APRÈS MOI, LE DÉLUGE.

“Jessica!” He says upon his entrance, smiling brightly to the woman. When he saw someone attractive, he HAAAAAD to have them. And even if he never could have them, he’d still try. Some might call him boneheaded for this, but he would say committed.

“This is for you,” he places one of the two coffees in his hand down, sipping at the other. “How are we, this morning?”

@douglasjessica​

Jessica raised her gaze towards the voice, smirking when she noted Donovan there. “Hey, Don.” She said as she paused before him and raised her brow when he extended one of the coffee cups in her direction. Needless to say, she was surprised he’d went out of his way for her.

“That’s really nice of you,” she said as she brought it to her lips and smirked. “Perfection. I’m doing good. Didn’t get much sleep last night so this is really appreciated. What about you?”

The sound of her name leaving the lips of another, had her attention drawn in their direction offering something of a forced smile as she did. Alicia wasn’t naive enough to read into the detectives words, because at the very least she had been one less cold body for them to peel from the floor and cart away in a body bag. “I suppose the big man figured there was more work for me to do here.“ She remarked, tone laced with heavy sarcasm as she shot the other woman a small shrug. Once upon a time she believed in a higher power, but with the way her life had turned for the worse back in Mexico that faith she had carried had been shredded all too quickly. ”I have a few moments before I need to head out, please.” She answered, motioning to the bar-stool beside her as she closed the laptop she had previously been typing away upon. Turning slightly to face the other she awaiting the questioning she had failed to avoid. 

Jessica couldn’t help but snort when the brunette mentioned some kind of higher power. She didn’t take the words seriously because people like the woman standing infront of her liked to think of themselves as the judge, jury and executioner. Betrayal was the only thing it took for someone to warrant death. Therefore, the same could be said about the woman before her. Someone would likely die because she had been shot and it would continue until none of them were left. The’d all be scrapped off the pavement and placed six feet under to be forgotten in the end. Jessica, if anything, was trying to finish that. Didn’t any of them know that money and power would mean nothing while on their death bed? “Perfect.” She said as she sat and opened her notebook. “Do you mind telling me where you were when you were shot? Perhaps if you saw someone who may have been suspicious or the person who did shoot the initial shots.”

Leaning against a building, Spencer looked towards the nearest person. “Sure is really humid out still,” Spencer pointed out, fanning himself as he did so. “Want a smoke?” He asked, pulling out his cigarettes for himself and offering the park to the person next to him. “I’m tryin’ to kick the habit, so I’m sorta hoping to get rid of this last pack.” 

@rivalsofnycstarters​

Jessica peered at the male and nodded her head as she looked at him. “I’d love a cigarette.” She moved in front of him and stopped a few steps as she looked around. “It’s going to be fall soon.” She chimed as she looked down at the pack. “Why’re you planning on quitting?”

This woman either didn’t know what she was getting into, or she knew exactly what she was doing. Either way, she was stupid. He was all for powerful women, he really was. But for someone, anyone to walk in on his turf and behave like that, really wasn’t acceptable. 

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure you will.”

“We’ll see,” she said with a snort as she waved her hand behind her head. Peering around, she winked at a nearby car who was instructed to tail the male. Whether he’d noticed or not, she truthfully didn’t care. Maybe he’d have more to say if he knew she had put a tail on him.

“Have a good day,” she ended before walking away.

Bari nodded and thought for a moment, really thinking back to when she heard the gunshots. All she could think about that night was the pain coming from her leg and her hands shaking. “You really want to know what I was thinking and feeling when I heard the gunfire? I felt the pain in my thigh from when I was shot months ago and I felt scared that the shooter was still out there and maybe who shot me was a person who wounded others that night,” she said honestly as she looked at her. For her next question, she sighed. Fucking Devils, is what she wanted to say, though she kept her mouth shut on that part but shook her head. “If I had an idea of who would do such a thing, they would already be caught and put in fucking jail.”

Jessica looked at the other and gave little away. “If you’re searching for pity points, I’m unfortunately not the person for that.” Jessica couldn’t give less of a shit if the other had been shot, stabbed, or tortured. All that mattered was finding who had done what was done during the masquerade. Pushing a strand from her features, she nodded her head as she looked over the other. “It takes a little more than that to catch someone and evidently since everyone has no idea — they’re going to be free to do it again. Hopefully next time it’s not you or someone you care about.” Jess said with a sigh and a shake of her head. “You all appear tough but you really do look weak from close up.”

special delivery - @douglasjessica​

Jennifer was walking down the street, looking at the screen of her phone as she cursed under her breath. “Come fuckin’ on.” She inhaled as she moved her phone to her bag, dropping the device into it as she walked down the street. She knew milking her brother for information was unfair but she didn’t know what else to do, this was all new to her and usually in any other type of relationship she would have moved on but this was Marcus. She lifted her head to see Jessica heading in her direction. “Jesus, don’t you have someone else to harass?”

Jessica noted the irritation on her face the moment she walked up to the brunette. “Is everything okay?” She asked, though not surprised to find the other answer her snakily. “I’m guessing you’ve had better days.” It was a surprise rendez-vous since Jessica was done speaking to the young Krongold. She’d given her nothing and she was more interested in follow other leads such as Patrick. “No harassment. I just noticed that you seemed upset.”

“Me? The right guy?” He taunts, chuckling just under his breath. “Do you even have anything to warrant talking to me now, other than your own suspicion?” He questions, taking a few steps back before going on, “it’s not a choice, doll. Sounds to me like you’re just pointing fingers at who you might think is responsible. So, until you can come up with your reasonable doubt or whatever, I think we’re done here.” And with that, he smiles, nodding his head as if to say your move. 

Jessica looked at him and nodded her head. “I have a suspect that works beneath you and who has some ties directly to you and family members.” The brunette said as she folded her arms across her chest. Patrick had been named and while she was trying to play fair, it was really starting to get hard for her to do so. Watching him leave, she nods her head. “I’ll be seeing you very soon, Mr. Krongold.”

This was tricky, her wanting him to give up information like that. But being given an ultimatum like this, that wasn’t exactly making him want to be cooperative. She was playing the only card she had on him and to Anton? That made her weak. “I told you everything I know when you pulled me over.” He said, staring her down. “These…Royals and Devils? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His gaze met hers, holding steady, unwavering in his answer. As much as he wanted answers on Isabella, making a deal with a cop, even if it was Jessica, was not how he liked doing business. He’d been fucked over one too many times to go down that road again. “If you have a specific question, why not just ask me and we get this over with, hm?”

Jessica wasn’t buying shit. She’d seen the male rubbing shoulders with far too many royals and devils alike to believe a fucking word. They had eyes everywhere and people inside of the devils to confirm some sightings. Leaning back in her seat, she folds a leg over the other and sighs softly. “You must have been one hell of a dad.” It’s going to hurt but truly, she plans to make it hurt as much as possible. Her problem isn’t with him as she knows he’s no where near the head. “Trying to save your own skin and those of people you shouldn’t even be involved with rather than get justice for your baby girl. Hell, who knows, maybe the reason she’s dead is become of you. That why you don’t want to help?”

When the detective sat down in front of her, Bari gave her a nod of thanks as she took her drink, raising it to her lips to take a sip. “I’m going to apologize in advance since I didn’t see much even though I wish I could have,” she said, looking away and shaking her head. “Those fucking bastards,” she muttered before looking back to the other and sighing. “I was at the event taking care of Owen Madisson who was suffering from a concussion that he had previous of the event.”

Jessica looked at the other and nodded her head when she mentioned that she hadn’t seen anything. “The smallest of details would be greatly appreciated. You might think it’s much but if anyone made you pause or looked suspicious.” She started off as she folded a leg over the other. “As for the injured, would you have any idea who would do such a thing?” she questioned. It seemed that a lot of events were happening in town without a clear indication or even meaning behind them. It was fucking messy, was what it was.

The man shrugs, his demeanor quickly shifting from dark and disturbed to very calm and almost kind. “You’re asking the wrong guy. And as much as I absolutely adore this conversation, I’ve got places to be, people to see, you know?”

“I think I’m asking the right guy.” The brunette said as she looked him over. “You can make this easy and answer my questions here or I can go get a warrant that will have me go through your entire home and business, on top of dragging you from your home in front of your wife and children.” Jess said as she moved her jacket to expose her badge. “Your choice.”

Joshua sighs, looking his eyes looking up towards the skyline, thoughts dancing around in his mind, as he tried to determine what would be the right thing to say.

“You’d know if I did something. I take pride in what I do, hon. Nothing is on accident.”

Jessica tilted her head as she looked back at him and rose her eyes when he made a statement that made her stomach twist. God, she couldn’t wait to bring him down. 

“That doesn’t answer my question. People with pride tend to boast about it. So, how did it get done?”

“Would you rather me say murderer? I know you reporters like those big words,” he replies mockingly. 

“Aimlessly? No. I know a lot of people out there do random bullshit, but I’m sure someone had their reason. Maybe not kill anybody, but maybe to get some kind of dumbass message across.”

Did he still think she was a reporter? Maybe he wasn’t the brightest bulb out there. “Murderer has a nice and truthful ring to it.”

“Well, how bluntly am I going to have to be.” She hummed to herself as she peered back at the male. “I think you ordered the shot. If not you, someone beneath you.” The brunette said with a smirk as she narrowed her gaze. “Any comment on that?”

Bari wasn’t expecting anything less - for this detective to want to get down to business rather than participate in small talk. “There’s no harm in being a kind person, is there?” She asked in more of a passive aggressive tone. The two clearly didn’t want to be talking about the recent events at all, though it had to be done. “I’ll take a caramel latte, thank you.” Should she even be thanking her though? This was only to get her talking about the recent traumatic events. Once their orders were taken down, Bari made her way to an empty table and sat down. Keeping her hands in her lap, she couldn’t help but play with her own fingers, feeling fidgety and sad that she had to be talking about this with her. Like thought earlier though, she was only doing her job.

Jessica looked over at the other and shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve found it less effective. Which was the truth.” She had often spent too much time trying to befriend the criminals in the hope that they’d spill something so now, she got straight to the point and spoke a language that they understood — treats and deals. Nodding her head when the other gave her order, Jessica walked up to the counter and spoke to the barista. When the order was in place, she stepped to the side and waited for them. It took a few moments before she met the other at the table and took a seat herself. “Where were you the night of the shooting and what did you see?” Jessica asked immediately, not waiting for any kind of exchange. Her deadline was tight and she simply didn’t have time.

Keeping her exhausted eyes behind sunglasses, Bari walked down the streets of the city towards one of her favorite cafes to do some reading and work in. Stopping in her tracks to see the detective that she had seen around the city and at social events, she tilted her sunglasses down to look her over before glancing to the coffee shop. As she wasn’t in the mood to answer any questions, she knew that the woman was only doing her job. “It’s your lucky day since I was just on my inside there,” she answered with a smaller smile appearing on her lips as she didn’t want to come off cold. “Shall we?” Motioning towards the cafe, she started to make her way inside knowing well that the detective was going to follow. “Having a good day so far?”

Jessica looked at the woman and nodded her head as she ventured towards the cafe. While she wasn’t rude and wanted to participate in the small talk in order to make the woman feel safe or comfortable — she couldn’t muster it. Frankly, she was fucking exhausted and running on fumes. “I’d rather not make small talk. Let’s not pretend that we’re friends or we owe each other anything.” Jessica said as she waited in line with the other. She’d had a shit day and the last thing she was going to do was vent to someone who knew something on the death and disappearance of people in this town. “Let’s order our coffee and sit down. What would you like?” She asked the other. What she couldn’t make up for in small talk, she would by paying for Bari’s order.

Alicia Lopez. A victim of the shooting and someone affiliated with the Devils. It was probably all she knew about the woman but she was keen on learning more. There was a file sitting on her desk with known associates and past information about the brunette, all of which she would devour later on that night. “Alicia Lopez.” She said with a smile as she looked the other over. “I’m glad to know you aren’t paralyzed or worse off than you are.” Was she glad? More or less indifferent. “I was hoping to ask you some question on what you may have seen that night. Anyone you who may have been pointing a gun in your direction” She never understood why enemies protected each other against the police department apart from revenge but that only begun a vicious cycle. Alicia would have a scar to remind her of that. “Do you have a moment?”

“Funny, yeah,” he replies shortly, rolling his eyes once again. With her question, the man takes out his phone to check the time, looking back and forth between Nathalie and the decide, before putting it back in his pocket.

“I’m sure you were, but—what else is there to talk about? How some dumbass got trigger happy? That’s not out of the ordinary. If you’re out around here after sunset, anything could happen.”

Jessica folded her arms over her chest as she tried to rack her brain on which name she’d given the male. She was practically certain it was Natalie since that was her go to name for most people, but she wasn’t sure if she’d switched it up for him. Probably not.

“Trigger happy is a bit of an understatement. It seemed pretty planned.” At least from where she’d stood and heard from people. “But is that your personal opinion? That someone just got trigger happy and shot aimlessly at the most powerful individual in our town?”