Nightingale Investigation

1 - Locked Up For Fucking Good

My name is Tabitha Nightingale. Forever loved and spoiled as Detective Malcolm Nightingale's only daughter. That's right, my dad is Portland's famous FBI detective, it was him who arrested murderers after murderers, drug dealers after drug dealers, rapists after rapists. My mother died when I was 14 years old, as far as I know, she was shot. But the reason, I do not know, my father and his colleagues never mentioned it around me. Since then it has just been me and my dad. But I knew, since that day, my mother died, I would grow up to be like my dad. Someone who fights evil and make sure that the sick people out there end up where they belong. Locked up for fucking good.

"Tabby," I turned around when I heard that my name was called out by a dark firm voice. My dad stepped into the interrogation's back room with two colleagues behind him. "What are you doing here?" I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him my professional look that no one but him always learned me.

"This is my case, I want to see what he has to say." My dad gave me a skeptical look. He did not like it here. He did not like it at all. He glanced behind him to the other two FBI agents, and they took the hint and retreated out of the room instantly. Like small rats, scared to death of the home owner. Dad turned his gaze back to me. His lips are now a straight line across his mouth.

"I'm not sure about this idea anymore, Tabitha. It's too risky." Not this again ...

"Dad, I'm ready. Go ask Todd, after practicing for 2 years, I am ready. I not only want to do this, I must." He shook his head lightly.

"He's dangerous, I can't put you in that risk." I took a determined step closer to him.

"I am fully aware of what I am getting myself into. We have to stop him, and you know I can do it." That's when he gave me that special look that I truly hate from him. He looked at me like I was a helpless child.

"We put Gina on the job, she is capable." I hastily shook my head "No. She has two children, how do you assume that she will be able to work 24/7?"

"Fine, then we put Shirlene on the job instead." I sighed loudly and shook my head.

"I'm not 14 years anymore Dad, I'm 20 years old. I can take care of myself, and with Todd's experience, I am more than capable for this case. Give me a chance, Dad, I have to do this for mom." He did not answer, only looked deep into my eyes with his light green eyes. Just then his mobile rang, he pulled it out of his suit's pocket and answered. "Okay." - Was the only thing he said before he pushed it into his pocket again, then he turned back to me. "They are brining him up now. This conversation is not over, young lady." He said with his famous dad voice before he turned and stepped into the interrogation room. The only thing that kept us apart, it was a big window with an insight on the large hearing room.

The two colleagues came shortly back into the room, sat down on the chairs and ready to make the interrogation ready for recording. At the same time the main door to the interrogation room was opened and in came two police officers dragging a man in their arms. They pushed him into the room and then set him down on the interrogation chair, infront of the table that sepereraded dad and him. My eyes could not leave him. I've never seen him before, at least in real life. His messy brown hair stood up in all directions but still managed to look perfect. Defined jawbones, straight nose, plump lips and golden brown eyes that stood perilously close to perfection. Tall and a muscular body. Too bad that his beauty is only on the outside, not the inside. Who am I kidding? Nothing is perfect with Lorenzo Sicilian. He's a fucked up delinquent with cold blood and an ice-cold heart.

"Nice to meet you again, Sicilian, how are you?" That was what my dad asked, but what he's reply was on the other hand, icy cold and irritated.

"Cut the fucking bullshit, Nightingale. What the hell do you want with me?" His voice was dark, the shouting of male dominance. My dad only chuckled but in an instant, he was fully serious when he put out 5 pictures across the table. His eyes constantly on Lorenzo.

"Tell me, Sicilian. Do you know who they are?" Lorenzo glanced lightly over all the images, ie, less than 2 seconds.

"Nope, why would I give a shit?" Dad leaned across the table and pointed down towards the pictures but never broke eye contact.

"Because these people were found dead yesterday." Lorenzo said nothing, but just looked at dad with his usual impassive gaze. To be honest, he gave me the creeps. Which I think he actually give everyone. "And the Portland P.D and the FBI bureau believe that The Russian Mob or the Italian Mafia is behind the operation." Lorenzo mainly raised his eyebrows, but no reaction was seen on his behavior or face.

"Russian Mob? Mafia? Che cazzo."

"English, Sicilian."

"I don't have shit to say, Nightingale. I have never seen these people. I don't know much about the Mob or the Mafia, but I guess those people fucked with the wrong people. It's your job, not mine."

"Where were you around 22.00-24.00 on Thursday, May 23rd?" Dad asked.

"At home, working."

"Do you have an alibi?"

"Yes."

"Who can vow for that very important alibi?"

"My fucking team, wanna bring them here too? Feel free to call them right now, I'm sure all of them can vow". I only gasped at his attitued. Did he really get he was right in the police station? Maybe he was oblivious to everything in life.

"Can I fucking go now?" This time he sounded even more impatient and furious. Dad leaned back from the table, but nodded slowly as he waved two fingers at the cops outside the door.

"If you think of something, please feel free to contact me Sicilian. I'm looking forward to see you here soon." He said while the policemen grabbed hold of Lorenzo's arms to lead him out of the room. He received no answer, only a half grin on Lorenzo's lips.

One of my dads colleagues, John, opened the door to my father before he stepped back into the interrogation's back room. He turned to me with the same skeptical look as before.

"Are you sure you want to take this case? He is difficult to crack Tabs."

"I'm sure, Dad." It was then that his tough macho act disappeared, at least just for a little while. Because he looked into my eyes with a proud look. One-dad-who-is-proud-of-hisr-daughter-look.

"Then baby, you are not Tabitha Nightingale any longer, but your new identity and name, Ava Stark." I felt shivers up my spine but also felt innocence behind the name. My new name is Ava Stark and my job is to prove that Lorenzo Sicilian owe as leader of the Italian Mob and ends up right where he belongs.

Locked up for fucking good.