A/N: I am sorry this came out so late. I have been busy and...well...also lazy. Sorry, but I just didn't want to rush this. I like giving quality. Also, I apologize, but this will be a bit short and slow. Not because I am lazy, but it just fits the episode. Things are getting interesting. And trust me, it only gets worse...or better, depending on your perspective, from here. And this isn't rushed, this episode was meant to be kinda shorter than others. Anyway, enough of this. Let's continue.
Episode 3: Tikki
How? How? How?
Her mind repeated the same question, over and over again, wrapping it around her brain, hoping some lobe will provide her the answer.
But none did.
Marinette sat there, staring at the poem in her hands, eyes wide in surprise. How could they know of the burn mark?
"Uhm excuse me...Inspector Dupain?" An officer descended a few of the steps, leaning downward until his face was visible to her.
His appearance dragged her back into reality. She blinked and looked over, cocking an eyebrow. "Yes, officer?"
"The captain would like you to come up to his office. He wants to know if you have any progress in the case."
"Oh? When?"
"Now, preferably."
She didn't return a quick reply. Instead, she looked down at the poem gripped between her thumb and forefinger.
Would this be progress? She asked herself, It could just be nothing. I can't have him thinking I will take everything as evidence. But this is pretty strange. Couldn't be a coincidence. Someone knows.
"Will he be expecting you soon?"
Her head snapped up, nodding and standing up to grab her coat and hat. "Uh-uhm, yeah. Yeah I'll be up in a minute."
All he gave was a simple dip of his head in acknowledgement before heading back up the stairs.
She gave herself a few moments to collect herself, to keep her wild thoughts and theories down. Then she picked the poem off of the table and made her way upstairs.
Along the way, her mind was running with ways to explain this. Hey sir, I think someone knows more about this case than we do because of this poem I got. Yeah, that sounds pretty bad.
As she reached the top step to the second floor, she tipped her hat down as instinct, to mask her face from the arrogant inspectors that ran this floor, as well as the station. It wasn't something she could stop. She's been so used to doing it now, it's second nature.
"Ah, look boys! It's our lady detective, doing hard work on the case of the century!"
An eruption of laughter followed, with Marinette tipping her hat up to glare at the men, especially Bouchard, before reaching Damocles' door, the threshold of which she stepped past, and closed it in a swift motion.
Damocles glanced up from his papers at the young inspector. "Ah, Inspector Dupain, please sit. I assume you've received my summons?"
She nodded and sat down in front of her boss. "Yes sir, I have. You wanted to know if I have made any progress."
"Hm, yes. Have you?" He asked, resting his elbows on the desk.
She shrugged and held up her hand, the poem between her middle and fore finger. She reached out with it.
Damocles cocked an eyebrow at it. "What is this?"
"Just take it. Read it."
The captain did so, his eyes scanning the contents of the poem, frowning as he reached the end. "What's this about a mark?"
Marinette was quick to reply, "The suspect seems to have a brand mark of a butterfly on his chest. He was scratching it like crazy during my questioning. He has no idea how he got it, yet this person knows about it. Sir, I don't think this case is what we think it is."
He remained silent, glancing at Marinette from time to time as he contemplated. "Let's not jump to conclusions, but this is definitely something to look into. Who gave this to you?"
"One of the officers brought it to me, saying it had my name on it. But no return address, no other name. The envelope is still down in the basement, if you want to have it checked out."
The captain nodded, stroking his beard as he stood up and walked over to his door, opening it to poke his head out. "I need an officer to go down to the basement and retrieve the envelope on Inspector Dupain's desk. Procure it and have it searched for fingerprints."
"Yes sir," she heard a voice reply.
"Good." The captain muttered the simple statement, closing the door and turning to his subordinate, "Anything else you have on the case?"
"Nothing more than his friend, lover, and himself saying that he couldn't have done it."
"Hmm, interesting," he remained silent, then spoke, "I believe you should take the rest of the day off. Get some rest. We can continue tomorrow."
Immediately she frowned. "What? No. I still have so much to do, like see what the officers have found at the apartments, and Kim's autopsy, and the coroner's report, and-"
He held a hand up. "Ms. Dupain, please. All the reports will be on your desk tomorrow, completely untouched. I promise you."
Marinette's eyebrows raised. "Not even Bouchard?"
He smirked. "Not even Bouchard."
The inspector crossed her arms, eyes scanning the room. Damocles kept a well maintained room, with awards and certificates lining the walls, showing his many achievements. His reasons to be in the position he is in now.
A slow, steady breath escaped from between her lips, being dragged out long before closing them and standing up. "Fine. Okay. I'll go. Thank you, sir." She made her way out, not waiting for her boss to respond.
As she opened the door, she could see Bouchard looking over, and readied herself for his next words.
"Goin' somewhere, Miss Inspector?"
She closed the door behind her. "Yeah, home."
"So soon?"
"Captain's orders," she said, making her way to the stairs.
"Oh. Well enjoy the rest of your day. Meanwhile, we are working our asses off."
She stopped just before the first step down, looked over at her fellow inspector, and smiled. "Then how are you sitting?"
The frown of confusion only amused the woman more as she left him, bewildered, his mind still trying to decipher her words.
The sprawling sidewalks of Paris represented the hustle and bustle of this famous city. People off on jobs, taking their kids to or from school, or just going for a walk, the city never stopped moving, especially when the sun was still hanging in the sky.
The light of said sun shined off the Citroen 2CV's decaying paint job, trying its best to make it look beautiful. Yet the old hunk of metal is far from being that.
It squeaked to a halt as Marinette set the gear into park by the sidewalk, releasing a sigh as she lied back in her seat, eyes closed, trying to rest her eyes, if only for a minute that felt like a few seconds.
Her wide blue eyes opened wide to see a cafe across the street, which was actually near her apartment building. A cafe she frequents so much, the people there practically know her on a first name basis. She was a regular there.
She glanced over at the hat in her passenger seat, scrunching her mouth into one corner before shaking her head, opening the door and stepping out into the descending sunlight.
Adjusting her coat, she closed the door and made her way across the street, picking up her walking speed so as to not stop any cars on their way to whatever aspect of their owner's life was important to them at that current moment.
Marinette smiled at one of the servers as she opened the small gate to enter the outside area of the cafe, choosing one of the few tables available, letting her bag strap hang from it. Sitting down, she rested her elbow on the table and used it to support her head, a breath slipping past her lips to join with the atmosphere.
The server she smiled to, a young man, stepped up, nodding to her. "Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng. It is a pleasure to see the lovely lady here again. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
She chuckled. "It has, Roland. My job has recently taken a dive into a much...harsher world. Been busy."
"Ah yes, I have read in the newspaper. That was quite courageous of you. Anyway, enough of that, what would you like to order?"
She flashed a smirk and shrugged. "Just a tea will do for now."
"Of course, Mademoiselle. It shall arrive shortly."
The man walked away, leaving Marinette alone, giving her time to think more on the case. Everyone is saying that Kim didn't do it. He couldn't have possibly done it, according to them. Could that be correct, could Kim have not-
"A tea, huh? I would've thought you were more of a coffee gal."
With narrowed eyes, Marinette looked over her shoulder to see a familiar woman.
"You look annoyed. Or bewildered. Hmm," the woman kept her back to her, which made things strange. But it wasn't like she could see her face, it was hidden by the veil hanging from the wide black brim of her hat.
Marinette's eyes widened.
"Bewildered...definitely," the woman came to her own conclusion.
"You're...that woman from the day before. The one who...you put something in that man's sleeve. A note of some kind."
"Oooh, a sharp eye on this one."
"Why are you here?"
"Good question. I like this cafe."
"That's not the answer I am looking for. This can't be a coincidence."
"What would qualify as a coincidence. I am here, you came here. I say that's a good coincidence."
"But it's not just a 'good coincidence'."
"Well...true."
"So explain yourself, why are you here?"
"Such a demander. You're not in the position to be making such orders."
"And why is that?"
"I've been keeping an eye on you, I am sure you have known already. Recent activities of yours have sparked an interest into a fire."
"What are you talking about? Who are you?"
"Oh, did I forget to introduce myself? My apologies. A conversation can go so many places. Well, I cannot give you my real name. No offense, but I like to keep everything more secretive than you detectives. You may, however, call me Tikki."
"Tikki?"
"Don't think too much on the name. You want to know more about me, yeah?"
"Well...kinda."
"Yes or no?"
"Yes."
"Well, I am glad you asked."
"But I didn-"
"I am a collector of information, or...more of a gatherer of the commodity. Sometimes, I become a whistleblower to those who cannot speak with confidence. And right now...I am your ally."
"Is that right?" She nodded to the server as her tea arrived.
"Yes. You see, I am that 'unknown source' in the papers you always read about. I have many connections, informants and sources, spread throughout our big city of Paris. I know everything that goes on in this place. Me...and my associate."
"Where is this associate of yours?"
"Off on his own," she replied, taking a bite of her cookie, "he is quite a strange one."
"Look at yourself."
"I may be queer, but I am not that strange, my dear Marinette."
"Okay, but...why are you so interested in me? I am just some girl who is on some case."
"Now you and I both know that is not true. You have only just realized that this case is much much more complicated than once thought, is that correct?"
Marinette was silent, looking down at her tea as it went cold. "How...how did you-"
"I told you, Marinette. I have eyes and ears everywhere. Those who are killers are not actually killers."
"Then who was the killer? Who killed Otis?"
"Kim."
Marinette had enough. She stood up from her seat and turned around to face Tikki, her voice rising slightly, "Are you playing with me?"
"Sit down, Marinette."
"Are you?"
"Marinette...sit down. I will explain."
Marinette stayed standing for a few seconds before releasing a heavy sigh and sitting back down. "Then please...explain."
"Kim killed Otis, that is a definite. But...he wasn't responsible. Or...he couldn't be. Some facts just don't add up. You noticed it yourself, yes? The branding, his friends, everything points to him not being the murderer, yet he murdered Otis. And my connections can't get any farther than that, unfortunately. I hope you will be able to find out in time."
"So you got nothing for me?"
"Not at the moment. But you shouldn't rely on me for information. The job of an inspector is to find evidence for themselves. What would they say if you came to them with 'a strange woman gave it to me'?"
Marinette bit her lip. She was right, how could she use the words of a stranger as evidence. That would be dismissed quick, and she'd probably be laughed at.
"But I will say this. I do not know who is responsible for the killings, but I am working my sources to the bone to find out. Anyway, I'd say this first meeting of ours was...quite successful. I hope our next will be just as great. Until then, I bid you adieu. Goodbye, my lovely little inspector."
Marinette's eyes widened, her head twisting around. "Wait-"
The woman was gone. The seat empty, and not a similar figure in sight. Tikki was nowhere to be seen.
The inspector turned back around, her eyes falling down to her cold tea. She reached out and grabbed it, holding it in her hands as she looked ahead, her mind scrambling with ideas and theories.
In one swig, she downed the liquid and put a few francs on the table before standing up, grabbing her bag, and walking away, the last thirty minutes still going in her mind over and over again.
The length driving back home felt longer than ever, since she was only in her brain at this moment. This woman spoke in almost riddles. Like everything was a trick question.
As she parked in front of her apartment building, she pulled the key out, hearing the car silence itself, and leaned back in her seat, staring ahead at the car in front of hers. Multiple times her lips parted and shut, something she does sometimes while in contemplation.
A sudden knock on her passenger door window caused her to jump, head snapping to the source of the sound to see a fuschia haired woman, looking in with a concerned face. "Marinette? You okay?"
The inspector stared at her for a second before nodding quickly. "Uh, yeah, yeah. I am fine," she spoke in a high voice so that Ms. Chamack could hear her.
"I just got back from picking up Manon. Would you like to come up with us?"
Just hearing the girl's name brought a smile to Marinette's face, but it faltered slightly, and she shook her head. "I can't. Not right now. My mind is abuzz and Manon, while I love her to death, won't help."
Ms. Chamack raised her eyebrows. "You sure everything's alright?"
She nodded. "Yeah...yeah. I'll be fine. Thank you, though."
"Anytime, Marinette."
With that, the single mother left the inspector, leading her daughter up to their apartment.
After a few minutes, Marinette collected herself and exited her car, locking it before ascending the steps to the second floor and entering her apartment.
She made her way to the bed, pulling off her jacket and bag to drop them off the floor, kicking off her shoes before finally falling into bed facefirst, the pillow filling her entire vision.
A groan managed to escape through whatever crevice made itself known. Eventually the inspector turned herself over, in order for her blue eyes to stare at the ceiling.
Could she trust this new woman? Tikki? She seemed pretty trustworthy, yet also unwilling to trust the inspector herself. Not just that, but she was also shady. All these "connections" and "sources". This "associate" of hers. It all seemed weird.
But now wasn't the best time to figure all this out. If they meet up again, she ask more questions. Maybe get something out of the strange woman.
Until then, I should just get some goddamn sleep.
And so, she shut her eyes, allowing unconsciousness to take her over into REM.
The Next Morning
"Do I have to go today?"
"Do you want to come with me to work?"
"No…"
"Then yes."
"Aww…" Manon's eyes switched from her mother locking the door to down the hall, where a young woman was making her way over to them. The little girl gasped.
"Marinette!"
"Hey, Manon!" She smiled at the girl. "How was school yesterday?"
"Mmm, boring."
"That's good. That means it's working."
"But I don't like it."
"Hey, I didn't get where I am today without school. It's kinda necessary. Just enjoy your childhood while you still can. That includes school."
"But I don't like i-"
"I have places to go, so if you're gonna stay here and be a broken record player, you can do it to your friends at school."
"Can I come with you to your work? It's probably more interesting than my mom's."
"Yes, while that may be true," she said, glancing and mouthing 'Sorry' at Ms. Chamack, who shook her head and smiled, "It's also filled with dangerous people, bad words, and weapons. Something a child your age shouldn't experience."
"But I can tak-"
"No. No you can't. Now, if you don't mind, I gotta go. Good luck through another grueling day of a safe educational experience."
With that, ignoring Manon's groaning and whining, Marinette went on her way down to her car to get to work.
As she turned the ignition on, the radio crackled to life in the middle of a news story. More specifically, yesterday's murder.
They gave the specifics: the suspect, the victim, the cause of death.
But not the name or gender of the investigator.
And then they continued on with the rest of the news. Apparently some dog is lost.
Marinette grit her teeth and turned the volume down, gripping the wheel harder. She took a deep breath and shook her head.
"You should've known, Mari. Should've known. They always seem to not get the name. I am just...that forgettable."
The turned the volume back up, which played a nice song by Jacqueline Francois. Mademoiselle de Paris. A favorite of her mother's.
As she parked her car, she put it in park. Instead of exiting the car, she lied back in the car seat, closing her eyes and waiting for the song to end. Here, she could wait for a couple of minutes to end. It gave her peace as well as space to just think about things.
"She's the spirit of spring in Paris!" She sung the last line with the artist, her eyes opening to see the outside world, just beyond her windshield.
And so she stepped out of the car, adjusting her hat before locking the car and making her way inside the station.
She only made it a few steps in when Damocles got in her way.
Marinette jumped slightly back, not expecting her captain to meet her right here.
"Good morning, sir," she asked, bewildered.
"My apologies if I frightened you, inspector. But I am afraid to say we have another murder."
She cocked an eyebrow. "So give it to one of the guys. I am already busy."
"Just listen. The suspect has been found near the crime scene, like last time."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
Meanwhile…
A clinking of ice in the small glass of American whiskey was the only sound that made itself known in the single room. A room that showcased the life of the man holding said glass.
The room had several photographs scattered about, of the man and his parents, when he was a child, and now.
The walls held several paintings. Expensive, and elegant. The man had quite an amazing taste in art.
And in the center of one wall, hanging from above his desk, was a medal. But not just any medal. A medal hung from a wide black silk moire ribbon and red stripes of various widths running down it. The medal itself was circular, struck from bronze. In the center contained the Cross of Lorraine, and underneath it a date in roman numerals.
.MCMXL.
18.06.1940
This was the French Resistance Medal, given for being active in France as a part of the rebellion during the Nazi invasion of Paris.
The only award this man received for sacrificing his life, young at the time, so that Paris would be free once again.
He lifted the glass to his lips, taking a sip of the liquid and sighing as he gulped it down. Whatever this man was thinking, it wasn't happy thoughts.
And things were only about to get worse for him.
The door creaking open caught the attention of the man, but he didn't bother looking. Instead, he kept his sights on the city of Paris.
In the door threshold stood an older woman, black hair tied into a bun, with her tired blue eyes staring at the former resistance fighter.
With a heavy sigh, and a readjustment of her glasses, she delivered the news.
"Monsieur Agreste, an issue has come up."
The man turned his head to look at her, his paris green eyes sparkling in the sun, filled with worry over whatever she is talking about.
"Shall I get my coat?"
Some of you had been asking about Adrien, and I wasn't putting him in here to appease anyone. This was when I planned to add him. Anyway, sorry for the long wait, and for the slow chapter. Next chapter, we'll have some shit happening, I promise.
Also, remember to comments. I appreciate them so much, and I love reading your guys' thoughts on it. Hopefully I can get the next episode out sooner than before. Thank you!