune here, well she's getting old... too old to be hunting anymore. This was our last year here in the hunt. We wanted something to do before everything ended, but Rune wasn't up to her game, I guess."

    "I see..." Vale commented absentmindedly as he scribbled down her statement with the others on a small notepad.

    "Hey, officer, excuse me, but have you seen Benet and Frannie anywhere?" Vale looked over to see Vincent walking towards him. Vincent's eyes widened when he recognized that the officer he was acknowledging was Vale. "Ah, Newbie...! So you do work with Miles then." Vale nodded his head, turning all the way to the older male.

    "Yes." Vale answered, shaking his head then to clear any thoughts. "What's this about Benet...? Wasn't he that hunter who only got three coons?" Vincent chuckled at that.

    "Heh, Benet's a real good friend of mine. He's been in the hunting community since this thing started ten years ago. Damn fine hunter and a great man." He said and Vincent looked around. "But he seems to not be here."

    "Really?" Vale questioned, frowning slightly before jotting something down on the notebook. "Vincent, you wouldn't mind answering some questions, would you?"

    "Sure thing," the man answered with a bright smile. "Anything I can do to help, I'll do it."

-0-

    "You sure about this Zero?" Miles asked, walking through the forest with Zero trailing above him, through the trees.

    "I'm sure." Zero said as he jumped to another branch in another tree. "We're getting close." He added, sniffing the air and he lowered his ears. "Be careful, Miles. Something isn't right."

    "Hn," Miles nodded in acknowledgment, treading onward. He sighed in relief when they finally reached the crime scene and paused in his movements. "Stay hidden, wolf." Miles said, looking up into a particularly thick tree and he saw Zero give him a sly smile.

    "And what fun would that be?" Miles glared at him with that.

    "I mean it, Zero; I will not risk you getting hurt in all of this. And these men, they're looking for a wolf, and you fit that description perfectly. They will shoot you if given the chance and they will capture you. Understand?" Zero frowned and nodded. "Good, now stay hidden and keep quiet." He ordered strictly and Zero huffed out in reply but nodded again, jumping to another tree, making his way to the tree the victim was found near.

    Miles shook his head before heading in, greeting each officer with a nod of his head. "Thank you, Officer Barrack, but I'll take it from here."

    "Yes, sir." The officer guarding the body nodded and left for another post.

    Miles sighed, putting on some plastic gloves before taking out a camera and he began taking pictures of the area and the body. 'I don't understand why I'm doing this...' Miles grimaced when he tore a piece of the bloody jacket and locker it in a small plastic bag. 'Why does he- wait, never mind, I don't want to know.' He stood, after pocketing a vile of the still wet blood, and turned away from the body, pulling off his gloves and putting them away.

    He knew Zero was following him when he left and he sighed again.

    "Did you get them?" Zero asked as he dropped down to the ground next to the detective.

    Mind me asking why you need the blood and the cloth? Even the pictures? You know I could've gotten the photo's from the coroner." Zero shook his head lightly.

    "I needed my own photos, and besides, I didn't want you to get into trouble because of me." Miles chuckled at this and Zero huffed before he continued talking. "Anyway, I have a lab back at... at my hideout where I can analyze the blood you got and well, the cloth is for scented use." Miles quirked an eyebrow at that and Zero sighed. "We can find out what kind of dog attacked Jack by the blood and I can track it's scent from the cloth. I am a wolf, you know; I have a stronger sense of smell than any human."

    Miles smiled at this and then looked to the camera in his pocket. "And the photos, what about them?"

    "Tracks, Detective." Zero answered simply with a smile. "You can see different sets around the victim. Some belonging to me, the wolf tracks; another belonging to Fang; some belonging to other officers; and then there are your tracks; and last is our culprit." The wolf explained and Miles smirked.

    "I see." 'He said, 'the kid makes a damn good detective, that's for sure,' and then he looked around, seeing they were now outside the forest. "I'm going to guess you want me to leave now then, am I right?" Miles asked as he turned back to the wolf who was nervously looking around.

    Zero looked back at Miles with a small frown, thinking, 'No, no Zero!' "Actually..." Zero started with a small smile now. "I want you to come with me." 'You are an idiot! And so what if I am? I trust him. You will regret doing this. Maybe, maybe not.'

    Miles smiled, though he couldn't deny he was surprised to hear that from the wolf. "Alright, little wolf, lead the way."

-0-

    Zero climbed up the last of the stairs with calm and careful and graceful movements while Miles trailed behind him, looking around with a childlike curiosity.

    "I'm surprised, Zero." Miles commented when they got outside. The two were now standing on one of the tallest buildings in the city.

    "What?" Zero asked, ears perked up. He walked straight until he reached another door and he paused, turning back to the detective.

    "This was one of the very first places we checked, you know, when we searched the city for you years ago." Miles said, smirking.

    Zero shrugged, "I know a thing or two about evading the police," he admitted easily before he slipped inside the dark, brick room.

    "You are a strange one, Zero." The detective sighed. "You're talking to one of the finest detectives in the entire city, yet you say things that can get you into serious trouble. Why?" He asked and Zero smiled as he closed the door and turned on the only light in the room.

    "I trust you," he answered and Miles couldn't help but soften his gaze as he smiled warmly at the little wolf.

    "I'm glad," He replied in answer to Zero's confession.

-0-

    "Here you go, Chief." Vale reported into the station two hours after having taken everyone's statement on what happened. "The reports you asked for are all in."

    Chief Harrison huffed, taking the thin manila folder. "Has the wolf been found?" Vale frowned at the question, but answered anyway.

    "No, sir," he said and Harrison sighed.

    "Find it and put it down." He ordered and Vale nodded before getting out of the office, feeling more numb than he had been.

    He really didn't think that a wolf killed Jack, but he was just a newbie, what could he say to change the departments mind? Of course, he could always just tell the detective that...

    Vale was done with work for the day, besides the initial wolf hunt on his hands, so he decided to pack up and head home for the day; wait for a call from Miles or something.

    'Or I could go and see Fang...' that thought had him changing his course, and he headed to the animal shelter instead of going back home.

-0-

    Vale entered the small building with a bright smile, determined to see the little dog before he left for home.

    "Ah, good afternoon, sir." He looked up to see a young woman behind a desk near the entrance and he walked over to her, softening his smile.

    "Hello miss," he greeted back.

    She smiled back at him. "Anything I can do for you today?"

    "Uh yeah, actually… there was a dog, a small black spaniel; I think… a hunting dog. He would've been dropped off here a few hours ago, uh, do you know if he is here?" Vale was having a hard time trying to think of what to say.

    "Oh, you mean Fang, don't you?" Vale nodded, slightly confused, but he didn't question her to how she knew. "That poor pup, he lost his only friend in the whole wide world… I feel sorry for him, being here, I mean… And he was such a good dog; I don't know why he deserves something like this." She rambled before cutting herself off with a sheepish smile. "Oh I'm so sorry, I ramble sometimes."

    "Oh, that's quite alright, miss…" Vale murmured, almost to his self.

    "Here, I'll take you to him." She said and he smiled in thanks. "That poor pup's probably so confused and so lonely. It's good that you came to see him. I like that at least someone wants to."

    "Yeah, thanks." Vale replied as he was led into the back where all the animals were kept.

    "He's right in here. Fang's just been sitting in the corner all by his lonesome self. It's really quite a shame." She sighed softly, turning to Vale with a hopeful smile. "Maybe you can get him to cheer up. You seem like a real good canine person."

    "Ah, thanks again, miss…"

    "Charlotte's the name, and it's me who should thank you." Charlotte said before leaving after unlocking the cage door.

    Vale didn't even spare her a glance as she left, paying attention to the little ball of black fur curled up in the corner of the cage. 'He looks how I feel,' Vale thought lightly before walking into the cage and kneeling down, beside the dog.

    "Hey there Fang," he said in a soft whisper, and he saw Fang's ears twitch and he smiled. At least the dog was acknowledging he was there. "You probably don't know me, but I was there… at the hunting competition when ol' Jack was… was killed." That got a reaction out of the dog.

    Fang lifted his head up at the mention of his master's name and looked up at Vale with sad silver eyes.

    "Oh you poor thing. You never deserved this, did you?" Vale sighed. "You deserve a good home with someone you love and who loves you, not here where you get nothing but a place to sleep and water and food." He shook his head, sitting down and leaning against the cage. "I bet you saw what happened, didn't you?"

    Fang lowered his head at that, knowing what Vale was talking about and he whimpered.

    "Oh… I see." Vale frowned, reaching a hand out and he lightly pet Fang. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude. It's just… I don't believe that a wolf killed your master, I really don't. You don't either, do you?" Fang looked up again, shaking his head and Vale smiled. "See? I know what I'm talking about, but… no one listens to a newbie like me." Vale shook his head and he sighed again. "Don't worry though, we'll solve this thing and we'll catch whoever did kill your master and we, I, won't rest until we do."

    Fang barked in reply and Vale laughed as Fang nuzzled against him.

    "That is definitely a promise, boy."

    Fang barked again, his tail wagging and Vale grinned.

    "Good boy, Fang."

-0-

    "You have quite the collection here, Zero." Miles noted with amusement as he and the wolf stood before a some-what large lab table that had various lab equipment on it and several bags and files filled with who knows what. Most likely filled with items and stuff from different cases from over the years.

    "I try to keep track of what I do." Zero said softly as he made some room for the items Miles had.

    "Is this all from the cases you've helped us solve?" Miles asked, very impressed and Zero nodded, seeming nonchalant but he was glowing with happiness on the inside from the detectives tone.

    "Ah, well, yeah... sort of anyway. I do a lot of experiments for gems and jewelry from time to time..." Zero shrugged slightly as he took Miles camera and went over to the computer in the corner, hooking up the camera and opening several files before printing out the photos and then unhooking the camera and handing it back to Miles; after having erased all the photos from the memory of course.

    He walked back over to the table and laid out the photos before grabbing the vile of blood and placing a few drops on a microscope slide and putting it under the microscope.

    "So, how exactly will this tell us what kind of dog attacked Jack?" Miles questioned, curious as he had never seen the kind of work forensics does so he didn't know.

    "Uh well..." Zero let out a small sigh as he peered in the scope. "Each dog has it's own significant DNA trace, just like people, but dog breeds have a... certain unique way the blood cells are placed. Each breed is its own thing, just like each human is its own." Zero tried explaining. "So, if we eliminate the cells that are Jacks," he huffed, frowning slightly, "then we can get the pattern of the dogs cells. Not as simple as it sounds, trust me."

    Miles nodded in understanding. "It certainly sounds confusing," he murmured, "how exactly does that work?"

    Zero shrugged, as a show, but answered anyway. "Well..." he paused and sighed softly. He pulled away from the microscope and went over to his computer, pulling up something after typing in several various things. He turned the screen towards Miles and the detective was surprised to see two different blood maps on the screen. "Blood Map A is of Jack's cells... and then Blood Map B is of the dogs. Now, if I cross reference BMB with maps found on a certain site, then we should get the type of dog that did this. And there... we got a match, sort of." Zero shook his head, frowning. "It's the Blood Map of a retriever... but that's not right. Retrievers are usually docile and gentle creatures, aren't they?"

    "Yes, but didn't you say that one of my fellow hunters did this?" Zero nodded and Miles sighed. "No one has a retriever, Zero."

    "And you know this for certain?" Zero questioned, tilting his head slightly and Miles opened his mouth to reply.

    "Ye- er, no... actually, I don't." Miles answered, frowning slightly and he walked over and sat on the single bed in the room.

    Zero smiled. "I do believe then I know who our culprit is." He said, causing Miles to look up.

    "Who?" Miles asked, suspiciously.

    "Benet, that mysterious friend of yours." Zero answered simply. "He has two dogs right? An old Coonhound named Frannie and then a new pup, a retriever, named Jocko."

    "And you know this how...?" The detective frowned, standing up.

    "I've done my homework, Detective. On you and everyone around you. Just as you know everything about me, I know everything about you; especially those around you, like Benet." Zero said and Miles chuckled lightly.

    "I got to admit, kid, you're good." Miles hummed in thought before freezing up. "Wait, if it is Benet... Damn it, Zero, we have no proof."

    Zero smirked at that. "We have plenty proof. For one, we know that Benet and Jack weren't on good terms anyway. Two, we have Jocko's blood so we can place him at the scene of the crime without a problem. Three, well there's bound to be something in Benet's house that puts him as the number one suspect. And four, I bet your chief has something on him, but he probably doesn't know it." Zero flashed a grin to the detective and Miles sighed softly, but before he could speak, Zero added something else. "And five, most importantly, we have Fang on our side. Fang knows who killed his master and no doubt he would get violent towards the person who did it."

    Miles frowned and nodded. "Alright, I'm going to go check with the chief about anything he's got and I'm going to have Vale 'borrow' Fang for a bit for the case. You go ahead and scout Benet's place for anything, and Zero, don't go into Benet's house without me."

    Zero nodded and watched as Miles walked out.

-0-

    Miles walked out of the building and back to his car, getting in and he started it.

    For just a few seconds, he started at his steering wheel and then he sighed and shook his head, pulling the car out and he began driving towards the station.

    He couldn't quite shake the dreaded feeling he got when he left Zero alone. Something that told him Zero was going to do something stupid.

    He threw away the thoughts when he neared the station and he pulled in.

    He shut the car off before getting out and he walked into the station, intent on speaking to the chief.

    "Chief, may I have a word please?" Miles asked when he saw the redhead and Harrison turned to him, eyebrow raised, looking annoyed.

    "What do you want, West?" He spat and Miles sighed.

    "Did Newbie gather anything on the case?" The detective asked and the chief nodded.

    "I sent him out to gather the statements from the hunters." He said and Miles nearly grinned, but he straightened up and put on his best 'I mean business' face before addressing the chief again.

    "I need to see those files, right now."

    The chief glared at Miles, suspicious of the other and then he sighed, giving in. "Fine. But if I find anything missing from that folder-"

    "Trust me, George. You won't regret this." Miles said, cutting the chief off with a smirk and Harrison huffed out, glaring at Miles once more as he handed the file to the detective.

    Miles flipped through the folder before grinning wider. 'Bingo.' He thought and then handed the file back to the chief.

    "Thanks." He said briefly before heading out.

    He grabbed out his phone and dialed a number.

    He waited for the other to pick up before speaking into the phone. "Newbie, I have a simple assignment for you. Bring Fang to 2029 Water Dr. Tell Miss Charlotte that you have orders to take him from the shelter for now." And with that, he hung up.

    He got back into the car and headed off to Benet's house.

-0-

    Zero sat patiently on a small lamp post. He had been watching Benet for the past ten minutes and so far he's seen the man do nothing that would count for evidence.

    His ears lowered as his patience level did and he looked down the street, huffing out a sigh when he saw no cars.

    'Zero... I know Miles told me not too. So, don't. He's the detective, he knows best and this guy... he's dangerous. Mess with the wolf and you get the fangs, you're the one that said that; I am just as dangerous as him. Zero, no...!' Zero ignored his thoughts and jumped down to the ground below.

    He ran to the backyard and hopped over the fence, sniffing the area for any foreign scent. He spotted the scent right away and found two dogs, Frannie and Jocko, sleeping soundly near the back of the yard.

    Zero huffed and turned to the back door, going to it and slipping inside; quietly closing the door behind him as to not arouse suspicion from whoever was inside.

    Meaning Benet.

    He sniffed the air again, ears upright, and noted that Benet was in the kitchen. He could smell the food cooking from the large white tiled room.

    'Leave now Zero, while you still have the chance. No way. You'll get hurt if you stay...! Aw, are you worried about me? No, but I'd rather you not die by this stupidity.' Zero shook his head, dispelling the thoughts, and looked around before deciding to head up the stairs behind him.

    He made his way up until he reached the one room that reeked of both dog and man: Benet's bedroom.

    Zero smirked and gripped the handle, and he tried to open the door; only to find it was locked. The wolf huffed out and shook his head, 'No petty lock can keep me out. Yeah, you're right. You are a genious thief, after all... Damn right I am...! Just be careful, Zero.' Zero smiled at his thoughts and answered back. 'I will.'

    He pulled out a small lock pick from one of the many pockets in his trenchcoat before facing the knob and he picked the lock, careful about the noise.

    His ears perked up when he heard a very small click and he grinned wide, opening the door quietly before slipping through.

    He sniffed the air once again, closing the door behind him and he locked it back up, in case Benet tried to get back in his room. Just so he wouldn't know Zero had been there.

    He walked around before coming to a large dresser and he began searching each of it's drawers; coming up with nothing but clothes. He backed away from the dresser before searching nearby cabinets and the like; again, coming up with nothing that would be useful.

    Finally, coming to the single nightstand by the bed, he opened the first drawer to find what might've been useful, had he found the item it went to.

    He grabbed the small silver key from the drawer and turned back to the room, pausing and he sniffed the air again. 'Hah, got'cha. It's under the mattress, Zero. I know that.' Zero walked to the corner of the mattress and lifted it up careful, eyes brightening when he found a locked journal underneath.

    He put the key in the lock and turned it, humming at the soft click he heard right after before opening the journal and he flipped through.

    'Page 74; We finally did it. Jocko and I got rid of our biggest problem.' Zero smirked at this. 'We finally got rid of Jack and now we're free to do as we please without the old bat ruining our fun. Haha! We have him, Zero! We have him! We-! Zero!' Zero froze when he heard the click of the gun and felt the pressure on his head.

    "Hello, thief." Benet growled out and Zero's eyes went wide, his ears lowering slightly.

    'Zero, zero! Get out of there! I... I can't...'

    "Move now and I'll shoot." Benet huffed out before pausing and he smirked, Zero closing his eyes. "Ah, I know you... little wolf." Benet purred and Zero tensed, panicked.

    "W-what...?" He choked, changing his voice at the last second. He didn't want anyone to know... no one but Miles and the kids that he make happy by returning their long lost jewelry.

    "I know who you are, Zero..." Zero's eyes snapped open and he started at Benet with wide eyes. 'I'm a thief, a worldwide known national criminal. That's how you know me! Please say that's how you know me! Zero, calm down... he doesn't know him. He can't know him. Y-you're right... he can't. He can't know who he is, so he can't know who I am... Exactly.' Zero calmed slightly with his thoughts' reassuring words.

    "I-I'm an international icon, a worldwide known thief. I-it's no surprise that you know who I am." Zero said, successfully stuttering only once or twice.

    "Oh?" Zero nodded, but he quickly became more scared when Benet smirked.

    Zero's ears perked up when he heard the familiar engine of a familiar car.

    Benet leaned in, close to Zero's ears and chuckled darkly. "So then, you can't possibly be... my cousins... favorite little toy..."

    Zero froze completely, as Benet whispered his cousins name to him, and his blood ran cold while tears pricked in his eyes. 'It can't be... H-he can't...'

-0-

    Miles slammed the car door closed as he started at the house before him; a feeling of dread washing over him when he couldn't see Zero anywhere.

    Vale came running up beside him with Fang following behind. "Detective," Vale huffed, "what are we doing here?"

    "We're here to arrest the culprit." Miles answered, walking towards the door and knocked. Vale was confused, but he followed Miles anyway. "Benet! It's Miles, open up!"

    "Benet...?" Vale murmured, noticing then how Fang began growling. Miles noticed too and he chuckled dryly.

    'You were right, Zero.' He thought before knocking again. When no one answered, he motioned to the other officers to go in through the back. "Stay back, Newbie." Miles ordered before grabbing his gun out, and he kicked the door open.

    He held his gun out, alert and wary, and he looked everywhere for any signs of life. He came to a set of stairs and began climbing them as a few other officers joined him, while other searched the rest of the house.

    He walked down the hall, searching the rooms until he came to a closed door with a voice inside. He tensed as he recognised it as Benet's voice. 'Benet! Zero better not be in there with him!'

    He kicked the door open, eyes narrowed as he saw Benet talking to Zero, gun to his head, and the wolf stood frozen.

    What really got to him, however, was the fact that Zero was practically in tears.

    "Drop your weapon, Benet!" Miles growled out and Benet turned to him with a smirk.

    "Ah, Detective, I wouldn't do that if I were you. You wouldn't want your precious little wolf to die, now would you?" Miles tensed and growled at the man.

    "Get away from him." Miles seethed and Benet laughed.

    "Yeah? What are you going to do, huh?" Benet asked, eyes wide and bright with mischief. Miles felt sick; this wasn't the man he knew.

    "Let him go." The detective kept up the act, but he didn't move in fear that Zero would be hurt in all this.

    Before Benet could do anything, a bark was heard and Fang came running into the room. He pounced at Benet, knocking back the man and causing him to drop the gun.

    The gun had seemed to be the only thing holding Zero up, because as soon as the gun was removed, the wolf dropped to the floor. He had let go of the journal, causing it to fall on the bed, and he curled into his self on the floor; crying.

    Miles moved immediately to Zero's side while another detective went to Benet and cuffed him right on the spot.

    "Zero!" Miles said the wolf's name, but Zero didn't respond; so Miles shook his gently. "Zero, come on..."

    'Zero... He knows... Zero, snap out of it! He knew who I was.'

    "Zero..." Miles whispered, hugging Zero to him.

    'Zero, wake up...!'

-0-

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