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“So you still haven’t gotten anything out of her?”
“Nope. Not a thing.”
Summer sighed, scratching her head and adjusting the folder under her shoulder. This criminal was meant to be their biggest lead yet on the Branwen gang, who’d been a thorn in the department’s side for years. “What have you tried so far? I’m assuming you’ve already tried PEACE?”
“Oh, one of the rookies and I tried some classic Good Cop Bad Cop!” Tai replied, scratching his head, “what was that guy's name….”
Summer just stared at him, jaw hung in shock. “Tai-”
“Hang on; his name’ll come to me. Was it Smith? Or John-”
“TAI!” Summer snapped him out of his musing as the corridor went silent, Summer facepalming in annoyance instead of feeling embarrassed. “Good cop bad cop is in MOVIES, Tai. MOVIES!”
“Okay, okay! No need to growl at me, jeez! I thought it came from that R guy.”
“No, Tai. It’s only in movies. Brothers, no wonder you haven’t gotten anything.”
“Yeah, well, what do you suggest we do?” Tai grumbled back, somewhat angered he’d been scolded instead of praised. “She’s been in there for hours and hasn’t budged!”
“I, not we, Tai. I am going to get something from her; you are going to sit in the observation room and watch. And please try not to spill anything this time.”
“Hey! The coffee was hot….” Soon enough, the pair had reached the interrogation block, making their way underneath the buzzing fluorescent lights until they came to the right room. “Right, you go in there and watch how to actually do an interrogation.”
“Yeah, yeah, got it.” He pushed open the door and was gone, closing it behind him. Summer sighed, straightening her jacket and brushing her hair.
Here goes nothing.
Summer pushed the door open, its hinges squeaking throughout the room. Sat on the opposite side of the table, scratching the tabletop with a nail within what little room the handcuffs gave, was her case. Summer rolled her eyes and closed the door, sitting down opposite her. She dropped the folder on the table, eyeing the woman opposite her, who still refused to look up. “So. Raven Branwen.”
Raven finally looked up at her name, crimson eyes lighting up with a smirk. “Oh, hey. Didn't hear you come in.” She snarked.
“Right. Well, hopefully, your hearing is good enough to have a conversation.” Was all Summer shot back, pushing the folder to the side.
“Oh, I’m sure your lil binder there can tell you that. I bet you’ve got loads of juicy info about lil old me, huh?”
“You don’t need to concern yourself about that.”
“Eh, your probably right. After all, I wouldn’t be in here if you guys had anything, would I?” Summer just shrugged. “That jus’ means I’m right.”
“Now, Raven, I’m sure you already understand why you’re here?”
“Oh yeah, sure, you lot think me an’ my family have done some naughty things, yada yada.”
Summer raised an eyebrow, then gave a slight nod. “Correct. Not exactly how I’d put it, but you are right.” Raven chuckled, apparently feeling triumphant. “Which also means we’re here to discuss those ‘naughty things’, as you put it.”
“Oh, I would and could discuss some naughty things with you all day,” Raven shot back with a wink as Summer gripped her trousers slightly. “But, alas, you’re both pretty and a cop, so we can’t discuss those, can we?”
“No. We can’t.”
“Hmph. Shame,” Raven leaned back as much as she could, closing her eyes. “Jus’ means we got nothing to discuss then.”
“And why is that?”
“Well, seeing as ‘naughty things’ means crimes and not bedroom-related stuff, I’ve got nothing.” She leaned forwards once more, resting her chin in her hands. “Unlucky for you, I’m a good girl on the streets.”
“Right,” Summer sighed, scratching her neck. “I guess that means you have nothing to say then? About you or your family’s activities?”
“Nope! Nothin’ for me to say about any of that cause there’s nothing there.”
“Well, we know that isn’t true. But that’s for me and my colleagues, not you.” Summer stood up, brushing her jacket and picking up her folder. “Yeah, yeah, your scare tactics aren’t gonna work, pig.” Summer didn’t respond, tucking in her chair as she made her way out. But before she reached the door, she stumbled over an untied lace, pictures dropping from her folder. Raven gave a snicker as Summer still remained silent, reaching down to pick them up as Raven leaned to take a peak.
“Hey, hang on a second. The hell are you doing with pictures of my brother!”
Summer turned, giving her a face of ignorance that was almost definitely feined. “Hmm? What do you mean?”
“My folder! Why the hell is my little brother in it!?” Summer just chuckled, making Raven growl. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, not much. Just wondering what made you think this was your folder.”
…
“...what?”
“I would think it’s obvious. This is Qrow Branwen’s, not yours.” Raven just stared at it, gripping the table tighter.
“W-why is it so big?”
“Well,” Summer made a show of walking over, throwing the folder onto the table. “Sadly, unlike you, your dear little brother hasn’t been a good boy on the streets. And, unlike you, we already have enough on him for an operation we’re planning. We were hoping you might have some info that’d make an operation against him easier, so that’s why I came here first. And I brought it with me so I didn’t have to take a trip back. Sorry for getting your hopes up, I guess.”
Summer once again picked the folder, taking the opportunity to push a few loose pages back in. “Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I have said meeting to attend. You’ll have to be kept under surveillance until we’ve dealt with your brother. To ensure you don’t attempt to assist him, as I'm sure you understand. Wouldn't want to collude with a criminal, would you?”
“Wait!” Once more, Summer sighed, a hint of anger backing it as she turned, staring Raven down. “What? I thought we had nothing else to discuss?” Raven baulked slightly under the glare, yet still pressed on.
“Look. I… I might have some things that could help you lot.”
“Oh, really. What happened to ‘good little girl’?” That earned a growl.
“Look. I just… need to know you’ll let Qrow be. If I help you.”
“Hmm. Well, we’d need to actually see if whatever you have is useful first…”
“Please, I promise-” A single finger held up silenced her.
“But, I’m sure we can hold off for now. See what you have to say.” Summer smirked slightly as Raven’s fearful face gave way to relief. “But, that’s a conversation for later.”
And with that, Summer left, closing the door behind her. After a moment, Tai was next to her, the two making their way through the corridor.
“Hmph. What did I say?” Summer shot with a sly grin, Tai just rolling his eyes, granting her a slow clap.
“Yeah, yeah, well done, can't believe I doubted you and all that.” The two walked for a while longer, soon falling into idle chit-chat. It didn’t distract Tai, however, who still had a lingering question. “I’m just wonderin’ though. How are you gonna deal with managing Raven and Qrow?”
“Oh, I won’t be handling Qroiw anymore. Most likely, he’ll be given to a lower rank to deal with.”
“Ooo. Maybe I’ll finally get a chance for the ‘inner scop’ of your case.” Summer chuckled, shaking her head at his antics, but not giving a no. “But, that isn’t what I meant. How are you gonna deal with both of them being informants? They’ll find out eventually the other’s a rat too.”
“That’s already sorted,” Summer replied, finally reaching her own office. “Qrow’s the one who recommended we try this, after all. Lookin’ out for his poor big sis.”
“Oh, damn. You’ve really got a web around their family, huh?”
“Eh, it’s not all me. Qrow’s been a big help. All it takes is one lone pawn to take the whole rotten structure out.”
“Right. And what, are you the queen in this little chess game of yours?”
“Oh, please.” Summer slid the folder into a safe marked ‘informants’, alongside many others under a large sign, titled ‘Castle Branwen’. “I’m the chess master.”
…
“You’re really corny.”
“Hey! I’m a metaphor genius!”
Tai rolled his eyes. “Sure, sure, just don’t let this pawn screw you up.”
“Oh, please. What can Raven do?”