The Gift of Loot Chapter 35: Chapter 35: That Concludes This Grizzly Affair

Read chapter 35 of The Gift of Loot by Jack_Golightly on NovelPedia.

Applebaum went on to explain to the cops, "This is Thomas Coldstrike. He's the owner of the blue sedan." He looked at Jo. "You must be the missing guard, Joanne Fitzsimmons?" "I am," she agreed, slumping in relief. Applebaum looked at the third member of their group. "And this is...?" Twitch looked at Thomas, and there was a little hope in his gaze, but no real expectation. Thomas felt mixed emotions. The man had helped out in the dungeon in his own self-serving way, but he'd also been involved in an armed robbery. Thomas was too exhausted to muddle out his emotions. He decided he wasn't going to speak up for or against him. He was just going to stick to the facts of what happened and let the rest play out. Thomas swallowed and made his decision. "He goes by Twitch. He was involved in the initial robbery, but he helped Jo and me out when we took shelter in the dungeon. I don't think we would have gotten out if he hadn't warned us about... about one of the other robbers." "I see," Applebaum said heavily. "I would like to hear that story. Let's get you situated." He gestured sharply to the two cops, and Thomas's hands were released, as were Jo's. Unfortunately, Twitch was not so lucky. Several other policemen surrounded him, and one began to pat him down. Thomas's gaze met Twitch's one more time before Twitch shrugged and looked away. "Do either of you need medical attention?" Applebaum asked, drawing Thomas's focus back. After determining that they didn't, Thomas and Jo were led to a hastily set up canvas tent. Though it was dark, the meadow looked so much like the Bear dungeon that for a moment Thomas couldn't help but activate his health sight. But he saw only people, both down here and up the road. He glanced back over his shoulder and saw that Twitch was being led to a marked sheriff's car. He and Jo were directed to sit down on some hastily arranged folding chairs, offered coffee, and asked again if they needed medical assistance. "No, but I will take the coffee," Thomas said. "What time is it?" "Just after two in the morning," Applebaum answered gravely, motioning for a National Guardsman to go fetch the drinks. He sat across from them. "I admit, when I saw the condition of your registered car and the blood in it, I didn't expect to see you alive or in such good shape." Thomas winced, wondering how he was going to clean blood out of his seat. "Yeah, that's me all over. Luckily, I had a Healing crystal within reach." He patted his backpack. "Or I wouldn't have made it so far." "Taking shelter in the dungeon was a smart move." Applebaum looked over at Jo. "Ms. Fitzsimmons, I understand you are not really signed up with the guard. You should have never been asked to guard a dungeon entrance alone. And for that, you have my apologies. We will be reviewing our procedures with our temporary workers." Jo nodded, swallowed, and looked down, her hands clasped in front of her. "I take it the actual National Guard was helping out in Sacramento?" Thomas asked. "Yes, it was an all-hands-on-deck situation." Applebaum sighed and leaned back. He looked every bit as tired as Thomas. "It would have been the same, if not worse, had that situation in Carson City gone south. I'm grateful for you, Thomas, for heading that off. So are my superiors. I believe they'll finally get off my and Martinez's backs about the cost." He nodded. "What happened in Sacramento?" "An unregistered dungeon overflowed. It was a level one, but the creatures were exotic. Electric-based, which I'm told meant people with earth mana skills and type were the most needed." Applebaum's nose twitched as he muttered, "It feels like I've been thrown into a goddamn Pokémon game." Thomas dredged up a smile from somewhere. "And here I am without my Blissey." The coffee arrived, and Applebaum gave them a few moments to sip. Just the act of drinking helped make Thomas more alert, even before the caffeine hit his bloodstream. "I know this may be difficult," Applebaum said, "but I