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Even with Chuck’s reassurance, you still feel uneasy watching the coast guard vessels docking below… doubly so when you remember who has most of tonight’s evidence! Waving a hasty goodbye to Libby and her dad, you race out of the garden in search of your one-armed associate!
Finding Pepper, however, proves to be harder than tracking down some hay in a needle stack–try as you might to pick her out among the crowd, your task is made even harder when several <span class="mu-s">SQUAD CARS</span>, <span class="mu-s">SWAT VANS</span>, and <span class="mu-s">AMBULANCES</span> rush up the hill to the mansion!
Skidding to a halt along the path leading to the <span class="mu-s">DOCKS</span>, the police waste no time in shepherding the flock downwards while the tactical teams move in to secure the building! Though you try to fight the ‘<span class="mu-i">current</span>’, the mass of bodies carries you towards the docks like a human river!
“That’s right–keep on moving!” Barks an officer as you continue downwards!
“Have your identification ready!” Shouts another!
Amidst all the chaos, you feel something soft bump into your side–something wearing your jacket and giving you a mischievous grin!
“Not exactly the red carpet I was hoping for,” Jokes Pepper as she huddles close to you to avoid being swept away, “But I’ll take it!”
Oh thank <span class="mu-i">god</span>... look, you begin, do you have the-
“Yep!” The girl chirps as she taps the <span class="mu-s">CAMERA</span> in her borrowed jacket’s pocket, “Ready to rock… and don’t worry, sandcrab–I’ll be sure to lay off Mina-”
That’s great, you stammer, barely able to hear yourself over the crowd, but you need to tell her something just in ca-
Your warning is cut short when a rather portly party guest tumbles into you–no doubt due to the devil’s drink based on how he <span class="mu-i">smells</span>... By the time you and a few officers lift him off of you, though, Pepper’s nowhere to be seen!
Your manic trek downwards culminates in a series of lines curated by several armed police officers! Try as you might to find Pepper, however, your search fails to bear fruit…
“Pizza Boy!” Barks an officer as they see you gawking, “Line 3. Let’s go.”
You’re ushered over before you can argue, but it’s fine… what are the chances she’ll run into him anyways?
>CONTD.
