Vengeance

23

For the command center, the brass commandeered the bullpen of the 27th precinct. Most of the detective's desks have been shifted or entirely cleared from the floor. In their place is a chalkboard with crime scene photos tacked onto it and an entire computer set up imported from one of the larger precincts. The floor is a frenzy of detectives, uniforms, shuffling paper, and shouted phone calls. In the center of all the chaos is Samantha Banks, talking with a member of the police brass.

Samantha catches sight of Seraphim standing near the top of the stairs, observing the room. She wraps up her conversation with a series of clipped words and waves the ADA to her temporary office which, until last night, belonged to a sergeant.

"Did you learn anything?" Samantha demands, sinking into the cushioned office chair. She leans back, crossing her legs and drumming her fingers along the cheap wood surface of the desk.

"I spoke with Ashley Kashu and her mother, Marina. Prior to the shooting they both saw a man, one of the guests, behaving strangely," Seraphim recites. Whether Samantha will heed her words is unknown, but Seraphim won't lie to her, not when justice for Katherine and Ashley dangles in the balance.

"That's it? A guest behaving oddly at a party where alcohol was served." Her tone makes it quite obvious she thinks little of Seraphim's information.

"We should still investigate," Seraphim protests.

Samantha eyes the closed door behind Seraphim and leans forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "Look, you're an exceptional ADA and you could have a bright future, but right now the best thing for this city is to close this case as soon as possible. The DA's house being turned into a shooting gallery isn't good for anyone. As far as the acting mayor is concerned the DA was the target and his killer is a public menace, he wants caught yesterday. If you wish to remain on this investigation, you have to play ball."

Seraphim clenches her jaw. "I understand," she manages through gritted teeth.

She turns and storms out of the office, slamming the door behind her. She plops down in the empty office chair in the corner from which she has a view of the back of the board. She buries her face in her hands, inhaling and exhaling several shaky breaths. Her hands tremble with rage. No one cares about the truth here. They're turning these murders into a political circus. Her friend is dead along with multiple other innocent people. There's a sixteen year old in the hospital for Christ's sake. They've already determined what they they want the truth to be. Katherine deserves better, they all do.

She hoped she would be able to guide the investigation in the right direction, but it's clear now that the law won't be enough.

***

The settling night masks Seraphim's drop from above. She casts a look around, out of habit rather than suspicion. Seraphim slips inside. The worn exterior gives the impression that it's one strong gust from toppling over, but the inside is a state-of-the-air crime fighting base, thanks to Angel. She strolls into the meeting room, past the cylindrical glass cases that house their uniforms. Only three are present at the moment, hers, Raven's and Warlord's, both of which are permanent fixtures. If not for Simon's military induced OCD both cases would be shrouded in dust.

Seraphim tears her gaze away from them to the wall of screens on the other side of the room. Angel's seated at the desk, leaning back in the leather office chair, watching the dots that represent each of the Guardians move around a map of Metro City. At the sound of Seraphim's approaching footsteps, he glances back. His face brightens at the sight of her and he sits up. She swoops down and lays a chaste kiss to his lips.