chapter word count: 830 (bad! naughty Furiyan!)

noir heart: one hundred and eleven

"So Jack," Elsa says, frowning thoughtfully as she assimilates the information. "because he thought the Fairy was a police officer but didn't know whom, instantly distrusted the entire unit?"

She takes a sip just as Nicholas slowly nods; all these questions, all these revelations are murder on the mouth. "Da. All except Aster. To Jack, that grumpy man was beyond reproach. It did not help that Fairy then sent taunting letters to Jack, often to his home, and in those letters refer to him as Jack the Ripper."

Elsa cocks her head. "How did he solve the case?"

Nicholas opens his mouth, but visibly checks himself. Looking down, he snorts with what Elsa can only presume is guilt. "I am embarrassed to say, but I made joke. You see, Jack firmly believed that the Fairy's desire to make parents suffer was core to profile, but in his clouded state he could not clearly see. So I make joke, and say, 'this Fairy, he must really hate his parents'."

"What happened then?" she asks with deep interest. Hoping that what he has to say next, blows the story wide open.

Nicholas leans back into the sofa, resting his left arm on the armrest and right arm across the back. "He looked at me like I just blew his mind, then he looked out of my window into unit office. He muttered 'you son of a bitch', and ran out like bat out of hell." The tankard in his left hand completes a small circle as he gestures for emphasis. "Twenty minutes later, he was led to interview room in handcuffs by Detective Bunnymund, and questioned by Internal Affairs an hour after that."

"What did he say?"

"He said that realised that Fairy would not settle for knowledge that parents were suffering, he wanted to see it. To feel it. Absorb it like air and feed on it. So he would need to be there whenever parents come in for update, or to vent their grief. I don't know if you are aware, but many killers like to be close to investigation, so they can steer it away from them, or just because they are curious. There was only one person we knew of who was always present, who hated his parents for being distant, loveless, cold people." Nicholas exhales a long breath through his nose, and looks down at Elsa's feet. Regret and melancholy etch his worn face, whereas Elsa's expression is one of dawning revelation, and a smidgen of 'saw that coming'.

"Arnulf Southernisle."

Nicholas nods slowly, yet his eyes remain at her feet. "Da," he says softly. "Jack saw him through my window, and chased him up to roof. Next thing we knew, Arnulf was dead on sidewalk. Some say he was pushed, others say he fell. Only Jack truly knows what happened, and it is because of that they cannot disprove his story that he tried to save him."

Elsa cocks her head and looks at him out of the corner of her left eye. "How do you know for sure that Arnulf was the White Fairy?"

This time, his eyes meet hers, and there is a glimmer of conviction that has, up until this point, been absent. "There has not been another kidnapping in months. Elsa, mission-oriented criminals do not stop until they are either dead or until they have completed their mission. Even sadists such as Arnulf. The profile fit him perfectly, and the very fact that no more families have received a toy fairy is testament to how Jack was right. Arnulf was dangerous, ruthless, unfeeling serial child-killer. No matter what unit thinks."

Elsa takes a sip, and immediately after swallowing, asks, "How do you mean?"

Nicholas shrugs like it's obvious, but it's a weary gesture. Time, the world, what he's seen, it's clear to Elsa that it's all too much for the old man. "Arnulf was well-loved. He was like father or big brother to most of the detectives Jack works with. In their eyes, Jack is not only a cop-killer, but someone who took away their role model - however, I.A. cannot prove beyond reasonable doubt Jack murdered him. That, plus his exemplary service and Captain Moors' influential recommendation, means he keeps his job - even if he is pariah in unit."

"Will he ever be able to prove it?"

"Who knows. There was no evidence linking Arnulf to Fairy kidnappings, nor has he ever been able to find bodies. One thing is for sure, Elsa - sooner or later, the truth will come out. Whether Jack is vindicated or guilty, that remains to be seen." Nicholas leans forward, resting his elbos on his knees, and fixes her with a studious, watchful eye. "The dead always speak to us."

Elsa, mid-sip, cocks an eyebrow. That's either a profound and slightly overdramatic metaphysical observation, or a dig at her expense.

it's peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time! my head hurts... oninoko: it's technically a cold case. Elsa's parents are six feet under.

special thanks to: doomstone, last future of embryo, jpbake, oninoko, hugs and puppies all around, chiqanti ceres, stefalove, lunasnoir, ivy, and guest x 3 for the reviews!