=====

"Basic overview of it all? Bring Mandragora back to Gotham or Vic is gonna ask me to kill someone with him. Those are the ways he'd trust me, at least enough to get the jump on him."

"And you're positive that you couldn't convince him any other way?"

"I really don't know, sir." You answer honestly. "He really WANTS us to be friends or partners or whatever. But honestly I could see him going over the edge..."

Reiner sighs and puts an elbow on his desk as he opens his drawer and pulls out a blister pack of medication. He pops a light pink pill free and swallows it dry. He takes another few seconds leafing through the papers you dropped off before he looks up at you.

"What about the mother?"

"What about her?"

"You saw her die, correct? In a vision?"

"I did, but I don-"

"And Mandragora had the body cleaned up didn't he? There's no record of her in our morgue systems, unless she was a cold case. But if that's so then Rogers wouldn't have any idea either. He didn't see her die either, did he?"

"No? I'm sorry but, I'm not following, sir." You ask with a tilted head.

"What if we told him his mother was alive?" He asks flatly. "She was in witness protection or maybe she changed her name and moved away but we found her through some federal connection like ARGUS?"

"Uh.. that would be..." You settle on the word 'wrong' but you don't say it.

"Unsavory." Reiner finishes for you. "I don't love the idea but you have to admit it could be effective for someone as emotionally driven as he is."

"It could also drive him even more insane." You pushback lightly.

"If we get him in cuffs he can be as insane as he wants with mandatory treatment and therapy." He leans back in his seat. "You know him best, but I think it's best of we talk to the commissioner with a plan in mind."

>"I was going to ask Gordon to pull some strings to get Mandragora back in the city. I know it's a lot to ask but I think it's the best option we have."
>"I think we should send me with him to 'save' someone. He'll have a split focus and it gives me the best chance of surprising him. Even if it is risky."
>"His mom. It's a soft spot, a really soft spot. I think if we dangle that bait he'll definitely bite it... but if we don't manage to bring him in? God..."
>Write-In

We're so back!

I am struggling to decide on a vote, and trying to think outside of the box a little. Anons, please advise:

Would it be wise to possibly use our connection with Constantine to put Vic in contact with his deceased mother, if that's even possible?

Alternatively, would it be wise for us to use the time we bought to coordinate something with Q and Huntress - if we agree to go 'save' someone with Zsasz, tipping the two of them off and maybe wearing a tracker or something(?) would allow for them to intercept. His powers don't seem as developed as I had thought, in some ways. I do think if we tried to lean on SWAT or detectives, he would see them coming from a mile, and if we tried to take him down fully one on one it's a big risk... I would be pretty surprised if he isn't flatly superior to Mark as a fighter. Huntress and Q are more agile/flexible/stealthy than cops and may be able to close in, and the three of us could make the arrest. We could use our powers to possibly anticipate or just estimate where/how to position them?

>>6395775
>Try Constantine
Very smart! Maybe he can show Zsasz that his mom isn't the one behind his powers and that the forces telling him to kill aren't heaven-sent.

>Huntreds & Q
A great fallback.

>>6395767
>You have some contacts who might be able to help out... But Reiner's going to have to okay their involvement, and some (all) of their methods are unconventional
I just think trying to pull the fake mom gambit on a psychic psycho is a bad plan.

>>6395781
I’ll +1 this.

>”…sir, would this be a situation to consider alternative methods? Because I have some contacts that can help if we are.”
>”Also, I noticed that there’s an area in a graveyard where the voices were quieted. Grave of a Captain Logerquist. We could use it as a way to mute his powers, make it harder for him or his “voice” to pick up our intentions, and give him an area for him to frequent for us to plan accordingly.”

>>6395781
>>6395915
+1

>>6395781
>>6395915
Alright, if you guys are behind it, then let's maybe try it out, I will +1 both of these, including the Captain mention.

>>6396067
I am
>>6395775
Ftr
I move around a bunch and mobile post so my ID changes

>>6395915
+1

>>6395781
>>6395915
>>6396066
>>6396067
>>6396121

You settle in the silence. Commander Reiner doesn't seem to mind, waiting patiently with his own fingers steepled loosely on his desktop. He watches you with curiosity but he makes no attempt to rush you.

"Sir." You get out after a minute or so of quiet contemplation. "Maybe this is a situation that calls for... alternative methods."

"Such as?" He asks, his expression still stone-faced.

"I have contacts that could help us, if we were open to the idea."

"Contacts like your so called PI?"

Your heart sends out a pulse of cold blood. Honestly it makes sense he saw through that. The main thing that stops you from feeling too bad is the slight shake of his head that hides a smirk.

"Yes, sir." You offer quietly. "But I also know others. A man by the name of Constantine helped me, the tumor was uh... him."

"He's a doctor and a cape?"

"Not exactly he's a... magician."

His brows furrow beneath the thick plastic rim of his glasses.

"That right? You mean..." He gestures vaguely in the air.

"Real magic. He uh... got the tumor out."

"A magic doctor, then?" Reiner says. "Strange."

"Not a doctor. Bit of a dick actually, but if he can do that for me then who knows what he could do to help us out. Could even shut off whatever it is that's making Rogers full 'end is nigh', maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Last time he helped he owed me in a pretty big way. From what I've picked up about him he seems to not really be the 'doing it for the right reasons' type of guy."

"Seems? How well do you know this Constantine fella? Are we gonna be pulling from the CI funding or is he gonna want favors?"

"I would never-" You start but he cuts you off with a wave of the hand.

"I'm tired, officer." He states flatly. "I need information to work with, there's plenty of good CI's who ask for too much. The law is lenient in some areas for a reason, if we were too rigid then we'd break. So?"

"I don't know, sir. Really. I'd have to talk with him, odds are he might just want something from me rather than the department."

"You ARE the department, DeLucia. Same as every other officer out there, you represent the GCPD in and out of the uniform. You got any other options?"

"Well. The 'PI' I work with. He's helped with the Calc case, helped me reconstruct some evidence, but he's also a vigilante. Now I know the Vigilante Act covers a lot, but I don't know it as well as you."

"Eh.." He sighs. "The act is a mess, honestly. Vaguely worded. Poorly implemented. Essentially made just for The Batman, but its pillars boil down to needing to prove; a 'rapport between police elements and the Vigilante in question' and 'a lack of evidence that the actions of the Vigilante resulted in additional harm.' Basically, nothing exceeding the internal values set by Internal Affairs for Officer Review. Do that and then we can work with whatever or whoever they give us."

"Sounds loose."

"Like I said. Vague wording. There's a reason some people call it 'The Batman law', it smoothed out a lot of the bumps that came up from GCPD picking up his collars. But perps can still make the same accusations towards them as they would towards an officer. Brutality charges and the like, burden of proof is on the city to show that it was valid."

"How's that work? I've never heard of Batman showing up to a deposition or a court case."

"Josiah Power. League Attorney and damn good, he could have given Dent a real run for a case in his prosecution days. I only bring it up because most perps don't even bother trying it against Batman anymore. But your friend?" He shrugs.

"He's reliable, if a bit... off. Eccentric is probably the better word."

"Nuts." Reiner states.

"Very eccentric. But fantastic at tracking people and information down. But, you also mentioned the League. I know a Detective who's affiliated."

"With the League?" His tired eyes stretch a bit further open. "One of ours?"

"No no, out of state. He isn't really even active anymore, not as a detective at least. But he helped me learn to work more with my Shivers than against them."

"Right... You sure know a lot of capes for someone so dedicated to being an officer."

"Gotta know the roads before you can pick one to drive down." You recite. "My pops says that a lot."

"Smart guy." Reiner groans leaning forward again, he takes off his glasses and you watch his reddened eyes blink slowly. "Looks like you have no shortage of options, I can let the Commissioner know you wanna go this route. I think the easiest sell would be your detective friend, especially if he'd be willing to come in and share a badge number or a precinct so we can run background."

"Might be difficult because on paper he's uh... dead. Sir."

The glasses glide silently back to their perch on his nose and he lets a thin stream of warm air flow from it.

"Course he is. Guess we'd do it under his alias then. Look, Gordon has the same soft spot for you that I got. He and I think you're the first drop of something bigger not just for Gotham but potentially departments all over the country. I'm not gonna bullshit you and tell you that it isn't gonna be an easy call for him to approve you. He will. That's just the kind of guy Jim is. But I lack his, seemingly, blind faith in people. What or whoever ends up helping you on this, you gotta make sure it's good. Damn good." His index finger smooshes into the desk. "There are a lot of people who'd love to cut their teeth being the attorney who took on the first major case where the arresting officer was a Meta-Human. Win or lose, even if it's for scum like The SIM Killer."

"I understand, sir."

"I hope." He replies. "What am I taking to Jim, Officer DeLucia?"

>"Tell him we're going to need another one of those quiet contracts. Put it under John Constantine."
>"I'm going with my PI and his partner. They haven't let me down before, they'll maintain anonymity and help me set a trap for Vic."
>"Tell him I'll be bringing in Detective John Jones, he'd probably be willing to come in and meet with you both."
>"When you put it like this it makes me think it might be a better idea to just try and get Mandragora back into the city. Appease Vic for a bit."
>Write-In


The IP Range ban is still in effect and I would rather burn myself alive on national television for all my friends and family to see than buy a 4chan pass. But otherwise, we maintain the weekly schedule! See you soon.

>>6397378
>"Tell him we're going to need another one of those quiet contracts. Put it under John Constantine."
Here. We. Go.

>>6397419
+1
Let's rock and roll

>>6397378
>"Tell him I'll be bringing in Detective John Jones, he'd probably be willing to come in and meet with you both."
He is the most mellow meta we know and ro metaGAME, he's also a psychic alien and this is an alien threat involving a psychic.

>>6397378
>"Tell him I'll be bringing in Detective John Jones, he'd probably be willing to come in and meet with you both."
Kinda want to check on Martian Manhunter again, especially after the whole rigmarole at Arkham.

>>6397378
>"Tell him we're going to need another one of those quiet contracts. Put it under John Constantine."

>>6397454
Didnt said psychic literally get flattened for a month by this thing? Which is what got bats involved?

We may want the consult, but we dont want to overly involve him and get him double flattened. At best, a psych power consult. Thats if he isnt still flattened? Totally slipped if hes still downed atm.

>>6397378
>"I'm going with my PI and his partner. They haven't let me down before, they'll maintain anonymity and help me set a trap for Vic."
I like the Constantine angle, I did pitch it, but it feels like a wide swing.
Regardless of which way we go, I like the way it reinforces theme for Mark to rely on a mix of vigilante AND police tactics to face down his nemesis.

>>6397559
I may be mistaken, but I thought Martian Manhunter had been kncoked out and recovered? If not, he is still there to consult on Zsasz, not to target Darkseid directly.

>>6397421
>>6397545
>>6397419


"Tell him we're going to need another one of those quiet contracts. Put it under John Constantine."

"The Magician." Reiner remarks dryly as he fishes a pen out of a mug on his desk.

"Honestly, sir. You're taking the whole magic thing in stride."

"Son." He sighs, glancing up. "I know how things work in Gotham City. Gordon had me read his 'All Star Files' before I signed on. I know how it goes around here. It's easier not to think about, just take it as it comes."

He scribbles on a piece of paper and tosses the pen back with a ceramic clink.

"Now I'll take this to the Commissioner, gives you a little bit of time to get your magic friend on the horn and give me an actual plan to give to him."

"Shouldn't we act a little faster th-"

"By the book." He says firmly. "That's what I told you right? That didn't come from me, it came from the top. This is the chain of command and even now we're skipping a few links, but it's what Dent wants for this case and the Calc fiasco."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"You're doing good work. I don't mean to..." He trails off, shaking his head. "I need some damn sleep. Was never good at it before, let alone with all this. Make sure you find Detective Bennett and brief him on everything you told me that was Calc related."

"I'll make sure the reports are perfect." You affirm.

"I know. After you brief Bennett I expect to get them in tandem before the week is out. Hopefully by then... Eugh. We'll see what to do then."

He rises from his desk and you rise from your seat along with him. He steps around the desk, letting his hand drag back to you the plastic baggies you'd collected as he heads for the door.

"Make sure processing knows to expect both our prints on the exterior and get someone to take Hawthorne that card. Keep me in the loop."

You step out of the dim, almost soothing, lighting and back into the buzzing intensity of the bullpen's fluorescents. Reiner follows behind you, a coat hanging from his arm haphazardly while he pulls out a cellphone and marches off without another word to you. You can't exactly blame him. You manage to flag down a patrol officer walking by and hand off the card, now secure in a GCPD evidence baggy, with some brief instructions. A quick nod and she vanishes amidst the flow of traffic as dozens of other officers work on their own cases, it's a passing thought but it lingers. You don't dwell on it for long, you move on to...

>Head to Grey and deliver these documents.
>See if you can't get a peek in on Hawthorne and Kimble working Gorchakov, just for a bit.
>Find an officer to run Grey the documents, then head home. You only know one way to get in contact with John and it's on the other end of that briefcase you were given.
>Write-In

>>6397421
>>6397545
>>6397419

"Tell him we're going to need another one of those quiet contracts. Put it under John Constantine."

"The Magician." Reiner remarks dryly as he fishes a pen out of a mug on his desk.

"Honestly, sir. You're taking the whole magic thing in stride."

"Son." He sighs, glancing up. "I know how things work in Gotham City. Gordon had me read his 'All Star Files' before I signed on. I know how it goes around here. It's easier not to think about, just take it as it comes."

He scribbles on a piece of paper and tosses the pen back with a ceramic clink.

"Now I'll take this to the Commissioner, gives you a little bit of time to get your magic friend on the horn and give me an actual plan to give to him."

"Shouldn't we act a little faster th-"

"By the book." He says firmly. "That's what I told you right? That didn't come from me, it came from the top. This is the chain of command and even now we're skipping a few links, but it's what Dent wants for this case and the Calc fiasco."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"You're doing good work. I don't mean to..." He trails off, shaking his head. "I need some damn sleep. Was never good at it before, let alone with all this. Make sure you find Detective Bennett and brief him on everything you told me that was Calc related."

"I'll make sure the reports are perfect." You affirm.

"I know. After you brief Bennett I expect to get them in tandem before the week is out. Hopefully by then... Eugh. We'll see what to do then."

He rises from his desk and you rise from your seat along with him. He steps around the desk, letting his hand drag back to you the plastic baggies you'd collected as he heads for the door.

"Make sure processing knows to expect both our prints on the exterior and get someone to take Hawthorne that card. Keep me in the loop."

You step out of the dim, almost soothing, lighting and back into the buzzing intensity of the bullpen's fluorescents. Reiner follows behind you, a coat hanging from his arm haphazardly while he pulls out a cellphone and marches off without another word to you. You can't exactly blame him. You manage to flag down a patrol officer walking by and hand off the card, now secure in a GCPD evidence baggy, with some brief instructions. A quick nod and she vanishes amidst the flow of traffic as dozens of other officers work on their own cases, it's a passing thought but it lingers. You don't dwell on it for long, you move on to...

>Head to Grey and deliver these documents.
>See if you can't get a peek in on Hawthorne and Kimble working Gorchakov, just for a bit.
>Find an officer to run Grey the documents, then head home. You only know one way to get in contact with John and it's on the other end of that briefcase you were given.
>Write-In

Now that we're talking about MM, shouldn't we check up on Nia? Our ex? I remember that Batman told us that MM and her were also affected, we might not want to have something with her, but checking up on her seems in character with Mark

>>6397890
>Head to Grey and deliver these documents.
We cannot leave Hawthorne hanging with Gorchakov, the head home option doesn't feel right right now. We handle the documents with Grey to make sure they're in good hands, then we confront Gorsky

>>6397890
>See if you can't get a peek in on Hawthorne and Kimble working Gorchakov, just for a bit.

captcha why are you shitting your self

>>6397890
>Head to Grey and deliver these documents.
We can get ahold of Constantine tonight, hopefully.

>>6398244
The site has been glitching out all day.

>>6397890
>Head to Grey and deliver these documents.

>>6398024
>>6398260
>>6398261

Gorchakov is being handled by Kimble and Hawthorne, though you can't say you wouldn't want to see the whole thing from the start, and you cant imagine Constantine will be too hard to get ahold of. He's a magician after all, maybe he already knows somehow. Regardless, Grey needs this info and if anyone can fill you in on what else is going on with the cases he can. So you head off.

The halls are busy as you head further towards the Detective's corner, all their offices and desks set up in a centralized location with 'the war room' opposite. Through the frosted glass you can see the silhouette of Grey moving now, along with another much younger man with ginger hair. You open the door and step inside to see them both examining the same picture as they stick it to the board. The photo is a familiar one. Two boys with a matching set of dopey grins.

"I know those kids." You say, causing a minor jolt of both men.

"Jesus Christ. At least clear your throat before scaring the hell out of an old man." Grey says as he clutches his chest dramatically. "Come in, close the door. Good to see you in one piece, never doubted ya."

You do so. Grey smiles at you before nodding to his associate.

"Ah, sorrry. Officer Mark DeLucia, meet Detective Owen Kinski. Narcotics."

"Pleasure to meet ya." Detective Kinski offers with a subdued smile. "Heard your name floating around a lot recently, you have Hawthorne as a TO right?"

"I do, I do. You ever work with him when he was in narcotics?"

"Jeez do I really look that old?" He asks with mock offense. "Not really, I was a grunt and he gave orders to the guy who gave me orders. Made an impression though."

"Like an old sofa." Grey quips, pinning another photo to the board. A square headed young man's school ID headshot.

"Wait, I know him too." You say pointing to it. "He was at a bar that Hawthorne and I tracked a suspect to."

"Devlin Castle." Grey says. "I followed through with your reports and paid a visit to your little friend."

"My little friend? You met up with Caesar?"

"You were a little busy and I didn’t want to waste anymore time, we’re already playing catch up. Anyways, I got a copy of the most recent GU Yearbook and took it by. He pointed out a few faces for us. That’s it, just like you wanted."

"Familiar ones." Detective Kinski adds. "I'm heading up the investigation into the university, well I WAS, a different investigation. We've suspected a drop operation to be running there."

"On campus?" You ask. "Do you mean an influx of drops in or-"

"Both. We've picked up a couple small fish dealers already, usually lurking just outside the campus grounds. Hitting the popular bars. All that usual stuff. None of em talked but after your report." He taps a closed folder on the desk. "We went into their chemistry department and walked through inventory with them, there were discrepancies just like your uh, vision implied."

"So you think it isn't just for Scarecrow? The equipment?"

"We think." Grey interjects. "Not exactly swimming in manpower but Kinski was able to frame this in a way that Narcotics was willing to lend him out. Lot of cooks in the kitchen while you pound pavement, Mark."

"Yes, sir. I know. But uh, I have more ingredients." You gesture weakly with the bag of documents you have rolled up and jutting from your pocket. "This one is SIM related."

"Course." Grey says bluntly, his voice more fatigued than upset. "They got me juggling two cases that'll either get me a gold watch or shipped down the river..."

"Grey, I'm sorry-"

"What for?" He stops you prematurely. "This is my job, son. I live for this shit, the bitching it just how I blow off steam. Hand em over."

"Gloves. It hasn't been processed yet, my prints and the Commander's are on it already." You remind him as you set it on the table.

Grey grumbles and pulls a set of latex gloves free from a box that's collecting dust in the corner. Meanwhile Kinski gives you a polite nod and excuses himself to setting up the new row of suspects for the Thanatoxin Operation. You let your eyes glide over the glossy photographs.

Raul and Alvin, the two brothers from your vision ages 19 and 17 respectively. This Castle character is probably muscle, from what you saw he's probably not kept in the loop. But the next two faces are a mystery to you. Older male, Asian, with wire frame glasses and a bowtie standing in front of the same Gotham University background as the kids. Next to him is a woman with a deeply wrinkled face and short spiked hair and frosted tips. You study their faces, running it through your memory when Grey pipes up.

"Those are the two Hawthorne caught having a meeting with Raul there. We picked him up but we're only watching them. Seeing where they go off too when they miss that next meeting."

"The older fella. Teacher?"

"Former head of the Chemistry Department."

"Former? I'm assuming it was one sided?"

"Admin says he had to step down from the position due to personal issues. His wife is sick with something..." Grey pauses for a moment, a birth certificate halfway extruded from the bag. "Terminal without treatment. Which means..."

"Financial motivation." You say quietly. "The woman?"

"Shelly Weston, she's a receptionist at Ace Chemicals. Works directly under the Plant Manager."

"Ace Chemicals... like Caesar's mom. Anarky got a new in at the place. What's pushing her?"

"A simple answer for once. She's been a receptionist for near thirty years and she might make less than we do."

"Tracks. Anything out of the kids?"

"The brothers and their bodyguard?" Grey asks as he gently nudges the document before raising a small camera with a slit in the bottom. "No."

Click.

A flash fires off and a thin sheet comes out of the bottom. Grey looks at it and hisses.

"Gotta get closer. Can't read this crap." He snaps another photo and as he shakes it he looks at you. "Speaking of, is this crap what I think it is. Lauretta Zsasz, Vic's mom?"

"Yeah, the meeting went well. I found these hidden in what used to be her bedroom. Probably... fifteen years old by now?"

"And these..." He trails off pulling a small stack of laminated plastic from the bag. "ID's? Ah, fakes. Lot of fakes..."

"I thought it was interesting too, figured maybe one of those could pop on something. Give us a little more insight."

"Good work, Mark." Grey says simply as he methodically lines up each card against a white sheet of paper and photographs it. "We'll look into these, I know you can’t be on the SIM case fully but trust me. I want him just as much as you do at this point. Hopefully we can get to him without another meeting.”

You silently doubt it but you give him a nod anyway.

"You've probably had a long enough day as it is, I'll make sure this ends up at processing once I'm done getting the pictures I need..." He trails off in concentration as he snaps another photo.

>"If it's all the same to you, do you mind if I stick around for a little bit? I wanna see if there are any hits, sooner than later."
>"Sounds good, sir. But I'm gonna stop by to see how Hawthorne and Kimble are doing against Gorchakov, this bag wasn't all that I found."
>"Yeah that's not a bad idea. I got a call I need to make anyways."
>Write-In



>>6398244
>>6398260
Exactly why I ended up double posting the last update. Also apologies fellas, I'm working back to back twelves and it's kicking my ass. I keep getting home late. The IP Range Ban is still up so, I'm just waiting.

>>6398417
>>"Sounds good, sir. But I'm gonna stop by to see how Hawthorne and Kimble are doing against Gorchakov, this bag wasn't all that I found."

>>6398527
+1

>>6398417
>"Sounds good, sir. But I'm gonna stop by to see how Hawthorne and Kimble are doing against Gorchakov, this bag wasn't all that I found."

>>6398417
>"Sounds good, sir. But I'm gonna stop by to see how Hawthorne and Kimble are doing against Gorchakov, this bag wasn't all that I found."

>>6398417
>"Sounds good, sir. But I'm gonna stop by to see how Hawthorne and Kimble are doing against Gorchakov, this bag wasn't all that I found."
“Hey Gork, is the reason you’re considering suicide because Lauretta Zsasz‘s serial killer son might find out you sold her up the river to Mandragora after killing Free? Because, damn broski, if so you’re right fucked.”

>>6398623
+1
Straight up 'gorkin it', and by it, I mean my evidentse

>>6398623
+1
Straight up 'gorkin it'
And by it I mean my evidentse B^)

Jesus this site is busted rn

>>6398417
>"Yeah that's not a bad idea. I got a call I need to make anyways."

Contacting Constantine is time sensitive, he might be/get busy.

Hey fellas, update will come later in the day as some stuff came up to take care of. Locked in on taking a look at the interrogation and I'll segue that into heading home and trying to contact Constantine. Expect a bit of a longer update next, see ya soon.

>>6398977
Good luck with the TCB, QM. See you soon.

>>6398527
>>6398530
>>6398599

"Sounds good, sir. But I'm gonna stop by to see how Hawthorne and Kimble are doing against Gorchakov, this bag wasn't all that I found."

"Oh?" He asks, brows raising but his eyes remain downcast on the photographs.

"GCPD Patrol Card, Officer Free's. His old partner."

"The one he killed?" Kinski asks over his shoulder, his face an obvious mask of disgust. "You think it had something to do with it?"

"Don't know. Like I said, he's being interrogated right now. Was hoping to catch some of it, see if anything he says connects some dots for me."

"Good luck." Grey and Kinski say in near unison as they return to their respective tasks. You give a polite nod and head back out through the glass doors.

A few detectives give you passing greeting as you make your way back out towards the bullpen and head for the interview rooms. Gorchakov has been sitting in a private cell at the precinct since you brought him in, only time spent outside the cage was in cuffs heading to and from court. He's had a lot of time to think. Think up deflections, half-truths, and remember old dirt. Something in your gut twitches as you pass by the interview room door and head for the observation room instead. Stepping inside, it's lights completely off and a pair of seats sit near the glass. You lean forward and tap the black button that sits above a metal grate in the wall and from it emerges a familiar voice.

"..iece of shit, ask a hundred times. It ain't happening." Kimble says firmly.

You hit another button, this one blue, and the mass window in front of you fades from an impenetrable black to perfectly translucent aside from the various fingerprint smears and... fluid stains on the opposite side. You fold your arms and watch silently.

"And I told you, I aint talking unless I have guarantees. As a matter of fact, should you even be in here Officer Kimble? Last time we met you stuffed a sock in my mouth and let a rookie batter me around his backseat driving like a maniac."

"Cry me a fuckin river, Gorchakov." Hawthorne says, standing tall by the side of the table. His eyes beady black dots in the shade of his Sergeant's hat.

"I fuckin will and I plan on shipping you down it. Excessive force is just gonna be the tip of the iceberg, especially for that little rookie fuck. How's psychic visions gonna play with the Fourth Amendment?"

"How are you gonna tell your lawyer to draft that up when you got a slit throat, Gorchie?" Kimble asks, leaning in on the table.

"Thank you, Kimble. You meathead fuck." Gorchakov looks to the camera and waves with the little motion his cuffs provide. "Right on camera too, how considerate."

"He wasn't talking about us, Gorchakov." Hawthorne says, his boot clicking loudly in the space as he pulls something from his pocket. "Look at this."

The familiar tattered card flutters to the table.

"An old torn up business card?"

"Read the name." Hawthorne growls.

>>6398609
>>6398623
>>6398647

Gorchakov sighs and leans forward to read it. You can't see his face but you notice when he sits back up that his posture is straighter. Shoulder squared.

"An old torn up, dead guys, business card."

"A card we found at the home of a prostitute. We believe she was an informant, or wanted to be." Hawthorne states each word slowly and clearly. Almost like he's dragging it out intentionally.

"An old. Torn up. Dead whore's business card. I'm so fucking sorry, did I get it that time?" He asks in a childish voice.

"Officer Free. Your partner, who you gunned down-"

"According to the GCPD's resident gypsy!? A-a a fuckin carnie?" He laughs bitterly.

"Well, it'll be your right to argue that in court." Kimble says. "But like we said. We aren't sure if you'll make it."

Gorchakov's head falls backwards and for a moment you can see his eyes. Tired. Dark circles. Then he leans forward again shaking his head.

"Fine. I'll bite. Why not?"

"Because her son is the SIM Killer." Hawthorne says flatly.

"Pffft." Gorchakov snorts. "Holy shit, really! Y'know my mother is actually the Queen of England too."

"Keep laughing." Hawthorne states. "You wouldn't know being in the cage as long as you have. But we had an incident the other day. Kimble, give him the report."

Kimble reaches back and pulls a thin sheet of folded paper from his back pocket before tossing it in Gorchakov's face, earning another bitter chuckle, a few seconds pass as he lowers his head to scan it before he shrugs and leans back.

"Wow. Seems you boys have your hands full. A full truck of bodies?" He whistles. "If only somebody... allegedly, knew something that could help you out with that... unless you want my opinion as a detective?"

"I'd ask the rook for detective advice before I asked you." Kimble spits.

"Harsh, Luke. I thought we-"

"Can it!" Hawthorne shouts with a tone low enough to vibrate the glass. You even see Gorchakov's shoulder flinch just slightly. "Before you make any more smart ass remarks, allow me to paint you the full picture."

Hawthorne slowly sidles up to one of the chairs, gently lowering himself into it before removing his hat and pulling two more folded squares from his pocket.

"Follow along, limp-dick. Cause I ain't gonna repeat myself and this isn't a speech you wanna interrupt or zone out."

He gently set the first square down and unfolds it. Getting up on your toes you can make out the header. 'GOTHAM CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT P1' alongside a bright red stamp that reads: COPY.

"This is the report I wrote up with my rookie regarding what he saw with his vision at the pawn shop basement."

A single scoff escapes before a firm glare and a twitch of the upper lip silences it.

"You understand DeLucia's abilities. Fourth Amendment or no. You know how they work. I'm also going to assume that you perused his personnel file on Mandragora’s behalf and saw he was on the SIM case. Did you ever look into that case file?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Gorchakov says steadily.

“Well, I brought you some light reading then.” Hawthorne holds up a new sheet, this one scarred with thick black lines. “Censored of course since you’re a dirty rat. But note this little section near the bottom. Matter of fact, I’ll read it for you: ‘Suspect is thought to be meta-human. Abilities seem to mirror those of Officer Mark DeLucia. Limited ESP, Extrasensory perception,” yada yada…”

“You get what he’s saying, Gork?” Kimble chimes in before tapping the paper. “The day SIM went psycho and butchered Mandragora’s right hand man and his security team? He did it in a basement. A pawn shop basement. One that’s pretty fucking familiar to you… allegedly.”

Gorchakov doesn’t say anything this time, those shoulders tense again and his head starts wobbling as he drums his fingers on the table. He sniffs once and shrugs.

“Okay?”

“You were still on the force when that went down weren’t you? I can’t remember honestly, let me remind you what was written on the wall in wiseguy blood: FREE.” Kimble says.

“As in… he’s free now without fatty looming over him?” Hawthorne asks sarcastically. “Or do you think maybe he meant something else? Maybe he meant Officer Free? Maybe he had the same vision the rookie did… Maybe he went back to the house where this card was found, his childhood home. Maybe he had the same vision the rookie did there too?” Hawthorne leans forward. “We kept that report close to the vest. But I’m gonna clue you in so you can connect all these dots I’ve been putting down, detective. The vision in the house was simple. Laureta Zsasz was killed because she’d been ‘talking to someone she shouldn’t have.’ according to the fat man.”

Hawthorne taps two fingers solidly on the card.

“She was talking to Officer Free. She was snitching on YOUR boss. You had to have noticed. He was a junior officer, he’d have come to you.”

“This is all-”

“You told Mandragora that your partner was getting his nose too close to your business.” Hawthorne continues, his scowl etched in granite. “You told him about it and he told you to take care of it. So you shot Free in the back like a goddamn coward. You did that while Mandragora and Angelo went after the witness. They killed her. You killed Free. And the only thing left to do was figure out your story.”

Seconds pass in complete silence. Hawthorne leans back in his seat and watches like a statue, unblinking. Waiting.

“You can’t prove any of this. Not really.” Gorchakov finally says.

“We don’t have to. Because as it turns out, that woman had a child who was there that night. A child I’m sure you know, didn’t it strike you as odd when Mandragora suddenly had a kid with him? A kid he raised to be his perfect hatchet man? A kid who would collect the SIM cards from his victims?”

Another beat and now Kimble speaks.

“You look a little pale, Gorky. Is your uh, ace detective training finally putting it together for you? The SIM Killer and Lauretta Zsasz’s son are one in the same and now he KNOWS you had something to do with his mother’s death. Alleged. Proof. A court of law. None of that matters anymore, Gorchakov.”

“Big whoop…” Gorchakov tries to counter, but his voice loses strength. He clears his throat. “I’m locked up, I doubt he’s gonna fight his way through the whole station to get to me.”

“Maybe not. But you aren’t gonna be here forever.” Hawthorne says in a tone you’ve never heard from him before. It makes the hair on your neck stand up. “Maybe your little DA deal works and you get to walk, how far do you think you’re walkin? Maybe you figure the best place for you is jail? Maybe, or at least it would be if it wasn’t for the fact that SIM has been working to take control of his dear old adopted daddy’s operation lately. Bet that includes a wide network of shankers or worse on the inside.”

“Shit, will he even make it THAT long? See the other side of his case? These things drag on when you dig your heels in, Gork.” Kimble adds.

“That’s right, arraignment is coming up ain’t it? Not a long drive to city hall but… anything could happen. Maybe a street is blocked off… Maybe SIM isn’t a complete moron and knows our routes anyways? You gotta ask yourself, Charlie. If worse came to worse and the convoy was hit while you were in motion… Who here would protect you? Who here would put themselves between SIM and you? A cop killer. An asshole.”

Hawthorne stands up abruptly, making Gorchakov jump slightly.

“Kimble take him back to the cage.” Hawthorne orders. “Your arraignment is at the end of the week, Charles. You have until then to tell us something useful otherwise your life is gonna be a roll of the dice every time you find yourself outside this building.”

Hawthorne circles the table digging in his pocket to drop a polaroid, the same kind that came from Grey’s camera. You don’t get to see it. “Keep this with you. Look at it whenever you think you have a chance of being free again.”

He gives his shoulder a rough squeeze and he heads for the door as Kimble hauls Gorchakov to his feet. You lean forward and tap the button, letting the glass go opaque again. You step out the door and head for the pen but Hawthorne is already gone, most likely heading to turn the card in to processing. You’d go after him but you can’t shake the feeling you’re on a clock. You march through the office and out the front doors…

====

The door clicks shut behind you. Stepping over the threshold to your apartment you feel a fatigue set over you like a heavy blanket of snow, cold and cumbersome. But you aren’t exactly done working yet. Heading to the bedroom you pull the case from its familiar hiding space and punch the button before listening to the trills.

It rings once.

Twice.

Three times.

Ringing into the cold gray night.

Until it clicks.

“Officer.” A familiar monotone answers.

“I need a favor.” You don’t waste any time. “I know you’re busy so I’ll skip the explanation. I need to get in contact with Constantine.”

A pause before a suspicion laced word comes back at you through the plastic receiver.

“Why?”

“I just said-” You groan and grip the handset tightly. “I need him because you’re busy doing research in your cave and there’s a guy out here who dropped off a truck of bodies in front of the GCPD. A full fucking moving truck, do you understand?”

“John Constantine is a dangerous man, Officer DeLucia. You can’t trust him, the only thing he’s concerned about is himself. He won’t help you unless he gains something from it. The GCPD is-”

“Are you even listening to a word I said? A truck full. Writing in blood on walls. Besides, John isn’t that bad, he helped me in a major way whe-”

“When he owed you something.” Batman interrupts you. “If you go to him, you’ll have to pay a price. He’s selfish, arrogant, and more than willing to sacrifice the people around him to get what he wants.”

>”Well at this point, he seems more willing to help than you are. So whatever that price is, I have to accept it. I can’t let the killing go on any longer. Just tell me how to get in contact with him.”
>”If John is SO bad then tell me what I should do instead? Because right now I’m caught between a rock and a hard place and any mistake I make is going to lead to a lot more deaths.”
>”Batman, please. I don’t know why you’re so… I don’t even know what to call it. But you’re hiding from Gotham. If you can’t help me contact John then just… help me yourself.”
>Write-In


Weddings are complicated and I severely underestimated all I'd be doing today. So very sorry for this essentially an update at a normal time. I hope the content and length makes it worth the wait. Of course I'd love to hear what you thought about the interview scene especially since it's one of the few times you've seen your buddies in the GCPD operating independent of you. As always, thanks for reading and I'll see you soon.

>>6399364
>”If John is SO bad then tell me what I should do instead? Because right now I’m caught between a rock and a hard place and any mistake I make is going to lead to a lot more deaths.”

Congrats QM! And if it’s not yours, please pass us humble anons’ congrats onto the newlyweds!