For the next few days, Gloria took the time to skulk around the electrical substation. She needed to see what happened and how the investigation was going. Too bad that it was technically outside of the South-Eastern District, and the investigation of it was handled by the Poison City Police Department instead of the community collective.
The scene was closed off, for some reason, there seemed to be only two detectives on this case, one male and one female. The substation remained unfunctional during the whole time, but it seemed that the locals were not heavily impacted by its being out of commission.
There were markings of bodies on the ground. And almost at all times, there were police forces around the scene. She saw some reporters and journalists taking pictures from a distance, but only a few of them got close to actually take a look. This was, Gloria assumed, probably the reason that there was very limited news coverage of this incident. Although she was still having a hard time actually believing that almost no reporters were willing to report such a horrible event.
It appeared to her, that if she wanted to gain any more information about the event, she needed to get it from the police station directly.
After taking a few pictures of the two detectives investigating the case from afar, Gloria made the decision to go to some local liquor store and to trouble Gyuu Park once again.
“You want me to do WHAT?” Gyuu Park was surprised by what Gloria was asking, so much so that he put down the bottle mid-gulp.
“Yes. I know it is an absurd ask, but I think it might be the only way I can get to those case files.” Gloria looked Gyuu Park straight in his eyes: “Can you help me with that? I mean, from what I know you can always retract it.”
“... well, I guess I can.” Gyuu Park looked up at the sky, his rugged face seemed even more tired than normal: “Yeah, to be honest, YOU have the most to lose. I mean, I can report you then tell them I don’t want the trouble. But you’ll have to bear the record for - I don’t know, maybe a year or two before it could be expunged.”
“Yeah, I’ll take that. Who the fuck cares about a record lodged by the PCPD anyway?” Gloria shrugged: “Now, what do you want to accuse me with? Beating you up? Vandalism of your temple?”
“Na, those can send you to jail. Even just for one or two days will not be good.” Gyuu Park shook his head: “Oh! Oooh! I know now. How about stealing talismans? I just report that you stole a bunch of my talismans. It’s theft, but practically not worth any money. So I could ask them to take you in, but they can’t really put you in jail. At most they’d detain you for a bit.”
“Good! Good!” Gloria clapped her hands: “Let’s do it now!”
“Right now?” Gyuu Park took a quick peek at Gloria’s right ankle: “Are you good now already?”
“... well, you’re right.” Gloria tried leaning on her right and putting a little bit of pressure on her right leg - she had recovered quite a bit, but she could still feel the sting from this pressure: “I - I think I need maybe one night, or maybe two.”
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“And we need to gather information about the 17th Precinct. Do they have registered officers, are they collaborating with the city to investigate the incident at that substation…” Gyuu Park scratched his temples: “You know - aside from that, I’ve been doing some investigation myself. And - and I’ve gotta tell you it’s no cakewalk. So I’ll say when you’re in the station, you need to pay extra attention to everything. I’ll try to make you a few more talismans while you recover.”
“You haven’t made any during all this time?” Gloria chuckled: “What, you’ve been busy?”
“Well, a clergyman’s still gotta earn the donations somehow.” Gyuu Park smiled then shrugged: “How about this, come back the day after tomorrow, I’ll do some recon. And we’ll figure out when it’s going down, okay?”
“Right. Right. You’ve got it. ” Gloria let out a long exhale: “Sorry, I’ve been in a rush. I should have put more thoughts into it.”
“Nonono, you’re good. And I’m glad you found a way.” Gyuu Park chuckled, then finished his drink: “So how’s that inquiry from the community collective going?”
“Uuuh - I haven’t heard from them in a while.” Gloria shrugged.
—------------------------------------
Before Gloria headed to the Fragrant Chrysanthemum Temple, she leaned on her right ankle once again to test and see if she had completely recovered. During this one day and a half, she spent additional time meditating and pushing her Qi to course through her body to help with the healing process. This was a trick she learned from none other than Luoshan Zi, who, though was not in possession of much talent for actually practicing any Mystic Martial Arts, was still an excellent teacher and mentor with unique insights into the theories of it. And aside from that, she also purchased some medicinal alcohol and rubbed it on her right ankle and left shin.
Everything she did seemed to have helped. She did not feel any additional pressure, soreness or discomfort from her ankle. At least for now, she was in the best state in more than a week’s time.
“Alright. The detective we’ll be accosting is Detective Shrevas Pahaik. The most senior detective of the 17th Precinct, good solve rate, usually mild mannered. And he usually stays till about half an hour later than others during his shift.” Gyuu Park sipped his drink and pointed at the building of the 17th Precinct of PCPD. “Now, let’s get closer. And be prepared to be grabbed and yelled at.”
“Okay. Sounds like middle school all over again.” Gloria chuckled, as she moved across the street following Gyuu Park and stopped right in front of a news stand.
“You have your cuff picking tool with you?” Gyuu Park looked around again.
“Yes.” Gloria showed Gyuu Park two tiny metal rods she hid in her sleeve: “Left, right, jiggle and find the click. Just as you told me.”
“Oh, here he comes. Looks like we don’t need to go in there at all.” Gyuu park threw his almost empty can to the side of the road and grabbed Gloria by the wrist: “Ready?”
“Ready - ”
“YOU DESPICABLE THIEF! You disgrace! How dare you do that to me!?” Gyuu Park yelled as he pulled Gloria towards a tired looking man with a badge on his coat.
“Hey! Let me go! You fucking corrupted crook of a clergyman!” Gloria yelled as well, but still eyeing the detective to make sure he was looking their way: “Let me go! LET ME GO! Or I’ll burn you fucking temple down!”
“Police officer! Officer!” Gyuu Park yanked Gloria forward and stopped the man right on his way: “Officer! Please! You’ve gotta help me log this one in! She’s stolen some very valuable properties from my temple!”
“Eh - what - what do you wish to file? A theft report? A missing items report?” Detective Shrevas Pahaik seemed both confused and weary.
“I want to file a theft report! ” Gyuu Park yelled: “This little disgusting thief here stole at least three dozen of our best talismans! You should arrest her and have her return everything she stole to me!”
“I’m sorry folks, but this looks like something for the community collective…”
“She stole it from me while I’m nearby, that is your jurisdiction, am I correct!?”
“Yes, but - ”
“Arrest her then! Now!” Gyuu Park took a look at Detective Shrevas Pahaik’s badge: “I’ve got your badge number now, do you want me to file a complaint? I swear to you I’ll fucking file one if you don’t arrest this filthy thief right now!”
“Pfft shut it, you turd. ” Gloria scoffed: “You know what he said? This isn’t their jurisdiction. Even if I have the talismans right in my hand, they can’t do anything.”
“Arrest her! Right now!” Gyuu Park raised his voice some more.
“Alright, come in here.” After thinking for a moment Detective Shrevas Pahaik shook his head and said to Gloria: “I’m afraid we’ll have to take you in. It’s policy. Just so you know, you have the right to an attorney…”
“Excuse me.” Just this moment, Gyuu Park seemed to have received a call, so he just shoved Gloria to the detective while taking out his phone. He kept talking, while Detective Shrevas Pahaik escorted Gloria inside.