Realistic or Modern Hawkes & Sawyer Paranormal Investigators (In-Character)

[verdantdreams]

• Case I - Runaway
• Case II -

• 
  
  THIRD MUTILATED CORPSE FOUND IN GRANITE HEIGHTSby Glen O. Howard
  The body of the highly regarded author, Casey Williams, was found yesterday by local florist, Lillian Schlapp, at the edge of Granite Heights. Police speculate that this death is connected to the passing of John Richardson and Bailey Honda, who were found dead only a few weeks prior to Williams' death. As of today, many believe that this was done by various wildlife--
  
  
  A sharply dressed man dropped a newspaper onto a table, a couple of its occupiers jumping at the interruption. A red-headed girl spat out her cereal, another man beside her snapped out his groggy state, eyes caught by the bold letters of the newspaper. A woman sitting at the far end of the table, who was scribbling into a notebook, paused and glanced up.
  
  The man fixed up his tie, studying the state of the 'office'. It was a mess, thanks to their previous case. Stacks of books on the couch, papers and files strewn across the floor, empty mugs and soda bottles on the small coffee table? Cushions were missing, and an ashtray filled with cigarettes, smoke rising and curling in the air sat by the window, dangerously close to the plants. It was a headache for the man. He sighed and threw the woman a knowing look. She pointed to the window with her pen, the sun peering through the cracked windows. He nodded in understanding, the woman smiling back in return.
  
  "Another case? But we just did one, Hawkes." The sleepy man yawned again, his eyelids feeling like lead. His hair stood up in different directions and stubble began to show.
  
  "As much as I'd like to get started, we still have the interview(s) today," the glasses-donning man replied as he made his way over to a mahogany desk in front of the large window. His voice held a Spanish accent, though unnoticeable if you don't pay attention. "An extra hand to handle the human cases will be a big help. Then we can focus on the important cases. The applicant(s) could walk in at any time now."
  
  "Not everyone'll show up at seven in the morning," the young girl grumbled, grabbing the bowl and carelessly dropping it into the murky sink, the bubbles long gone. A few plates and more mugs sat underwater idly, pieces of soggy bread floating.
  
  "True," the sleepy man agreed. "You didn't even add a time or anything on the advert. How are they supposed to know when to show up?"
  
  "Aren't you late for morning hockey?" The redhead rolled her eyes at Hawkes' question, unhanging her bag from a coat rack. She stumbled slightly from its weight, but managed to wear her backpack. It looked big on the girl, books poking out of the zipper and keychains dangling.
  
  "I don't care." The girl stepped out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Both Hawkes and the woman shook their heads with a smile.
  
  "And to answer your question, Hartwell," Hawkes turned back to Hartwell, who was dozing off at this point, but sat up straight. "I didn't add a time because I'd like to see when the applicants will show up. If they're early, they're either desperate or enthusiastic. If they're late, well..." He shrugged. "It depends. We'll see what they're like during the interview. Now please, Muldoon's. The usual. The barista's tip's on the counter."
  
  "Why didn't you get them on the way?" Hartwell slid out of his seat and grabbed his wallet and the stack of notes, huffing as he trudged towards the door. Hawkes again smiled and sat down in his leather chair, replying,
  
  "I'm the one interviewing here."
  
  
• 
  N/A
  

OOC: https://www.rpnation.com/threads/hawkes-sawyer-paranormal-investigators-ooc.326585/
CSS: https://www.rpnation.com/threads/assistants-wanted-at-hawkes-sawyer-sign-ups.326130/
Interest Check: https://www.rpnation.com/threads/ha...s-paranormal-thriller-rp.324643/#post-7711136

(Sorry for the long 'starter')

 

[Lux___Wolf]

Evan Blackwood

Baker Avenue, a street almost misplaced and ruined by time. He strolls between outdated buildings thinking of monsters and men, hands tucked in his long coat. Time seems a deep flow here, stagnant with dust and brick. In the early hours of the day it seems so quiet and fragile here, a house of cards dancing with the slightest wind, and he could trample it by mistake. His tired wolf blue eyes study the HSPI Agency for a brief time before he heads into Muldoon's.

It is a quaint cafe, from the looks of it. Easily kept clean, and there's nice comfy seats to cozy up in. Romantic, he dares to think with a raised eyebrow. Evan Blackwood gives the barista a civil nod. She has curious, perceptive eyes like he does, and he takes an immediate liking to her. He spares a friendly smile but tries not to pay attention to her much. He gruffly asks for an iced mocha, swipes his card, and tells her his name to call when his order is ready. At the back of his mind, there is a small thirst to sink in his teeth. He backs away from the counter.

Evan lingers by a window, scrutinizing the Agency and rubbing his eyes.

He remembers how his heart had pounded when he found the advert for paranormal investigators. It feels exhilarating, a silver lining that he never knew could exist. As a medium, Evan could be of use. But he never thought of himself seriously as a medium before. Having neglected that practice for years, he's sure that his skills are rusty at best. What if the minute he sits down for an interview, they see right away that he's a fraud? A murderous beast with no self control, one who may or may not be able to sniff out ghosts? What if they can fix him?

Perhaps if I ... ? While Evan waits for his coffee, he closes his eyes and tries to tune in to the dead. He practices a bit, for now, just in case to see if he's still got it. Any sign, he requests of the universe.

The haunting image of the full moon assaults him awake. He hasn't got much time. The HSPI Agency really might just be his last hope. His last chance at ever having peace with himself. Evan retrieves his iced mocha, tipping the barista, and leaves Muldoon's. In the street, he passes a pretty man, Hartwell.

He sharply sniffs. That scent. It compels him to look back once, with an unflinching stare. Smells wilder than a dog. He would stand there in the street any longer if it didn't have him appear a madman with an aromatic fetish. He leans into an amble. Scratching his scruff, Evan decides to drop it and enters the HSPI Agency. He has an interview to get to.

Assistant, he ponders, looking among couches and the disarray of books and beverages. I hope that doesn't entail cleaning all this up. He is not a good french maid. He sees Hawkes and Sawyer, as advertised. They are handsome, meticulously groomed. They have an exotic air, a mysterious strength to them, like they've won battles in the past. He tugs at his wristwatch and grips a chair to feel more human. This is just jitters.

"Good morning," he says warmly. "Evan Blackwood. You're looking for an assistant?"

 

[verdantdreams]

Sawyer, her eyebrows raised, smiled at the man as he entered, slightly surprised. In all honesty, she wasn't expecting anyone showing up that early. Like Hawkes said, he's either probably desperate or enthusiastic. She just hopes he's not one of those people; Supernatural crazies. People who make up preposterous theories. Or frauds. They don't need that right now. He dressed the part at least, she thought as her eyes travelled to his attire. For some reason, the PIs have a flair for long coats she noticed, especially with Hawkes.

Then, something caught her attention. Something that smells of a wet dog. It was subtle from where she sat (and it was almost completely obscured by the aromas of Hawkes' plants), but she could tell it was from Evan. Sawyer's excited smile, for a moment, morphed into an unreadable expression. She nearly wanted to grimace, naturally repulsed by a werewolf's odour. Sure, she had to endure Hartwell's scent everyday. But when it comes to new werewolves, of course she'd react strongly.

Sawyer turned to Hawkes, her eyes meeting his. They both seem to communicate solely on expressions and small hand motions. Hawkes just gave her a reassuring smile before gesturing to the applicant. He knew what she was going on about but chose to discard the fact for now, wanting to see the kind of person he is. Sawyer nodded, her smile back on her face as she said,

"Welcome, Mr. Blackwood. Have a seat." She points to a chair in front of Hawkes' desk, unlike the others, was clear of any books or other knickknacks that litter the room. "Apologies for the mess. The last case was rather chaotic."

"Muldoon's," Hawkes stated, nodding towards the mocha Evan held. He grabbed a half-eaten donut from his desk and took a bite, pink glaze and sprinkles decorating his face. Sawyer chuckled at his messy eating, tossing him a handkerchief which he caught with ease. "I like you already. Now, onto the interview. Oh, pass me your CV before you sit, please."

Lux___Wolf

 

[Lux___Wolf]

Evan Blackwood

Muldoon's junkie, noted. Evan hands over his CV which is mostly pages on his ex-military history and some years as a psychologist. The final page highlights his paranormal experiences, which isn't much but certainly more than the average joe. Several encounters with ghosts lasting days, but that's so long ago when he was a teenager with an overactive imagination. It isn't the same now, with his mind dull from stress and apathy.

And his latest brush with a lycan, making him the nervous wreck he is today, well... he rolls with it. Still, he keeps calm as a lone wolf would, when approaching a family not his. These people look nice.

Having handed over the CV first to the man he names Hawkes and thanks the woman he names Sawyer, revealing that he's done a little homework on them then taking his seat, Evan sips from his iced mocha, murmuring "Mm, well-brewed" and waits, cross-legged. He reflects their body language. Hawkes and Sawyer identified something about him right away. They're good. Makes sense. If he can smell wolf on that guy in the street, they can smell it on him. He couldn't smell anything from Hawkes and Sawyer though. Not that he was trying hard enough.

Evan looks around the office. He spots the newspaper.

Third mutilated... Granite Heights... wildlife...

He sips too much and lightly chokes his coffee down.
He can't help but stiffen and ask himself. Was that me?

 

[verdantdreams]

Hawkes smiled in thanks as he took the CV, shifting in his seat into a more comfortable position. As he flicked through the pages, Sawyer got up from her chair, walking over to a wooden cupboard. The glass panes were cracked but intact, ornate carvings running along the wood. Inside were an assortment of strange items. Jars containing murky green or yellow liquid, some indescribable or strange thing preserved inside, pictures, new and old, in frames, more plants in small pots and old books with strange writing on their spines. She grabbed a bottle and walked to the small kitchen area, noticing the man choking over his mocha on her way there. Sawyer held back a laugh, seeing his eyes focused on the newspaper.

"Ah, yes. Tragic, isn't it?" Sawyer stated, referring to the article. She twisted the bottle cap, opening it with a 'pop' that resonated throughout the room. "Williams' work was rather underrated outside of Saltstone. Shame she died."

"This is... very impressive, Mr. Blackwood," Hawkes admitted, a puzzled expression crossing his face. He laid the CV on top of his other paperwork as he chewed on the colourful pastry, quiet for a moment before he said, "I have to say, you're a tad bit overqualified for an assistant position. Psychologist and ex-military? What made you want this job?" Both of them were genuinely curious now, Hawkes hunched forward in his seat, arms resting on the table and Sawyer stopping dead in her tracks, waiting to hear his answer.

Hawkes had a hunch that he needed help. Maybe he's heard from Hartwell? No, not likely. If Hartwell knew the man, he'd bring him up. Whatever the reason, he wanted to hear from him.

Lux___Wolf

 

[Lux___Wolf]

Evan Blackwood

The pop of the bottle cap triggers a flashback to the war. A thunderstorm, a werewolf jumping through light and darkness, then that savage bite at his hipbone. He could have been torn in half but he gunned it down faster.

Hawkes had said, "I have to say, you're a tad bit overqualified for an assistant position. Psychologist and ex-military? What made you want this job?" Both of them were genuinely curious now, Hawkes hunched forward in his seat, arms resting on the table and Sawyer stopping dead in her tracks, waiting to hear his answer.

Evan gives pause, bottling up the other flashbacks he knew was coming, ones of him waking in the woods naked shivering soaked and stained dry in whoever's or whatever's blood. Come that silver dollar in the clearest or cloudiest night sky, his inner wolf always got its feast. He speaks without blinking, "Two reasons: one that benefits me, and one that benefits you. First reason is my recent development of lycanthropy; until I learn how to get myself under control, no one else in the world will have me."

That was hard to say, but it had been sitting on his chest for too long.

"Second reason is the paranormal can be extreme. Chimerical. Violent. I've known that firsthand, evidently," says Evan. His thick scarred fingers drum his cup of coffee. "So whatever hellfire rains down, you can count on someone like me to do something. You help me, I help you." He doesn't mean to ramble but he doesn't want to be turned away. "I don't expect a high salary. To solve the paranormal, in my opinion anyway, overqualified is exactly what it takes." He shuts up, fearing that he might have said too much.

Evan glimpses at the newspaper again. In fact, he just walked into a paranormal investigation agency's office and pointed to himself as a probable suspect. But the sound of that makes him feel better. It brings him instant relief. If he did maul and kill those people, he's finally turned himself in before it could get any worse. But if he didn't, that makes a world's difference to know. Either way, he is now in their hands. He cracks a smile to be polite.

 

[verdantdreams]

A thick veil of silence draped itself over the room, only the sound of the quiet static of the radio lingered. They did not expect Evan to say what he said, but it was enough for Hawkes to not ask any more questions, the information he wanted all in Evan's answer. If anything, he's more than they asked for. In a way, he's similar to Hartwell, both having little control over their werewolf form.

Hawkes again made eye contact with Sawyer, the said woman showing little to give away what her thoughts were. After a few moments, Hawkes returned his eyes to Evan, reading him for what seemed like hours, seeking any lies but found none. Instead, he saw a fiery determination.

"Look, Mr. Blackwood..." Hawkes sighed, leaning back in his chair, a hand at his chin in contemplation. He continued speaking and said, "We only wanted an assistant to handle the human cases. Cheating spouses and the likes..."

"...but, we understand your situation and we will do our very best to aid you," Sawyer finished, her voice full of understanding, Hawkes nodding in the background. "You're not the first to come to us for help. Since it'll be a while till the full moon, I think we can give you a human case. We've delayed on starting due to the amount of..." She hesitated, feeling Hawkes' stare. Unlike the relaxed demeanour he held before, this one was not, as if he wanted her to stop talking. Sawyer gulped, and resumed with, "...other cases. Think of it as practice." Hawkes' dark demeanour was gone in a flash, his squared shoulders falling back.

"We can discuss the details about your lycanthropy and accommodation later. For now," Hawkes pulled open his desk drawer, rummaging through the stack of files before pulling out a piece of paper. "You have no problem with finding a teenage runaway, right? We promise to have you handle a paranormal case if you complete this one. Mrs. Fink is getting impatient."

Lux___Wolf

 

[Detective Rascal]

Mel had walked into work groggy, like always when it was so early in the morning, but was at least somewhat awake when she helped open up shop. The seats was placed in their regular spots, the machine was prepped, Mel wiped the counter one last time before the doors were unlocked, and by the time the beans were brewing Mel was wide wake and ready for the day ahead of her.
The early regulars trickled in through the door, getting their usual coffee before heading off to work, and Mel has her usual repertoire of greetings for the men in suits and ties at the ready when they all come to the counter. She's quick at making their usuals, and soon enough her line is free.

Then someone new walks in. He's the first one for today, and Mel has to see whether the guy has broken the record for earliest newcomer, though with a quick look at the clock the man is about 20 minutes off the cafe's record. It's a fun little game Mel plays, especially since most people end up becoming regulars if they stick around the area long enough.
Mel can see at how he takes a quick look at everything before his eyes get to her, and of course she welcomes him with a smile. Mel only really gets a small nod, and a somewhat friendly smile, from him before he's at the counter and he's ordering his drink. She takes his order, and writes down his name on the little slip so she knows who to call, but really there isn't anyone else ordering a cold drink just yet.

Mel half watches as the guy, Evan, walks over to the window to wait, as she's making his order. He seems tired, with the way he's rubbing his face, and how he's almost trying to not fall asleep while he's waiting. Not surprising really, it is early. Mel just quietly calls out his name when his iced mocha is ready, just so she doesn't accidentally wake him too abruptly. He seemed a little shy before, when he was checking out Muldoons, and really she knows how it feels to be yelled awake when you're in a public space.

Evan grabs his drink and leaves, and then Mel's line is free once again. That is of course until she hears Randy walk through the door, and she perks up to give him her normal knowing smile. She's already started to get his usual amount of cups ready before he's even made it to the counter, but really Mel could do all this with her eyes closed with how much she's done this order before.

verdantdreams

 

[Kassi Khaos]

Jack looked nervously at her phone, following to dot to Baker Avenue. She had never really been to this part of town before, preferring to stay near her aunt's house or campus. As she took another look around, she thought it seemed very nice. She always had a fondness for older architecture, she found it to be like old cars, they can be expensive and hard to repair but with care they can be a work of art. As she meticulously follows her phone's guidance to Hawkes & Sawyer, almost missing the sign with how absorbed she was. She laughed at her mistake and slid her phone into her purse, making sure it was on silent. She had decided to walk, she wanted to get to know the area a bit if she was going to work there.

If they were even going to hire her.

Jack took a deep breath, letting some of the tension leave her shoulders. She couldn't doubt herself now, nothing good every came of that. She double checked she had everything she needed and walked in, still feeling a bit unsure of herself. Jack is greeted by a mess and almost laughs, it reminds her of when her aunt gets home. No matter what, her aunt can somehow make a mess. She noticed three people in the room, two men and a woman. She was struck by the woman, who somehow looked perfect. Not a hair out of place and her makeup was flawless.

"Oh my, you're so pretty." Jack said with a smile. Then her brain caught up to what she said and a blush rushed to her face, "I mean, you are pretty, but that wasn't what I meant to say. Oh bother! Let's try again? Hi! My name's Jack, I'm here about the advertised position?"

verdantdreams

 

[verdantdreams]

Hartwell, oblivious to Evan, walked on across the quiet, damp street. Puddles reflected the pink and orange mackerel sky as well as the buildings, almost like portals to an upside down world. Pigeons perched themselves on top of various billboards, most of the adverts peeling off with age. The lights of the theatre sign still flashed grins as pedestrians passed it by, the man in the ticket booth sound asleep. The trees that grew in plant boxes were bare, only the smallest green sprout dotting their branches. His coat pockets sheltered his hands from the cold morning air, inside his wallet and phone.

He loved these morning walks. Short or long, he enjoyed them nonetheless. Even his grogginess can't stop him. The dark bags that hung under Hartwell's eyes an obvious sign that he's sleep deprived. It's common that any of the PIs show up at Muldoon's looking like the dead during and after intense cases, which any worker at Muldoon's is used to by now.

As the PI stepped inside, he is embraced by the warmth of the cafe, the small fireplace alive with a hearty fire. The hanging lights swung ever so slightly at the rush of cool air that entered the cafe. Hartwell pulled the door closed behind him, greeted with the smile of Melissa. He saw that she already had their cups prepared, their names and all. Hart well chuckled to himself at how ridiculous it is. They never ordered any other beverage, Hawkes with his hot chocolate, Sawyer with her sweet cappuccino, Ashley with her Chai Latte (although not currently present, it is usually Sawyer who'd drink her latte), and an extra hot short black for himself.

"'Morning, Melissa," he greeted with a mock authorative tone as he sauntered over to the front counter, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement as he pretended to be a cop. "I trust you're being a good citizen?"

-​

Meanwhile back at the agency, another applicant stepped foot onto the agency's floor (which took three flights of stairs). As Hawkes finished his sentence about Mrs. Fink, the door creaks open. He sat up from his hunched posture, attempting to look more professional, accidentally knocking into a plant beside him with a sleeved elbow. Crumbs and sprinkles from the Muldoon's donut decorated the edges of his lips, standing out against his skin. Sawyer popped a pill into her mouth and downed a cold cup of coffee, not bothered by how long it was left on the counter (which was all night, mind you). She daintily dabs on the corners of her mouth with tissue before the door fully opened, revealing a young woman at the door.

"Oh my, you're so pretty," the woman complimented Sawyer, who gave her a sweet smile in return. Hawkes chuckled, nodding at her compliment. The woman stammered out more things, Sawyer replying,

"Thank you, my dear. And yes, we're just finishing up the first interview." Sawyer gestured to Evan who was still seated in front of Hawkes' messy desk. "Why don't you hand me your CV? I'll read over while Hawkes finishes up."

Detective Rascal Kassi Khaos

 

[Kassi Khaos]

"Oh! Of course!" Jack grinned as she handed the woman her CV, it was mostly just research projects she had helped with at college, many of which were just her fixing equipment. She looked at the man who had been the first interviewee and Hawkes, "Nice to meet you both."

Jack stood, twisting a hair band around her wrist nervously. She wasn't sure what to expect, she hadn't really done an interview before. Her job at the cafe hadn't required one, they had just called and ask when she could work. She didn't know what to say, did she wait until Sawyer spoke? Or did she offer up information? When her and her aunt had talked about her going to interviews she hadn't mentioned anything about it. Should she mention she knew nothing about the paranormal? Or maybe....

Jack took a deep breath.

She straightened up and looked at Sawyer confidently, she could handle whatever they threw at her. A sudden thought took her and she looked at the CV, thinking if she had added a detail. She had almost forgotten about it, she hadn't used ASL often since her mother died. "I'm not sure if it mentions it in my CV, but I'm proficient in sign language."

verdantdreams

 

[verdantdreams]

Sawyer took the CV, looking through its contents. College student, IT degree, and very handy. It reminded Sawyer of the HSPI's old SUV parked behind the building, which was in a state of disrepair. She sometimes forgot it even existed. The vampire remembered when the PIs were introduced to the vehicle, all excited and joyriding the hell out of the car. The SUV was useful at the time. But after many of their 'misadventures'... Well, let's not remember that, Sawyer thought.

"That's good," she said, referring to her proficiency in sign language as she continued to read. "It enables us to communicate with certain clients."

After finishing reading, Sawyer closed the CV and placed it on the table. Sure, Jack had skills that could help and a good work ethic. But she needed to know one thing. After a pause, she made up her mind and said out of the blue, straight-faced and solemn,

"A man is found murdered on a Sunday morning. His wife calls the police, who question the wife and the staff, and are given the following alibis: the wife says she was sleeping, the butler was cleaning the closet, the gardener was picking vegetables, the maid was getting the mail, and the cook was preparing breakfast. Immediately, the police arrest the murderer." She crossed her arms, eyes surveying Jack. "Who did it and how did the police know?" It was a fairly simple riddle, but Sawyer needed to see how she thinks, right answer or not.

Kassi Khaos

 

[Detective Rascal]

"Oh well, you know me Randy. I've always been an upstanding citizen." Mel chuckles out, as she goes to start with the drinks.

Mel does the short black first. It's the easiest, and the quickest, and when Mel takes a glance at Hartwell's eyes she can see that he needs it. It's a simple pull of a lever to finish the drink, and Mel puts the lid on to keep the steam contained before she puts it down on the counter, and gently slides it towards Hartwell. Really he could start drinking while she was doing the rest, because otherwise Mel was sure he was going to nod back off, or collapse from lack of caffeine.

"You know, I can see those bags clear as day. I'm pretty sure I've told you to sleep," Mel says as she goes back to the other drinks. "Actually, I'm pretty sure I've told you countless times to get some sleep." She would have given Hartwell a stern look to help emphasize her words, but Mel knew that they were on a case. There would be no real point, they worked way too hard over across the street, and it looked like they weren't going to change that up anytime soon.

The latte was next as Mel grabbed the corresponding cup, making sure the milk was at the right temperature before beginning to pour it. After the foam hit the right mark on the cup, Mel dusted it like usual, then placed the lid. She got the cardboard cup tray out from underneath the counter, and placed it on top so she could start filling it up with the drinks.
The cappuccino was always third, but pretty much a breeze to do. The Simple pour, stir of the sugar, and expert movement of her wrist to get the pretty shape of a flower would always be muscle memory for Mel at this point. It joined the latte in the take out tray that sat in front of Hartwell.
The hot chocolate was Mel's favourite, personally. For a barista, she didn't actually like the taste of coffee, and really did prefer the creamy sweetness of a hot chocolate, or an iced chocolate if it was hotter out. It was also just fun to make, as she mixed the milk and hot coca together, before making sure to add the extra marshmallows.

The hot chocolate was placed in the tray with the rest of the drinks, which ended up up with an empty spot because Hartwell's hadn't joined the rest, and Mel moved slightly over to the till. "Same amount as last time Randy."

verdantdreams

 

[verdantdreams]

Hartwell took the short black, virtually grabbing it in desperation with half-asleep fingers. He muttered a thanks and began to drink the coffee, paying the heat no mind, and watched Melissa bring the PI's their favourite drinks into existence.

Melissa was swift, her arms moving about in a blur. The aroma of grinded coffee beans, the screeching of the steam wand and the gentle hum of the machine as it extracts coffee soothes his senses (for some odd reason). She must be bored of making the same thing by now, he thinks, lowering the cup from his face. He felt the coffee kick in, caffeine rushing through his veins.

"Life of a PI," he mused, using neither Private or Paranormal. "At least you'll be keeping your job. Muldoon's is pretty much running on our late nights." As she finished with the drinks, he took his wallet, paying the same amount plus the tip. "Hey, uh, hypothetical scenario. What if you were an employer, okay?" Hartwell passed her the money and tip, continuing, "You didn't add a specific time to a job advert. What would your first impressions be of someone who shows up early in the morning or later on?"

Detective Rascal

 

[Kassi Khaos]

"The maid," Jack said after a moment, laughing as she quoted one of her favorite books, "There's no post on Sunday."

Then Jack tilted her head, thinking about what felt off to her, "Though, I think it's a little harsh to assume she's the murderer, I mean she could have been going off to see her family for all we know. All I know is that she lied about the mail. Also, are the police allowed to arrest someone just like that? Isn't it called detainment or something?"

Jack looked at Sawyer, studying her. That was a really weird question. Jack wasn't sure what exactly she was looking for, logic skills maybe? Did one need to be logical to be an assistant? Though, Jack supposed it would help. She also felt the need to look up the events for which one can be arrested for murder, all she knew about the police is the little she had gathered from watching crime shows on TV. Maybe there was a law book or something? She shook her head and focused on Sawyer again, getting herself off the mental tangent she had gone on.

verdantdreams

 

[verdantdreams]

Sawyer pursed her lips, a thoughtful look on her face as Jack expressed her thoughts. She smiled a little at the reference before going back to her contemplative daze. Not afraid to question a different side of the story. 'A good trait to have,' Sawyer thought. She nodded in confirmation at her answer.

"The most obvious answer can be the hardest to notice. Some thought the cook did it, the cook having access to a murder weapon. Or the butler as there could be blunt objects in the closet he could use. They disregarded the vital detail, the day the murder took place," she said, adding with an enigmatic smile, "Here, we don't deal with the authorities too much. Your job is to handle the cases we can't take care of due to numerous reasons. But before we can get you started on your first case with your possible soon-to-be-parter, I need to ask another question."

In truth, they've never held interviews before, their 'recruiting' done through encounters during dangerous cases. It's their first time hiring ordinary people with little involvement with the paranormal world. Evan had some involvement but he's only seen the tip of the iceberg. Little did they know about the complex side of the paranormal community and what dictates it.

"Are you willing to sacrifice sleep?"

Kassi Khaos

 

[Detective Rascal]

Mel took a moment to think about the hypothetical. Really, it was kind of a strange question, but maybe Hartwell saw a job add somewhere that didn't have a time? Or maybe his own boss had done it? Mel hadn't looked in the paper for a while, so she didn't know the actual origins of this seemingly innocent question, if it had an origin at all. Mel wouldn't put it past Hartwell to just ask if it had sprung from nothing though, she had moments like that herself.

"Hmm, okay. First off, I would have an impression of whoever came in, that would be determined with what they were wearing, and like how good they were at in their interview. If I had to base it on time though... I think it would be acceptable for someone to walk in either at around 9am, or 2pm. Now, hear me out. At 9, it's pretty much a good period where the person you're being interviewed by is actually at work. It's not too early that you're waiting for them to unlock the door, and it's not too late that you'll be interrupting their lunch break. So, like, it would show that the guy, or whoever, is punctual and ready to go. At 2pm, it's after lunch, and the interviewer would probably be in the best mood. Because they've obviously eaten lunch, and it's not too late in the work day for them to get tired. If they showed up at 2 I would think that they would be understanding of how the work day progresses, and really I would appreciate interviewing someone after I've eaten lunch. If the hypothetical person showed up, at like any other time, I don't think I'd have the best impression of them, as a big ole employer. You walk in at 7? You're way too early. Like 11 or 12? You've just interrupted me in my lunch break. And really, if you walk in for an interview at like 5? I think it would have been best to just stay at home."

Then Mel took a second to realise something, "Oh I'm sorry, I probably went into that a little too much. I always think in too much detail."

verdantdreams

 

[verdantdreams]

Hartwell was well immersed in his thoughts after her opinion. It made sense. Who would want a man dressed in swimming trunks showing up at seven? He wondered if anyone had gone to the interview. It was still morning, around eight-ish? By then, the sun had completed its climb over the horizon. Hartwell would be surprised if he returned to find new members, already whisked away to what he deems the easy cases.

"Nah, that's alright." He shrugged, swirling his coffee around in its cup. "It's just Hawkes made an ad looking for a couple of assistants to help around the agency. He didn't really add a time so... I wanted to know what you think. And to be honest, I'm kinda skeptical about the whole thing," Hartwell revealed, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile on his face. "I mean, it's always been the four of us, ya know? And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. And Muldoon's donuts. I feel like I'm gonna miss that." Hartwell was worried of the possibility of new members discovering his secret. He pretty much lives at the agency's building under the watchful eyes of either Hawkes or Sawyer, ensuring he won't succumb to his werewolf instinct when the moon is full.

"I dunno... I sound possessive, don't I?" he chuckled, then sighed.

Detective Rascal

 

[Kassi Khaos]

Jack looked at Sawyer with a smile, "Ma'am, I'm a college student, I barely sleep as it is."

Jack was rather used to pulling all-nighters after last year. She had one class where every other week it felt like a twenty page paper was due. Jack felt like fist pumping, it looked like she had passed the test. Though, Jack wondered that if it was going to be what she expected; she rather doubted it. The whole experience had been unexpected. She was excited though, Sawyer and Hawkes seemed very competent and it felt like it would be an experience, to say the at least. Still, she couldn't deny she was supremely interested in what this had to offer.

Maybe she would get a chance to be independent through this job. Jack loved her aunt, but she wanted more from life. She wanted more than to sit at a desk all day and fix other people's computers. She wanted to do something that mattered, somehow. Though, maybe it was a bit optimistic to assume being an assistant would get her there, but you never knew.

verdantdreams

 

[Detective Rascal]

Mel had a reassuring smile on her face, as she leaned a little more comfortably on the counter. "I think you're fine. Things are shaking up at the workplace, it's fine to be a little worried about it. Though I think that maybe Hawkes might have fucked up a little with that mistake in the ad, if I was going to go for it I would be so anxious about coming in at the right time... Just, try to be friendly with any new folks, and I'm sure in no time they'll be like old friends."

Then Mel brought her hand up to her mouth, kind of like when old cartoon characters would bring up their hands to tell a secret, only Mel wasn't really trying to hide anything from anyone. "Though, you know, I would be completely fine with it if you added some different drinks to your order. I can do what you usually order in my sleep. I'd be cool with spicing things up." Mel then winks, her tongue just poking out past her teeth by accident, and letting out a quick giggle. She was keeping it light, since it was still early in the work day, and really Hartwell looked as though he needed a better pick-me-up than just his usual coffee.

verdantdreams

 

[Lux___Wolf]

Evan Blackwood

"You have no problem with finding a teenage runaway, right? We promise to have you handle a paranormal case if you complete this one. Mrs. Fink is getting impatient." It isn't directly said that he's hired, but he didn't need to be a PI to figure it out. Evan examines the piece of paper as the next applicant walks in. As he studies the case with Mrs. Fink and the runaway, he overhears how Jack does in her interview. "The maid," Jack said after a moment, laughing as she quoted one of her favorite books, "There's no post on Sunday."

Evan looks up. Sawyer seems pleased that Jack has her wits about her. And it sounds like she's hired as well.

"I'll handle it," Evan stands and tells Hawkes quietly. "I've tracked terrorists behind enemy lines before. Always got my man. A kid's a kid, they probably haven't gotten far." He turns and smiles to his new co-worker, reaching out a hand to shake. "I'm Evan Blackwood." He walks from the chair, heading for the door, but stops. "Oh, yeah, I wanted to say, I never liked that Sunday riddle. If it were a real case, I wouldn't have arrested the maid over mail on Sunday."

He pauses, "Maid could have skipped mail duty on Saturday. Could actually be doing it Sunday morning. Why would she lie? It's the wife. She has the most to gain, and no one ... sleeps through a murder and lives."

verdantdreams Kassi Khaos

 

[verdantdreams]

Hartwell laughed at 'Hawkes fucking up', nodding his head in agreement. Hawkes always seemed to enjoy messing with people, himself included.

"That's the thing, he did it on purpose," he sighed, playing with the thin plastic cover of his takeaway cup, drumming little rhythms. "I just hope this was the right thing to do. I mean, its good to have some help but..." Hartwell trailed off, forgetting he couldn't talk about the truth of the PIs. He doesn't have any other friends, maybe some old drinking buddies from the SPD, but other than that, he's alone. Hartwell wanted to confide to someone, someone not with the agency, not that he didn't trust him. "...never mind. I guess I'll see you later?"

-

The corners of Sawyer's lips twitch into a smile, internally feeling a little envious of Jack. Technically, she didn't exist. If she were on government systems, it'd be strange to see a woman not age. Her longing for her old life still lingered, no matter what she did and no matter how hard she tried to forget.

Hawkes nodded in approval. Now Mrs. Fink won't have to bother them for a while. Though she wasn't at all worried about her daughter, Mrs. Fink still found it annoying that she'd leave the chores to her or how she'd sneak out without permission. She doesn't even know who half of her daughter's friends are.

"Both your inquisitiveness will surely help. Glad to have you on board!" Sawyer clasped her hands together, excited.

"The girl you're finding is Brooke Fink. Miss Jack here will be accompanying you," Hawkes explained and grabbed a cigarette box and a lighter from his desk. "Both of you have good minds so I presume you have an idea where to go from here? Looking forward to seeing them work." Sawyer mouthed something to Hawkes, his eyebrows shooting up in realisation.

"Oh, um, Jack!" Hawkes pulled out another drawer, taking something shiny out and tossing it to the new assistant, carefully avoiding Evan. It was a silver locket, the contents a mystery as it was welded shut. Instricate floral patterns decorate its face, the metal dark from a lack of polishing. Strange engravings filled the back of the locket. "Take this and keep it with you. Trust me."

Detective Rascal Kassi Khaos Lux___Wolf

 

[Kassi Khaos]

Jack caught the locket and examine the locket for a moment before putting into the pocket of her vest, again struck with how strange this had all been, "Will do, Boss".

She looked at Evan with smile. She hadn't expected to be going into a case straight away but she wasn't going to complain.

"You all set to go? And you have the details, right?" She was excited to get started' but she really didn't want to mess this up. Hopefully Brooke had just gone to a friend's house. She knew from experience, most other alternatives almost never ended well. Her smile dimmed at the memories that flooded into her head. She snapped out of it a moment later, coming back to reality.

verdantdreams Lux___Wolf

 

[Detective Rascal]

Mel was concerned, but really she couldn't do much. Yes she knew where Hartwell worked, Mel had watched him walk across the street more than enough times to know how many steps it would take for her to go, but it wasn't really her place. All she did was make their coffee, she couldn't just reassure Hartwell completely when she didn't really know the situation with concrete facts. Maybe she could find the ad Hawkes put out, but that was really it for her.

"I'll see you when you need more coffee Randy. But, hey, just think about how you might get to sleep more often, that's a good thing right?" Mel lightly chuckled out, trying to put a positive spin on something that was bumming Hartwell out. Really, what else could she do as his barista?

Though she waved Hartwell off with her fingers when he decided to leave, carrying his drinks out of the small little cafe. No one else was in the cafe at the moment, not when it was still early in the morning, and wandering people looking for new things on a stroll didn't come by till at least 10.

verdantdreams

 

[Lux___Wolf]

Evan Blackwood

Evan hands over the info to Jack, and smiles mostly with surprise.
He is completely relaxed now that there is a silver necklace on her.

May you never take it off.

"So, do you have a car? Do I follow you?"

He steps out the office, with a mind to visit Mrs. Fink. If he could sniff out Brooke's room, go through some pictures, her diary, and sift through all her social media... but mostly get a hold of her scent, he'd find her. With Jack coming along, he would have to act ... less lupine. Evan waits in the street, occasionally checking Muldoon's and that guy who smelled wilder than a dog.

verdantdreams Kassi Khaos