004 || video

[agentx13]

As some of you may know, I was hired to find the person responsible for multiple killings in September, along with an attempted homicide. That person has now killed the Emperor. [ There's a flash of something like remorse, but it only lasts a second before her jaw tightens. There's no time to feel guilty for not catching the person sooner. She has to stop him now, before he kills again. ]

I have a list of suspects. I've narrowed it down significantly. If you were one of the people I talked to about it, please see me immediately.



[ The message is simple, one she can essentially cut-and-paste to each person. It's short, but far from sweet. She doubts they'll appreciate it. If the killer is killing again, then they have to move to catch him, and quickly. So screw pleasantries. ]

Get in touch with me as soon as possible.






[ Sharon looks tired. She doesn't want to have this conversation, but it's part of the job. The horrible thing is, Barry seems like a nice guy. A good guy. But that doesn't mean he can't be a killer. ]

Barry, I hate to ask this, but do you have an alibi for the time when the Emperor was killed, and is there anyone who can verify it?

Comments

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[agentx13]

[ Okay. Start small, then pounce. ]

I need to know what happened to you the week everyone switched abilities, ages, or abilities.

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[depicted]

[There's a pause of trying to recall—right now, the thing that stands out most is that he's reasonably confident the sex he had with Harry precipitated their mutual breakdown a short while later—and then he remembers the only thing that might be of interest.]

I ended up with someone else's power. To make triplicates of yourself. That's it.

[The worst thing right now about how innocent this painting-cursed face is, is that he isn't even trying. He has no clue about where the line of inquiry is going.] Something wrong?

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[agentx13]

[ ... Unless this is an act, this might be easier than she thought. ]

Yes, but I'm hoping if we determine where you were last night between yesterday evening and early this morning, they won't get worse. At least, not for you.

[ She waits to see if that rings any bells. ]

The Emperor died during that time. Any information would be helpful.

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[depicted]

[Dorian can look innocent even when he's guilty of murder (see: that time Sherlock Holmes interrogated him for the murder of Basil Hallward) but in this case, that innocent look of surprise—not at news of the Emperor's death, but the second he realizes that she is asking for an alibi—is %100 genuine.]

Oh! [But he isn't offended. He casts his mind back.] Handing in Bruce's paperwork at about dusk, drinks at The Brazen Turtle until maybe an hour past midnight? After that I slept. Alone. [A slight shrug of his shoulders; he can't offer her much more.] And I didn't see anything noteworthy while I was awake, sorry.

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[agentx13]

Bruce's paperwork? Which Bruce would this be?

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[depicted]

Sorry, I forgot there was more than one—Bruce Wayne.

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[agentx13]

[ Sharon nods. That's a good place to start. She can talk to Bruce about him, and also talk to people at the bar. Not everyone would lie for him, surely. ]

And could I get your height and weight? It might render checking your alibi moot.

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[depicted]

[The eyebrows go up, but he doesn't question cops or their equivalents, not when he himself is under questioning.

Usually, anyway.]

Five ten for height, ten stone for weight.

[Don't ask if the killer left a fitness club card behind, don't do it, Dorian—]

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[agentx13]

Thank you.

[ And with that, she cuts the feed. That's another suspect off the list. ]