NUMB

21 - A funeral gone wrong

!W! Use of strong language and graphic depictions of violence.

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*NYPD*

"What!?" The three cops exclaimed while Luke leaned back on his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I can't help it alright, that's the orders. We didn't expect this new turn of events."

"I'm sorry Commissioner but how does our superiors think Magnus Bane planted bombs in his own places right after coming back from literal hands of death!? And how is this evidence to arrest him!?" Elijah said in a composed tone, chest rising and falling heavily.

"Plus my sister received no orders as such. Why is it coming to us if the FBI's investigating it?"

"Honestly, I think it's because the FBI has better things to do than follow this bullshit. And because in their heads we need to collect the shit their previous commissioner scattered around. That is, protect the reputation of NYPD."

"By arresting Magnus!?" Alec said, flabbergasted by the news. "FBI has proof of his innocence and we all know here what's happening. This isn't right."

"As well as I know that, officer Lightwood, I can't help it. We all can't. That's the orders. Either arrest the person behind all this in 24 hours or..." He let the rest of the words hang in the air.

"Blame an innocent. Like always." Emmanuel said through gritted teeth.

"How are we supposed to arrest the well-known mafia in 24 hours? I'm sorry but this sounds fishy. Mr. Bane has gone through so much already. If we do this, he'd definitely sue us." Elijah said.

"If we won't, officer Stalkweather, our superiors will fuck all of us!" Luke said and slammed his fist on the table. "We can make a deal with Mr. Bane, even he knows what's happening. We'll catch the mafia, even if we have to go the route of encountering them. It won't be easy but-" The phone kept on the table started buzzing breaking him mid-sentence. As he received the call, his expression shifted from confused to disappointed in no time. Once he was done, he eyed Alec so hard, sending him into the spirals of the memories of whenever he used to get scolded by his father, which was a rarity.

"D... Commissioner?"

"Why would you ask for the bodies of Herondales to be released without my permission, officer Lightwood!? Are you so used to breaking rules and not listening to your superiors!?"

Gulping, Alec exchanged looks with his 'friends' who were trying their best not to break into smiles, and the realization that it was the first time they had seen him frightened of someone sent a wave of warmth throughout his body. "Apologies D... Commissioner. She was at my house yesterday for dinner and I casually brought it up since Jace is struggling a lot with that. They were his family for most of his life."

"Dinner? Dinner with FBI sounds scary in my opinion." Luke said mockingly.

"We... have gone to the same college. All of us." He waved towards Elijah and Emmanuel, trying not to kill his juniors right in front of his father who were clearly snickering under their palms.

"So you people are friends?" Luke wandered his eyes at every person. "I'm no Imogen, officer Lightwood. I think I cleared that already. Anyhow, agent Victoria said the corpses could be released today itself and they had arranged the security. And that it'll be better if it'll be done sooner, most probably this evening."

"I'll let Jace know," Alec said. "But about Magnus, can we at least try and make arrangements with him instead of arresting him? He needs rest right now, not the brutality of a prison."