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The Detective Lieutenant had been taking on more work of late, clearly pushing himself to do better and more than he usually did. It meant staying a little later but he was getting more done and his desk, which usually had a decent pile of things on it, was kept clean and orderly with just barely any paperwork and case files on it.

"Hm?" He glanced over from the computer, shoulders rolling as he worked at the ache that never faded between them and down his back. "I just finished up this leg of the project, so I do have time." Not that he did not have a look on his face at the mysterious comment. "Feel free to bring her back now."

Jeremiah's lips pressed to a thin line briefly when Temperance sat down. Her name had not been familiar but her face-

Her face he knew quite well.

"We are," he replied, though his tone is neutral compared to the friendly one that Preacher would get. His expression is neutral, with the edge of business politeness to it. "What can I do for you? I don't assume that this is related to anything that the department can formally help you with."

Because he knows she took her, because he knows Melany is here. For now, however, it is left alone.

"It is, however, one I still operate in." Jeremiah replied immediately, still not quite sure he was pleased to see this particular young lady.

An eyebrow is raised when she got straight to the point. That at least counted for something. "Sergeant Kuroda is not currently aware of her location, no." His fingers drummed against the desk briefly before he stopped the idle motion. "Considering what he tried to do, it's best that he does not."

He studied her, blue-green eyes gone slightly darker and hard. "Are you concerned for her safety? I wouldn't be."

"In a capacity far more capable than you, yes." Jeremiah replied flatly. Joke or no, he was quite aware of his capabilities within other ashdown. Especially since he was not hindered by things such as doubt. Unlike certain removed parties.

"Kuroda has more intelligence than that, considering he is a detective underneath my supervision. It is one thing for what he did over there but another over here? There are laws but beyond that? Morals and mores." The Detective Lieutenant smiled at her, blue-green eyes still hard.

"Considering that I've been keeping an eye on her since you brought her to this side, under watch, I would say that you're not entirely aware." His head tilted. "If we are speaking about trust ... While it is one thing to help someone when they are injured, it is another to try and hide her away when she has done as much damage. Kidnapping, abuse, assault ... Aiding and abetting her makes you no better than her. Which means I find little reason to trust you."

"So far as I know, no one else besides yourself and hospital staff has approached her." Jeremiah's head tilted. "... and you are no doctor yourself, so you are claiming above your station if you believe her your patient in any capacity."

He shifted, leaning forward. "In all honesty, while I understand why you did it, I also know that you are foolish and stupid. Once you had her stabilized, once it was clear that Kuroda and those that would harm her were gone, you should have left her. The magic over there can heal her far better than human medicine." As if he is far too familiar with the way they think of humans.

"There she is safe, she will be whole once more, but here? You've put her in more danger. ... and for what? Your ethics? The moral high ground? To say that you did the right thing? The woman you have helped sees you only as a thing to be used until your purpose is done, if you are lucky. There will be little thanks and, more than likely, she will ruin you as she did to those she kidnapped."

"What happened that night was a unique event, something that comes along once every red moon. She was caught unaware," Jeremiah shook his head. "You took a woman who has limitless power and brought her to a place where she has limited power. You have done her no favors beyond saving her life initially."

The detective lieutenant leaned back in his chair, still watching her and listening. An eyebrow raised and he looked at her, blue-green eyes gone hard. "... and why do I think that you are not satisfied with that? You should be happy that she isn't considering what happens to those she does hold interest in. Why keep going back?"

"There are always other options and other paths. You took the one of least resistance and it will gain you little to no reward." Jeremiah continued to watch her. There was a brightness to his odd blue-green eyes as he focused on Temperance.

As if he knew far too much.

"It isn't one, no, but your smile is empty and so are your eyes. It's easy to see when someone wants something they shouldn't," he smiled at her. It was kindly, near fatherly but hard all the same. "I'm sure someone as powerful as her is alluring, especially to someone like you who is so lacking." Jeremiah's hand flicked towards the door then, his attention turning away from her. It was dismissive.

There would not be a goodbye nor any further acknowledgment.