Log:Waffling Witness

The Lady in White 2020/03/31 Night Marshal|Carpenter Tamara 4

It's been a few days since the incident at the safehouse. Tamara had thanked Carpenter via text and said she'd be in contact later. Today, her witness took the stand and she's asked Carpenter to meet her at her offices after hours. And to perhaps join her for a much needed drink. Her treat.

It's after 6 and most of the office is empty, but Tamara is still working even though she set this time for them to meet. She's stressing over her files, looking up books an looking stressed. She's dressed in a black powersuit. Blouse, black jacket, black shirt, matching heels. Her hair is up in a bun, though a few strands have worked their way loose. She chews lightly on the end of her pen as she reads over some paperwork.

Carpenter pokes his head into the door and knocks on it. "Hello there, counselor. Have a few minutes?" He smiles.

Tamara lifts her head and smiles faintly, waving him in as she takes the pen out of her mouth and tries to hide her habit. "We're not in court, Jack. Of course. Come in. I'm about ready for those drinks. And snacks."

Carpenter chuckles and steps inside. He closes the office door and takes a seat. "Sounds good. How did things go in court?"

Tamara groans now that they have some privacy. "Awful. The defense tore apart my witness' testimony. All that coaching and he froze," she scowls, tossing her pen into her drawer. A rapidly spoken rant in Spanish streams out that Carpenter at least understands is peppered with curses.

Carpenter nods. "So...if it was going to be so easy to tear apart, why was a hit squad sent?"

Tamara folds her arms over her chest and frowns. "The squad really shook him up. He was a mess since then. He left out details. I wonder if he did it on purpose to try and appease the Capellis." She sighs and reaches up to brush some of the errant hair strands back out of her face. "Thanks again for passing the word on to your vigilante friend. It could have been a blood bath if he wasn't there."

Carpenter nods. "I'm glad it worked out, at least in that sense. I'm sorry that the witness didnt' pan out. Is there anything further I can do?"

Tamara sighs and shakes her head. "No. Hopefully we can still convince the jury. Just thank your associate for me. I probably owe him my life as well as the witnesses." She closes her files and puts then in her desk, locking them up. "Well, I suppose there is something. Let me treat you to dinner or a drink to thank you while I drown my sorrows."

Carpenter smiles. "Sure. I'll gladly accept. Thank you. And I'll pass on your thanks to him. He spoke highly of you, by the way."

"He did?" Tamara asks, already getting up and slipping her purse onto her shoulder. She's more than ready to get out of the office. "What did he say? He seemed very unusual for a vigilante. He even stayed to give a statement. It'll make the case against the hit squad go pretty smoothly, I think."

Carpenter stands up. "He mentioned your professionalism. Well, and that you backed him up when the agents drew on him. And yeah, he's a bit unusual." He shrugs, "Based on conversations I've had with him, he's not terribly fond of the way a lot of hte local metas deal with their business. He knows what needs to happen to put people away."

"Of course. It did lead to me getting questioned by the agents on how he knew where the safehouse was, but I couldn't let them mistakenly shoot him," Tamara comments as she pushes her chair in and steps around her desk. She smiles at his description. "No wonder you were willing to recommend him."

Carpenter nods. "There are only a handful of costumed folks I'd recommend. And at least three times that who I'd warn you away from." He chuckles quietly. "So, where are we going for dinner?"

Tamara laughs. "Maybe I can bribe you to share your contacts list and warning list. Mmmm, I need a margarita or a mojito after the way this week has been going. Something to see me through to Friday," she teases. "And comfort food. Senor Cucos? Or maybe Brazilian barbecue. Gauchos Grill has those all you can eat grilled meats."

Carpenter chuckles. "Ooo...no...I don't really want that much meat in a single sitting. But Mexican does sound good." He smiles, "I can give you a list of who I trust and who I don't, if you like. No need to bribe me for it."

"Suit yourself. I'm prepared for a food coma at this point," Tamara smiles as she heads for the door and opens it for them. "Good on both accounts. I appreciate the list offer. Now," she takes in a fresh breath and puts on a smile, trying to not think of work. That is near impossible for her unless she's drinking, "you can tell me about -your- week on our way over. It's near enough we can walk to Senor Cucos."

Carpenter nods. "My week has been...eventful. Murder investigation in Harrisburg. There's a potential meta involved, so I got the case. Oh, and a missing person. There are times when I wish I had a dedicated partner again. But I think I'm not liked much in the bullpen. The others likely wouldn't want to work with me."

"Any luck talking to Landry about a dedicated partner?" Tamara asks curiously. "If you had your pick, who would you want to be partnered up with?"

Carpenter takes a deep breath and thinks about it. "Probably Celia Harris. She's sharp. And new, so she's not jaded yet. But the cases I deal with are...dangerous. So, I'm not sure I'd want to ask her."

Tamara nods as they turn the corner to the street the restaurant is on. "Still too green? Has any progress been made on metahuman officers or detectives? I suppose most who would be eligible and so inclined are lining up for Starguard."

Carpenter snorts, "Yeah, they're all getting scooped up by Starguard, sadly. I can understand why. Commander Perrault is pretty friendly, and they seem to have a good environment to work in. But it's still frustrating."

"It's because they're so loose with their metas. Perhaps the police department could adopt a similar program," Tamara brainstorms as they turn into the restaurant. "Two, please," she tells the front desk person. The pair are promptly seated at a booth table for two.

Carpenter takes a seat at the table and chuckles, "You really want metas playing fast and loose with the rules? I think that would get in the way of convictions, don't you?"

"Of course. That's why they'd be paired up with real detectives and subject to their orders maybe?. And not just any meta would be able to sign up," Tamara suggests. When the waitress comes by to drop off chips and salsa and take drink orders, Tamara requests, "I'll have the house Silver Margarita."

Carpenter looks amused and rubs his temple, "I can see where this would go. I'd get partnered with a meta."

Tamara smiles. "Well, if no one else in the department is crazy enough to partner with you, that's a possibility. Though I think you have enough metas helping you unofficially that you don't need an official meta partner. You need a fellow detective. Maybe once Celia has some cases under her belt?"

Carpenter smiles. "Maybe. Assuming she hasn't become completely jaded by the system at that point."

"That would be quick. Or are you saying it'll take a long time for her to be a viable partner?" Tamara quips as she reaches for a chip and loads it with salsa. "Perhaps try to make friends with her so she doesn't run the other way."

Carpenter chuckles. "I was saying that people become jaded quickly. But yeah, not a bad idea."

Tamara shrugs and eats her chip. "You already unofficially partner with metas. I'm surprised you'd be bothered with one sanctioned by the department."

Carpenter smiles and shakes his head, "I'm not really bothered by the idea, honestly. But it would be someone who is completely green, probably. But powerful. That has the potential for...complications."

Tamara nods as she goes over scenarios in her head. "Hmm. Yes. And given authority? Maybe it's not such a good idea."

Carpenter nods. "It might work out okay. It would depend heavily on the individual, I think. Someone with Night Marshal's attitude? Fine. Someone with Daemon's? Ennnnh."

Tamara laughs, having heard his complains on this before. "So, screening. An application and interview process. Like I said, not just anyone qualifies. Though if you can't figure out a satisfactory way it can work, it's no wonder the department hasn't tried." She nudges the chips closer to him so she doesn't hog them all.

Carpenter chuckles, "I can't say they haven't tried. I don't know for sure." He takes a few of hte chips, dipping them in salsa as he eats them. "I don't really have that kind of political clout to know for sure."

"I'm sure sometime in this city's history, someone tried it," Tamara smiles as she swirls a chip in the salsa. "Maybe that's the reason they don't do it now?"

The waitress comes by to drop off Tamara's margarita and take orders. "Are you ready to order?"

"I'll have the carnitas chimichanga," Tamara requests politely.

Log:Manageable Cases