A Case of Breaking and Entering: Interesting Interrogation

Lanabelle slipped behind Detective Dornar and between the woman and man, placing herself behind the tall man.

“Damn it…” Nate said, putting his hands up. And the Detective moved in and slapped manacles on Nate’s wrists. The moment they snapped close there was a flash of purplish-pink runes across the metal.

“Just in case.” Detective Dornar said, “Don’t know what you are capable of and just for your safety.”

“How is this for my safety?” Nate asked, “Don’t you mean ‘your’ safety?” he asked.

“Nope.” the tall man said, “Your safety.” he said indicating the detective hadn’t misspoken. “Even if you could get a spell off, wouldn’t be strong enough.” he added, the man let out a hiss of air as the icey woman elbowed him in the ribs.

“Parvil, don’t threaten the suspect.” she said in a slightly too loud whisper.

“Hells Aspen you don’t gotta slam your boney elbow in my ribs.” he said back.

The woman flashed an angry smile at Parvil. “Don’t call my elbows boney.”

“You two have the room.” Detective Dornar said, “I need to talk to the woman,” he said.

“Lanabelle.” Lanabelle said. “I’m not in trouble, am I?”

“Well…” Detective Dornar said, “That’s what my questions will determine.”

Aspen and Parvil waited a moment for the other two to leave. Before the pair stepped forwarded.

“Where’d you get the book?” Parvil asked.

“What book?” Nate said, definitely. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Aspen forced a smile. “Don’t play games, we can’t help you if you play games.”

“I’d have to know what you are talking about to play games.” Nate said, shrugging.
Parvil sighed. “I really suggest you do this the easy way.” he said, “I don’t want to resort to less favourable tactics.” he said.

Nate laughed, “You can’t hurt me. Anything I say under that sort of pressure would be thrown out.”

Aspen shook her head, “You really should listen to him.” she said, “I can’t prevent him from doing anything if you don’t help us.”

“For example, a truth spell.” Parvil interjected.

Nate looked sceptical. “That doesn’t exist.”

It was Parvil’s turn to shrug. “I suppose you could test that theory.”

Aspen put her hand on Parvil’s chest and pushed him back. All a part of their ‘good cop, bad cop’ act. “Alright, one last chance. Just tell us where the book came from, and how you got it and we’ll make sure your sentence is lighter.”

Parvil stepped forward again. “Better answer quickly, I’m not one to waste time.” he said, starting to roll up his sleeves.

Aspen grabbed the sleeve of Parvils clothes near the elbow and pulled him aside. “Alright, seriously we need him in tact. Go easy.”

“That’s up to him.” he said, “But I promise I won’t hit him all at once.”

Parvil turned on his heels and walked back up to Nate, pulling out a small square glass bottle containing a fluid to liquid to be honey and slightly to light in colour. Parvil held it by its thin neck, making it dance between his fingers, the fluid sloshing around inside.

“What’s that?” Nate asked, a crack in his voice.

Parvil held the bottle up between them making eye contact with Nate. “Its something very interesting.” he said, “They only give it to the best investigators.” Parvil put the neck near his mouth and bit down on the cork stopping the bottle with his teeth pulling it free with a small pop. “Makes investigations like this much quicker and painless.” he added.

Nate looked sceptical and laughed, “If you are so good why do you need a poti…” Nate’s sentence was cut short by Parvil grabbing his hair and giving it a tug to make him open his mouth as the liquid was poured in. In a motion equally as practised his mouth was forced shut and his nose plugged forcing him to swallow. “That tastes like…”

“Cloudberries?” Parvil finished Nate’s thought. “Yeah we find it makes the truth serum go down easier. ‘Spoonful of sugar’ and all that.” Parvil said with a smile.

Nate blinked, shocked. “You poisoned me.”

Parvil shrugged. “Really a matter of perspective whether or not losing the ability to lie is poison.”

Aspen stepped back in, to play good cop. “Nate, if we can just work together to figure this out we can get you the antidote.”

Nate’s eyes got wide. “That’s not true you can’t take away a person’s ability to lie.”

“Care to test it?” Parvil asked. “I can ask you a question. If you lie, you will feel a stabbing pain in your back. Tell the true, no pain. Really simple. Question one. Is the sky blue.”

“That’s a stupid question.” Nate said, “The sky is mostly blue, on days where the weather doesn’t prevent it.” he added. And no pain came.

“Okay, who stole the book?” Aspen asked.

“That crazy lady did, she just wanted me to find a buyer.” Nate said, and suddenly let out a shriek of pain, as he felt something jab him in the back. Not enough to break skin or cut but enough to hurt.

“See, there you go lying. Try again.” Parvil said.

“I don’t know.” Nate answered and felt the pain again, howling and nearly falling from his chair. “I don’t…” he paused, “I don’t know his name.” he said, and didn’t feel the stabbing pain. Unsure if it was deniability saving him or if the half truth. “I know what he looks like. I can tell you, but you have to promise you’ll keep him from coming after me.” he said looking around.

Aspen nodded. “I can’t promise one hundred percent safety. But I can promise your cooperation will result in the best we can offer.”

Nate sighed. “I guess that will have to do…”

Aspen took out what resembled a sketch book, and a quill pen with a stone affixed to the end rather than the metal tip. She placed the stone to the page, not needing ink, and waited for the description. Under his breath Parvil mumbled something in an incomprehensible language, and his eyes flashed green.

Nate cleared his throat. “He was a tall man, Elven. I couldn’t tell you if he was half or whole. But he was almost too tall for any elf I’ve ever seen. Aside from him.” Nate pointed at Parvil. “He wore clothes that look, they looked like something a noble would wear, not at king maybe but to fancy. Aside from the metal gauntlet that came up to his elbows, and the weird fur cloak around his shoulders.”

Aspen moved the pen in a zigzag not looking up. “And his face. Can you describe his face?” she asked.

“Sharp? I guess. His features were long. Not freakishly so but slightly hawkish. Pale blue eyes, his hair was pale blonde and long.”

“Any defining details that sets him apart from others?” Parvil asked. “Birthmark, Freckles, anything.”

“Three scars.” Nate said, drawing on his face where the scars were on the suspect.

Aspen looked at Parvil and they nodded at each other coming to the same conclusion.

“Alright that’s all we need for now.” Aspen said, closing the book.

Parvil shook his wrists like he was about to start limbering up. “Okay then off you go.”

“I’m free?” Nate asked.

“No.” Aspen said, “You are still going to prison.”

“Well…can I at least have the antidote?” Nate said with a begging look in his eyes.

Prompting only a laugh in response from Parvil, who reached in his coat taking out another bottle of the same liquid, popped the cork and drank on himself. “It's just cloudberry juice.”

Nate’s jaw went slack. “a..ue….ugaa…” he started to stammer.

“Okay bye now.” Parvil said, tapping him on the forehead with his free hand, and Nate vanished.

“You went overboard again.” Aspen said.

“Firstly I didn’t hurt him. Secondly it was kind of funny. Thirdly we got an answer even if we don’t like it.” Parvil said.

“Funny or not it doesn’t matter.” she said clearly wanting to laugh. “But yes we have an answer… that means more work…” she said with a sigh.

“Do you think you can handle things on this end for a bit…I’m going to need to go back to the main office and try and get some information and leads.” she said, sounding tired already.

Parvil held out one of his juice bottles and after a reluctant moment she took it and drank. “You really like these things.” she said, shaking her head.

“A friend makes them. Can’t refuse.” Parvil said with a shrug.

“Okay.” she said standing. “As much as I hate to do this…Can you teleport me to the office?”

“Yeah sure.” Parvil said, putting the bottle on the table, giving Aspen a hug and stepping back. “Okay, safe travels.”
Aspen looked up at Parvil “Don’t do anything stupid until I get in contact, okay?” She asked.

“When do I ever do anything stupid?” Parvil asked. “Reckless and Foolish, sure. Illadivised, most definitely but never stupid.”

“Parvil.” she said with a stern voice. “Just say ‘Aspen, you know best I won’t do anything stupid while you are away.’ “

“I won’t do anything stupid while you are away.” Parvil said.

Aspen pushed her glasses up and looked at Parvil more sternly.

“Aspen, you know best, I won’t do anything stupid while you are away.” Parvil said verbatim.

“Good was that so hard?” she asked.

“Like pulling teeth from an angry bull.” Parvil said jokingly.

Aspen shook her head with a light laugh. “Try to get me closer than last time.” she said, as Parvil started casting the spell.

“No promises, but I’ll do my best.” he responded, and in a snap of light she was gone.

Aspen appeared six blocks from the office, “Dang it Parvil.” she sighed. “At least he got me in town this time.” she said as she began to walk.

Parvil sighed and exhaled a tired breath. “Three teleports in one day is rough…” he said, realising that if he wanted to get home tonight he’d have to go for four. “I hope I get a few days off…” he said, sending himself home.