“Sorry about that.. Let me make it up to you, i know this nice little diner, they have these pastries you'll love. My team can handle this for the time being.”

James chuckled softly.

“I'll pay. Plus we'll get to catch up, and talk about the case.”

James would turn away with respect as The Prince blew chunks in the john of the crime scene.

He let out a soft sigh, patting Gustav on the shoulder after he left the restroom. James would quickly scratch the back of his own neck, he felt guilty for ruining the princes' supper.

-

Earlier to get with, but they ended up going by themselves.”

He'd turn back to the Prince at the mention of the Doves, it was true there was no explicit indicator of their involvement he wouldn't rule them out so easily.

“You okay..? You're looking a little. .”

Green.

“I've got a lead for the bigger picture, this one, well, i couldn't have said it better myself. A neighbor called an hour or two ago, heard screaming and saw nothing.”

James shifted in his shoes.

“But, turns out, our friend here was supposed to go to a concert today, a friend had stopped by -

“Hmm? Oh this? It's a mess and shaggy as all hell, I've gotta get it trimmed, I haven't had the time.. But thanks.”

James would soon cross his arms, taking a look at the words on the wall as Gustav spoke. He tried to gleam something from it that he hadn't before.

-
On his lips.

“Those in fields like these must be strong Gustav, if we aren't, who will be? But to answer you, i manage.”

James peeled his eyes from the floor, they had fallen from Gustav, but they would soon return to him.

He'd run a hand through his own beard, a soft chuckle escape his lips.

“I never understood why you don't use lighter material for that thing. Feels like you're lugging around a wheel barrow.”

James would tilt the brim of his hat enough that a half lit roll would fall into his hand. He'd place the end into his mouth.

He wouldn't light it, merely savoring the taste -

-

switch, before slipping out of the front door.

The light breeze flew gently through his hair as he took a deep breath of prakkan air. The day may have been quiet, but. . Quiet is good.

Perhaps he'd call Haktu and ask him to join him in boredom..

-

bearing the register, and made his way past various shelfs to make it to the front door.

He was the only one there, the day prior had been so quiet that he allowed all of the help to leave early, at their request.

The light buzzing of the "Open" sign's lights cut off as Jack flipped the
-

(Restless grumbling)

nooooooo-

-

Could barely get a word in before you were halfway to the shower i imagine.”

James sat the journal down, turning to face Gustav fully. He looked tired, he wore the visage of his younger self, yet his new beard was shaggy and unkempt. He hadn't gotten any sleep recently.

After the short exchange of words, Elwind would dutifully return to photgraping the trailing blood.

As Gustav entered the master bedroom, James was looking into a personal journal, skimming through it with gloved hands.

“Tried too, but you talk fast. -

-

old-fashioned flash-bulb camera.

He'd look up just in time to catch a glimpse of Gustav, he smilied softly and stood tall, though he only reached eye-level with Gustav's chest.

"Your Highness! Its an honor to meet you again! You are here to see james aren't you? He's upstairs, with the body.."

“The ladder. We've got a other victim up here.” James called out from upstairs. “But, you could probably tell with the state of this place.”

The floor was marked with chalk and triangular numbered tags, beside some of which was Elwind, kneeling on the floor to take a picture with an -

As the scene buzzed with traffic, James would search the bedroom to learn what he could about the victim.

This effort would consume the time that preceded Gustav's arrival, as it wouldn't be until he arrived that james would be distracted from his search.

The next few minutes were frantic, the arrival of fellow investigators and forensics experts caused the quiet ambiance of the night to fade, replaced now with prying eyes of any passerby.

If word about the scene hadn't gotten out before, it had now.

“We've got ten minutes to get this place prepared for a visit from a prince. Call everyone, we need all hands on deck for this.”

"Already have sir, they shouldn't be but three minutes."

“Good. . Good. We've got plenty to do.”

–🌜–

Before james could finish, Elwind was already behind him, looking expectantly with his wide alburn eyes. James could tell he was attempting to not see the victim in his peripheries.

"Yes sir?" Elwind asked, holding a notebook close to his chest.