The day had been a busy one for Fordin, Keelhaul, the entirety of the Police Station's force, and for the inmates.
~~During the Morning: The Tora Family arrives~~
As the Tora siblings arrive and make their way into the office, Molly greeted them kindly and had Officer Rivers lead them to the office where Director Fordin was. A brief discussion had occurred to help catch them up to speed on everything they knew themselves. Some back and forth as Director Fordin explained to Tora the following.
"We're not sure about VLTR, or its atlesian roots from what Keelaul has informed of us the other day, but our men are searching our database to see what we can scrounge up. It is rather early in the day, we'll have answers about them by tonight. Whatever they want, be it vengeance or blood, they sure as hell aren't getting it killing people left and right without a clear goal. Someone is here in town and they must be trying to find them." Fordin told Tsuki calmly before she revealed to him the Granite piece and asked for further information of what he could help with. "
That stone you're holding... it feels odd as I can sense remnants of dust imbued with the stone, but I can't discern much else. The Dust appears to be of Fire and Earth from what it was last exposed to." He motioned for her to follow as he briefed her on everything else he knew.
"
We're not sure how long they've had to plan this, but whatever the case, it's been almost a week of nonstop deaths and we've yet to capture them, or locate most of the bodies... aside from the one now recently reported. I'm not sure how many there are now considering the differences in these attacks and without most of the bodies, we can't figure out most of the murders so I can't be certain if detaining the leader would stop this." As he walked with her, he slowly came to a stop before the three interrogation room doors he turned to her and motioned her into the one-way mirror room first so she could see the three people she could interrogate. "You mention Akuryo being Insane... he does have unstable eyes but ever since the bank and the station seized his place of work, we've found nothing in there aside from his Macabre room filled with several knives and a small shrine in the room. We've seized some of it but we can only go off on a hunch. We're not certain yet as to their skills, but when we arrested Akuryo thanks to a warrant, we can surmise his knife collection from surgical to butcher could mean he's either had many jobs dealing with knives like cooking and butchery, or he's just as insane as the others. He's told the other two people we've arrested to stay hushed about things..." After he had finished answering Tsuki's questions, he nodded his head as Ichirou chose to question Mrs. Contenda, Tsuki went off to go and get coffee before Tsuki returned and brought Coffee to Mrs. Contenda. The director chose to remain in the room whereas Ichirou began to question her.
"I'm quite alright deary, this is nothing compared to dealing with children alone at home." Mrs. Contenda started as she spoke to Ichirou, despite being chained to the table, she was able to move her hands to drink the coffee so there was plenty of slack to be had.
"I would love to get back to my children, but I do know that this is something the Police have to do since there were indeed bodies originally discovered by my place of work." She told Ichirou calmly as the questioning soon began with his first question immediately bringing her mood down.
"So that's what this is about... " She took a deep breath and nodded her head slowly.
"Almost any Atlesian knows of VLTR by their name, but I happen to know of them during their Huntsman years while they attended the Atlas Academy. VLTR was once a predigious group of Huntsman and Huntresses consisting of Victor Breakheart, Elliot Payne, Beatrice Miona, and Traicurt... rumored to be close friends to one another they always hunted down Grimm and worked their best for the academy. That was until their team and the Academy had a falling out and Victor, Elliot, and Beatrice left to keep the moniker of Vulture. They worked as Mercenaries afterwards. " She took a simple drink inbetween her statements before setting the cup down.
"They helped whoever was willing to pay but they had their standards and normally didn't kill those who didn't deserve it when requested of it. But something happened from what I remembered before the downfall. Elliot and Beatrice were found dead, Victor was arrested but escaped the court hearing after killing everyone there... but then... nothing. VLTR was presumed entirely defunct and dead. Jarlen would know more but Akuryo asked us both to keep quiet because he believes any answers we give to the officers won't be sufficient to save our skins as he says." She told Ichirou calmly, given her age... it was likely she would have known about the stories of VLTR and what they had done and since she had close friends asking her, she couldn't very well lie to them. When asked about why they would have decided to rise up, she would speak.
"If VLTR has indeed really appeared, then it most likely would be a sad lone man on a mission to get revenge and trying to find those who betrayed him. But what luck would Victor have if he were here in Vale trying to find someone like that?" She asked of them before she finished her coffee. But by now as she set the mug down, it was clear she was shaking, some memories had resurfaced before she shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I'm done answering questions to you Ichi-sweetie. Tsuki, you take care of Ichirou and take the day easy. I need... some time." She adjusted her chair as Director Fordin came in and helped to escort the Tora family away.
"
I'm sorry you were being pushed back by her. But we learned alot from your questioning Ichirou, are you sure you two don't want to question Jarlen and Akuryo?" Fordin asked, but he simply nodded his head as it was obvious they had something they needed to do. "
Very well, we won't be able to hold them for very long, and we're still processing their Warrants to see if there are any reasons to hold them for longer. If we can keep them come tomorrow, you're free to question them then." He told the trio as he bowed his head and dismissed them to let them do what they needed to do.
~~7 hours since the first interrogation: Aya's team arrives.~~
Director Fordin watches as Aya out of the group approaches him hastily and begins to inform him of the murder. He looked to her as he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "
You seem to think that we should be immediately hyperaware of any death that occurs within 24 hours. Forensic works tend to not work like the TV shows you may have seen. But I appreciate you informing me that someone has contacted you and informed you of their misdeed. The fact you all apparently have someone giving you assistance is also very appreciated and I would like to get in contact with them since this is a matter of public security with how many deaths have been caused lately. If the victims were apart of any gang though, their belongings surely have not produced any meaningful connections from it yet. However, now that you've informed me that this case may be more... personal, I'm afraid I can't let you question them without proof you can keep your cool." He told her sternly, his eyes focused on Aya as she attempted, with a swift whistle coming from him and she was stopped from entering the interrogation room. He and the other officers could tell she was a lady on a mission out of the group and while it was good to have, in retrospect that narrows the mind and makes things difficult. The officers look to Aya, trying to discern from her hard to tell expression if she was calm or if she was angry, and both looked quite unsure before one spoke. "
Ma'am, if you go in, will Sergeant Keelhaul be going in with you or will you only take your teammates?" Considering the circumstances of Azura not being there, that left Aya as the temporary lead to the trio there.
Aya tilted her head a little as Fordin talked "
TV shows? No I simply gave you the information we had, we are working together with you after all. " she said before taking a piece of paper and wrote down Cecil's scroll information before handing it over "
Here, I'm sure he will be happy to help. " she said as she walked towards the interrogation room, only to be stopped by some of the officers, she was a bit surprised for a few moments but would shake off the feeling before answering "
Sergeant Keelhaul can come with if he so desires, it doesn't really matter to me. No difference if he watches from inside the room or through the glass in my eyes. "
The guards look to one another and then nod their heads as they moved to keep Kuro and Ocho from going in immediately. Keelhaul would show up, a grin on his face as he nodded his head to her before they walked to deal with Jarlen first. Director Fordin would pull up the board so Kuro and Ocho could view through the one-way mirror as she would begin to speak. The trio could see he abuse Jarlen had been up through the last 7 hours. The look on Jarlen's worn face, bruises were on his face as he looked to Aya and her emotionless expression, unsure if she was going to be merciful but with Sergeant Keelhaul, he was already flinching the moment she spoke. When she promised him some sort of pseudo mercy, he already had a weak voice to speak. "
Y... You're like... them..." He barely spoke before Aya asked him the first question, he went quiet as Sergeant Keelhaul moved about to be behind Jarlen. "
I think she asked a question... ANSWER IT!" He shouted, causing Jarlen to flinch as he was torn between answering. Would Aya verbally push the question, or force a beaten man to answer the question? Her soft smile did not help Jarlen in the slightest as she followed up her question of VLTR with a question of his status.
"
We agreed on you coming in, but not for you bumping your head into it right? Do not interfere unless I ask you to. " she glared at Keelhaul before sighing "
I am being serious when I say that I do not wish to hurt you, you seem like you could really use a rest from the violence, so please cooperate with me so we don't need to keep this going ok? Now please answer my questions."
Jarlen could hear Aya speak to Sergeant Keelhaul as the man scoffs in defiance. "
Oi, I'm the one who had to open up a few tight lips here and there. b*****d Akuryo told this man and the girlie to keep quiet on things apparently." He told her, a grin on his face as on the other side of the glass, Fordin was shaking his head but the words she spoke at least got Jarlen to nod a bit as he began to speak. "
Those names are.... familiar, Elliot's name especially. Back in Atlas I used to work for a Weapons depot for the huntsmen there and his name would come up often." Jarlen responded to both of her questions, but were they the full answers? She had nothing to lose but he had nothing to gain if he lied.
"
And that's good and all Sergeant, but I am the one interrogating, not you." she said before Jarlen responded which would make her frown, but not out of anger "
So Akuryo told you not to answer... Will he do anything to you or people you care about if you told us things? If that's the case I can promise that if you answer my questions fully and truly I will protect you until this whole investigation is done." she said as she leaned closer "
Is there anything more you can tell me about Elliot? What did you hear about the person?"
As she asked him the question, he went quiet for a moment pondering how to respond before he soon spoke once more. "
He told us that no answer would satisfy anyone in the situation and that it's better to keep quiet to save ourselves." That response immediately got an angry glare at Jarlen from Keelhaul before she spoke once more. Jarlen shook his head about Elliot and spoke. "
Other than the man always paid for fuel tanks for his flamethrower. He's a huntsman just buying his stuff and... he died from what the news said." Jarlen seemed a bit saddened while Keelhaul seemed to only get more irate, the questions not really helping with the investigation in his eyes as he grinds his teeth.
Aya would tilt her head "
But not answering will not get you anywhere but the fists of the policemen, right now you have been very helpful so please let's continue our conversation" she said as she noticed Keelhaul getting pissed which made her sigh and look at him in anger "
If you can't manage your anger then leave, you are of no help here if you can't handle it, and here I thought you came here because you don't know if I can. Ironic don't you think?" She chuckled before moving her attention back to Jarlen "
I am no cop, I'm a simple atlesian like yourself. The information I got stated Elliot was indeed presumed dead but... We have suspicions that not only they are alive, but part of the murders that have been taken lately"
Keelhaul looked back at Aya as she spoke before he soon responded. "
It's because your questions don't really seem to be about finding the damn culprit, you're asking this man literally about anything else." He told her in a growl as even though he was mad, he kept himself in check while she chuckled at him and resumed talking to Jarlen. When she mentioned that Elliot may have been alive... Jarlen went silent. He seemed a bit shock but he simply shook his head in disbelief that someone would be alive. Director Fordin looked between Kuro and Ocho before looking to Jarlen and Aya. He took a deep breath and reached over to push the intercom button. "
Aya & Keelhaul, you're presence is required." The voice ordered as he awaited them to leave, with Keelhaul getting in one quick slap to the back of Jarlen's head as he left. Fordin sighed before looking to Kuro and Ocho. "
I don't think Jarlen is going to get us more information at the time, we still have two other inmates if you two want to try next."
They gave Aya the go-ahead in picking the first victim of their interrogation, Jarlen. Admittedly, Kuro was somewhat disappointed wanting to interrogate the refugee himself. As expected, Aya went in with much more kindness in her form than Kuro might have provided. Jarlen was a sad-looking, pitiful creature. Even worse, the sergeant who accompanied Aya was far too crass and boisterous. Of course, they weren’t getting anything from the suspects; they distinctly lacked finesse in their choice of violence.
Kuro couldn’t stifle his chuckle at the ferocity with which Aya reprimanded the sergeant who accompanied her but refused to “
stay in his lane”. There were quite a few juicy tidbits of information being provided and better yet, Akuryo Beckwood was becoming quite the person of interest. While the Atlesian refugee knew of the existence of the VLTR, he did not mention the last time that he’d crossed paths with Elliot and seemed genuinely surprised at the mention of the possibility of them being alive.
With this newfound information, the officers appeared to be getting restless and ornery with the continued questioning. They had the audacity to scorn their methods while simultaneously having made no progress in the case on their own. Director Fordin beckoned the sergeant and Aya to return offering their other remaining prisoners for interrogation.
Kuro made a quiet, pleased noise. “
I would love the opportunity to chat with our little friend, Akuryo Beckwood.” The boy said with almost an alarming amount of delight and amusement. He fixed the cuffs of his suit positioning himself in front of the directed door waiting for someone to fix it to be ajar. That kind of work was for grunts – the only physical labor he had prepared himself for was the kind to get a suspect motivated to speak. The ex-proprietor of Becky’s funeral home originally had a few details that made them suspect, however it was Jarlen’s testament that had graduated them from of minor interest to possibly key player.
Director Fordin nodded his head at Kuro before he motioned them ahead. "
I'll join you personally. There are a few things we found in his abode and place of work that may help." He told Kuro as they both entered the room, where Akuryo Beckwood waited. The man with blackened hair sat across the table from the two as they entered and simply spoke. "
It's been 9 hours and 27 minutes since my arrest now... and the incessant questioning is going nowhere you know." Akuryo told Fordin calmly as the Director moved to the side, producing a bag for Kuro as he remained in the corner to watch. Kuro had the reigns from here on out as Akuryo simply looked to the bag and then to Kuro with his crimson eyes. "
And you bring a child to interrogate me?" He asked of him as, without his coat, there were signs of abuse upon him, namely physical bruising along his arms, not to the severity of Jarlen's case. "
I've said my piece, You have nothing left to gain." He told them as he was tired of being here.
In the bag were several blades and knives along with service orders and autopsy orders requested of Akuryo and the families of other deceased. Along with them were now warmed bags of blood and strange arts and symbols amongst pages.
'Curious.' Kuro nodded in the direction of Director Fordin acknowledging his statement. Admittedly, he was somewhat disappointed at the notion of being accompanied by any of the officers, let alone the director. Of course, they were obviously not above getting a little rough with the prisoners based off the marks which Jarlen was covered in. “I haven’t forgotten about that coffee and am holding you to it.” Kuro stated to seemingly no one in particular mentally preparing himself for this encounter.
After the door was opened, Kuro walked in evaluating his subject and calculating where to begin. He was well-kept and articulate in the way that he spoke. He spoke with more authority than most would have; had they found themselves in a similar situation. Much to his surprise, this suspect had not been handled in as rough of a manner as the Atlesian refugee had. Interesting… Kuro ignored the derogatory comment that Akuryo had let slip from the tongue. “Now, now.” the boy lowered his eyes down to Akuryo’s level for a moment, “I think we are going to make good friends.” He turned his attention to the bag in front of him with a look of inquisitiveness. This was an interesting collection of items to keep, though the evidence could have just as easily been planted. Did Kuro believe that Akuryo was the type to be made a fool of, however? That remained to be seen.
Kuro lifted a blade from the bag turning it over in his hand admiring the handiwork and mentally comparing it to the possible murder weapon, which they had seen just the day prior. He made notes of the similarities or the lack thereof while tracing his finger along the blade. Truth be told, there were not many. While being distracted by his thoughts, Kuro haphazardly made a small cut in his pointer finger drawing blood. “It is a stunning weapon.” Kuro said in a pleasant tone while even his eyes seemed to smile unfazed by the drop of blood which he admired for a moment before flicking it away from his body. In a sudden and fluid movement, he lifted the weapon into the air with the blade pointed downward. He thrusts the blade into the wood evenly placed between Akuryo’s wrists which were chained to the table; after, Kuro sat on the table nearby crossing one leg over the other. “I have to say… the warm blood and strange, cryptic art and symbols are a wee bit incriminating. What kind of morbid hobbies are you into, unless of course, you are admitting to a homicide on multiple degrees? That would conclude my work here if that were the case, though somehow, I doubt it. Please explain to me how this damning evidence is not supposed to crucify you.” Kuro said smugly leaning back getting a better overall picture of Akuryo while waiting on his response.
Akuryo and Fordin both watched as Kuro inspected the evidence in the bag and lightly nicked himself on the finger. The drawing of blood didn't seem to bother Kuro much as Akuryo watched him raise the knife and stabbed it into the table. "Interesting way of going about saying we are friends." Akuryo pointed out as he adjusted himself to stare Kuro down when he spoke his question. In a flat response, Akuryo said. "
I normally have a bit of a blood problem. The bag of blood they took from my home was essentially my medicine I work with the hospital for to help keep myself in check. Nothing bad and it's all legal in terms since this blood is donated but when alot of people donate blood they can't save all of it and have to get rid of any of them about to expire." Akuryo had started with the blood bag off first before he continued. "
I don't have morbid hobbies, I work with the deceased and that is that. Claiming anything related to homicides when the evidence is this staggeringly shallow is hardly something for me to worry about." He told Kuro, an answer to the first question and... aside from the blood not really answering anything important or acknowledging the papers. Fordin looked to Kuro and back to Akuryo.
“
It is difficult to make friends when someone refuses to be forthcoming.” Kuro responded while watching Akuryo continue to speak in a bland demeanor unaffected by his sudden show of force. This was a public establishment, so Kuro was not comfortable with being too openly violent. There was no telling how far the officers would let him push but by now, it was obvious that Akuryo was unbothered by his situation. At times like these, Kuro preferred the dark underground where there were fewer hard limits and more gray areas.
‘
I don’t have morbid hobbies.’ Kuro snorted. “
I would disagree. You consciously chose to work with dead bodies.” the boy paused while taking a stand. He moved behind the chair slowly and with intent trailing his hand across the top of the chair. “
Do you enjoy it.” he chastised Akuryo bending himself down enough to whisper into his ear. “
You know – I think we are making great progress here.” Kuro stood back up moving his left hand to cup Akuryo’s neck gently. He applied pressure on both sides of the carotid artery narrowing his eyes slightly. “
What is your relationship with the Atlesian refugees? I heard from some little birds that like a hawk you like them to keep quiet.” Kuro tightened his grip around Akuryo’s neck. “
What are they meant to keep quiet about? What are you hiding from us?” his voice hardened, and Kuro hoped by now that Akuryo might be feeling the gravity of his situation. He would not let Netami’s death go unsolved. She would have justice and vengeance.
Akuryo gave him a sharp glare when he brought up the fact that consciously working with the dead alluded to a morbid hobby. But he said nothing else, not even as the man moved about to behind him, with Akuryo keeping his focus forward. The whisper in his ear made his own hairs stand on end but he showed no physical reaction. When he mentioned that they were making progress here, it made Akuryo curious up until he felt the hand cupping his neck and applying pressure to the carotid artery. As he put more pressure, Akuryo's neck was instinctively trying to resist as he slowly clenched his teeth. "
My relationship is of common nngh ground. Silence is better since... shitheads like you can't handle truths." He responded in grunts, trying to not fall unconscious. The strain on his neck was becoming more obvious with the change of skin tone that even his pale skin could show how quickly Kuro's grip was trying to tighten.
Kuro must have managed to strike a nerve with the way that Akuryo was staring daggers in his direction. Good… Anger always seemed to bring people closer to a primal and more raw state of emotion. It appropriated responses that had less logical self-reflection and thoughtful consideration. He could feel Akuryo’s natural reaction attempting to defend himself from Kuro’s advances. Unfortunately for him, he was already at a disadvantage being chained down to the table; however, this worked in Kuro’s favor as Akuryo began to be very forthcoming. Excellent…
‘
Relationship.’ this particular wording insinuated that there was a third party involved. Was this the identity of the murderer? Was VLTR involved? Trained hunters and huntresses would do extraordinarily well-intimidating others, particularly civilians, into holding their tongues in order to salvage their lives. Akuryo was beginning to have difficulty breathing. You could easily tell by the way that he spoke through broken sentences. Tsk… Kuro did not want him to go passing out before having been able to conclude their interrogation but also, it would not benefit him for Akuryo to know he had some measure of influence over Kuro at the moment. “
Why don’t you let me be the judge of what I’m capable of handling, and I might just let you go.” Kuro loosened his grip only barely playing it as a gesture of kindness. Akuryo would be able to breathe somewhat easier, though likely still labored and heavy.
“
What is the truth then? And who are you trying to protect?” Kuro softened his voice but stayed firm. He wanted answers. “
The bodies disappeared from your establishment from right under your nose. Either you know something, or you are an ignorant fool… and you, don’t strike me as a fool.” Kuro continued applying pressure awaiting an appropriate response.
Akuryo was having more difficulty breathing as the grip remained tight, yet... this was something he was used to as he felt the grip loosening with the child speaking to him. "
For a kid, your grip... is like that of a baby throwing a tantrum without his mother there to nnngh shut his a** up." Akuryo insulted him again as he began to press the question once more, causing Akuryo to glare, but a smirk appeared on his face. "
The truth is... I'm trying to protect that whore you call your mother." He responded with a grin bt the pressure grew as he grunted and looked clear ahead as Fordin was beginning to get worried he had let some psychopath in to interrogate. Fordin unfurled his arms as Akuryo's eyes were beginning to roll up slightly. But soon he spoke. "
It's... not something... I'll nnngh answer!" In a desperate attempt to breathe before passing out, he would throw his head at Kuro, an active headbutt to the kid choking him strategically. Meanwhile Fordin shouted. "
That's enough!" He moved in quickly to try and seperate Kuro and Akuryo as he looked to Kuro. "
You were about to make him pass out, seems kind of hard to get answers if he's unresponsive!" He chastised the boy with a glare before Fordin looked to Akuryo who began to cough and gasp for air. "
And you're just digging yourself a grave since you're not co-operating with us." Fordin shook his head and with his firm hands, began to escort Kuro out of the interrogation room, guiding him back to Aya and the others.
There, Fordin was at a loss for words as he rubbed his eyes and the bridge of his nose. "
I much rather preferred Aya's approach but considering Akuryo didn't answer no matter what approach we've taken with him, we won't get answers from him today... Mrs. Contenda is still here, more willing to answer any questions unless you think you can get Akuryo to speak." He asked of Ocho, who grew impatient of waiting and as soon as Fordin spoke to him, Ocho approached the table as he would slam all eight of his hands on the table loudly. This caught the attention of the guards who were quick to be on guard. "
We're wasting time here!" Ocho shouted as he glared at Fordin who had instinctively pulled out a 1911 and aimed it at him. "
...We will not be taking any amount of threats or show of force here sir. I get it, you're growing frustrated. So are we." The air grew tense as Fordin looked to Aya, Kuro, and back to Ocho. "
With how serious the case is, Aya being too personally involved, Kuro almost strangling one of our suspects into being unconscious, I'm afraid I need you three to leave now. I'll contact each of you if we choose to have your help tomorrow. Right now, the tensions are high and I need to calm my workers down along with myself. Leave" Fordin ordered as with the escort of the rest of the police force, with the show of force that Ocho had pulled after the stunt of Kuro and Akuryo, they needed time to process everything.
~~An hour later: Azura arrives~~
Azura was one who was never late, and though she had a very good reason for being late, she was flustered nonetheless. Silently she urged the bus from Beacon to go faster, unfairly cursing any individuals who rang the bell for the bus to pull over to let them off. She knew such thoughts were uncalled for, but being late was so very uncomfortable for Azura. With the dust shortage, private transportation wasn't an option. When the bus finally reached her stop, she was a full hour behind Aya, Kuro and Ocho. She sped walked towards the police station, boarding on jogging, as if the few seconds she would save would really make a difference at this point. Then she paused outside the door, taking a deep breath and fixing her hair a bit to cover up the fact she had practically jogged the last block, before pulling open the door. "
Hello, Azura Knight here to see Director Fordin." She told the desk Sergeant.
Sergeant Kelsei, the desk sergeant, looked Azura up and down before she looked to her clipboard. "
Says here you were suppose to be here an hour and a half ago." She told Azura calmly but she looked more through her notes. "
But if you're here to see him, it must still be important so go ahead, his office is the third door on the right down there." She hit a button and the door opened up to a hallway for her to go through. Upon reaching Fordin's office, she would find him in the process of paperwork when he noticed Azura walking in. He set down the pen and exhaled a soft sigh. "
I'm glad to see you Ms. Knight. I was worried something happened when you didn't show up and someone else did in your footsteps." He told her as he got to his feet. "
You can explain it to me later as to why you were late, I assume you want to question one of the inmates at least?"
Azura flushed red after the desk Sergent brought up her being late. "
Sorry." She bowed her head, before hurrying off to Fordin's office, who also brought up the topic of being late. This was a nightmare! "
Y-yes." She cleared her throat. "
I was hoping to speak to Mr. Beckwood from the funeral home."
When Azura brought up wanting to speak with Akuryo, he frowned a bit as he looked down at the paperwork. He rubbed his chin before he spoke. "
He refused to even speak the last time we tried, but then again that was when Keelhaul was there. If you approached him alone at his cell, you may be able to get more information." He told her calmly while he looked to her and pulled out a remote to set on the table. "
This will keep him still in the cell Incase he tries to lunge at you but the inmates have all been removed from interrogation rooms for an hour now. Are you ready?" He asked of her softly.
"
Hopefully I will have more luck than officer Keelhaul." Given this information, she would need to figure out how to approach Mr. Beckwood. She gave the remote a quizzical look as she picked it up, wondering how likely it would be for the mortician to attack her. "
Thank you." She wasn't afraid of being hurt, as her huntsman training meant she could easily best a civilian, but she was thankful for a way to restrain him without hurting him. "
I am ready."
Fordin nodded his head as he got up and lead her through the building down into the holding cells. There she could hear various criminals call out to her and some claiming innocence. He walked with her going by until they reached a more quiet area. There he walked with her up to a point and motioned his head towards the cell as she could approach alone now. There, she would see a black-haired man sitting in the center of the room, his arms remained cuffed together as his body had signs of bruising and abuse from being interrogated throughout the day. Red splotches on his body from forced shocks, and yet here he was still breathing. He raised his head as she got closer to the cage, a crimson eye looking at her that seemed a bit off.
"
What happened to you?" Azura asked, the words coming out in a shocked whisper. Her blue eyes had gone wide at the appearance of Mr. Beckwood. He needed to be in a hospital, not in jail.
He stared at her as she spoke before he simply chuckled at her reaction. "
Rough interrogation methods done by one Mr. Keelhaul." He responded to her as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "
Shouldn't be too surprising... police normally have this power when the populace gets desperate from wanton death and failure of protection."
"
That's horrible." She answered, truly a testament to the relatively sheltered and privileged life Azura had lived. She had dedicated her life to hunting down Grimm, and outside of the festivals or visiting Cecil at the bookshop, didn't spend much time in the city. The Grimm were outside the city walls, not in. "
I had no idea the police...is there someone I could call for you?" She asked, wondering if Mr. Beckwood had a lawyer or something. She knew she shouldn't be getting a suspect legal aid when she was investigating the case, but beating a man when they had no proof he wasn't merely a victim of robbery...
Akuryo looked at her once more as she spoke, letting him know the obvious before he shook his head at her responses and offer. "
I doubt you're here visiting me for anything like mercy. The fact a huntress in training like yourself has come here, means you're looking for answers. Can't say I'll be willing to give them to you if the questions don't fit my fancy. Told the last person and Keelhaul that earlier today." He told her upfront to try and get her to the point as her kindness was appreciated but he knew better.
Azura hesitated for a moment, clearly uncertain of how to react to the man's bluntness. Then again, if she spent the day being beaten up by the police, she would probably be feeling fairly bitter and cynical. "
I did come here to ask you some questions, but it is a huntress's job to help people. How did you know I am from Beacon?" She asked, before digging a notebook and a pencil out of her backpack. "
What task's do you perform at Beck's funeral home? Are there other staff who have access to the morgue after hours?"
Akuryo noticed she was stunned silent but didn't say a word as he slowly got up from the ground and moved towards the bars as she began to speak, asking how he knew she was from beacon to which he responded. "
Never said beacon, but you have the eyes of a huntsman." He told her calmly while he watched her pull out the notebook. She asked him about what he did for work, which was something he thought on before he spoke. "
I was the main proprietor. I run the business primarily. There are no other staff who works there except for myself."
Azura wrote down a couple of notes in her notebook, before looking up at the beaten-up man before her. "
Had you started any of the autopsies before the bodies went missing? Is there any information you can tell me about how they were killed?" However, Akuryo remained quiet as he looked at her when she asked, not even deigning to answer her question. What she gleaned from it was up to her but he remained quiet.
A few moments of silence ticked by. When he has said he would only answer the questions he felt like, she assumed he would have at least told her which ones he wasn't going to answer. Something along the lines of 'I'm not going to answer that.' Simply being ignored was...well off-putting and strange. She thought would be the easiest of questions...she didn't have much hope for him answering the rest. Finally, she cleared her throat, her face flushing a bit. "
Will you at least tell me why you won't answer that one? I know there was at least a partial autopsy done on Kati Katswell."
He remained quiet just a bit longer before she began to speak up after some time. He leaned against the bars as he spoke. "
Cause an answer to that would've been unsatisfying and most likely draw unwanted attention. Kati's autopsy report won't be finished considering the bodies that all went missing."
"
Forgive me for saying so, but it seems like you've already drawn plenty of unwanted attention in not answering. Your business has been shut down, you have suffered despicable treatment by Officer Keelhaul, and unless I am mistaken, the families will be looking for restitution from you unless the perpetrator of their abduction is uncovered. Surely giving an unsatisfying answer is worth avoiding all of this?"
Akuryo looked at her before he soon adjusted his stance to grab ahold of the bars. He stared at her before he soon spoke. "
You seem to misunderstand the situation. What they want is a confession of a crime we didn't commit. They want to confirm they got the bad guy so they can be done with it considering the amount of deaths within the week. Any unsatisfying answer given would be met with disdain, with 'They lie', with harsher abuse because you 'lied' to save your skin." He told her coldly before he shook the bars once to create a loud sound. "
Biting my tongue saves more lives than speaking it! If you want an answer to another question then you need to promise me you will take me for my word, and no one else's to sway your damn opinion Huntress..." He offered her a bargain, one that was only offered to her.
Could their police force really be so corrupt? She already found it hard to accept Officer Keelhaul had beat this man, but in pursuit of a false confession, just to wrap up the case? Mr. Beckwood's words were difficult to process. She was desperate to find the true culprit, not only to prevent more murders and bring closer to the families but to make sure an innocent person didn't take the fall. Azura nodded "
I promise." Akuryo nodded his head to her as she promised him to accept his word before he backed up, standing up tall, even if he winced before he spoke. "
Then ask away... what is the one piece of information you need to know for this case?" He asked of her calmly.
The one piece of information she needed was who was behind the attacks, which she assumed Mr. Beckwood didn't know, and if he did he certainly wasn't going to tell her. He had already said the answer to her question about the autopsies would be unsatisfying. "
What information do you have on how the bodies were stolen?" She asked, hoping the one question he had offered her would give her something useful.
Akuryo looked at Azure calmly, listening to her as she spoke before he adjusted his stance to stand up as straight as he could. "
On the night my facility was broken into, my alarms went off despite the fact the camera feeds showed no one there. Arming myself with my knife, I went to the back where the alarm was going off but when I got there, there was no one to be seen. I went to check on the bodies and discovered five caskets had been opened. Whoever stole the bodies made it an inside job. One of the bodies must've been a false duplicate. I normally don't open the bags or caskets until it is time to exume the body or cremate it." He told her as he stared her down. "
There was once an atlesian legend about a walking corpse. An undying legionnaire of the deceased who would one day return to reclaim Mantle with an army of death. Maybe that legend made it's way here and stopped being a legend."
At this moment, there is a clanging at the end of the hall as the voice of Fordin spoke out. "
Visitation hours are over, the place is going back to lock down." He spoke aloud for the inmates and for Azura to know it was time to leave.
"
If it was an inside job, they would have needed to replace the last person killed...and to move four bodies so quickly, they would need a certain kind of semblance..." Azura mused out loud as she wrote in her notebook. Azura was on the verge of asking Mr. Beckwood where he had heard such a legend when Dircotor Fordin made an untimely reappearance. Well, it was her own fault for being late. "
I'll look into the legend. Thank you for your time Mr. Beckwood." She gave him a small bow before heading towards the exit.
Akuryo nodded to her as she left, heading back into his cell to rest the wounds away as his aura activated to slowly nurse and heal his body. Meanwhile in the Jail Cell next to him, Jarlen slowly crawled over and leaned against the bars. "
That legend... are you sure it's true?" He asked, but Akuryo didn't answer as Jarlen lowered his head. The facilities' lights shut down with only a stark few to be on while the processing paperwork was being done. Fordin sighed as he took a drink from his coffee and looked to the people he had come in and made sure to make notes of them. "
Aya's personally involved... that package included Kuro's name so he's personally involved... that man with eight arms seems to be friends with Kuro and both of them have a knack to being hostile... Azura is booksmart at least and seems the most level headed of the group..." He spoke to himself as he looked to another file of Tsukiko and Ichirou. "
All members of the Tora family, siblings to one another from the looks of it and one of them is a Huntress in training like the four other students... It seems to me they're mostly involved from the fact that other shop owners are at risk or just happened to be more perceptive than others... if that is the case I can rely more on them. But I can't leave out the other students. Hopefully Azura can come back and keep them in line." He sighed as he began to work on typing up a report.
During the night, a phone call was sent to the station with one of the overnight officers, an Owl Faunus to be sure, answering. "
Vale Police Department, where are we headed?" He asked but there was nothing answering back, causing him to raise an eyebrow. "
We don't take crank calls lightly..." With that, he hangs up the phone as one of the other police officers informed the chief and the Owl he was heading home. "
Be careful and keep your gun and radio on hand. Oh and keep the body camera active." The owl faunus told him as the female rolled her eyes and nodded her head. "
I'm sure I'll have my stuff on and active." She smiled before leaving the station, getting into her car as they started to drive home, trying to take some shortcuts and making her way through town. It seemed eeriely quiet through the town as she got out of her car, armed with her gun she made her way towards her home but just as she opened it, without looking inside, an arm reached out, grabbing her and pulling her inside as the door closed and locked. No sound escaped from the house as the scene slowly faded to black.
It was daytime once more and there didn't seem to be another report of a body, with Sergeant Keelhaul coming in, a grin on his face as they didn't have any other reports of violence and death, he slammed his hands down onto the table of a very tired but still awake Director Fordin. "
I TOLD YOU WE GOT THE SUCKA! Now we just need to question and interrogate them even more! Feel free to bring the kids, we got this in the bag!" He told the Director with a smirk who sighed, rubbing his head. "
Just because we went one day without a new death, you're celebrating it too soon. But if you want to try and get more answers than fine, Akuryo and Jarlen's warrants run out tonight but I've already talked to Mrs. Contenda last night before she left and she agreed to another day of questioning, so long as we pay her back for pulling her back here." He told Keelhaul as he made his way over to the computer and sent out an all text for the Tora family and Azura's group, letting them know they had another day to question the inmates.
[You have another day to try and ask more questions. This time you have another Limit: 4 questions to ask. However, every 2 questions from each person will require a Dash-delta roll: roll 1d100 for every 2 you intend to ask.]
