Chapter IV
The investigation begins
"That's all of the books." Kevin said to Fox as he climbed down the ladder after placing a few mystery novels onto a top shelf at the bookshop the next day.
"Good." Fox said as he walked around the checkout counter he and Fara were standing behind and approached him, "Fara and I had already had our lunchbreak."
"Before I do, I need to ask you guys something." Kevin said
"What is it, Kevin?" Fara asked
Kevin walked with Fox back to the checkout counter and pulled the medallion Wolf gave him out of his front pant pocket. Krystal took Micheal shopping for clothes and toys. He felt that was a good for them to bond.
"Do you guys or anyone you guys know what the logo on this medallion is?" He asked, "I asked my father about it last night. He took one quick look, then refused to answer it."
Fox picked up the medallion and examined it.
"Perhaps Peppy Hare can help us." He replied, "What about this little kid you, Krystal, and Wolf founded last night?"
"Yea." Fara added, "When can we meet him?"
Kevin was about to answer when the front door opened, and both Krystal and Micheal entered the bookshop. Fox quickly turned his attention to Kevin and mouthed "We'll meet him tonight, at his place."
"Kevin! Kevin!" The little dhampir said happily as he ran up to Kevin
Kevin lifted him up and hugged him, then held him in his arms.
"Hey, little bud." He greeted, "Did you and Krystal have a good time shopping today?"
"Yep we did." Krystal replied, "That child is a real sweetheart. Had to tell Marie that she needs to make Micheal feel welcomed. We should speak to a lawyer about legally adopting him."
Kevin nodded in agreement. Speaking of which, little Micheal looked around the entire bookshop.
"I thought you're a prince." He said to Kevin, "Why are you here? I thought princes and royalty stay in castles."
Both Kevin and Fox laughed.
"This is what I do, bud." Kevin replied, "This is Fox McCloud, my friend and co-worker."
"Hi." Micheal greeted him.
"Hey, little bud." Fox replied warmly.
All of them had spent the rest of the day talking and eating lunch. Fox gave Kevin the meeting time and address.
Later that night, Kevin emerged from his and Krystal's bedroom at the castle and began to walk down the corridor. Tonight was the night he was going to start the investigation, so he had to leave while the rest of the spies come to the castle to meet Micheal. His hair was undone.
"Kevin." A voice said to him from behind
Kevin turned around and spotted Krystal and Cella walking down the hallway.
"Where are you going?" Krystal asked
"I'm going to my meeting with Fox." Kevin replied, "I'm hoping I get some answers."
"We're coming with you." Cella said as she placed the hood of her cloak over her head. "Your father was a member of this organization. He never told us why he left. And don't worry. He's watching the children."
All three of them dissipated into black mist and teleported to an old apartment building in downtown Corneria City, where Fox was waiting.
"Right on time." Fox said, wearing a long-sleeved green coat, and not even wondering why Cella was with them, "Are you guys ready?"
"Yea." Cella said, "Who lives here?"
"An old friend." Fox said with a sigh as he grabbed the doorknob and opened the front door.
He led the group up the stairs and approached a door at the end of the hallway, then knocked on it. The door opened, and Peppy Hare peaked through.
"Hey, Fox." Peppy greeted
"What's up, Peppy." Fox replied, "Could we come in?"
"Absolutely." Peppy said opening the door further.
He gulped nervously as the group entered the apartment. The last time he saw Cella and her vampire family was when they met each other at Krystal and Kevin's wedding four years ago. Slippy gulped nervously as well. There were tons of bookshelves filled with books in the apartment.
"Fox? Krystal? It's good to see you guys." Slippy said,
"What can I do for you guys?" Peppy asked
"You can tell us what symbol this." Cella said as she pulled the medallion out of her pocket and gave it to Peppy.
Peppy examined it, then walked over to a bookshelf and pulled out an old book. He opened it and began to flipp through it.
"According to this book," Peppy began to explain, "This symbol is the logo of an old cult led by a group of vampires which started a thousand years ago during the war between the vampires and the mortals. This cult was formed to destroy all mortals and ruling all of Corneria. Recon was one of the members. It's leader is a vampire named Felon Rubenstein."
"Felon Rubenstein?" Krystal said. "Isn't that the man who runs Rubenstein Corporation?"
"Yes." Slippy said, "He just bought Sargasso Space Station last week for some reason. Plus, he's gonna hold a party to celebrate its purchase after renovating it. The launch party is gonna be a week from today. Amanda works for them."
Kevin bit his lip and began to think. An idea popped into his head.
"Slippy? Fox told me you're an expert mechanic and inventor, so how would you like to do some upgrading to my car?" Kevin said to Slippy, "I'll pay you very well. We're talking weapons and gadgets. Same thing for Fox and Krystal."
Slippy grinned. Though he enjoyed getting paid for his services, he felt getting his hands dirty while working was more important.
"Kevin," Slippy said with an arm on his shoulder, "you just met my price for Star Falco. So, what do you have in mind?"
End of Chapter IV