Colt cordially greeted his superior with a hand to his forehead and a nod.

"Are they all still in there ?" asked the dog

"Yes Sheriff. The four of them. One is injured. You have to act quickly, the building has other exits."

"Good."

Ruffs turned around and put his fingers to his mouth, making a short, high-pitched whistle. About twenty police officers rushed out of the cars.

"Open this god damn gate for me and search this hangar from top to bottom ! We are looking for two fifty-year-oldish, one is a woman and the other is a man. There is also a teenager with a scarf and a masked woman, watch out for them ! I want two men on every exit you find, let's go, go, GO !"

Two more of Colt's colleagues came to the door. One with a cove and the other with a crowbar. In no time the gate was opened and the others rushed into the abandoned factory.

Finally, Ruffs turned to the redhead, visibly proud and relieved.

"Well done Colt, we owe you one !"

"I'm only doing my duty, Sheriff," replied Colt, wiping his bleeding chin.

'The bleeding havn't stopped, I probably have to get stitches... My beautiful face is going to be ruined nooooo' groaned the cop inwardly.

A few minutes later, angry exclamations inside the building could be heard. A few screams, gunshots and then nothing.

Shortly after, a police officer dragged Belle out by holding her in an arm lock. Those in the back carried the gang's weapons and some belongings which will surely be serving as evidence. The third was handcuffed to Sam and was visibly uncomfortable, in fact the fifty-year-old was a good foot taller than him and seemed ready to bite him. The next one was holding Tara at bay with his weapon, her arm was in a sling with makeshift bandages on her shoulder, she wasn't bleeding much, but it seemed painful. And finally, Edgar alone was held by two police officers who held him by the arms and scarves, probably to prevent him from slipping through their fingers and fleeing.

The four criminals were taken away in separate police cars while Ruffs gave orders on how to monitor them and keep them in custody once at the station.

Of all those carrying the thieves' belongings, one came up and handed the sheriff car keys.

"The keys to their vehicle, my sheriff. An utility vehicle which was stolen two weeks ago."

"My weapons and my scooter must be in there", exclaimed Colt.

"Perfect, thank you", replied the dog, taking the keys. "Go without me, I'll drive the stolen car. You can dispose. Colt, with me."

The policeman nodded and left to join the others while Ruffs took the redhead aside.

"It is obvious that you will have to stay at the station to testify, you are the only one who knows what happened, we need your statement and all the administrative blah blah."

Colt nodded, this was the first time the sheriff had been casual about formal procedures. It was quite surprising actually. Ruffs, who usually seemed very stickler for official procedures, was visibly mentally exhausted.

"Sincerely Colt, we were looking like a joke with these worthless people on the loose. Without you this damn gang would still be running wild with impunity. Thanks, truly".

"You will have to be careful. Belle needs to be separated from the rest of the group and be watched in particular. As the leader and mastermind, she was the one who organized the heists and escapes."

"We will take your advice into account. Once the interrogation is over, you will come see me in my office."

Colt nodded and Ruffs turned back to the car the Golden Arm had stolen. Opening the trunk, the redhead retrieved his guns and his Vespa and leading the way for his sheriff, he set off towards the police station.

The redhead was questioned about the events while a nurse tended to Tara's shoulder. He took care not to talk about Shelly and claimed that if he had freed himself it was because he had been tied up incorrectly, which enraged Sam, however, under Belle's orders, everyone remained silent.

Colt's chin stopped bleeding but the wound was bad but since it wasn't major he just held a tissue over it, pretending everything was fine.

After two hours of interrogation, Colt was able to dispose.

Remembering his superior's order, he went to the sheriff's office. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. Finally Colt opened the door and there he found Ruffs talking on the phone.

"Yes, yes, Sir... The four of them, yes... No I don't think so... Mhm, sure but in the end they shall not be able to communicate, it's about our ability to keep them under control..."

Seeing Colt, the dog put down a paw on the phone's microphone and whispered to the redhead:

"Just a minute, Colt."

Then he resumed his conversation via the telephone.

"Mhhmm... Yes... Exactly. I sure hope so... Yes, that's about it, Sir. Also...What ? Oh, yeah... Sure... Goodbye Sir.

And finally the canine hung up with a sigh

"You wanted to talk to me ?"

"You asked me to come see you in your office once the interrogation was over, boss."

"Oh yes ! It's true."

Ruffs rummaged in his desk drawer and pulled out a shooting certificate and an official license to carry the firearm.

"This... It's not very regular, Sheriff..."

"Nonsense ! It's just a simple thanks for your services. And either way, I saw your results during the exams, you would have got your diploma anyway. You fully deserve this."

Ruffs pushed the papers toward Colt and thoughtfully patted the diploma

"I've already sorted everything out. You just have to sign here, here and there, the dog said, pointing to empty spaces of text on the paper."

Colt grabbed the pen his superior handed him and filled out the papers, completing with his name.

Once finished, Ruffs stamped the official law enforcement seal and handed the clearance and diploma to Colt.

"If you are asked questions about how you were able to obtain the diploma before the end of the exams, you'll say it's me."

"I won't disappoint you, Sheriff !"

"Good, now get out ! I still have work to do."

And Ruffs plunged back into his files as Colt left the office.

It was late and the redhead had, for once, no desire to brag about his adventures to his colleagues. Now, he just wanted to go home, make some good herbal tea and fall asleep with Kit on his lap.

The return journey was smooth. Colt passed the same red light where Stu had challenged him to race, he drove down the same dusty lanes as usual and stopped once again at lane number 27.

Kit was coming out of the cat flap at the time. A quick cuddle while rubbing against his master's legs and the feline set off on a twilight hunt.

Colt smiled and parked his Vespa before grabbing his keys. But when he tried to open the door, he realized that it was already open. Taking one of his revolvers, he loaded it and pressed himself against the wall. Finally he gently pushed the door and entered.

But someone was already waiting for him at home.

Surprise made his eyes widen and his mouth open as he stuttered:

"B-but...w-what...how ?!"

"Oh come on ! You didn't think it was over did you ?"