((Authors Note:
There are two kinds of stories I usually read, or participate in on the boards, and in game.
Type A. The stories that pit the heroes against the villains in the traditional showdown of good versus evil.
Type B. The kind that deal with the civilian side of a character, showing their thoughts, emotions, the inner character that we dont usually see when we interact with them.
Ive decided to contribute with Type C. Criminal Cases. This story will be a mix of both the other two types, no direct conflict with enemies, and no look into the civilian side of my character, but still a look into her head as she works on a case.
If you like CSI, youll enjoy this. If you like Law & Order youll enjoy this If you dont like those kindve shows Well I cant say how much youll enjoy it but give it a try anyway! ))
- - - - - - -
Through the Eyes of the Law
The victim lay on the pavement in a pool of blood, along with other matter; from the looks of it hed plummeted from his pent house balcony about 15 stories up.
Poor S.O.B. Detective Valquez muttered as he tugged the body tarp back over the victim.
Detective Valquez was a Paragon PD homicide detective, like most in his department hed seen a lot of messed up stuff. Vics with their faces burnt off, thugs pumped so full of holes their bodies couldnt be identified, and one case where the victim was just some ashes on the living room floor, he was actually grateful now to be at what looked to be a fairly run of the mill suicide case as he and his partner headed up to the victims apartment.
All right, Frank, whatve we go? Detective Mason asked as he and Valquez answered.
Frank Chaplin of PCSI looked up from examining the apartment floor. Victim is Judge Oswald Marx. Suicide notes on the kitchen counter, well need to do an autopsy before hand but the impressions on the carpeting here suggest he got a running start and went straight out Frank pointed towards the open sliding door of the balcony. He needed a running start to motivate himself but he was determined to jump
Mason shook his head with a sigh. Judge Marx, wait isnt he a federal judge?
Yes, he was. a female voice replied from behind the two detectives.
Aw crap Valquez grumbled as he turned around.
Standing in the door way to the pent house-apartment was a red and white clad longbow agent alongside a man and a woman in dark clothes.
And a pleasure to see you again as well Detective Valquez. The longbow operative replied with an amused smile
You better have a good reason for being here, Raider-1, this is a PPD case Freedom Corps. has no reason to be here. He replied in what was almost a snarl.
On the contrary. The blonde haired man beside the longbow agent stepped forward now, holding up his FBI identification card. Agent Harrison, my partner Agent Sawyer. He said as he nodded to the brunette next to Raider-1.
Oh for the love of- Youre kidding me! Valquez snapped angrily.
Judge Marx, as said, was a federal judge. That means hes under our jurisdiction, not yours. Weve asked Raider-1 here because she was working on a case with him. Harrison explained. And while Im sure youre happy to call this one case-closed and go on to the more brutal crimes that seem to happen non-stop in this city the FBI and Freedom Corps think theres more to this.
Frrkrinmph Beutfulf. Valquez muttered against his hand as he dragged it over his face.
Im sorry, what was that Detective? Harrison asked, his lip twitching slightly to suppress a grin.
Raider-1 watched the FBI agent and the homicide detective glaring at each other like kids on the playground and cleared her throat. If you two are done trying to decide whose top dog, Im here for a reason. She swept past them now, the red and white star-spangled cape billowing around her as she moved to stand beside Frank and examine the carpet. Were there any witnesses?
Detective Mason flipped through a clip board of notes taken by the uniformed officers who had first arrived on the scene. Just one, Misses Mary Sorthem, she was in her apartment when she heard the scream as he jumped.
Raiders eyes narrowed beneath her white mask. Hmmm She looked over to Agent Harrison now as she spoke, Lets go see the witness.
Like a little parade the heroine, both federal agents and the two homicide detectives strolled down the hall and into an apartment where two uniformed cops were taking Mrs. Sorthems witness report.
Mrs. Sorthem, Im Raider-1, Longbow investigation; I understand you were the one who heard the victim fall?
Mrs. Sorthem appeared to be in her mid-sixties, wearing a pale pink jogging suit and her dark hair, wisped with silver, tucked back into a bun. She nodded to the longbow agent and smiled, she looked like a friendly woman, the pictures scattered around her home and the nice furnishings suggested she was a fairly wealthy woman with a large family. Yes maam, like I was telling these officers, I was here watching the news when I heard the scream Poor Judge Marx, he was such a nice man.
Around what time did you hear this scream maam? During the news report? Raider asked, now holding a small palm recorder in her hand to tape the witnesss story.
Yes maam, news had been going for Oh Id say about 15 to 20 minutes by that time. Mrs. Sorthem replied.
So you heard the Judges scream as he jumped, around 9:20? Raider asked.
Agent Sawyer glanced at the longbow heroine, cocking a brow at the curious gleam in Raider-1s eye.
Id say thats about right. Mrs. Sorthem replied. I heard him scream and got worried, even in a safe neighborhood like this you never know what crazy supers could be about, so I called the police.
Raider-1 nodded at that, thanking the woman and heading back for the Judges apartment. Mr. Chaplin, do you have any idea how long it would take for someone, falling after jumping over the balcony, to reach the pavement?
Well At an estimate, about three, maybe four seconds Depends on just how much sped hed worked up, the more of an arc in his jump the longer itd take for him to hit Chaplin replied, standing on the balcony already and looking over the edge down to the second part of the crime scene.
Raider-1 nodded at that, and then took to the air, drifting out over the balcony and hovering outside observing the balcony itself and then looking down to the tarp covered victim below. Huh Three to four seconds Not even enough time, unless Raiders eyes gleamed in sudden realization, I wonder ?
Wonder what? Valquez asked in annoyed tone, but by the time his question was out the longbow officer was swooping towards the roof top. He lifted a hand to heads forehead rubbing it slowly. I hate heroes like this Ooh, look at me, Im a detective, Ive got a spandex body glove showing off every curve and contour, and a fancy international law badge and am to pretty to be a real person, Im a frikkin Barbie doll super bi-.
Eeeeeasy, partner. Mason said, laying his hand on the other detectives shoulder and cutting him off. Shes just trying to help.
Hey while were at it, whatre you two jokers doing!? Valquez asked, looking toward Agents Harrison and Sawyer, and suddenly snapping his jaw shut as he noticed Sawyer was not talking on a walkie-talkie.
Uh-huh All right, you got it. Sawyer said into the device before clipping it back to her belt. Valquez, youre with me, she wants us to go back to Mrs. Sorthems apartment while our partners stay here.
What, so now shes a match-maker? He grumbled as he moved towards the door.
Dont flatter yourself. Sawyer replied, rolling her eyes. When they reached Mrs. Sorthems apartment she lifted her walkie-talkie once more. All right, Raider, were here.
Good Take note of the time and tell me what you hear while youre in there. Raider replied over the radio before a click signaled shed turned hers off.
Inside the victims apartment Mason and Harrison stood, waiting to find out what would be coming next. A sudden scream caught their attention, both men rushed out onto the balcony to see Raider-1 diving straight towards the ground screaming at the top of her lungs. A few feet from the ground she flipped in the air, landing upon her feet and then pushing off once more swooping back up to the balcony while turning on her comm-link once more. Sawyer?
Radio silence started at 9:48 and 23 seconds according to my watch, we heard a scream a few seconds later 9:48:29, Im assuming that was you?? The FBI agent replied.
Yeah. Come back to Judge Marxs apartment, please. Raider replied, touching down on the balcony, smirking as she heard Valquezs voice in the background saying what the hell was that supposed to show?!
As Detective Valquez and Agent Sawyer re-entered they found Raider-1 examining Judge Marxs suicide note.
Its good But its fake. She said, more to herself than the other investigators.
How can you tell? Detective Mason asked, stepping over to examine the note a second time since his arrival.
Because Oswald Marx was pushed, from the roof top, 10 stories above this. She replied, setting the note down.
Now how the HELL do you figure that?!?! Valquez cried, throwing his arms up in exasperation now.
At 9:48 and 29 seconds you and Agent Sawyer heard me screaming At which point I had reached the 17th floor, not the 15th. She explained. Your typical jumper has a delayed reaction as they come to the terms with the fact that theyve actually jumped and are falling, which would mean the Judge wouldnt have been likely to start screaming till around the 13th floor.
Valquezs mouth opened and closed repeatedly in a wordless stammer as he tried to find anything to say now.
Raider-1 held up a hand to keep him from saying anything incase he did actually find words. Combined with this, the total time it took for me to reach from the 15th floor to the ground falling at normal speed was precisely 4.6 seconds. The only way a normal human would even notice a scream that brief is if they had been listening for it. But she heard a scream, meaning that Judge Marx was screaming for a long extent, quite loudly, likely in surprise and shock Because someone pushed him over the edge of the roof.
Well how do you know it was the roof and not just a higher part of the building? Valquez countered.
I know he was pushed from the roof? Because, Detective, while you were looking at the most obvious solution to this case I was looking for everything abnormal; had you gone up to the roof top you too would have noticed that the gravel that covers the roof has been disturbed in several areas, consistent with two people having met on the roof top to talk. Raider said in reply.
There are some cops you like, and then there are some you dont. Raider-1 didnt just dislike Valquez, she despised him. He was the kind of cop who hated paper work, the one that shot straight for the easy answer that saved him a little time from being stuck filling out forms at the office; and he was making her wish she had an excuse to beat him against the wall for being so uncaring for the loss of a man like Oswald Marx. Smothering this inner rage she moved to kneel next to the impressions of heavy footfalls in the carpet.
Judge Marx moved to the edge of the roof top to look out over the city. Most likely the meeting regarded the case Ive been getting his help with, the person who met him, another man suggestion by the depth of the indentations in the gravel; was trying to scare Marx off the case. Marx was a stubborn man, he didnt back down. His opponent was obviously well trained; he attacked, off balanced Marx, and shoved him over the side. He then proceeded down to Marxs apartment, took this running start on the carpet to help solidify the notion of Marxs jumping over his own free will and then forged this suicide note which is a remarkable mock up of Oswalds hand writing from what I can tell. Raider-1 concluded, standing up once more and looking at the Detective as if to say any other questions?
That would mean the murderer planned to kill the Judge the whole time. Harrison surmised. Or that he had at least prepared for the possibility.
Heh Just flippin beautiful Longbow and the Feds to the rescue yet again.
Not to worry Valquez, well take this whole thing off your hands now. Harrison said with a smirk. Raider-1, thanks for your help here, youve saved us a couple days worth of investigation to figure out what happened.
The red and white clad heroine nodded at that, extending a hand to Harrison who took and shook it firmly. Always a pleasure to work with you Agent Harrison, Agent Sawyer; please, do keep me informed I liked Marx, he was good man.
We will. Sawyer replied with a nod as she radioed for the CSI team to now move up to the roof and securing it as yet a third portion of the crime scene.
While Valquez grumbled and cursed in annoyance under his breath his partner, Mason, simply shook his head.
Incredible Really, Ive never seen someone put something like this together that fast. He said, now stretching out his own hand to shake Raider-1s.
Heh, well thank you Detective, the air is my specialty; I just know how it works. She grinned as she shook his hand. If you ever need help with another apparent suicide feel free to give me a call.
Yeah right Detective Valquez murmured under his breath.
Always a pleasure to see you too, Valquez. Raider said, looking to him with her grin shifting into a smirk.
She brushed past him now as he muttered something incoherent under his breath in reply to her words, moving to the door she glanced back and gave a final nod of farewell before heading back down the hall.
She exited the building a short time later and stepped out onto the street level crime scene, moving to the tarp covered body she gently pulled back the covering to look at the gruesome image of Judge Oswald Marxs crushed body.
Ill find them, Judge, I promise I wont let them get away with another one. She said, looking sadly at the dead law enforcers remains and bowing her head in silent farewell before standing up and once more taking to the sky.
- - - - - - -
(( And there we have it. Hope at least a few people liked it, if I get any good response I might even continue the story. ))
((Authors Note:
))
))
There are two kinds of stories I usually read, or participate in on the boards, and in game.
Type A. The stories that pit the heroes against the villains in the traditional showdown of good versus evil.
Type B. The kind that deal with the civilian side of a character, showing their thoughts, emotions, the inner character that we dont usually see when we interact with them.
Ive decided to contribute with Type C. Criminal Cases. This story will be a mix of both the other two types, no direct conflict with enemies, and no look into the civilian side of my character, but still a look into her head as she works on a case.
If you like CSI, youll enjoy this. If you like Law & Order youll enjoy this If you dont like those kindve shows Well I cant say how much youll enjoy it but give it a try anyway!
- - - - - - -
Through the Eyes of the Law
The victim lay on the pavement in a pool of blood, along with other matter; from the looks of it hed plummeted from his pent house balcony about 15 stories up.
Poor S.O.B. Detective Valquez muttered as he tugged the body tarp back over the victim.
Detective Valquez was a Paragon PD homicide detective, like most in his department hed seen a lot of messed up stuff. Vics with their faces burnt off, thugs pumped so full of holes their bodies couldnt be identified, and one case where the victim was just some ashes on the living room floor, he was actually grateful now to be at what looked to be a fairly run of the mill suicide case as he and his partner headed up to the victims apartment.
All right, Frank, whatve we go? Detective Mason asked as he and Valquez answered.
Frank Chaplin of PCSI looked up from examining the apartment floor. Victim is Judge Oswald Marx. Suicide notes on the kitchen counter, well need to do an autopsy before hand but the impressions on the carpeting here suggest he got a running start and went straight out Frank pointed towards the open sliding door of the balcony. He needed a running start to motivate himself but he was determined to jump
Mason shook his head with a sigh. Judge Marx, wait isnt he a federal judge?
Yes, he was. a female voice replied from behind the two detectives.
Aw crap Valquez grumbled as he turned around.
Standing in the door way to the pent house-apartment was a red and white clad longbow agent alongside a man and a woman in dark clothes.
And a pleasure to see you again as well Detective Valquez. The longbow operative replied with an amused smile
You better have a good reason for being here, Raider-1, this is a PPD case Freedom Corps. has no reason to be here. He replied in what was almost a snarl.
On the contrary. The blonde haired man beside the longbow agent stepped forward now, holding up his FBI identification card. Agent Harrison, my partner Agent Sawyer. He said as he nodded to the brunette next to Raider-1.
Oh for the love of- Youre kidding me! Valquez snapped angrily.
Judge Marx, as said, was a federal judge. That means hes under our jurisdiction, not yours. Weve asked Raider-1 here because she was working on a case with him. Harrison explained. And while Im sure youre happy to call this one case-closed and go on to the more brutal crimes that seem to happen non-stop in this city the FBI and Freedom Corps think theres more to this.
Frrkrinmph Beutfulf. Valquez muttered against his hand as he dragged it over his face.
Im sorry, what was that Detective? Harrison asked, his lip twitching slightly to suppress a grin.
Raider-1 watched the FBI agent and the homicide detective glaring at each other like kids on the playground and cleared her throat. If you two are done trying to decide whose top dog, Im here for a reason. She swept past them now, the red and white star-spangled cape billowing around her as she moved to stand beside Frank and examine the carpet. Were there any witnesses?
Detective Mason flipped through a clip board of notes taken by the uniformed officers who had first arrived on the scene. Just one, Misses Mary Sorthem, she was in her apartment when she heard the scream as he jumped.
Raiders eyes narrowed beneath her white mask. Hmmm She looked over to Agent Harrison now as she spoke, Lets go see the witness.
Like a little parade the heroine, both federal agents and the two homicide detectives strolled down the hall and into an apartment where two uniformed cops were taking Mrs. Sorthems witness report.
Mrs. Sorthem, Im Raider-1, Longbow investigation; I understand you were the one who heard the victim fall?
Mrs. Sorthem appeared to be in her mid-sixties, wearing a pale pink jogging suit and her dark hair, wisped with silver, tucked back into a bun. She nodded to the longbow agent and smiled, she looked like a friendly woman, the pictures scattered around her home and the nice furnishings suggested she was a fairly wealthy woman with a large family. Yes maam, like I was telling these officers, I was here watching the news when I heard the scream Poor Judge Marx, he was such a nice man.
Around what time did you hear this scream maam? During the news report? Raider asked, now holding a small palm recorder in her hand to tape the witnesss story.
Yes maam, news had been going for Oh Id say about 15 to 20 minutes by that time. Mrs. Sorthem replied.
So you heard the Judges scream as he jumped, around 9:20? Raider asked.
Agent Sawyer glanced at the longbow heroine, cocking a brow at the curious gleam in Raider-1s eye.
Id say thats about right. Mrs. Sorthem replied. I heard him scream and got worried, even in a safe neighborhood like this you never know what crazy supers could be about, so I called the police.
Raider-1 nodded at that, thanking the woman and heading back for the Judges apartment. Mr. Chaplin, do you have any idea how long it would take for someone, falling after jumping over the balcony, to reach the pavement?
Well At an estimate, about three, maybe four seconds Depends on just how much sped hed worked up, the more of an arc in his jump the longer itd take for him to hit Chaplin replied, standing on the balcony already and looking over the edge down to the second part of the crime scene.
Raider-1 nodded at that, and then took to the air, drifting out over the balcony and hovering outside observing the balcony itself and then looking down to the tarp covered victim below. Huh Three to four seconds Not even enough time, unless Raiders eyes gleamed in sudden realization, I wonder ?
Wonder what? Valquez asked in annoyed tone, but by the time his question was out the longbow officer was swooping towards the roof top. He lifted a hand to heads forehead rubbing it slowly. I hate heroes like this Ooh, look at me, Im a detective, Ive got a spandex body glove showing off every curve and contour, and a fancy international law badge and am to pretty to be a real person, Im a frikkin Barbie doll super bi-.
Eeeeeasy, partner. Mason said, laying his hand on the other detectives shoulder and cutting him off. Shes just trying to help.
Hey while were at it, whatre you two jokers doing!? Valquez asked, looking toward Agents Harrison and Sawyer, and suddenly snapping his jaw shut as he noticed Sawyer was not talking on a walkie-talkie.
Uh-huh All right, you got it. Sawyer said into the device before clipping it back to her belt. Valquez, youre with me, she wants us to go back to Mrs. Sorthems apartment while our partners stay here.
What, so now shes a match-maker? He grumbled as he moved towards the door.
Dont flatter yourself. Sawyer replied, rolling her eyes. When they reached Mrs. Sorthems apartment she lifted her walkie-talkie once more. All right, Raider, were here.
Good Take note of the time and tell me what you hear while youre in there. Raider replied over the radio before a click signaled shed turned hers off.
Inside the victims apartment Mason and Harrison stood, waiting to find out what would be coming next. A sudden scream caught their attention, both men rushed out onto the balcony to see Raider-1 diving straight towards the ground screaming at the top of her lungs. A few feet from the ground she flipped in the air, landing upon her feet and then pushing off once more swooping back up to the balcony while turning on her comm-link once more. Sawyer?
Radio silence started at 9:48 and 23 seconds according to my watch, we heard a scream a few seconds later 9:48:29, Im assuming that was you?? The FBI agent replied.
Yeah. Come back to Judge Marxs apartment, please. Raider replied, touching down on the balcony, smirking as she heard Valquezs voice in the background saying what the hell was that supposed to show?!
As Detective Valquez and Agent Sawyer re-entered they found Raider-1 examining Judge Marxs suicide note.
Its good But its fake. She said, more to herself than the other investigators.
How can you tell? Detective Mason asked, stepping over to examine the note a second time since his arrival.
Because Oswald Marx was pushed, from the roof top, 10 stories above this. She replied, setting the note down.
Now how the HELL do you figure that?!?! Valquez cried, throwing his arms up in exasperation now.
At 9:48 and 29 seconds you and Agent Sawyer heard me screaming At which point I had reached the 17th floor, not the 15th. She explained. Your typical jumper has a delayed reaction as they come to the terms with the fact that theyve actually jumped and are falling, which would mean the Judge wouldnt have been likely to start screaming till around the 13th floor.
Valquezs mouth opened and closed repeatedly in a wordless stammer as he tried to find anything to say now.
Raider-1 held up a hand to keep him from saying anything incase he did actually find words. Combined with this, the total time it took for me to reach from the 15th floor to the ground falling at normal speed was precisely 4.6 seconds. The only way a normal human would even notice a scream that brief is if they had been listening for it. But she heard a scream, meaning that Judge Marx was screaming for a long extent, quite loudly, likely in surprise and shock Because someone pushed him over the edge of the roof.
Well how do you know it was the roof and not just a higher part of the building? Valquez countered.
I know he was pushed from the roof? Because, Detective, while you were looking at the most obvious solution to this case I was looking for everything abnormal; had you gone up to the roof top you too would have noticed that the gravel that covers the roof has been disturbed in several areas, consistent with two people having met on the roof top to talk. Raider said in reply.
There are some cops you like, and then there are some you dont. Raider-1 didnt just dislike Valquez, she despised him. He was the kind of cop who hated paper work, the one that shot straight for the easy answer that saved him a little time from being stuck filling out forms at the office; and he was making her wish she had an excuse to beat him against the wall for being so uncaring for the loss of a man like Oswald Marx. Smothering this inner rage she moved to kneel next to the impressions of heavy footfalls in the carpet.
Judge Marx moved to the edge of the roof top to look out over the city. Most likely the meeting regarded the case Ive been getting his help with, the person who met him, another man suggestion by the depth of the indentations in the gravel; was trying to scare Marx off the case. Marx was a stubborn man, he didnt back down. His opponent was obviously well trained; he attacked, off balanced Marx, and shoved him over the side. He then proceeded down to Marxs apartment, took this running start on the carpet to help solidify the notion of Marxs jumping over his own free will and then forged this suicide note which is a remarkable mock up of Oswalds hand writing from what I can tell. Raider-1 concluded, standing up once more and looking at the Detective as if to say any other questions?
That would mean the murderer planned to kill the Judge the whole time. Harrison surmised. Or that he had at least prepared for the possibility.
Heh Just flippin beautiful Longbow and the Feds to the rescue yet again.
Not to worry Valquez, well take this whole thing off your hands now. Harrison said with a smirk. Raider-1, thanks for your help here, youve saved us a couple days worth of investigation to figure out what happened.
The red and white clad heroine nodded at that, extending a hand to Harrison who took and shook it firmly. Always a pleasure to work with you Agent Harrison, Agent Sawyer; please, do keep me informed I liked Marx, he was good man.
We will. Sawyer replied with a nod as she radioed for the CSI team to now move up to the roof and securing it as yet a third portion of the crime scene.
While Valquez grumbled and cursed in annoyance under his breath his partner, Mason, simply shook his head.
Incredible Really, Ive never seen someone put something like this together that fast. He said, now stretching out his own hand to shake Raider-1s.
Heh, well thank you Detective, the air is my specialty; I just know how it works. She grinned as she shook his hand. If you ever need help with another apparent suicide feel free to give me a call.
Yeah right Detective Valquez murmured under his breath.
Always a pleasure to see you too, Valquez. Raider said, looking to him with her grin shifting into a smirk.
She brushed past him now as he muttered something incoherent under his breath in reply to her words, moving to the door she glanced back and gave a final nod of farewell before heading back down the hall.
She exited the building a short time later and stepped out onto the street level crime scene, moving to the tarp covered body she gently pulled back the covering to look at the gruesome image of Judge Oswald Marxs crushed body.
Ill find them, Judge, I promise I wont let them get away with another one. She said, looking sadly at the dead law enforcers remains and bowing her head in silent farewell before standing up and once more taking to the sky.
- - - - - - -
(( And there we have it. Hope at least a few people liked it, if I get any good response I might even continue the story.