Joe Sebastian - Private Detective

[Adalido Riftscribe]

((Anyone can join, just keep it PG and in the style of a film noir movie/story))

It was April 4, 1949. The steam coming up off the streets at this time of night almost acted like a fog despite the cool breeze that had been blowing for the past few minutes, as if it were attempting to cool off the hot streets. I smirked, it might cool off the hot streets but the hot heads that would be out tonight, well it wouldn't work so well on them.

It being the end of another fruitless day, I sent my secretary home early while I closed up the office I rented on the third floor of the old abandoned bank. Franklin City was asleep, for the most part. As I lit up what I was hoping would have been the last cigarette of the day a knock came at the door. I thought about ignoring it but choose not to, I figured this late at night it was important enough for me to give it my full attention.

What I saw when I opened the door. The dame standing there was knock-out, drop-dead gorgeous. With legs that glue wouldn't stick to and a body that could kill, I nearly let the cigarette drop as I forgot my manners for the briefest of moments. "I'm sorry ma'am," I nearly stammered as I stood aside to let her into the office, "I'm just not used to having visitors so late." I smiled as she stepped in and quickly walked over to my desk, sitting down on the client's side while I made my way over to her. Once I had sat down, I got out my notepad and my trusty number 2 pencil. I didn't particularly care for pens, especially since they were always exploding in my pockets.

"If you could just tell me exactly why you're here, especially at such a late hour, perhaps we can grab a drink later on at the bar down the street." I flashed her an award winning smile, one that would have been the envy of any Hollywood actor, and waited for her response.  

[Angel_Summer]

With delicate grace the young woman took out her silk kerchief and dabbed her eyes gently, "Yes. I belive you can assist me. My fieancé was murdered two nights ago." She glanced up at him, fixing her dazeling aquamarine eyes on his face. "I want to know who did it and why. The thing is..." she averted gaze slightly, lowering her her dark, long lashes for a moment. "We were to wed in two months. He was nervous about something and to afraid to invole me in whatever it was. My...my father did not like him much but that is nothing to go on since daddy really does not like anyone. It would be to easy to think my father had something to do with this." She shook her head once causing her dark red hair cascade down her back, coming loose from the dimond air pin that had been holdilng it up in a loose bun. She ignored this and went on, "The boody was found in my father's house boat and he was arrested for the apperent murder. His lawyer took care of that peice of business so daddy is home now." She took a breath and crossed her right leg over her left while taking an envalope fron her small handbag. "I will pay you ten thousand dollars if you can find out who murdered Paul and why they would frame my father. Will you help me?" Her eyes filled with tears, "Please? Daddy would not hurt the man I loved but someome else did and that person knew how to put the blame on my father..."

She hoped he would accept her request and not ask about her father. It was not wise to know to much about the D'Angelos...specially Giovani D'Angelo...This was a big risk she was taking and at the same time placing herself and this man in danger. Just by being here she had already gone to far. The D'Angelos were a high class family with a great deal of properties and money. A promenant family and very influential. There was no way she could drag her family further into this...and yet, she had to know why Paul was murded...  

[Adalido Riftscribe]

I listened to the dame's story, quietly assessing the situation in my head as she spoke. All bets were off however, the moment she took out the money. I knew who she was right then and there. The story had been all over the local papers making it hard to ignore. I thought the situation had sounded familiar but I didn't want to jump to any conclusions, but with the money and the good looks, it was a no brainer. I had been needing the work, bills were due, but I wasn't about to seem as if I would take the first job that came along or that I even needed the work. I took out a pack of Pall Mall's and lit one, taking a slow, long drag off of it, letting the cherry glow brightly before knocking it off into the ash tray.

"Tell me, Miss D'Angelo," I began as I blew the smoke out just as slowly as I had drawn it in, "do you not believe the police capable of doing their job?" I already knew the answer to that, otherwise she wouldn't be here in need of my services, but it helped to play from a position of strength I always said. I took another drag from my cigarette and got up from my seat and turned the old metal fan on that had been up to this point sitting silently in the corner. Even at night the city was humid and hot and her looks weren't helping any either. With the fan now whirring noisily in the background, I turned back to my client.

"I'll tell you what," I said after several minutes passed of me thinking things over, "let that be my retainer in this case. Murder is always a dangerous and tricky business. If you'll sign off on any other expenses that I might incur in the process of my investigation, I'll take the job. On one other condition, though," I smiled before jabbing the half-finished cigarette out in the ash tray, "the first time you get in my way or try to stop me from following a lead you pay up what is owed and I drop the case right then and there," I paused momentarily, searching her features for a reaction but continued on before she could vocalize any objections. "I cannot solve a case if the person who has hired me to solve it is also impeding me in any progress I might be trying to make." I leaned back in my chair and took out another Pall Mall and lit it, letting it burn lazily in my mouth.  

[Angel_Summer]

The air around her was getting difficult to breathe from of the smoke and stench caused by the lit cigarette. With one white gloved hand she faned it away and was greatful for the metal fan he had turned on and even more when he put it out. As he thought about her offer, her delicate features remained expressionless as if she were merely discussing any trivial task. His way of thinking things over and not jumping at the chance to earn a large sum of money impressed her. “Yes. I know it is dangerous…” At this she half smiled for a brief moment but even so, it just added a crystal sparkle to her aquamarine eyes. “…That is why I have come to you. I know you are discreet and avoid unnecessary risks. I will cover any and every expense you may acquire during this case providing you do not take advantage of my generosity. I will know it you even try and believe me Mr. Sebastian, you will not be happy with the results. Now, I know you will not turn against me or if you happen to discover something about my family that is irrelevant to this case I would advise you to ignore it….for your own well being. Is this understood? As you request, neither I or any of my own will interfere with your investigation.” She opened her handbag once again and handed him a small cream colored card. “This is the address to a small bistro at the pier. It is small but very well known. People meet their for lunch daily. This little place should be where we meet whenever necessary, provided it is convenient for both of us. Does this sound acceptable to you, Mr. Sebastion?”  

[Adalido Riftscribe]

Even with the fan going, the smoke hung in the air heavily, as if we were being given our own bit of steam to compliment what was down on the street. I had no plans on taking advantage of her, I just wanted to make sure I was properly compensated. I definitely wasn't going to get the drink at the bar I had offered earlier, but all in all I'd say I came out ahead. I was working, and I was being paid well.

"That will be perfectly acceptable, Miss D'Angelo," I answered. "If that is all for today," I stood up and walked around to the front of my desk, "at least allow me the courtesy of walking you to the door of the building." I smiled as I offered a hand to help her up. A paying client always gets the red-carpet treatment, when it's advisable to provide it. "I'd like to meet you at the bistro one week from today," I smiled congenially as she accepted my hand, seeing has our business was done, "by then I should have something to give you aside from a bill."

I walked her to the door to my office and stopped, it wouldn't be a good idea for us to be seen together, although I was sure there was no one watching me, there could be someone watching her. That and my first stop needed to be the police department. "We both have pressing matters to attend to," with that I opened the door and released my grip on her hand.  

[Angel_Summer]

Graciously she accepted his hand and rose to her feet. “Very well. I will be there at noon to await your report. Do not worry about any expense you may have while under my employment. Just be sure you are not linked back to me or my family at anytime.” She smiled at him, “I will not defend you or even acknowledge ever meeting you. If you are discovered you will be on your own. I pay you to do a job and do well. I hope we understand each other.” As he led her to the door the agreed it was best they were not seen together at this time. “You have an intelligent mind Mr. Sebastian. Thank you for your time. I look forward to our next meeting.” She stepped out of his office and made her way down the flight of stairs that had led her to his door. Her high heels made a light click, click as she descended the stairway and across the parking lot to a waiting dark blue inexpensive car that was ready for her. The passenger’s door was open and she slipped inside, quietly closing the door. Once the car was started and rolled onto the highway she spoke freely to the driver, a young man in his late twenties. “It went better than I expected. As you said, he was calm, cool and thought my offer over reverently. At one point I thought he would reject my offer.” She leaned back on the leather seat and closed her eyes before she continued to speak to the man beside her. “All it took was a little cash a sad story and the heat in his office to make him fall right into my plans. I believe daddy will be pleased with my efforts. Do you not agree Damian?” The man nodded and flashed a smile at her, “I do, Miss D’Angelo..I do indeed…”  

[Adalido Riftscribe]

((Anyone wanting to join is still more then welcome to. We have room for bartenders and bar flies all the same. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join in. Just remember the time period is the late 40s (1949 IIRC) and this is in the style of film noir))

After I closed the door behind her I went to the window to watch her leave. At the very least I wanted one last look at her before I dropped out of sight. It was going to be a long week and I wanted to have something to give Miss D'Angelo before I saw her at the bistro. After her car left the lot I turned to my desk, flicking the butt of yet another cigarette into the ash tray. I pulled out my keys and unlocked the bottom drawer of my desk and pulled out Old Faithful, the .38 Colt "Detective Special" snub-nose that had been with me since I got my license.

I grabbed a couple of boxes of ammunition and locked up the office. Once I exited the building at ground level, I dropped the remainder of the cigarette and snubbed it out with the toe of my shoe. It was time to get down to business. I had already left a note for my secretary that she was to take the week off but to go ahead and put in a time card for the week as if she was there.

The first place I went to was a local pub I frequented whether or not I was on duty. They had good live music and even better drinks and the dames there were always pleasing to the eye. It only took a 5 minute drive to get to Gary's Place. Upon entering it, though, I could tell things were not going to be easy. The police apparently had just raided the joint as there were still a few of them pulling away unruly patrons. Sidling up to the bar, I asked the bartender what was going on as he passed me an ashtray for the cigarette I just lit up.

((Again, feel free to jump in folks))