Date: Monday May 23rd, 2017
What would you do for the one you loved? Just how far would you be willing to go? There is a line, drawn in the sand for all of us. That line we say we will never cross. That no matter what we just couldn't let ourselves go that far. Yet when we step to that line and what our heart beats for, we cross it because we can. A line in the sand is nothing more than that. It is just a line. Some arbitrary moment in time that when we finally reach it, it isn't the wall we imagined that we would have to climb over, or dig under, or burst through. We just step. Like every other step in life. One foot in front of the other. It is just the natural progression of things. Some of us it takes us longer to get to than others but we all eventually get there. Whether it is lying, murdering, dying, or more. We simply step. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just a single step. So, what do you say? Shall we step? Let's, into the next chapter.
Drumming nails rapped against the hard wood table, scratching the surface with each click and tick against it. Words were being spoken but thinned red painted lips were not listening. Thoughts going through the mind could better drown out the speech of others than even gun fire. The tapping stopped as blue eyes came up and locked on the sights in front of her. Straightening herself in her chair she laced her fingers together and rested them over the marks her nails had left in their wake. "You see, this is why I have always liked you. You are such a romantic."
A brow arched over one eye. "A romantic?"
"Yes, terribly so. You are all tough on the outside but on the inside you are just one gooey center." There was a slight chuckle that came from her lips.
Clearing his throat he shifted in his seat. "If that were the case ma'am then I wouldn't have been able to carry out the order."
There was a knock at the door and her eyes shot over. It seemed her long expected guest had arrived. Heels clicked over the marble flooring as the two women embraced as if they were old friends. One hair of platinum. One hair of chestnut. The man rose and nodded towards her. "Mr. March, I would like to introduce you to and old friend of mine." The man looked surprised to see the dark haired woman before him even though he hid the amount of shock surprisingly well. "Oh yes, you two know each other do you not." The man nodded, "That does make this more interesting. Imagine what I could barter for your head on a platter." This time he did not show any emotion on his face.
"Dis is the one? Where is the other?" the dark haired woman asked, her central Latino accent coming out.
"Oh, poor thing was found murdered upstairs with her lover last evening during a dinner party of sorts. What a waste of a recruitment. I thought she had more possibility but alas even I am wrong from time to time." Motioning towards the table she moved and sat herself. Mr. March pulling the chair out for her and then moving to do the same for the guest but the look that was shot to him told him to stay back. "Now, how are we to work together if you are going to give such a look Maria? You are acting as if he is your ex-husband."
"You expect me to work with him?" she growled through gritted teeth. Her Hispanic blood boiling as her fingers curled in. "I came here under the pretense that I would have his head."
"I said I would deliver the killer and with the recruit dead, I have fulfilled that promise. I never promised two for one. Now, can we get on with it? I mean if you really desire that lovely profile then by all means but then I will demand another head as well. I believe the only other that would carry as much weight as dear Vesta would be her heir. Do we really want to bring in the next generation into this mess just yet?" Elizabeth asked as if she was speaking about which tomato to pick out from the grocer. The woman's eyes darted over to Mr. March, if looks could kill he would be dead where he stood. Slowly her eyes came back over to Elizabeth. "Good, now we can carry on, you are dismissed Mr. March. Out the back way, I wouldn't want you to run into any that could cause more issues." He nodded and followed instructions. Once he was gone Elizabeth turned her attention back to her guest. "I will admit that there is still a grey area for negotiations. Shall I start the opening bid at fifty percent of your holdings in MSS?"
Case Number: 7354-DW-592
Report Filed By: Johnson
Department: Homicide
Details: Alicia Gonzalez. Lorna Dunn. Bodies washed up on shore outside of Justice. Assigned case due to bodies found within departments jurisdiction. Little headway originally made with case due to Coroner Wallaces death. New Coroner was able to make headway with the bodies. Brandings discovered on the bodies as well as DNA recovered. Lab was slow. Two mix ups which could have slowed prosecution had it come to that. Lab reports today denote that the DNA discovered on the bodies belonged to a Risa Couri, a UN Translator recently transferred to Justice, and a Marc Tinder, FBI.
Further evidence that has been discovered revealed that Mr. Tinder was a former associate of Ms. Gonzalez. Attending the same university. Romantic involvements are rumored but unsubstantiated. Connection with Miss Couri and Mr. Tinder could not be established. Questioning cannot commence. Miss Couri was found murdered on Queensguard Property. Mr. Tinder was discovered burned to death in the barn of Zoie Crawford, it looks to be an accidental case. FBI has claimed jurisdiction.
It is of this detectives opinion that this was a murder of passion. I believe that Miss Dunn was an innocent by-standard who was caught in the wrong time and place. The Justice Police Department here by closes this case. Records are being forwarded to the FBI so that they may conduct an internal investigation on Special Agent Tinder and to Justice Precinct 1 on the request of Police Commissioner. Family is being notified of our discovery and decision.
Status: Closed
"Listen, this doesn't settle right." The voice was apprehensive, speaking in a hushed tone as one looked at the other. There was a shrug of both acceptance and dismissal. "This isn't right and you know it. Sure it was one thing when it was something smaller. It's gotten way out of hand though. We've crossed a line and not a small one. A big fucking one." The words grew more frantic with each syllable spoken. The person was so intent on getting their point across they didn't even notice another step into the room.
"Nothing we can do about it now. We just keep going. Once we are done, we get out and don't look back," the other who had been standing there rummaging through files stated frankly. They too had not noticed one coming up behind them. That was until they cleared their throat. Spinning around the pair looked like two kids caught with their hands stuck in the cookie jar.
"That is unfortunate, I thought you were a more formidable recruit. Least I was told you were going to be." The voice was disappointed but the pair that had been conversing didn't get a chance to respond. There was a flash of a blade and like that two throats were slit. "People these days have no commitment for the larger picture." Shaking their head they watched the blood poor from the surprised faces. The door opened and she stood there gawking at the scene. "Go on, take care of your business." There wasn't a question, just a nod before sweeping in and grabbing what she came for before rushing out of the room and down the stairs.
Concrete walls lined the corridor, above pipes ran against the ceiling, fully exposed to look on if one so chose. One usually didn't bother. A light, bulb bare to cast a single directing light down to the stone floor, dotted here and there as one walked from the place between light and shadow. It was humid, steam escaping an errant pipe and billowing up creating a fog that rolled down until it dissipated. The sound of hard rubber soles could be heard echoing off the tile covered walls. A musky smell filled the air. It was stagnate and cold. Watering dropping from an errant pipe somewhere trickled into the senses.
"I hate this place." The words bounced off the walls and down each end of the long corridor. Hands swung in opposition to each step that hit the ground. One could even hear themselves breathe if they were not careful. The lights flickered, one after the other as it rushed down the corridor. A stain ran along one wall. Five lines, broken and crimson. Was that a beetle shell stuck in the wall or was that a finger nail? One didn't stop to investigate.
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't arrive." Bloodied gloves were snapped off and shoved into a white lab coat as another turned the corner and nodded at the new arrival.
"I am here now, what do you have to show me?" The words were impatient as they were spoken. No words answered the question. Just a turn of the body and a motioning to follow. Now two set of foot steps walked, falling out of time just enough to be annoying but not grotesquely so. A hand motioned towards the glass and a white light shown in the room that was separated by nothing but a glass window in a brick wall. There, laying on the table, bandaged heavily, a single eye showing through the gauze opened. "Remarkable."
Flight UA 2199: To get to the flight took some time, a body had to be signed over, tickets had to be gotten, and more. Yet, Dr. Brinne's fiance did the leg work. Mostly Cecily had to get a cab once she was texted the information. Hop, skip, and a jump in time forward our resident forensic tech is on the flight, first class in seat 2B (isle). Drinks have come around for first class and the plane is nearly ready to take off. Just have to close the doors. This is where we will pick up.
"Wait! Wait!" a county twanged voice yelled out in the tunnel. The airline stewardess froze midway closing the door for take off. "Sorry 'bout that hun. Last minute flight, here ya go darlin'" it added as a ticket was handed over and broad cheesy grin rested underneath a thick mustache.
"Yes, seat 2A, right here," she said after checking the ticket. "Please have a seat sir, we need to take off immediately," she added.
"Yes ma'am," he said as he pulled off his stetson and strolled around the corner. Cowboy was the best way one could describe him. He stood at nearly six and a half feet tall with curly brown hair and hazel eyes. He was dressed in worn blue jeans, an olive green button down shirt, large belt buckle on his brown belt. His jeans were half tucked into his cowboy boots. On his belt hung a badge. Not the usual police badge, this was the badge of a Texas Ranger.
Towering over Cecily he gave her a cheeky grin. "Mind if I get passed ya to the window little lady?" he said before squeezing by and plopping down next to her and shoving his back pack under his seat and fastened his seat belt. Pulling out a folded sheet of paper from his front pocket he rested the cowboy hat on his knee and unfolded it. "Cecily Ashworth, Forensic Tech and Coroner Interim Justice California, well dag nabbit if that don't be soundin' impressive," he said reading off the printed sheet. Turning his head he grinned at her. "I be Gavin Comfort, Texas Ranger, and you darlin' in shit creek up to yer neck ain't ya?" he asked as the plane took off.
Flight AA 296: Cecily is just one of several grabbing a flight out of town. Zoie and Mali are as well while Relic is staying behind to take care of somethings. They had a lot less to take care of before leaving oddly enough. Packing up and getting to the airport, the body was being taken care of by the FBI but Zoie would be responsible for informing Marc's parents in Grimm. Zoie opted to drive her pick up truck instead of getting a taxi or uber. Once at the airport, thankfully things went smoothly and they were seated. A nonstop flight to Chicago. First class, seats 3C (isle) and 3D (window) - Zoie let Mali have whichever she preferred.
The plane taxied out of the gate and down the tarmac. Taking off Zoie waited for the seatbelt sign to turn off. ~ding~
"Good evening American Airlines Flight 296, direct flight from Justice California to Chicago Illinois. This is your Captain speaking. We have reached our cruising altitude of 41,000ft. We will arrive at O'Hare International Airport in four hours and five minutes. Dinner service will begin shortly and we request that you remain seated unless absolutely needed for your safety." It was your typical flight message.
Zoie rolled her head to one side and smiled slightly over towards Mali. "Hey, know it been a hell of a last few days but thanks fer comin' out on this with me. It should only take a day in Grimm, I was wondering if you wanted to get right back or if you wanted to stay a few days in Chicago? See the sights and shit. I means if you gotta get back I understand but I ain't in no hurry," she said, letting her twang come out.
The
stewardess started at the front of the plane so it took a few minutes to get to Zoie and Mali. When she did she smiled slightly as she made sure the trays were down and placed a small napkin on each. "For dinner you have a choice of Asian-style ginger beef and sweet chili glass noodle salad with jicama, red peppers and Asian sesame dressing, a side of fresh fruit, and a triple chocolate cookie for dessert OR South Pacific sweet chili chicken salad with pineapple vinaigrette dressing, a side of fresh fruit, and a chocolate chunk cookie for dessert. We also have a Strict Vegan, Kosher, and Muslim plates if you have a restricted diet. What can I get for you? And what would you like to drink?"
"Ginger beef for me and a burbon on the rocks please," Zoie said as she righted herself in her seat.
Flight MSS 1: Yet another flight. You know, if all these people in the air knew what happened to the last people to get on a plane they might have opted to drive no matter how long it took. Yet... as some hands in a well once said -
"TOO LATE NOW!" Liam is left behind with Maria. I wonder how well that is going to work out. Well let's hope no one is dwelling on it. Not like there is much you could do by now with the flight being in the air and all. Right now MSS 1 is over Colorado. Gotta love private jets. You get off the ground faster, you have more leg room, and the flights tends to be shorter. Let's see what is going on inside the cabin.
Drinks have been served. The inflight meal as well and has been cleaned up. Information was forwarded from Det. Johnson to inform him about the fact that Alicia's case has been closed by the department now and that the suspects for her and Ms. Dunn's murder are dead themselves. Det. Johnson requests that Caesar contact Precinct 1 when he returns to town as they have some questions for him about the Couri/Walsh double homicide that happened under his companies watch at Queensguard, as well as further questions on Supreme Court Justice Lyo's poisoning that happened that same evening.
Some inflight movie was put on my the flight attendant. It is from Caesars personal favorites collection. Sure if Keystone wanted to change it, he might be able to but hey, it's a start. Anyways it doesn't matter. The movie isn't on long. After about the first fifteen minutes of said movie are on, the screen freezes. It is digital, these things happen. Buffering can be a bitch at this altitude over mountains. Wait... This movie isn't connected by wifi or satellite. It's an old dvd. Was there a scratch on the disk? The stewardess is in the middle of getting coffee and she didn't noticed as the screen flickered and then went dark.
Over the planes intercom the pilot speaks in.
"Boss, we have lost connection with the towers and all signals." After a moment or two, something familiar to Keystone starts happening in the center of the large screen TV hung on the back wall of the main area of the cabin.
The intercom came back on.
"Um, we're good boss. Everything is back on. Must have hit a dead spot over the Rockies."Grimm, Indiana: A quick recap since in Grimm proper we aren't time skipping. Chloe is being taken care of by Fisher and Sons funeral home. We have the kids talking about a clown, bloodied foot prints out in the front yard, a fire burning over in the woods to the North West of the funeral home. Tim will be around shortly to pick up the girls and take them to the hotel rooms that Gregory secured for them before he left to drive back to Chicago. Time to pick up where we left off.
Ryan knew there was a lot to fill Riley in on, he could drag this out or he would just go for a straight information dump. He opted for the latter. Sitting down he rubbed his palms on his jeans. He explained how he had met Chloe when she was in college, he was one of her professors oddly enough. The two just clicked. At least he felt they did. This was before she knew or at least before she accepted that she was a lesbian. It was the classic professor and his student thing. Ryan admitted that he fell and he fell hard for Chloe. So much in fact that when she came out of the closet he didn't care. Sure that meant that one side of the relationship was over but that didn't mean he stopped caring.
Turned out it was a good thing since she ended up pregnant with the twins from that one drunken moment. They got married so she would be covered by his insurance and could be taken care of. They stayed married for the kids but because of her drug use he took custody. He refused divorce, knowing she would need rehab. There was no way he could pay for that if she wasn't on his insurance. It just kind of stuck. As far as why Chloe never told Riley, he couldn't answer that. He assumed with Riley being this famous rock star and everything, Chloe didn't want to drag her into a scandal. If that was true or not, he had no clue. How he found out was easy, he was her emergency contact and she did die in a drive by shooting that took out sixteen people total, that shit was national news.
Priya coming back in made him stand up. "Well that sounds like fun. Listen I'm gonna head out and get the kids something to eat. See you at the funeral in a couple of days I guess," he said before nodding towards the detective and heading out. "Come on, let's get the hell outta here. Smells like a retirement home," he added as he ushered Cyril and the twins towards the door.
"Smells like grandpas!" Lunn said with a grin on her lips as they headed out the front door and it closed heavy behind them.
