[sup][h1][center][img]https://i.ibb.co/9kZ67HHr/Heroes-Steve-8-18-b.jpg[/img][/center][b][center][color=black] D E T E C T I V E  S T E V E  D O N A H U E[/color]
[COLOR=#F0E68C]D E T E C T I V E  S T E V E  D O N A H U E[/color][/center]
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[center][i]Lucky Noodle, Little Asia[/i][/center]

[indent] Steve rocked back on his heels and absorbed the last of their comments in silence, his jaw working subtly as he tried to piece together the complex mosaic of details they had given him. Shadow manipulation. Gang interference through an orchestrated attack by the Blue Dragons. A targeted abduction. He had jotted it all down in his notebook; it helped him process things, in addition to providing him with a reference point. From his initial assessment, he deduced that none of it was routine. However, the consistency in their narratives confirmed that they were likely not hiding anything from him. They had also been cooperative when he had asked them to stay. He had to give them credit for that. 

[COLOR=#F0E68C]“Alright,”[/color] he said finally, his tone easing. [COLOR=#F0E68C]“As far as I can tell, you’ve all been straightforward with me, and I’m not going to make any of you relive this twice. You’re not suspects, and you’re not being detained. I think I have everything I need.”[/color] 

His gaze shifted briefly to Sarah, noting her restlessness. She hadn’t relaxed once since he arrived on the scene, which would’ve been suspicious in itself, but he could only presume she wanted to help her friend. He couldn’t fault her for that. In fact, it was admirable.

[COLOR=#F0E68C]“If you need air, water… whatever helps,”[/color] he canted his head toward Sarah and offered a thin smile, [COLOR=#F0E68C]“take it. Just stay relatively close, so I know you’re alright.”[/color]

Steve turned to Shimazu next, nodding to offer his respect to the old man. [COLOR=#F0E68C]“Your assessment of the suspect is noted,”[/color] he stated firmly, tapping the end of his pen against the pages of his notepad. [COLOR=#F0E68C]“If this individual is acting under coercion, or something akin to possession, I’ll make sure to include that addendum to the APB; that it warrants caution. The last thing I need is some rookie charging a potentially compromised meta and making a hostage situation worse.”[/color]

A knowing smile touched his lips, almost as if he expected the other man to understand his predicament. They shared a mutual bond in the sense that Mr. Shimazu used to serve as a law enforcement officer for the PCPD. That was all the respect he needed.

He held the old man’s gaze a moment longer before turning to regard Julia. [COLOR=#F0E68C]“And you, Ms. Kray,”[/color] he spoke in a more somber tone, [COLOR=#F0E68C]“you did the right thing turning over the goggles. I’m not interested in dragging you backward over mistakes you’ve already paid for. Once I pull the footage, they go straight back to you. You have my word.”[/color]

Straightening, Steve issued a sigh and tucked the notepad into his breast pocket before addressing the group as a whole. [COLOR=#F0E68C]“From here, the rest is on me. I’ll file the initial report, escalate the abduction up the chain, and get the APB out with the shadow-ability advisory attached. I’ll also have a tech run a cross-reference on Blue Dragon activity in the area. There might be a connection, or it could just be a case of lousy timing, but either way, I’m going to include it. Better safe than sorry.”[/color]

His gaze drifted toward one of the darker corners of the diner, a hint of unease flickering over his features.

[COLOR=#F0E68C]“I also want to ensure we’re not dealing with more than one shadow being… or walker,”[/color] he continued with more caution. [COLOR=#F0E68C]“If someone targeted Madelyne Crane specifically, there’s a reason… and we’re going to find it.”[/color]

A warm smile touched his lips as he returned his attention to the group. [COLOR=#F0E68C]“You’ve all done more than enough today. Just sit tight for a few more minutes, and then you’re free to head out.”[/color][/indent]