Fowl Manor, 8:00 p.m. Human Time

Artemis stepped down the stairs to greet his parents.

“Oh, Arty. How are you?” His mother hugged him then held him at arms length.

“I’m fine, Mother, Father.” He gave them each a smile. “How was your trip to Italy?”

“It was fun,” his father said. “Your mother here couldn’t stop enjoying the sights.” Angeline blushed in response.

The conversation dragged on as Artemis kept his parents busy. His mind was distracted at times and for a very good reason.

Haven City 8:00 p.m. Human Time

Juliet heaved a 180 lbs. man into the cell. Her breath was not ragged though. She had bragged to some officers in the LEP that she had carried more weight longer and farther then this.

“It’s all thanks to Madam Ko,” she said smiling. The door hissed open and a small, stinky, hairy dwarf walked in.

“Hey it’s the girl that smells like two-month old socks.” Mulch grinned. “How are you?”

“I’m fine stinky,” replied Juliet with a grin of her own.

“So what’s little Arty planning now?”

Juliet didn’t have the time to answer as Foaly walked in. “Remind me again why we are holding this man, Artemis.” Foaly was walking, apparently talking to thin air. He had thought Artemis had come down with the man.

“Ugh, I swear I will wring that Mud Boy’s neck. This isn’t even official LEP business.” Foaly said, miffed.

“What bit your but and called you Queen,” said Mulch, annoyed. No one can help me out can they? , he thought.

Foaly decided to ignore the comment. Instead, he walked out and found a way to drag the measly Mud Boy down to Haven so they could have a word.

Haven City, 2:00 a.m. Human Time, Foaly’s Office

“You sent a man down here to save Mulch’s behind?” Foaly demanded. Artemis had found out why Foaly was mad. Apparently, Foaly had canceled his date with his lovely Fiona .

“Actually, it wasn’t his idea,” said Butler. “This man could potentially be dangerous.” He voice was completely serious.

“If it has nothing to do with the people, then I don’t give a damn.”

“But it has everything do with us.”

Everyone was silent waiting for Butler to continue. Even Artemis was showing a surprised look.

“During the interrogation, the man mentioned a name.” Artemis’ heart began to beat, hard. “I recognized the name but didn’t know why I did. I performed more research and found this.” Butler pulled up an image of a fairy. “This is Nate Lawliet.”

Nobody spoke. Only stared at the screen.

“Nate Lawliet was an old friend of Root’s. Back when he was alive, him and me were talking - Artemis you were there too - and he had mentioned Nate. He had said that they were friends in college. He told us plenty of stories about him.”

Artemis decided to speak. “I never really paid much attention. Most of the conversation was old war stories between them. I knew the name sounded familiar but I could never place my finger on it.”

Artemis looked down.

“He’s after Mulch because he thinks that Mulch killed Root years ago, then robbed a Casino to get away from the LEP,” he said.

Holly interrupted. “But how is that possible,” she whispered.

Artemis filled in. “Remember, you were the only one to witness Root’s death. The Courts had let it go on the grounds of ‘not enough evidence’. He connects Mulch because Mulch and Root weren’t on good terms. The only reason he’s not after Butler and I is because there’s evidence that we had nothing to do with it and that we weren’t there at the time.”

Mulch paled. “So he’s after me to get revenge?”

“Yes,” said Butler.