[center][h1][color=8882be]Ashley Gallagher[/color][/h1][/center]
[center][h2][color=8882be]Gilded Heights Apartment Complex, Room #67[/color][/h2][/center]

The cab ride home was a thoughtful one for Ashley. His temper had simmered, then deflated, and he was left tired and out of ideas. The truth was, he had incredible contempt for the rich and famous and their lifestyles. Sure, it had clouded his judgement while speaking with the wretched starlet, but he felt more at peace having given her a piece of his mind. People like that never had to crawl in the mud and filth they created beneath them, it disgusted him.

He fumbled for his keys in his coat pocket briefly before jiggling them in the archaic, temperamental lock. As the door swung open he was met with the unwavering barrel of a revolver pointed in his direction. Ashley’s hands flew up in surrender and he stilled, a still smoking cigarette dangling loosely between his lips. “Jesus H. Christ, Emerald, it’s just me.”
	
The woman in question slowly lowered her weapon before setting it on the coffee table with an abrupt clatter. “Never know when a murderer is slinking his way in on a lady, nowadays.” She replied coolly.
	
Ashley snatched up the gun, eyeing it over. “How’d you even fuckin’ find this thing, anyway? You've been going through my stuff?”
	
“Yes.” She perched herself prettily on the arm of his dusty old armchair, her expression alight with a glint of amused challenge. Ashley willed away the soft smirk that threatened to curve at the corner of his lips to no avail.
	
He had been alone for a long time. The novelty of coming home to someone, albeit a complete stranger,was not lost on him. He felt a warm sort of chord strike within him, the cobwebs that had smothered it clearing just a tad. She cleared her throat and folded her arms. “Since I was stuck here in your tiny apartment all day, I had nothing better to do than some cleaning. You truly lead the life of a bachelor, don’t you? This place was and still quite possibly is the filthiest place I have ever seen.”
	
Ashley took a slow hit from his cigarette, letting the brief headrush pass before responding. “You see a lot of single men’s apartments, do you?”
	
“Oh hush, you scoundrel.” She smirked. “I’ll have you know I am a -saint-.” 
	
Almost abruptly her expression cooled and turned to something more vulnerable. Her tone was an attempt at nonchalance. “Find anything new about the case?”
	
With a heavy sigh Ashley dropped himself down on the armchair. She smelled sweet. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Some starlet knows something, but she’s not talking. Cal’s tailing her.” He paused, opening his eyes to observe her.
	
Emerald had her back to him, but he could see the tension in her posture.”Do you have a particular admirer that frequents your club?”
	
She finally turned to half-eye him warily, though her tone was teasing. “Why, are you jealous?”
	
“Clearly, I have no other very prevalent reason to ask you such a question.” He retorted.
	
“I see lots of men come and go, and they would all be fools to not be entranced by me when I am on stage. Of course I have admirers. To expect me to recognize or name one would be ridiculous.”
	
A knot of frustration plopped heavy into his chest. He was so damn tired of coy responses and dismissive jokes. Before he could stop himself he was on his feet towering over her. “Damn it, woman! Drop the act. I am trying to -protect- you believe it or not and you’re making that a damn hard thing to do!”
	
She stood up, getting in his face and meeting him head on with a bout of her own fury. “Never talk to me like that again, Ashley Gallagher, if you value your precious information. I swear I’ll kill you myself, get the killer’s job done for him.”
	
They stood there for a moment, face to face, will to will before Ashley deflated and softened his posture. “My apologies, Emerald. It has been a long day.”
	
While a flicker of annoyance remained in her expression, she backed down as well. “Perhaps I know who you are speaking of. I suppose I was just… in denial about the possibility of being in danger.”
	
“Let’s start from the beginning, then.” He said wearily, but relieved. At least for now it seemed she was being honest with him. “I’ll put on some coffee while you collect your thoughts.”