"It's so dark!"
"Rina, please. You're spitting on my food."
"Sorry!"
Yumi pulled out her phone, turning on her flashlight. "Seriously, what lair starts off with stairs at the door? Criminals really lack brains these days."
After what felt like hours, they finally reached another door below. Yumi twisted the knob, but it was locked.
"Rina, want to do the honors this time?"
"Okay!"
Rina lifted her leg and swung it down, knocking the door off its hinges.
"Sheesh," Kiyoko commented. "She's been eating her vegetables."
"Let's see what's behind it," Yumi ordered.
She pushed the door aside, using her flashlight to scan the room. A young black guy was busy smoking, with a body bag lying next to him. "Eh? Oh. The Smother Squad."
"Did you kill this person?" Yumi asked.
"Huh? Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. Why? Does it matter?"
"Listen. Was it you, or was it that guy I was chasing?"
The man yawned. "Figure it out, Missy Detective."
"What do we do?" Rina asked. "If we can't confirm he's a felon, the most we can do is arrest him for now!"
"Then we'll do that," Yumi confirmed. "You. Hands up. We're detaining you."
"Cool. Do that."
He took another puff of his cigar as Kiyoko and Rina took his arms and guided him to the ground. Yumi sat on his back, cuffing his hands together.
"Does it really take three of you?" he questioned. "Ain't like I'm that big."
"Hush."
"Whatever you say, Missy Detective."
Yumi hoisted him up. "Now, I want to ask you some questions."
"And I want a burger and a milkshake."
"Tell me who's in charge of this lair."
"Dunno. Got hired a few hours ago."
"And they just give you access to their underground chambers that fast. Do I look stupid?"
"Maybe. I don't judge off appearance. Otherwise, I'd have some pretty nasty things to say."
Yumi sighed. "Whatever. You're coming with us. Where does this room lead?"
"The Mess Hall."
"Which is?"
"Where the crooks go to eat."
Yumi opened the door, and sure enough, tons of thugs were chowing down in a cafeteria-style room.
"That...is a lot of criminals," Kiyoko commented.
They all turned around immediately, staring at the girls.
"What's up, people?" the man greeted.
"What now?" Rina questioned. "Do we arrest all of them too?"
"Well, yeah," Yumi replied. "They're in an organized crime gang. Even if they aren't felons, that's still a misdemeanor."
"I didn't bring my handcuffs," Kiyoko admitted.
"I've only got one pair left..." Rina added.
"That's funny. You chicks come into a gang lair and don't come prepped?"
Yumi pulled him close to her. "I don't know if you know us, but we're the type of police that execute first, and arrest later. We don't usually get this many misdemeanors, partner."
"Ooh, scary."
The entire cafeteria's inhabitants stood up and pulled out some weapons. Yumi narrowed her eyes.
"I'm just letting you know, if you use those against us, that will get you executed."
They all shared a look, before backing up. One shorter man continued approaching, holding a crowbar.
"If I tell you again," Yumi warned. "You're going to the ground."
"Put me on the ground then, girl," the man taunted. "We ain't scared! Right? Boys? It's more of us than them!"
The others slowly sat back down.
"Yeah," Yumi stated. "That's exactly what I thought."
"Screw em. I ain't scared of you!"
He swung at Yumi's head, and she ducked, kicking the crowbar out of his hands before kicking him in the face.
"Lucky you," Yumi stated. "You've just committed attempted murder on an officer. That means I will now execute you—-by smothering. Do you understand this sentence?"
Rina and Kiyoko knelt on the guy's arms, preventing him from moving.
"Let me go! Get off!"
"I will take that as a yes. Now, I will sit on your face until you lose all air."
"Uh-oh," the cuffed guy whistled. "She's doing the thing. Good luck, pal."
Yumi sat on the guy's face, the skirt blocking all light. All the other gang members watched as the man squirmed, clawed, and kicked, before eventually going limp.
Yumi waited a little while longer before getting up and nodding to Kiyoko. "Do your thing."
Kiyoko sat on the chest, pulling out a stethoscope and placing it to the man's heart. While she did that, Yumi looked around at the rest of the cafeteria. "Are the rest of you going to comply?"
They all nodded.
"I appreciate your cooperation."
The cuffed man laughed, and Yumi whirled back onto him. "What's funny?"
"You, dear. You."
"What is your name?"
"Demarcus Jones. Freshly twenty. What? You gonna ask for my phone number next?"
Yumi, unfazed, checked his pockets, pulling out an ID. "Is this fake?"
"It's my mom's, genius. Diamond Jones."
"So why do you have it?"
"Giving it to her."
"She works for this gang?"
"Can you mind your business?"
"This IS my business."
Kiyoko ripped open the shirt, feeling the neck. "This one's gone. I'd dice him up, but I don't have the tools at the moment."
"Not the time anyway," Yumi replied. "Listen up, thugs! We're going to slowly walk to that door behind you! Since we don't have the means, you all get to go free, for now. But if you try anything, you'll get the same treatment!"
They all remained quiet.
"I think they got the message!" Rina remarked.
"Good. Come with me, Jones."
"Uh-huh."
She dragged him along through the cafeteria, as the other thugs watched. Once they reached the door, Yumi began to twist the knob.
"No one's gonna shoot me once I enter, right?"
"I don't know. Open it and see."
"If I get shot, that's going to be a problem, buddy."
She threw open the door, but only a lounge waited for her, where people were playing arcade games, listening to music, and watching sports.
"None of them are gambling," Kiyoko pointed out. "Nothing we can do here either."
"It's like they're intentionally messing with us!" Rika groaned. "I don't like it!"
"Me either," Yumi agreed. "But personal feelings are irrelevant. We need to find that crook I lost."
Yumi cleared her throat. "Hey, goons!"
They all paused, tensing up.
"Relax. I don't have time to cuff you all up. Did you see a guy run through this room?"
Someone pointed to the door at the end, but a nearby goon pushed his hand down.
"Thank you for your help."
Demarcus yawned. "Can I go yet?"
"No. Kiyoko, stay here with him. Make sure he doesn't escape. Rina and I will check the rest of this place."
"Sure thing," Kiyoko said. "Please hurry back, though. I'm getting hungry again."
Yumi pointed to her stomach. "You just ate."
"I know. What comes goes very fast."
Yumi slapped her forehead and turned back to the door. "Come on, Rina."
The two opened the door and disappeared behind it. Demarcus laughed. "Those ladies have no idea what they're in for."
Kiyoko tugged on his arm. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"They'll see. Don't you worry, they will see."
——