scorpii
RPG Moderator
You KNOW the world is all mine.
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Post by scorpii on Jul 30, 2007 20:41:02 GMT 1
Sam gazed at the computerscreen, on which the website of the Costero law firm was displayed. According to the news, the law firm was now under the control of an unnamed person, and she had the strange feeling that this unnamed person was someone who was also attached to Shen Jing Bing. Nevertheless, she looked for more interesting facts about James Costero. It seemed as if the law firm was just a cover for money laundry, as there was nothing to be found about cases and yet according to corporate tax data it seemed as if there was still a lot of money being made there. The facts she already knew about James Costero seemed so trivial at the moment while they had seemed so important when she had been engaged to him. It seemed ages ago now. Born in Connecticut on January 12, 1974, moved to Miami at the age of eight and lived there until he met Sam in 2004 during a case. He represented a man accused of forcing women to become prostitutes under the man's supervision, while she testified because she had been investigating forged autographs that had been found during the same case. James had insisted on meeting "this QD witness chick" afterwards and they had dated for half a year, and then they started living together. After yet another half year, he proposed to her and Sam had answered "yes", and that while she knew that something was off in his behaviour of being away for days after days and more. Not only was his behaviour off, his attitude towards the Miami-Dade crime lab also seemed off, but Sam just told herself that this was because he was a lawyer. She should have known. And then, half way through 2005, was this Miami O'Connor-case, in which she had been accused of tampering with evidence and his law firm was involved in the investigation. After that, Sam moved to New York and apparently, James had done so as well. There was no record of his place of residence in New York but Sam suspected he had at least tried to obtain an appartment in Manhattan, probably Upper Manhattan. She knew what he liked. Classic-looking buildings, modern interiors with a classic twist, suits with a beautiful silk tie, shining black shoes. If she had to describe him to anyone in one sentence, she'd probably have said "stereo-type rich man's lawyer". His favorite color was navy blue, his favorite food Italian (though he liked pretty much every cuisine) and his favorite animal was a blackbird. Trivial. But perhaps it would come in handy. And what would be even handier was a photo, so that was what Sam was about to look for when she heard a knock on the glass door of "her" lab. She looked up from the computer to discover Jade. "Jade" she mumbled and she walked over to the door. "What's happened?" she asked, noticing the grim look on Jade's face.
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kiota33
RPC: Amaranthine 'Jade' Tsukuyomi
Posts: 115
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Post by kiota33 on Aug 3, 2007 3:40:07 GMT 1
She showed the message that was on her phone. "Ryuko sent this to me 10 minutes ago. I didn't know what to do so I thought I'd come here to show it to you. He wants me to find him, if I dare to. And he's very specific. I'm not allowed to bring any back-up, or he's going to do something to someone real close to me. He didn't give me a name, but it could only mean that he managed to get Yukiko, my little sister. I'm worried about her, Sam. What do I do? If I go, I could get killed. If I don't, Yukiko could die. Please help, I'm so confused."
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scorpii
RPG Moderator
You KNOW the world is all mine.
Posts: 1,584
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Post by scorpii on Aug 3, 2007 14:05:53 GMT 1
Sam looked at Jade, flabbergasted. "Oh my god. That's... that's really awful. I think the best thing to do is to tell Rhia and perhaps Brian, to set up a scheme so it seems as if you don't have back-up but you still have. But that's gonna take a while to set up. Or -" Sam paused for a moment, thinking of a way to phrase the thing right. "You know, I'm not really a police employee nor am I truly a CSI. I'm just a scientist. I could come with you. Is Ryuko reasonable? And then I mean can he be 'talked' to? Reasoned with?"
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kiota33
RPC: Amaranthine 'Jade' Tsukuyomi
Posts: 115
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Post by kiota33 on Aug 4, 2007 4:12:34 GMT 1
"I'm not quite sure if he can. He can be difficult to reason with at times. But I would appreciate it if you did come with me. I really don't want to go alone."
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scorpii
RPG Moderator
You KNOW the world is all mine.
Posts: 1,584
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Post by scorpii on Aug 4, 2007 8:51:07 GMT 1
Sam nodded. "Okay. Then I'll come with you. Perhaps he can tell me some things about James as well. But I do think we should still tell Rhia."
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mystic
RPG character: Rhiannon Nerice supervisor
Posts: 600
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Post by mystic on Aug 4, 2007 12:03:03 GMT 1
After Rhia had shown Katie everything, she decided to get a look at the progress of their work. So she knocked softly on the door of Sam's office. When she got no answer, she pushed the door open to see Sam and Jade lost in conversation.
"Hey, you two. I've been looking for you. Have you made any progress?", she smiled at them. They turned round and she could see their worried looks.
"Hey, guys. What happened? Is everything alright?", now you could hear concern in her voice.
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briguy4588
RPG Moderator
RPG: Brian Shefkowitz
Posts: 617
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Post by briguy4588 on Aug 4, 2007 15:32:52 GMT 1
Brian, who had, up until now, been scouring the internet for leads to Shen Jing Bing, was now looking for Rhia. He had run into a wall as far as his investigation was going, and he wasn't sure what to do next. When her office was deserted, he went to Sam's - she worked with Sam a lot. Carrying a large stack of pages he had printed out from chat rooms and websites, he walked down the hall a little. Without looking up, he began to speak, not realizing what had just happened.
"Hey, guys, all the underground websites and chat rooms that crime syndicates usually use are going beserk about Shen Jing Bing. They are seriously active now, but I just can't figure out WHERE. They're using codewords for locations. I think if I had profiles on the four members... I don't know.... I was thinking maybe the codewords would have something to do with them. But I'm just not sure I --" and Brian had finally looked up to see them all lost in thought, worried looks across their faces.
"Um... uh oh," Brian simply said. As any good detective would know, this was bad news. He swallowed nervously, and allowed someone to give him an explanation.
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ivycolt
RPG Character: Zora Lockhart
Posts: 212
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Post by ivycolt on Aug 4, 2007 16:15:13 GMT 1
Zora looked down at the footprint one last time and smiled. Although it wasn't a case breaker Zora knew that the brand and size of the boot would help. The boot was a high end work boot that was made by a company called "Extrams". The company had recently gone out of business due to not having enough customers. Also this particular size what the company called 13 B was a special order. After calling around she finally found someone who could talk to her. There were only three of those pairs of boots sold during the year the company was open. Grabbing her notes that included a list of the three customers; she headed to find Rhia to tell her what she had found.
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scorpii
RPG Moderator
You KNOW the world is all mine.
Posts: 1,584
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Post by scorpii on Aug 4, 2007 17:20:15 GMT 1
Sam looked at Rhia and Brian, who'd just entered her lab. Not sure whether Jade wanted them to know about Ryuko, she didn't say anything about it, but just replied to their questions. "Uhm, I think we're both all right. Yeah, I found out a bit more about James's law firm, it's now under the control of an unknown person, I was about to try and find out who that person was. And I of course know the occasional thing about him. I was also going to try to find out what his last known place of residence is." Then Sam turned to Brian. "So, what exactly have you found? Perhaps I can help you with parts of it." She cast a worried glance at Jade, not knowing exactly what Jade would prefer - telling Rhia and Brian about Ryuko or not. And if she was going to help Brian crack the codes, she might not have the time to come with Jade to see Ryuko - telling them was probably the only solution.
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kiota33
RPC: Amaranthine 'Jade' Tsukuyomi
Posts: 115
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Post by kiota33 on Aug 5, 2007 4:25:05 GMT 1
She smiled at Sam and looked at Rhia and Brian. "There's something that I need to tell you. I received a text message from Ryuku about 15 minutes ago. He's holding my sister hostage and dares me to meet him without any back-up at all. I told Sam about it and she said that she'd come with me, since she's not technically a cop. But I wanted to know if that was okay with you Rhia-sama."
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mystic
RPG character: Rhiannon Nerice supervisor
Posts: 600
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Post by mystic on Aug 5, 2007 21:49:01 GMT 1
Rhia listened to Sam eagerly, hoping for some good news. She flashed her a smile. Then Jade started to talk to her and at the end her worried look had increased a lot.
"Oh, well...I guess your brother isn't that kind of talkative guy, is he? You may go with a body armour and Brian positioning his guys nearby. Hidden - but there in case. But I must ask you to go alone. I don't think it would be a good idea if you take someone with you. He surely is dangerous, as we have got to known from his files... so it is your decision whether you go or you leave it to our special forces...", she said earnestly, looking at Brian for reassurance.
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briguy4588
RPG Moderator
RPG: Brian Shefkowitz
Posts: 617
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Post by briguy4588 on Aug 6, 2007 18:50:01 GMT 1
Brian frowned. Strictly speaking, any meeting with a known murderer is a very bad idea. Especially if they demand that they meet with someone without any formal negotiations or tactics training. But they needed to find Shen Jing Bing, and this was their only solid lead at the moment. Brian spoke up:
"Alright. Jade, I'm sure you understand just how dangerous this is, and I cannot ask you to do this... though I'm sure you're perfectly willing. But Ryuku... he is a dangerous man, from what I hear, and not a stupid one. No doubt he will have securities in place for him, most likely a sniper and a bodyguard. When it comes to organized crime, they see it as a chess game -- it's all about positioning your pieces and anticipating your enemy's move. Here at CSI, we work backwards, most of the time, but now, we have to think ahead a little in order to protect you."
Brian let that information sink in while he made a few calls -- put SWAT on standby, and asked for some supplies to be brought up to Sam's office. Then he continued.
"In this game, you are at a severe disadvantage. You're ostensibly alone, on his turf, playing by his rules, slave to his leverage against you. He has the initiative. We turn that around by moving first. So I'm going to need to know everything you know."
Brian listened very closely to Jade go over the message again, and thought for a few moments.
"Ok, here is the plan. Jade, you need to let me know where you can find Ruku. I will assemble a team and position them in the area fifteen minutes before you arrive. I will arrive five minutes ahead of you, and hang out near the rendezvous point. That way, I will be there for you, but it won't look as if I'm with you. You will show up, alone, and meet with Ryuku. Your only job is to keep him calm, and listen very closely to everything he says. I will step in if things get dangerous. However, if all goes well, you will leave, and he will leave, and I will follow him. You just get back to CSI and then let everyone know what you've learned. Understand? Good."
An aide came and brought two kevlar vests. Brian began putting his on, and indicated that Jade do the same with hers.
"Well, Jade, where are you and Ryuku going to meet?"
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kiota33
RPC: Amaranthine 'Jade' Tsukuyomi
Posts: 115
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Post by kiota33 on Aug 7, 2007 4:04:48 GMT 1
She put her vest on and nodded. "He told me to meet him at an abandoned lot about 5 miles out of town. He's bringing Yukiko, so I know I can't do anything that would harm her. I don't know much yet, but if he harms her in any way, I don't know what I'd do. But you're right. If I went alone, there's a higher chance that I could get captured, injured, or killed."
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mystic
RPG character: Rhiannon Nerice supervisor
Posts: 600
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Post by mystic on Aug 7, 2007 15:27:34 GMT 1
Rhia helped Jade to fix the kevlar vest. Then she put a hand on her shoulder - a reassuring gesture.
"We won't be in contact with you. He would surely notice you being wired... Are you sure you wanna go there?", she said, although she already knew the answer. If her sister was in danger, she would be the first to act, too. So, she just re-checked the vests, both hers and Brian's.
"Just be careful, you two...", she whispered. Then she turned round to Sam.
"So, what work do we have got to do in the meantime?"
It was clear for Rhia that she wouldn't be coming with them. The less people involved, the better. And she knew that Brian would keep them both safe...
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scorpii
RPG Moderator
You KNOW the world is all mine.
Posts: 1,584
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Post by scorpii on Aug 7, 2007 18:51:32 GMT 1
"Well, Brian just said he had this load of info that contained some code-like words, perhaps we could try and crack them..." Sam answered. "I think I know practically everything about James what there's to find, and we could try to find out more background info on the others when cracking these codes..." she then turned to Jade and Brian. "You two, please, promise me you'll be careful. I'd hate to lose either one of you, and I'd certainly hate to lose any person to those creeps. Kick some ass, I'd say!"
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