thoughtformed | December business.

There are two?

[She's still new. She'd assumed the one she met is the only Holmes on the island.]

[Locked to NMPD]

Can I get a badge that says that?

[/locked]

Hell yes you can. I'll have it made right away.

A second one showed up the other day. We're testing him to see if he's the real deal.

See. This is why you're the best boss ever.

Well, that's... confusing. So do I get to be Liaison to both Jackasses?

Assuming the new guy actually is a second Holmes, and we want to use him as a consultant? Yes.

Sounds like fun.

I've made a few interesting observations about that Hale character, by the way, though it may be stuff you already know. Can you give me any details about him?

Oh no, Peter...

That's a shame. I'm sorry you have to be the one to give this news all the time.

Nothing yet. I've seen them both talking to some of the same people on the network. Maybe try asking them?

[ ew, gross. ]

Fine.
SH

Edited 2012-12-06 20:19 (UTC)

Has anyone interviewed Aisling? If Martin was lost in the woods for two days like she said she was, Aisling might have seen or heard something.

[Someone please say they've already taken care of it she hates this case.]

Our depositions are all from the dance. That's actually a good angle. If you can find the kid to interview, go for it.'

You might also want to track down Katniss Everdeen. She spends most of her time in the woods, or at least, she used to.

Hale works at an antique shop downtown that's a suspected front for... more or less everything. His name has come up as a person of interest in a few cases, but there's never been any solid proof. Night of the dance he was spotted outside the school building, looking in the windows.

What have you got?

Round two of interviews. Joy.

All right. Let's see if we can sweat anything out of them.

There's nobody on the island I dislike enough to pawn the job off to.

Want me and Bucky to round 'em up, sir?

Once you and your doppleganger are here I'll show you the file and introduce you to your new liaison officer.

Pretty slow day, otherwise... yeah, go right ahead. Not like the case is getting any fresher.

Yes, sir!

Great. That's... great.

[She'll see if Castle wants to go on a hike. Or... she'll totally delegate this to Blake.]

[Anita adjusts the filter to make it a bit more specific. She doesn't want to spread any information that isn't true, but she'd like to discuss her observations with the chief without having to worry about anything speculative falling into the wrong hands.]

He had a recent video on the network that showed him in the woods with a number of wolves, seemingly pacified. It originally caught my interest because he was talking about a missing person, who he refused to officially report. He also mentioned that said missing person had a pack, also missing.

I'm a monster expert. I'm good for the police back home because I think like a detective and like a monster. I don't have any proof, but the whole thing reeks of werewolf to me. Werewolf packs are something I have some intimate knowledge of. I wish I didn't, sometimes.

Well, that's not at all suspicious. The coroner said the bitemarks on the corpse came from a lizard, but I'm not sure if he was thinking of werewolves as a possibility.

Want to look over some autopsy photos and tell me what you think while I see if we've still got the body on ice downstairs?

Sounds right up my alley. I'll be right in. The more details you can give me, the better. It would have been helpful to see the crime scene, but if there are photos available, I'm good at reconstructing.

[ Doppelganger. Why is he the doppelganger. He didn't say anything. Instead, just left a message minutes before entering that announced he was there, and here he is.

A lot more haphazard in attire than the other one, safe to say. All that announces his physical presence is: ]

Commander.

[ This Sherlock isn't nearly as considerate, not even bothering to acknowledge the commander's offer. Frankly, he's half-hoping that he'll arrive before the ...alternate version of himself does -- a hope he briefly believes has been answered, as there's almost nothing familiar about the man standing in the office to indicate he could really be another Sherlock Holmes.

There were plenty of different people who might have reason to be in the Commander's office. However, this man has none of the markers of any of those. Sherlock doesn't do more than nod and say brusquely, ]

Holmes, I presume.

[ Sherlock's eyes avert to the next body in the room the very second it enters. Without a moment to spare, her gives the man an apparent look over. Shameless, it would seem. Right arm crosses his chest; left elbow upon the top of the right hand. Finger and thumb pinch together.

A well sense of fashion. Not to say that Sherlock was lacking an eye in fashion, hard as that might be to believe. Simply, it was no concern to him. Actually, it served him much better in the long run to look a bit shabby. Caught far less attention. His presence was pristine. Well groomed, babyfaced, clean shaven, spotless attire. He'd hazard to guess this other Holmes hadn't a scratch on his body no less tattoos which he himself had plenty.

Cocaine. A man who wanted results and efficiency, quick. A man who wanted perfection and precision. Which made him young. Younger than himself by about ten years, he'd place it. And vain. ]

Well met.

Oh, this is going to be fun. I can tell already.

[Shepard slaps down a pair of manila folders on his desk, one roughly in front of each Holmes.]

Six people go out on a boat one night, only five come back. We thought he just fell overboard, but we found the body, and the medical examiner says he didn't drown -- and can't find anything else that would have killed him.

Let's get started.

I can walk you around her office in the school, but they've cleaned it up by now. Still, got photos of there, too.

Once I've seen the photos, that would be incredibly helpful. Even if it's cleaned up, I might be able to find something. Thanks, Chief. This was just what I needed.

[And she means that.]

[ Sherlock mulled over the details given in the envelope and took some time to gather a bit of information on his own; what he could. Sherlock wanted a moment with the Commander alone, later. He had little resources available to him here on New Moore as a 'fictional' as it were. Nevertheless, he'd taken some look into the history of PTI.

Somehow coffee has once again occupied his left hand, files in his right hand, and a lean on the commander's door about an hour after they first met. ]

Moment of your time, if you please.

[Shepard looks up from his desk.]

Anything to get me away from the paperwork. What do you need?

[ He's taken a moment, of course, to look at the inside of the office. Was he neat? If so, how neat? Obsessively, moderately, just to keep standard? Ex-Military were often incredibly tidy people, very diligent. Even if they fall off a bit, they're quick to keep up lest they spiral downward completely. Wouldn't hold a job like this. Might not hole to vague trust of a Holmes; but that's another matter. What else did he have in his office? Pictures, books, trinkets - if any, what kind? Were the papers on his desk messy or straightened? What kind of clothing did he wear? What was on them? Therefore, where had he been, where does he likely live? Assuming that Shepard had been through this process already by another, Sherlock is certain he wont mind or at least doesn't care to make it less obvious.

Right, he steps forward with an short nod. His hands rest in that way again. Arm across chest, other vertical. Fingers pinched to thumb. He's done his analysis with Shepard for now. ]

The obvious suspect is [ but the stance falls apart, he tends to need motion. ] Tackett and/or Bonni, but for the sake of our test if you will, let's say it's not the obvious. [ Perhaps this Sherlock is a bit of a jerk, too. The look he gives Shepard on that one. Yes, he knows. Needs proof. They'll get there. ]

Do you have Tackett and wife in custody, have you interrogated them yet? If so, can I see the footage. If not, why not? I'd like to sit behind if it's yet to be done.

I'll need data. Autopsy report would be a good place to start, I think. I'd like to take a look at the body myself as well. Unusual reddening and bruising but no further investigation. [ he tilts his head. ]

And what do we have on the victim himself? Family, friends, co-workers? Do we know anything about him; is there anyone we can question?

[ He slides a finger above his lip and rubs for a second before dropping and taking a sip of his coffee. That's a good start, for now. ]

Edited 2012-12-09 13:41 (UTC)

[Shepard holds up one hand to count off the questions as Sherlock asks them, ticking them off one at a time as he answers.]

We questioned the Tacketts, but without a clear suspect to charge, we cut them all loose. Not like anybody on this island is a flight risk. There's a viewing room in the back of the north wing, I'll get the footage set up for you there. Autopsy report, likewise, and the body's on ice downstairs. You want a look at it, you'll need an officer and a doctor with you at all times, and if the doc says no touching, keep your hands to yourself.

As for the vic....

[Shepard fishes around on his desk for a moment, before retreiving the file. He keeps his workspace clean, but he either has a bad memory or doesn't organize it himself, because he clearly doesn't know where the file is. The way he straightens things afterward is compulsively disciplined -- but the stack of folders on the filing cabinet behind him is much less organized, so someone else has been in here as well. Combined with the half-finished lunch on his desk and the personalized coffee mug, probably a girlfriend. Finally, he locates the file in question.]

Paul Elliot, 22, came to the island on an undisclosed scholarship program to study art. Finishing one last term, still applying to grad programs. Worked at PTI since the summer after his freshman year. He's the Tackett's number-one choice for a helmsman if they're not available, they say. Knew boats already when he got here.

Co-workers and his professors say he mostly kept to himself. No family on the island. Studio apartment, his only roommate of record already graduated, says they haven't spoken in years. Landlord says he's usually a little behind on rent, but he was always good for it before it became a problem. No other complaints.

The kid painted a little, and he had his work shown in local galleries, but hadn't made a lot of sales. He liked to go dancing, and his friends say he dated casually but hasn't had a steady boyfriend in years.

[Shepard glances back up at Holmes.]

There you go. Five hours of interviews summarized in under five minutes. Does it tell you anything?

Edited 2012-12-10 06:57 (UTC)

[ Sherlock nods when he's told there's a viewing room and tapes. Yes, he'll take that. Eyes keep on the sort of rummaging Shepard is doing for the right files. The likelihood of having a poor memory was low, for him, it's more probable that Shepard has a secretary of sorts. He notes the misplaced mess behind him but doesn't let it distract his mind from the current matter. A piece of information for another day.

He holds out his hand for the files. ]

Well, then. I'll have to find myself a doctor and an officer wont I?

[ Pleaaase, his insufferable grin seems to say. ]

Assuming the answers are all that matters, Commander. That's all for now. I'll take a look at the footage, and the body.

[ The other two were confirmed to be asleep but he'll track them down anyways. Accident, suicide, planned murder by the Tacketts. Three theories right now. With Art Student as a label, suicide always makes sense. ]

[The Tacketts were questioned separately, and show a markedly different attitude on the couple's parts. Bonni is impatient, asking her own questions about publicity, about the boat, about anything that might impact her business. She's clearly distressed whenever Paul is mentioned, but despite the investigation, she seems not to have time to think about the situation. She has insisted that legal counsel be present and her answers are a litany of don't-knows and didn't-see-anythings during the critical time frame. She pointedly does not corroborate any alibis -- she went to get a drink, she came back, she didn't see anyone before or while the power went out. She assumed Paul was the one who got the generator running again, because everyone else was drunk and off-duty. It was his job.

Earl, on the other hand, is grief-stricken, but claims again and again that he is unable to help -- he drank enough that his memories of the night are fuzzy at best. He's an older man, grizzled, the picture of a stoic outdoorsman stereotype -- with tears in his eyes. He hotly rejects the notion that the death was an accident -- Paul wouldn't drink on duty, and was too skilled for any slip-up. The reason he's upset seems to be a combination of factors -- first, he was genuinely fond of the young man. Second, he's convinced someone in his inner circle of friends and family is a killer, and this baffles and outrages him.

A bored-looking coroner's assistant and Officer Blake are ready to escort him to the morgue when he's finished analysing the tapes.]

[While the coroner's assistant looks bored, Anita is actually quite interested in the case at hand. She's read through the files a few times, and while her primary focus has been the Homecoming murder case, she likes to keep an open mind. The deaths are so radically different that it's possible there may be no link at all between them, but a good detective always keeps her mind open to every possibility.

Okay, so she wasn't a detective, but she had sure helped a lot of them in the past -- and how often was it, anyway, that she was working on two separate cases that wound up actually being the same case? It seemed to be a constant occurrence.

She's dressed more casually than one might expect of an officer, wearing jeans, running shoes, a plain black tee-shirt and a red leather jacket over it all. Getting to skip out on the polyester blue is one of her favorite parts of working for the NMPD.

Once Holmes has finished with the tapes, she levels a cool but expectant gaze at him, her arms crossed over her chest. Only the tiniest bit of scar tissue can be seen peeking out over the collar of her jacket on the left side of her neck; her mangled left-arm is well concealed by her sleeve, though she still feels the need to take on a defensive posture. When wearing short sleeves, it helps to keep people from staring.]

Just say the word when you're ready to go.

[ Sherlock took his time analyzing the tapes, rewinding to quirks he thought spoke out to him. It was about a half hour later he exited the viewing rooms with a fairly solid theory. Now to find evidence.

Eyes fall on Blake. The assistant? Holmes watched for a second before turning from them without any interest. Blake was more alert, more interested, therefore more attentive. Her defensive posture hardly kept Sherlock from staring. ]

People want to know about things that keep them out. [ He rocks on his toes which brings him to lean forward just a little; his voice quiet. ] My suggestion? Don't strike such an urgency to hide anytime people are around. Basic psychology. If something is no longer a mystery, it's no longer interesting.

[ Which can be read as, relax. He's already aware something has happened to your body and being defensive to keep people away from both that and yourself in general will only draw more attention. It makes you readable.

Nevertheless, he unfolds a hand as if to say, 'after you'. ]

[The smile she gives him in reply is thin, wry.

In all honesty, it's been a force of habit for so long that she's actually forgotten there was once a time where she actively worked to close herself off. She wondered, briefly, if she should be concerned that such a thing had become second nature.]

Maybe I want people to be intrigued.

[It was a flippant answer rather than defensive; years ago, she might have taken offense, but it didn't bother her now. If she let every critical or analytic comment get to her, she wouldn't have lasted so damn long. Regardless, she does relax some, making a conscious effort to do so as she offers him a single nod, turning to lead him to the morgue.]

This way.

Intrigued, but no closer. [ he would hazard to guess. A nod and Sherlock follows them both down to the morgue where the worker there, with minimal conversation, allowed them to view the body. Holmes asked standard questions as he was handed the original report. Who was the autopsy doctor was included. He pulled out the sheet and grabbed the pen from the bored assistant and put on a pair of gloves. ]

Lets get started.

[ Sherlock examines the body thoroughly mentally mapping the chains of events in his mind. Once he is satisfied, he straightens. ] officer Blake. In the established law of New Moore, how long are you put away for with murder?

[His guess isn't far off at all, but she does her best to let it roll off her back for now, focusing on the task at hand. She's fully aware of her tendency to keep people at arm's length and close herself off. Honestly, it helped keep people from getting themselves killed, sometimes. She'd gotten tired of people throwing themselves into the line of fire because they thought it was the right thing to do, the noble thing.

She watches him examine the body with interest, making her own mental notes along the way, though if he really is who he says, she knows there's no way she can piece things together anywhere near as quickly as he will.]

Twenty to life. No slap on the wrist there.

And how about Accessory to the Crime and Obstruction of Justice?

[ He flips through the autopsy report marking errors, remarking what has not been placed correctly. Whether it was considered proper or not Sherlock didn't particularly care. Once finished he begins to explain. ]

This was no accident, nor drowning. Notice the markings on his chest that are 'unusual'. They're electrocution marks. You can see here [ the hand ] and here [ The foot ] where the current entered and exited his body. Water naturally filled into his body as he fell back in to the water.

The bruising [ He points ] identified he was pushed over the bow. Now, who would push him? The obvious answer would be Bonni.

[ And of course, that was what his mind went too first. She seemed too pushy to keep things to herself that it was not typical of someone who was lying about a crime they committed but lying about a crime someone they knew. She was aggressive, not paranoid.

He clearly has another explanation as he moves to exit, peeling the gloves from his fingers. ]

Three to five years. Fines totaling no more than half a mil.

[She listens as he thinks aloud, watching as he removes the gloves and turning to follow.]

I get the feeling that you're about to tell us that the answer isn't the obvious one. Am I right?

[Just seems to be the way he set it up.]

Very astute observation. [ Sarcasm, but not with malice at least. He returns the pen back to Mr. Bored. A nod, and Sherlock begins to walk. ]

Shall we, then? [ Return to Sherpard. ]

[Sarcasm noted. She smirks in reply.]

The dramatic pause was a little much, that's all.

Let's.

[That said, yes, return to Shepard. Hey boss, we're back.]

December business.

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Action, I guess??

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(I can answer any questions about said tapes on plurk)

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