Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = [...]
ºº
They didn't have biscuits…
Not even a small, petty, sorry excuse of a half baked thing….and the tea? Urgh, that thing was bad news too from the start. Bitterly cheap and basically just overheated leaf juice into a plastic bottle that had been then thrown down a pot to make it look more regal. The mere memory of it had made her quiver in both fright and perplexity of how a human being had been able to concoct such abomination and call it a "good" for consumption...
It wasn't just that it was bad. It was also sooooooooooo disappointing that she had cried, raged and laughed before falling silent like the grave with no one to actually notice in a matter of seconds. Even the way her nostrils flared with exasperation and grimacing distaste at that poisonous concoction...
Of course they were not British! They were just a bunch of Americans whose boss had a flair for the crown islands cuisine and had the asinine thought that it would be a good idea to add it to his employees working experience as if it was some kind of bonus or something.
Cute, but so misleading. So, soooo misleading….and blatantly pointless as-well. She really would need to have a word or two about whose idea was to show this….this mutilation the British cuisine had suffered under their brutish, crude and poor attempts to brew tea!
It wasnt like she was a fair believer of the lands of the crown and its blizzy, muddy fogs with their toads…, it was just a natural response from what she had been taught in her early days of service. Oh, her dear Rhubarb would have shed a tear or two if he had been here to see that "thing", fortunate was it that had not been the case.
And she would prefer to keep it that way.
Still, she would have at least wished for the rest to have shed at least a quarter of her "surprise" about it...instead of those empty stares of confusion. Come on! It wasn't that hard to see! Or do they need her to point each and everything wrong with it with neon banners?
Well, perhaps she was been a bit over-dramatic there, but a few exaggerations never hurt anyone and they served to make the point. After all, for everyone else but her…., it was just tea.
It was fine, really, it was…. She had doubted from the start that they would understand the severity of it. Simple minds had simple tastes..
Anywayyyyyyyyy….it was about time she pulled her head out of the basket, real or not and focused on the matter at hand...like her job or something. Beasides, a "good girl" did not carelessly leave her things to play and enjoy with to litter the floor like common trash. Things that had taken the shape of the people that were waiting patiently for her to grace their fleshy vessels with the honor of her gaze.
One...
Three….
Five pairs of eyes that gazed at her direction, some sweating, their skin pale and clearly uncomfortable with been in the small, empty room without walls and with only a single door that was closed hermetically behind them.
Others hid better their unease or discomfort, grimacing or snarling in silence at one another when they grew to close or mumbled curses that they thought were not heard by anyone else but them.
She really had quite the number of suspects to deal with this time, did she not? Four construction workers that cocked their heads like a pack of headless chicken. The aged but not seasoned Thomas with his harsh and twitching fingers who had yet to arrive...and last but not least the "bloodied" woman: Ms Chen who was all smiles like nothing wrong was going on.
There was no actual need to have them all hole up here, nor to question them at the same time in the presence of others. She just wanted to study all of their reactions at the same time and be done with this as quickly as possible.
And the funny thing…. was that they hid more than the blatant open truth that all of them wanted out. Speaking of which…, here it came one. Construction worker number 1º at that.
``Mam..? When are you start questioning us? I know that we were on a break..but we a schedule to uphold..´´
She waved a hand dismissively at the man. ``Patience Raul, patience….detective work is like cooking, you can not haste the results unless you want to taste something raw or foul..´´
``My name is Carl´´
``Yes, that is what I said, Sebastian..´´
``Erh.., but I said..´´
``Ah, please don't be down Tobias, we are just waiting for one person´´
She replied back with a broad, knowing smile as she placed a hand over her hip and leaned her head a little forward, making the man look away in fluster when he realized where he was looking at. With a small chuckle she then looked at her wristwatch, watching the hands of the clock move ever so slightly.
Tick
Tack
Tick
Tack
Tick
Tack
Closer..
Closer…
``What are you doing mam?´´
``Work…´´
``Eh, right...I mean what are you looking at?´´
``My watch….´´
``...´´
``...´´
`` May I ask-´´
``Why?´´
``Y-yes...?´´
``Because I want to..´´
The young man could not help but stare back at her in bafflement, like a deer caught between the headlights of an approaching car. She should not, but she found it a bit funny.
It was far better than the annoyed, teeth clenched grimace the oldest of the four workers bore as he approached her almost in one jump. His face lined, sweat sliding down his tanned, almost leathery skin, soft brown eyes narrowed to half lids before they pointed a calloused, accusatory finger at her.
``Ragazza! Dont tease the boyo and tell us what are you waiting for..! Time is money and we are wasting a lot of it..!´´
`` I will do you one better. Do you know what is the most important thing about a job?´´
``The pay?´´
Someone said, seemingly earning a bitter chuckle from the rest of the workers and a confused tilt from Ms Chen head.
Jessica shook her head, brushing a stray lock of golden hair behind her ears. ``Timing sirs…, timing is all that matters. Without it...everything would be chaos and nothing would get done..´´
``Cazzo! You are confusing Dio here…´´
She stared at the Italian with a plain look. ``I thought I was Ragazza here..´´
``You know what I mean..´´
``Do I? I dont think you were pretty straightforward..´´
``Merda...´´
``Language sir…´´
The man shook his head, placing his grime covered hands over his hips before he started to laugh, a toothy grin warping around his features, showing a golden tooth in the process.
``Ha! Dio is not a child anymore...why should I mince my words when in the presence of men? A man should make the point clear if they want to be heard and understood.. ´´
``I would normally have said that you are full of yourself, sir…. but I have the feeling that to be more accurate the term would be full of "Bolagnaise.."
``Ha! Nice one Ragazza...but I am a few kilos too thin for that one to stick..´´
That made her smirk, a hollow thing though. ``I like it when they have some spirit, and yes...the joke would not fit the criteria this time. However I am the one that owns your ass for the foreseeable future, so I would suggest to play ball...unless you want to be sent to the corner with the rest of the children.´´
Those words seemed to strike a cord in those around her, emotions flaring behind their eyes, their bodies shifting as they started to voice out their thoughts all at once.
She was not bothered by it, in fact..she had been looking for it.
``Are we detained..?´´
``But we didn't do it..!´´
``This is unfair...´´
``Can we not talk this out..? Surely no one here is a killer..´´
One by one or all at a time, they spoke and mumbled their thoughts into the open, trying to make themselves heard above the rest in this growing racket. Truth be told, she was not interested in what they said.
She was in how they said it….
``Tsk, I suppose Dio can held his thoughts back for the moment..´´
``Nice, anyway…, if my predictions are not wrong I think he will be here in three, two, on-´´
``Hey! HEY...! Don't push, you idiots! Don't you know that who I am? Oi!? OIIII….!?This is police brutality..! Do you hear me..!?´´
The raging voice that could only belong to Thomas made its way into the sealed room where everyone else was waiting, drawing their attention like moths to aflame before even the sight of two officers that entered through the door could grace their eyes.
Each one of them holding the gray suited man by the shoulders. Clearly not giving the man the answers or attention he sought from them before shoving him inside, closing the door behind the annoyed man before he tried to worm is way out.
Oh, it was good to have Red at his beck and call now. She already had her hands on his balls before, but he had mellow down so much to the point that he allowed her free use of his men that it was funny.
True..she had to give him that notebook where she had written all the clues, but it was better that than have to tell him each and every thing part for part. A quid pro quo if you could say.
``Tsk, look how they ruined my jacket. Those empty headed buffoons should at least not be so grabby if they wanted something of me..´´
``Well, sue them if you want, I don't care. Its not going to matter soon enough´´
``Who, what are you talking ab-Ah! Its you….´´
Started to say the man, startled by the intrusion of her voice in whatever thoughts he may had been holding in his head, but when he tilted his head in her direction, his expression changed from curious...to mildly aggravated.
That rose one of her golden eyebrows with amusement. Well look at that….she had a fan.
``Wise observations skills, also..,you is a pronoun and not my name.´´
``Tsk, don't get smart with me lady, but fuck those guys..I will probably sue them for this. This was a good suit, you hear me? All nice and good...´´
``I said I don't care. Now that we are all here, I would like for you to do one thing for me Thomas. A tiny, bitty, little thing if you could say….´´
``And what would that be? ´´
``To shut up...´´
The tone of her voice had dropped several volumes, yet not a soul was kept away from harms way from the thin, raspy ice that came out as a result, screeching their ears and making them flinch one step back at the soullessness of her eyes.
Where there had been life, mischief and sparkling joy in those seductive blue ponds of clear crystalline ocean water once held, had now disappeared. Leaving behind a terrifying husk that owned neither of their glamour or glow from before, but something far darker...as the mood of the room dropped like rock.
She took a step forward, and then another…
The sound of her footsteps echoing impossibly loud now between their ears as the pounding of their throbbing heartbeats channeled a healthy amount of adrenaline through their bodies. Making them flinch and take a step back as they were no longer faced with a beaming sun, but something that had clawed its way out through such guise...
Like a witch that had decided to drop its spell and reveal her fangs to those foolish enough.
However, it was not a mindless act done for her own amusement..., for just as much as they were staring at her, she was staring at them. Not sorely at their eyes, but their bodies, their movements, their souls…
Seeing the conflict brew inside them.
The way their bodies and minds entered in conflict when present with flight and fight responses…
And there was someone who had not reacted the same as the rest. And it was not the one she had expected it would. How funny was that...?
Satisfied, she dropped the act all together like one would brush away the dust from their sleeves, yet with far more grace. Stopping from taking her final step and remaining in place where her feet had led her, at the center of the room...
Her lips curled upwards with a timid, yet wining smirk. Eyes glinting with mischief and that petulant look of someone who caught someone with their hands down the hole, the very air around her becoming warmer and less murky.
The change of her features happened so fast that not even her would have been able to notice each one of them had it not been the process engraved into her brains the same way someone would theorize a computer would work and react through a download.
And with the sonorous sound of a clap that broke the metaphorical ice of the room, Jessica took a step back, turning on her heels as she started to walk to the opposite end of the room, her golden mane swaying behind her.
``Wonderful. Now, with that out of the way...I am going to start your questioning..´´
It took a few more seconds before those around her regained both the will or strength to acknowledge the words that had been spoken.
``What? / Why? / Come on again..?´´
``Again?´´
``Urgh. I could be doing a lot more things than being secluded h-´´
Jessica rose a hand, and though she was not looking at them she was sure that their eyes were following her every move.
``Now, now….I know things are never pretty when you have to be put through a questioning, but nagging about it would not change it much. You would only waste breath and everyone's time..´´
``Easy for you to say that when you are not the one forced to be here until the boys in blue say otherwise..´´
``Yeah, what that man said. Besides, why I am even here? Should I not be considered innocent since I was with you when he was found? Why would I kill my own friend...?´´
``I was just living right next to the man, I didn't know him and its clear that I have no real reason to kill him. But those workers were wandering on and about everywhere...surely it could be them´´
`` What? What did you say you cagna! I am going to beat tua faccia to pieces! You don't speak of Gio and his boys like that..!´´
``All the manners of a violent man...´´
After that things started to go south, the office workers started to nag louder and louder, Ms Chen started to spat snide remarks in between their barking, while also throwing a few disdained looks at their most recent addition, Thomas cursed under his breath as he went back to slam his hand onto the now closed door, calling for anyone out there who was not deaf to open the damn door unless they wanted to be sue..
This was not longer a discussion…, but the restless cackle of chicken going out control now that there was no rooster to put some sense to this..
…
…
Yes…, that was exactly right.
They really were acting like animals, they were animals. Dumb, foolish, ugly things...with none of their grace and all of their repugnance, balling and whining. Their mere presence was a source of aggravation.
Jessica however did not speak, she did not even shared a word to either calm or berate them. She however chose to close her eyes to it. Pushing away the sound, the noise, the voices…
As the hell that had been unleashed became nothing but a wayward memory in her head, her features grew the more serene if not down right lacking of any emotion for those who could have been watching. However, she was anything but..
But that was the gist of her existence...and the meaning of it.
Looking over her shoulder she saw that the scene was not going to end up any time soon.
She understood why
She knew the reasons..
She even comprehended and empathized to a level with their reaction. No one liked to be drag around from what they were doing before by a stranger and force to endure questioning after questioning.
For them this sucked. And to be honest, it did….it did suck to be them. They had the right to be annoyed for been bothered with so many things at once.
They had none to waste her time with their pettiness.
Which was why an empty glass bottle found her way into her hand.
``Are you listening us mam? We have already spoken to the authorities..can we not just leave? I done know what else we could say to you that they don't know..´´
She of course was not paying attention, focused more on the way the glass tried to reflect her image onto its curve form. Glaring at the way whatever leftovers of liquid tried to slip out from the thin walls of its worn down container.
``Ah, such a waste...´´
Quicker than it took for a man to blink she turned around, her arm pulled backwards before it threw the damn thing towards the only door in the room. The sound of shattered glass and spilled out water killed the noise faster than a man would switch off the lights in a room.
Some screamed, other jumped at the sudden sound...but all looked at her.
They were wondering if she was insane..
That she had lost her damn mind and that was too much..
That who do she thought she was…
But to be honest, it did not matte much what they thought or believed….not in this world or the next. Animals had no voice or power…
And it was about time they were taught that.
``When I speak, I would like for people to listen...´´
She said, her free hand balled into a fist. The sound of shards been flattened under her boots cracked the silence like small like whips in the air.
``You ignored my words…, you ignored MY warning as if it was nothing.´´
``…´´
``That wasn't nice, not nice at all...´´
No one spoke a word, no one wanted to. Clearly waiting for a brave hero to take the bullet for them from the lion they had been caged in. A beast who seemed to have realized that its prey could do nothing but go in prayer to be eaten last.
She hated cowards..
She hated the fear they bore in their craven hearts…., but like all things, this too had a reason to be.
She held a hand in self placation, shaking her head and chuckling a little bit to herself, yet loud enough for them to hear her. The glare in her eyes softening on its own as she went to sit where she had been waiting a while ago.
``My, my the look in your eyes really was something that I wish I had a camera on me. Oh, gods...it really was a good one, I bet that one of you did shit yourselves..´´
No one answered, their eyes blinking in silence the same way they would as if she had grown a second head, or several…
``Oh? I did not know I was right, it should be time to celebrate, but no, gross…. I did not thought I was with a bunch of pre-schoolers. Alright, since I am the only adult in site, I may as-well get this over with already. Drop your pants, Mama J is gonna clean your bottoms..´´
Her mannerism were exaggerated, yet not bombastic...
Her words loud yet not harsh.
The tone of her voice snapping, yet mirthful to anyone who had not been faced with that dreadful sensation of terror a few moments earlier.
As if to make matters worse she picked a pack of toilet paper that seemed to have languish for no reason apparent in this room for all this time only for to be used for this moment, and this moment alone.
That at least brought a reaction as everyone
``W-what...!?/ No...!/ Why would we/ OI! Stop joking around, I mean...if its you who do-/ Did you hit your head bro? This is seriously fuck up..!´´
``Oh, is that a no I heard from the voice of democracy..?´´
``I-We mean yes..´´
``Yes to what..? To clean or not to clean? Truly, having allowed decisions to fall in a popularity contest really mud's the entire process...is all so confusing…´´
``Please mam, stop joking around…´´
``Ah, so it was that kind of no….uf, how lucky I am. I literally dodged a bullet..´´
``That would be what we should be saying to you….!´´
Everyone shouted at once, their eyes comically growing in size as their tongues became large and grotesque as they could no longer hold down their exasperation.
She did not mind…, in fact, she smiled to herself. Shaking her head and patting herself in the back for another good job.
``Now, now...no need to get so worked up. Remember that it was you who started messing around with the bull and got the horns. Don't forget that..´´
They said nothing, almost grumbling their content through grimacing looks that were mixing with those features that could only have been coming from either shame or embarrassment.
The edges of her lips grew a little more tense, golden brows barely shifting downwards.
``Aint. I. Right...?´´
Everyone started to nod with more effort than before.
``Well, I am glad we have broken the ice just where I liked, but we have to get going...´´
``W-what?´´
``And since I am NOT going to continue speaking through that line of thought, why don't we start by: Carl, what you and the rest of your group were doing two days ago..?´´
``Working mam, we were hired..´´
[You dont say, and here I thought you were merely walking in and about like a certain trickster said before...]
``Only you three? Pardon my wording sir, but….that would be quite a titanic endeavor to work with only you lot all this building. Though...I have to say, if true I would be rather curious of you have managed this far..´´
``Eh..ah, thanks? But no, my team consist of twenty four people.´´
``Oh? My….I did not know, are they here on spirit?´´
`` ! We were called here since we were the one who were on the premises. And ots ok, it usually happens…´´
``Of that there is no doubt, still..where are they? I can not help but notice the lack of people in this room if that is the case. Though it would be quite crowded. Are they hiding under the carpet? Behind the curtains..?´´
``Dont worry mam, we are divided in two teams, one working a week each´´
``Two? Why two..? What of the rest? Where are the rest...?´´
The questions started to pile up one after the other.
``Ah, well...if I can say it I would say that its because the folks I got to work with this time dont like each other that much and this way they work more efficient...´´
That had not exactly answered her question..
``Boss, that's rude...´´
``But true...´´
``Ignoring the commentary and the amusement it brings to my heart, continue on good sir.´´
She said, gesturing at the man with an easy going wave of her hand.
``Two, well, you see..its for practical reasons:. three to operate the machines outside the bring the heavy loads to the rooftop or out of the ground. Three to transport the materials with our trucks, three cleaners and architect helpers and the three of us who make sure to work inside both the rooms and ceilings in the apartments..´´
``I see a lot of threes there. It is always so strict like that...?´´
``No, but... I like to keep it that way...
She looked at the man the same way a dog would glare the old dusty land-mower of its owner taking a last dip into the closest ditch. Disappointed and bored...
``That is soooooo…...stupid. I mean, I am pretty sure that any working company allows you to have a crew of at least much, MUCH more people. To have three people working in a hall, let a lone an entire corridor with rooms...it would take forever.., you would be trashed with no time for rest or shit..
``Its not that bad..´´
Alright, this was getting ridiculous…
``Not that bad? Now that is a good one! How that would even work? Unless you are paid by the hour instead of having an actual deadline then I would understand...´´
``Oi! The boss tries his best´´
``Thanks boyo…, at least someone that gets it..´´
``Perhaps he is, but you cant deny you have to do a ton of shit that otherwise you would NOT be doing if you were an actual crew instead of a three man army..´´
``W-well….yeah, t-thats true and all...´´
``Idiot! In which side are you now!?
``Yours boss, its...just that she is right, no?´´
``Shut it! We will have a chat about this next time. And you! S-say whatever you want lady, but we are not here telling you how to do your job´´
She shrugged. ``Fair enough, your grievances are dully noted…´´
``Good..´´
``And ignored..´´
``What..!?´´
She did not pay much attention at the frustrated look the man sent her way.
``Still, now I know that only you three were here, and the by that I mean the only ones with a reason to mingle around..´´
``I….. merda! Chica, is this really necessary? Neither I or my boys did it..! Cant you let us go..? I can vouch for them, they are good people...´´
`` Where you working on the fifth level by then? Were any of the other group working there..?´´
``I want my lawyer before I answer any more questions..´´
``You do that, but unless you want this chica to get you in deeper shit that you may want to be I suggest you keep quiet, is not like I am pulling the hairs from your nose with wax. Mam up…., from the accent I take that you have some Italian roots..?´´
``You chica has a pair of balls to speak to me like this…., and yes I do. Proud of it! ´´
If that was meant to make her think twice from continuing this path….then it was not working as she crossed her arms, pushing them against her ample chest.
``Merda en vinagre, fine! I will talk.´´
``Boss...did yo-´´
``Take of those silly ideas of your head, boy. Is nothing like that...!´´
The older man snapped in anger, though it was a brief affair given that he switched his attention onto her once more shortly after
`` To your information...no, not at all.. we had started from the lower levels, wanting to remake the partial structure of the building. It would be during this week that we would start working on the last floor of the building´´
``Oh, is that so?´´
``Yes, it is…´´
``Really really so..?´´
``Yes...!´´
``My, my….so if that is the case, then there is something weird to it don't you think, Ms Chen...´´
``W-what? Me..?´´
``Care to explain how did you know they were on and about...? Nothing too serious dear, just for the record... ´´
A brief stream of panic coursed through the woman's eyes when she noticed that she had become now the center of attention.
Chewing her lip and with a nervous laughter Ms Chen answered, yet it was not the words that she was about to exchange that interested her.
But rather her eyes...
``Ah-ah...well, they are working on the building and I notice them many times through the days..its only obvious that they are the ones that could have done it. They do have a copy of the keys and could enter all of them at their wish..´´
[Oh, is that so...?]
``But I heard from Red that you did not saw a single worker while you were in your apartment when the time of the murder took place, how could they have if you were right next to it? Did they pop out in a puff of smoke?
``Ah, no they-…´´
``And now that I think about it, which I am pretty sure you have already answered this...but given that you live right next to the victim…..and you barely left your apartment, would you not have heard anything..?´´
``Ah, well….perhaps? It was two days ago and some details could be blurred with all the things going on.., but I know that I was dining and later on partying with my partners at work for quite a while..
``How much is quite a while?´´
``Until the sun rose and it was 1pm….´´
Her eyes sharpens, her lips tingle into a thin line, fingers softly clenching.
``That's indeed quite a lot…., are you sure?´´
``Absolutely, at 1 pm we decided to quit it and go back...´´
``I see...´´
``However, before leaving my apartment I do believe that there was a sound of machinery somewhere in the building..´´
``From what you said before I would have thought that you would be more sure of yourself´´ She said, earning a small chuckle from the woman who could only held her left arm tightly, rubbing it back and forth.
``Well, sometimes one has those days that they have difficulty recalling simple things´´
``All too tru-´´ She started to say, only to stop mid sentence as she noticed that there was something that caught her attention right away. Between the back and forth rubbing, where the cloth of the woman's jumper folded and lengthened with her touch..she took notice of a small ribbon wrapped around the wrist that had been hidden until then.
Red….and with a small scent of their own to it.
``Mam..?´´
`` What happened to your wris-´´
However before she could finish that sentence the loud voice of the Italian chief rang in her ears as he became the primal point of her attention.
``Bullshit! Bullshit! Buuuuuuullshit! The machines are out of use during night time! The tenants would eat us alive if we were to fuck their sleep with all the noise they make..!´´
``But I heard them, are you calling me a liar..?´´
The effect was immediate when the face of the man turned sour with red, veins popping out on his forehead as he took a step forward, a fist clenched as tightly as his jaws.
``Why you lit-!´´
A stretched arm stood between the two.
``Perhaps you heard something else…, after all...there were a lot of fireworks going up and down in the night that day, were they not?´´
``I...yes, that's...a usual occurrence here in America..´´
``Oh yeah, quite the usual occurrence. Like when they celebrate the gun day, and the free kill day, the don't rob my car day….and most surreal and fictitious days from other naming conventions...´´
A fluster rose through Ms Chens cheeks, one that served well to hide the twich that was growing in her left eye.
``Ah, well..if that's the case then-´´
``Anyway….., that's good enough from you´´
Like the time before, Jessica cut her off before she could finish, uncaring of her reaction before she switched her attention back to the Italian who had by now calm down a little bit.
``Now which floor are you currently working now?´´
``The third one...´´
``Mmm…, if you were going to work on the last one this week would it not mean that you would be skipping one?´´
``The rooms in that floor are filled with people who have no desire to locate to somewhere else while we break our backs there. Thought we better work on the upper levels before we are given the chance to get everything done´´
``I take that its has to do with what you said before, right...?´´
``Yeah, and its a pain….´´
``I feel that..´´
``Ha! As if….! But I must admit I liked the sentiment... but yes, we do make some noise with the machines which is why we chose the moments of the day that they are mostly out, or just stick to day time..´´
``I see..´´
``And since they kind be quite loud inside the building thats why we carry this earplugs all the time..´´
The man continued, pointing a finger at the thing they were wearing over his dirty and grimy yellow helmet.
``Does it muffle the noise entirely or just block it….?´´
``It keeps my head from hearing shit and having a migraine well down the night, that is what it does. Who ever built these things deserve a kiss and a praise…...yeah, clearly the latter all things considered´´
One of her brows rose at that, the ghost of a smile warping on her lips.
This idiot was starting to grow on her. The simplicity of an honest man was something to admire from afar.
``Those are.….words, ok, lest wind back a little. You said that there is no possible way for you to have been there, even for a brief moment in the victims location. Is that right?´´
``Yes.., I...I would remember that if I had..´´
There was a small pause hi his words, a particular grimace underneath his eyes, yet there were no lies hiding in between on his given statement.
He however was thinking on something else..
``From what the officers behind the door said, I take that you can enter the rooms of the building´´
He started to rub the back of his head. ``I didn't..I never stated that we did..´´
``You implied it several times by now, no need to pretend you dont know. I suppose you were given a master key to do such thing..?´´
``Y-yes…, it was necessary to enter without breaking or forcing the locks, Bad for business you know..? My boys need the pay for their families..´´
A serious of humming and appreciative nods emanated from the other two chickens who watched their rooster defend and show its appreciation of them. A sense of kinship that was only shared between boss and worker.
However she could not help but notice that the word money had come out again…
Or was it just her..?
``Of course, it would draw such bad attention to have you bust the doors down because you were not given the help you needed to do your job..´´
``Please lad, we didn't do it...´´
She shrugged. ``Barking at the wrong tree, sir. Still, the matter of blame remains to be seen for the moment…, like that key of yours. May I see it?´´
Shaking his head and sighing loudly the man pulled out a small sized key from one of the many pockets of his utilitarian belt and handed it to her.
``Is this the only one...?´´
She asked, though she doubted that. A few seconds later her answer came in the form of a shaking head.
``The only one I have, yes...´´
``Explain..´´
``The old man downstairs was really adamant in not giving us more than two..even if it would slow down our progress. That puto….for someone sitting down all day on their ass they really can yell ´´
``He sounds like a reasonable amenable person. ´´
``Yeah...those are...words´´
Oh, wasn't he cute..?
``And the other one?´´
``In the store room…, just in case´´
``And is still there?´´
The Italian did not answered, did not even speak a mumble or a growl...but she noticed how even under his tanned skin from countless hours toying under the sun its shade had paled quite a bit.
[And here we go…] ``Sir? Is something wrong…?´´
``We...lost it three days ago...´´
``Oh? Thats not good…´´
``I know, I know! Fuck….you don't have to tell me that´´
When someone was caught in a bad spot there were many ways they would react to the thought or reality that the crooked fingers of the law were encroaching on them.
Some would deny it.., shaking their heads like toys left and right and look with ugly eyes back at anyone.
Some would spat and lose control of their tongues as anger filled their lungs, their hands clenching, teeth grinding.
Others would keep silent, watching from afar as they thought that they were not been watched..
Most of the time people tried to keep their cool, tried to be reasonable before saying or doing something that they would regret.
But the other way was not a bad idea either.
It was too soon to just let him go, that there could be a few things left before tying up whatever loose end remained, but she knew that it was not pointless to peek any further into what he may or may not have done.
Gio was not the killer…
He did not smelled like one, there was not that metallic taste in the air. His body did not react or behave the same way she had seem so many times, it was drenched not in that frightful, terrific, primal fear of a deceit about to be discovered….at least, not one that had to do with murder.
In that regard she was sure that he was not lying….
However, thinking on that matter... there was something that he was keeping from her. Something that this honest man was either too afraid….or to ashamed to share.
What could it be..? Who knew, but she had the feeling that she would not have to look far to find it.
The clock continued to tick at the never ending pace of the march of time, the sound growing stronger, louder, with a non existent sense of urgency that only her ears could hear.
Tick…
Tack…
Tick….
Tack….
It was clear that Gio was been set to draw the attention of the authorities. He was just too good of a bait to not try to bite it.
A man...and an immigrant at that, who can enter all rooms. Someone who makes extensive use of the only working elevator in the building and has a good idea of the workings of the machinery and the layout of the building could make for a good killer.
To slip in and do the deed on his own, at least….theoretically.
Sadly, it was too obvious…and the man looked more prone to cave someone elses skull with those big hands of his rather than put a well placed bullet at the side of his victims head.
No, muscle head had nothing to do with this….this was a work of precision.
Still, she would have to acknowledge that those that kill the man she had been set to find had tried to set a series of distractions: making it look like a suicide before it was found that it was a murder case, having changed the location of where the boy had been killed so that the police would need to scour the area and waste more time looking for the proper setting, and the use of the construction workers as a shield making use of their tools to do so was another.. Though if one were paying attention and did not just went by to write their paychecks they would understand that these idiots were not nearly as capable to pull this kind of trick.
However, this conversation was not fruitless…..she did get what she wanted.
And with a satisfied hum she drew the pack of cigarettes from the depths of her suits inner pocket, fingers dancing like agile serpents as they lighted the dart between her lips.
She drew her breath, and then let it out...slowly, passionless yet not lifeless.
Enjoying the way the burning sensation that had been building in her veins started to die out, appeased...by her primitive offering.
``Final question..´´
``What is it?´´
``I have heard that you work with things, big things, heavy things…. "things"
She stated, mirthless….though her lips were still wrapped in a cunning, sly smirk. He stared at her for a moment, confusion dawning on his eyes before he nodded weakly at her.
``Yes...we do. It comes with the job...´´
``I take that for just three of you at a time you must use a bunch of stuff to carry things over, playing the mole buster with the buttons of the elevators to bring everything where is needed instead of gods forbid, using the stairs..´´
``Yes, yes…. quite a few times in fact, there is just so many things and tools we have to bring in and out..that sometimes we spend more time between rides than actually on the zone...´´
``Must be tiring..´´
``Meh, its a simple work, but it pays the bills...´´
``And you would be able to comment where they are located?´´
``Yes...´´
``Ok, thanks for that..have a good day´´ And with that she started walking to wards the door.
To say that the rest of the occupants of the room were confused would have been an understatement, however their confusion did not last long as she felt a hand land on her shoulder. Prompting her to look back with a side glance at the still troubled expression plastered on the tanned, wrinkled features of Gio.
``What?´´
``Ragazza…, you are not going to question me and my boys any-further?´´
``What for?´´
``It felt…too quick´´
``That was what she said….´´
It took exactly five seconds before the gears of his mind started to work in earnest to understand those four words. And when he d-
``W-what!?´´
Gods, that look in his eyes was priceless..
[Someone should tell him to close his mouth before a fly comes in…] She thought with amusement, though she did not say that out loud.
She was sure that neither Brat number 1º and Red would think kind of her if she did...though well, it was not like she cared that much.
``Weren't you the one that said that I was wasting your time?´´
``Well, yes..but that was-´´
``Well, since you insist, did you three saw someone else?´´
``Eh...no, just us../ I only saw the others/ I think that everyone I saw during the night were us...´´
``Heard something weird?´´
``No, just two loud sounds.../ Only one../ I didn't hear a thing...I forgot I had my helmet on..´´
``See? Quick.., now go and met the officers outside.´´
The three of them looked at each other...unsure at first to follow the command, but one by one they did so.
``You too Ms Chen..
``Eh, right...thank you Madam. You have been very accommodating...´´
[Yeah, fuck you too…] She thought with disdain as she saw the woman leave through the door, clearly not wanting to be kept there any longer.
``What about me?´´
She turned around, regarding the last suspect remaining in the room. The supposed friend of the victim. With his gray suit and his rough, rugged expression written all over his face. The man leaning a little bit towards her, yet his hands remained sealed inside the depths of his pockets.
``What about you., Thomas?´´
``You know...can I?´´
``…´´
``Can I... too?´´
``…´´
A sight of exasperation slipped past his lips. ``Do I really need to say it?´´
``Say what?´´
``You know what..!´´
She tilted her head to the side.
``God, do I really need to say it...?´´
``Say what?´´
``Can I go? ´´
``What is the magic word?
``Please, can I go the fuck out?´´
``Nop..´´
``Dammit…why not? ´´
``Because that is not how the plot of a second rate show goes..´´
``A what now?´´
``Nothing for you to worry about, its just that you were not questioned properly..´´
``You barely spoke with Ms Chen and you let her go!´´
``It was good enough for me..´´
``W-what the hell is that suppose to mean!´´
A good question indeed if there was one, though not one she was gonna now or any time soon as the door opened once more. The small, blue shaped form of a police officer leaning through the now open gap in these closed walls distracting Thomas from continuing on.
``Yes, officer...?´´
``Ms Rose, your presence is requested….the boss said that you would want to see this´´
``Heard that Thomas? You are tagging along´´
``Just my luck...´´
º
….A few moments later….
º
``So….what is it Red?´´
Jessica asked at the new addition of her entourage of grumbling men now that Thomas begrudgingly followed behind them, the three of them escorted by other two officers while at it to make sure that the last suspect did not tried to walk away.
The rest of the suspects were no were in sight, but that was to be expected….since she had made sure that once they left that room they would be separated in other rooms situated in other floors.
They had not confiscated their phones nor any of their other valuables…., though she was not bothered by that.
In fact, that was what she had wanted….
It would need to be there for her plan to work.
The skinny officer in question shook his head and with it his greasy red hair left and right at the mentioning of his pet name.
Clearly having hoped that she would have forgotten about it by now…
``We followed the instructions of the notebook...and we found something´´
``Well, that was to be expected…, that was the primary reason why I gave you the notebook and told you to follow the instructions in the first place, you know...like it was part of our agreement´´
``I know…´´
``Then dont tell me something that I know already, use different words if you must..´´
``Like what?´´
``Like "what" did you find that needed my attention?´´
``Its….a little more complicated than I would like to admit...´´
``Put words and I will make sentences of your mumbling..
``Its not mumbling..´´
She chuckle, sometimes people found the most simple and stupids things to nag about.
Humans were strange creatures.
``Speaking through your teeth to refute me is not the best way to do so…´´
``You always need to have the last word, don't you?´´
Her lips curled upwards.. ``You know me so well…´´
``Please, get a room you two…´´
And just like that whatever fun she was having left her bloodstream as Thomas made its existence known to her again. She scoffed at that, Red grimaced even further as even the mere thought of it could curse him with nightmares.
Which was a bit rude…though she was not going to point that out.
``And...why is this suspect tagging along us again? Detective..?´´
She shrugged. ``Because he is a good doggy and will be do what is expected of it if he wants a treat..´´
``Are you comparing me to a d-You know I am still here.., right!? Right..!?´´
``Argh…., first with the kid and now with this…..man, why do I have the feeling that you are just making my work harder than it needs to be?´´
``You wound my feelings…´´
``You don't have then…´´
``You know...I have the feeling that's why you have a girlfriend´´
He looked away. ``I am married to my job..´´
``You are not first one to say that, though you do you….´´
``Hmm….´´
``Well, I guess that would mean you are quite handy in any situation..´´
``Yes indeed...´´
``Being all sweaty and bothered, having to blow up steam in your lonesome, shooting into a pair of clinex in the dark...´´
``What...?´´ He started to say, already turning his head towards her.
``All those cold nights…., must have allowed to train yourself deeply and have a firm grip in your weapon of choice..´´
It was quite the spectacle watching in slow motion the way his entire body became froze in time, muscles tensing and becoming more marked under the thin, sickly skin of his while it was been swallowed with a new shade of red.
``Ms Rose, don't...´´
``Ms Rose, yes….´´
``Gross, why this is happening to me….´´
``We are here..´´
At the sound of that, they stopped in their tracks and turned to regard the location where some officers were walking in and out a new prescint, the golden plates in the doors around them told them they were in the second floor.
There were clouds of dust hovering in the air, clearly making it a bit hard for those passing by to breath right or see with clarity. However, the first one to speak was not Red, not her….but Thomas with a loud and surprised expression of vulgarity as he stared with open eyes at what was a literal hole into the wall.
A hole, that for some reason seemed rather shallow in its depth yet by that, it revealed the presence of a door that had been hidden underneath what it could only have been a wall.
…
…
…
Red was right, this was quite worth coming down. After all, who in the right mind would seal the murder scene with a fake wall?
Eight for effort...
What they found inside was what she had expected to see from a place where someone had been murdered. A bullet hole stuck in one of the walls, a spray of blood covering its immediate vicinity and the windows were open wide like the ones that had been in the real apartment.
Yes…
He had been killed here.
It was a pity that they had taken away the bullet they had used to kill him from where it had landed, clearly wanting to make it a little more difficulty before the autopsy finished...what they had not cleaned or fixed was a different however.
Had someone said that the room looked like an exact replica of the one the victim owned?
Everything looked the same.
The furniture and their disposition…
The lights…
The mirrors, rugs, blinds and curtains..
``Do we know who owns this place?´´
``A rumored mister Smith…´´
``A fake name..´´
``Most likely..´´
``They prepared this place for him…´´
``It seems that way..´´
``They cleaned the bullet from the wall, using a tool to carve it out...a spoon most likely with the shape of the counter-force in the edge of the hole, or it could be a rather wide knife..´´
``Which means that we wont be able to deduct right away what type of ammunition was used to kill him..´´
She switched her attention from the room and look at the man.
``What?´´
``Can you do something else but repeat what I have just said..?´´
``I...what do you want me to do when I do agree with your points?´´
What sort of half baked and weak ass answer was that..!? A part of her wanted to be happy that he was not at least bothering her with his "no I don't think so" crap, but come on….where was the constructive criticism..? Was he saying yes just for the sake of it?
``Argh, forget it...´´ She muttered, mostly to herself as she pushed away a puff of smoke through her lips into the air before she started walking away.
``What-where are you going?
``I want to flash my self with my lantern so I can summon ghosts and ask how many pickles they eat in the afterlife...´´
``What..?´´
``Nothing, it was nothing...´´
``And here I thought that a proper detective would have more patience...´´
Jessica stopped in her tracks, her eyes closing, fighting the urge to whip her head in the direction of the walking menace that once again intruded into her perimeter.
[And here I thought that things were going so well….] With a heavy sigh she turned on her heels to meet those flashing eyes of blue and that wide, arrogant smirk of his.
That damnable smile…..
``Kudo, the mood was better without you…´´
``Agree to disagree…´´ He said as he walked past her.
``You are not leaving so I would rather finish this quickly. I take that you found something by the way your ego swells in your chest. What is it?´´
Looking over his shoulder she realized that Ran was nowhere near, in fact she was not inside the room either.
Where was that girl?
The two of them were usually glued together...for better or for worse, so where was she?
Back to the moment at hand, Kudo crossed his arms. ``Surely you would already know, oh self proclaimed great detective…´´
``I would rather you would laud my character with honesty, rather than your petulant, childish antics…´´
He shrugged his shoulders, still beaming that smirk of his back to her, clearly unimpressed or no longer bothered with anything she said.
If he was a peacock...then right now he was flexing before her.
``Hmm, don't worry, you will see later´´
``I could get your ass handed to you for stealing clues of a crime scene…
``Stealing!? I was merely going to borrow them to test something…´´
[Test? But that would me-wait...thats where she is? Well, it seems that someone is learning multitasking…]
Even if it was merely using that said help as some sort of an errand boy, or girl in this case.
``You already have a plan don't you? You work fast...´´
``What can I say, it was elementary...everyone could have seen it in less than five minutes..´´
[Humble bunch, aren't you?]
``But like I told you before, you will see….´´
``Well, wanna bet a hundred dollars?´´
``Why?´´
``What? Not sure you can get it right?´´
``No, why would I bet with you?´´
``What do you have to lose? ´´
``Fine, what is that you want to ask?´´
She could try to ask who was the culprit…, she could start with what was the real motive for the murder or perhaps why they had taken all this effort to confuse the investigation.
And yet, her curiosity wanted to know something else.
Raising her hand and then raising one of her thumbs up, she pointed at the entrance they had made their way through.
`` Tell me who made that wall..´´
Of all the things she could come to ask, that was the only one she had not the answer to. It was so sudden, so...strange and weird that it hurt her brain trying to imagine the killer doing that after all their previous efforts.
They wanted to divert attention…, not hide it forever. And by the looks of it, someone else had a bit of trouble understanding that too.
``So?´´
``Ah, well….´´
``Nothing?´´
She did nothing to hide the smugness from her voice, leaning forward, bending a little bit so that the two could look at each others eyes at the same height.
``No, nothing of the sort...its just that I have not arrived to a decisive conclusion…´´
``Well, perhaps in five more minutes you will get it right…, or not, who knows...´´
``And do you know?´´
``I have my thoughts on the matter...´´
And perhaps the answer was closer than she would have expected it to be...