The Detective clenched a hand into a tight fist as their gaze focused on wall above the door across from where they were sitting, [color=ba303e]“They’re dead. I just don’t have bodies to give families closure.”[/color]

If The Detective could find bodies to place in places where they could be found they would do so in a heartbeat. Some of the Innocents had families and friends that were desperate for any sign that their loved ones were safe and coming home. It might be cruel of The Detective to want to dash those hopes, but the people wouldn’t be able to start healing until they knew what had happened to their missing loved ones. The Detective didn’t want to be unkind, but they could fathom allowing people to live with false hopes. That being said right now they had no proof to give anyone that the Innocents were dead. The Detective knew when they had died. Or more importantly The City knew. That would have to be enough.

The Detective gave their head a shake and turned their gaze to mother across the table, [color=ba303e]“Of course. I will smooth things over before I begin my [i]Sleep[/i]. After all, for some of us family is all we have.”[/color] They looked around the table, [color=ba303e]“In the past I discussed payment for this job with some of you. For others that is something we still need to discuss. Some of it I will be able to take care of before my [i]Sleep[/i] as I can for the Lesser Pride. Some of it will have to wait until the situation is resolved, but you will all be paid. I keep my word.”[/color] Then The Detective said that it that might of seemed as if they let something slip but was deliberately planned, [color=ba303e]“Breaking my word is against The Rules.”[/color]

It was true. Breaking promises made meant breaking the Rules and The Detective tried to avoid that. For some of them it would be easy enough. Setepenre just wanted to be able to take care of her children no matter what form they might take. Calling in the right favors to make that happen was something they had already started and would finish up this afternoon. On the other hand, Juniper Murik wanted exclusive and first-person access to events, restaurants, museums, and other such things that would look good on her social media. That was also fairly easy but ongoing. It would have to wait. For others The Detective wasn’t sure exactly what they want or required but wasn’t too worried. They were all intrigued enough by the threat to the Innocents to come here to this meeting free of charge or bribe or threat. They might not be reasonable, but The Detective was willing to wager they wouldn’t be completely unreasonable either.

They nodded to the Lesser Sloth, [color=ba303e]“Thank you for the invitation, but I have already prepared a place for me to rest. It will be safer than most other places and I am comfortable with it.”[/color] Then they looked around the room and asked the question that would confirm either their fears or their hopes, [color=ba303e]“Will you all be working against these Outcasts?”[/color]

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August 15th, 2022
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