The Lay of the Land

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya had almost cleared off his desk several hours later. Case files were still strewn everywhere else though, and the chair was piled under quite the assortment. Had the old PC never figured out a filing system? he wondered, swearing under his breath as several files fell over, the papers flying free and floating through the air.

[havlockvhett]

Franz Kupper adjusted his tie, his favorite white muslin, glad for the calming scratch of the cloth. The train had been completely abysmal, stuck next to a complete boor in coach because Elizabeth just had to redo the nursery. The boy was only a year older, and Franz hadn't seen the point, but then he rarely did. Sam was always excited about new face though, at least the workmen would make the boy happy. Franz shook his head, reminding himself to keep his thoughts where they belonged.

The Commissioner's office was...less than expected. Franz cleared his throat as he came to a stop in front of the rather frazzled looking cat's desk. "Commissioner McGregor?" He flashed his Pinkerton badge. "Inspector Cooper." His accent was light, but noticeable.

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya froze, slowly looking up at the other cat. Had he just...? "I am not Commissioner McGregor," he said slowly, trying to keep the growl out of his voice. He had not had enough coffee for this--screw that, he would never have enough coffee to be compared to his predecessor. "He was killed several weeks ago in a gang shoot out. I am Commissioner Vlask. Did you need something?"

[havlockvhett]

Franz hid the grinding of his teeth badly. Another set back. He had neither the time nor patience for an interdepartmental squabbles, and with a violent change of Commissioners so fresh that was all he would get.

"What I require, Commissioner, is access to your records. I'm pursuing a suspect from a shoot out in Chicago, I have reason to believe he either fled to or is based here in Felidae." He'd skip another set of hands and eyes, for now. Until he could find someone less addled to aid in the investigation.

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya quirked a brow at him, and tried to settle his spine fur back down. "Well, it depends on which records you want," he said, leaning back on his heels. "Because our dear Commish McGregor never seemed to organize them. Do you have any other description of this suspect? I've probably looked at the file some point today while trying to figure this... mess out." He looked the other over now, trying to get some idea of his character. A Pinkerton. Just what he needed. Another cock-sure, arrogant, and armed cat.

[havlockvhett]

Of all of the-! But then what should he have expected from a little bumpkin town like this. He should be grateful there were records at all. He quoted from memory, "Grey tabby cat, light eyes with no other distinguishing features. Height uncertain, but less than six feet." Franz glared. "Frankly, there is very little evidence and a great deal of supposition. I would prefer to sort through the records myself, starting with everything within the last year, from August to the present in addition to every shooting within the last five years. If your current filing system allows for that specificity. If not, well." He sighed theatrically. "I can just go through them myself."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya blinked at him, paused, and blinked again. Strangling the newcomer to town was probably not a good idea. "Grey tabby, huh?" he said, shaking his head. He spread his paws out over his desk, encompassing the rest of the room as well. "Sadly, due to McGregor's incompetence"--cheating, lying bastard that he had been, taking bribes from most of the underworld--"The filing system is completely and utterly... nonexistent. If you can give me a couple days, I should have it sorted out. If not, you are more than welcome to go through them with me. Terribly sorry for our... predicament being an inconvenience to you."

[havlockvhett]

Franz took a steadying breath. Set backs were routine, they happened in every case. Becoming visibly agitated would do nothing to further his professional reputation or get this solved any more swiftly. He had to keep his distance, had to forget why he was freelancing it on this case. "I can return in the morning, for the moment I must see to my lodgings." Strategy was all well and good, but it would do nothing for the burn in his chest. He told himself he was merely keeping an eye on a possibly corrupt local enforcer, to make sure he didn't bury any kingpin's hitmen. He picked a piece of lint off of his cuff, smile full of ice and teeth. "We are encouraged to aid local law enforcement after all."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya's returning smile was about as cordial. "Indeed," he ground out, his Russian accent slipping a little in his annoyance. Because not sleeping for two days in a row the days before just was not enough, no, now he had this to deal with as well. "And our local law is so very pleased to have you here. Other than looking for your gunman, is there anything else you are doing in Felidae?"

[havlockvhett]

"No Commissioner, I'm just here to do my job. As expediently and thoroughly as possible, my employers are not patient men." Not, strictly, a lie, though he would tell enough of them in the days to come. A Pinkerton working under contract had a certain amount of protection, protection that was not afforded to men on simple vendettas.

"Before I leave you to your...work, is there anything about your charming locale which I should be aware of?"

[victoriousscarf]

"Mhm," Sonya said, turning his attention to his cold cup of coffee. Even that was more preferable than paying full attention to the other. "Avoid the dock area if possible, and beware that half the dinners are probably fronts for speakeasies. Other than that... I'm sure you will be able to figure things out as you go."

[havlockvhett]

If looks could kill, Felidae would need to appoint a brand new Commissioner. It rankled him to his military soul that a ranking officer, and one of such inferior quality, would dismiss a visiting officer so cavalierly. The next morning was just going to be a damn joy.

"I'm sure. Oh Six Hundred sharp?"

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya blinked at him, frozen for a moment. Somehow he figured laughing in the face of the other would not be taken kindly. In all likelihood, he would not be getting to sleep until three in the morning, and he still had not fully recovered after his recent stint of going over forty-eight hours with no sleep. He took another quick swallow of coffee at the very thought. "I shall probably not be in the office until later," he said finally. "Perhaps you should come closer to nine."

[havlockvhett]

Nine? Nine? What sort of man waited to start the day at nine? Franz's teeth squeaked in protest as he ground them. Of all the times to run into a lush commissioner, of all the times to actually need a commissioner's help! "I'm afraid you do not understand the urgency of my search, Sir." His words were terse and accent meticulously managed. "At any moment this man may slip into the wind. I would suggest you instruct one of your men to allow me access to the files tomorrow morning."

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya gave him a distinctly unimpressed look. "These are confidential files," Sonya said finally. "I am willing to let you look at them as much as you need to, but only when I am here as well." He paused, trying to calm himself down before he slipped and started swearing at the other in Russian. Or English for that matter. "All our searches are urgent, Mr. Cooper. We are trying to deal with a string of murders. I am sorry I cannot give priority to your requests, but you must understand that Felidae is like many other large cities on the coast--corrupt and seething with criminals. We've had four shoot outs this week already, and the murders in the dock area I already mentioned. I hardly can spend all my time or energy on one shooter. I wish you luck, and you may return tomorrow at eight thirty if you want to look over these files."