DiscoDude: ---BEGIN SESSION---
DiscoDude: Session logging commenced
DetectiveCaillou: You’re back at the station. Despite the bustle of the evening commute, it’s almost eerily quiet behind the Soundproof Walls here. The chief’s meeting you in the outer area of the interrogation rooms for the third (and hopefully last) time. Unlike the last two times, your suspects aren’t already waiting for you in the rooms when you get there.
“Alright,” she says. “It’s time to put your game-faces on. Akaia Maishiki is a Paradisio bigwig, helping with the city planning that still needs doing. The type where you better not miss if you take a swing, you get me?”
Ryusui: "We're reasonably certain at least one of the two siblings is guilty. We've also got a phone number that needs tracing." He holds up the photo and flips it around. "This is probably a burner, and it's doubtful either one of them has it on their person at present, but people do make mistakes. This whole murder case has been a comedy of errors front to back."
AthensTG: "Mhm." she agrees with a nod.
DetectiveCaillou: “Yeah, well, I sure ain’t laughing. I hear Cola’s a bit of a pushover, but only in comparison to his dear big sis. He’ll likely be the first of the two to crack.
“Speaking of, they should both be arriving soon. How do you wanna do this? Akaia first? Cola? Both simultaneously?”
Jejunumiper: "Let's try Cola first, if he is easier to crack, he might give some info on how to crack his dear old sister."
Ryusui: "I'll defer to my colleagues' judgment on which of the two suspects to interview first. But I do want to interview them both together after we've done them individually."
DetectiveCaillou: “That’s assuming it’ll even be necessary, of course. I’ll tell the guys up front to have Akaia wait a bit.”
DetectiveCaillou: Soon, Cola is brought into the room. He matches Candy’s description of the bird in the bar - teal feathers, somewhat feminine, dressed business casual. He seems nervous, though the aquatic display seems to be helping his nerves.
“Who’s going in on this one?” The boss-lady turns to you three.
Ryusui: "Andie and the kid can take this one, I think. Though I'll be on standby to tap in if they need a hand."
DetectiveCaillou: “Like last time? Fair enough.” She turns to you two, Andie, Norwick. “The floor’s yours.”
DetectiveCaillou: (We’ll be playing these like Conflicts this time - I suspect I’ll have to rush the pacing less this way.)
Jejunumiper: Norwick cracks his knuckles and stretches some before entering the room.
AthensTG: "Let's hit it!"
DetectiveCaillou: Cola looks up as you enter.
“I... Can you tell me why you called me and my sister here tonight?” He seems uncertain.
Jejunumiper: Norwick looks at Cola and says, "Well, yes, but first let me get this out of the way. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say could be used against you in court, and you have the right to a lawyer at any point." Norwick says before taking a seat, legs facing the back rest and him facing Cola. "So you're here on account of being a suspect of ordering a hit on Jonah Wheeler."
DetectiveCaillou: “Um! What...” His gaze darts around the room as he wrings his tiny little talons. “W-what could possibly make you think that?”
Jejunumiper: Norwick brings out the photo of Wheeler and Akaia and shows the, "Kill Me <3" part of the photo, "Well, we have this, and perhaps this is your handwriting?"
DetectiveCaillou: (Alright, so you’re making the first attack here.)
Jejunumiper: (Yup)
DetectiveCaillou: (Which approach? I’d say this is being pretty direct, but I also caught a bluff in there (unless you actually want to establish that you did already run a handwriting analysis offscreen).)
Jejunumiper: (Would Flashy work? If not, I guess maybe Sneaky could work considering he's bluffing.)
DetectiveCaillou: (Those are equal anyway, right? I’d say FLASHY since you’re combining the forwardness of a big reveal with misdirection.)
Jejunumiper: (Flashy is +3, Sneaky is +2 )
DetectiveCaillou: (Hmm... Alright, as GM, since you’re bluffing, I’d say it’s SNEAKY. (Sorry for flip-flopping on the issue.))
Jejunumiper: (Anyways, I'll roll rn)
Jejunumiper: (oh, gotcha.)
Jejunumiper: !f 2
DiscoDude: <@481723837453434881> rolled 4dF+2 for 1 [4dF = [ ][-][ ][ ]]
Jejunumiper: (...is that enough?)
DetectiveCaillou: !f 2 (LEGAL THREATS)
DiscoDude: <@193827431315013632> rolled 4dF+2 for 1 [4dF = [ ][+][-][-]]
DetectiveCaillou: (Accept the tie?)
Jejunumiper: (Heh, I'll uh, boost if it means a straight win.)
DetectiveCaillou: (What do you invoke?)
Jejunumiper: (Bubbly Persuader)
Jejunumiper: (Since that's basically his interrogation high aspect.)
DetectiveCaillou: (Alright. I mark off 2 stress boxes. He has one and a Mild Consequence left.)
“... N-no, it isn’t, and you’d know that if you actually ran an analysis on the handwriting.” Cola isn’t smiling, though - he visibly gulps as a look of recognition flashes across his face. Yet, with the confidence he had in saying that, you aren’t sure if he isn’t telling the truth.
DetectiveCaillou: (Andie’s turn!)
AthensTG: "Alright, let's rewind a little. You were also seen conversing with Mr. Wheeler at Hot Flamingo. Mind walking us through what was happening there?"
DetectiveCaillou: “I-I’m not sure how that’s relevant here. We were discussing plans for Paradisio - c-confidential plans, mind you.”
DetectiveCaillou: (Got a response?)
AthensTG: "As it turns out, the icepick used to dispatch Wheeler came from that same bar, so I'm sure you at least have an interest in proving to us that that was just a crazy coincidence, right?"
DetectiveCaillou: (An Attack, I’m assuming?)
DetectiveCaillou: (Name your approach, and roll it.)
AthensTG: !f 1 (Careful)
DiscoDude: <@272524850508333059> rolled 4dF+1 for 3 [4dF = [ ][+][ ][+]]
DetectiveCaillou: !f 2 (LEGAL THREATS)
DiscoDude: <@193827431315013632> rolled 4dF+2 for -1 [4dF = [-][ ][-][-]]
DetectiveCaillou: (Oof. Well, I’m spending a fate point on... Hmm, Used to Hire for Assassination on the photo: Your evidence only proves the assassin was also there that morning.)
DetectiveCaillou: (I think I’ll reroll it.)
DetectiveCaillou: !f 2 (LEGAL THREATS)
DiscoDude: <@193827431315013632> rolled 4dF+2 for 1 [4dF = [-][ ][+][-]]
DetectiveCaillou: (Eh, I’ll take it.)
“I... What?” Cola seems to pale. “T-the murder weapon? You... You mean the assassin was there in the bar with us?! I- I- I don’t even know what to- to...” Cola pauses to take some deep breaths, but he’s clearly Starting to Panic [?].
(That’s his Mild marked. Down to just one Stress Box.)
DetectiveCaillou: “But... B-but, that doesn’t actually prove anything! You only succeeded at putting the killer in the s-same room as us, and, and, and you make this baseless accusation against me w-with the photo? D-do I dare ask if you have a warrant against me? O-or is that also a bluff?!”
(Making an attack against... Norwick, since he’s the one who outright accused him. What’s your response before we roll?)
DetectiveCaillou: (<@!481723837453434881>?)
DetectiveCaillou: (Keep in mind that it’s Cola attacking here; you’re the one on the defensive this time.)
Jejunumiper: (Ah let me read)
Jejunumiper: "Well, you are innocent until proven otherwise." Norwick says, "As for the warrant, we may have enough evidence we didn't show you to make cause for one..." He says, making another bluff.
DetectiveCaillou: !f 2 (LEGAL THREATS)
DiscoDude: <@193827431315013632> rolled 4dF+2 for 4 [4dF = [+][ ][ ][+]]
DetectiveCaillou: (SNEAKY, I assume?)
Ryusui: (hot damn, this is gonna hurt)
DetectiveCaillou: (<@!481723837453434881>?)
Jejunumiper: (Uhhh...yeah...Sneaky...)
Jejunumiper: !f 2
DiscoDude: <@481723837453434881> rolled 4dF+2 for 5 [4dF = [+][+][+][ ]]
Jejunumiper: (OH BABY)
AthensTG: (WHEW)
DetectiveCaillou: “I... I’m not going to comment on that. Maybe you th-think you have something on me, but, but I assure you, I... I have nothing to do with this! Please!”
Ryusui: "He's on the ropes, kid," Harry says quietly. "Now, bring it home."
DetectiveCaillou: It’s apparent to you that Cola is afraid of something. Whether of your accusation... or something else.
Jejunumiper: "Look, Cola, it'll make your life, and everybody else's lives easier if you just say what is on your mind. It's very obvious something is troubling you, whether it be jailtime for a crime or something else..."
DetectiveCaillou: “I... I’d like to have my sister with me, please.”
(I’m thinking you’re attacking with CAREFUL, while he’s going to defend with BEING COMFORTED.)
DetectiveCaillou: (Respond to his request, of course.)
Jejunumiper: "Well, you'll have a chance to talk to your sister soon, not right now of course. But, if we could continue this without her, well, that would be in your best interest."
Jejunumiper: !f 2
DiscoDude: <@481723837453434881> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [ ][-][+][ ]]
DetectiveCaillou: !f -2 (BEING COMFORTED)
DiscoDude: <@193827431315013632> rolled 4dF-2 for -1 [4dF = [-][+][+][ ]]
Jejunumiper: ( wahoo )
DetectiveCaillou: (Yeah, it’s not worth boosting only to get knocked back down into KO range with the Free Invoke on his Mild.)
DetectiveCaillou: “My... My best interest?” Cola looks like he’s about to cry. “I... *hic I- I think you’re right...” Scratch that; those are actual tears he’s shedding. “I *sniff I can’t do this anymore! I-I’m scared...”
DetectiveCaillou: CONFLICT END: Cola Cracks
Jejunumiper: Norwick turns to the one-way glass and then looks back at Cola, "We'll give you some time, let's go Andie."
DetectiveCaillou: “I- N-no, don’t leave me here! I... I’m willing to cooperate! I’ll tell you what I know, just...”
Ryusui: "Well, that went as well as could be expected, didn't it?" Harry says with a smirk.
AthensTG: "Are you under... some sort of threat from her? Or is it just your involvement that's got you like..." and she vaguely gestures, not knowing a polite word to use here.
Jejunumiper: Norwick looks at Harry and shrugs, "Yeah, 'bout as well as I thought it would go, maybe not the crying but..." He says, gesturing a hand before poking his head back into the room, "Well, we know you're willing to cooperate, we just need you to calm down and not be sobbing."
Ryusui: (he meant to say that while still out of earshot XD)
Jejunumiper: ( Oh, whoops aha... )
Ryusui: "Round 2's coming up, kid. You think you and Andie can handle Akaia?" He glances at Cola. "If this is going where it looks like it's going, she'll be a tough one to crack. I'm not sure how much help Cola might be, if he's willing to turn on her."
DetectiveCaillou: (Wait, you aren’t questioning him after all that?)
Jejunumiper: ( Norwick just wants him to be calm, and not a sniveling mess. )
DetectiveCaillou: “Oh... Okay, I can- I can be calm...” It takes him a hot minute to do what he said he was going to do. Finally, however, he seems ready to open up. “... Hello? Are you there?”
Jejunumiper: "Well, once Cola calms down some, anything he can give us should be worth it..." He looks over at Cola through the glass and comes back in, "Alright, you seemed to have calm down enough, now...Let's go with what my friend just said....is Akaia forcing you to be quiet like this?" He says, sitting back down in his chair.
DetectiveCaillou: “I... I don’t know. If she’s the one responsible for sending that Gaoran after us, she hasn’t told me... But I think I know why Jonah died...”
Jejunumiper: Norwick looks at Cola, "...Go on." He says, placing his hands on the table.
DetectiveCaillou: “I... I was planning... a side-project with- with Mr. Wheeler. I heard that Lowtide real-estate had a good margin, but my sister wouldn’t hear it - said it wasn’t in the budget. But... Mr. Wheeler said we could go forward and get a return before sis ever found out the money was missing. That... That’s what we met in that dive bar for. He had some lots scouted for potential projects.”
Jejunumiper: Norwick remembers the napkin with the indecipherable text on it from a spill, "So, you wrote them down on a napkin? Those were addresses for the lots you were looking at?" He asks.
DetectiveCaillou: “... I suppose there’s no way I can deny it - I’m sure even after spilling my drink on it, your top forensic experts were still able to deduce its true nature.”
Andie, you feel a sneeze coming on - like someone is talking about you.
“But... when we went to see one of the lots, I... Trust me when I say this wasn’t a rational feeling, but something was off. Thinking back on it, I’d say the way his limo drove to the lot was different than how it drove us from where he picked me up to the bar. I...”
Jejunumiper: Norwick begins putting the connections together, "...Did you happen to see an old rusted truck over in that lot?"
DetectiveCaillou: He rubs his beak.
“Yes, actually. Mr. Wheeler actually commented that it wasn’t there last time. But listen; I glanced behind me, and saw that Gaoran. He chloroformed me. I ended up hitting my head when I hit the ground.”
Cola looks defeated.
“And then I found out from my sister showing me the news; Jonah Wheeler was dead. I... I don’t recall how I ended up at home.”
Jejunumiper: (Haffner is a Gaoran?)
Jejunumiper: (Just wanna make sure.)
DetectiveCaillou: (Yes.)
Jejunumiper: (Gotcha...)
Jejunumiper: Norwick looks back at the one-way window and then looks back at Cola, "Alright, I think we have enough information for now..." He says, standing up from his chair and looking back at Cola, "You'll see your sister soon, don't worry about her." He says before exiting the room and looking at Harry. "Well, we now know what that second vehicle was at the lot, it was Cola's car."
DetectiveCaillou: (Do Harry and Andie both agree with this assessment?)
Ryusui: (wait, second vehicle where? are we talking about the truck with the body in the trunk?)
Jejunumiper: ( No, the second set of scorch marks that were there. )
Ryusui: (AH)
AthensTG: (Yeah)
Ryusui: "It's a workable hypothesis," Harry says, nodding.
Jejunumiper: "And I have a feeling Akaia was with Haffner, and hired him. How else would Cola be back at home after being knocked out?" He says, shrugging a bit, "Well, we have to interrogate Akaia now."
AthensTG: Andie follows Norwick out. "There's definitely some weirdness about who drove what where, also he convenient chloroforming, but that does sound plausible."
Ryusui: "I don't believe he's 100% innocent in this, but Akaia's testimony will help resolve the truthfulness of his claims, I think."
DetectiveCaillou: (I think it’s late enough that we likely can’t get through the whole Conflict with Akaia. Should we pause it here?)
Jejunumiper: "And it sounds like Akaia found out about Cola's and Wheeler's dealings, got pissed, and got him set up to be murdered...but that's the case so far."
Jejunumiper: (Yea, we can do Akaia later this week. )
Ryusui: (no objections here)
AthensTG: (Im good with a pause as well)
DetectiveCaillou: “Shall I call her in, then?”
(Last(?) lines!)
Jejunumiper: "Yup, just make sure Cola doesn't see her on their way in and out. I want to keep this as smooth as possible for this."
Ryusui: "Do so." He turns to Nor and Andie. "You think you two can handle this one, or would one of you like to swap out?"
Jejunumiper: "I think Andie should be swapped out...I am the hired interrogator here."
AthensTG: She puts one finger up, as if she's about to protest before immediately putting it down again. "Yeah, I think making a grown man cry is enough for me today."
Ryusui: "Fair enough."
Ryusui: (and i'm good)
DetectiveCaillou: (Then for now, let us...)
DetectiveCaillou: !end
