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Jan-9-2013 07:52

(Missed this space. Maybe we can revive it. I sure hope so. Not a great start, but should anyone join, I'd be really happy.)

It had been a long run.
Travelling all over the world to chase after Lazarus Metzger had been tired.
All she wanted now was to sleep.
As the young woman entered the small apartment building, she laughed quietly to herself.
One more time, she repeated her favourite sentence.
"Reformed burglars never sleep, dear."
Locking the door behind her, Elizabeth March - at least that was how she was known at the moment - got rid of her shoes and took a deep sigh.
Fixing herself a drink, she walked up to her desk. Pieces of paper were there, just like she had left them... right?
"Whatever they wanted, they didn't find it. Doesn't matter."
Nobody had broken in. So the only possible conclusion was that someone had paid - well - for her key. Not important. The money in the drawer was there, to the last penny. It wasn't cash they were after.
After a softly mumbled curse, she went in the bathroom for a long bath. And then, out back in the street.
The Tricky Mister was the place when you needed information - or maybe even bumping into an old friend.

Mar-13-2013 02:22

Grem eyes Lawliettine’s arm as it stretches to take the cup. She images herself sinking her teeth in for just one drink… uncontrollably her fangs reveal themselves. She blinks twice before taking notice that she had been asked a question and retracts her fangs. Grem plants her behind on the arm of the couch and takes a breath. “I don’t think that you would be able to guess what I’d prefer, but thank you for coming by nonetheless.”

Well, that isn’t the only thing that is on Grem’s mind. The trail of the case had gone cold and there doesn’t seem to be any opportunity to open any new leads.

“I had just returned from working on a case that I could not refuse. The client didn’t give me a choice.”

She cursed silently underneath her breath, remembering Isabella’s goons screaming ‘No cops!’ But wait a second… A smile crept on Grem’s face as she recalls Lawliettine mentioning that she is a private detective. Grem hasn’t broken Isabella’s rules as a P.I is definitely not a cop. The amount of sleuths in the city had escalated when the public learned of corruption in the NYPD. Individuals took this matter into their own hands. Some make a decent living out of investigation, and some are just want a quick buck. No chance that any sleuth would cooperate with the men in uniform.

“Are you familiar with the Riolo case? The police are trying to keep this one out of the public as well as they can. I’m not sure how well they have done in keeping this one under wraps. I am struggling with this case because there is little evidence that has not been contaminated.”

Grem rubs her eyes. “Forgive me for mentioning the case. Although the topic is nothing new a sleuth such as yourself…I wouldn’t want to spoil your appetite. Please, do enjoy your dinner.”

How rude, if Lawliettine is familiar with the case she probably had lost her appetite thinking about Maria Riolo’s body.

Mar-17-2013 01:26

Lawliettine's nose for danger often overrules her appetite, but this time she smiles gratefully at Grem and reaches out for the box. The rich aroma makes her stomach growl.

"I suppose we have enough time, I don't think I'm going anywhere until my dinner's done, so you can tell me."

She takes a bite of the succulent chicken and swallows, before continuing.

The Riolo case... Can't say I haven't heard of it. Most people in the sleuthing circles have, I believe. The question is, how much does one know?

"Since I wasn't engaged in the case, I didn't know any of the classified information. Neither did I get a look at the crime scene photos obviously.

However I did hear very little of it. Political bitterness, feuds and all that. And a little girl caught in the crossfire. Perhaps you can enlighten me further? "

She takes another heart bite. "Oh, and what do you know, that new restaurant isn't so bad after all."

Mar-17-2013 23:59

Grem smiles nervously “It certainly smells better than Sami’s! There is only so much Greek spices I can take. Especially since-“ she cut herself short.

She clears her throat and changes her position on the couch. “Isabella Sanatelli has asked me to investigate her murder. She wants to know if it was done within the family or a political murder. Sanatelli and Riolo are family friends. She doesn’t want to send out her men if she does not need to.”

Wrinkles form on Grem’s forehead and she tries fish out important information from the irrelevant bits. It was hard to decide what mattered, even now. Most of the evidence brought to her was purely circumstantial with the amount of contamination. “She isn’t giving me a choice. You know how the NYPD is.”

The little existing direct evidence would probably on my found on the body. “The trail has gone very cold. When I first examined the parts, they had been removed from where it was found. I can’t even determine if that was where the body was brutally hacked to bits. The body had also been somewhat cleaned up as Angelica Riolo was hysterical and wanted to bury her daughter’s parts as quickly as possible. I have a small suspicion that it is murder within the family, based on how the evidence was brought forward. But- it could have been contaminated by stupidity.”

Grem starts to feel light headed. She needs to eat, vampire instincts took over her human behavior, and her fangs shoot out from her gums. A growl escapes her throat, a familiar hunting trait. With what little resistant her human behavior had, Grem was able to stop herself from attacking Lawliettine’s neck short of a foot away.

‘Darn it. You just revealed yourself.’
Grem forces her body to jerk in the opposite direction to make a face of shame.

Mar-20-2013 00:10

Lawliettine knows better than to overstay her welcome. As someone whose success in solving cases sometimes hinges solely on her powers of observation, she knows how to read the warning signs. She has often been in the presence of suspects who can barely conceal their murderous intent towards her, and often just barely hold themselves back from attacking her during an interview.

And while Grem has undoubtedly no such ill intentions, Lawliettine can read the signs of hunger. A basic human...err, vampire instinct. In any case, she too gets restless when on an empty stomach, so she can empathise.

"Well, thank you for allowing me to barge in on you unannounced," she says amiably, rising to her feet. "I reckon you'll be needing all your energy on this one, and there is pretty much no point to pursuing such a grueling case on an empty stomach."

She pauses, takes another long look at Grem's tired eyes, before continuing. "I'm not leaving New York in a hurry. Must try out the new restaurants and possibly take a look at that new jewellery store. Besides, you're obviously not allowed to go anywhere without solving this mess. So I reckon we'll be seeing a lot more of each other. We can discuss this later, perhaps? "

She rests her hand on the door knob and looks at Grem expectantly.

Mar-20-2013 23:04

Grem sinks her nails into the couch. As much as she wanted Lawliettine to stay and discuss the case with her, L was right. She was in no shape to be a host at the moment, much less if she wanted someone to host to. “I-…” she pauses. “...Apologize for my behavior. I usually get sustenance at this time.”

She looks towards her fellow sleuth, feeling embarrassed that the first time she had a guest over, her vampire hunger pushed L away.

“Isabella will make sure I do not leave. I’m sure of it. Tomorrow night Maria’s body will be exhumed.”

Wait. Why talk about the whole matter she could see it for herself?

“I was wondering if you would like to take a look at it.”

Wrong way to phrase that, no one would LIKE to take a look at it. Grem had a vast knowledge of forensic analysis, but not for this case. She had looked at it from every possible angle before and she didn’t find anything. Perhaps someone whom has not seen the case before would have more insight about what they find.

“I mean. I’ve exhausted every small lead I’ve had. The details of the case are all too familiar to me.”

Isabella had requested-ahem-demanded that the NYPD not be involved. A private investigator though, had their fees.

“I do not have a payment for your services, as Isabella isn’t offering anything.”

Grem knows her own prices are not cheap. Depending on the case, she expected $1050 to 4800. She expects L’s fees to be more or less the same.

“I do offer my friendship and loyalty.”

A weak smile. “Two things I haven’t offered since I was alive.”
Her stomach growls once more. It was time to hunt now, investigation comes tomorrow night.

Mar-23-2013 07:19

Lawliettine smiled widely at that and her grip on the door handle relaxed.

"As far as I'm concerned, that means a lot more than wads of cash. And in any case I'll still have to keep working while in New York, so that would just about supplement my needs."

"And since we're in this business together, there's no point in being overly delicate. If the body needs to be looked, it needs to be looked at. I'm not backing away from the unpleasant bits."

"Let's take things with a pinch of salt and hope for the best, that we may discover something else yet."

She took a look around the apartment again. "You know how to reach me. Leave a message with the music teacher. I'll leave a message with the waitress if I need to reach you."

***

The young bespectacled man dropped the racy novel he'd been reading, startled by the sight of a middle aged man sauntering down the aisle towards him. It was a bit late for a casual history buff to be wandering around. The fellow adjusted the yellow kerchief around his neck and peered disdainfully at the novel which the younger man had dropped.

"So then. Which way are the political records of the recent past archived?"

The younger man rose to his feet and swallowed. "P-political sir? I believe you m-may have just missed the Mayor's office-"

The kerchief fellow sighed wearily. "Stop beating around the bush lad. You know very well about the Mayor being the tip of the iceberg. What do you want? A silly password or something?"

The young man lowered his gaze and remained silent in affirmation. Lawliettine broke out into a slight sweat. What on earth was the password for accessing the La Cosa Nostra records? Was there only one?

"Let's see now... Real estate? Exorbitant rent? Is there another password you're waiting for?"

The young man's nervousness abated, to be replaced by a more reassured look.

"Sorry about the formalities, Mr. Hodgins. You know how it is."

"It's silly, that's what it is," 'Hodgins' replied with another sigh.

Mar-23-2013 20:41

To Grem’s relief, L accepts the chance to examine the remains…and in a way her apology for what just happened. She relaxes into the couch and took a deep breath. That would be tomorrow night. It was fairly dark now, but she is nearly certain that The Cacophony Conservatory would still be open. Even dead, the ill tuned instruments playing during the night is still creepy to Grem. She approaches the window and opens it a crack, just enough for her bat form. She shifts into a vampire bat, and slips off into the night.

Moments after, Grem picks to feed near the Mother of Innocence Cathedral. The cemetery in the back attracts a very good amount of crows and ravens. She attacks her victim crow and sucks it dry. At this time, it is around 10 at night. She notices Manfred Gesling opening the door for two shadows. She can see that one is none other than Victor Chen of the Dies Arcanum Brotherhood. The other figure causes her to drop her meal. It is someone she recognizes. Crabapple, another vampire from her early days in Shanghai.

Grem had first encountered Crabapple when Crab made a visit to Shanghai to seek revenge on the Eastern Triad. She had stayed with the Crypt before departing again very shortly. Grem initially wanted to seek the friendship of Crab, but Crab had her own agenda. Crab’s daily routines of Hail Mary’s and devotion to the Holy Bible drove Grem away. The other vampires did not seem to mind it at all, Crab wasn’t doing any harm with her belief that although she is a vampire that she is a child of god.

But what is she doing here now with the Dies Arcanum Brotherhood? The political faction that holds the twisted belief that they are god’s messengers and molding that to mean that every action they took is justified. With a minute more of thought, Grem connects that Crab’s affiliation to the Dies Arcanum Brotherhood makes sense. She frowns. What Crab is doing with the Brotherhood is not Grem’s business and Grem did not want it to be her business

Mar-23-2013 20:42

anyway. But, with the case of Maria…it might be Grem’s business if it turns out the Brotherhood is responsible.

Manfred Gesling bids goodnight to Victor Chen the mother inquisitor.

“My child, it is late. You should go rest, I will close up the Cathedral for the night.”

“Father Chen, I have no use for rest. The darkness of the cathedral is my home.”

“I nearly forgot…with how everything is.”

“Do not worry, Father. I will have everything ready for tomorrow.”

Crab waves off Victor Chen with a smile, but as soon he is a very good distance away she shoots a glare at the tree Grem is perched on for a second, before stepping inside and closing the heavy doors. Did she spot Grem? She couldn’t have. Grem took a deep sigh. No use trying to avoid it now, she should talk to the mother inquisitor and see what she knows.

Mar-23-2013 21:20

Crab’s footsteps on the marble footsteps echo as she steps into the cathedral office. The office is nothing more than a candle lit room cluttered with three pieces of furniture: a bookshelf, a desk, and a creaky chair. Papers decorate the desk, in an organized manner. Crab shuts the door behind her, and locks it. She takes off her robes and hangs her rosary on a crooked nail above the desk. A visible look of annoyance formed on her face. “Who do you think you are, trying to hide from me?” She speaks without turning around.

A bat that was previously perched on the edge of the single window in the room, shifts into her human form. “I am surprised you remember me.” Grem murmurs, truly surprised.

Crab’s hands form fists, while a smirk forms on her face now. “There are not many of us that walk the earth.” Crab faces Grem, the smirk was not a friendly one. Crab had the face of a homicidal maniac. “Surely, you do not choose now to convert to the words of the Holy Father. I remember clearly that you had mocked and distanced yourself from me.” Crab chuckles. “What are you doing here?”

Grem takes a breath, she regrets making a visit to Crab alone now. “What do you know about Maria Riolo?”

“What about her? She is a friend of the La Cosa Nostra b**** family. Her family picked the wrong type of people to associate with.”

Grem frowns. “Isabella Sanatelli is a friend of mine. She asked me to investigate the case.”

“Good for you.”

Grem takes another breath. “She wants me to find out if this is a murder within the family…or a political murder.”

Crab does not reply immediately. The tension in the room made Grem nervous. Crab walks towards the desk again and lifts a small wooden cross from the wall. She appears to admire the woodwork, observing the fine details. Drops of sweat form on the back of Grem’s neck as Crab’s fingers touch the grooves of the wood.

“I do what the Holy Father tells me to do….” Crab starts to say, turning her back away from Grem. It

Mar-23-2013 21:23

is clear to the younger vampire that Crab does not see Grem as a threat. “His messages guide my decisions, I do not question him, I obey.”

She starts to pace back and forth slowly. Each footstep scraping against the floor felt like a claw scratching across Grem’s face.

“But.” Crab pauses.

Before Grem had any time to react, Crab had bared her fangs and slams Grem’s body against the bookshelf. “Do not be stupid to assume that we are involved with the pathetic Cosa Nostra.” Crab growls as she sends the wooden cross through the left palm of Grem’s hand.

Grem feels the wooden shelves dig into her back, the decades of dust swarms her throat, the heavy volumes of latin slam against the back of her head. She cries in pain as the wood drives through her flesh. Grem will heal faster than a human, it is vampire nature. Crab’s right hand clenches Grem’s throat, the long nails digging in.

“I am a far older vampire than you are. Which means I am faster, stronger, and far harder to kill. Come here again and I will send a cross into your heart.” Crab releases her grip and points at Grem’s chest, she retracts her fangs. "Leave."

Grem wasted no time in doing exactly that. She shifts to a bat and makes a beeline for the Cacaphony Conservatory.