Queenpins

One Does Not Simply Walk Into Dicey Odds

Prologue

Kiara drove us out of the South District, taking the road that joined Industrial Way to Parliament Road in Central. Even though it was so close to the border, it was one of the nicest parts of town. But it wasn't always that way.

Parliament Road used to be the beating heart of the Owl Pals, after all.

Even though the fences had been whitewashed and new buildings were popping up left and right, monuments of the past era remained. Claw prints of the Owl Pals littered the area. They were subtle or faded or worn, but they were there. The old car dealership there still bore the symbols of the Owl Pals and the art school still displayed the shocking 'modern art' of gang leader Mumei Nanashi.

This was the place that Ina and I patrolled when the two of us were just beat cops. I knew it like the back of our hands, so I didn't have to call Dispatch for directions for the Dicey Odds branch here.

I knew the winding back alley road where that joint was hiding. I memorized every twist and turn.

It'll be just like the old days.

You ready for this, Kiara?

...

Kiara nodded and followed Ame's instructions through Parliament Road. They parked their convertible by the car dealership off the sunlit main road, hiding their leaf of a car in a forest. Then, they ventured forth into the dark back alleys, leaving the sunlight behind them. Steam hissed from pipes and manholes while cigarette smoke wafted skywards around the two detectives.

Officers of City PD patrolled the beat, but they looked over their shoulders often. They didn't linger in the shadows for long.

Kiara looked around the dark, smokey, brick-lined abyss curiously. There, she saw luminous eyes paired with the embers of cigarettes. Ame grabbed Kiara's arm and dragged the rookie along.

"Don't look at them. A bad glance might set them off." Ame whispered, "The old Owl Pals were always looking for trouble, even after their gang went up in smoke." She glanced around the prying eyes in the shadows and scoffed, "Thing is, old habits die hard."

Kiara shook her head and quickened her pace.

Eventually, they found the neon sign of Dicey Odds Bookmaker's Office cutting through the darkness. Two goons were posted outside the front doors, watching the back alleys like hawks. They were wearing brass knuckles and had weapons prepared nearby - a fire axe and a Swingwell-brand baseball bat.

Ame furrowed her brow.

Looks like the rat really plays both sides.

As they got closer, though, Ame recognized the two goons. They were the same ones that she and Kiara beat up in the North District! Ame whispered to Kiara and the junior detective smirked.

Then, the two of them puffed up their chests and marched towards the front door.

The two goons saw Ame and Kiara approach, but their figures were obscured by the shadows of the back alleys. The goons scrambled to pick up their weapons, but the detectives gave them no time to think.

Ame stepped into the light of the neon sign and cried, "Boo!"

"Remember us?" Kiara asked. She cracked her knuckles. The noise echoed throughout the back alley.

The faces of the two goons went pale. They were frozen by fear, but the commotion seeped through the front doors. Eventually, the doors swung open and Baelz Hakos emerged with her Tommy Gun.