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asphaltcowgrrlTitle: Sin City Slaying Chapter 7
Fandom: Romani Detective/Preying Eyes Original Fiction
Pairing: Um…
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,216
Summary: Andrej and Zayne go through the evidence James has rounded up for them and make a plan.
Author’s Note: FINALLY finished this yesterday. Yay! Now, let’s pray that it all makes sense in the end and that I didn’t goof up my own plot. Haha.
“So, in other words, we don’t have crap,” Zayne said once Andrej had finished catching him up on the case.
“Not unless Jay has found something good on Kyle Anderson’s phone,” Andrej admitted.
“Hopefully this will make you happy then,” James said, handing over a file folder. “These are photos the techs found.”
Zayne leaned over Andrej’s shoulder as he flipped through them slowly. “So, there was proof that Tyler Alderman and Taryn Fairchild were having an affair,” Andrej muttered.
“Were these taken by that phone or were they just stored on it,” Zayne asked. “More to the point, I guess, is did someone send them to Anderson?”
James shook his head. “It looks like the victim took them all himself. Or, at least, they were taken with his phone.”
“Well, I can see why someone wanted him dead,” Adrien piped up. “If these photos got out to the public, they’d ruin Taryn’s career.”
“Why just hers and not the dude’s, too,” James asked.
Adrien looked at him for a long moment and then laughed. “Because no one holds men to anything,” he said. “Especially rich, white men.”
“He’s right,” Zayne said. “I know you’re as white as they come, gingerbread, but you’re not the type.”
“Not the type to what,” James asked, looking at Andrej, hoping for some kind of help.
“To blame your paramour for your cheating,” Andrej supplied. “You would hopefully own up to the fact you made a mistake, too.”
“Well, I’d never be in that kind of position,” James said, winking at Zayne. “But if I was, you’re right. I wouldn’t let the other guy take the blame.”
“Also,” Adrien said, unsure of what to make of the conversation going on around him, “Taryn’s whole schtick is that she's’ this goody two shoes Christian who can do no wrong.” He shook his head. “I’m honestly shocked that she’d be fooling around with anyone. That she picked a married man is blowing my mind.”
“No one is ever who you think they are,” James said, weary with the truth of it all. “Even the people you know and love the best have secrets.”
“True,” Adrien said, thinking of his mother and the reasons she had for not telling him who his father was. “Sometimes they have good reasons for them, though.”
“Sometimes,” Zayne said. “They do. More often than not, though, they’re only covering their asses.”
“Was there anything else on his phone of importance, Jay?”
“Yes,” James said, rising to his feet and bringing over another manila folder. “These are transcripts of text conversations between our victim, Tayrn Fairchild, Tyler Alderman, and Wheeler Abrams.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Zayne said, taking the file from Andrej and reading through the texts.
“What is the synopsis,” Andrej asked, wanting desperately to rip the file out of Zayne’s hands.
“Looks like Anderson caught them in the act,” Zayne said. “He approached Alderman first who basically told him to fuck off.”
“Sounds about right,” Adrien said. “Guy’s a real piece of work.”
“After he struck out with Alderman, he started texting Farichild. Struck out there, too. She basically accused him of lying.”
“Even though he had proof,” Andrej asked.
“Probably because she knew he had proof,” James said. He pointed at the file Zayne was holding. “The texts get pretty nasty between the two of them, which is why Anderson started texting Abrams.”
“Why did he bring another into the situation?”
“Looks to me like he thought she would go all badass on Fairchild and Alderman,” Zayne said. “Didn’t work, obviously, because Anderson started threatening them both.”
“Kyle was threatening them? With what,” Adrien asked. “He was a jerk, but I can’t imagine he’d stoop so low as to expose them.”
“He did just that,” James said, leaning against the edge of Zayne’s desk. “He was going to anonymously mail the photos to every major country magazine in print.”
“Which could potentially ruin them all,” Adrien said. He rested his hands on the top of Zayne’s desk and looked around at the detectives. “Kyle Anderson included.”
“Right,” Zayne said. “Because he’d be the jerk who ratted out America’s Sweetheart and country’s favorite bad boy.”
“Pretty much,” Adrien said. He made a face. “My mother told me to keep my head out of my ass and my eyes open, otherwise I’d wind up in the middle of a scandal, even if I wasn’t involved. I had no idea what she meant by that at the time, but I’m beginning to get the picture.”
“Oh shit,” Zayne said. He looked up at James. “Did you get through all of these texts?”
“No,” he said, coming over to stand beside Zayne. “I stopped when I realized what was going on, figuring that a call to Andy took precedent over my need for messy celebrity gossip. Why?”
“Because Tyler Alderman threatened to kill Kyle Anderson if the pictures ever leaked,” Zayne said. He held up the page with the text printed on it and showed it first to James, then to Andrej. “And he was dumb enough to do it in a text.”
“Let me call Trish and Hilary,” Andrej said. “They are still at the MGM taking follow up statements for me.” He pulled out his phone and dialed.
“Maxwell,” Hilary said, sounding as tired as Andrej felt.
He put the phone on speaker. “Hilary, Jay has found a text from Tyler Alderman threatening to kill Kyle Anderson,” he told her.
“Excuse you,” Zayne butted in. “I found that, thank you very much.”
“You’re not supposed to be here, asshole,” Hilary laughed. “So, the credit goes to the narco since he acquired the texts.”
“Whatever,” Zayne muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. “I get no love.”
“Not what I heard, Reyes,” Hilary said. “So, where did you find this text?”
“On Kyle Anderson’s phone,” Andrej said. “I believe we need to speak with Mr. Alderman again.”
“Officially,” Hilary asked.
“Yes,” Andrej said.
“I think it’d be good if you brought in his girlfriend, too,” James added. “Taryn Fairchild, I think her name was.”
“You think she’s in on it, too,” Hilary asked.
“I do not know for sure yet, but either way, she may have known that Tyler Alderman was up to something,” he said.
“Okie dokie, Trish and I will bring them both in for an official chat. Will let you know when we’re back at the station.”
“Thank you, Hilary,” Andrej said.
“No problem,” she replied. “How are your partners?”
“They are all fine,” Andrej said, not sure who she was including or excluding in this.
“Let’s hope it stays that way,” she laughed. “See you in a bit.”
Andrej ended the call and ran his fingers through his hair.
“So, by ‘official’ you mean you’re going to charge one of them,” Adrien asked. He’d been taking notes on a pad of paper Zayne had left on his desk. “We don’t have crime like this in Tucker and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Elliot or Damon use that phrase.”
“Who is Damon,” Andrej asked.
“Elliot’s partner,” he said. “Actually, Damon is a family friend, too. He, my mom, and my uncles went to school together. Small town,” he said, shrugging.
“It must be a relief to live in a town without much crime,” Andrej said. “But no, we are not charging anyone with anything yet. All that was meant by official is that they will be brought to the station and questioned formally. What I did yesterday, and what Trish and Hilary were helping me with today, was taking statements.”
“Basically, Zek was gathering information yesterday. Today, we are going to take that information and see if we can get some answers or make some connections that might lead us to an arrest.”
Adrien nodded. “Interesting, thank you for explaining. Can I sit in on the questioning?”
Andrej looked at Zayne who shrugged. He should have known Zayne wouldn’t care, so he chanced a look at James.
“You can put him in the observation room,” James suggested. “He can watch but not interrupt there. I can stay with him, too, if you’d like.”
“Okay,” Andrej said. “You can watch, but if Jay says you need to leave, you will listen.”
“Promise,” Adrien said, smiling.
“He’s enjoying this way too much,” Zayne teased. “I think I like you.”
“We’re back,” Trish said, poking her head into the robbery homicide bullpen. “And neither of our guests are very happy about their side trip either.”
“Great,” Andrej said. It had only been two days, but he was ready for a vacation once this was all done. “We will be there in a few minutes.”
“Hil’s putting them into interview rooms three and five, she didn’t want them too close to each other.”
“Makes sense, thank you.”
“Welcome,” she said. Trish started to turn and leave when she stopped. “Welcome back, Reyes. Believe it or not, we missed you.”
“But of course you did,” he laughed. “How could you not?”
“I’ll refrain from answering that because Andy is my friend,” Trish joked. “I’ll meet you guys down there. You bringing the kid with you?”
“Yes,” Andrej said. “He has promised to behave and so far, he has done better than Zayne ever did as far as behaving goes.”
“Hey now, I resemble that remark,” Zayne said. “Let’s go. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner Zek can take a nap.”
“I do not need a nap,” he snapped. “But we do need to close this case.”
“If you say so, baby,” Zayne said. He slid off the desk and headed down towards the interrogation rooms.
“He’s right, you could use a nap,” James said. “I know you haven’t been sleeping since he’s been gone.”
“I am fine,” Andrej said. He looked back at Adrien. “Come, Mr. Lupei, and pray that we can get something concrete out of one or both of them.”
“I’m pretty sure that Taryn will be your best bed,” Adrien said as he jogged to catch up to the detectives. “Tyler doesn’t give a damn what people think or say, but Taryn does. Her image is everything and if she thinks you can save it, she’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
“You think so,” James asked. “That she’d throw her lover under the bus to salvage her rep?”
“Yeah, I do,” Adrien said, following him and Andrej into the observation room. “She’s only popular because she appeals to a certain segment of country music listeners. She’s a good enough vocalist, but there are others, Wheeler Abrams and Carrie Johnson, among others, that are better.”
“So, she had to stand out somehow,” Zayne said, coming into the room. “Which gives her more reason to fear losing what she has.”
Adrien nodded. “And there’s no way her squeaky-clean image can survive an affair with a married man. Especially one who has cheated on both of his wives.”
“Thanks for the insight,” Zayne said, dropping a hand heavily onto Adrien’s shoulder.
“Anytime,” he said. “Who are you going to interview first?”
“The girls are going to take Alderman,” James said, inclining his head towards where Trish and Hilary stood in the hallway forming their game plan. “Zayne and Andy will handle Ms. Fairchild.”
“Nice,” Adrien said. “I can watch you guys though, right?”
“Yup,” Zayne said with a grin. “We’re going to be right in there. Hope you enjoy the show.”
Andrej shook his head and exited the observation room.
“Is he angry,” Adrien asked after Andrej had stormed off.
“Nah,” Zayne said with a grin. “He’s tired, he’s frustrated, and he’s ready to get this damn thing solved.”
“And he’s tired of listening to Zayne’s mouth already,” James added.
“Not a chance,” Zayne said, giving the redhead a look. “If he hasn’t popped me in the mouth after all this time, I don’t think he’s ever going to get tired of my shit.”
“You’d better pray, cowboy,” James teased. “Come on, Adrien, let’s get you set up in here so you can watch two truly good investigators do what they do best.”
Adrien rubbed his hands together, eager to watch how they were going to handle the questioning session. “Do you have a notepad or something,” he asked James after he chose a chair and sat down.
“I can get you one, why?”
“Not sure, but I feel like she might say or do something that’s not quite right or honest.” He shrugged. “Never mind, it was a weird thought.”
James studied him for a minute. “No, it’s not a weird thought. You actually know these people or, at least, their personas. We don’t. I’ll go get you a pen and some paper just in case. Be right back.”
“Thanks,” Adrien said, watching James disappear. He looked out through the one-way mirror and watched Taryn fiddle with her cell phone. She looked nervous, but not any more so than he would be in this position, even though he wasn’t possibly wrapped up in a murder. It was going to be interesting to see how this all shook out.
“Here,” James said, handing Adrien what he’d asked for. “Andy and Reyes are about to go into the interview room. They’re getting the recording equipment started first. Ready for the show?”
“You better believe it.”
Fandom: Romani Detective/Preying Eyes Original Fiction
Pairing: Um…
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,216
Summary: Andrej and Zayne go through the evidence James has rounded up for them and make a plan.
Author’s Note: FINALLY finished this yesterday. Yay! Now, let’s pray that it all makes sense in the end and that I didn’t goof up my own plot. Haha.
“So, in other words, we don’t have crap,” Zayne said once Andrej had finished catching him up on the case.
“Not unless Jay has found something good on Kyle Anderson’s phone,” Andrej admitted.
“Hopefully this will make you happy then,” James said, handing over a file folder. “These are photos the techs found.”
Zayne leaned over Andrej’s shoulder as he flipped through them slowly. “So, there was proof that Tyler Alderman and Taryn Fairchild were having an affair,” Andrej muttered.
“Were these taken by that phone or were they just stored on it,” Zayne asked. “More to the point, I guess, is did someone send them to Anderson?”
James shook his head. “It looks like the victim took them all himself. Or, at least, they were taken with his phone.”
“Well, I can see why someone wanted him dead,” Adrien piped up. “If these photos got out to the public, they’d ruin Taryn’s career.”
“Why just hers and not the dude’s, too,” James asked.
Adrien looked at him for a long moment and then laughed. “Because no one holds men to anything,” he said. “Especially rich, white men.”
“He’s right,” Zayne said. “I know you’re as white as they come, gingerbread, but you’re not the type.”
“Not the type to what,” James asked, looking at Andrej, hoping for some kind of help.
“To blame your paramour for your cheating,” Andrej supplied. “You would hopefully own up to the fact you made a mistake, too.”
“Well, I’d never be in that kind of position,” James said, winking at Zayne. “But if I was, you’re right. I wouldn’t let the other guy take the blame.”
“Also,” Adrien said, unsure of what to make of the conversation going on around him, “Taryn’s whole schtick is that she's’ this goody two shoes Christian who can do no wrong.” He shook his head. “I’m honestly shocked that she’d be fooling around with anyone. That she picked a married man is blowing my mind.”
“No one is ever who you think they are,” James said, weary with the truth of it all. “Even the people you know and love the best have secrets.”
“True,” Adrien said, thinking of his mother and the reasons she had for not telling him who his father was. “Sometimes they have good reasons for them, though.”
“Sometimes,” Zayne said. “They do. More often than not, though, they’re only covering their asses.”
“Was there anything else on his phone of importance, Jay?”
“Yes,” James said, rising to his feet and bringing over another manila folder. “These are transcripts of text conversations between our victim, Tayrn Fairchild, Tyler Alderman, and Wheeler Abrams.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Zayne said, taking the file from Andrej and reading through the texts.
“What is the synopsis,” Andrej asked, wanting desperately to rip the file out of Zayne’s hands.
“Looks like Anderson caught them in the act,” Zayne said. “He approached Alderman first who basically told him to fuck off.”
“Sounds about right,” Adrien said. “Guy’s a real piece of work.”
“After he struck out with Alderman, he started texting Farichild. Struck out there, too. She basically accused him of lying.”
“Even though he had proof,” Andrej asked.
“Probably because she knew he had proof,” James said. He pointed at the file Zayne was holding. “The texts get pretty nasty between the two of them, which is why Anderson started texting Abrams.”
“Why did he bring another into the situation?”
“Looks to me like he thought she would go all badass on Fairchild and Alderman,” Zayne said. “Didn’t work, obviously, because Anderson started threatening them both.”
“Kyle was threatening them? With what,” Adrien asked. “He was a jerk, but I can’t imagine he’d stoop so low as to expose them.”
“He did just that,” James said, leaning against the edge of Zayne’s desk. “He was going to anonymously mail the photos to every major country magazine in print.”
“Which could potentially ruin them all,” Adrien said. He rested his hands on the top of Zayne’s desk and looked around at the detectives. “Kyle Anderson included.”
“Right,” Zayne said. “Because he’d be the jerk who ratted out America’s Sweetheart and country’s favorite bad boy.”
“Pretty much,” Adrien said. He made a face. “My mother told me to keep my head out of my ass and my eyes open, otherwise I’d wind up in the middle of a scandal, even if I wasn’t involved. I had no idea what she meant by that at the time, but I’m beginning to get the picture.”
“Oh shit,” Zayne said. He looked up at James. “Did you get through all of these texts?”
“No,” he said, coming over to stand beside Zayne. “I stopped when I realized what was going on, figuring that a call to Andy took precedent over my need for messy celebrity gossip. Why?”
“Because Tyler Alderman threatened to kill Kyle Anderson if the pictures ever leaked,” Zayne said. He held up the page with the text printed on it and showed it first to James, then to Andrej. “And he was dumb enough to do it in a text.”
“Let me call Trish and Hilary,” Andrej said. “They are still at the MGM taking follow up statements for me.” He pulled out his phone and dialed.
“Maxwell,” Hilary said, sounding as tired as Andrej felt.
He put the phone on speaker. “Hilary, Jay has found a text from Tyler Alderman threatening to kill Kyle Anderson,” he told her.
“Excuse you,” Zayne butted in. “I found that, thank you very much.”
“You’re not supposed to be here, asshole,” Hilary laughed. “So, the credit goes to the narco since he acquired the texts.”
“Whatever,” Zayne muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. “I get no love.”
“Not what I heard, Reyes,” Hilary said. “So, where did you find this text?”
“On Kyle Anderson’s phone,” Andrej said. “I believe we need to speak with Mr. Alderman again.”
“Officially,” Hilary asked.
“Yes,” Andrej said.
“I think it’d be good if you brought in his girlfriend, too,” James added. “Taryn Fairchild, I think her name was.”
“You think she’s in on it, too,” Hilary asked.
“I do not know for sure yet, but either way, she may have known that Tyler Alderman was up to something,” he said.
“Okie dokie, Trish and I will bring them both in for an official chat. Will let you know when we’re back at the station.”
“Thank you, Hilary,” Andrej said.
“No problem,” she replied. “How are your partners?”
“They are all fine,” Andrej said, not sure who she was including or excluding in this.
“Let’s hope it stays that way,” she laughed. “See you in a bit.”
Andrej ended the call and ran his fingers through his hair.
“So, by ‘official’ you mean you’re going to charge one of them,” Adrien asked. He’d been taking notes on a pad of paper Zayne had left on his desk. “We don’t have crime like this in Tucker and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Elliot or Damon use that phrase.”
“Who is Damon,” Andrej asked.
“Elliot’s partner,” he said. “Actually, Damon is a family friend, too. He, my mom, and my uncles went to school together. Small town,” he said, shrugging.
“It must be a relief to live in a town without much crime,” Andrej said. “But no, we are not charging anyone with anything yet. All that was meant by official is that they will be brought to the station and questioned formally. What I did yesterday, and what Trish and Hilary were helping me with today, was taking statements.”
“Basically, Zek was gathering information yesterday. Today, we are going to take that information and see if we can get some answers or make some connections that might lead us to an arrest.”
Adrien nodded. “Interesting, thank you for explaining. Can I sit in on the questioning?”
Andrej looked at Zayne who shrugged. He should have known Zayne wouldn’t care, so he chanced a look at James.
“You can put him in the observation room,” James suggested. “He can watch but not interrupt there. I can stay with him, too, if you’d like.”
“Okay,” Andrej said. “You can watch, but if Jay says you need to leave, you will listen.”
“Promise,” Adrien said, smiling.
“He’s enjoying this way too much,” Zayne teased. “I think I like you.”
“We’re back,” Trish said, poking her head into the robbery homicide bullpen. “And neither of our guests are very happy about their side trip either.”
“Great,” Andrej said. It had only been two days, but he was ready for a vacation once this was all done. “We will be there in a few minutes.”
“Hil’s putting them into interview rooms three and five, she didn’t want them too close to each other.”
“Makes sense, thank you.”
“Welcome,” she said. Trish started to turn and leave when she stopped. “Welcome back, Reyes. Believe it or not, we missed you.”
“But of course you did,” he laughed. “How could you not?”
“I’ll refrain from answering that because Andy is my friend,” Trish joked. “I’ll meet you guys down there. You bringing the kid with you?”
“Yes,” Andrej said. “He has promised to behave and so far, he has done better than Zayne ever did as far as behaving goes.”
“Hey now, I resemble that remark,” Zayne said. “Let’s go. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner Zek can take a nap.”
“I do not need a nap,” he snapped. “But we do need to close this case.”
“If you say so, baby,” Zayne said. He slid off the desk and headed down towards the interrogation rooms.
“He’s right, you could use a nap,” James said. “I know you haven’t been sleeping since he’s been gone.”
“I am fine,” Andrej said. He looked back at Adrien. “Come, Mr. Lupei, and pray that we can get something concrete out of one or both of them.”
“I’m pretty sure that Taryn will be your best bed,” Adrien said as he jogged to catch up to the detectives. “Tyler doesn’t give a damn what people think or say, but Taryn does. Her image is everything and if she thinks you can save it, she’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
“You think so,” James asked. “That she’d throw her lover under the bus to salvage her rep?”
“Yeah, I do,” Adrien said, following him and Andrej into the observation room. “She’s only popular because she appeals to a certain segment of country music listeners. She’s a good enough vocalist, but there are others, Wheeler Abrams and Carrie Johnson, among others, that are better.”
“So, she had to stand out somehow,” Zayne said, coming into the room. “Which gives her more reason to fear losing what she has.”
Adrien nodded. “And there’s no way her squeaky-clean image can survive an affair with a married man. Especially one who has cheated on both of his wives.”
“Thanks for the insight,” Zayne said, dropping a hand heavily onto Adrien’s shoulder.
“Anytime,” he said. “Who are you going to interview first?”
“The girls are going to take Alderman,” James said, inclining his head towards where Trish and Hilary stood in the hallway forming their game plan. “Zayne and Andy will handle Ms. Fairchild.”
“Nice,” Adrien said. “I can watch you guys though, right?”
“Yup,” Zayne said with a grin. “We’re going to be right in there. Hope you enjoy the show.”
Andrej shook his head and exited the observation room.
“Is he angry,” Adrien asked after Andrej had stormed off.
“Nah,” Zayne said with a grin. “He’s tired, he’s frustrated, and he’s ready to get this damn thing solved.”
“And he’s tired of listening to Zayne’s mouth already,” James added.
“Not a chance,” Zayne said, giving the redhead a look. “If he hasn’t popped me in the mouth after all this time, I don’t think he’s ever going to get tired of my shit.”
“You’d better pray, cowboy,” James teased. “Come on, Adrien, let’s get you set up in here so you can watch two truly good investigators do what they do best.”
Adrien rubbed his hands together, eager to watch how they were going to handle the questioning session. “Do you have a notepad or something,” he asked James after he chose a chair and sat down.
“I can get you one, why?”
“Not sure, but I feel like she might say or do something that’s not quite right or honest.” He shrugged. “Never mind, it was a weird thought.”
James studied him for a minute. “No, it’s not a weird thought. You actually know these people or, at least, their personas. We don’t. I’ll go get you a pen and some paper just in case. Be right back.”
“Thanks,” Adrien said, watching James disappear. He looked out through the one-way mirror and watched Taryn fiddle with her cell phone. She looked nervous, but not any more so than he would be in this position, even though he wasn’t possibly wrapped up in a murder. It was going to be interesting to see how this all shook out.
“Here,” James said, handing Adrien what he’d asked for. “Andy and Reyes are about to go into the interview room. They’re getting the recording equipment started first. Ready for the show?”
“You better believe it.”
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no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 03:12 am (UTC)I think Zayne and Jay are going to adopt Adrien...lol
no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 03:52 am (UTC)Thanks! I have a hard time keeping things straight sometimes. No pun intended. Really.
Hah, they just might, although I think Elliot and his mom might object a bit.