Resident Evil Recall: Operation Arklay

Episode Seven: Investigations

Part One

Redbend Road, Arklay Mountains, 12:30 PM…

Without all of the conversation about the case, the drive back down Redbend Road seemed to take a little longer than when they had first come up, but that was fine because it gave McGee more time to plan his approach. The reports from The Arklay Resort about strange noises at night were vague at best, so he and Chambers were going to have to start at the beginning, but the good thing about that was that they had plenty of time to gather information before the sun went down.

"I'm really gonna need your help on this one, kid." He explained as they approached the fork in the road. "Now, there's a good chance that the noises at the resort are completely unrelated to the case, but that doesn't mean we get to let our guard down. I know you've secured scenes before, but have you ever looked for clues?"

"No, I haven't." Chambers replied during the turn that would start them toward their destination. "Sergeant Branagh always told us to keep everyone out of the Detectives' way, including ourselves."

This was a little disappointing, but not unexpected. After all, both Chambers and Lopez had only been working at the RPD for just shy of a month, but there was an opportunity in this as well. Sure, it meant that McGee would have to do the majority of the investigation work, but it also meant that he could teach the kid the right way to handle a scene, instead of that ignorant crap they had applicants study for the Detective's Exam. The book told about checking for fingerprints and collecting fluid samples, and that was fine, but real Detective work was about being able to talk to people while watching for little tells that pointed to suspicion of guilt or innocence.

"Okay, here's how this is gonna go down." McGee continued. "The Arklay Resort isn't like kicking down the door of some crack-house; these are high-end people who are used to being kissed up to by the riff-raff… which in their eyes, would be us. They get offended at even being questioned about a crime, and there's a good chance that they'll start the whole 'do you know who I am?' nonsense if you back them into the corner."

"So, how do we handle them?" Chambers asked.

That was a fair question, and again this was an opportunity to show him the right way versus what the book would tell him. The book would say that when dealing with persons of high status, their privacy and public appearance should take priority. All questioning would be done in secret, with nothing written down or recorded, and at least two of the wealthy scumbag's lawyers present just to make sure that nothing tarnished their reputation. This method certainly kept everyone happy, but it also tripled the time that it usually took to carry out an investigation, and it also made McGee mad. If they were able to grab a hard working middle-class person in broad daylight and perp-walk them in front of a news camera, then why should others be able to get out of such treatment just because they were wealthy?

"We keep everything quiet, sure." McGee continued. "But these are the kind of people who value their reputation more than anything, so a little hint about making their involvement in our investigation public usually loosens their tongues. If they say you can't perform a search without a warrant, tell them that you will be back shortly with one… along with a dozen cops and some news cameras to make sure it's all documented. If they threaten to sue you for harassment or slander for talking to them, remind them that we can legally detain them for twenty-four hours without charge, or up to ninety-six hours if we suspect they are involved in a serious crime."

"So, we use their pride and status against them?" Chambers asked. "That actually, um, sounds like fun."

This reaction pleased the Detective as they continued down a sloping part of the road. It was good to know that his partner for this part of the investigation wasn't a puppet of politics, but at the same time he didn't want the kid to break too many rules, so it was important to find a balance. A few minutes later the road leveled off, and then they rounded a large curve to where the dense forest gave way to a large clearing where the resort sat. The huge white building looked like it didn't belong anywhere near this part of the world, with its ten floors and perfectly manicured grounds, and the parking lot that was filled with expensive cars only added to this out of place feeling.

"Wow, look at this place." Chambers commented as he looked at it.

A metal fence blocked off the resort from the rest of the world, but through it they could see elaborate stone fountains, swimming pools that were still covered over in preparation for the summer season. There were also several recreational facilities, including a spa, gym, docks for sailboat rental on the edge of Lake Stoneville, and a golf course where McGee could see a couple carts moving around as the guests moved to the next hole. McGee had to admit that he was also impressed by the looks of this place, having only been a guest there once a few years back after winning a radio contest, and the grounds were nothing compared to what the inside of the building looked like.

The parking lot was only accessible to valet drivers, but the Detective wasn't about to let some pimple-faced boy have access to a police SUV, especially when they had weapons in the back. So he slowed down near the front door of the building long enough to show his badge, causing the valet to stop in his tracks with a confused look on his face for a second before waving them through into the parking area. The nice thing about a lot like this was not having to worry about people walking around or other vehicles suddenly flying out of their spaces because the driver was too busy putting on her lipstick or something to pay attention. A moment later they pulled into a space, and McGee shut off the engine.

"Keep your sidearm concealed as much as possible." He explained as they took off their seatbelts. "The heavy weapons stay out here; we'll get them before dark in case of trouble, though."

"Got it." Chambers replied as they opened the doors. "Let's do this."

Arklay Village Limits, 12:45 PM…

The ride back down Redbend road was awkwardly silent as the second SUV turned the opposite way at the fork in the road, now heading toward Arklay Village, and Liquid was thankful for this silence. He needed time to think, not just about how he was going to approach the County Sheriff about the mission his team was on, but how he was going to handle being in this village again. The last time he was there, it was to play the annual pool game between the RPD and Arklay County Sheriff's Office, and that was the night everything went to hell, so it was taking a bit of concentration to stay focused.

Meeting with Sheriff Thompson and coordinating a joint effort to stop The Cannibal Murders was going to be easy, but what he was not looking forward to was seeing the County Commissioner again. Katrina Winters-Yvonne, or Aunt Yvonne as she was known to him, was his late wife's Aunt, as well as the County-level equivalent to Raccoon City Mayor Michael Warren. Beyond the city limits, she called the shots, and it was really her support that he needed in order to make an effective investigation; not because he was unable to manage something like this on his own, but because a low profile mission would be next to impossible if a curious Deputy Sheriff happened to spot some suspicious city-folk up to no good in the woods.

Arklay Village was situated in the center of a low valley in the middle of the Arklay Mountains, and for most people it was a surprise to see nothing but dense forests, before suddenly passing a small sign that read: Welcome to Arklay Village, before the valley suddenly popped into view. The village was nothing special, only the total size of a couple city blocks, and mostly made of small houses that completely surrounded the few small businesses in the center. However, the center of town was not his destination, instead slowing down and pulling the SUV into the gravel parking lot of The Arklay Tavern.

"This doesn't look like the Sheriff's Station." Ashwood said as he turned off the engine.

"My God, you're right." Liquid replied sarcastically while taking off his seatbelt. "Meetings can take a long time, especially with outside law enforcement agencies, so I decided that we'll stop for lunch first."

"I heard that." Lopez agreed while opening the door. "Rednecks might not be very smart or up to date on anything, but they can usually cook pretty well."

"Wait a second." Ashwood argued while having to get out to intercept the others. "We're on a mission to stop a brutal murderer… how can you even think about eating at a time like this?"

"First order of business, Ashwood, survival." Liquid explained. "Besides, no one works efficiently on an empty stomach, so in you go."

She kind of huffed before following Lopez into the tavern through the swinging saloon-style doors, and the first thing Liquid heard when he joined them was Every Light In The House by Trace Adkins playing over the stereo. There were only a few patrons in the place, being that this was a workday and all, but they all stopped what they were doing to look at the group that just walked in. Well, they seemed to be looking more at Ashwood and Lopez, which was expected because neither one of them looked like they belonged there.

"Tobias!" A voice called out from one of the back tables. "Tobias Liquid! What the hell you doin back in town!? Get yourself over here, boy!"

Immediately heading toward the voice as his vision adjusted, Liquid saw that it was Jesse Gumb, one of the Deputies, who had called him. He sat leaned back in the chair, proudly displaying the star on his brown uniform while his stereotypical cowboy hat sat on the table. Lopez and Ashwood followed Liquid as he reached the table, and then Gumb stood up and the two men hugged for a second before the Deputy motioned for them all to sit down, which they did.

"Hey, Gary!" Gumb called to the bartender. "Liquid's back in town; get some spicy wings and Coors Light over here on the double!"

"Hey, you got it!" Gary called back. "Welcome home, Tobias!"

Liquid nodded to him, and turned in the seat so that he was facing Gumb. The usual pleasantries were exchanged; how've you been, what'cha been up to, that sort of thing, and a moment later a small plate of chicken wings covered in hot sauce was set in front of each one of them. A cold frosty beer bottle was also set down for each, and Liquid wasted no time in popping off the cap and taking a swig before tearing into his first wing like a crazed animal. Meanwhile, Lopez kind of hesitated before taking a small bite of the wing, and Ashwood was just kind of looking at the plate, even when Lopez decided that the meat was worth tearing into.

"Holy crap, these are good!" Lopez exclaimed with a mouthful. "Dig in, Ashwood, they're great!"

"Yeah, eat up, city-girl." Gumb laughed while playfully slapping her leg. "Its days of bitin you back are long gone."

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" She accused while glaring at Liquid. "You're trying to make me fat… I'm already going to have to exercise for a week without stopping to undo what damage you already caused."

"Oh, Jesus, Ashwood." Liquid replied while taking another bite. "It's a chicken wing, not a damn Snickers bar."

"Yeah, don't be shy, honey." Gumb continued while putting his hand back on her leg. "Besides, you bulk them thighs up a bit, you'll be just about the perty-est thing what ever walked through this town. I'm Jesse Gumb, by the way."

"Kendra Ashwood." She replied, seemingly thankful that he had to move his hand to shake hers. "Officer… Kendra Ashwood."

"All right, you two, that's enough flirting." Liquid interrupted. "All right, Jesse, where's Adam? I got one hell of a proposition for him."