Several days later, Holden was sitting in his office with his legs up on the desk while reading the daily newspaper. The front page read Chrimoria PD Inspector Found Guilty of Covering Up Murder. Possible Involvement In a Fairy Trafficking Ring. Holden smiled when he read the article. Apparently, one of the inspectors working under Captain Hardfall was able to prove Durik’s innocence.


    The article didn’t go into details about how. The writer theorized it was divination magic which allowed the magic caster to view the history of an object. Holden chuckled at the thought. That level of magic would’ve been costly and required a powerful divination mage. The idea that someone would use all those resources just to prove the innocence of a single minotaur mercenary seemed absurd. Regardless, Holden technically completed the job he was hired for. Durik’s wife, Cadelina, had also already paid him for his services, so Holden was happy.


    Holden was about to move on to read the next section in the paper, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.


    The knock was followed by a deep, masculine voice. “Hello, Mr. Holden. Are you in there?”


    Holden opened the door and found none other than Durik on the other side.


    Durik smiled when he saw Holden. “Ah, so you are here. I just wanted to give you my thanks. The Chrimoria Police Department might have been the ones to clear my name, but at the end of the day none of it would’ve happened without your help.” Durik then placed his fist over his chest. “If you ever need my aid, please feel free to call on me.”


    Durik said his goodbyes, then Holden went back to his desk, only to find Sable sitting on it.


    “That trick of yours is starting to get old,” Holden said.


    Sable chuckled. “I quite enjoy seeing the startled expressions on people’s faces. It never gets old.”


    Holden crossed his arms. “So, what is it you’re doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be with Elliandra helping her find that pixie you were talking about and searching for anyone else involved in the fairy trafficking ring?”


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    “There’s not much I can really do. The Mages Union and the Police Department don’t really hire cait-sith, since they consider us animals.”


    Holden laughed. “That’s hilarious. So, you can’t even help put your captors behind bars.”


    “Laugh it up human, but I’ve decided to help you out instead. Figured you can use someone sensitive to magic on your side, seeing as you’re incapable of using it.”


    “You’re hoping we’ll stumble across this trafficking ring, aren’t you?”


    “Why, never,” Sable jeered. “I’m here to help a friend in need. If I’ve learned anything in the short time I’ve known you, it’s that you and your brain are both fighting to win the biggest loser contest, and I’m not sure which one of you is winning. You need my help. Trust me. You’re not Elliandra, but even chopped liver is better than no meal.”


    Holden slapped his forehead in frustration. “This is why I hate cats.”


    “How can you hate me? I’m so cute and cuddly. Anyways, let’s go, chopped liver. There are crimes to solve.”


    “Oh, lucky me.” Holden sighed. Sable’s stuck-up attitude was irritated, but Holden had to admit that having a partner who was sensitive to magic would be useful. “Fine then, Cat. I guess we can work together for a bit. But don’t get too attached to the idea.”


    ***


    Right after Durik left Holden’s office, he returned home to meet with his wife, Cadelina. The Minotaur held back the tears in his eyes as he saw his wife, and he held her in a tender embrace. “I’m so glad to be back, darling.”


    “I’m glad to see you too, honey,” Cadelina said. “I was so worried that I’d have to raise our child by myself.”


    “So, it’s our custom to name the child after the ones who saved our family.”


    “I guess Holden can work for a boy or a girl. Though, I wonder if that is the detective’s first name, or his last name.”


    “That’s a good point. If I see him again, I should ask.”


    There was a sudden knock on the door, interrupting their conversation. Durik opened the door, expecting to see someone standing on the other side. However, all he found was a letter addressed to him from the Mage’s Union. It was a job offer as a bodyguard for a well-known public figure in Chrimoria.


    Cadelina wrapped her arms around Durik from behind. “What is it, honey?”


    “This is odd. I received a job offer from Lady Selene of the Mages Union.”


    “The director of the Mages Union? That’s odd. Why would she want to hire you for a job?


    “I don’t know. But if it’s legit, it’s a good opportunity. This is exactly what we needed right now.” Durik then looked Cadelina directly in the eyes. “Darling, I love you. And I promise I’ll give you and our child the life you deserve.”


    Durik then kissed his wife, then the two of them held each other for a while longer with their hearts full of gratitude. Both for the man who had proven Durik’s innocence, and the new opportunity that had just arrived on their doorstep.