Following Leads (Patreon)

 The clock in a nearby tower struck 2am in my Equestria dreamscape. A few stragglers from the local pub staggered out the front door as the owner wished them all a good night. Singing and talking loudly to each other the revelers wandered somewhat clumsily down the street to their homes. They were completely oblivious to the earth pony and pegasus mare standing just a few feet away in the shadows, and for their part the mares gave them almost as much attention. They were focused on the 3rd story windows of nondescript brownstone building.  

 
  The two mares continued staring at the building for several minutes more; then without turning her head the earth pony spoke in deadpan voice. 

  
  “Phoenix you've returned from your reconnaissance what have you learned?” 

  Flowing out of the shadows stepped a unicorn mare. Under the pale light of Luna's moon she looked like a thing from a nightmare. Numerous scars crisscrossed her body and face, and the dark glass lens of the goggles she wore almost constantly gave her an almost ghoulish, corpse-like appearance. She strolled over and stood alongside the other mares. 

  “I checked and our suspect appears to be home. However I was unable to magically scan their apartment. They've erected multiple wards and have interlinked them so if you disable one it triggers the others. I was able to determine that the suspect appears to have fallen asleep at their desk based on the snores I could hear through the front door.” 

  “What about the door itself?” Asked the pegasus mare. “Anything special about it?”    

    The unicorn shook her head. “No Blood Feather. Except for two additional dead bolts it's just a big, thick, solid chunk of walnut. We've dealt with worse. So Quick Silver do we take him now?”

  The earth pony thought for a moment. “How many ponies live in the building?” 

  Blood Feather fished a small notebook from a satchel. “Well in the fall and spring the apartment is usually booked solid. About 36 tenants. Seeing it is so close to the university. However finals have just finished so at the moment it is rather empty. Maybe 8 at most at the moment. In fact the suspect is the only resident on the 3rd floor right now.” 

  “And the landlord?” Asked the unicorn. 

  
  The pegasus smiled. “Oh, he left today for the weekend. He will be out of town until Monday. Off visiting relatives.” She said this as she checked the two 20ga. double-barreled leg gun that were strapped to her front legs.

 
  The earth pony looked at the pegasus. “And how did you come across this information?”

 
  “Welllllll......” The pegasus drawled.  “I've been here onsite scoping out the area for several days now before you gals arrived today, so I've gotten to know the landlord. He's a regular at the pub across the street. You know. Lonely, single, middle aged, but still handsome stallion. Me, young, attractive, unattached mare. Add some drinks and some friendly conversation, a few dances, some suggestions whispered in the ear, and it's amazing what ponies will tell you in bed.”

   
  Phoenix groaned.“So you slept with a possible witness in our investigation.” The unicorn shook her head. “You're unbelievable sometimes! Just remember you're the one who'll have to explain it to Celestia if there's a problem.” 

  The crimson pegasus's wings slumped a little. “Didn't do any harm and he's the one who made the proposition. Besides, I like older stallions! You've both known that for years!”  

 
  Quick Silver steered the conversation back on topic. “The question is whether we try to take the suspect in their residence or risk trying to snag him when he comes out?” 

  “If, he comes out.” Said Blood Feather. “He hasn't yet set hoof outside that apartment of his since I arrived. I'm certain the wards going down would've alerted me.” 

  “And we're positive the suspect cannot teleport?” Quick Silver ever so slightly raised an eyebrow.  

 
  “Yes.” Said Phoenix. “Unless it is a talent he's kept hidden deep he's not a blinker like me.”

 
  Quick Silver pondered several variables then sighed. “We need to bring them in for questioning, but her Highness doesn't want to alert or involve the local authorities in this matter for some reason. We have no guarantee that the suspect will leave their apartment anytime soon, and even if they did we cannot be assured that we'll be able to apprehend them discreetly. Do we know if the suspect is armed?”

 
  “Possibly.” Said Blood Feather. “If nothing else the suspect also dabbles extensively in alchemy ; in fact it is one spot of friction his fellow tenants and the landlord have with him. Apparently some of his experiments have created quite a reek! Just like some your experiments Quick!” 

  Quick Silver pulled a piece of paper from a pocket in her web gear. Carefully she spread it out on nearby crate. In the moonlight one could see it was an unartistic, but relatively detailed sketch of a floor plan.       

   “Blood Feather you drew this sketch yourself through the window of that building behind us. Is there anything else you can add to it?” 

  The pegasus shook her head. “Nope! Didn't have much time to look. He usually keeps the blinds closed, but he opened up the windows after one of his experiments went wrong.” 

  “Okay, then here's my plan.” Said Quick Silver. 

 To be continued.