The Aurian Chronicles chapter 3: CROSS roads

It was Nine in the morning in New York City the next day. A young Asian woman with her hair tied into a regulated bun walked into the reception area in the NYPD with a coffee in hand. She inspected her Police uniform in the mirror and plucked a stray piece of fabric off of it before heading to her office, where a rookie police officer nodded to her. he was a handsome young man with light brown hair and green eyes. He was also incredibly well built, his muscle detail was visible even through his uniform.

"Good Evening Ma'am" He said awkwardly as she fought the urge to chuckle. "It's morning Officer Matthews, those kinds of details will make paperwork hell for you if you mess up." she said as she sat down and took off her shoes while going through some paperwork he left on the table. He just lowered his tone. "Can you just call me Dom? I thought we were much closer after we..."

"After we had sex Dom, and no we are NOT! Had I known you were not only another Officer but one coming in under me, I would not have agreed to it." She said as she looked at him. Dominic lowered his head. "Sorry Amanda." He said softly. "It's Lieutenant Cross right now thank you, I would like to keep things professional while in uniform thanks... Now why are you here?" She asked as she popped her toes with a tight curl.

"Yeah um... The other guys thought it'd be better if a rookie broke the news to you... Albert Farley was reported murdered last night." He told her. Amanda shrugged. "Oh wow, such a shame, I'll have to send roses... To former Sheriff Donald Bradley!" She said as she remembered the look on his face when Albert was bailed out of prison. She was still reeling over his early retirement and the separation of his wife. New York lost a good man and replaced it with an unstable Alcoholic that day.

Dominic scratched the back of his head and looked down at his feet. "About that... Donnie was found dead by his own hand in his home in Long Island last night as well" He started, causing Amanda's eyes to widen as she cupped her mouth. "Apparently after emptying his entire savings account and applying for a huge loan... We're guessing he hired someone to finally end Albert's life over his son, then committed suicide by gunshot." Finished Dominic as he let out a shaky sigh over having to tell someone they had just lost a friend.

Amanda took some time to reflect but saw Dominic was still a bit shaky. "Steady that resolve rookie, You're going to be doing this a lot in your career! Now... any clues on who the killer was?" She asked patiently. Dominic shook his head. "No, we asked the bartender, but he said he couldn't get a good view of the guy, however, we DID see him getting talks of repairing his bar from someone mentioning Mr. Capryse."  Responded Dominic, causing her to look at her coffee cup, which read 'Capryse Coffee' on the side. She held up the cup and pointed to it. "This Guy? The hell is he doing repairing some bar in Long Island?" She asked curiously.

Dominic shrugged a bit and cleared his throat. "He's been doing that in places that get too damaged. Heck, a strip club called 'The Peppermint Pole' was just repaired with his funding just last month." He said casually. Amanda was pulling up pictures of Mr Capryse on her computer. It showed a young-looking man with crystal blue eyes, and messy brown hair in a brown three-piece suit with a solid gold tie smirking while sipping a cup of coffee. 

"THAT'S Antonio Capryse? He's the founder of my favorite brand of Coffee! My PARENTS drank that brand... how is he so HANDSOME!?" She asked as she blushed when she realized what she said. "I mean... young..." She said meekly. "Not so professional now are we?" Asked Dominic with a light chuckle. Causing Amanda to narrow her eyes at him. "Traffic duty for the next week, then you're on detail for 'shop with a cop' the week after, how's THAT for professional? Now get out, I'm busy." She told him, causing him to grumble and leave.

As the door closed behind him, Amanda stared at Mr. Capryse. "So Capryse... I guess I'll just have to see for myself how 'Good' your intentions are." She said though she was unaware of the blush still on her face. She couldn't explain it, but something about his eyes was sucking her in as she gazed at the photo.

After she had everything she needed, she left her office and took an early day from the office to plan her meeting. Which meant setting a time, a date, and even a line of questions she mentally prepared herself to say. "If it's true, and he IS a criminal... That'd honestly be a shame though, He's made my life so much more tolerable with his Coffee..." She said with a worried grunt, but she swallowed it down and gritted her teeth. "BUT THE LAW IS THE LAW!" She said loudly to herself in her car as she headed home in her car.