Hello everyone! I am back with a new story based on a prompt on Tumblr from annieimpala67 . The premise was too good to pass up! This is my first attempt at a multichapter story, so I hope I can update regularly. I don't know how many chapters this is going to have yet, but I am currently working on Chapter 3 now. I'm hoping that I can do this prompt justice and that everyone seems in character... Please feel free to shoot me a message or leave a comment with suggestions and critiques! They would be much appreciated! Enjoy!
Higgins zoned out as she stared at her computer screen. She only had a few more things to add to the report she was finishing on a drug case she had just closed. Then, I will finally be free to go home and take a long bath… Maybe have a glass of wine… she mused to herself.
Lord knows she certainly didn't get enough downtime, but she supposed she never had. Life as an MI6 agent had been tiring and stressful, and her current job as a detective in the Honolulu Police Department had been fast-paced and exhausting as well. Between the long hours, dangerous suspects, and her somewhat annoying coworkers, Juliet had found herself trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of working twelve hours and then crashing out for a few hours before returning to the precinct the next morning to do it all over again.
She really couldn't picture her life any differently, though. Law enforcement had always been her specialty, and as tiring as it was sometimes, she was fantastic at her job. Something about solving investigations and bringing criminals to justice gave her a thrill that she could never find anywhere else. She also immensely enjoyed her ability to help people and found that assisting people in need or bringing them answers to a problem in their lives was a huge part of why she loved her job.
"Alright, Higgins, I'm heading out." sighed her fellow detective and friend Gordon Katsumoto, standing up from his desk across from hers. "Are you almost done with your paperwork from yesterday? You've been staring at that report for the past fifteen minutes."
Juliet let out an exasperated sigh. "A few more sentences should do it, I suppose." Although Juliet loved solving crimes, she detested the ungodly stacks of paperwork that came along with them.
"Have a good night, Gordon, I'll see you tomorrow" she replied with a tired smile.
After Gordon waved to her as he exited the squad room, Juliet sat up straighter and convinced herself that she would be done with this report and out the door in the next ten minutes.
Just as she had finalized her report and was packing her bag to head home, the phone on her desk rang.
"Higgins," she said tiredly, hoping the phonecall would not mean a new case tonight.
Unfortunately, she was wrong.
On the other end of the phone was her Sargeant, Robin Masters, informing her of an art heist in progress that was just thwarted at a penthouse in an upscale highrise building in downtown Honolulu.
"The robbery task force has been trying to nab these thieves for months," Masters explained. "We don't know much about them other than that they go after private collections belonging to wealthy people. It's a relief that we've finally caught them during one of their operations. They were in the process of stealing a few multimillion-dollar pieces from an affluent British businessman named Jack Candler. Do you know him, Higgins?"
Juliet laughed a little at Robin's assumption that she would know Candler simply because they were both British. She had heard of him though, most people on the island had; he possessed investments all over Hawaii and in Europe.
"I've heard his name before," she replied. "If the robbery task has already apprehended the suspects, what more could I do?
"Well, I know thefts aren't your usual cup of tea Juliet, but you do have a knack for getting difficult suspects to give up information. One of the suspects was caught at the scene, but there was another suspect that fled with a few of the paintings before the task force moved in. The suspect we have in custody, a man named Thomas Magnum, is refusing to give up any information about his accomplice and where they and the missing painting might be. I thought that you could maybe head down there on your way home and ask him a couple of questions tonight? Maybe see how cooperative he would be with you. You have a way of getting people to talk."
Higgins sighed once more. So much for that bath and wine, she thought to herself.
"I will stop by the scene on my way home, Sargeant," she replied. "But would you mind if I save the majority of the interrogations for tomorrow? I presume this Mr. Magnum will be spending the night in holding?"
"Sure, Higgins, it is not pressing that we get all of the information tonight. There was no violence involved, and no one is missing. And I know that you have been putting in almost double-overtime lately. I wouldn't bother you at all with this if you weren't my best detective." Masters replied.
"Thank you, sir," she smiled. "I will call you with an update tomorrow after I've had a more in-depth conversation with Magnum."
"Very well, Juliet. Goodnight."
Picking up her purse as she hung up the phone, Juliet wondered what kind of man this Thomas Magnum was and how easy it would be to try and get him to give up his partner.
Well, I guess we'll see, she thought before walking out into the Hawaiian evening.
When Juliet arrived at the scene, it was clear there were already plenty of officers on site. She walked into the lobby of the high-end building and flashed her badge at an officer before being escorted up to the 15th floor where the theft occurred.
Stepping off the elevator, Higgins realized that Mr. Candler must be a very wealthy man indeed. Almost everything she saw looked to be insanely expensive. She saw a woman walking towards her from the far side of the penthouse and shook the hand that she offered.
"Hi, I'm Tani Rey with the Robbery Task Force. You must be Detective Higgins. Sargeant Masters mentioned you would be stopping by. Hopefully, you can make some headway with this guy about who his partner is and where he went because he's not saying a thing. His name is Thomas Magnum. He just keeps complaining that the cuffs are too tight and asking for a poké bowl," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Nice to meet you, Officer Rey," replied Juliet. "Surely this can't be this man's first run-in with the law? Has he been this difficult before?"
"That's the weird thing," said Tani. "My partner looked him up in the database, and he has no record whatsoever; he doesn't have so much as a speeding ticket. That's extremely unusual for someone who has possibly stolen countless expensive artifacts."
Juliet frowned. That was odd. Usually, people involved in a heist like this were career criminals. Maybe this was part of the reason why Masters had insisted she talk with this man.
"I'm just here to try to see if he'll open up tonight," she said. "I'm due for a proper interview with him tomorrow morning."
"Great. Masters said you were the best at getting people to crack," Tani replied. "Follow me."
Juliet followed Tani back through the penthouse to a large room filled with paintings and sculptures. There were countless Crime Scene Unit personnel taking photos in the room and swabbing the spots on the wall where the missing paintings had been. She spotted who she presumed was Thomas Magnum almost instantly. He was in an all-black tactical suit standing next to a table that had what Higgins guessed to be his confiscated tools and gadgets on it. His hands were cuffed behind his back, and another officer was standing with him.
Before Juliet knew it, she and Detective Rey were standing in front of Magnum and the other officer.
"I'm Officer Reigns," said the man, introducing himself. "I'm guessing my partner had filled you in on the situation?"
"Yes, I will take it from here," replied Juliet.
"Be our guest," Reigns replied with a smile before walking away with Tani to go talk with the CSU techs.
Juliet turned her attention to Magnum, who was looking at her with a cocky grin.
"Hi," he smiled. "What's your name?"
He had asked her so casually as if talking to a woman he had just met at a pub or a party that it had taken Juliet aback. Typically, suspects did not speak to her like they were trying to make a friend.
"My name is Detective Higgins. I'm with HPD, and I'm here to ask you a few questions about your operation and your friend who left you here and took off with close to 20 million dollars worth of art."
"Look, it's not that I don't want to talk to you about this, it's just that It's late and I'm a little hungry. Do you think I could have something to eat? Pretty please?" He smirked, meeting her eyes directly.
"I'm afraid that's not how this works, Mr. Magnum," Higgins replied. "If you cooperate and give me some information regarding the identity and location of your partner, then I will talk to the transporting officer about letting you have a bite to eat once you get to holding for the night."
Magnum gave her a big smile. "Thank you, Higgy! You're the nicest cop I've talked to all night. Do you know what they are serving on the menu there tonight?"
Higgins frowned. "What did you just call me?"
"Higgy. It's cute, and it seems like a fitting nickname for you."
"You may address me as Detective or Detective Higgins," Juliet scoffed at him. "I do not tolerate pet names. And being in a holding cell at an HPD precinct is not the same as staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. You will eat whatever they give you. If they give you anything."
"I'm just trying to be friendly," he smiled. "I didn't mean to offend you. And as for the food, I won't be picky tonight since I'm so hungry. What would you like to know again?
Juliet sighed with annoyance. This man was getting on her nerves already.
"Let's start with the name of your partner. The one who fled before HPD arrived."
"His name is Jin. I don't know what his last name is. It was our first time working together." Thomas replied.
Juliet was surprised that he had admitted that so quickly after everyone else had told her, he hadn't been willing to give up his partner.
"Do you have any idea where he could be headed? Or where he would stash the paintings?"
Thomas shook his head. "I don't know where he would go. He told me that we would discuss that after we were done. I don't know too much about the guy," shrugged Thomas.
Juliet jotted down a few more things that he had said as she caught him looking at her from the corner of her eye. For a supposed criminal, his gaze was surprisingly soft and curious, almost like he was studying her.
Just then, an officer came and told Higgins that he was there to take Magnum to holding for the night.
"Can you take me over there?" Magnum asked Juliet. "You asked me so many questions about myself, so it's only fair that I get to know you a little."
He's so infuriating, thought Juliet. He thinks this whole thing is a game.
"No," she replied sternly. "You are not my problem anymore tonight. I will see you tomorrow to conclude your interview and official statement before your arraignment."
"Oh," Thomas replied, looking slightly dejected. "I guess I will see you tomorrow then."
The other officer grabbed one of his cuffed wrists and began to lead him out of the room.
"Goodnight," he said quietly with a sad smile as he was led away.
Juliet was puzzled. The man seemed genuinely sad to leave her, and she felt slightly guilty about being so short with him when he had given her some useful information. Surely he couldn't be that naive to think that he could just become friends with the cops that were arresting him?
This man is a suspect in an art heist; he doesn't deserve your sympathy, she told herself.
She was having a hard time getting a read on Thomas Magnum but decided that she would save figuring him out for the following day. Bidding goodnight to Officer Rey and some of her other HPD acquaintances, Juliet headed home.
Please let me know what you thought and what you would like to see in upcoming chapters!