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Airs and Heiresses
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Molly Maltese
Molly Maltese
Old Shoe

Jul-6-2015 11:19

New York, 1938
St. Regis Hotel
Rooftop Nightclub

"So there I was, staring down a barrel INCHES from death...and I told the man, 'darling REALLY, if you simply must shoot me do allow me to remove my earrings. They are Cartier, you know." Molly Maltese paused to take a sip of her Red Snapper, popping the olive neatly between her cherub lips before gnashing it to a pulp. "And the man was quite flummoxed, he said- I say, is that Riza Hawkeye?"

She rose, the group of rapt men in tuxedos and women in glittering dresses and furs murmuring their protests as she wended through their knees. But the apparition she was quite sure had been Riza Hawkeye had vanished in the crowd of New York socialites populating the exclusive terrace.

"Well, this place is a bit ritzy for Riza." she murmured, fairly certain her old acquaintance didn't make a habit of populating social-climbing fetes. And she reasoned, any time Riza had appeared before it was hardly ever for a pleasant cause. Well, maybe that was unfair. It just seemed she was more the swirl-of-furs-and-stiletto-daggers type than a frothy socializer like Molly herself.

Peering around, Molly saw nothing but the shadowed faces of revelers partially cloaked in the smoky haze. She had just been about to give up and go back to her companions when the most shocking hubbub began. Over on the north part of the terrace, she could distinctly hear the shouts of men and panicked screeching of females. Moving forward, she could just make out..

"Did you see... The Ambassador... who could have... murder! Someone has pushed the Ambassador off the building!" Molly picked up speed, expertly weaving through the crowd of panicked voices. Sirens already began to sound twenty stories below. Just as she grasped the ledge and looked over, an all too familiar voice sounded in her left ear.

"Oh hello there, old friend. Lovely breeze out today."

Before her stood Riza Hawkeye herself, looking utterly unruffled as several ladies fainted behind her.

Replies

M. Lacrimosa
M. Lacrimosa
Thespian

Jul-7-2015 19:42

"I gotta say, Marc," Silas said as he poured Marc a glass of scotch and one for himself, "it's been three years since you left this Godforsaken city, and you're back. Why?"


"Cheers," Marc said, as both glasses clinked together. Just as quickly as it was poured, Marc's scotch had disappeared, burning his throat and warming him inside.

"Sal told me everything while taking his final breaths."

Silas swallowed and said ,"I don't know what you are talking about."

"I made a promise, Silas. One I intend to keep."

Marc flexed his wrist and and a small caliber gun appeared in hand. In quick succession, Marc cocked the hammer and fired one shot directly into Silas' heart. The bullet would not leave an exit wound, thus, making this a cleaner kill.

"He knew not to trust you, and I was a fool to do so. Rest in peace."

Marc left the building quietly, and lit a cigarette. He walked several blocks, pondering on the previous events. Silas was a backstabber, and a bastard, who sold out to the highest bidder. He deserved what he got, Marc thought. He walked into his old apartment. Someone had kept the place clean for him. He quietly thanked the landlord under his breath, who knew Marc would return. How he knew that, was beyond Marc. It was late at night, so Marc decided to get some sleep. The next day, would be a very busy day.

Riza Hawkeye
Riza Hawkeye
First Nomad

Jul-7-2015 21:00

After consulting with Molly, it was decided that it would be best to head to the address first, as it was their only true lead so far. Half an hour later, the pair stopped in front of a seedy-looking building littered with shattered glass and various refuse. A staircase descended to a dark alcove which held a single door, ajar. Emblazoned on the faded wood was a single rose. Riza and Molly shared a meaningful glance, and then Riza kicked open the door. It was nearly pitch-black inside.

Riza looked around the room, taking in her surroundings. A cursory glance showed that the premises had been vacated. Without warning, an icy jolt traveled down Riza’s spine before she even understood why. It did not take long for her mind to catch up. This place was familiar to her; it was as if she had seen it somewhere before, perhaps in a dream. No, that wasn’t quite right. She had seen it before; she only wished it had all been a dream.

Riza could only breathe in short, irregular bursts. In her mind flashed images of countless faceless men leaning over her, always stinking of cigarettes and whiskey, touching her with their filthy hands. And she would shut her eyes and cast her mind somewhere far away so that her mind was no longer part of her body. Until she believed that she was no longer herself.

“Riza? Riza!” Molly exclaimed in alarm, placing a hand on her arm. “What’s the matter?”

The touch brought her back to reality, back to the present. Riza quickly grabbed the gun strapped to her inner thigh and clutched it to her chest. She ran her fingers down the barrel of the gun, allowing its coolness to seep into her skin. She allowed herself half a second to gather herself. Yes. This was what she loved the most. The feeling of the hard metal in her hands gave her a sense of tranquility, and it allowed her to regain control over herself.

Riza Hawkeye
Riza Hawkeye
First Nomad

Jul-7-2015 21:00

“I’m okay,” Riza breathed. “I’m okay.”

Evidently Riza was not okay, but Molly did not press any further. Instead, she waited until Riza stopped trembling. She had never seen her that way before, and it was rather alarming. After a while Molly suggested, “Shall we look around, then?”

“Yes. Yes, let’s look around.” The pair began to explore the dingy space. The only source of light came from a dirty window near the ceiling at the entrance. As they explored, Molly kept glancing over at Riza. Her brow furrowed momentarily, but then she shook her head. Not the time. None of my business.

The air was suffused with the scent of cheap perfume and sweat, making it hard to breathe. People had been here recently, Molly was certain. No more than a few hours ago. As they walked, the saw that the entire space had been partitioned into smaller rooms using cheap wood, and in each room there lay a single soiled mattress. These rooms had no doors.

The only door was located at the very back of the space, and it was closed. Molly pressed her ear to the door, but could hear nothing. The knob would not turn. Sensing that answers were hiding just a few feet away from them, Molly and Riza nodded to each other. As Molly backed up, Riza raised her heel and brought it down with a resounding crash on the doorknob. The door flew open with a slam.

Something glinted in the darkness.

M. Lacrimosa
M. Lacrimosa
Thespian

Jul-7-2015 22:14

Marc awoke the next morning with a jolt. For the last year or so, he had been having dreams from the war and flashbacks that would keep him awake. The sun was shining bright, lighting his room even though the curtains on his window. After cleaning up, he checked the time. 9 :00 am. No doubt Leo woul be at work. He picked up his phone and dialed an old number. "Come on," he whispered, "pick up." No answer. Marc was sure that Riza's number had not changed. He tried again, still no answer.

He stepped outside into the bright sun, the light temporarily blinding him. Leo, Marc thought, must die. He made his way to the shady building that Leo ran. He didn't own it, but managed the place. The doors opened with a creek, revealing the brothel full of workers and local patrons, either still there from the night before or starting early in the day.

He pulled out his gun, yelling "Police! This a raid!" Within minutes the building emptied and Leo walked out of office. "What the he'll is going on-"

"Hello, Leo," Marc said, "let's talk."

He grabbed the man, dragging him into his office. The pain began.

For Leo the hours of torture seemed like days. "Please," he pleaded,"why are you doing this?"

"Sal was a friend of mine, and I was a fool to trust you. He told me everything," Marc said as he fired a bullet into Leo's knee cap.

Leo screamed in agony and tried to plead once more.

It was dark when Marc finally put an ending bullet in Leo's head. He turned to light a cigarette when Leo's office door opened.

Molly Maltese
Molly Maltese
Old Shoe

Jul-8-2015 10:20

"Oh my, this is quite a reunion." Molly said, utterly flabbergasted as her eyes fell on Marc and the grisly scene.

"Still up to the same antics, aren't we Marc?" Riza said dryly, entering the room. "Never could stop yourself from torturing some fellas now and then."

Molly wrinkled her nose and followed Riza, stopping to light a cigarette herself. She raised a delicate eyebrow at the victim in the chair, and then cocked her head.

"You don't suppose thats the killer?" she asked hopefully. Riza shrugged. They weren't sure exactly how, if at all, the victim in the chair tied into their current chase. Maybe Marc would be able to shed some light.

"Marc, I simply do have to ask...what was your reason for torturing this man? And better yet, did he have anything to do with the Ambassador being pushed off the St. Regis?"

M. Lacrimosa
M. Lacrimosa
Thespian

Jul-9-2015 20:30

Marc froze at the sight of Molly and Riza entering the room. He knew immediately that Leo was their number one suspect in some murder case. Why else would they be here? He cursed under his breath.

"Oh my, this is quite a reunion." Molly said, utterly flabbergasted as her eyes fell on Marc and the grisly scene.

"Still up to the same antics, aren't we Marc?" Riza said dryly, entering the room. "Never could stop yourself from torturing some fellas now and then."

Molly wrinkled her nose and followed Riza, stopping to light a cigarette herself. She raised a delicate eyebrow at the victim in the chair, and then cocked her head.

"You don't suppose thats the killer?" she asked hopefully. Riza shrugged. They weren't sure exactly how, if at all, the victim in the chair tied into their current chase. Maybe Marc would be able to shed some light.

"Marc, I simply do have to ask...what was your reason for torturing this man? And better yet, did he have anything to do with the Ambassador being pushed off the St. Regis?"

Marc laughed out loud in mockery. "Revenge." Marc stated, now digging through the desk drawers looming for Leo's hidden bottle of scotch. "As far as the ambassador," Marc continued, "Leo here didn't have any political allies, save for the Arcanum Brotherhood, and I happen to know they wanted him dead anyways, so I do believe, I have I have a beautiful reward coming."

Molly stared at Marc, anger burning a hole right through Marc. He could see it in her eyes, and yes, she could be intimidating.

Marc looked at Riza, who stared back at him. If there was one person who could intimidate Marc without trying, it was her. In act, even now, he felt a little uncomfortable.

"Where have you been these last three years?" She asked.

Marc lit a cigarette. He looked Riza in the eyes. "I've been to hell and back."

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Jul-16-2015 09:28

"And who do you think did it?" Vulkie asked her client. The client, a rich man in his 30's, looked a bit frustrated. "As I have told you, Miss Nouson - I suspect it's my brother-in-law. He's been very furious at my aunt for her forgetting his birthday three times in a row. But then again, who would kill over a forgotten birthday eh?" the client said, while chuckling at his own joke. When Vulkie actually brought up the total of cases she solved which involved forgotten birthdays, the client first started to laugh and then turned white.

"If that is all, Mr. Rothschild, I'd like to go out and investigate your case. But there's something I gotta take care off first." Vulkie said and guided the client towards the door, shook his hand and closed the door.

Vulkie went over to her liquor cabinet, opened a new bottle of scotch, put some ice into her glass and then poured the scotch over it. As she took a sip, she could feel the back of her throat burn. She then looked at the wall, which held several newspaper clippings of her involvement in certain notorious cases. It usually involved some good friends of her, like Molly Maltese, Riza Hawkeye and... as Vulkie saw his name, she sighed a bit. Mr. Marc Lacrimosa...

"Time certainly flies by" Vulkie murmered, while going back to her chair near her desk. As she sat down, she put her glass on the desk, opened the right drawer and took out a huge keychain she had gotten from Marc's landlord. "It's that time of the week again" she said to herself and got up and took her coat and fedora hat. She made sure to check her trusty Colt 1911 was loaded and her revolver as well and went to that well known place she had visited, hoping her friend would return one day...


***Marc's Apartment***

As Vulkie passed by the landlord's door, the door creeked open and the landlord crooked his finger and waved her over with it. She sighed at the sight of him, since when he would waggle his finger, it usually involved money.

*Cont. in next post*

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Jul-16-2015 09:36

"Miss Nouson" the landlord said, "what a pleasure to see you again here..."

"Cut the crap Tom, we both know you're after money. Here is this month's rent" Vulkie said, while passing a wad of bills to the landlord.

"Ah, but might I tempt you with a bit of extra information in return for some more? Say, 50 dollars?" Tom said, while glaring at Vulkie's Colt 1911.

"It depends Tom, what the information might be about?" Vulkie said, while pulling a bill of 50 dollars out of her pocket and waving it right in front of his face.

"Well, last night, I heard a couple of noises in Mr. Lacrimosa's apartment. I think... he's back" Tom said, while trying to grab the 50 dollar bill.

"Tom, please. I'll investigate it first, then we'll see about you getting your money. In the meantime, stay in your apartment. This isn't the first time some random lunatic decided to blow up an apartment just to get to me.." Vulkie said, while giving a small smile. Tom immediately went back in his own apartment and shut his door immediately.

As Vulkie ascended the stairs towards Marc's apartment, she thought about what Tom said. Could it really be true? Could Marc be back after all those years he went on his voyage of soul cleansing?

As soon as she reached Marc's door, she took out the keychain and fumbled with the keys. "Mr. Bowlin's apartment, Ms. Bennett's apartment... Ah, here we are!" Vulkie exclaimed, while holding the small golden key in front of her face to Marc's apartment.

As she inserted the key into the door lock, she noticed that, unlike the two times that it needs to be turned, this time, it only needed to be turned once. That meant someone DID access Marc's apartment.

As she slowly opened the door, she peeked around the corner with her Colt 1911 drawn. "I swear to god, if it does blow up, this is turning out into the worst day ever!" Vulkie said to herself.

*Cont. in next post*



Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Jul-16-2015 09:47

Luckily, that wasn't the occassion. As Vulkie went into Marc's apartment, she noticed a couple of things changed. For instance, she noticed that the liqour cabinet was opened and one glass was sitting on a small table. That meant someone helped themselves to the alcohol stash.

The next thing Vulkie noticed, as she stared at the floor, was the fact that some footprints were still there. The imprint was faint, but she could make out a solid pattern. As she stared at Marc's shoes, she picked one up and placed it over the imprint.

"Same size" Vulkie muttered, while continuing to give the place a look over. As she went into the bedroom, the first thing she noticed was that the bed wasn't unslept like it used to be in the last three years. It was tidied up, but she could see that it wasn't her style of tidying up the bed.

"So, to conclude" Vulkie said, while taking out her notepad and making a small board of deduction. " The liquor cabinet has been used, footprints that match Mark's size have been found and the bed has been used. The easiest conclusion? Marc is... back!" Vulkie said, while ripping off the piece of paper, threw it in the thrashcan and scribbled a note for Marc.

"Dear Marc. I know you are back and it's good to know you're back in the city. If you have some spare time, I would like you to come over and pay me a visit when you have some spare time. I'll make sure to have some tea and sandwiches ready. Yours truly, Vulkie" Vulkie scribbled.

"PS. - With "tea", I mean whiskey." Vulkie scribbled, while laughing at her own joke. She carefully placed the note on Marc's pillow, making sure that that's the last place he couldn't miss it.

As she left Marc's apartment, she locked the door twice instead of once and made her way to a payphone, calling up Mr. Rothschild, informing him that she was off the case and directed him towards a fellow detective. Then, she made her way back to her own apartment and awaited for further news from her old friend...

Molly Maltese
Molly Maltese
Old Shoe

Jul-19-2015 13:56

Molly sighed and swiped at her brow. "This seems like a story best enjoyed over scotch."

She turned to Riza. "I don't think there's any further knowledge to be gained here at present, and I sure don't want to hang around with a corpse if the cops show up again. Marc's apartment is close- do you still have the same apartment Marc?" This question was directed at him.

"Yes, it's been kept up in my absence. Let's head there." Marc said, and the three started off, Molly picking her way gingerly out of the room and throwing one final glance back at the corpse. "What do you have to do with anything?" She wondered, then turned to follow her friends.

***

Some minutes later, they arrived at Marc's apartment. The landlord Tom had poked his head out and remarked darkly about Marc's apartment being akin to the New York train station. The three looked at each other and shrugged. Once in Marc's apartment, he looked around curiously and poked his head in the other rooms.

"Someone's been here." He said, wandering into the bedroom. Molly and Riza looked at each other curiously and then at the door when they heard Marc's chuckle.

He reappeared holding a note. "It was Vulkie, she wanted to see me."


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