[33: hardboiled parental monologue]

[paper_knight]

I should've known something was fishy when I came home to a dark apartment. Cindy waits up for me some nights--don't have the heart to scold her--and there's usually a light on.
But I wasn't thinking. If there were any prints on the doorknob I wiped them clean off coming in. Took my sweet time putting my piece away, too--by the time I thought to

Comments

[timisnotme]

*Markus here isn't even breaking any laws. Hell, if he's not getting paid to then why even bother. But the officer in front of him looks angrier than most, like he's just itchin to start something.

Best give him a wide berth. Markus can't afford any complications. *

[paper_knight]

Tonight, everyone's a suspect, and the shady figure in the Halloween getup is more suspect than most. I've seen him down at the station more than once--little offenses, let off with warning after warning, and while nothing big ever seems to stick to him, it doesn't stop the rumors. He's worth shaking down.

"Hey you. In the mask."

[timisnotme]

*Markus heaves a sigh and turns to face Mark. Better play along for a while at least, just in case he's got something on him. Markus can always dispose of him later.

He gives a cursory glance at his own clothes just to make sure he got all the bloodstains out. Looks good.*

[paper_knight]

"What brings you down this hall?"

Yeah, I know he's not a talker, but sometimes there are other clues.

[timisnotme]

*He just shrugs. It's a free mansion. He can go where he pleases.*

[paper_knight]

Not good enough.

"A job, is it?"

[timisnotme]

*It's hard to look innocent when you're wearing a mask, but Markus attempts it anyway. He spreads his hands, palms up. He hasn't been up to anything officer.

Honest.*

[paper_knight]

"Fine."

I'm getting it all wrong. Playing the hardheaded flatfoot when what I need is some smooth sleuthing. I step back to let him pass.

"I hope for your sake you're being honest with me."

[timisnotme]

*He nods and brushes past him. Of course now he's a bit unsettled, but he doesn't let it show. He doesn't even glance back at Mark as he heads down the hall.

He's not feeling particularly threatened by Mark anyway.*

[paper_knight]

The masked man is small-time. Anything I squeeze out of him won't be worth the effort. But I can tail him, see where he leads me.
I wait until his footsteps have almost faded, then follow after.

[timisnotme]

*If Mark is expecting to be led to a secret body hiding spot he'll be disappointed. Markus is just going home to sleep after a hard days work.

Though he is going to find out where Markus lives. Someplace shady and rusted out. He spends his money on other necessities.*

[paper_knight]

Frustrated, I mark the address--might be worth casing later--and move on.

[timisnotme]

*Markus sleeps safe this evening.*