Wolf & Coyote Mercenary Services [Looney Tunes AU]

Episode 23: Shut Up and Trust This

NOTE: Between the upload of chapter 18 and this current chapter, I've made some minor changes/retcons, so if anything reads differently, that's why.

===

"Tears of Isis is the newest drug to hit Acme City's streets," Barry Budgie booms out the headline from the car radio. "Those who have taken this strange black substance are calling it 'the twenty-first century cure', describing its unnatural healing qualities. But is it the miracle elixir of legends, or is there something insidious hidden beneath its inky exterior? Local mortician Herman Blakesley has this to say..."

Through light static, Herman's pre-recorded voice plays. "In my many years of funeral work, I've dealt with my fair share of addicts and sellers alike, so I am all too aware of the dangers of substance abuse. Many dealers would claim this or that about their wares: that it would provide comfort, ecstasy, a cure to all your problems. This is a pattern that dates back many centuries, with quack doctors prescribing so-called 'panaceas' to their clients, and I believe this to be no exception. However, if there is a kernel of truth in these bold statements, it could lead to the greatest discovery in medical history."

"Intriguing words, Mr. Blakesley," Barry comments. "He is currently cooperating with the ACPD to investigate the potential overlap between the Repo Man murders and the sudden appearance of the new street drug. ACME Corp CEO Bugs Bunny has also expressed interest in the case..."

The news continues to drone on in the background as Sylvester drives through the chaotic streets. Stopping before a traffic light flashing red, his thoughts start to wander.

It seems like just yesterday when the Repo Man murders flared up, yet here he is, going out to buy groceries the day before Thanksgiving. Try as he might to distract himself from the grim reality of the situation, it lingers in the back of his mind regardless. He lost the two alley cats he hired to investigate the Underground, and there's no signs of it stopping.

Next Top Cat, my ass. I can't lead like TC can. I'm not smart or charismatic, and my fellow alley cats are dropping like flies cus of me.

Not all hope is lost, however. Sylvester still has Wolf & Coyote. They're not cats, sure, but they have the skills, intellect, and strength to handle the worst cases. Plus, thanks to them, he and Furrball are able to gain a lead in their investigation, even surpassing the police in finding the threads connecting everything. The deputy's involvement is something he feels mixed about, but if it can get the job done quicker, it's something he can put up with.

Protecting Junior is my job. I'll leave the rest to them.

***

Sylvester parks his car in front of Acme Superstore and steps out. The supermarket is located in the northwest region of Acme City, resting squarely on the line between the urban and the suburban. As such, it's often quite busy, even with a second store in the North Quarter. Since the murder of Sophia Silk, however, the crowd is notably reduced, with canine cops surveilling every corner.

Inside, he strolls down the aisles, pushing the cart and filling it with the needed foodstuffs for tomorrow's feast. "Lessee, turkey, potatoes, green beans, cranberries..." He checks his shopping list. "Just need a pumpkin pie from the bakery and-"

The clash of metal carts collide, halting his progress. Flustered, he looks up from his list. Staring back at him is a pair of bubblegum pink eyes. Sylvester blinks. The eyes belong to a striped skunk who, feminine features aside, looks strikingly like Pepé. Surely it's just a coincidence... right? "Sorry, miss," he stammers. "I should've watched where I was going."

The skunk smiles. "C'est bon. I wasn't paying much attention myself."

The gentle lilt of her French accent catches Sylv off-guard. This definitely is not a coincidence! "Say, I don't think I've seen you around these parts. Are you new?"