The Falcon Feather

Chapter 11: Not The Local

John doesn't seem to notice you when you enter the office. You grab one of the files on his desk and flip through the new notes from yesterday.

'So, we'll have to go find that man whom Whitlock had pointed out'.

'You'll have to go alone, I've got some things to sort out'.

'But-'.

'Don't waste time, you need to find this man'.

You feel your face grow hot and you feel the hostility between you and John resurface, 'fine, I don't need you with me anyway', you stalk out of the office and you don't look back.

Angela and Maximus look up when you storm into the lab, 'oh shit, are you okay?' Maximus could sense that you're far from happy.

'He's unbelievable'.

'Okay I'm not gonna ask who you're talking about, what'd he do?'

You stop yourself because it's Maximus, you can't tell him what happened, 'oh he was just being a bigger dick than usual, I swear this guy feeds off of hate'.
Maximus chuckles, 'alright you have to tell me something I don't know, have you two even made any progress?'

'Yeah, we were told about a man who interacted with Stacey. Apparently they weren't being particulary friendly'.

'Oh? Does he have a name?'

'Nope'.

'Is he a local?'

'Don't think so'.

Angela shook her head in dismay, 'shit you're really working off a lot', you wave the file at her, 'at least I've got some notes... Which are useless as fuck but anyway. Anyway I just wanted to see you guys, try and throw my attention elsewhere but I have to go find this damn asshole'.

'You go girl'.

You try your best to go around the town, your frusteration was getting the better of you and you very close to ending the search when you noticed a man sitting outside a pub. 

Broud shoulders, diry blonde hair and a tattoo.

You had fucking found him so you parked the car and made your way over to him.

'Hey'.

You grab his attention and he gives you wide smile, 'well hello young lady, how may I help you?'
You show him your badge, 'Detective (L/N), I was wondering if you know Stacey Falcon?'
He seemed to hesitate before slowly nodding, 'yes, I know of her, why? What's wrong?'

'She was found murdered'.

The man sat up and stared down at you, 'oh Jesus- and you- you think I killed her?'

'I never said anything of the sort, I just want to know your relationship with her, I need all the help I can get'.

The man doesn't say anything for a few moments before sighing, 'fine look, Stacey and I? We've hooked up a couple of times alright? But lately she and I had been getting into fights and it was over silly things'.
He looks down at his hands, 'I would never hurt her, I couldn't even if I had the chance, I loved her'.

'What's your name by the way?'

'Donald Ralph'.

'You're not a local?'

He shakes his head, 'no, I'm from another town, Stacey and I found each other on social media and we've been hooking up ever since'.

Sam Whitlock had said that he and Stacey were going on a date.

Ralph seemed to have deflated, he didn't look rough like before. He genuinly looked defeated, he had lost someone he had loved.

'Jesus, I always loved travelling here but... I guess I've got nothing here, at least no anymore'.

Of course you feel like shit, you hate breaking the sad news to people who knew the victim.

'I'm sorry for throwing this in your face'.

'No, it's your job'.

He takes a sip of his beer, 'well, I guess you're gonna say that I shouldn't leave town then?'

'Yes please'.

Ralph nods slowly before pointing inside the pub, 'I'm staying in the hotel here so it's not like I'm going anywhere anyway, you can contact me through this pub'.

'Thanks, so have you met Staceys' parents?'

Ralph chuckled, 'oh yes I have... Well not in the best way, we ended up bumping into her parents and her father was far from happy when he saw me and believe me I would hate myself as well, I look like I've been living on the street'.

'So your relationship with Staceys' parents was hostile'.

'Yeah, especially with her father, god he's a manic, he ended up attacking me'.

So Frank Falcon is a bit of a live wire.

'Threats?'

Ralph nodded, 'of course, he was crazy and honestly I would expect him to actually kill someone'.

Right.

'So you know about her father, and you're aware of her best friend?'

'Melody? Yeah I know her and she's nice, our relationships' a little stiff because we're completley different and her parents are nice'.