14:15 - OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE - LIVERNOIS PD

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

A few minutes into the meeting, Detective Butcher walked stiffly out of the room, down the hall and to the men's room.

[∆§Indea§∆]

Once safely far enough from the room, I leaned against the wall and sent back a text.


Edmund:

I'm free. Do you need to me to ring you?

Diana:

Yes please. Thank you so much.

Diana was a concert pianist. It was common enough for musicians, particularly classical ones, to be neurotic given their stressful work. She was an interesting case though, sometimes having rather dramatic dissociative episodes that seemed like something out of a gothic novel. Maybe it was just the way she described them, she had a flair for the dramatic. (done)

I dialled her number. Clearly she'd had another or at least was on the cusp. Perhaps there was another drama with the orchestra. They could be worse than teenagers.



Edmund-

"Hello, Diana. What's wrong?"

Diana:

"Edmund, I'm so sorry to interrupt. I was just having the most terrible feeling... Then maybe because I was wondering if I should call you, it felt like... something to do with you. Like you were in danger... God that sounds so silly! Ha..."

She sounded like she was in a restaurant or coffee shop.


Edmund:

"I assure you I am perfectly fine. It's reasonable to worry though. Not silly at all. I am actually doing something risky, I am not sure if you heard about the Mills case? We're taking him through the crime scene."

He always found himself telling her more than he should.




Diana:

"Oh god... I surely just had that in the back of my mind. You'll really be okay? I don't know what I'd do without you."

Edmund:

"There's police and security guards to the back teeth. I am safe as I can be. You would be just fine without me, you're stronger than you think. Are you sure there's nothing else? Is your sister okay?"

Diana:

"sigh This condition, I feel like I must be so boring, constantly repeating myself. You must get tired of hearing the same things from all your patients."

Edmund:

"Never. I wouldn't do my job if I found it boring. I always look forward to our sessions. Your life certainly isn't boring."

"


Diana:

"Haha, well I'm glad you think so. I'm certainly not as exciting as whatever's going on with you today. I can't imagine what it must be like. I would be terrified."

Edmund:

"It's a bit of a circus right now. I am hoping for enlightenment, others are hoping for closure and the lawyer is looking to make a name for himself. It's like an orchestra but we're all playing different songs. I think we're all a little scared. Mills included."

Diana:

"I'm sure you can't say, but... what is he like? It all sounded like something out of a movie so I can't even imagine."

Edmund:

"I haven't had as much time as I would like. He seems like a child. His disassociation is very strong. I hope tonight pulls him out of it. Other than that I can't say. It's not like a movie."

Diana:

"I guess nothing really is, is it? Sometimes it seems like it me though-- the camera swooping in on my face as I make a realization, the soundtrack swells. Pretty egotistical I suppose. Oh I'm so sorry, interrupting your day to talk about nothing. Your movie will be the one people pay for."

Edmund:

"It's not nothing. I wish my life was that cinematic. It's not my movie, I am just a humble observer. It's not nothing. I am touched that you thought of me. I hope you take care. I will see you for your next appointment, never fear."

Diana:

"Ever humble. It's wonderful just to hear your voice. Well, do be careful out there, prove my neuroses wrong, hehe..."

Something was strange about the tone of her voice, but it didn't sound like she was in any kind of danger.


Edmund:

"Please let me know if anything is bothering you. I would like to know. It's kind of my job."

I hoped she felt my smile through my tone.


Diana:

"Thank you. Come back soon."

You could hear the smile in hers.


Edmund:

"Goodbye."

I hung up the phone and ducked back into the meeting

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

The conference was over, and the attendees spilled out into the hall. The hangers-on had dispersed during the long meeting, though now they began to creep back to see what was happening.

Hickman and Rodriguez were having a conversation.

Hickman-
"You okay to go on this?"



Rodriguez-
"I'll be fine, just gotta be on car duty. I want to be there if anyone needs me."



Hickman-
"We can send out any random beat cop for that job."



Rodriguez-
"I know. I... want to be there."

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

Suddenly Detective Butcher was there. When had he come back? He handed over his phone to Officer Milton and stood awkwardly. His eyes were red and he was crunching on a fistful of Altoids.

Detective Butcher-
      "....."

[∆§Indea§∆]

I checked on detective Butcher on my way out. I felt compelled to make sure he was alright. He certainly didn't look it.

Edmund-

"Are you alright, detective? No one would think less of you if you don't come."

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

He put on the weakest smile in the universe. You didn't need to be a psychologist (or do an intuition roll) to see through it.

Detective Butcher-
"Thanks... I just didn't really feel like seeing that projected all giant.
I'm fine, I've... got to do this. Closure, like Pierce said."

His voice was suddenly hoarse, compared to before the meeting.

[Thy Dungyeon Maestyr]

I found Butcher outside the conference room.

Colt (uneasy)-
"Pardon me, doc. Joe, we gotta get out of here. I don't wanna be last on the scene."

[∆§Indea§∆]

Edmund-

"Alright. Sounds like you have your orders. Take care. Both of you."

I left with them, I didn’t want to be last either.

[Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse]

Ryan passed by, nodding politely.

Ryan--
"Detectives. Doctor. See you there. Hopefully we can find
  little William and he can shed some light on what happened."