Night's Children: Nox Noctis

AN: Part Two! I made up the model of the car, please forgive me :shame:

Chapter Eight: Interlude

Part Two: Investigation

Jimena sighed as her eyes blurred for about the fifth time that day as she stared at the glowing computer screen. Working as a secretary for Hans and Phan, a rapidly growing non-profit law firm, was a stressing job by itself, but her thoughts kept trailing back to the four young girls she was mentoring. A small smile graced her features; they reminded her strongly of her own sisters, yet each held their own flair of individuality.

The strongest resemblance was shown through Aria and Vanessa. Aria, like Vanessa, was a very reluctant Daughter of Selene. She had a harder time of accepting her destiny and coping with the fact that the world she knew and loved was not all it appeared to be. They both shared a strong compassion, although unlike Vanessa, Aria chose to hide hers from the world. Aria hid behind her fears, instead of accepting them like Vanessa had. She raised the walls between herself and the other Daughters, shutting herself off. It made her weaker in that aspect, she refused to trust or rely on anyone other than her. Her mindset would make the prospect of teamwork between the young goddesses harder to come by, and it was her that Jimena secretly worried about the most.

Tessa was very similar to a young Catty. Both of them were reckless and daring, never considering the consequences of their actions. Tessa held the same boldness as she, for Jimena had never seen Tessa shrink away from a responsibility or the prospect of danger. And they both held a fierce loyalty for their sisters; she knew that Tessa would not hesitate to sacrifice her life for Imy's, Riley's, or even Aria's. The difference was that where Catty had been fun-loving and carefree, Tessa was bitter and cynical. The girl had seen too much, and lacked Catty's naivety. Tessa had been at her very worst, a human dependant on substances in order to make it through the day, for more than a few years. She had seen most of the horrible aspects of life, and had to claw her way back to a normal life.

Then there was Riley. So much like Serena, and yet her polar opposite. Serena had been beautiful, full of life, and adventurous. Whenever she had walked into a room, people had stopped whatever they were doing and directed all of their attention to her. She commanded respect but there was always this warm, welcoming presence about her. Riley, on the other hand, was cold, distant. She kept to herself, appearing somber and timid to all but the chosen few she trusted. She never opened up to anyone, other than Imy. All Riley seemed to do was drift through each day, hoping to be ignored and thus was. To any who did not take the time to know her, she was easily forgettable. But the unfortunate fact still remained that both she and Serena were the Daughters easily susceptible to their dark sides. Serena had been lured into the shadowed world of the Followers through Stanton and the fear of being without him, while Riley had her mother's influences combined with her own depression and loneliness leading her quickly down the path of evil. Jimena knew she had two options with Riley: sway her to the side of light and quickly expel the darkness within her, or to stop her before the Followers got to her, and she destroyed the other Daughters. She had made the mistake of trusting Serena to deal with her own evils; she would not repeat it with Riley.

And finally, there was Imy. Imy reminded Jimena of herself. Both were horribly stubborn, hotheaded, and defiant. Yet both were logical about all situations they encompassed, calculating the outcomes of events before they actually happened. Both were protective, and both would never allow harm to befall those they cared about. The difference between Jimena and Imy was the fact that Jimena was simply tougher. She had experienced more and never allowed emotional issues to cloud her judgment. Imy tended to think with her heart on occasion, letting her feelings get in the way.

They had shortcomings and weaknesses, but the other members would compensate for them. Riley was the calm to Tessa's storm, Imy was the comfort to Riley's loneliness, and when Aria accepted her destiny fully, she would be there to help fix the broken pieces. Aria inspired the feeling of humanity in all of them, her attachments to her old reality constantly reminding the others that they were still teenagers, allowing them to keep a certain sense of innocence. Tessa gave hope to them all, constantly battling her addictions and slowly winning, while Imy helped connect the girls together and pushed them to continue. Riley was the emotional rock, bearing her own pain and that of the others silently, she balanced the group, whether she realized it or not.

Jimena ran a hand through her thick black hair; they weren't perfect, far from it. Yet they simply fit.

Sometimes that was all you needed.

"Ms. Castillo?" A pleasantly low voice interrupted her musings.

Jimena jerked awake, reminding herself she was at work. She sat up straight, and smoothed the wrinkles in her skirt before she addressed the speaker, "Yes?" She asked politely.

The middle-aged man, handsome with sharp black eyes and graying black hair, leaned casually against the oak banister that surrounded her desk, "Not slacking off on the job are we?" He chorded with good humor.

Jimena rolled her eyes, the speaker was none other than Franklin, please call me 'Frankie', Winston. Winston was supposedly some hotshot lawyer that had just been picked up by the firm a month ago. The man went through great lengths to irritate Jimena to no end, but unfortunately the secretary was forced to be polite. This would be his third trip down to her desk that day, and the third time Jimena was going to have to reject his requests for a date.

"Mr. Winston," She said through gritted teeth, wiggling her mouse to make it appear as if she were doing something, hoping he'd take a hint. "May I assist you with something?"

Winston flashed an abnormally white smile, "No, but I could assist you."

Jimena groaned and pressed her hand against her face, "I'm going to regret asking this, but assist me how?"

He grinned, "I can't help but notice how lonely you seem, working up here all by yourself, and I was wondering if having a nice dinner at my place could make you feel less isolated."

Jimena snorted, "You're going to have to try harder than that." She mumbled, returning back to her riveting game of solitaire on the computer.

Winston laughed, "I see, you're the type that likes to be romanced," He gave a rather cheesy wink.

"I doubt how I could ever be lonely, Mr. Winston, when I'm frequently," She trailed off, trying to find the appropriate word, "interrupted by you." She narrowed her eyes, "Don't you work here or something?"

He gripped the chest of his expensive three-piece suit, "Ms. Castillo, you wound me." He chuckled, "But you are right, and I'm afraid I came down here on account of business not pleasure."

Jimena grimaced, "Don't tell me Hans wants his files organized again."

Winston smirked, "No, I'm actually afraid that there's someone who wants to talk to you down in the lobby."

Jimena arched an eyebrow, "Really? Who?"

He shrugged, "Apparently a police officer named something Jacobson." He looked at her, "Gruff guy, burly manly-man, surly demeanor, ringing any bells?"

Jimena shook her head slowly, taking off her wire-rimmed glasses and pinching the bridge of her nose, "What does he want?"

"Didn't say," Winston said nonchalantly.

Jimena pushed back her chair and looked at the time on her computer screen, "Will you tell the partners I'm going on my break?"

"Anything for a beautiful woman," He chirped.

Jimena grit her teeth, "Winston?" She asked with a syrupy sweetness.

His eyes widened in hope, "Yes Ms. Castillo?"

"Get back to work or I'll file a sexual harassment suit."

For a moment he looked crestfallen, but the look was quickly replaced with the mischievous smirk, "You only reject because you're playing hard to get."

Jimena heaved a sigh, "Whatever gets you through the day, Winston." She walked towards the elevator, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to a cop."

"So I'll call you?" She heard called after her as the elevator doors slowly opened and she stepped inside.

Jimena gave Winston a rather professional-looking middle finger before the doors closed, to which he gave another throaty laugh.

Jimena's heels clicked sharply against the heavily polished marble floor as she crossed the rather decorative lobby. The receptionist, named Aleesa, gave her a friendly smile to which Jimena returned, but it was rather feeble, as she was attempting to quell all the thoughts that went about her head as she tried to recall a reason why she would need to talk to a cop.

Her eyes scanned the area, and saw a rather imposing figure standing near the revolving doors of the building. Although he was in plainclothes, wearing a worn leather jacket, khaki pants, and a flannel button-down shirt, his stance, and the way he constantly observed the lobby screamed 'cop!'. His face was ruddy, which implied a drinking problem, and he had a severe five 'o clock shadow. His eyes appeared sun-strained, and he had crow's feet branching out, his mouth was in a perpetual frown.

Jimena walked over, mustering up the slightly arrogant stature and calm that she had used when she had been interrogated by the cops when she was younger. She walked up next to him and extended her hand, "Officer Jacobson, I presume?" She asked crisply.

He nodded, though a slight look of surprise crossed his features, "Yes, how'd you know I was a cop?" His voice was scratchy and rough.

Jimena gave a foxlike grin, "I've had a lot of experience in…federal matters. You simply look like a cop."

"Hmph," He grunted, trying to show he was unimpressed, "So I take it you're Mrs. Killingsworth then?"

Jimena flinched slightly, "Actually, it's just Ms. Castillo now." She paused, "May I ask why you wanted to talk with me?"

He inclined his head, his eyes calculating, "Yes, I understand you're the guardian of a Ms. Riley Zalank?"

Oh no. Jimena froze slightly, "Is she alright?" She asked, worry gripping her chest.

Jacobson slowly pulled out a notebook and pencil from the inside of his jacket, "That remains to be seen," He paused, looking at her, "I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions Ms. Castillo." He asked in a tone that implied he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Jimena narrowed her eyes shrewdly, "What's this all about?" She demanded, immediately on the defensive.

He licked his thumb and flipped open the notepad, "There was a hit and run this morning, involving a Mr. Todd Towlen, a Ms. Imy Ormond, and your daughter."

Jimena corrected on impulse, "She's not my daughter," she trailed off as the implications of his words hit her, "Are Imy and Riley hurt!"

Jacobson indicated to a few chairs, "Perhaps you ought to sit down for a bit, Miss." He demanded.

Jimena numbly sat in the cheaply upholstered chair, "What the hell is going on?"

He flipped back a few pages to his notes from when he had interviewed Ms. Ormond, "The hit and run occurred at approximately 9:30 am, at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard, and Perrin Street. A Mr. Todd Towlen was driving, when he was suddenly cut off by some undetermined black sports car, which had run a red light. To avoid hitting the car, he swerved his vehicle into a nearby telephone pole." He looked up at Jimena who was sitting there stoically, "The speed of the collision was about 40 to 45 miles per hour. Neither Mr. Towlen or Ms. Ormond were wearing seat belts at the time."

Jimena paled, and felt as if she were about to be sick, she vaguely remembered Riley's friend, Twiggy, but Imy was one of her Daughters of the Selene, whom she was sworn to protect and guide. "What about Riley?" She croaked.

"Riley was fortunate and was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision," He said, reading off of his prior notes, "She suffered a mild abrasion to the head and eleven stitches to her leg, she was out in under an hour." He glanced at her, "She had an insurance card on her, but you'll still be needed at the hospital to sign some papers."

Jimena nodded mutely, "What about Imy? And Todd?"

The intensity of Jacobson's glance increased, making Jimena slightly uncomfortable, "Now the interesting part." He flipped a page yet again, "When we arrived at the hospital to investigate the crash, we discovered that Ms. Zalank had already left the premises." Jimena gripped her armchair, "Have you heard from her?"

Jimena shook her head, "I've been working all day." She whispered, "Do you have any idea of where she could be?" She questioned.

Jacobson sneered, a sour look appearing on his features, "We've asked several people, but no one has heard from her, she's simply vanished."

Jimena swallowed a hard lump in her throat, fearing for the worst.

"Now, I understand that Ms. Zalank was close friends with Ms. Ormond, correct?" He asked.

Jimena nodded, "They grew up together."

"I see," He scribbled something down in his notes, "And how long has Ms. Zalank been in your care?"

"About two months."

He looked up from the paper, seemingly evaluating her, "And how did Ms. Zalank come to be in your custody?"

She tried to ignore the acidic feeling in her stomach, "I was good friends with her mother."

"Uhm-hum." He said, scribbling away, "And her name?"

"Cassandra Zalank," Jimena began to feel irritated.

"I see," There was a moment of silence between the two, as they each tried to intimidate each other. Finally, Jacobson cleared his throat, "Ms. Castillo, do you or Ms. Zalank have any enemies?"

Her eyes widened and she bit back a laugh. Enemies? Her, an ex gang member and the Magna Mater of the Daughters of Selene? Mentor of a group sent to destroy an underground army of pure evil? Riley? Daughter of Cassandra and Selene? She wanted to break into hysterics at such a ridiculous question, instead she calmly said, "Possibly."

"Yes or no, Ms. Castillo."

"Then yes, we do." She looked at him, "Why do you ask?"

He cleared his throat, "This isn't going to be easy to hear."

She snorted, her whole life had been a series of bad news, "I'll manage."

He turned to yet another page in his notebook, "Our people went to the scene of crash this afternoon, and they just got back to the stations with the results, property damage, etcetera." He ran a hand through his hair, "But someone noticed something interesting with the tire tracks of the car that did the hit." He paused, for dramatic effect, and Jimena had to withhold the urge to throttle him, "The tire tracks weren't simply running a red light, Ms. Castillo, they were aiming for the car in the intersection."

She inhaled sharply, "You're saying-"

"I'm saying that Mr. Towlen, Ms. Ormond, and Ms. Zalank were victims of attempted intentional vehicular manslaughter." He said matter-of-factly. He was quiet for a moment, letting it sink in, "It gets worse." He replied.

"Worse?" Croaked Jimena in disbelief.

He nodded, "The tracks were compatible to the tire tread of a custom-made '06 Ferrari Kei, an extremely expensive car that's only in stock in California at the Ferrari dealership located off of Lemay Avenue in downtown L.A." His eyes scanned the page, "When we asked the dealership, they said that the had only sold three of those models, and only one of them in black." He cleared his throat, "Ms. Castillo, the bill of sales for this car was in the name of Cassandra Zalank."

Jimena clutched her chest. Cassandra? Trying to kill her own daughter? This was simply out of style for the Atrox; they were manipulative, killing their victims emotionally before they robbed hope from them. To attempt to blatantly kill a Daughter of the Moon, in the public eye, was ludicrous.

"There's still a lot more to be sorted out, Ms. Castillo," He said, standing up and tucking his notepad back into his pocket, "But I ask that you find Ms. Zalank and keep a close eye on her," He looked at her with suspicion, "As soon as I get more facts uncovered, I will be calling. Something's not right with this case. Something abnormal." He stood up, "Good day, Miss."

Jimena sat in the chair, too stunned to muster a reply. Her eyes drifted to the glass revolving doors as she watched Officer Jacobson leave. The crisp night air entered the room for a moment. He was painfully close to uncovering their secret, and Jimena couldn't allow that.

Fear thudded in her heart, Riley had disappeared, and Cassandra was out for either her or Imy's blood. She slumped against the back of the chair. Her Daughters were in danger, and for the first time in a long time, she felt powerless.