Fowl Play

Natasha wandered the storeroom of the museum, examining the shipping crates and the items held within. Some were unpacked and set on a nearby table while the rest were still wrapped in their packing material. It was an eclectic collection of odds and ends. The traveling show advertised this collection as the most comprehensive collection of cult memorabilia in the world. From little known groups with only a handful of people, to large, internationally known groups numbering in the thousands.

She browsed through the items, none of them were exactly what she was looking for. It had to be something that would make a statement. Something that couldn’t be misconstrued. She didn’t know what she was looking for, but she’d know it when she found it.

Natasha opened the last crate and spread the packing material out of the way. There it was. This was the piece. With gloved hands, she pulled the jewel encrusted item free of the crate.

It had black crystal eyes, a citron decorated beak, and each feather decorated with shimmering gems. There was a large opening at the bottom of the bird. She turned it this way and that, realizing it was an elaborate headdress. This took the phrase ‘dress the turkey’ to a new, gaudy, level.

Why anyone would want to wear this monstrosity of eye-popping color was beyond her.

It measured twenty inches tall and was quite heavy. The poor person stuck wearing this would have developed a fowl headache after a short period of time.

Natasha rummaged in the box for the placard and slipped it into her pocket. She fluffed the packing material in the box and closed the lid. The museum wouldn’t be without their turkey for long; it’d be back before they realized it was missing.

Visions of how she would present this unique find were whirling through her head. She needed to make it memorable for the stick-in-the-mud detective; the one she’d chosen as her nemesis.

Tucking the turkey under her arm like a football, she wound her way through the other crates and boxes. A sound from the door halted her in place.

Two security guards walked through the door, laughing back and forth as they shined their flashlights around the room.

Natasha made sure to stay duck behind a large box and out of the beam. Even though they couldn’t see her, the beam of light would not go through her. She’d cast a shadow, pinpointing her location. It wasn’t a problem during the daylight because the city streets were crowded with people.

She waited for them to pass, not even daring to breathe, in case they heard her. The dust from a nearby shipping crate tickled her nose. Damn it. Not now. She felt the tickle and knew if they didn’t leave soon, she was going to sneeze and give herself away. Natasha breathed through her mouth, trying to hold off the sneeze. The guards completed their rounds and walked back through the main door. Lifting her arm, she sneezed into her elbow in rapid succession, clearing her sinuses in the process.

Natasha waited a few more minutes. The guards rounds would take them to the other end of the museum, which would give her plenty of time to get out through the employee entrance.

She opened the door and slipped through. Walking the halls she was able to follow one of the employees into the break room and out the door for their smoke break.

Natasha ducked into an electronics store to pick up a couple of things, and walked to her destination, ready to set the stage.

Detective Resenberg arrived at work and wondered at the large gathering in front of his open office door.

What’s going on? he asked one of the guys.

Don’t know. Can’t see a damned thing.

Resenberg pushed his way to the front of the group, stopping once he got to the door. Two signs on either side of the door had large arrows pointing to his office. Live Sex Acts!!

Everyone on the force knew his conservative values and curiosity compelled them to take a look.

Who’s the smartass? he asked, glaring at them.

They all shook their heads and then gasped.

The room had been pitch-black when he looked into it, now a down light from the ceiling illuminated something sparkly on his desk. The sparkly thing began to move, rotating in a circle, and two additional lights turned on, one from either side. The thing made colorful patterns on the wall. Like a feathery disco ball.

What in the world?

It was a turkey. Someone put a bedazzled turkey on his desk and lit it in dramatic fashion. A closer look revealed it was hat perched on a mannequin head.

Another light came on, illuminating the small plaque at the base of the mannequin.

Once he read the plaque, he cursed.

What’s all this? Resenberg turned as the captain entered the office. What’s going on here?

Resenberg stood aside and pointed.

Not another one. The captain rolled his eyes, before glaring at Resenberg. Isn’t this the fourth ‘gift’ you’ve been given?

Fifth, sir.

What are you doing to stop this person?

I’m trying, but they don’t leave any evidence. That came from the de Young Museum.

Security recordings?

I haven’t pulled them yet, but if it’s anything like the others, there won’t be a record.

Chat with Alessandro. See if it this person may be connected to his contacts. Remove that thing and take it back to the de Young.

Yes, sir.