The Cases of George Alpha #3 - Stolen Spirits

The Press

Two days earlier we had announced the capture of the Freeheart bank robber, and ever since then reporters were stationed outside our precinct building, eager to know all about the goods stolen from the strongboxes and what the police was doing to recuperate them.

With Joyful's untimely death-by-flattening the captain had bumped me to lead investigator on the case. Unfortunately that meant those reporters now assaulted me for information as soon as I dared to show my head.

I didn't like talking to the media, it felt too much like politics, choosing your words carefully for fear of them being taken out of context and used against you. I much preferred replying with 'no comment' to every question, but the police media trainer insisted that the press on our good side could be a very powerful ally, but that would only happen if we kept them involved, so that's what I tried to do.

They were waiting near the main entrance of the station. As soon as they spotted me parking the car on the lot next door - curse the architect that put it there - the notebooks flipped open and the platoon stood ready to plug me with questions.

You can do this, George.

I put on a smile, exited the car and headed for the entrance.

'Detective Alpha, any news on the Freeheart bank robberies?' a woman called out as I approached the stairs.

'Look,' I said to her, 'miss...'

'Angela Ingleston, the City Tribune.'

'...miss Ingleston, you asked me that exact same question when I left here only two hours ago. During that time I was investigating a lead on another case, so no, I have no news about the bank robberies. As soon as we do, we'll release a statement.'

'Which case were you working on, detective?'

'I'm afraid I cannot divulge that information, miss Ingleston.'

'Do you think it normal that you work on other cases while so many victims are waiting to get back what was stolen in the Freeheart robberies?' This bite came from a man working for Free Spirit, a populist magazine that did not often favor the police in its articles.

Remember what you learned, George, use tact!

'I can assure you, we are putting all necessary resources on solving the Freeheart case and finding everything that was stolen, getting it back to the rightful owners. Unfortunately, crime still goes on and as the police we have a responsibility to all citizens of the city, not just the victims of these robberies.'

Well done!

'Detective Alpha, Freddy Zinc from People & Spirits, what are you having for lunch today?'

Eh.

'Excuse me, what?'

The others turned their head to Freddy, who was looking at me with eager eyes.

'Your lunch,' he pointed at the sandwich I was holding in my left hand, 'what is it?'

'Why does that matter?' I asked, taken aback.

'Oh, human interest, detective. Our readers very much like to know the story behind the person.'

'Um, ok, if you insist on knowing, it's a schnitzel sandwich.'

'Where did you get it?'

Don't work yourself up, don't antagonize them, play along!

'Hank's Sub-terranean, down on Fifth.'

'Do you always eat a sandwich as lunch?'

Keep it together, don't lose your sh--

'Usually!' I said, exasperated, 'It gives me bloody energy, and if you really must know, it has two extra sausages and a slice of bacon! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more policing to do.'

I rushed up the stairs to the main entrance, escaping the confused reporters.

Well, that could have gone worse.