Log:Zero Trace

2020/01/15 	 Carpenter Grimm

1

Carpenter is already in the coffee shop. He's seated at a table, drinking some coffee and eating an apple fritter.

Grimm arrives a bit later due to traffic, possibly being seen getting dropped off by a Ryde just outside. So far, one day down, and no use of her powers. It's taking a little getting used to for transit, but she doesn't usually use her powers for her day to day life stuff. She steps inside, steps by the counter to pick up the mobile order she already put in, and walks over to Carpenter's table with a smile. "Hey, Carpenter. How've you been?" she asks as she sits across from him. She's got a venti latte and a small paper bag with some pumpkin bread that she pulls out.

Carpenter smiles. "Hey there. I'm doing alright. You're looking rested. Sleeping better?"

"A bit," Gabrielle smiles gently. "Doctor's orders, you could say." Just not a medical doctor. "I was having worse problems for a bit. It seems something's wrong with my powers. Kind of like an injury. Not really sure if the injury's causing the inability to sleep, or the lack of sleep is causing the injury. But I'm on orders to rest and not use my powers for a while to see if things improve."

Carpenter nods. "Well...I guess that makes sense, if your powers make things worse? I guess you won't know until you take it easy for a bit." He smiles, "Ready talk some shop for a bit?"

"Please," Gabrielle chuckles, happy to talk shop over her injury. "I'm guessing Night Marshal got ahold of you?"

Carpenter nods and smiles. "Yeah, he did. We both looked into Zero a bit, and I was able to figure out her identity. I think...I'm going to hold that particular card for the moment until we know more." He taps the table slowly, "I checked her home. She left it in a hurry. Food in the frdge. Half a glass of wine left on the table. Hasn't been to work. I think she was mourning the death of one of the heroes that died up on the moon in the recent crisis."

Carpenter continues, "As a hero, Zero tended to stay at the fringes of society. Helping in homeless shelters. Food pantries. That kind of thing. She's fallen off the grid, but I was able to find out that she's been seen chatting up some local metas, including a woman going by 'Hotfoot'. I think she's the one who helped me out with the acid attack in the east side coffee shop."

Carpenter sighs, "She did leave a note for me specifically in her apartment. He pulls up his PDA to look at a picture of the note. It read: 'I figured you'd get here first. We're just trying to help people - give them the closure that we all deserve. Please don't follow us'."

Grimm looks both surprised and impressed, but nods silently. If he's holding that card, it's for a good reason, she trusts. "Strange. Maybe she thought her identity was at risk and she could be tracked there? The...mourning thing. That's a surprise," she says, trying to figure out how that factors in.

She raises a brow at Zero's reputation. "Weirder. And those metas didn't come forward about it. Wait....she left you a note? She knows you?"

Carpenter doesn't have the note itself with him. But he does have a picture of it, which he shows her on his PDA. "Yeah, turns out I know her out of the costume."

Grimm raises both brows in surprise at him, then reads the note. "'Trying to help people'," Gabrielle sneers. "That sounds deranged. How is turning people...families...into bugs give them closure?"

Carpenter shrugs, "The world's smaller than we think it is. Anyone here in this shop could be a costumed crime-fighter, you know. Or villain for that matter." He motions to the various people going in and out. "Okay, maybe not that toddler over there. He'll need a few years."

Grimm smirks at the comment on the toddler. "Not eating his veggies? On the road to villainy for sure."

Carpenter nods sagely. "Mad at the world for being forced to eat broccoli. I've seen it before." He smiles slightly, "But back to the note." He takes a deep breath and nods again, "People in mourning will...sometimes act hashly. It's possible that what happened up on the moon pushed her over an edge of some kind. But I'm still not sure what would cause her to work with some kind of alien bug transformation thing. I heard that some of them got changed back to humans afterward. Were any of them able to give some insights as to how they felt while changed?"

Grimm doesn't even think to look at Carpenter as one of those costumed crime-fighters. She chuckles at his assessment of the kid. She gets her mind back on the case. "Hmm. Animal instincts. Hungry. Hunt. Eat. Sleep. They had no idea who or what they once were. Other than that...they served the hive mother's orders. And they've been told to eliminate me and the hero who can turn them back to humans."

Carpenter nods as he listens. "I'm...not sure how joining some kind of collective brings closure. I just don't get it. Unless...she's been duped in some way? And that's what she believes, but it isn't necessarily true? I mean, if she's not part of the collective, she wouldn't really know for sure."

"Well, it gets rid of their cares?" Grimm suggests. "The Hive Mother sees them as her children. The thing is, the humans we've recovered were just victims. They didn't ask for it. They weren't looking for 'closure'. The most recently saved were a mother and their young child. They just walked near the wrong alley at the wrong time. The father, based on what we were told by the heroes who caught them, burrowed underground and got away."

Grimm listens to Carpenter. "Maybe. But then why wouldn't she come forward for help now that the truth is out there on HeroNet? If you know who she really is, maybe you could convince her to turn herself in to sort this out." She frowns a bit. "Though if she's duped, or willing, it's not safe for you to see her on your own."

Carpenter blinks and chuckles. "She's in hiding. I couldn't find her. If I could speak to her directly, I might be able to convince her, but there's that first step which is making that difficult." He takes a deep breath as Grimm makes her statement about it not being safe for him, and he starts to object. Only he stops himself. "I...understand that you're concerned about my safety. I need to do my job, but at the same time, I need to be safe about it. I'll make sure I have some kind of backup."

Grimm sees Jack starting to object. "I'm just saying...don't let her back you in a corner or catch you off guard based on sentimentality. She's got these things potentially backing her up, and maybe even local metas who agree with her, or are compromised, too. These bugs are strong enough to hurt metahumans." She smiles gently. "I know you got a job to do. I trust that you already know to be safe and won't walk into an ambush."

Grimm isn't about to stop him or stand in his way.

Carpenter smiles and nods. "Fair enough." He thinks about it a moment, "You said that a meta friend of yours can change the people back. Does that mean that SG hasn't figured out how to do so?"

Grimm chews on her lower lip. "Not yet. But their scientists are working on it. We may have another meta able to help. I'm trying to track them down. They're a little less...accessible."

Grimm tries to think back on what she picked up from Lien. "That part about closure...I suppose the bugs felt like they belonged to a hive and were comfortable. That goes with not having a past, I suppose."

Carpenter nods. "That's not exactly closure, but I guess close enough for someone to think it might count."

"Yeah, I agree. Also forcibly changing people who aren't asking or saying they need some sort of closure is bad in my books," Grimm sighs and rubs her face. "One of them was just a little kid, Carpenter..." she says with a heavy heart.

Carpenter nods slowly. "Well...hopefully when we find the source, people will change back? Otherwise, it might be hard to find everyone."

Grimm lets her hand down and nods, taking a breath. "Hopefully," she forces a smile. "I was hoping Zero would be a key to tracking the source, if she isn't it."

Carpenter nods. "She might very well. She hasn't been transformed, right? That indicates a level of...being special in the eyes of whatever the hive mother is."

Grimm nods. "She'd be the only one we know of so far that hasn't been transformed," she admits. "And I suppose potentially this Bree person, but Lien's account made it feel more like she was subservient to Zero. A follower, not an equal. I could be wrong."

Carpenter nods. "Still, the little fish can help you catch the bigger ones. It's a trick used often when dealing with the mob."

Grimm smiles and leans in a bit to learn some more from him. "I bet. Like if she can rat out the next person up the chain and get us a lead?"

Carpenter nods. "Or you can tail someone to find another link in teh chain. You don't even need to bring them in. Just check associates. See who they report to."

Grimm nods along, smiling. "Right. Got it. Wish I had more leads on other associates. I mean, I already checked with Night Marshal, and he checked with another. Maybe Bree has associates we can find? Or Hotfoot? I don't know that meta."

Carpenter chuckles. "I...was busy trying to not melt when I saw her. Some kind of speedster? Based on the name, perhaps some fire powers?"

Grimm winces. "Okay, speedster, heat or fire powers. I'll keep an eye out." She studies Carpenter a moment. "If you find out things have gone badly and you really need my help while investigating, just text me with an SOS or a 9-1-1 and I'll teleport to you." She smiles. "Only if you think it might be prudent for backup. I doubt you'll need it."

Carpenter chuckles. "So...no booty calls. Got it." He gives her a wink and then sips his coffee.

Grimm laughs and clears her throat. "Well, that we can negotiate," she teases. "Maybe you need another text code for that," she winks back and snacks on her pumpkin bread.

Carpenter laughs, "So you're saying there's a chance..." He grins and finishes his drink.

"Maybe," Grimm smiles and raises a brow flirtatiously. "Though if you text me with SOS or 911, I'm going to arrive 'guns a-blazin', so to speak."

Carpenter smiles. "Mmm...I'll keep that in mind." He nods though, "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Grimm chuckles. "No problem. Friends have each other's backs," she smiles. "You've probably had the most leads on this case so far. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You're the pro, after all."

Carpenter chuckles. "Well...knowing people and being able to read them helps with investigations. Most metas don't bother to learn how."

"Maybe you can teach me some of those tricks sometimes," Gabrielle smiles.

Carpenter smiles. "Here's the first lesson. Remember names. And remember connections. If you can do that, you're halfway there."

Grimm chuckles. "That sounds easy enough. I guess if I take careful notes afterwards, that'd help."

Carpenter nods. "Taking notes afterward always helps. Photos too."

Grimm nods along, even though she isn't taking notes at the moment. This stuff she can remember. "Good point. Photos. Maybe connection charts."

Carpenter nods. "I use a program to sometimes create graphs like that. But often, I just take lots of notes."

"Oh? Cool. That's something they haven't even brought up in class yes," Grimm says, absorbing all this like a sponge.

Carpenter smiles. "Mostly, you just have to be observant. Notice details." He looks around the room. "See the woman by the counter? She's wearing a shirt tailored for a man. The buttons layer the way a man's dress shirt does. There could be a number of reasons for that, but that's the second step. The 'why'.

Grimm tries to discretely peek over as she leans back innocently. Her brows raise a bit as he explains the difference in the buttons. "Whoa...I would've never noticed that. I had no idea there was a different," she keeps her voice low.

Carpenter nods. "And man's shirt is left over right. Women's blouses are right over left." He smiles.

Grimm looks back at Carpenter with eyes wide and incredulous. "For real? How do you even know that detail?" she asks in awe. She had no clue!

Carpenter grins. "A better question is...why did you never notice?"

Grimm chuckles and shifts in her seat. "I guess I don't really wear button up shirts. Neither have the guys I've been with."

Carpenter nods. "Ah, that would explain it. When you get to the corporate world, you start to pick up on other details. All of those small things add up and give you a bigger picture."

Grimm nods slowly as she listens. "Right. When," she grins. "Do I strike you as a corporate world person?" she winks. "Doesn't mean I won't be dealing with people in it, though, so I get your drift."

Carpenter raises a brow and smiles."If you're going to be a cop someday, you'll likely need to dress like one."

Grimm chuckles. "I guess you're right. I'll have to learn how to dress sharp and professional. I can clean up good. Promise."

Carpenter smiles. "I'm sure. I don't have any doubt of that."

Grimm grins. "Okay, good." She tries a casual glance towards the woman with the tailored blouse. "Now I'm curious about the why..."

Carpenter nods. "Okay. So...why do you think she might be wearing that? What are some plausible reasons?"

Grimm taps her foot under the table and looks back to Carpenter so she won't stare at him. "Maybe...discount deal? Second-hand shirt? Seems...more expensive to buy something not even made for a woman and then tailor it. Unless she knows how to tailor things herself?"

Carpenter smiles. "There's a simpler solution. It's not hers."

Carpenter holds up his hand, and counts off some additional information on his fingers "No wedding ring or engagement ring. Hair looks a little unkempt, but not too bad. My guess is: It's a borrowed shirt from a significant other."

Grimm blinks and stars, jaw dropping a bit. She leans forward in a hushed whisper, "You mean...the walk of shame?"

Carpenter chuckles and says quietly, "I wouldn't call it 'shame', really."

"Well. She spent the night, which means she had her old clothes. Then went out wearing his shirt," Gabrielle grins, still keeping her voice quiet. "Maybe she was just rushed."

Carpenter nods. "Or the prior shirt was stained with soup or something. If this was a crime scene, I'd be assuming a blood stain."

"Ooooo. So what would you say? Crime of passion?" Gabrielle grins. "But yeah, if she was a suspect and this was a crime scene, that would stand out. Well, to someone with your experience at least."

Carpenter nods. "When you take down notes about a suspect, you have to include every detail that you notice about the person."

Grimm nods and takes that down as a note on her phone. Short-hand, of course. "Got it. Didn't think too much about the style of clothes or state of their hair unless it was screaming 'wrong'." She looks up at him once he's done and grins. "You seem to be good at reading people when they're making stuff up, too. You certainly can read me at least. Is there, like, tells that people have?"

Carpenter nods. "There are a couple of obvious ones that are common. If a person is telling you a story, and they look away from you..and specifically up and to the left, they're probably lying.

Carpenter says, "If they look down, they're being deferential, but not necessarily telling the truth or lying."

Grimm's eyes widen at that. "Wow, seriously?" Now she gets a look on her face like she's trying to remember if or when she's done that. She takes those notes down copiously. "Okay, so down is technically...neutral/deferential. Got it."

Carpenter nods. "there are other tells, but they're more...subtle."

"Oh?" Grimm asks keenly.

Carpenter nods. "Probably a little more than I can go over here, I'm afraid. It'd require showing some video."

Carpenter smiles. "And...everyone has a tell. Everyone."

Grimm raises a brow. "Interesting. Now I'm intrigued. Maybe next time." She studies him a moment and smiles in a conniving way. "Mmmm. I wonder what your tell is, Detective," she says playfully.

Carpenter grins, "I'm not about to TELL you. Besides, most people don't know what their own tells are. Only the professionals do. Say...like myself. And that allows us to suppress them...but they don't go away entirely."

"Aw! Well. I'll be keeping a close eye on you, then, Carpenter," Gabrielle teases. "Since I -am- dealing with a professional."

Carpenter chuckles. "Good luck with that." He grins. "More importantly, it's worth learning what yours are. If you want to be able to be all enigmatic. That seems like your kind of thing, Miss Witchy-woman."

"Hahah, okay, good point. I could do the enigmatic part better. So what are my tells, then?" Gabrielle asks with a grin. "Since you seem to know some of mine."

Carpenter smiles. "When you lie, you get a particular look in your eyes. And you break eye contact."

Grimm gasps as he tells her. "Really? Darn...I'll have to work on that," she chuckles.

Carpenter chuckles. "Your voice also gets softer. Though that happens when you feel embarrassed, too."

"It does not!" Gabrielle gasps again, her voice softer and thus proving his point. She seems to realize this quickly. "Oh...dammit."