(no subject)
Title: The Case of the Stolen Trident
Story: ???
Characters: Ensemble
Flavours: Pineapple Flavour Binge
Toppings: N/A
Extras: Pocky Chain, Malt - Summer Challenge Round 1 [Mystery Challenge: So, your private eye (or whoever you want to investigate the crime about to ensue) is sitting around (in their office) without much to do when, out of the blue, he or she gets a visitor who brings them a case. Is it a murder, a missing pet, stolen money or something completely different? Elements this could include the circumstances of the crime and how your PI feels about it, or negotiations over payment.]
Word count: 2,953
Rating: PG
Summary: Detective Rachel Hart, newly-minted Para cop, receives her first case - with an interesting victim.
Notes: Soooooo, new canon anyone? I saw this challenge and I just couldn't resist; it was this or an AU, so this won out. Still no overall title/index page though ;)
#1 your mission, should you choose to accept it…
I'd been in Para for three weeks when the first case came my way. The chief dropped it on my desk without an introduction or warning and I was relieved when I read it. Sophia, my partner and all-around busybody, read it over my shoulder.
"Looks interesting," she said. I didn't ask why her smile seemed a little wicked.
It was a straightforward robbery; or so it seemed to me. Coming from Homicide, a robbery didn't seem like a big thing - until I read the victim's name.
"Sophia?" I called. She glanced up from her computer.
"What's up?"
"Is… Does this say Poseidon?"
#13 allow me to introduce myself
He walked in while Sophia was explaining reincarnation. Her eyes went a little glassy and she watched him waltz into the chief's office.
"That's him?" I asked.
Sophia hummed her agreement, still staring at the door. I frowned and turned to the next cop over, waving to get his attention.
"What's with her?"
"Siren?" he said, like I was a complete idiot. "Women of the sea?"
I turned back around and he was standing there, all blond surfer curls and deep blue eyes. Eyes that hid a tempest behind them.
He stuck out a hand. "I believe you're Detective Hart?"
#30 till death do us part
Sophia sat at her desk but still stared at him. He didn't even seem to notice the attention.
"So, you're saying who stole your trident?"
"Medusa. Well, she goes by Althea now - but she's the same woman." He sighed. "It's important to me, a symbol of my inheritance. I need it back."
"Did you see her do it, or…?"
"No. I just know it was her."
I put my pen down. "Why would she even do something like that?"
"We had a relationship. No doubt it makes her feel better, having something that precious to me."
#19 as far as I can throw him
I sighed. This was going nowhere. "I need evidence, Mr- Poseidon." Ugh. Saying his name made me feel stupid.
"You won't find any."
"You keep calling me detective, but I don't think you understand what that means. I need to detect, to look for clues. I can't just take your word-"
His grin was blinding. "You'll have to. You're not getting within a mile of my house."
"What do you expect me to do, then?"
He shrugged and got to his feet. "Find Althea and get my trident back," he replied. "It shouldn't be that difficult."
#2 take two and call me in the morning
Sophia had been napping when my back was turned for the past hour or so. I caught her at it this time and threw a pen in her direction; she woke up with a startled shout and fell out of her chair.
"We're not finding anything," she said, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Can't we just take his word for it?"
"No," I said. "We have to investigate. We're in a different unit, but we're still the police. We still follow the same rules."
"Well," Sophia replied, a little testily, "What exactly do you want to do?"
#4 the night is still young
I grinned at her. "I think we need to check out the scene of the crime. What about you?"
"Rachel! We can't! He said we couldn't go into his house and he's friends with the chief and-"
"You don't have to come with me," I said. "I know it'll be hard for you, what with you-"
"Being what I am?" She tapped her fingers on the desk, the beat of a tune I didn't know. "You're right, it will be difficult."
#7 you've got a friend
I waited. Sophia stopped tapping. "I'll come," she said. "Someone's gonna have to look for clues, after all."
I laughed and grabbed my jacket, throwing it on. "I'll buy breakfast," I said. "On the condition that we don't get caught, of course."
#21 wait until I give the signal
Sophia had, on account of her past, been recruited straight into Para, but she'd spent a stint with the techs before that, so she disabled Poseidon's security system with ease. I followed her over the fence and we saw him watching TV as we rounded the house. Apparently reincarnated gods kept late hours.
We found the room - there was a display case for the trident - and I dusted for prints as Sophia played lookout. All evidence pointed to the culprit walking in and taking what they wanted.
"Let's go," Sophia said. "He's coming up to bed."
#26 everything in its place
Ruhan was my favourite tech. I'd met him on my first day when I'd been feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing and he'd looked after me while I was down there, keeping me away from the more confusing aspects.
He was a little bit obsessive, but it meant that he was the favourite tech of a lot of the other cops too, because his results were always reliable. Plus, he never seemed to sleep. It meant that when we traipsed in at four a.m. with our prints, he was sitting at his desk, almost like he'd been expecting us.
#25 I suppose you're wondering why I've called you here today
"Rachel, Sophia. What have you been up to?"
I stifled a yawn and dug the prints out of my pocket. "Can you run these for us?"
"Prints?" He looked from them to me, eyebrows raised. "You brought me… prints? The last pair in here at least had the courtesy to bring me something interesting."
"What was it?" Sophia asked.
"For your information, a unicorn horn." He grimaced. "Nasty case, that."
"All we have are prints," I said. "Run them. Please."
Ruhan sighed, but did as he was told.
#18 hindsight is 20/20
The computer beeped a few minutes later and a face popped up on the screen. "Guess you brought me something interesting after all," Ruhan said. "She's in the system."
"A criminal?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "Our system," he clarified and I felt my cheeks heat.
"Who is it, then?" Sophia asked, apparently impatient.
"Gorgon," he said. "The best of them all. Medusa. Or, Althea Gounaris, as she's now known."
I took the printout from him and cursed. "He was right! He was telling the truth the whole time…"
"There's still something weird going on," Sophia replied. Ruhan shrugged.
#28 damned if you do, damned if you don't
We took time to rest, but I met Sophia back at the precinct at midday.
"I can't find her," she said and I knew suddenly that this case was going to be the end of me. It was so frustrating.
"What do you mean, you can't find her?"
Sophia looked up. "I. Can't. Find. Her."
"She's got to be somewhere in the city," I replied, then sighed. "I can't even think straight right now."
Sophia frowned. "Come on," she said, standing. "Let's go eat. We can talk it out."
#12 are you going to eat that?
There was a little diner, about three blocks from the precinct, that Sophia and I loved. We sat down at our usual booth and I ordered pancakes and a black coffee, not really listening to what Sophia wanted. It would be loads, anyway. That girl inhaled food.
She finished her food and drummed her fingers on the table thoughtfully as she waited for me to finish mine. I didn't manage all of it and pushed the plate over to her, one lone pancake remaining.
When she'd finished, Sophia frowned.
#10 well, when you put it that way
"I think I know where Althea could be," she said. "But it's going to have to wait until tonight."
"Where?" I asked. She couldn't have had this realisation before?
"There's a club," Sophia replied, "You know, for people like her." The and me went unsaid, but I nodded.
"Okay, so, you think she'll be there?"
"The other gorgons hang out there," Sophia said. "It's got to be worth a shot."
#17 don't do anything I wouldn't do
We made it to the club by midnight and a flash of our badges got us in the door. I made sure my gun was secure; I couldn't risk an accident here.
Sophia caught my elbow. "Stheno and Euryale," she said. "I don't know what names they use now." She pointed at two young women, one with curly red hair, the other wearing scarlet lipstick. I blinked and saw hissing snakes in their hair, but when I looked again the image was gone.
Sophia looked like she was preparing herself. "Come on," she said and, taking the lead, marched over.
#29 any last words?
At the flash of our badges, the red-haired gorgon sent their admirers away. Her smile was dangerous. "You will not find our sister here."
Sophia glared. "She shouldn't have stolen it."
The other stood, her mouth twisted in an ugly smirk. "No, she should have run him through with it," she replied. "He will lead her to her doom, as he has done over and over again. You should leave her alone, or-"
"Or, what?" I asked, stepping up behind Sophia.
The red-haired one scoffed. "Or she'll destroy you, most likely," she replied.
We left soon after.
#22 if you can't beat em, join em
We still couldn't find her, a day later. The chief was starting to pressure me about it and Sophia seemed bored by the whole thing. It wasn't exactly life-threatening.
I read the interview reports again; the one I'd done with Poseidon the morning I'd got the case and the one conducted by the chief earlier in the day, when the original case had been put together. Something caught my eye.
"Hey, Soph?"
"Yeah?"
"When he says the docks, here - do you think he means the docks? In the city?"
"Do you think that's where she'll be?"
#14 don't wait up for me
"Could be," I replied. "I should go and check it out."
Sophia fidgeted slightly.
"What?" I asked.
"If she's got the trident… It might not be a good idea for me to get so close."
I narrowed my eyes at her, but she wasn't lying. She looked worried, more than anything.
"I'll be careful then," I said. "And I'll tell you all about it when I get back."
I made sure to grab my gun before I left.
#15 call off the dogs
It was Sunday evening and the docks were surprisingly empty. A light drizzle had started on the way over and I walked amongst the buildings silently, my hand straying to my gun whenever I heard a noise.
I found her inside, standing in the middle of a room like she'd been expecting me.
"Your sisters told us we wouldn't find you," I said. "Well, they said you'd destroy us when we did."
She smiled. It was unsettling, but I was glad to see some of the legends weren't true - I wasn't stone. "They may well be right."
#27 (don't) shoot the messenger
The trident was in her left hand. My fingers curled around my gun. "All for that?" I asked. "It can't be worth that much to you."
"It's not about what it's worth to me!" she screeched, her face contorting in anger. I took a few careful steps closer. "It's about what it's worth to him! I'm not going to take it this time around! I'm going to fight back!"
"You can't do it this way," I said quietly. "You'll have to find another."
Her eyes flashed with anger. "You have no idea how I'm restraining myself," she snarled.
#20 don't take this personally
I put my gun slowly back in its holster. She backed down a little, but didn't seem to realise how close I was to her now. I grabbed her left hand, holding the trident out of reach as I pushed her back, wrestling it out of her grip. She sprawled back on the floor and I grabbed her, turning her over and twisting her hands behind her back. I snatched my handcuffs from my belt.
"Althea Gounaris, I'm placing you under arrest for the theft of…"
#9 you wouldn't believe me if I told you
I explained it all to Sophia when I got back to the precinct, Althea in tow. She was booked and though she didn't seem happy about it, she was far less abusive than many other people I'd arrested over the years.
Sophia examined the trident, her eyes wide with awe. "It's so beautiful. Why did she even want it?"
"To get back at Poseidon," I said, shrugging. "I'm really going to have to read up some. I don't know what happened between them, you know, before."
Sophia frowned. "It wasn't good," she said. "But then, it never is."
#8 I don't want to know
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"When mortals play with the gods, it never ends well. For the mortals. For the women, more often than not." There was a kind of sadness in her eyes I'd never seen before and I sat on the edge of my desk.
"But, Althea shouldn't have done what she did, as far as the law is concerned. And we uphold the law."
"That we do," I replied. "Besides, I don't see how this could get her her revenge."
Sophia looked at the trident again. "No," she said. "It probably wouldn't have worked at all."
#3 they'll never know what hit them
I was doing paperwork but decided to glance out of the window - and that was when I saw it. Althea, out on the street, chatting to one of her sisters. I cursed and picked up the phone.
"Why the hell was she released?"
The officer on the other end wasn't taking any of my shit. "The victim didn't want to press charges," he replied. "There's nothing we can do. There's no real proof of theft, is there?"
I slammed the phone down. Sophia sighed. "We'll have to do better next time," she said.
#6 the show must go on
"Why would he even do that?" I asked. "He was all for us getting her a few days ago - then we put her in a cell and he takes her straight back out?"
"Maybe he feels bad or something," Sophia said. The look on her face suggested she didn't believe it one bit. "He's not been by to collect the trident yet, you know."
I sighed and turned back to my computer. "Seems like the whole thing was a damn waste of time," I muttered.
#24 you've got some explaining to do
I was just beginning to relax in my apartment when I heard the knock on the door. I put down my glass of wine and opened it, cursing whatever luck I had when I saw who was on the other side.
Poseidon.
Of course.
"I bet you're wondering why I didn't press charges?" he said, somehow managing to duck inside in the meantime.
I crossed my arms across my chest. "Enlighten me."
He took a swig of my wine when he sat down, grinning widely. "Well, you see, Althea didn't just want to get back at me."
#11 give me one good reason
"What else did she want?" I asked.
"She wanted to control the seas."
I blinked, then sat down on the far side of the couch. I wasn't getting any closer. "What are you talking about?"
He looked at me now like I was stupid. "I am the reincarnated form of Poseidon, god of the seas and oceans. What did you think that trident did?"
I frowned. "Well, now it all seems a much worse idea that you let her go! And here I was, thinking you were the only one in danger!"
#5 can you hear me now?
"I am," he replied. "Well, most of the time. Medusa is under my control - the gorgons are of the water and she became the way she did because of me. I will be the one to keep an eye on her, to be responsible for her."
"Oh, I'm sure that will go down well when she's put on trial for mass murder." I got to my feet, furious. So much for a relaxing evening. "Why did you even come here?"
"I came to reassure you that Althea won't be troubling you again."
"Thanks," I snapped. "Now, leave."
#16 cat got your tongue?
Poseidon left and crossed town, letting himself into the lavish apartment that he (partially) paid for. Althea - Medusa - looked up, her pretty face a scowl.
"What do you want?"
"I went to see the detective. Told her you wouldn't be troubling her. You won't be."
She smirked. "Did you recognise your nephew's work?" There was a little hiss to her words as he walked over and ran his hands through her hair.
"Of course," he replied. "It's why I chose her. She sees the truth."
"She can see the truth in you too, you know," Althea said.
#23 you know you want to
"I know," Poseidon replied. "But I did not get where I am by being careless. She doesn't know who she is. She won't see through me."
"I did."
His eyes caught hers in the mirror. Mirrors. She hated them, but this one was uncovered. "You won't be making trouble now, will you?"
"It's not worth the hassle. For now."
He leaned down and kissed her, feeling the hair beneath his hands turn alive. He pulled back with his eyes still closed.
"Good night, Medusa."
"Good night, Poseidon."
Story: ???
Characters: Ensemble
Flavours: Pineapple Flavour Binge
Toppings: N/A
Extras: Pocky Chain, Malt - Summer Challenge Round 1 [Mystery Challenge: So, your private eye (or whoever you want to investigate the crime about to ensue) is sitting around (in their office) without much to do when, out of the blue, he or she gets a visitor who brings them a case. Is it a murder, a missing pet, stolen money or something completely different? Elements this could include the circumstances of the crime and how your PI feels about it, or negotiations over payment.]
Word count: 2,953
Rating: PG
Summary: Detective Rachel Hart, newly-minted Para cop, receives her first case - with an interesting victim.
Notes: Soooooo, new canon anyone? I saw this challenge and I just couldn't resist; it was this or an AU, so this won out. Still no overall title/index page though ;)
#1 your mission, should you choose to accept it…
I'd been in Para for three weeks when the first case came my way. The chief dropped it on my desk without an introduction or warning and I was relieved when I read it. Sophia, my partner and all-around busybody, read it over my shoulder.
"Looks interesting," she said. I didn't ask why her smile seemed a little wicked.
It was a straightforward robbery; or so it seemed to me. Coming from Homicide, a robbery didn't seem like a big thing - until I read the victim's name.
"Sophia?" I called. She glanced up from her computer.
"What's up?"
"Is… Does this say Poseidon?"
#13 allow me to introduce myself
He walked in while Sophia was explaining reincarnation. Her eyes went a little glassy and she watched him waltz into the chief's office.
"That's him?" I asked.
Sophia hummed her agreement, still staring at the door. I frowned and turned to the next cop over, waving to get his attention.
"What's with her?"
"Siren?" he said, like I was a complete idiot. "Women of the sea?"
I turned back around and he was standing there, all blond surfer curls and deep blue eyes. Eyes that hid a tempest behind them.
He stuck out a hand. "I believe you're Detective Hart?"
#30 till death do us part
Sophia sat at her desk but still stared at him. He didn't even seem to notice the attention.
"So, you're saying who stole your trident?"
"Medusa. Well, she goes by Althea now - but she's the same woman." He sighed. "It's important to me, a symbol of my inheritance. I need it back."
"Did you see her do it, or…?"
"No. I just know it was her."
I put my pen down. "Why would she even do something like that?"
"We had a relationship. No doubt it makes her feel better, having something that precious to me."
#19 as far as I can throw him
I sighed. This was going nowhere. "I need evidence, Mr- Poseidon." Ugh. Saying his name made me feel stupid.
"You won't find any."
"You keep calling me detective, but I don't think you understand what that means. I need to detect, to look for clues. I can't just take your word-"
His grin was blinding. "You'll have to. You're not getting within a mile of my house."
"What do you expect me to do, then?"
He shrugged and got to his feet. "Find Althea and get my trident back," he replied. "It shouldn't be that difficult."
#2 take two and call me in the morning
Sophia had been napping when my back was turned for the past hour or so. I caught her at it this time and threw a pen in her direction; she woke up with a startled shout and fell out of her chair.
"We're not finding anything," she said, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Can't we just take his word for it?"
"No," I said. "We have to investigate. We're in a different unit, but we're still the police. We still follow the same rules."
"Well," Sophia replied, a little testily, "What exactly do you want to do?"
#4 the night is still young
I grinned at her. "I think we need to check out the scene of the crime. What about you?"
"Rachel! We can't! He said we couldn't go into his house and he's friends with the chief and-"
"You don't have to come with me," I said. "I know it'll be hard for you, what with you-"
"Being what I am?" She tapped her fingers on the desk, the beat of a tune I didn't know. "You're right, it will be difficult."
#7 you've got a friend
I waited. Sophia stopped tapping. "I'll come," she said. "Someone's gonna have to look for clues, after all."
I laughed and grabbed my jacket, throwing it on. "I'll buy breakfast," I said. "On the condition that we don't get caught, of course."
#21 wait until I give the signal
Sophia had, on account of her past, been recruited straight into Para, but she'd spent a stint with the techs before that, so she disabled Poseidon's security system with ease. I followed her over the fence and we saw him watching TV as we rounded the house. Apparently reincarnated gods kept late hours.
We found the room - there was a display case for the trident - and I dusted for prints as Sophia played lookout. All evidence pointed to the culprit walking in and taking what they wanted.
"Let's go," Sophia said. "He's coming up to bed."
#26 everything in its place
Ruhan was my favourite tech. I'd met him on my first day when I'd been feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing and he'd looked after me while I was down there, keeping me away from the more confusing aspects.
He was a little bit obsessive, but it meant that he was the favourite tech of a lot of the other cops too, because his results were always reliable. Plus, he never seemed to sleep. It meant that when we traipsed in at four a.m. with our prints, he was sitting at his desk, almost like he'd been expecting us.
#25 I suppose you're wondering why I've called you here today
"Rachel, Sophia. What have you been up to?"
I stifled a yawn and dug the prints out of my pocket. "Can you run these for us?"
"Prints?" He looked from them to me, eyebrows raised. "You brought me… prints? The last pair in here at least had the courtesy to bring me something interesting."
"What was it?" Sophia asked.
"For your information, a unicorn horn." He grimaced. "Nasty case, that."
"All we have are prints," I said. "Run them. Please."
Ruhan sighed, but did as he was told.
#18 hindsight is 20/20
The computer beeped a few minutes later and a face popped up on the screen. "Guess you brought me something interesting after all," Ruhan said. "She's in the system."
"A criminal?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "Our system," he clarified and I felt my cheeks heat.
"Who is it, then?" Sophia asked, apparently impatient.
"Gorgon," he said. "The best of them all. Medusa. Or, Althea Gounaris, as she's now known."
I took the printout from him and cursed. "He was right! He was telling the truth the whole time…"
"There's still something weird going on," Sophia replied. Ruhan shrugged.
#28 damned if you do, damned if you don't
We took time to rest, but I met Sophia back at the precinct at midday.
"I can't find her," she said and I knew suddenly that this case was going to be the end of me. It was so frustrating.
"What do you mean, you can't find her?"
Sophia looked up. "I. Can't. Find. Her."
"She's got to be somewhere in the city," I replied, then sighed. "I can't even think straight right now."
Sophia frowned. "Come on," she said, standing. "Let's go eat. We can talk it out."
#12 are you going to eat that?
There was a little diner, about three blocks from the precinct, that Sophia and I loved. We sat down at our usual booth and I ordered pancakes and a black coffee, not really listening to what Sophia wanted. It would be loads, anyway. That girl inhaled food.
She finished her food and drummed her fingers on the table thoughtfully as she waited for me to finish mine. I didn't manage all of it and pushed the plate over to her, one lone pancake remaining.
When she'd finished, Sophia frowned.
#10 well, when you put it that way
"I think I know where Althea could be," she said. "But it's going to have to wait until tonight."
"Where?" I asked. She couldn't have had this realisation before?
"There's a club," Sophia replied, "You know, for people like her." The and me went unsaid, but I nodded.
"Okay, so, you think she'll be there?"
"The other gorgons hang out there," Sophia said. "It's got to be worth a shot."
#17 don't do anything I wouldn't do
We made it to the club by midnight and a flash of our badges got us in the door. I made sure my gun was secure; I couldn't risk an accident here.
Sophia caught my elbow. "Stheno and Euryale," she said. "I don't know what names they use now." She pointed at two young women, one with curly red hair, the other wearing scarlet lipstick. I blinked and saw hissing snakes in their hair, but when I looked again the image was gone.
Sophia looked like she was preparing herself. "Come on," she said and, taking the lead, marched over.
#29 any last words?
At the flash of our badges, the red-haired gorgon sent their admirers away. Her smile was dangerous. "You will not find our sister here."
Sophia glared. "She shouldn't have stolen it."
The other stood, her mouth twisted in an ugly smirk. "No, she should have run him through with it," she replied. "He will lead her to her doom, as he has done over and over again. You should leave her alone, or-"
"Or, what?" I asked, stepping up behind Sophia.
The red-haired one scoffed. "Or she'll destroy you, most likely," she replied.
We left soon after.
#22 if you can't beat em, join em
We still couldn't find her, a day later. The chief was starting to pressure me about it and Sophia seemed bored by the whole thing. It wasn't exactly life-threatening.
I read the interview reports again; the one I'd done with Poseidon the morning I'd got the case and the one conducted by the chief earlier in the day, when the original case had been put together. Something caught my eye.
"Hey, Soph?"
"Yeah?"
"When he says the docks, here - do you think he means the docks? In the city?"
"Do you think that's where she'll be?"
#14 don't wait up for me
"Could be," I replied. "I should go and check it out."
Sophia fidgeted slightly.
"What?" I asked.
"If she's got the trident… It might not be a good idea for me to get so close."
I narrowed my eyes at her, but she wasn't lying. She looked worried, more than anything.
"I'll be careful then," I said. "And I'll tell you all about it when I get back."
I made sure to grab my gun before I left.
#15 call off the dogs
It was Sunday evening and the docks were surprisingly empty. A light drizzle had started on the way over and I walked amongst the buildings silently, my hand straying to my gun whenever I heard a noise.
I found her inside, standing in the middle of a room like she'd been expecting me.
"Your sisters told us we wouldn't find you," I said. "Well, they said you'd destroy us when we did."
She smiled. It was unsettling, but I was glad to see some of the legends weren't true - I wasn't stone. "They may well be right."
#27 (don't) shoot the messenger
The trident was in her left hand. My fingers curled around my gun. "All for that?" I asked. "It can't be worth that much to you."
"It's not about what it's worth to me!" she screeched, her face contorting in anger. I took a few careful steps closer. "It's about what it's worth to him! I'm not going to take it this time around! I'm going to fight back!"
"You can't do it this way," I said quietly. "You'll have to find another."
Her eyes flashed with anger. "You have no idea how I'm restraining myself," she snarled.
#20 don't take this personally
I put my gun slowly back in its holster. She backed down a little, but didn't seem to realise how close I was to her now. I grabbed her left hand, holding the trident out of reach as I pushed her back, wrestling it out of her grip. She sprawled back on the floor and I grabbed her, turning her over and twisting her hands behind her back. I snatched my handcuffs from my belt.
"Althea Gounaris, I'm placing you under arrest for the theft of…"
#9 you wouldn't believe me if I told you
I explained it all to Sophia when I got back to the precinct, Althea in tow. She was booked and though she didn't seem happy about it, she was far less abusive than many other people I'd arrested over the years.
Sophia examined the trident, her eyes wide with awe. "It's so beautiful. Why did she even want it?"
"To get back at Poseidon," I said, shrugging. "I'm really going to have to read up some. I don't know what happened between them, you know, before."
Sophia frowned. "It wasn't good," she said. "But then, it never is."
#8 I don't want to know
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"When mortals play with the gods, it never ends well. For the mortals. For the women, more often than not." There was a kind of sadness in her eyes I'd never seen before and I sat on the edge of my desk.
"But, Althea shouldn't have done what she did, as far as the law is concerned. And we uphold the law."
"That we do," I replied. "Besides, I don't see how this could get her her revenge."
Sophia looked at the trident again. "No," she said. "It probably wouldn't have worked at all."
#3 they'll never know what hit them
I was doing paperwork but decided to glance out of the window - and that was when I saw it. Althea, out on the street, chatting to one of her sisters. I cursed and picked up the phone.
"Why the hell was she released?"
The officer on the other end wasn't taking any of my shit. "The victim didn't want to press charges," he replied. "There's nothing we can do. There's no real proof of theft, is there?"
I slammed the phone down. Sophia sighed. "We'll have to do better next time," she said.
#6 the show must go on
"Why would he even do that?" I asked. "He was all for us getting her a few days ago - then we put her in a cell and he takes her straight back out?"
"Maybe he feels bad or something," Sophia said. The look on her face suggested she didn't believe it one bit. "He's not been by to collect the trident yet, you know."
I sighed and turned back to my computer. "Seems like the whole thing was a damn waste of time," I muttered.
#24 you've got some explaining to do
I was just beginning to relax in my apartment when I heard the knock on the door. I put down my glass of wine and opened it, cursing whatever luck I had when I saw who was on the other side.
Poseidon.
Of course.
"I bet you're wondering why I didn't press charges?" he said, somehow managing to duck inside in the meantime.
I crossed my arms across my chest. "Enlighten me."
He took a swig of my wine when he sat down, grinning widely. "Well, you see, Althea didn't just want to get back at me."
#11 give me one good reason
"What else did she want?" I asked.
"She wanted to control the seas."
I blinked, then sat down on the far side of the couch. I wasn't getting any closer. "What are you talking about?"
He looked at me now like I was stupid. "I am the reincarnated form of Poseidon, god of the seas and oceans. What did you think that trident did?"
I frowned. "Well, now it all seems a much worse idea that you let her go! And here I was, thinking you were the only one in danger!"
#5 can you hear me now?
"I am," he replied. "Well, most of the time. Medusa is under my control - the gorgons are of the water and she became the way she did because of me. I will be the one to keep an eye on her, to be responsible for her."
"Oh, I'm sure that will go down well when she's put on trial for mass murder." I got to my feet, furious. So much for a relaxing evening. "Why did you even come here?"
"I came to reassure you that Althea won't be troubling you again."
"Thanks," I snapped. "Now, leave."
#16 cat got your tongue?
Poseidon left and crossed town, letting himself into the lavish apartment that he (partially) paid for. Althea - Medusa - looked up, her pretty face a scowl.
"What do you want?"
"I went to see the detective. Told her you wouldn't be troubling her. You won't be."
She smirked. "Did you recognise your nephew's work?" There was a little hiss to her words as he walked over and ran his hands through her hair.
"Of course," he replied. "It's why I chose her. She sees the truth."
"She can see the truth in you too, you know," Althea said.
#23 you know you want to
"I know," Poseidon replied. "But I did not get where I am by being careless. She doesn't know who she is. She won't see through me."
"I did."
His eyes caught hers in the mirror. Mirrors. She hated them, but this one was uncovered. "You won't be making trouble now, will you?"
"It's not worth the hassle. For now."
He leaned down and kissed her, feeling the hair beneath his hands turn alive. He pulled back with his eyes still closed.
"Good night, Medusa."
"Good night, Poseidon."