April 16, 1994
Following a Saturday night dance party at Paisley Park, a human body is found by the security team. It looks like foul play, requiring the new Minneapolis homicide detective, Louise Brannigan on the case.
PP is officially a crime sce...
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Early morning hours, April 17, 1994
**Prince/0(+> POV**
The Paisley After Dark concert wrapped up long ago...but once I'd pulled everyone aside to go over the footage it became clear that our work was far from over.
Everyone was off of their A game tonight, and it showed. I couldn't and wouldn't tolerate it. Our fam deserved the very best, and I was determined to offer them nothing less. Which brings us to this...
I replay the concert tape for the upteenth time that night, my frustration evident as my eyes dart around the room while everyone groans, yawns, and rubs their eyes. Idon't care how tired you are, we're not done till I say we're done...
"There!" I blurt out irritatedly, pointing at the screen where the band is playing the intro to Diamonds & Pearls.
"Did you see that?" I bite out in a clipped, irritated tone. The timing is all off! And what the fuck was Sonny doing with that bass?!
Rosie lets out a large yawn and a tired sounding, "See what, P? Can't you see we're exhausted?" she inquires, her concerned eyes taking in the fatigue evident throughout the room.
"I'm about to pass out right here! It's 4 a.m. for Christ's sake! Can't this wait until tomorrow?" she finishes with pleading eyes, accompanied by murmurs of agreement from the rest of the band...at least until I burst in with a determined sounding, "Exhaustion is irrelevant. Time is an illusion. Besides, I'm wide awake and we need to figure this out before tomorrow's show. Come on guys! Our fam deserves the best, and this..." I continue, frustratingly tapping at the now paused screen, "...ain't it."
My irate gaze roves over the band before eventually settling on Sonny T disapprovingly just as I hear an unexpected knock at the door. What the...?! What is it about no interruptions that you people don't understand?!
The looks on everyone's faces tell me they're thrilled with the unexpected interruption...but this meeting is definitely far from over, and my stern expression ensures they know it.
A few tense moments pass in silence as I hope whoever is knocking at the door takes the hint and leaves. Just when I think the coast is clear; my attention returning to my exhausted and irritable band, the knocking begins again. Seriously...?!
It's even more frantic than before, and accompanied by the desperate tone of the head of security, my brother, Duane. "P...you in there?" This had better be good ...
As my eyes once again rove over the room, I offer my bandmates a temporary reprieve. "Take five everyone," I mutter in defeat, as the mood in the room turns more relaxed...at least until I finish with a stern sounding, "...but don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."
I hear everyone's anguished groans fill my ears as I finally pull open the door to reveal, as I already suspected, Duane.
My frustrated facial expression, along with my tapping foot reveal my impatience as he blurts out an apologetic sounding, "I'm sorry....I know how much you hate interruptions, but...."
"But what? What could possibly be important enough..." I begin in an irritated tone, only to be cut off by Duane's nervous sounding. "I'm not sure, brother...but there's a detective out here who might be able to tell us..." Don't tell me it's another noise complaint...I'm so over that shit!
Before I can process what he's said any further, Duane tugs on my hand frantically guiding me toward the atrium as I manage to get one final dig in. "You know how I feel about shit like this Duane, so this better be a matter of life & death..."
However, that's as far as I get. The moment Duane and I make our entrance, my eyes lock on easily one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Her shiny, curly brunette hair has the odd tendril giving her an air of femininity in direct contrast with the crisp looking detective uniform draped over a hint of soft curves like a sack. A pen and notepad are tightly clutched in her right hand, as her eyes reveal her displeasure at having been kept waiting. I offer her my most beguiling, apologetic smile, extending my hand for shaking. Detective indeed....
Much to my surprise, her eyes dart down to my proffered hand for a moment before lifting to meet mine coolly. I offer her a lazy smile as my forgotten hand drops back to my side in a gesture of temporary defeat.
My ears ring as the first words to pass through ruby red lips drawn into a taut red line sound brusque, cold, and all business, "Don't worry, Mr. Nelson...I can assure you that it is." What the hell have I gotten myself into this time? Well, I always did like a challenge...
