The Inspector watched his detainee carefully as she studied the picture. He fancied himself an expert on the psychology of the guilty. He had, afterall, taken all the training courses on interrogation, the behavioral tells of deception and lying, and the like. Her non-reaction told him everything he had already concluded: She was to blame. She was familiar with the scene and what had been done to Pierson.
He ignored the knocking for a moment to counter her point. “Pierson was a hunter. There's nothing against carrying an AR out here. This isn't the streets of New York.”
He turned only halfway to the door, keeping himself oriented mostly towards her in case she tried something funny.
The man on the other side of the door was frowning over his shoulder at a commotion going on down the hallway. He seemed about to step away to intervene when Shrader greeted him. “Dr. Rivers.” He said, ignoring any recognition of rank.
A man who cared about his rank may have exhibited more offense at the slight, but to Holland it barely registered. “Inspector - I - um -” Hazel eyes had just barely glanced into the room when they registered a familiar face. He would have known her anywhere even in this state. His brows knit first in confusion and then concern. He lost what he was going to say altogether.
“Close the door!” A man shouted from down the hall. He was failing to restrain a man who seemed intent on causing as much havoc as possible.
Holland peaked over his shoulder and slipped into the room, the door closing behind him as a man in a grey jumpsuit ran by followed by the blur of two CAF uniforms.
Holland glanced around the room to quickly assess the situation. He stepped further into the space essentially positioning himself at the point of a triangle. Aphrodite and Shrader were the other points. “This is - it’s - this is highly irregular, Inspector.” Holland’s words were faltering but his tone was clear. He could feel his heart thumping loudly in his ears and he tried not to look too much at Aphrodite. Tried to look like he didn't know her. Like this wasn’t the woman he was completely infatuated with at the moment.
“I know this is upsetting to see but this is enforcement. There was a -”
“I am not upset.” Holland said with less control than he would have liked. “This - what's going on here. This is -” He didn't have the words. “What is going on?”
“If you'd let me explain, doctor.”
“It's Sergeant Major." Holland blurted out suddenly demanding the respect he knew he wouldn't get otherwise.
“Yes, Sergeant Major." Shrader corrected himself. "There was a murder on the preserve last night and these weres were involved.” Shrader's boots scraped as he moved to retrieve one of the pictures from the floor. “See?” He offered it to Holland who gave it a passing glance but refused to take the picture for closer examination.
Holland stuck his pinky out and let it hover over the picture to gesture to features on it without touching it. Somewhere in the back of his mind he wondered how noticeable the fine tremor of his hand was. “These gashes are consistent with animal attack.”
“Precisely.” Shrader agreed thinking he had the scientist on his side.
“The preserve has higher per capita mountain lion population than the rest of the United States. That photograph is hardly dispositive of a murder and hardly justifies detaining what two dozen were leopards? How many of which are minors?”
It dawned on Shrader that he wouldn't find an ally in the doctor. He drew himself up and fixed Holland with a stare. “You're not here to float your little hypotheses. You're here to collect DNA.”
Holland understood that Shrader didn't know even the first thing about weres of any kind. He spared a glance at Aphrodite and mostly to her he said, “The literature on were DNA analysis indicates that individual weres do not exhibit static alleles."
That commentary only enraged Shrader, who didn't quite understand the scientific implications but did know when he was being called stupid. “If you don’t cooperate, doctor, I'll put you under arrest for obstruction of a military police enforcement operation. You're not here to advocate for these weres. They're suspects.”
Holland was taken aback by the threat. His brow furrowed with genuine concern. “You have no authority-”
“Military Police may arrest or otherwise detain military personnel who interfere with or actively sabotage military police operations. Military Police Charter.”
“My team is bringing the kits.” Holland responded stiffly, effectively conceding the ground.
“I knew a smart man like you would make the right decision.” Shrader couldn't help but rub it in. “You'll start with this one. She's wanted for interrogation before the others.” Shrader gestured to Aphrodite.
Shrader was now pointing Aphrodite out to Holland giving him clear license to look her over more fully. It wasn't lost on him that she was highly exposed and vulnerable in the situation. On more than one level. She was completely exposed to him. Her secret was out. And in the worst possible way. He’d never suspected but now it the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Why she sought to delay their date. The full moon. Why she had been silent all day.
From where he stood he could see her golden irises. He was aware of the darting movements of his own gaze to take in as much detail as he could. The grey jumpsuit was cinched at the waist giving her some semblance of figure but otherwise unflattering, and wildly uncharacteristic of anything he'd ever seen her in. The state she was in was even more alarming. Disheveled hair and layer of sweat making the grime on her fair skin almost shiny. He had a thousand questions. And he had the urge to apologize. Not that she looked like she needed it. The look in her eyes was like nothing he had seen. Wild and feral.
The threat of interrogation concerned him. He would delay it of he could. And completely prevent it if he had any say in the matter.
“Not here.” Holland said, turning back to Shrader. “This room is contaminated and could compromise the samples.” A lie, not that the Inspector would know. “This mess needs to be cleaned up.” He pointed to the vomit on the floor, something he had carefully noted upon entering and made sure he stayed away from. The presence of the mess had been scratching at the back of his mind since he saw it. Might as well use it to delay.
“She’s in distress following the shift. I will complete a medical examination and collect the samples you require. She’ll require rehydration and an examination. I want to see her in one of the medical suites.” He glanced back at her hoping that he had given her some reassurance that he would help her as best he could if she would just play along.
Bitch, I'm limited edition.
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-29-2016, 02:32 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-29-2016, 02:59 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 09-29-2016, 10:19 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-30-2016, 12:22 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-01-2016, 01:48 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-01-2016, 02:21 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-03-2016, 09:41 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-04-2016, 11:31 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-04-2016, 06:35 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-04-2016, 08:12 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-05-2016, 12:29 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-05-2016, 01:37 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-05-2016, 11:28 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-06-2016, 10:28 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-08-2016, 10:49 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-09-2016, 01:40 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-09-2016, 05:03 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-10-2016, 09:52 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-10-2016, 10:23 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-11-2016, 12:31 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-12-2016, 02:10 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-12-2016, 03:40 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-12-2016, 08:01 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-13-2016, 10:34 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-14-2016, 10:04 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-15-2016, 06:16 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-16-2016, 10:41 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-01-2016, 12:29 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-01-2016, 05:29 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-02-2016, 10:44 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-11-2016, 05:02 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-16-2016, 11:20 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-28-2016, 10:00 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 01-07-2017, 06:27 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-13-2017, 11:00 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-14-2017, 11:49 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 04-13-2017, 03:46 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 04-16-2017, 07:30 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 04-24-2017, 07:51 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 04-24-2017, 09:42 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 04-30-2017, 12:50 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 04-30-2017, 07:11 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 05-05-2017, 11:50 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 05-06-2017, 03:45 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 05-06-2017, 09:37 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 05-07-2017, 03:29 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 05-07-2017, 11:03 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 05-15-2017, 07:26 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 05-18-2017, 04:43 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 08-03-2017, 12:15 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 08-13-2017, 06:48 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 08-13-2017, 08:30 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 08-26-2017, 05:03 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 08-26-2017, 05:47 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 08-28-2017, 06:51 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-02-2017, 03:27 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 09-04-2017, 10:42 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-05-2017, 05:59 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 09-08-2017, 04:35 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-10-2017, 03:05 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 09-10-2017, 09:01 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-14-2017, 01:01 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-03-2017, 12:59 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-19-2017, 08:11 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 12-01-2017, 07:38 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 01-19-2018, 06:02 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 01-21-2018, 01:56 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 01-30-2018, 10:24 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 02-18-2018, 08:14 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 06-24-2018, 05:38 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 06-24-2018, 08:30 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 06-26-2018, 04:38 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 06-30-2018, 10:33 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 07-04-2018, 10:02 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 07-09-2018, 10:47 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 07-21-2018, 02:34 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-17-2018, 10:57 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-10-2019, 12:07 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-10-2019, 03:42 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-11-2019, 03:13 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-11-2019, 08:29 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-12-2019, 03:50 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-13-2019, 01:57 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-13-2019, 10:01 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-17-2019, 04:36 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-09-2019, 05:43 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-10-2019, 12:33 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-10-2019, 09:50 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-11-2019, 05:02 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-12-2019, 05:05 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-13-2019, 04:15 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-13-2019, 03:13 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-15-2019, 03:14 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-29-2019, 06:49 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-30-2019, 10:01 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-31-2019, 10:26 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-31-2019, 09:09 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 04-07-2019, 01:28 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 04-09-2019, 09:12 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 04-11-2019, 12:40 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 04-15-2019, 09:01 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 05-27-2019, 12:57 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 04-30-2019, 11:10 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 06-01-2019, 04:43 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 08-14-2019, 04:51 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 08-19-2019, 03:54 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 08-20-2019, 10:18 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 08-22-2019, 12:42 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 09-18-2019, 01:39 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-20-2019, 02:32 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 09-27-2019, 05:55 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 09-27-2019, 06:08 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-15-2019, 11:38 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-15-2019, 11:59 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-16-2019, 03:43 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-17-2019, 09:16 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-17-2019, 07:06 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-18-2019, 11:02 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-18-2019, 05:29 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-20-2019, 02:06 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-18-2019, 06:08 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 10-21-2019, 08:05 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-03-2019, 11:49 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-03-2019, 04:15 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-03-2019, 04:54 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-10-2019, 02:48 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-04-2019, 01:06 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-11-2019, 01:21 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-13-2019, 11:48 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-17-2019, 03:39 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-18-2019, 08:55 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-18-2019, 05:22 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-20-2019, 11:13 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-24-2019, 01:38 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 01-07-2020, 05:09 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 01-12-2020, 06:09 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 01-18-2020, 07:55 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 03-01-2020, 06:58 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 07-06-2020, 07:49 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 01-08-2020, 05:30 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 01-14-2020, 11:53 AM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 01-24-2020, 07:35 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 03-02-2020, 12:03 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 07-09-2020, 12:36 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-17-2020, 09:05 PM
RE: Reiterations [Closed] - by megs - 11-03-2020, 08:47 PM