sixwordstories | (no subject)

I was in California. My butler and driver both can place me there at the time.

What is this all about, miss?

Homicide investigation.

*And she flashes her badge*

Do you always travel with your staff?

Mm. Yes, I go everywhere with at least one of my aides. I suffer from a series of conditions that require me to have such assistance.

And that condition is what? Being rich?

... I'm uncomfortable sharing medical information, Detective. My business success relies on being able to move from a position of strength; I can't afford for my competitors to learn of anything they can use.

The important part is what you've learned already. I was in California last night, it can be verified by my driver and butler both, and if that still isn't enough, I have security cameras on my property that no doubt captured and immortalized my presence. [He chuckles at his own little joke, but still, it's taking a lot of blood to maintain the facade of life for this long.]

Any further answers would require trust, a strict non-disclosure agreement, and privacy.

Nowhere near there, that's for sure. I didn't see a thing.

I didn't ask if you were there. I asked where you were.

*She wasn't buying it, but she didn't see the need to drag this conversation out any further. Not at the moment anyway.*

So you don't mind if I take a look at those security tapes?

What time did you say this all went down?

[Zero leans against the wall and shakily draws on her cigarette.] I was inside the club when the shooting took place. No point denying that, or that I talked to the guy. I'm sure you have the camera feeds.

I was on a date with - I'm sorry, you said homicide?

*Sardonically.* Killing things.

Absolutely. Here. [He hands her his cell phone with a number already up on it.]

My security chief will answer. Tell him I told him to give you the security footage for the last ... what, thirty-six hours? That should be good, right? You can give him my access code: one-one-four-see-vee-three-nine-two.

I can even have my car brought in if you'd like to go over that, too.

Is there anything else you need to ask me?

*She nodded, taking the phone*

That'll do for now. I'll be in touch if we need anything else.

Between the hours of ten and midnight.

And what exactly were you talking about? Business?

Homicide. Yes.

*She raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to finish her response.*

Uh huh. What sort of "things"?

I was working. Dancing. FairyTail Lounge. You can ask them.

[She glances down the side of the building at Goren's big lumbering form, headed for the scowling Romanian club owner standing in the doorway. She seems a little relieved to only be dealing with one of the investigators at a time.]

Let's cut to the chase. I was in there trying to warn that poor stupid bastard that someone was gunning for him.

[It's true, but she can only hope her cover story for why holds up.]

Time, mostly. Especially dinnertime.

Right... Anyone happen to see you killing time?

*Alex could appreciate "cutting to the chase". It certainly made her job easier.*

Who was gunning for him?

Why does it matter? What happened?

(Metody goes impressively pale.)

Oh, my golly- who - what happened?