2020-07-16 - Who Can You Trust?

(TXT to Byron) Ruiz : Thorne, I'd like your assistance with a matter. At your convenience.

(TXT to Ruiz) Byron : (It takes some time for Byron to message back. Probably considering WTF is going on where Ruiz asks HIM for assistance) De la Vega. Like always, If there's anything you need for me to do regarding the casino incident, I'm more than happy to help. Is this about the casino incident?

(TXT to Byron) Ruiz : Of course it's about the casino incident. I need to talk to you about the footage. Has anyone been by yet to collect it for evidence?

(TXT to Ruiz) Byron : I was approached. Yes. And I told them that I'd get them to the precinct once it's retrieved. I have lawyers breathing down my neck, looking for compensation for their clients who had vehicles down in the garage. So I've had my hands full. Are you picking up then?

(TXT to Byron) Ruiz : I imagine it's been a difficult time for you. I apologise for that. And yeah, I'd like to stop by and pick it up. Tomorrow work for you?

(TXT to Ruiz) Byron : Ah, good. No apologies necessary, I don't think. Who can predict where shit like this is going down? I heard from Clayton that you were first on the scene. Glad that you both got out of that mess. Tomorrow works, mostly. Need to meet up with my lawyer, but I have the footage already prepared for delivery anyway.

(TXT to Byron) Ruiz : Yeah, it was a bit of a shit show. I wish Alexander hadn't been there, but nothing to be done about it now.

(TXT to Byron) Ruiz : Anyway, uh.. I'll stop by after work tomorrow, then. Thanks, Thorne.

NEXT DAY

Having met with de la Vega at the casino lobby, Byron extends a hand for a cordial shake before leading the Interim Chief towards the main security office. Obviously, the co-owner of the Grand Olympic is dressed in one of his usual dark suits and despite what just took place in this establishment in which he invested in not long ago (and how harried he must be from any guests affected by the shootout), he looks to be in light enough spirits at least. Speaking in a quiet, conversational tone for the journey, his dark eyes observing Ruiz in a s subtle manner, he states, "I'm told that things might get worse before they get better regarding... well, what happened both here and the unfortunate incident regarding Thatchery."

Drawing in a deep breath, he finally asks, "Is there anything that I can do to help? I'll assume that you have Clayton assisting on the case and... he informed me that there may be a few corrupt cops," There's a curious tone when he mentions the corrupt cops part, "causing trouble around town?"

The acting Chief is dressed down in his usual casual manner. Rarely in uniform, his job is generally to blend in with the populace rather than scare off criminals. So today it's a black tee shirt with the logo faded into oblivion, dark, snug-fitting jeans tucked into expensive looking heeled boots, and a sport jacket thrown over top in some sort of token consideration for the crowd he needs to blend into this afternoon. No leather jacket, no ballcap in evidence today; just the cop's hard eyes and scruffy jawline in evidence as he strides into the lobby and grasps Byron's hand in a quick, firm shake.

"Your cooperation and discretion are assistance enough," he offers with a taut smile as he trails along after the taller man. "And Alexander is not employed by the GHPD, so I'm not sure what makes you assume that." A beat. "There's been some trouble, yeah. What's he told you?"

The way to the security office isn't too far from the main lobby, but even in that short distance, Byron is forced to smile and greet with someone or other in passing. Could be a guest or someone who works at the casino. Or a business partner. Either way, it's a short exchange and Thorne apologizes as he picks up the pace in leading the way. "He might not be employed by the GHPD, but that doesn't mean that he won't try to help." A small smile creeps across Byron's lips when he says this, "He did the same back in the day when my father was alive. Unsolicited assistance."

"Anyway, he basically just said that another cartel was in town and that the hit on Monaghan was probably connected to Thatchery's murder." His eyes face forward now when he brings this next topic up, "He also mentioned that a corrupt cop may be there shaking townsfolk up. Not that I've encountered anything of that nature. Yet." He adds emphasis there, before hurrying on, "And while I might say that I have the benefit of having both of my investments be highly secured, obviously, that hasn't stopped what happened at the parking garage." And to this he has a rueful smile.

Brandishing his keys, he unlocks the door to the security office, swinging it open and gesturing for the cop to enter. "Here we are."

It's a good sized office with a wall of monitors to observe various aspects of the casino. There are two other security sorts present. One of them is playing Big Brother and watching the casino goings-on. "Mitchum, the recording from the garage incident." Byron lets the second man in the room know to fetch the copy of the security feed.

The captain follows along at an easy pace, more than capable of keeping up with Thorne's longer stride. His slightly narrowed eyes pick out the faces of those they pass by, noting the composition of the crowd tonight. The regulars, the out-of-towners, the retirees and high rollers. He's not vice, and probably hasn't run it in a number of years, but profiling people is a habit that's hard to break apparently.

"Of course he'll try to help," de la Vega remarks absently, after a brief pause to contemplate.. his phone? He doesn't explain, but continues moving after a moment. "And he does good work. No question. But he won't be on the books, which.. is partly why he does good work." He slants the other man a slightly amused look. Which fades when Thatchery's mentioned. "You know I can't speculate on an active murder investigation, Thorne. That said, we'll obviously be investigating any and all potential connections between these homicides and the Chief's death to the full extent of our ability."

He steps into the office when gestured inside, gaze flicking from one monitor to the next, then settling on Mitchum. "You have someone in here, during the incident?" he wonders absently.

Of course, Byron doesn't press the matter of these current murder cases, connected or not. He does ask, making sure to do so while none of the other two are paying attention, "And the... corrupt cop or cops?" This is a topic that Ruiz seemed more than happy to ignore, in Byron's eyes, at least. "He gave me a name." Clayton did. "If anything, I'll be keeping an eye out on that one. I doubt any cops in need of cash will try to cause trouble here, with so many people and so much security, but might be keeping a better eye on Harbor Mist." Lilith's pawn shop.

At Ruiz's question, Byron turns to glance over his shoulder at the guard manning the monitors. "There's always at least one person here, though I like to have the guards working in pairs, if not more. But that's more in the case of town weirdness." Glimmer. Dreams. Veil. You name it. "Then the security on patrol stop by here from time to time to check things. Kramer, there, was here on the day of the shootout. He was the one who contacted me about it."

"Mm," is all de la Vega seems to have to say, on the matter of the corrupt cops. He's still watching Mitchum, though that intent study shifts slowly to Kramer, once the name's dropped and the clarification's made. The way he's looking at the guy.. well, it's not precisely the way one might want to be looked at by a man like the captain. Like if he were a little hungrier, and they were somewhere a little darker. A little more secluded..

"You should." His voice is low, rough and contemplative. Dark eyes eventually flick from Kramer, back to the businessman. "Keep a close eye on Lilith's store. I'm sure you've heard what happened to the, uh. Control Pad." He had to think about the name of the place for a minute there. A breath, and a glance at his watch. "I have to tread carefully, with the.." Traitors in his own department. He doesn't say it, but perhaps Byron can catch his meaning by the way the captain watches him.

Then, maintaining eye contact steadily, "Has anyone else been by for the footage, Thorne?"

"Yeah, I heard." Byron relays to the burning down of the game shop. "That's why I'm concerned. While I doubt that they'll try to burn down the casino or the apartment complex." His posture straightens, gaze wandering at the very idea of someone attempting that, with lifted brows, he returns back to the Acting Chief, "The pawn shop is just that. A pawn shop. I usually have some form of security tailing Lilith," pause, "She knows about it." He makes sure to state. He's not being a creepy stalker!

To the unspoken words, though, Byron doesn't even nod to say that he acknowledges what he's being told. But he will maintain that eye contact as well. This should give Ruiz enough to note that, perhaps, Thorne understands the man's situation regarding the precinct.

When Mitchum returns, Byron takes a brief glance down at the flash drive turned over to him. Something which he, in turn, hands to Ruiz. Only when Mitchum retreats back to analyzing date or what have you, at his own monitor, the entrepreneur informs the cops, "Yeah. A Detective Chapman. I... told him that I'd get it to the precinct as soon as I could," The way in which Thorne says this, it may hint of his wariness to turn over such information to people, GHPD or otherwise, that he did not know. However, his tone lightens and he even smiles, " But look! You made my job that much easier."

"Is there anything else that I can help you with?"

The cop grunts softly at the notion of the casino or apartment complex being torched, still maintaining eye contact throughout. "Wouldn't hurt to beef up security for a little while, though," he offers, low voiced. It's not worded as a threat, or even much of a warning. Friendly advice, more like.

Then the drive's making its way over, and he holds his hand out for it, closes his fingers around the thing once it's placed there. "Detective Chapman," he repeats. He recognises the name, of course; he'd be a pretty terrible captain, much less acting Chief, if he didn't know each and every one of the men who work for him. But there's that flicker, again, of something across his eyes. Something less than pleasant. A surge of that same something, sharp and hot and dark, mercilessly close.. but it can't quite get in past Byron's impressive defenses.

He tries to smile. "Entiendo. Thank you, Thorne. I appreciate your help. I.. think that's all I needed from you." And without further ado, he turns to go.

Despite the odd shift in the air, Byron is confident in himself to not notice anything amiss. Maybe that's because he's telling the truth, so there's no need to be concerned? Who knows!

"Any time, de la Vega. Any time." Byron says casually when Ruiz thanks for his help and all that. "Good luck with keeping the town safe. And I'm not saying that to be funny." Because if shit has come to Gray Harbor, that's bad for business. "See you around. Stay safe."