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Post by skybright on Apr 2, 2006 1:48:02 GMT -5
As Daws had (regretfully) anticipated, she knew the Sergeants who led the small group of uniformed officers into the room. Still, she did her best to look surprised as she pushed her fedora back.
"Well, well, if it's isn't Arnie Simpson. And is that Jim Arborgast behind ya?" She chuckled maliciously -- that part wasn't faked -- and nodded at them. "How're ya doing tonight, Detective Sergeants?"
Simpson was a big, shambling man with dull blue eyes and a thatch of pale, unkempt hair. He scowled dangerously at Daws. "Should've known we'd find you mixed up in this mess. Freaks always come outta the woodwork for their own kind."
"Well, I for one am glad to see her." Jim Arborgast was the polar opposite of his partner -- well-groomed, dark and slender -- but he was by far the more dangerous of the two. He grinned ferally and added "I think a visit to the precinct might make our friend the amateur very helpful to the investigation."
Arborgast wheeled to peer at the Van Lindens. "Tom and Irene Van Linden? We're from the Fifty-fourth precinct. Got a few questions about your daughter's whereabouts. You're going to need to come with us."
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Post by Jordanna on Apr 2, 2006 8:40:15 GMT -5
The unexpected aggression of the cops caused Tom to bristle, but before he could speak, Irene protested.
"But we don't know where Miriam is! The whole reason we came here is to find her!"
Tom put his hand on her arm, but he was looking at the two policemen with hard eyes. "Believe me, we want to cooperate with the police--that's what we came here for. We know when we find our daughter, we're going to find out she's innocent."
His glance flicked toward Daws and the rather dumbfounded-looking Ferret, and he added, "If you want to ask questions, I think you should start with these people."
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Post by skybright on Apr 2, 2006 19:39:13 GMT -5
Arborgast chuckled. "Oh, believe me, sir, we're planning on it." He jerked his thumb at Daws, who was leaning against the wall and regarding him with thinly-veiled contempt. "Whenever the alley cat turns up, we take it for granted that she knows more than she's letting on."
"As opposed t'yourself, of course." Daws piped up. "I always take it as read that you know about half as much as you let on."
Arborgast ignored the detective. "We'll be detaining her for questioning, of course -- and if this fellow's here with her," He nodded at George Stubbs, "We'll do the same with him. You and your wife coming down to the precinct is really nothing but a matter of procedure."
"Believe us, sir," Simpson added, "We just want t'get to the bottom of all this."
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Post by Jordanna on Apr 2, 2006 21:34:36 GMT -5
Tom glanced at Daws, thinking hard. If she really was working with the little man, the plot she'd detailed to take them out of the police station might be some kind of plan B, in case the Van Lindens couldn't be persuaded to go with them voluntarily. Maybe they'd set up this police visit themselves.
On the other hand... if Miriam was a mutant, then other mutants were far more likely to be helping her than humans. If there was any chance of getting to her, he was willing to take a risk.
He said nothing to the police about Dawson's scheme.
"Alright," he said simply, and gave a small shrug to his wife. Looking confused and upset, Irene found her purse and nodded.
"Let's go, then," Tom said impatiently.
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Post by skybright on Apr 2, 2006 23:06:35 GMT -5
Detective Sergeant Arborgast nodded politely and gestured the Van Lindens out of the room, shooting a dirty look at Daws and a significant glance at his partner before he followed them.
Simpson scowled and planted a rough, heavy hand on Daws' shoulder. "Let's go, kitty."
Daws shrugged the hand off brusquely and straightened her hat with all the wounded dignity she could muster. "I'm not a cat, Detective Sergeant."
"No?" Simpson -- moving much quicker than his bulk suggested was possible -- grabbed Daws' wrists and wrenched her arms painfully behind her, reaching for his handcuffs. He leaned in menacingly and hissed " 'F I get anythin' t'say about it, we'll have ya yowlin' like one before the night's out."
Daws gritted her teeth and spat back "You don't have the guts, Simpson."
"We'll just see 'bout that." The big cop shoved Daws roughly between the shoulder blades, motioning to the other uniformed men.
"Bring the little guy. Let's go."
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