Shassie 💕💖 In My Own Genderfluid Lassie AU

chapter 2: Christie's Club

They arrived at the pub? Restaurant? Club? She couldn't be sure and hadn't had enough time to look at the file before her partner was rushing out the station in a panic.  She cautiously followed him into the ah it is a club past the bar and down a hallway.

Juliet only just noticed the other officers that had followed them, they must have noticed Lassiter's strange behaviour. She recognised everyone there including Buzz and "Hey Jules!" Shawn and Gus, of course they were here. Now don't get me wrong, Juliet loved seeing her friends but Carlton would be pissed if he saw them. She smiled awkwardly at them and continued following her partner through the building.

It was odd how Lassiter seemed to know this place like the back of his hand, walking confidently through the doorway leading to another room where sofas and chairs lay, different rooms like dressing rooms leading off of it, wigs and makeup and clothes and bags scattered over surfaces.

A large woman came rushing over and almost crushed Lassiter in a hug, she was sobbing and her eyes were red and puffy, she had clearly cried a lot before now. She pulled away after a minute and they held eachother by their upper arms. None of the officers had ever seen Lassiter express so much care and hurt than he was now.

"I promise you I will find him Christie"

"Oh Carly thank you" The woman responded.

Juliet was beyond confused now, who is this woman? Carly, a nickname? What is happening with Carlton?  The woman was no one she had seen before, dark yet bright red hair, probably around fifty years old but still youthful.

Suddenly a bunch of other people were rushing in, all completely unique and all different shapes, sizes, genders and ages. A girl about the age of sixteen ran over to Carlton teary eyed but excited to see the man as she hugged him, burying her face in his chest and to everyone's surprise again Lassiter hugged back with a soft smile.

Once the large group of people had quietened down, lassiter turned and realised that his coworkers were still right behind them like a very awkward and confused audience. Lassiter immediately wiped any emotion off his face, "Detective Carlton Lassiter", He said, the people infront of him looking sympathetic at the mention of his name, "this is Detective Juliet O'Hara and we are here to ask you some questions about Derek Canmore who you reported missing Four days ago on Monday the eighth of July, is that correct?".

The red haired woman who Juliet had heard him call 'Christie' replied "Yes it is" quietly as the others simply nodded along.

The interviews were held in the building as no one was suspect of anything yet. After everyone had been questioned they were no closer to solving the case than before but Juliet did understand what the situation was a bit more.

Christiana or 'Christie' as she is known to friends and family (carlton called her Christie???) is the owner of the club and a different club which has less dancing and more supporting family vibes, the second club is for any LGBTQ+ people or anyone in Drag. Christiana's daughter was trans and because of this she became a victim of hate crime, luckily she survived an attack but is now in a wheelchair and deaf for the rest of her life. Because of her daughter, Christiana decided to make her club a safe space for anyone especially LGBTQ+ people, she does not advertise it largely as it can attract bad people but let's people spread word however they want.

Juliet has no idea why Carlton knows them but she suspects he is keeping some things from her and the other officers, she doesn't know how to tell him that they will always accept him without assuming or prying into his personal life.

Unfortunately right before they set off to go to Derek Canmore's House Shawn made his presence clear by stumbling into three bar stools and almost falling ontop of Buzz. "Spencer we do no have time for this! You are not needed on this case!" Carlton yelled, extremely frustrated and began marching towards the car parked outside.

Unfortunately again, they didn't need to take the car and would be better off walking the same route Derek would have on his way home from the Club that Monday.

Shawn didn't continue with his antics until they were only half way to his house. "Oh! I'm sensing there was a struggle! An argument! No Wait! I can see a Car! Oh and a Phone. He dropped his phone!" Shawn was saying with his fingers pressed to his temple and eyes closed, walking around the pavement.

"God no...." Carlton was picking up a phone from the pavement where Shawn had earlier pointed too. He quickly entered the password and swiped frantically through it looking for anything that could help. He sighed, gently placing the device in an evidence bag and looking to Shawn, "Spencer where did he go?" He asked sternly but Juliet could hear a hint of desperation in his voice.

Shawn was taken aback by Lassiter asking him of all people! Lassie asking him! Damn this is strange!  what had happened.
"Uhhh right yeah he must have been taken in a car to...... I don't know yet." He answered, realising he needed a lot more information than marks on the pavement and lucky guesses.

They all went back to the station, Gus and Shawn peering over their shoulders to look at files and Juliet constantly glancing at Carltin with an odd look on her face he couldn't quite make out. Carlton's temper was not good today and everyone was really not helping.

"Spencer back off! And O'Hara if you gave something to say then say it!" He snapped, causing a lot if concerned looks and either frightened or annoyed glares to be sent their way.

Juliet opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by Gus, "Oh the phone has an angry email that was deleted on the day he disappeared!".

Carlton's head snapped towards Gus, "What? What does it say?!".

Gys looked scared but showed the detective the email, "It says 'You cowardly ummm.... homophobic slur.... go back to your wife, you're just crazy, stop being a freak and go home!", well that isn't very kind.