Date - 06th December
Character Name - Edward Quinn
Location - Promise City, Ct
District - Bridgerton, Eddies Apartment
Time - 1900 (7PM)
Chapter Four: Trouble in the Precinct
Date - 06th December
Character Name - Near
Location - Promise City, Ct
District - Eddies Apartment
Time - 1900 (7PM)
Edward spends his nights crusading across the rooftops of Promise City as the vigilante; Near. But his day job has just become a lot more stressful. As he typed his report from the previous night, he logged SpeeedStar (Read Ch. 3) as a pending incident. More sightings have been reported of a speedster terrorising the faraway cities of Liberty Valley and Wake City located on the west coast. Not Near's immediate concern. Eddie typed furiously as the AI organised each file, and drew a spider web of connections.
['Sir, its 0700, you have work in thirty minutes.']
'Nice. Thanks for the reminder, I'll have a shower, make some breakfast then I-'
['Sir, you haven't got the hot water for a shower, remember? The landlord didn't pay the energy company.']
'Bollocks. Well at least I can have brea-'
['... you have no groceries.'] the cold computerised voice answered bluntly.
'Bollocks… well guess I should just get ready then?'
['That would be for the best Sir. But good news, the tripwire alert has been cast across the city, if SpeeedStar reappears we'll know.']
'Good. If anything happens, alert me and I'll use the precincts' Haven (Field Hideout).'
['Understood.']
The AI's mocking but helpful tone would shift to a more human but still mocking tone.
['Eddie I can't believe you built a Haven inside your workplace… your addiction is something else.'] Sunohara's voice boomed from the speakers mounted beside his line of monitors.
'Near never sleeps Yohei, you know that.'
['Sure…oh by the way your suit capsule outside the courthouse (Read Ch.3) has been resealed inside the building's pillar. Police were the usual late responding so I had plenty of time to seal it away.']
'Your always prepared Yohei.'
['Learned from the best!']
Edward quickly shaved his slightly hairy pale chin. Using a small shaver he charged in his tiny cramped moldy bathroom. He looked out of his bathroom's small window looking out into the wider city. He watched as the snow slowly fell across the other small apartments that sat in the shadow of the huge corporate skyscrapers. His eyes fixated on the most distant skyscraper, the one that dominated his attention the most, Kodoma Tower. The seat of power of his family, the de facto royal family of Japan. He could be a prince, but instead he needed to work, day and night.
The tower was by far the tallest in the city, held up to the dark sky, by pillars of obsidian brick and steel. The spiral touched the black sky as it stretched far and beyond dominating the rest of the city, its tip covered in thick snow.
It was not a long journey to the Precinct, maybe twenty minutes.
'AI-N lock down the apartment.'
Eddie said walking out of the dingy apartment's metal door, dressed in sweats, trainers and a duffle bag with his uniform. Covered in a thick puffy jacket Edward trudged through the icy snow covered city. His studded black boots stabilized every footstep as he navigated the streets, casually listening to music as he did. He passed one of the many billboard reels, the broadcast made Edward scoff and roll his blue eyes.
The Empress of Japan, its unofficial head of state, was attending the nearby United Nations summit.
["On this day, the December 6th 2019, esteemed delegates, honored guests, for over seven decades-"]
Empress Reina Kodoma wore a ceremonial burgundy kimono, her long black silky hair tied back and decorated in expensive jewelry. She wore her best makeup, not that she needed it. Throughout her speech she glared at her Russian counterpart who stared back with equal intensity, his arms folded, seated opposite her.
Edward shoved his hands in his jacket pockets, scowling, he walked away, continuing his walk to work.
[Hey Eddie] his earbud rang.
'What is it Sunohara?'
[There's a possible lead on the Wedding Ring Slayer (Read Ch.1 - 2)]
'Finally, go on.'
[A female body has been recovered by the police patrolling the Stretch, cause of death, stabbing. Unidentified fingerprints were found around her neck. She's now in the morgue in Bridgerton Precinct.]
'Thanks Sunohara, I'll tell you what I find.'
It was a short while before he reached the precinct. It was an old building, borderline ancient, with many extensions surrounding the old building built in the 1700s, one of the few remaining structures from the times of Connecticut's colonisation. Once the old courthouse, the front of the precinct is dominated by a fifteen feet belltower with the old sigil still etched into the centuries old brick foundation, despite the decades of acidic rain the markings of "1766" and the quote "All innocent until proven guilty".
Leading to the main road outside was a pathway of stone stairs, one of the many extensions added over the precinct's long history. The dark brick walls were lined with huge rectangle windows that looked out into the wider Bridgerton district. Greek styled pillars lined across the front of the courthouse. At the top of the roof of the precinct was the coat of arms for the PCPD. An eagle clutching two swords, with a shield behind it. And along its bottom was the phrase "We protect. We serve. We defend".
Words most cops in this city don't believe in even in themselves. Edward walked past his colleagues and they acknowledged him, nodding in his direction.
'Eddie.'
'Boys.' He responded by doing a small lazy salute.
'Just saying Mary is gonna be pissed Ed, I'd hurry up and change if I were you.' One of them said louder.
Eddie spun around ever the charismatic loudmouth, arms wide, theatrical.
'Don't worry lads, I'll charm her.'
'Wishing you luck brother!'
'I'll be there at your funeral pal!'
Eddie chuckled 'Hehehe' walking into the precinct itself.
In contrast to the darkened sky outside, he was met with a flashbang of light within the building. Police in their dark blue uniforms sat at the many desks typing away. Others escorted suspects into the holding cells that sat below the main hall. The detectives, the top dogs of the precinct, sat above the main hall, with a winding metal staircase between them. A common belief amongst the precinct was if you ascended those stairs, you made it. The inside of the station was ancient, its history as a courthouse was clear to see. The gothic architecture, a mix of the gargoyles that sat above lining the wall staring down on the officers below, extravagant archways and stone reaper statues that flanked every doorway. Hanging from the ceiling were the flags of the City, State and Country. In the centre of the grand hall was a huge circular iconic iron chandelier. A giant television sat above the main entrance playing the Promise City News. Underneath the officers who were unoccupied organised the many large boxes of Christmas decorations.
['More snow expected this week, at least five more inches of snow expected to cover Promise City and wider Vault City area. The National Weather Service reports potentially this is the trend for the following weeks… so a frosty holiday's for the city this year ladies and gentlemen.']
Eddie disappeared into the crew room; the shower area, changing room and locker room. It wouldn't take long for him to change into his uniform. His locker was a mess, a mix of random pieces of police issued kit and personal items. On the lockers' metal door interior was a picture, a family picture. Edward sat with his adopted family, his adopted mother, regal looking, wealthy, dressed in pristine burgundy robes, Japanese royalty. And around him, his siblings, an older domineering sister who stood in the background, her arms folded, dressed in a multimillion business suit, her long brown hair trailing down her back. Close by his side his sister, smiling but her sharp cruel eyes said everything, famous in her own right, in fact he'd have to see her face online regularly attacking Near, his alter ego, and occasionally even himself. And on the other side was his younger sister, his biggest cheerleader and only connection to the family.
He exhaled, slamming the locker door and was immediately met by the presence of the Precinct's HR representative.
She was shorter than Edward, her pale forehead the same height of his shoulder. She wore a black tailored suit, white blouse, and tailored black pants. Her brown neat hair touched the lower part of her back, her ears pierced, her pale neck decorated with a gold necklace. Her face is sharp like her words and exterior attitude. Her nose was perfectly proportioned. Her brown fringe curved to the left. Her sharp nails, or talons as Eddie remarks were painted black.
'Officer Quinn.' She scowled, her arms folded emphasising her DD sized assets.
'Mary-Anne…shit….' Eddie muttered. He paused, sucked his white teeth. He looked away for a moment and then enthusiastically turned back to face her.
'WELL what can I do for you?' He asked as if he hadn't been awake all night crusading on rooftops for a thankless city.
'You were 0.40 seconds late. Work began at 0730 sharp, you arrived at 07:30:40.'
'Really.' Edward didn't even try to argue, he just exhaled.
'Yeah sure, whatever.'
'Well? Your excuse Officer Quinn?' Mary waited, her arms still folded, Edward could SEE the anger radiating from the HR clerk.
'Oh that? Well I'm super sorry it won't happen again.'
'That's not an excuse. This is the sixth time-'
'Yeah thats ba-'
'THIS WEEK.'
Edward walked past the shorter woman who by this point, her eyebrows were quivering with annoyance.
'I'm really sorry. Super Hot HR representative; Ms Mary-Anne Bell, won't happen again.'
Edward casually waved his hand behind him. Completely dismissing her.
'Your mother won't protect you forever, Edward Quinn.'
Eddie looked behind his shoulder, he could see Mary's cruel small smile, she knew that was a barb, a deep one too. Edward's calm blue eyes could fool anyone, but not her, she could see the fire raging behind them.
He smiles. 'Have a nice day.' he responded before leaving the locker room. His way of saying 'FUCK OFF'.
Eddie's day was long, too long, playing the part of a police officer was exhausting despite few callouts and responses to minor crimes. It was the late evening, perfect time for him to make his way to the morgue. He knew all cameras in his way were turned away from the corridor, facing a plain wall. Why? Corruption within the force. This time was perfect for his colleagues to dispose of evidence, or help themselves to any confiscated goods, it's Christmas soon right?
The corridor led to the morgue, next to that was the evidence room. Eddie couldn't afford to be seen, so he kept low, and moved only when he knew no one could see him.
Hunched low, he peered through one of the windows looking into the evidence room. He watched as three officers rummaged through the stack of papers, enclosed evidence and money, lots of it.
'The Owl said she'd cut us if we lost any of this money.'
'Its ALL hers? She's just gonna count the entire amount?'
'Apparently she does. Ask Jimmy Valenquez, apparently he had a ball removed for pocketing $20.'
'A little excessive.'
'I'll say.'
Edward recognised them, boys in SWAT. He passed by without being heard or seen. He couldn't do anything now, it'll be suicide if he did. He used the shadows to sneak past the open brightly lit doorway of where the SWAT officers rummaged through the mountains of unorganised evidence. Frantically searching and throwing whatever they don't need aside.
'1200…1250….1300….1350….1400… geez do I really NEED to count all of this?'
'Yes.'
'Huh.'
'Did you lose count?'
'....No…?..'
'You did. Didn't you?'
'Yes…'
'Get counting, again. We need accurate numbers for the Owl. dunno why I trusted your dyslexic-ass to count up to three thousand bucks.'
Edward noticed a small half a foot air duct covered by a steel grate. Ed quietly removed it, revealing a small crawlspace. It squeaked and creaked as he squeezed the metal bars that formed the grate. It was clearly old, rusted but still quite stable. But Edwards' strength was more than capable. The SWAT could hear a commotion, but ignored it.
'Hear something?'
'Probably just rats.'
'Rats? Again?'
'Fuck, DONT LOSE COUNT AGAIN!'
Edward entered the cramped damp crawlspace, it was tight, his big shoulders awkwardly fitted, it was old and dusty and felt as if he'd fall through it any moment. The steel flooring wasn't safe, he swayed side to side.
[Try not to die.] The angel's voice teased.
'Piss off.' Edward whispered.
It wouldn't be long before he reached the end of the small cramped tunnel. Peering through the grate he couldn't see anyone within the morgue, the doctors left for the evening, perfect time. The inside of the morgue was dark, cold, and smelt of death. There were many fridges full of other corpses, but one sat on the mortician table with a white cloth over it.
Edward slowly walked over to the table, pulled the cloth off, it was Everlyn SIlva, her black hair, cherry lips and lifeless eyes.
Edward pressed his watch that sat on his pale wrist.
'Sunohara, it's her.'
['Understood. Lets see if she can lead us to her killer.']
Edward pulled the cover further down revealing the sheer damage done to Everlyn.
'Seventeen stab wounds. Throat cut. The number 'seven' is carved into her stomach.'
He checked her hands. They were limp. Nails polished and perfect. He scanned with his wrist watch.
'Missing her ring finger.'
[Our killer took trophies.']
'So it would seem.'
[' You said you'd follow up on Darrell Cannon what did he have to say?']
'He skipped town. One way ticket to New York City.'
['Suspicious.']
'It was. But then after further inspection Everyln was kidnapped on the 3rd earlier this month… Cannon left Promise City in November. Confirmed with CCTV footage.'
Edward saw a lone folder sitting on the Morticians table besides a flat screened computer.
'Sunohara, close the file of Everlyn Silver the Wedding Ring Slayers seventh victim.'
['Wasted trip?'] Sunohara asked, disappointed.
'Not necessarily.'
Edward's watch glowed, schematics appeared, and so did the results of a scan.
'She was found in the Stretch. Her file states it, and the initial report… but my findings give a deeper explanation… debris under her fingernails suggests a specific part of the Stretch. One that I will go to next.'
Edward saw the folder laying upon the table nearby. He skipped through its contents, and one name kept being repeated.
'The Ice Thorn Princess.'
CLAP CLAP CLAP
Footsteps. Familiar ones.
It was Detective Brady. Edward had to hide and fast. Just because Near had a good relationship with Brady it didn't mean Edward did. Edward vanished into the airvent, and closed the grate behind him and just in time. Brady entered the morgue.
'What the hell, could'a swore I heard someone in here.'
Brady looked around the pitch black morgue, it was cold and eerie. He shivered. He pulled on his brown jacket sleeve. And lowered his slouched brown rain hat.
'This place is creepy at night.'
Edward crept through the air vent back to the start.
'Sunohara, I'm going to the Precincts Haven (hideout)'
['Time to suit up?']
'Oh yeah.' Edward smirked.
That's it for chapter four ! Hope you enjoyed it! 🙂