Jordan Jasper's intrepid investigation into a smuggling ring had led to one name. One big name. Not the leader of the smuggling ring but involved enough yet independent enough that she might spill the beans on the big cheese!

The infamous Rachael Reynard, the raccoon rapscallion known as the Ringtail Rascal!

Jordan hoped that Reynard was involved because all those Rs would be great for the article. Alliteration works!

The problem she was faced with was that Rachael Reynard had disappeared. She wasn't one to lay low so maybe the smuggling ring got to her!

Or maybe another explanation!

So Jordan researched Reynard's last known appearance. A meticulous moonlight maternity mart misappropriation! A heist that didn't really fit with Reynard's MO but criminal profilers had gone mad trying to make a consistent profile of Dunia's wiliest criminal.

Jordan hoped to interview witnesses but since the crime happened at midnight, not many witnessed anything. In the end, she was only able to find one person who claimed to have seen anything.

"Thanks for meeting with me!" Jordan said, shaking the hand of her star and only eyewitness, Norma L. Gal.

She helped the very pregnant raccoon into a chair at one of the Corner Café outside tables and then took the other chair.

Jordan ordered herself a coffee and then asked Norma if she could get her one.

"No," Norma said, very sorrowfully. "Several maternity books have been very clear that I should limit caffeine intake. But I could go to town on a croissant."

Jordan ordered two, one for herself and one for star and only witness Norma.

"So, Norma-" Jordan began.

"Norma L. Gal," Norma said, winking.

"Oh, is it alright if I call you Norma or would you rather be called Mrs Gal?"

"I'm no Mrs!" Norma laughed. "Just Norma is fine."

"Alright. I'm investigating Rachael Reynard for a different case than the maternity store caper but since she hasn't made any big appearances or pulled any big jobs since, I'm trying to determine if anything about the robbery you witnessed gives a clue as to what happened to Reynard."

Jordan had to pause for an answer because the prompt, courteous server brought out her coffee and croissants sooner than she expected. Norma did indeed go to town on the croissants. Both of them, in fact.

"Okay!" Norma said, spitting crumbs. "It was like this! That wily and objectively attractive criminal broke in through the vent on the ceiling. She slid down into the store, only getting stuck for a terrifying half hour. She deactivated the alarm systems and cameras with panache, stuffed everything she wanted into a large sack that said loot on it, burst out the front door cackling and escaped into the night! A brilliantly executed robbery! One for the history books, probably!"

Jordan consulted her notebook. "On the phone you said all you saw was Reynard bursting out the front door and then running off laughing."

"I said cackling," Norma said confidently.

"How do you know about anything before the bursting?"

"Oh, I guess... I wouldn't?" Norma said. "Speculation. As a silly raccoon, my silly raccoon brain is always off on flights of whimsy."

"Hm."

Jordan noted down what Norma said, adding a comment that most of it was speculation. She could check with the police that covered the robbery to see if the break-in was through the vent or not but it seemed pointless. She wasn't here to solve the maternity store robbery. She was trying to get a lead on Reynard herself.

"Did Miss Reynard seem visibly pregnant in any way?" Jordan asked.

"Why do you ask?" Norma questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Robbing a maternity store isn't her usual type of score. Maybe she needed what she stole for herself."

"Well, I can't say that she seemed pregnant," Norma said carefully. "All I remember is thinking 'wow, what a great ass on that criminal gal!'"

Jordan wrote down: amazing ass, allegedly.

"Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"Those shorts are very flattering on you," Norma said.

"Thank you."

"Thank YOU, for the croissants."

"If you think of anything else, you have my number," Jordan said. She helped Norma up and watched as she waddled away.

Not a lot to go on. Well, nothing to go on, actually, Jordan mused.

She stood by the Corner Café, reviewing the notes from the interview.

It seemed that the Rachael Reynard link to the smuggling ring was a dead end.

... Unless, Norma L. Gal was Rachael Reynard, Jordan suddenly thought. Pregnant raccoon. Seemed to know in-depth how Reynard would have robbed the maternity store. Name sounds pretty fake.

But why would Rachael Reynard come talk to a journalist under a fake name? She'd have to be awfully narcissistic... which considering how Norma described Reynard's ass...

Jordan sighed.

Even if Norma was Reynard, she was still a dead end on the smuggling ring story. It didn't seem likely that Norma was in contact with the ring any time recently.

She would be back and review her investigation conspiracy board later. For the time being, Jordan went inside the Corner Café to get some quotes from the owner to use in a fluff piece her editor wanted. If Jordan wasn't going to be busting open a major crime ring today, then she'd have to do some lifestyle articles to get by.

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It's Jordan's Journalism Outfit!

It was inspired by an outfit that journalist character Aya wears in a Touhou comic. So Jordan definitely has a newsboy cap around somewhere to complete the look.

Although shorts are an odd choice for a professional look, Jordan does a lot of literal chasing down leads. And also running away from things.

Plus, she has great legs. Flashing gams warms hearts and opens doors, or something.

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Jordan Jasper owned by me
Art by  SonggoIshtar