Smooth Jazz was playing in the background as the smoke of a cigar wafted through the cold air on the balcony. A bulky figure was smoking while holding a tumbler of amber liquid in his right hand. The front door of the apartment opened causing the occupant inside to glance that way.

"Oh, it's you..." The gruff voice of the man uttered. Little did he know it would be his last.

-0-

A blond, dressed in a beige and black pantsuit, stood at the entrance to the bullpen of the BPD in the early morning clutching a file. "Hot coffee coming through!" Was shouted and the blond woman quickly stepped out of the way as a lanky guy barreled past her carrying at least eight cups of coffee and what appeared to be a box of bagels. "Come and get it guys!"

Cheering filled the bullpen causing the blond to stare in shock. Coffee and food were quickly being dispensed to several eagerly waiting detectives and officers. "Is this even normal?" The woman muttered more to herself as she watched something akin to a National Geographic documentary about a Cheetah stalking a Gazelle. Only this was a pack of detectives stalking a box of bagels.

"Aye it is lass," Someone said, coming to stand next to her. "I take it yer the new transfer?"

"Astrid Hofferson," She introduced while turning to look at an older detective who seemed to have somehow easily snagged two bagels from the carnage.

"Gobber," the other introduced, offering a hand, and then joked. "Better get used to it lass. Today seems tame,"

"Uhm.... I'm supposed to meet with the Captain this morning?" Astrid asked. She looked towards the Captain's office but it seemed to still be empty.

"That's her right there..." Gobber happily pointed out a slim blond woman cradling her coffee like it was a lover. "Though you might want to wait a couple of minutes 'till the caffeine kicks in."

"Right," Astrid nodded as she cautiously watched the decimation of caffeine and pastries.

Astrid didn't have to wait long for the detectives to spring into action. One moment they were fighting over bagels, the next they were all watching their Captain when she called them to order as a call came through over the radio. "Possible 9409 Upper North Side. HADDOCK! It's yours. Take the newcomer!"

"Rodger!" An auburn-haired man stood up and grabbed his long coat from the chair it had been draped upon and Astrid realized this had been the same man that had pushed past her with an inordinate amount of caffeine and food.

She was also shocked that the Captain had known she was there the entire time, said nothing, and then immediately ordered her into the field without an introduction to the rest of the detectives. "But... I... uhm..." This was so against standard protocol that she was at a loss for what to do.

"Come on Rookie," Detective Haddock, someone that seemed about her age, had said as he motioned for her to follow him.

"I... I... I'm no Rookie!" Astrid called after him but followed. The lanky man had led them to a rather beat-up silver Honda in the parking lot, saying nothing else until they were seated.

"You've transferred from HQ to the Berk PD," Haddock stated. "It's the most crime-riddled city in the country. Nothing at HQ can prepare you for Berk, trust me on that. So to me, you're a Rookie," he deadpanned.

"I'm Hiccup by the way," The other introduced as he pulled out of the parking spot. "Looks like Cap stuck you with me for a partner."

"Astrid," She answered in return as they were off to the scene of the crime. She hurriedly tried to put her seatbelt on as Hiccup entered traffic.

-0-

"What do you know about Berk?" Hiccup asked once they were at a stoplight.

"Uhm... according to statistics it's a city that has the highest crime rate in the country. Also, you guys are famous for your smoked herring?" Here Astrid made a face at that fact.

"Well you aren't wrong about the crime statistics," Hiccup nodded. "Though I say the smoked salmon is better than the smoked herring." He added. "So why are you transferring to this place? You piss your boss off or something?"

"How did you.....?" Astrid frowned as she watched Hiccup continue to drive.

"Berk is the kind of place where troublemakers are dumped." Hiccup stated in a matter of fact. "What better way than to get rid of trouble than sending the problem to the most crime-riddled city in the country."

"If you're suggesting...."

"Look, just keep your head low," Hiccup advised. "I've been born and raised in this city. If you want to keep living there are certain things you keep your nose out of."

Astrid was quiet for the rest of the ride. The buildings changed to become more opulent and soon Hiccup pulled over to park next to a section that had been cordoned off by police tape. Astrid had been mulling over Hiccup's warning but was startled out of her musings when the driver's side door closed. She quickly stepped out and followed after her new partner.

"Snotlout," Hiccup greeted in a somewhat bored tone. "You called it in?" He looked past the shorter officer at the dead body lying face down in the isolated courtyard.

"Eh, yeah cuz," Snotlout answered. "No ID yet. An old lady found him like that this morning when she was walking her dog." Snotlout answered as he looked at his notes.

"And no one heard anything?" Hiccup asked.

"Not a peep," Snotlout uttered. "But you knew that already,"

"What does he mean?" Astrid asked confused.

"Oh! New partner?" Snotlout perked up when noticing Astrid. He quickly saddled up next to her "Why hello there." Snotlout said in a flirty tone. "I'm ready to enforce the law of attraction." He then proceeded to wag his brows.

"Ugh...." Astrid said, disgusted, at the same time as Hiccup reprimanded his cousin. For once Astrid wondered how these two were even related.

"The twins are here," Hiccup told her and then proceeded to introduce her to two forensic investigators that were covered from head to toe in white plastic suits and masks. They were photographing the body and bagging evidence.

"Ruff, Tuff, this is Astrid. Apparently my new partner." Hiccup stated.

"Hiya!" Both answered at the same time.

"Hope this one lasts longer than the last," A female voice said. Astrid couldn't really make out which twin was who with what they were wearing though.

"What happened to the last?!" Astrid now asked worriedly.

"Vomited and then fainted at a crime scene," Ruff snarked. "Honestly, the man could have done that outside the crime tape. We had extra paperwork to do thanks to him."

"Honestly sis, he held up better than we expected. Given that the victim was.... Run through a wood chipper." Tuff responded.

"Oh, you're just saying that because you won the bet!" the other responded.

"What bet?" Astrid asked as she too bent down to examine the body. "There are abrasions on his knuckles." She noted.

"Yup. This guy fought," Ruff stated. "There's also a boot pattern on his torso. The bruise formed anti-mortem."

"So he was kicked off a balcony," Astrid muttered. "But which one?"

"I'd say Penthouse," Hiccup stated which caused Astrid to raise a brow.

"Wait, how do you know that?!" She asked as she followed after him.

Hiccup went to talk with the building supervisor to let them into the aforementioned suite while Astrid was still confused as to how her partner knew that.

"It was the only balcony when I looked up that had a fallen potted plant hanging over the railing," Hiccup finally answered once they were admitted into the penthouse.

"Looks like we found our primary crime scene," Astrid muttered as she saw that the apartment had been tossed. "What do you think? Burglary gone wrong? How could no one hear any commotion?"

"This is Berk. If you know what's good for you you keep your mouth shut," Hiccup stated. "It's been that way for decades. It's why we have such a high crime rate and such a low conviction rate."

"That's messed up," Astrid noted as she looked at some of the pictures in a display case. "This is definitely our VIC. He seemed to be some big shot too. Isn't that the Mayor?"

Hiccup came over to look and then groaned. "I know the guy. Heck, most of the city knew the guy. That's Drago Bludfist. How could I have not made the connection with the body on the ground."

"Bludfist?" Astrid questioned.

"He's the owner of Bludfist Real estate. Owns nearly half the city too." Hiccup stated. "Also part of one of the five founding families of this city."

"So this case just turned high profile," Astrid noted. The top brass would be breeding down their neck to close this and fast.

"Let's call Tuffnut up here. He'll need to process the scene." Hiccup said as he made the call.

-0-

Back at the precinct, Astrid noted that a space had been made for her. The desk opposite to Hiccup that had been cluttered had been cleaned and now had her nameplate on it.

"Hofferson, Cap wants to see you," One of the detectives told her as she was about to sit down. Astrid headed over to the Captain's office and knocked.

"Enter,"

"Captain Deranged, you wanted to see me?" A slim but tall woman with a blond pixie cut sat behind a desk.

"Come in. I've just been perusing your file while you were gone," She gestured. "And call me either Cap or Mala like everyone else."

"I must say it made for quite the interesting read," She stated, causing Astrid to blush.

"I can explain," Astrid started but Mala held up a hand to silence her.

"No need. This is Berk. Here everyone has their circumstances." Captain Mala stated. "We don't pry too much here,"

"Thanks," Astrid blushed.

"So how do you like working with Haddock," Mala then asked.

"He seems fine. A bit cynical though," She responded.

"That's just from living here all his life. This city really tends to get to you at times." The Captain sighed.

"I'll let you get back to your investigation," Mala stated. "It's already hit the 10 o'clock news so tread carefully,"

When Astrid walked out of the office she saw Hiccup waving her over. "CSU is going to take a while to process the scene and we won't get the ME's report until tomorrow." He stated. "For now all we have to go on is a list of people close to our VIC,"

Three hours later Astrid grumbled in frustration as she put the phone back down. "Another dead end." She muttered while placing a checkmark next to her part of the list. "This guy seems to have no family members but a whole lot of business partners that aren't surprised that he's dead. I'm either getting stone-walled by their lawyers or given the runaround. You got anything?"

"Possible lover," Hiccup stated. "I managed to get through to a..." He looked at the list again. "A Mr. Eretson. Seems he was at a conference in Atlantic City for the past two days. He's driving back to Berk tonight and seemed genuinely distraught when I informed him of Mr. Bludfist's passing."

"Why don't we go see how far the ME is?" Hiccup said as he stood up.

-0-

"Haddock what are you doing in my morgue?!" A woman in a white lab coat asked as Hiccup and Astrid entered the room.

"Hi Cami, nice to see you too," Hiccup said sarcastically. "I see you're still sour about the yodeling thing,"

"Yodeling thing?" Astrid asked curiously.

"Hiccup Haddock I am never going out drinking with you again!" The ME proclaimed and then looked at Astrid. "Fresh meat?"

"Oye!" Astrid said. "I'm Astrid Hofferson. His new partner."

"So fresh meat." The medical examiner deadpanned. "Camicazi Bog. As a warning don't ever go out drinking with this guy and the twins."

"It can't have been that bad right?" Astrid questioned but the look Cami shot Hiccup basically said it all.

"So what are both of you here for?" Camicazi asked as she picked up a clipboard. "I believe I told you that you'll get my official report tomorrow."

"But you've completed the preliminary right?" Hiccup smiled. "Surely you could fill us in on your initial findings,"

"Sure," Cami stated as she walked to a table with a stack of files on it. "The Bludfist case right?.... Ah... here it is." She mumbled more to herself as she located the file and put on her reading glasses. "Just so you know, I'm officially ruling it a Homicide. Fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine consistent with a fall from a great height. No injuries consistent with blunt force trauma but the shoe print bruise suggests foul play. Also the VIC had a distinct smell of alcohol on him so I sent his blood to the twins for a tox screen." Cami stated. "His knuckles were bruised, meaning that he at least got a few good punches in I would wager. I'd put TOD at around one, one thirty AM,"

"Nothing more?" Hiccup asked.

"Not really. I sent secondary swabs off to the lab for analysis. Though..." here, Cami paused for a moment. "Given that he fought with the killer I would have expected to at least find some skin cells under his nails but they are clean. Too clean."

"Odd," Astrid noted.

"I don't think we'll make any more headway today rookie," Hiccup frowned.

"I told you don't call me rookie," Astrid grumbled before punching Hiccup in the arm.

"Ouch!" he muttered as he rubbed the spot.

-0-

The following morning Astrid entered the bullpen while carrying a thick folder and a jumbo-sized to-go cup of coffee. She dumped the folder on Hiccup's desk causing him to groggily look at her.

"Is that coffee?" He asked as he eyed her drink.

"Hands off my Soy milk Vanilla Latte!" Astrid hissed as she cradled her cup. "Get your own."

"The coffee maker's broken," Hiccup grumbled. "It's been broken for the past three weeks."

"And no one's gotten a new one?" Astrid questioned.

"Of course not! If we get a new one the Captain will try making one of her experimental drinks again for us to try." Hiccup shuddered. "This is the reason why we take turns with the coffee orders in the morning. Trust me, Mala is a great boss, she's just terrible at making pots of coffee."

"Come and get yer coffee!" Was shouted and Hiccup perked up just in time to see Gobber enter with the coffee orders today.

"Woohoo!" He exclaimed and tried to make a beeline for Gobber, much like the rest of the bullpen.

Astrid rubbed her forehead and sighed. 'Just how bad at coffee making do you have to be for others to deliberately break the coffee maker?' She thought. Secretly she hoped to never find out.

When Hiccup came back to his desk he was also carrying a to-go cup while taking a bite of a rather large pretzel. "So what's this?" He asked between bites while pointing to the folder.

"I ran into Snotlout at the front desk. He gave me his report from canvassing the neighborhood." Astrid stated. "That was after I threatened bodily harm if he tried another pick-up line on me,"

"How is he your cousin?" Astrid questioned.

"Eh...." Hiccup thought for a moment. "He's the son of my father's half-brother," he answered as he opened the file. "Looks like Snot and the others gathered the surveillance tapes from the neighboring buildings and entered them into evidence. We can go over them later today,"

Hiccup was perusing the file when he looked up and cursed.

"What?" Astrid frowned.

"Speak, or rather... think, of the Devil and she shall come," Hiccup uttered as a woman in red business casual approached them along with a rather buff man in a suit trailing behind her.

"Hello to you too Hiccup," the woman greeted both as they were seated near each other. She turned to Astrid and said "You seem to be new here. Minden Windermere," She introduced while smoothly handing Astrid her card. "I work for Detcher, Quek, and Hyde. Today I will be Mr. Eretson's legal counsel."

"Oh goody," Hiccup grumbled.

"Oh don't be like that Hiccup," Minden jokes. "Just because you guys lost cases to me....." Minden seems to have left that hanging in the air on purpose.

"Don't you have someone's soul to suck out?" Hiccup questioned as they walked to the interrogation room.

"That's my three o' clock," Minden joked.

"Right," Hiccup said as everyone took a seat.

"Water?" Astrid offered.

"Save the subterfuge. My client is more than willing to donate his DNA to solve this despicable murder." Minden announced while Eret nodded.

Meanwhile, Hiccup had the case file with him and proceeded to dump it on the table. "Mr. Eretson, can you account for your whereabouts yesterday between Midnight and two AM?"

"At my hotel in Atlantic City, asleep," The man stated. "I had a speech today and I was about to give it when you guys contacted me about Drago's passing." Eretson's voice sounded somewhat strangled as he tried to keep the tears out of his eyes.

"Can anyone confirm that?" Hiccup asked.

"No, I was alone," Eretson muttered. "But I checked in the night before. The hotel should have a record of it,"

"We'll need to verify that," Astrid said just as Eretson suddenly started rifling in his coat pocket.

"Hold on... I... yes... I still have the receipt," He uttered while placing a crumpled piece of paper on the metal table. He tried to smooth it out when Astrid took it.

"Checked in at 11:07 AM the day before the murder," Astrid read the time stamp aloud.

"Murder?!" Eretson asked, sounding rather distraught. "I thought you guys said it was a suicide over the phone!"

"It was reported to dispatch as a possible suicide but the ME is ruling it a homicide," Astrid stated. "There are some...... inconsistencies."

"Eret Eretson, just who were you to Drago Bludfist?" Hiccup questioned as he looked the other man straight in the eye.

"You don't have to answer that," Minden announced.

"No, no, I should," Eret muttered. "Drago was my husband,"

"So you stand to gain the most from his death," Hiccup deadpanned.

"Wha-... No... I WOULD NEVER!" Eret shouted as he slammed his palms on the table.

"Settle down, will you," Astrid warned.

"He's justified in acting like that," Minden announced. "I have seen no evidence that my client has committed a crime. He's a bereaved widower that does not need to hear this kind of hostility,"

"We have to ask these questions," Astrid stated. "You know that,"

"Then ask them nicely," Minden warned. "Or my client and I walk out of here right now."

"Alright, alright," Hiccup didn't look too happy. "Do you know of anyone that would want to hurt Mr. Bludfist?"

"I don't meddle a lot in Drago's business," Eret explained. "But.... about two weeks ago he was grumbling about his business partner. Seems that they had a spat. Over what I don't know,"

"Just a few more questions Mr. Eretson. What exactly is it that you do?" Hiccup asked.

"I'm a software engineer," Eret stated. "I know where you're going with this. No, I was not strapped for cash. I worked, Drago worked. We had a good relationship."

"But you don't share last names? Even though you are husbands?" Hiccup then questioned.

"Look, that was a personal preference," Eret revealed. "Mostly on my part. I worked hard for my degree. Drago's last name was well known. I just didn't want it to seem like I was using his last name to get ahead,"

-0-

"Well, that was a load of.... Agh!" Hiccup grumbled.

"What's got your boxers into a twist?" Astrid asked.

"Basically we are going nowhere with the case and now Minden's involved." Hiccup groaned.

"What do you have against her anyways?" Astrid asked, perplexed.

"Besides the fact that her employer is Satan himself?" Hiccup muttered. "Look, the firm she works for makes most of their money defending scumbags." He growled. "I've seen criminals walk free because of them and it just..... It really gets on my nerves."

"I know it's frustrating but we have to continue investigating." Astrid argued. "You're letting her rattle you,"

"Right, right," Hiccup sighed. "Why don't we go see what the twins have for us,"

"With the DNA sample Eretson provided we should be able to see if he was involved," Astrid muttered. "That is if the killer left any trace,"

"I was thinking the same thing." Hiccup told her. "Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way."

"Maybe you are imagining it." Astrid frowned. "I'm sure not all of Miss Windermere's clients are scum. Maybe you just have some sort of inherent bias,"

"I do not!" Hiccup retorted.

"Really?" Astrid raised a brown and she knew Hiccup knew what she meant. 'What criminal would willingly give up his DNA if it could tie them to the crime,'

The walk to the Forensic department wasn't very long. The Crime lab had its own floor. Hiccup and Astrid reached it in no time via the elevator.

When the elevator doors opened Frank Sinatra could be heard playing in the background. "Music helps the twins think," Hiccup answered Astrid's unspoken question. "Just be glad they aren't playing Van Halen."

"HICCY!" Was shouted and Astrid saw a man with long blond braids in a labcoat wave at her partner. Astrid looked at Hiccup and then mouthed 'Hickey?' before laughing.

"Tuffnut.... What have I told you about calling me after a skin blemish?" Hiccup sighed while Astrid looked at Tuffnut. She finally had a face to connect to the name.

"Would you rather I call you an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm?" Tuffnut rolled his eyes.

"He got you there though," Astrid commented with a smirk.

"Anyway, where is your sister?" Hiccup asked.

"At another crime scene but no worries. I have the results of our tests right here!" Tuffnut stated as he waved a thick folder that he'd picked up from the nearby table. "Our lab tech rushed the DNA sample for your case down here. We also got prints from this Eretson guy and I have them comparing that now."

"What can you tell us about the scene?" Astrid then asked.

"Right so... the bruising pattern of the footprint tells us that your perp has a shoe size of 10.5. The tread we managed to pull matches that of a Nike Tactical boot." Tuff explained.

"Average men's shoe size, popular boots." Hiccup sounded displeased. "That doesn't narrow down the suspect pool."

"There were definite signs of a struggle. Your VIC dropped a tumbler of very expensive whiskey on the balcony." Tuffnut muttered. "We found some blood droplets near the sliding door. Tested it against Mr. Bludfist's DNA profile and got no match. Definitely belongs to your perp as the samples from your VIC's knuckles match the blood drops we found."

"So they did leave a DNA trace." Astrid sighed relieved. They might finally get a break in the case.

"But no match in CODIS yet?" Hiccup asked.

"Nope. It takes time Hiccup. You know this. It's not like the cop shows on TV." Tuffnut raised a brow. "What I can tell you right now is that your VIC likely knew his killer and that the tossed apartment was staged to look like a robbery,"

"Why do you think that?" Hiccup asked with a raised brow.

"Well, first off. You need a specific keycard to get into the building," Tuffnut stated. "The super had to let me in after you two took a look around. Second, there was a safe in your VIC's nightstand, unopened."

"Oh yeah," Astrid remarked as she remembered that. "So the suspects are basically anyone what would have had access to the keycard. But the building super has a Master card. Who's to say someone didn't steal that and then replace it once the dead was done?"

"All valid points." Hiccup agreed. "I can call Snotlout and have him check the Super's alibi while we run down another suspect,"

"The business partner?"

"The business partner," Hiccup confirmed.

-0-

Hiccup and Astrid end up at a three-story office building that looks pretty generic.

"It's so unassuming," Astrid remarked.

"What did you expect? Gargoyles perched on top?" Hiccup raised a brow.

"Pretty much yeah. Most of the buildings in the city have those," Astrid nodded.

"That's just in the Historic Quarter," Hiccup explained.

"The what now?"

"The Historic Quarter. It's basically part of the original city of Berk, at least what was left of it. A lot of the architecture is Gothic and Baroque there. In fact, the BPD is located in what was once City Hall. Many buildings were destroyed in the early 1900s when a massive fire broke out." Hiccup explained.

"You certainly know your history," Astrid commented as they walked towards the entrance.

"Twenty-five years of living here. I got bored so I decided to look up the history of most buildings." Hiccup stated but to Astrid, it seemed like he was deflecting a bit. His statement seemed true but not the whole truth.

They were met with a receptionist who led them to one of the meeting rooms. There a man joined them within minutes.

"Detectives," The man greeted as she shook both Hiccup and Astrid's hands. "Krogan Hunter," He introduced. "I've worked with Mr. Bludfist for the past 12 years and it pains me dearly to hear of his passing. Whatever help you need, it's yours."

Neither Hiccup nor Astrid had been expecting such a..... Welcome. The man seemed genuine though as he sat down with the detectives in the conference room.

"We have to ask this, but where were you on the night of the murder between midnight and two AM?" Astrid started as she got out a pen and notepad.

"I was at home, asleep," Krogan told the detectives.

"Can anyone verify that?" Hiccup asked as a follow-up.

"I'm sorry. I live alone." Krogan stated. "I had been recovering from a light cold these past few days so I stayed in bed to recuperate. I got a call from my secretary about Drago's passing and I was beyond shook. Do you have any suspects?"

"We can't comment on that as it's an ongoing investigation." Hiccup told the man. "Are you acquainted with Mr. Eretson?"

"Drago's husband? Yes, we've met... once or twice. I've been over to their penthouse for dinner. Other than that not really. Drago liked to keep his professional and personal life private." Krogan explained. "I didn't even know he fancied men until I met his partner and we've been doing business for over a decade."

"So you do not have access to Mr. Bludfist's home?" Astrid asked.

"Thor no," Krogan stated.

"A few more questions," Hiccup said. "We've heard that a few weeks prior you had an argument with Mr. Bludfist?"

"Oh, that...." Krogan grumbled then. "It wasn't anything serious. Drago wanted to buy a piece of land from some widow but she wouldn't sell. I told him he should drop it but I guess he was frustrated by the stalling and lashed out at me, yelling that the land was prime for development and that he had to get his hands on it."

"Did Mr. Bludfist have any enemies?" Astrid asked afterwards.

"We aren't Saints detective." Krogan scoffed. "We started our business by flipping properties. People get mad when the house they sold us for a paltry sum ends up being sold for more than the initial market value after renovations. We get hate mail a lot."

"We'll need to speak to Drago's secretary as well," Hiccup mentioned. "If there was a credible hate mail threat then they'd be the one most likely to see it first."

"I can call her if you detectives don't mind waiting," Krogan stated as he stood up.

"Thank you," Astrid said as she handed him her business card. "If you think of anything else please feel free to contact us.

Both Hiccup and Astrid didn't have to wait long. Approximately seven minutes after Krogan had left a mousy-looking brown-haired woman entered the conference room carrying two cardboard boxes. She placed them on the table with a heavy 'thud'.

"I'm sorry I took so long. I'm Selena Burges. I am.... Was... Mr. Bludfist's secretary." She introduced as she adjusted her glasses. "Mr. Hunter asked me to gather all the hate mail we'd received this month so that took a while."

"That's fine," Hiccup said and then indicated for the lady to take a seat. "We actually have some questions for you,"

"I... I'll try to be of any help that I can," Selena stated.

"How would you describe Mr. Bludfist in the days leading up to the murder? Had he been distraught? Was there anything to indicate something might be amiss?" Astrid asked.

"I mean, he seemed fine." Selena shrugged. "At least as fine as any man can be going through a divorce,"

"Divorce?!" Both Hiccup and Astrid now asked shocked.

"Uhm... yes?" Selena had flinched back as the detectives now looked at her curiously. "Mr. Bludfist had filed for divorce about a month ago. I don't know the particular details but he's been going through the motions since then. Working longer hours as to not go home.... That sort of thing."

"So he was worried Mr. Eretson would take half his assets?" Hiccup asked, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"Not particularly. I mean, I think they had a prenup in place," Selena admitted. "One night I was working late, about two weeks ago. Mr. Bludfist was still in the office and I heard him screaming through the door while he was on the phone with someone. He said "... and don't you think I will fork over a cent to you, you cheating scum. You violated your part of the agreement," She explained. "After the call, I went to see if he was alright and he told me to forget what I'd heard. I went home afterwards."

After a few more questions both Astrid and Hiccup left, each carrying a box filled with hate mail. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Astrid asked as she placed the box she had in her hand on the back seat.

"Mr. Eretson seems to be our prime suspect in this case. He'd have the most to gain," Hiccup pondered as he slid into the drivers' side.

"He does have motive and opportunity," Astrid muttered. "As Drago's ex-husband, he'd get nothing if this prenup is real. As a widower, however,..."

"He'd get all his spouse's assets." Hiccup nodded. "So far he's the only one with a keycard needed for the penthouse as well. Drago's keycard was found on his nightstand."

While Hiccup and Astrid were driving back towards the precinct a call came through on Hiccup's phone. He put it on speaker "Haddock speaking,"

"Hiccy!" Came from the other end of the line and the voice needed no introduction.

"Tuffnut, please tell me you have something good," Hiccup asked.

"Well..... Define good." Tuffnut said. "We got a match from the blood sample at the crime scene. That's good. It doesn't match Mr. Eretson.... Uhm... that's not so good."

"What?!" It was Astrid who yelled that instead of Hiccup but Hiccup was thinking the same thing.

"The blood drops don't match the sample Mr. Eretson gave us. Instead, they match one... Gothi Sverentsen. She's in the system with multiple arrests since the 60s for rioting, failure to disperse, criminal trespass. That's just to name a few. There's one assault charge here that stated that she'd bit one of the arresting officers because... he was getting 'handsy'."

"Lovely," Astrid commented as her eyes narrowed.

"A BOLO is already out for her so no worries there," Tuffnut said before he hung up.

"That was just....." Hiccup muttered as he glared at the traffic. They just lost their prime suspect.

-0-

When Hiccup and Astrid got back to the precinct there was some commotion going on near the holding cells in the bullpen.

"Now see here.....!" Hiccup could hear Gobber shouting. "Yer not taking an old lady's cane!"

"But she hit one of my perps with it," Another voice spoke up and Hiccup recognized it as belonging to Detective Thuggory.

"So yer gonna take a sweet ole lady's cane because she was defending herself?" Gobber then asked.

"No, I'm taking it because my drug dealer is whimpering in a corner! Who the hell uses a cane to hit someone in the bal-ARG!" Thuggory shouted and then doubled over in front of Gobber.

"I was trying tha help ya!" Gobber exclaimed. "Now ya gone and done it by hitting Thuggory in the groin!"

"Hiccup! Astrid! There ya are!" Gobber shouted as he laid eyes on them coming into the bullpen. "Here! This is yer suspect. Take her while I get Thuggory some ice,"

A short, hunched old lady walking with a cane was thrust upon the pair. They looked at each other for a moment and then at the old lady. "Gothi Sverentsen?" Hiccup asked and only got a nod in return. Astrid, still standing next to Hiccup was wondering how in the Nine realms this case made sense anymore.

"Why don't we go talk in one of the rooms," She suggested to which Gothi nodded. The old woman walked with them peacefully all while in the background Gobber smacked a bag of ice on Thuggory's crotch.

After more than an hour, Astrid left the interrogation room frustrated. For one, there was no way Gothi could have kicked Drago off that balcony. She was too short to even reach the height of the boot marked bruise on the torso. She also was at a male stripper club during the time of the murder. Her favorite dancer had confirmed her alibi. Hiccup was still in the room getting Gothi to write down everything. Meanwhile, Astrid just wanted to punch something.

"What are you doing at my desk Snotlout?" Astrid asked as she saw the short patrol officer seated in her space.

"Hiya dollface," Snotlout greeted. "I just came to drop off the footage from the hotel your suspect was staying in from Atlantic City."

"First up, don't call me dollface if you want to keep your face. Second... get up! I'm frustrated enough as it is." Astrid sighed.

"What's up? My cousin driving you nuts?" Snotlout asked.

"No... It's this stupid case." Astrid muttered as she loaded the USB drive Snotlout had handed her onto her workstation. "Our Prime suspect that has means and motive isn't a DNA match to the blood at the crime scene. Our DNA match, however, doesn't have a means, motive and has an iron clad alibi." Astrid growled in frustration. "It's like.... We have an impossible killer!"

"Can't DNA change?" Snotlout shrugged. "Like what if.... Say someone was experimented on by aliens,"

"Snotlout that is the most asinine..... Idiotic....brainless.... Chowderheaded.... WAIT...." Astrid paused for a moment as she clicked open one of the video files. "You might actually be onto something." She muttered as she searched for the right timestamp.

"I was kidding about the aliens!" Snotlout uttered.

"Not that you dolt!" Astrid said as her eyes widened. "Oh, my THOR!" Astrid exclaimed, shooting up from her desk chair and then shoving Snotlout aside before hightailing it to the interrogation room. "HICCUP! DON'T LET HER LEAVE!"

-0-

"I hope you have a good reason for calling my client and myself here," Minden said as she was seated next to Mr. Eretson.

"Oh we do," Hiccup looked almost gleeful.

"Are you acquainted with Mr. Hunter?" He then asked.

"I've met him a couple of times," Eret admitted with a frown. "Did he have something to do with my husband's death?"

"A couple of times huh?" Hiccup scoffed. "He's in the next interrogation room with my partner, probably pouring his heart out right now. First one to talk gets the sweet deal. I'm sure you know that."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Eret stated.

"Let me refresh your memory then," Hiccup stated as he placed a still photo of the hotel security camera footage onto the cold metal table. "This, according to the receipt you gave us and the time stamp, is when you allegedly checked in to the hotel in Atlantic city."

"You don't have to answer that," Minden jumped in.

"But he does, really." Hiccup smirked as he pointed at the picture. "That certainly doesn't look like Mr. Eretson."

"The person you're pointing to is wearing a trenchcoat and hat. It could be anyone." Minden corrected. "We only see this individual's back. Who's to say it isn't my client."

"For one, your client was nowhere near the hotel at the time." here Hiccup pulled out another picture from his folder looking smug. "This is a picture taken from one of the toll booths on the Atlantic City Expressway. Notice the timestamp and the driving direction. He was coming from Berk a day after he said he checked into the hotel and just an hour after his husband was murdered."

"This is still all just circumstantial!" Minden growled. "You still have nothing to definitely link my client to his husband's murder. I've gotten the reports. The DNA found at the scene isn't a match to my client at all."

"That's why I'm asking now if Mr. Eretson will donate some of his blood for testing," Hiccup stated.

"Excuse me?! We already gave you a DNA sample. It excluded him. Just what are you trying to pull Haddock?!"

"It's simple really," Hiccup smiled. "The DNA match we got pointed us to a very elderly woman that was at the time of the murder enjoying attention from several male exotic dancers. She however did confirm for us that she was a blood and bone marrow donor when she was younger."

"I still don't see how this has any relevance on my client." Minden frowned.

"We subpoenaed your client's medical records. He seemed to have been suffering from sickle cell disease when he was a teen. According to the records He'd undergone a bone marrow transplant." Hiccup stated. "Did you know that a bone marrow transplant can chance your blood DNA but not your saliva DNA? Obviously, that's why Mr. Eretson willingly gave his DNA. He probably counted on him being ruled out as a suspect."

Eret had been silent for a while. Hiccup observed him clenching his fists on the table as all the evidence was laid bare. "On the hotel receipt, you handed to my partner there was another print. We've managed to find a match to that print. It belongs to one Krogan Hunter who entered the system for an assault when he was 17." Hiccup announced just as Astrid walked through the door carrying another folder.

"How'd it go?" Hiccup asked.

"The man sang like a bird," Astrid announced. "Mr. Hunter told us in detail how Mr. Eretson seduced him and got him to work together with him to plan and execute his husband's murder. All for his husband's assets of course."

"I guess there's nothing else needed to say here. Mr. Eretson, you're going away for a long time. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to-"

"NO, WAIT!" Eret interrupted, slamming his hands on the table. "None of this was my plan!" Eret announced. "It was all Krogan! All Krogan you hear me!"

"ERET SHUT UP!" Minden yelled but it was to no avail.

"Krogan seduced me when we first met! He was so different from Drago! More exciting! We had an affair for a year behind Drago's back before he found out!" Eret proclaimed. "When he did, Krogan told me we should get rid of Drago so that I'd get the inheritance. We'd have full control of the money and company together. Krogan loved me! He really did!" Eret then yelled. "Drago wasn't even really paying attention to me after we got married! Yeah, I started out as his sugar baby but once I signed that prenup and married him it was like I was invisible."

"Eret shut up!" Minden tried once more to stop her client from incriminating herself but everyone knew that it was too late. All the secrets just kept spilling out.

"Do you know what it's like to be invisible?!" Eret yelled at his lawyer. "Drago only lost it when he found out I had an affair because he didn't want to lose his toy! His property! That was all I was to him after the wedding!"

"I thought Krogan was different!" Eret sobbed. "But he's throwing me under the bus now just to save his own ass,"

"I'll go and arrest Mr. Hunter now. We have what we needed," Astrid stated which caused Eret to look at her in confusion.

"For what it's worth he never ratted you out," She said before leaving.

"He never...." Eret flopped down in shock.

"That's why I told you to shut up," Minden growled. "Do you know how much you just incriminated yourself?!"

"He never...." Eret was in shock as Hiccup proceeded to arrest him as well.

-0-

Both Hiccup and Astrid ended up watching Mr. Eretson and Mr. Hunter being charged with First-degree Murder. Eret refused to look Krogan in the eye through the whole process. Later that night they finished the paperwork and closed the case.

"So..... am I still a Rookie?" Astrid asked as she sat at the desk across from her new partner.

"Eh...." Hiccup made a hand motion.

"Hey, what does that mean?!" Astrid asked with a raised brow but Hiccup just stood up and put on his coat, intent on heading home.

"Hiccup, What the hell did you mean?!" Astrid called after him and then just huffed before she too headed to her apartment.

THE END?

AN:

Harry: "Will there be more?"

Vala: "I don't know. It's not as easy as you think to plan a murder,"

Harry: "Well at least you haven't been shoving the Porg into Tupperware anymore,"

Vala: "Hey! I need him to stay fresh!"