Two hours later, Elisa and Matt were settled into one of the large conference rooms with the gallon-sized cups of coffee from the corner deli that was a cop favorite because no one could stomach the station's coffee for long.
They really needed to find out who was making it and ban them for life from touching the coffee maker.
Elisa was taking a sip of hers as Maria entered with a slim brunette in full navy pencil-skirted business attire, complete with a slim black briefcase.
'Miss Hardwick, I presume,' Elisa thought mirthlessly.
Maria made the introductions. "Detectives, this is Miss Rachel Hardwick. Miss Hardwick, this is Detective Elisa Maza, the Official Gargoyle Liaison within the NYPD, and Detective Matthew Bluestone, Head of the Gargoyle Task Force."
Elisa and Matt nodded as Maria introduced them, but neither said a word, both preferring to let Maria do the talking for now.
"Detectives," Rachel greeted with a smile as stiff as her navy pencil skirted suit. "Thank you for meeting with me. I apologize for insisting on this meeting, but I felt that there was clarification needed."
"That would be appreciated," Maria said, motioning for the woman to take a seat. "I'm afraid that we're all a bit confused over what interest the U.N. would have with the Manhattan gargoyles."
Rachel nodded. "That's understandable, with the letter coming out of the blue with no notice," she said, reaching for her briefcase. There was a snapping sound as she popped the lock, then slid out a manila file folder that held a stack of papers. "I am required to tell you that I am only the Public Relations representative for the New York offices. I am not an official delegate for the United Nations."
"Noted," Elisa said with a short nod.
Rachel sent her a small smile. "That being said, I will tell you what I know and attempt to answer any questions that you may have."
"That is appreciated," Matt said.
Seeing that these two were not going to be the easiest to deal with and chalking it up to the fact that everyone in the room besides her had already put in a full day's work, she decided to just get on with it and avoid her normal small talk to ease into things. She slid out three packets of papers and passed them to the three individuals. "I apologize for not being able to meet earlier, but I stopped to have these packets printed out for you. They are strictly informational, and full of legal jargon," she attempted another smile, "so here is the long and the short of it, in simpler terms. The United Nations was apprised of the gargoyles existence at the same time as the rest of the world when the news reports aired a year ago. Since then, there have been concerns raised as to what, exactly, this would mean for the countries affected."
"How it would affect the countries?" Elisa asked, frowning. "What does that mean?"
"A few of the countries," Rachel said, "or, rather, a few of those countries' governments are watching them closely. They are seeing how the city of New York has adapted to their presence and has invited them into the protection and law enforcement of their citizens. I'm afraid that there are some concerns that a government would invite the gargoyles in and use them as an added threat against their citizens."
"So," Maria said, sitting back in her chair in a deceptively casual pose, "They, the UN," she clarified, "are concerned that the gargoyles could be used as weapons against a country's own citizens?"
"Essentially," Rachel nodded. "There are a few proposals that are being made to the United Nations on how to classify them."
"Classify them?" Matt asked. "What does that mean?"
"Friend or foe," Rachel said brusquely. "There is a proposal to declare them as an Endangered Species as well. That would afford them some additional protection, as well as make it illegal to force them from where they live."
"Why not just declare them a sovereign nation?" Elisa muttered.
"That is another idea that has been proposed," Rachel admitted. "That would allow them to function on their own, enforce their own rules and laws, as long as they did not strike out against the governments and citizens of their own countries."
Elisa sent her a withering look. "Because that has worked so well for Native Americans."
Rachel sighed. "I cannot speak about that, outside of what we all learn from history books, as it doesn't pertain to this meeting."
Matt felt Elisa tense up, and broke into the conversation, "Alright, so… What exactly is the purpose of this meeting?"
"We have been watching the situation here, and we are concerned about their safety and the safety of the citizens of Manhattan. Now we have reports from all over the world of gargoyles adopting places to protect." Rachel folded her hands on the table in front of her, "We would like to have a universal plan in place as to their status and what kind of protections can be afforded towards them now that they are 'out'."
"Believe me," Maria broke in. "No one is more aware and dedicated to the welfare than these two right here," she gestured to Matt and Elisa. "They have put years of their blood sweat and tears into this program."
"I have a question," Elisa said, her face carefully blank.
"Yes?" Rachel said.
"You mentioned that there was a proposal to make them classified as an endangered species," Elisa prodded.
"Yes, well," Rachel's composure slipped a little. "Well," she gave a nervous laugh, "there aren't that many of them, after all."
"No," Elisa said slowly. "There aren't."
There was a beat of silence, and Matt had to fight a grin despite the heavy topic at hand. He had seen Elisa use this technique on suspects. Ask a question, prod a little, then say nothing. Humans hated silence, and would often fill it with chatter.
And, sometimes, in that chatter, you got the answer you were looking for.
Rachel, he thought, was about to crack.
"W...what's your question?" Rachel asked.
"If the motion passes, and they are deemed an endangered species, what does that mean to the gargoyles and their service with the NYPD?"
"Oh, well," Rachel burst out as if relieved it was an easy answer. "They wouldn't be able to continue, of course. To have them put in dangerous situations…"
She trailed off, finally becoming aware of the suddenly rigid postures and heavy atmosphere.
"Well," Rachel said as she got to her feet. She took hold of her briefcase and edged towards the door. "You have the reading material and my contact information."
"We do," Maria said and rose to see the woman out. "We'll be in touch, Miss Hardwick."
The door closed behind the woman and silence reigned as the three humans stared at each other in disbelief.