perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart

[maxxx]

Comments

[positiveinfluence]

Willing to bet that someones with those last names were involved in his not-death. And they were probably involved in the man's life, so if we can talk to the right people, maybe we'll find some answers.

[Fingers crossed.]

[slavophile]

People who are still around five years later. Probably probable.

( And if not, they have phones, right? )

[positiveinfluence]

[More or less.]

So let's make a list, and I'll see if I can get into the haunted house to see if there's any other evidence we can find.

[slavophile]

( He's sure they'll find answers, the sins of the father, etc. But at least they have a plan.

For William's part, he does some online legwork, can he match the last names of the victims to last names involved with the original victim. His natural (1) taps his desktop tower's power accidentally and his computer shuts off before he's able to do anything.

Whoops. After a fifteen minute reboot, he tries again: (21) to find any good information. )

[positiveinfluence]

[It doesn't take much to find those names in adjacent to his victim. It's unclear if they're business partners or simply friends, but men with the three last names in rotation were seen with the victim prior to his death.

And it's possible that they were there the night of his death, though it's hard to tell.]

[slavophile]

( And do they have relatives that are still alive and in the area? )

[positiveinfluence]

[They do in fact. Some of them children are still in town, or other extended family.]

[slavophile]

I have addresses. Every family has ties to the community and still should be around. Do you want to start with Fairfax, Hallahan, Wright or... Murphy?

( All seem like leads so they must be leads. )

[positiveinfluence]

Do you want to divide and conquer or take it on together?

[He's good either way, so long as they get some answers.]

[slavophile]

Right, we didn't establish -- the recognizability of it all. Let's try one together. I'd love to see you in your natural habitat.

( And maybe they won't recognize William, or be too distracted by him. That will probably determine if they conquer separately next. )

[positiveinfluence]

Alright. The lets start with the next of kin for the latest victim.

[The fresh body is usually the best place to start.]

I'll drive.

[He needs all his fake FBI stuff.]

[slavophile]

( He gathers his bag and any previously discussed essentials, including his FBI best (less flashy then his society suits and less sleek than his corporate).

After changing, driving, and parking, he gives his boyfriend a clear direction, because he still has his training wheels on. )

You run point.

[positiveinfluence]

[Cooper nods, before making his way up to the front door and knocking lightly. There's a small silence while they wait, and eventually the door opens.]

Vanessa Berry?

["Yes?"

He nods and lifts a quick flash of his fake badge.]

Agent Sullivan. My partner and I were wondering if you had some time to talk about your father, Raymond Berry?

[Her eyes dart to William (18), and she tries to deflect from the question, not wanting to address that. "Aren't you ...?"]

[slavophile]

( He tries to lay on the charm that comes from being a Queen, but he doesn't come off as humble in the least (8). He at least tries to stick to facts. )

He means partner. It's unconventional, but, TV's not far off when it comes to civilians consulting on cases. I work nationally and internationally in tandem with law enforcement when cases involve - my expertise. It will only take a few minutes.

[positiveinfluence]

[Apparently this woman is on her game (19), because she sees right through William's clobbered together story, but given who William's father is she still jumps to the ... exactly wrong conclusion:

"Are you here on Green Arrow business? Is this a Green Arrow thing?"]

Yes.

[Coop flashes her a smile as he leans closer, conspiratorially (20 vs. 1).]

Naturally you understand why we don't want to talk about this on the street.

["Oh, yeah. Come in, come in."]

[slavophile]

( Invoking his father's -- yeah, alright, if it gets them inside. There's a silent look between them as he politely thanks her for her cooperation and steps inside her home. )

We have reason to believe foul play may have been involved in your father's death.

( He tries to take the lead. )

Obviously, my taking up my father's legacy isn't common knowledge, so we appreciate any and all discretion. You understand.

[positiveinfluence]

["Oh, of course." And she does the whole miming a lock and key over her lips. "They won't hear it from me. What do you need to know about my dad?"]

Was he having any trouble with anyone around when he died? Trouble at work or at home?

["Oh, man, that was a long time ago. I don't think so. I mean, he did seem a little stressed, but in his line of work that was pretty normal."]

[slavophile]

What was his line of work, if I may ask?

( He's still catching up to being polite and getting information. )

[positiveinfluence]

["Lawyer. Which he lived to argue, so it wasn't much of a stretch."]

Do you happen to have any of his old cases or paperwork around?

["No, he didn't bring that stuff home. But you could probably talk to his partners? He worked at Falifax, Hallahan, Wright and Berry." She pauses. "Though I guess it's just Falifax, Hallahan and Wright now."]

[slavophile]

Do you remember anything that might stand out from right around the time he was killed?

( A little context might give them something, but they at least have a direction to go in! )

[positiveinfluence]

["Man, I was a kid. I don't really remember much. Maybe you should check at the office? I think his personal assistant still works there. She always had a memory like a steel trap."]

Do you remember her name?

["Remember? She still sends me a card on my birthday every year. Hold on, I'll get you her number."

And with that, she retreats into the house to go find it.]

[slavophile]

This feels like a first lead.

( He gives him a 'is this going well' look? )

[positiveinfluence]

[He nods.]

This is going well. Let's hope the assistant is still as much of a steel trap as she claims.

[Skepticism is always healthy, just to be on the safe side.]

[slavophile]

Dedication, that she's still there after all these years.

( And his death. William stands when she returns, folding the information over and slipping it into his jacket pocket. He thanks her for her cooperation and asks her to keep this to herself. (Pers 17) )

[positiveinfluence]

[Oh, no. She understands the stakes when it comes to Team Arrow business (6).

They head over to the law office where they are greeted by ... the most ancient law secretary they have ever seen. She honestly looks like she should be retired on a beach somewhere but instead she loops up and squints at them through her glasses.

"Hello. Do you have an appointment?"]