The Hazleton Police Department is seeking witnesses to an incident in the old downtown core.
Gunshots were reportedly heard within the vicinity of 4th Ave and Wright St. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Castillo.
Information leading to an arrest will be compensated.
-HPD
I got this covered. You don't need to poke around it.
Is that what you want me to tell the chief? A vigilante 'got this covered'?
You know what happened, don't you? Come on Gael, cooperate with us.
Seriously. It's covered. Tell the chief whatever you want.
I can't do that Gael. You know I can't. This is my case, I have to see it through.
And I don't want to have to go through you and your friends to do that.
Can you at least tell me something I can use? So when—not if—I have to take you in, at least I can tell them you cooperated?
Something you can use?
How about it's not something you or the force are equipped to deal with. This is more than the law now. They haven't written laws for shit like this.
So you and your friends are going to become the law? Without even letting us try to deal with it? We're not as incompetent as you all seem to think.
Where did I say incompetent?
You're not prepared. You don't know what you're really dealing with. Why can't you just trust me on this?
I do trust you, Gael. That's why I haven't brought you in for questioning yet.
I know you think
I know you're doing what you think is right, but this isn't the way. Law enforcement and your group can work together.
We can't work together! They'll lock me up in the asylum if they listen to anything I have to say.
Try me.
Uh, no.
I know all about my Miranda rights.
Then try me as Luce. Not detective Castillo. Strictly off the record.
Off the record?
You're not dealing with humans.
Then what am I dealing with?
You ever heard of demons? Real demons?
Demons?
I take it you don't mean the bogeyman...
See, this is what I'm saying.
Well you can't throw the word 'demons' at me and expect me to understand everything!
What demons? What's really going on?
There are these legends about a certain type of demon. The female counterpart is called the succubus and the male is called the incubus. They feast on humans but not the way you're thinking. They hold their gaze and charm them, take advantage of them, and use the energy from the encounter to keep themselves alive. That's what that brothel is known for.
...you're right. They'd lock you up in a hot minute.
I don't think you'd make a joke out of something like this but it does sound...
crazy.
Then again, after what happened at Halloween, I'm tempted to believe you. I just need you to look me in the eye and tell me you're serious.
Well then you're going to have to meet up with me somewhere, aren't you?
Brilliant deductive reasoning, Gael.
How about the diner? Their coffee's improved... kind of. It's not sludgy anymore.
I'm so glad that's the bar we set around here. Sludgeless coffee...
If there's one thing I learned from living here, it's that you take what you can get.
Hah, yeah, it's that or drive out to Portland or up to Seattle...
Well I wouldn't go that far just for a cup of coffee or a square meal. :P
You weren't hurt were you?
What? During the shoot out?
No, shaving this morning.
Of course during the shootout!
Considering I was on the side with the guns, I got away pretty unscathed.
Why?
Were you hoping to doctor me up? ;)
Haha, funny. Am I the nursing type to you?
...I'm glad you're okay. But you might not be after a cup of sludge.
Not really. And I THINK you might be better with a gun than I am...
I thought it was less sludgy. I may have to rethink this coffee thing.
You probably don't want me coming after you with a needle, much less a gun.
I said less sludgy, but that doesn't excuse it from being sludge, sadly. Maybe grab a bite instead?
Nooo, I think I'd rather you didn't. Gracias!
I'll forgo the coffee and have the food.
How close did you get to the scene, anyway?
I got there as the coroner was taking the bodies out. Crime scene was intact, and we got some usable prints. They're running them through the database now, so I hope none of yours are there or there's going to be a lot of explaining to do to my superiors.
You know what's the funniest thing, though? They said they found a huge puddle of ink down in the basement of that place.
There might be some explaining to do, sorry.
And the ink thing, that's... Highly unusual. The demons don't excrete anything like that. Just the... you know. Sex juice.
Oh my god, Gael. You're just the most infuriating man—
Also sex juice sounds... I don't even want to know about that.
The ink disappeared before I got there. They said it evaporate before their eyes.
What? So I don't always wear gloves, sorry. I said I was sorry, didn't I??
I never heard of this ink thing before.
No wait, I did.
There were like, these card things people were picking up all around town, last Halloween. You recall anything like that?
Okay, okay, I'll think of something.
Last halloween we had mass murders, people calling in about DEATH EATERS going in and out of houses, the fog, people not being able to leave the town... We're still going through all the evidence and cases.
Wait
I think we had a few reports about a dragon in the sky. An ink dragon.
Ay dios mio
I should've taken that transfer to Alaska
Alaska might be worse, honey.
Anyway, last halloween was nuts. Sounds like you guys didn't learn a lot, either. But yeah, that ink dragon, it didn't last too long though. It seems like these ink things can't stay here permanently. That or somebody's banishing them.
Ink monsters
Banishment
Blood like ink that disappears
Yeah, Alaska would be MUCH worse than any of those things, huh Gael?
How did you even get involved in all of this?! How do you know so much?
No, no. I'm saying... Alaska has other... things. Monsters. Creatures. Whatever you wanna call them.
And they're pretty freaking hardy there.
I got involved because of my family.
Oh
Shit
I thought your family were dentists. Are they in some kind of trouble?
They are.
But there's some stuff in their personal lives? I'll tell you in person.
Okay. I'm at the diner now, in the back.
They have that cherry pie you like. :)
Damn. You were close. No wonder you chose it.
Also
Save me some of that pie before old man Kendrick comes in and buys it all up for his wife.
Came here right from the police station. Where are you?
And I'll try but it's my favorite too, so... if you don't hurry...
Somewhere...
I'll be there soon, you better save me at least a PIECE!
Look at you, Mr. tall, dark and mysterious
You're getting crumbs if you don't hurry. ;)
I heard somewhere that's what the ladies liked.
Oh really? What ladies are you trying to impress?
You know, pretty ladies.
I see...
Meet a lot of those at the dental clinic, do you?
Maybe.
What's your best pick-up line?
"Wanna see my left nipple?"
...has that ever worked??
Not at the dentist office.
But I find some women are curious. ;)
Okay... that's a lot more than I needed to know about you...
I was joking about the dentist office thing.
Oh good...
I was hoping you were joking about the nipple thing!
...what's wrong with it?
Nothing, it's just
I hope you don't really use that on women
It's also a joke.
Do I look like the pick up line type to you?
Actually
Yeah, a little bit...
What?!
Okay why?
I don't know, you just do!
It's the piercings, right?
No, lots of guys have piercings.
I guess it's just because I've never seen you actually
picking up women.
All right. You've never seen me do it
But I look like the type?
I'm so sorry I brought this up...
There's nothing wrong with pick-up lines. It's not an insult, I'm just saying, you
Look like you'd be smooth
With the ladies
You're
Charming
*grasping at straws*
Then you really have me all wrong because I'm actually
Pretty dang awkward with pretty ladies.
Really? With pickup lines like those?
:) I'm joking. You shouldn't feel awkward, I'm sure the pretty ladies
Well they're crazy if they don't like you, that's all
I mean, think about it. Most of my friends are married with kids by now!
So their pick up lines must've worked once.
Yeah mine too. Everybody's either pregnant or trying.
But
Somebody has to catch the criminals and you can't run after crooks with a baby inside you.
Well you COULD
wait, would that make the baby technically a vigilante?
...good question.
I guess it would. I'd have to arrest myself after wouldn't I?
Or go on leave, like you should if you're pregnant!
Hahaha yeah right
I haven't taken a sick day this year
Crime doesn't rest and neither do I
Luce. Come on.
Not even if you were pregnant?
I don't think that's
Going to happen in the immediate future
Dry spell, too?
I prefer to call it
Being busy at work
...but
Yes
Yeah... me too.
Um
SO
Are you getting closer or do I have to be the crazy lady who eats a whole pie by herself?
Around the corner babe ;)
Hey
That's detective to you!
You see me? Just outside.
Detective.
*eats pie and waves*