Chapter Nine: Challenges & Questions
Speaking to an extremely anxious Michelangelo was not without it's challenges. The fact that the youngest brother had a tendency to talk faster and more high pitched as the call progressed was putting Donatello's ear canal under immense pressure. Michelangelo's voice was becoming more 'noise' than actual words. But, from what he could gather, there was something really wrong with Leo.
"Mikey calm down..where is Sensei in all this?"
"He said I have to sort it myself but Raph won't help me and I think Leo's gone all pyscho because of what I did with the thingy-me-bob that I borrowed from your lab.." whined Michelangelo, Donatello could practically hear him hot footing about.
"The teleport? Hardly. And we were all exposed to that remember?"
"Oh yeah, forgot that part...wait, does that mean that we will all go pyscho?"
"Leo hasn't gone anything, he just sounds a little annoyed by something that's all"
"A LITTLE annoyed!" exclaimed the youngest "He knocked me over without even opening the door! I think that is more than a little annoyed. In fact, I don't even think Raph could pull off a trick like that"
"What?" A very large and grumpy looking Raphael, complete with towel round his neck, now found himself becoming a part of the conversation "Who are you talking to?"
"Donnie. Leo needs help. He's gone..."
"Pyscho. Heard you the first time pipsqueak" He relieved the cell from the smaller turtle and held it up to speak with Donatello "What's all this about D?"
"Oh hey Raph, well, you tell me. Apparently Leo managed to push Mikey over from the inside of his room. Mikey is more than a little freaked out by it all"
"And he won't get out of bed" added Michelangelo loudly; he jumped up and down and eventually managed to snatch the phone back "Have you seen the time? He never sleeps in! This is far too un-Leo like for my liking. We have to do something - you're the scientist, you really need to come home now!" Donatello didn't think the voice could get any higher in pitch, and then it did. He winced.
"Oh, I'm the scientist now am I? I thought you had aspirations to be Mister Big Scientist, isn't that what you said? Hey? Isn't it?"
Michelangelo knew his brother was not going to let this whole thing go and would make him beg and be very humble for a very long time: "You're better than me and you know it. Our big brother is in crisis here so you need to come home and do science things to make him all better puuurrrrleeeasssseeee" He took a deep breath "At least come and do some tests on him or something science-like with probes"
Donatello smiled to himself: Michelangelo was definitely not at one with the lingo. "Okay. I'm nearly done here anyhow so if you just wait a little bit longer.."
"You got the truck?" Raph came back on the line.
"Why ask? You know that's how I roll. Besides, you not been tinkering on anything in the workshop? You telling me you didn't notice it was gone?"
"I've not been down that way yet, waited for Fearless to start shouting the odds, it never happened, so I've done my own training and, surprise surprise, it was a lot more fun"
Donatello shook his head.
"Don't do that"
"Do what?"
"Shake your head that way, I know you and the disapprovals. You're sending daggers my way down this line"
"Well. You guys's feud is way too old already"
"In a week you will be begging me to stay on as Leader, you just wait, I know you think it's a temp job but if his almighty can't be bothered to even train then he doesn't deserve to be in the role and that's fact"
"Keep your voice down" whispered Michelangelo "He might throw you about too"
"I'd like to see him try" Raphael rolled his shoulders.
"On my way" Donatello ended the call. He knew that if he didn't it would go on and on and on, and by the sounds of things he needed to get back to the lair quick time. In truth, this morning had not been easy, though he was not involved in directly forensics - why would he be? wasn't his field; but he knew about the murders and pretty soon so would everyone. It was already being fed over the news though in truth the details were few because the detectives were in a place of far 'too many questions and not enough answers'. Casey had let him know about his superior's want for him to get into TCRI and Donatello thought that it was a very good move. Like April, he had a bad feeling about that place, especially now Sacks was flouting himself everywhere. He didn't believe that one such as Sacks could come back from hiding and say 'behold, I am a new man' - not after all the killing. Plus after what he done to April's father he, like his brothers, couldn't help but feel her pain.
Why would 'TCRI' be left on the mirror at each of the six murders? Was this done deliberately to point the blame? Was it done as a distraction? Donatello didn't know but he knew that Casey would want answers for each one of those girls and for April.
Casey waited with some degree of patience for the Judge to sign off on his decision. He actually didn't think it would be that easy and that there would be at least some degree of protest whilst 'someone' looked further into it. He had come to the court house flanked by two uniformed officers and found himself wondering if this would be what it would really be like to be an actual detective. It was a childhood dream, his application finally in so now all he had to do was wait. And gaining experience like this in the field would certainly add that extra edge during the interview stage. Launder was a very accomplished Detective, Casey knew he would be keen to share learning and getting a good outcome today could also lead to a solid reference.
Two hours later he found himself in the main entrance lobby of TCRI waiting on a response from someone, anyone who would be able to give him some answers and most importantly access. This building had one too many door codes for his liking.
"Sir, sir" The heavily accented receptionist was waving at him from behind her pillars "I've spoken to one of our Supervisors and now isn't a convenient time. Could you not come back next week?"
Casey's mouth turned upwards into a smile "No Miss..." He looked for a name tag - she wasn't wearing one "I cannot come back another time, I have a warrant, so will you just get me a Supervisor who can accomodate my needs today at this very moment"
Now she donned an 'un-happy face' but nonetheless picked up the phone again.
"Ridiculous" spat Casey as he turned towards the officers in uniform "If Launder were here, this little thing" he moved his finger in a circular motion - capturing them and her "would not be happening - he would already be upstairs asking questions"
"Sir.." Little Miss Sulky was suddenly behind him, hands on her hips "If you'd like to follow me"
She'd been replaced behind the desk by a rather expressionless looking man with slicked back dark hair. His eyes were on him though, moving with great focus as Casey and the two officers in uniform went towards the lift. For some reason it made Casey shudder. It was similar to the feeling you get when it is said that someone walks over your grave. In truth, that guy gave him the creeps.
"You're lucky" The receptionist interrupted his thoughts "Mr Sacks himself will give you some of his time"
"Bles-sed are the lucky" replied Casey. It was lost on her.
"How big is this building exactly?" One of the uniforms decided to break the awkward silence that had descended into the lift space. He glanced at Casey as if seeking approval - one eyebrow raise did it all "It seems awful large - I think I'd get lost working here"
She gave him a look of disdain "You get used to it"
TCRI employees were not very welcoming and that was a fact. Casey couldn't help but think Donatello would be disappointed in that. He watched the numbers rising up and up and eventually they stopped; the doors pinged open and little miss happy-face led the way down the corridor. Casey dropped his eyes to her shoes. He never looked at shoes until he'd met April. She was not a girly-girl so the very enormous heels that this girl was sporting made him think what her reaction would be. She was definitely for the practical and he loved her for that.
"Just wait here" She pointed to the carpet "I'll just be a moment. Oh, do you have your warrant?" She held out her hand expectantly.
He forced a smile "Sure". He gave her the envelope and she disappeared behind a very large brown door.
"You think you'll get that back?" The uniform put an idea in his head that he hadn't thought of.
"Trust is important" said Casey. He put his hands in his jacket pocket and gave uniform a convinced look.
"What if he shreds it?"
"Seriously?" Uniform didn't click at his own pun - Casey shook his head. Not so long ago, before Shredder vanished and the City's war with the Foot Clan ended, Sacks and Shredder had in place a plan of their own. The turtles saw that plan never got off the ground - helped by his girl. Of course. And maybe a little bit of Vern.
"Okay, Mr Sacks will see you now" The receptionist smiled: falsely. She stood to the side to let them pass by her and then closed the door.
"No coffee?" Casey looked at the closed door "No coffee" he concluded.
Eric Sacks was standing over by the window; shiny silver suit, shiny silver hair. He made no effort to move as they approached him.
"Mr Sacks, thank you for your time" Casey didn't want to say that but he felt obliged to. What he wanted to say was more along the lines of 'tell me what the hell is going on here you murdering bastard'. He knew just how much April missed her father. Just how the hell was this guy walking around the City as if nothing had happened was beyond comprehension.
"Officer Jones I don't have any time for things like this" He tossed the warrant onto his desk "And with a building this size, floors and areas that are not owned by the four letters you see at the top of this tower and if I'm really honest, areas that are not without risk, I am afraid that there is no way you can execute a warrant here"
"This warrant is fresh from the Judge, you can't worm your way out of this one"
Eric Sacks smiled at him, pulled out his chair and sat down, pressing the tips of his fingers together, he chuckled "I'm not worming anything Officer Jones. I am simply stating a fact, it would months for any warrant to be executed here and for what, just because you seemingly have some evidence that may or may not link to this company"
Casey pursed his lips and sucked in a breath "I don't care whether it takes a while Mr Sacks, we just want to have a look around the facility and know what is going on here. And we could appreciate your co-operation on the matter"
"You wouldn't understand it" The smile disappeared "I doubt science is a hobby of yours Officer Jones"
"And I thought you were just a funding stream..all this space just a perk is it?" Casey extended his arms outwards, emphasising the sheer size of the room.
"No. It is because I am a scientist. And before you ask, no, I do not DO any of the experiments, that is left to the fantastic team which is already in place here and a few others that we drafted over"
"Leeanne Miller one of those?" Casey watched for a reaction. If Sacks was involved in her disappearance surely he would show some sort of subtle signal.
Sacks met his eyes and did his best impression of a broken puppy "Yes, she was head-hunted originally because of her brilliance and we've found her to be a great asset to the team, some of the work she has done with medication trialling is outstanding but I am sure you already know all this" He leaned forward and continued "I am sure you have done all your research haven't you? And what, because she works here, has now gone missing and someone has gone a little stir crazy you automatically blame this organisation for that? I don't think so" Before Casey could speak Eric Sacks was up from his desk and almost half over it, hands spread wide to take the weight of his upper body "You know the other reason they like having me here? TCRI. Not just because of investment - but because I will not stand for any crap - not from any one - and I will protect my investment"
"And I would call multiple homicide more than going a 'little stir crazy' wouldn't you? And I would think that you would be concerned about Miss Miller mean as she is such a great asset to the team" Casey would not let this man intimidate him.
Eric Sacks nodded and lowered himself back down into his chair "Yes. Of course"
"So, for now, I would like to see where Miss Miller worked when she was here and a list of everything you are currently undertaking"
"Happy to help" As Sacks picked up the phone he looked anything but happy "You would need a scientist to explain it all, to you, it would just be a lot of words and numbers"
"Look Mr Sacks, I am not executing the full warrant today but only because of the practicalities not because we are backing down. However, whilst I am here I expect to get what I ask for. And for your information. I know a scientist who will be more than happy to help"
He thought both Launder and Donnie would be proud.