Poppy
Human
Student/Librarian
I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier
Posts: 119
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Post by Poppy on Jan 14, 2007 21:15:01 GMT
Continued from: Church Interior
Poppy stumbled down the last few steps, tears blurring her eyesight and making it near impossible to see. Any second now she expected to feel a hand on her shoulder, for that woman to have noticed her leaving and chase after her. To have done something to her sister. A sob broke out of her mouth, tears running down her face as her mind looped the moment of the bloody… thing, dropping to the ground. Over and over, in slow motion, all she could see was blood and gore and Iris was still inside.
She grabbed the phone, almost skidding into the box as she went. Poppy dialled the number, jittery, eyes fixed on the still and silent doors to the Church she had just come from. When the operator finally picked up – after taking too long in her view – she all but yelled down the phone for the police, her terror only too clear in her tone.
“Oh God, oh god, you have to help me,” she sobbed, sliding down the glass side of the phone booth, for once not caring about the dirt caked there. “She… I think she killed the priest and she has my sister and her friend there and there was blood and my sister and please, please help.” The person on the other end of the phone kept calm, trying to calm the young student as well, to get clear information but Poppy was past that, hysterics building up even as she finally forced out the address of the place.
“She’s still inside, please hurry you have to help my sister,” Poppy begged and ignored the request to stay on the line. She hung up instead, shivering and wrapping her arms around herself. Poppy couldn’t force herself to move, even though she wanted to. She just wanted her sister to be safe.
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Katherine
Human
LAPD Detective: Homicide
I've been afraid of changing, 'cause I built my life around you.
Posts: 79
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Post by Katherine on Jan 15, 2007 1:21:48 GMT
Continued from; Central Community Police Station; Downstairs Offices - Homicide Division; with Marcus and Wiles
Katherine had pulled herself into the back seat, letting Wiles take shotgun and Marcus drive, she wasn't officially on duty after all, but just as her brother had assumed, there was no way she was going to stay put at the Station while there was a chance to catch a murderer at the scene of the crime. Besides, more cops meant a better chance of doing just that. Whilst in the back seat, the cars careening through the LA traffic with lights flashing and sirens blaring to clear a path, Kath' transferred her own badge to a more prominent position.
The cars screeched to a halt outside and opposite the front doors of the building, rubber burning streaks across the asphalt and brakes working hard to cease the considerable momentum of the vehicles. Katherine leant into her door and pulled herself out, a hand resting comfortably on the butt of her Berretta as it jutted out from her side. She didn't unclip it, just kept it under her hand as she joined Marcus and Wiles by the hood. "Who called it in?" she asked, eyes raking over the exterior of the Church.
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Marcus
Human
LAPD Detective: Homicide
I don't need to fight to prove I'm right; I don't need to be forgiven.
Posts: 97
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Post by Marcus on Jan 15, 2007 1:38:30 GMT
“Girl didn’t leave a name, but she said her sister was inside with whoever murdered the priest.” Marcus didn’t slam his door behind him, not wanting to draw anymore attention than they had to, and he gave a hand signal to the officers for them to back up the three detectives. “She called from the payphone in the front of the church.” He pointed. “Just up in here.”
The younger Rivera’s hand went to his right hip, pushing back the waist of his jacket to land around the grip of his Glock, and he went for the stairs, taking them two at a time, before they came into the ‘lobby’. Blue eyes scanned the area quickly, and he spotted the girl in the payphone, motioning for the uniformed officers to keep watch while he went over to the young woman. She hadn’t given her name during the call, so he had little to work with, but he hoped to catch her attention in a non-startling way.
“Miss?” He lowered his voice, crouching near the glass payphone booth so she would be able to see him. His hand remained on his gun. “Miss? We’re from the Los Angeles Police Department. We’re here to help.”
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Poppy
Human
Student/Librarian
I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier
Posts: 119
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Post by Poppy on Jan 15, 2007 1:51:24 GMT
Poppy stared at him blankly before glancing down at his gun and swallowing hard. Nobody had come out which meant that they were still inside and she hoped to whatever higher power there was that Iris was still ok. Slowly she shuffled to the door of the booth, pulling it open and peering timidly at the cop, eyes flickering past the gun to take in the badge. He really was a cop.
“You’re going to help my sister?” she whispered softly, twisting her fingers together. “That crazy woman has them because they’ve not come out like they should and…” Poppy trailed off and took a deep breath, trying her best to calm herself because she was no good to anyone like this. The young student had taken breathing exercise lessons to help with her ballet and she used them now. “Sorry. I. Sorry. What can I do to help?”
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Marcus
Human
LAPD Detective: Homicide
I don't need to fight to prove I'm right; I don't need to be forgiven.
Posts: 97
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Post by Marcus on Jan 15, 2007 2:11:59 GMT
Marcus nodded, his expression compassionate and sincere, but hinted at with dedication and seriousness appropriate for the situation. “Yeah, we’re going to help your sister.” He bowed his head a little, meeting her gaze to show he wanted to help, and wanted her to be safe. “What’s your name? And what about your sister?” His tone, hopefully, implied that they would all walk away without further incident; he needed her to believe in him, and the other officers.
“Poppy… Poppy Marcus and my sister is Iris… there’s… um, there is a guy in there too… Denny someone…” she trailed off again, swallowing hard and trying to control the panic. In the phone booth, alone, it had been so easy to convince herself that this wasn’t really happening but with the cops there everything was so much more real. She wrapped her arms tighter around her body, hugging herself in a protective gesture.
“Okay, Poppy. Okay.” He nodded his head again, and looked back to Katherine and Wiles. “Poppy, what I need you to do is stay back, out here, okay? We’re going to help your sister, and ‘Denny’. But you need to stay out here. Everything will be fine.” He gestured to two of the officers to watch the young woman, and then stood, looking to his fellow detectives. He moved to stand with them, Katherine between the two male partners, and he said in a low voice to them, “Sounds like our suspect’s still inside. Let’s try and keep her here, huh?”
The three drew their sidearms, and moved as quietly but briskly as they could for the doors to the main church. Marcus’ gun was down as he progressed, but the second he laid eyes on the ‘crazy woman’, it would be aimed, and steady.
Continued in: Church Interior with Katherine and Wiles.
NOTE: Post written with assistance from Poppy.
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Katherine
Human
LAPD Detective: Homicide
I've been afraid of changing, 'cause I built my life around you.
Posts: 79
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Post by Katherine on Jan 15, 2007 2:28:56 GMT
Katherine tailed her brother not only because this was his call literally, and his case as such, but instinctively, her grip even tightened around her Berretta as her senses crackled against the night. She stood off to the side whilst her brother talked to the young woman who had called the report in, she was understandably shaken but a scrupulous glance told the female detective that she was unscathed and she was glad of that. She looked up and around, green eyes took in details like doorways and shadowed corners, staying alert to the possibilities of concealed entrances and exits. She didn't expect the perp to make a run for it this way per se but crazier things had happened in her time on the force, so she remained open and vigilant.
When Marcus finished and it was confirmed no one had come out she nodded tartly, wisps of black bangs brushing her forehead lightly as she did so. Her gun was out, drawn in tandem with the two other Detectives as they started their rapid and efficient move towards the building. Thoughts of her long day were erased, her mind was solely in the present and fixed upon bringing the situation to a safe and hopefully successful ending. She hoped that the former would take precedent however.
Continued in: Church Interior with Marcus and Wiles.
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Poppy
Human
Student/Librarian
I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier
Posts: 119
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Post by Poppy on Jan 15, 2007 20:31:32 GMT
Poppy shifted nervously from one booted foot to another, eyes fixed on the doors that the cops had so recently moved though. Her over active imagination was kicked into full gear as she stood there, conjuring up horrible image after horrible image. She could see Iris dead, bloodless, headless, unrecognisable as her sister. The images got progressively worse the longer she stood out there, waiting for some sign that it was all over.
She glanced to her right and then her left, where the two uniformed officers left to watch over her. It was reassuring to know that they would look after her and guard her against any danger but at the same time she half wished they were inside the church with everyone else, adding to the number saving her sister.
Poppy just wished that someone would tell her Iris was okay.
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Roxanne
Human
Departed
There is always a clue.
Posts: 52
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Post by Roxanne on Jan 16, 2007 1:47:36 GMT
Continued from: Central Community Police Station; Ballistics Lab
Roxanne took a deep breath as she stepped out of the passenger-side door. Yes, she knew the church, and some of the employees, but this was a job. And she was good at it.
"You gonna be okay, kiddo?"
Her partner's voice snapped her back to reality. Peter smiled at her and handed over her kit. His own swung idly by his side.
"I'm fine," she told him. They ascended the steps, nodding to the uniformed officers and as they passed. "And don't call me 'kiddo'."
Continued in: Church Interior
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Iris
Human
Photographer: LA Sun
Posts: 126
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Post by Iris on Jan 17, 2007 20:22:59 GMT
Continued from: Church Interior with Deiniol, Katherine, Marcus and Wiles
As soon as they stepped out of the church, Iris pulled in a deep breath, trying to chase away the smell of blood; she really half expected to be smelling it for days to come it had been so thick. The fresh air did nothing to calm her nerves, which, despite her fairly calm exterior, were almost to the point of fraying right through. She didn’t think she could handle much else tonight. She didn’t think she could handle much else for the next week. Looking around, she spotted Poppy and managed to relax a little. There was nothing like seeing for herself that her sister was okay- at least physically so- to make her relax a bit.
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Katherine
Human
LAPD Detective: Homicide
I've been afraid of changing, 'cause I built my life around you.
Posts: 79
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Post by Katherine on Jan 17, 2007 21:09:07 GMT
Katherine led the way out of the Church with Iris and made sure to stick close by her, as the paramedic was doing also. Though she seemed to be dealing with the shock very well, Kath' knew a thing or two about coping mechanisms and while she recognised a strong stomach when she saw one the stress of the situation could make her do a one-eighty at any moment. The detective hoped that seeing her sister would help rather than hurt Iris' current condition. She played her fingers thoughtfully over the front of the notebook she was still holding as they spotted the second Marcus sibling, accompanied by two uniforms.
She gesture towards her, knowing that Iris' eyes must have sought out her younger sister the moment they had stepped outside, and looked back to Iris, "We're going to get you sitting in the patrol car, alright? Both of you." Maybe she was being repetitive but repetition was part of the job. She had long learnt that simple reassurances were often the most helpful for witnesses.
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Deiniol
Human
Church Secretary
Life's a show and we all play a part
Posts: 112
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Post by Deiniol on Jan 17, 2007 21:57:50 GMT
As soon as he was outside, Denny took a few steps away from the group milling around the entrance. Away from the Detectives, away from the uniformed cops and even away from Iris and Poppy. He just needed a moment to himself, for the first time since this whole mess had started. Absently he rested his hand against the cool stone of the building, drawing as much comfort as he could from the touch, being a very tactile person. He enjoyed the simple feel of things and it came in handy now.
Denny took deep breaths, letting the cool and crisp night air fill his lungs and replace the deathly stale old air of inside the building. Slowly he could feel himself unwind slightly, shoulders slumping. He was a man of strong faith, but also one of common sense and so even though part of his brain had clung to the promise given to him outside in the cold light of night he was forced to admit that there was no way he could guarantee to keep such a promise. God moved in mysterious ways.
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Poppy
Human
Student/Librarian
I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier
Posts: 119
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Post by Poppy on Jan 18, 2007 0:00:46 GMT
Poppy looked up from her nervous pacing backwards and forwards a few inches on the pavement at the sound of the church door opening, chewing on the tips of her fingers slightly. Not the fingernails themselves – that was a filthy habit and one she ballet teacher had helped her outgrow by snapping an elastic band against her wrist every time she forgot and slipped back into old habits – but the fingers themselves, the soft skin at the tips.
She instantly pushed past the two police men still with her, intent on one thing and one thing only – her sister. Poppy ignored Denny as he moved to the side, away from the others, her gaze fixed on Iris and looking her over for any sign of injury or blood. The fact she had walked out under her own steam was a good start.
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Iris
Human
Photographer: LA Sun
Posts: 126
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Post by Iris on Jan 18, 2007 21:34:05 GMT
Iris tried to offer Poppy a reassuring look, but she was afraid that it fell rather flat. It was hard to reassure someone when she had blood spotted on her clothes and she had just walked out of a murder scene. Now that she was actually out of the church, she realized that she felt drained and just wanted to go home, even though she knew that wouldn’t be happening for a while and there was likely no possible way that she would be getting any sleep. Not after that.
To Katherine’s mentioning of getting Iris and her sister into one of the cars, she nodded, though she couldn’t help but think of her own car, which she was going to be needing. After all, if she was going to be sent out on an assignment, walking was out of the question. “What about my car? I’m going to need it for work.”
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Poppy
Human
Student/Librarian
I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier
Posts: 119
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Post by Poppy on Jan 19, 2007 16:45:25 GMT
Iris looked a mess, that was for sure, with blood on her clothing, a stunned, almost shuttered expression on her face as she tried to give Poppy a faint smile. Right now however the younger Marcus sibling didn’t really care about the blood or the expression. All she cared about was the fact that Iris was alive and apparently not badly hurt – she would have been rushed to the hospital otherwise.
Poppy hovered nearby, watching the police woman with Iris and wishing she would give some signal to let her know it was ok to get closer. It was almost as bad as not knowing, to be this close to her sister and to not be able to physically reassure herself that she was okay. Poppy wouldn’t fully believe it was all over until she had touched Iris. It was just the way she was – touch didn’t lie.
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Marcus
Human
LAPD Detective: Homicide
I don't need to fight to prove I'm right; I don't need to be forgiven.
Posts: 97
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Post by Marcus on Jan 19, 2007 18:01:58 GMT
Marcus signalled for Wiles to watch over Deiniol, along with another, uniformed officer, before he went over to Katherine and the sisters. He glanced to Poppy and gave her a reassuring, subtle smile, to show she didn’t have to hesitate. She wouldn’t be getting in the way if she wanted to be next to her sister, and it certainly wouldn’t be ‘wrong’ if she needed the proximity for comfort.
To Kath’, he said, “We should get these guys back to the station for statements. I think they’re all in shock, but the sooner we get this done while it’s fresh on their minds, the sooner they can go home and get some rest.” He was half-expecting her to chide him for the ‘promise’ he’d issued to Deiniol; he’d seen her look, and knew that he never should have said what he had. It wasn’t professional to promise something that might not happen.
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