Author's note - This took far too long to write. But I'm happy with it. And I hope you are too. Thank you to whoever voted, it helps me a ton. Polls are still open, and will be for quite a while. As always, fav if you'd like, review if you see anything wrong, love it, or even have a theory as to who the killer is. I've not yet written a POV, or even mentioned all the characters yet, but unless otherwise stated, presume all police officers/detectives are the Shepherds immediately after Chapter 13. But no Donny. -1%
Cordelia impatiently waited for her daytime replacement to, well, replace her. It was difficult work, running the front desk of the police office at night. It seemed to her that the most fucked up shit happened on her shift. Which was fine by her. She wouldn't have it any other way. After all, no one else was as equipped to handle the duties of her job. Except possibly Frederick. But, as she would later find out, he was dead. Cordelia looked at her watch. Robin was fifteen minutes late. She sighed. Frederick would be tanning Robin's hide for this, and she couldn't help but feel somewhat responsible. As Robin walked in, Cordelia resolved to scold her rather gently on the matter. She couldn't allow her friend and coworker to get in trouble again.
Robin rushed into the office, clumsily, per the norm.
"Robin" Cordelia greeted her. "You're late."
"H-hey Cordelia. Yeah, I know. Traffic, you know? Besides, I've got to coordinate all the officers and detectives and-"
Cordelia raised her hands d, cutting off Robin. "Please. Don't pull that shit with me, Robin. Do you forget who your talking to? I have the same job as you."
Robin smiled, somewhat pathetically. "Right... Sorry, Cordelia. It's just so much more... Challenging to imagine having Frederick's job."
"Oh, I've got you, Robin. Believe me, I'd do just about anything for his job. Anyways, I should be going home. It's getting early, or rather late, and I'd prefer to be well rested for my next shift. Sure, it won't be for two days, but still. I need to be prepared."
"Of course. Good night, Cordelia. Or, morning, rather."
Cordelia left the office, walking calmly to her car, and driving home.
Robin sighed, mentally getting ready for the day ahead. She went to the desk she shared with Cordelia, and the other Robin, who completed their trio of secretaries. This wasn't why Robin joined the police. Looking at the desk, she noticed it was in perfect condition, all papers organized perfectly. She said a silent prayer that Cordelia had worked before her, and not the other Robin, and sat down, watching all of the officers flood in and out of the building.
Lucina brushed her hair for what must have been the hundredth time that morning. She had been a detective for quite sometime now, and it always excited her, even after all of this time. She looked at the clock, and realized she needed to leave immediately if she wanted to make it on time. She rushed out the door to her car, and almost sped to the office. But not quite. God forbid she ever break the law.
She was the first of the detectives to arrive that morning. She internally groaned when she saw the female Robin at the desk. Robin always angered her, partially due to her clumsiness, and partly because she wasn't the other Robin. Still, Lucina put on her fake smile, and greeted the air headed glorified secretary.
"Robin. Good morning."
"Oh, Lucina! Glad to see you! Dunno why, but I feel something big coming up."
"Really?" Lucina inquired sarcastically.
"Of course! How long has it been since we've had some real work?" Robin obviously didn't catch her sass.
"I suppose it has been a while. Still. I doubt I'll ever forget what Gangrel did."
Both women shuttered at the memory of the murderer, who was now on trial, and most likely faced life in prison.
"I should get to work Robin. I think I'm this close to solving those vandalism cases."
"Of course." Robin said absentmindedly.
Lucina went to her work, glad to be away from Robin.
Kellam sighed as he paid for the stereo typically cliche doughnuts. Frederick made it his responsibility to buy them everyday. At least, that's how it seemed to Kellam. Thanks to his lack of prescience, no one had to worry about being seen buying doughnuts, although Kellam thought it was a bit hypocritical that everyone still ate some. No matter. It sure as hell beat some of the other jobs he'd done in the past. Finally, the doughnuts were ready.
"That'll be $72.63, mistah."
"Donny. I've been coming here for years. Please, tell me you know my name." Kellam begged as he paid for the multitude of confections.
"H-have you? Begin' yer pardon, but I ain't never seen ya 'fore now."
"That's alright..." Kellam sighed. "You aren't the only one." He took the boxes of doughnuts to his car, and drove to the police office. As usual, Robin didn't see him come in, and no one held the door for him. He sighed. It looked to be a long day.
Thanks partly to Robin's clumsiness, no one noticed Frederick's absence until mid day.
"Hey. Where the captain?" Sumia piped up. "I've not seen hide not tail of him all day."
"Huh. Neither have I." Lucina said. "I suppose I should report this to Robin." She looked unprepared to talk to her. Sumia took pity on her, and went to tell him herself. Lucina's face instantly brightened.
"Robin. Where's Frederick?"
"Hm? Oh, in his office, I think. Why?"
"He's... He's not here Robin. I get the feeling something is dreadfully wrong."
"Oh. I suppose he isn't then, is he? I'm going to call him. It IS unlike him to be late. Especially without calling."
Robin picked up a phone, and dialed Frederick's number. No answer. She became slightly nervous.
"No answer." She told Sumia. "I think... I'm going to send Stahl and Sully over there, just to make sure everything's all good."
"Okay. Thank you, Robin." Sumia stumbled on her way back to her desk.
Stahl stood over Frederick's bed, dumbfounded by the scene before him. A man he had known for years, who had practically given him this job, had been murdered. And he had been powerless to stop it. It had taken him and Sully what seemed like forever to call Sumia back, but they had. And now the place was crawling with detectives. Only 2 questions were on everyone's mind. Who did this, and who would take his place? Stahl had no idea who could have killed such a fit man, but he was fairly sure Chrom was next in line. Were Chrom anyone else, that would have instantly made him a suspect, but Chrom was, well, Chrom. Stahl doubted he had the capability of such horrors. Stahl looked at the envelope on the desk as it was bagged. Perhaps it would somehow explain this. However, Stahl doubted anything could explain it. The word, or name, Grima would haunt him for the rest of his life, he knew that already. He only hoped he would be the one to catch the son of a bitch.
Cordelia had locked the door behind her when she went into her apartment. It made it difficult for Grima to open without breaking the door. But not that difficult. They picked the lock with relative ease, and silently stalked into Cordelia's bedroom. They found her asleep, snoring silently. From behind their mask, Grima grinned. It seemed to be quite some time before they were caught. They drew their knife, and, this time slashed it across Cordelia's throat. Her eyes bulged open, and Grima watched as the life faded from them. That only intensified their grin. Grima dipped their gloved hands in the blood, and wrote 'Grima' on the wall, much like they had with Frederick. This time, they didn't leave an envelope. There was no need to. They had made their statement in the first one. Which, Grima had to imagine, was being discovered right about now. It the insanity following Frederick's murder, they had easily slipped out of the police department, and they had already known Cordelia would be next. They knew who was next, too. Grima looked at the time. Shit. It had been hours, again. They silently cursed themselves. They would have to get this under control, especially as the non-Grima police officers became more... Enlightened. But, for this time, it was fine. Grima left Cordelia's apartment, leaving no traceable evidence behind.
