Chapter Three.
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San Myshuno. Spice District. Four weeks later.
In the weeks following Officer Caliente’s untimely death, Vincent found himself engrossed in his work. San Myshuno was being consumed by something rotten that was causing misery for its citizens and, after his colleague’s funeral, he vowed that he would put a stop to it.
He was in the middle of processing another missing Sim case when he received a call from one of his superiors back at the precinct.
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“Valentine, you’re needed in Windenburg ASAP. We’ve just had an interesting break in your missing Teen case.” Detective Spencer-Kim reported over the line.
“Oh? I thought we closed that case four weeks ago?” Answered Vincent, his voice tinged with confusion.
“Yeah, so did the higher-ups,” she grunted, “but since the daughter’s story is kind of crazy they’ve re-opened the case. Turns out she finally showed up last night in Windenburg of all places,” she paused momentarily, “she was caught distributing and selling plasma packs from the Cut-N-Gut Health Clinic down in Willow Creek. We managed to trace her little operation all the way to Windenburg. I thought maybe you’d like to do the honours of arresting and bringing her in, what d’you say?”
Incredulous at these developments, he thanked her and promised he would be in Windenburg as soon as he could get there.
***
The Shrieking Llama was located in the heart of Windenburg’s idyllic countryside. Surrounded by the lush green hills and the low humming sound of the wind turbine farm in the distance, Vincent finally managed to subdue and arrest the suspect. It was no easy task but he managed to finally, after much resistance, slap some cuffs on her wrists.
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Returning to the precinct, Vincent walked over to the Booking Station area where the Teen was waiting to be processed. He began to conduct the lengthy administration tasks before they joined Detective Spencer-Kim in the interrogation room.
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Unbeknownst to Vincent, the events that transpired during the next few hours were going to change his fate forever.
***
“This. Here. What you said right here in your statement,” Vincent jabbed a finger at the file he had laid out in front of him, “what in the Watcher’s name are you talking about?”
He presented the file to her and she stared hard at it.
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“Oh,” she said simply and reclined back in her seat. She swallowed hard and turned to Detective Spencer-Kim before she answered him.
“Yeah, that’s right,” she said defiantly, ”I stole them for my vampire friends. They were running out of plasma packs and asked me to find some for them. One thing led to another and before you know it I had a business. It became pretty popular with some of the Willow Creek locals too and figured it was a decent way to earn Simoleans on the side so I stuck with it,” she shrugged, “it was better than going to school and I got to travel too but I guess that’s all over now, huh?”
Vincent let out a heavy sigh, baffled by her explanation.
She’s just some poor kid, he thought to himself as he slowly shook his head. How in SimNation did she end up in a situation like this?
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“Vampires?” His voice thick with scepticism.
She nodded fervently.
Vincent cast his gaze to Detective Spencer-Kim, whose expression was looking just as doubtful.
“Look, Mr. Officer, I know you don’t believe me because nobody ever does. It’s true that they exist. Right here in San Myshuno. Probably in all of SimNation, too!”
Vincent let out a heavy sigh. He was getting nowhere with this one.
Panicked by his response to her outlandish claims, the girl tried a different tactic.
“I can prove it!” She suddenly declared to them both.
“How, in SimNation, can you prove that?” Asked Detective Spencer-Kim, her words laced with curiosity.
“Please,” she pleaded, “if you drop the charges and let me out of here I can go get it for you.”
Vincent scoffed at her cheeky attempt at a deal and gave Detective Spencer-Kim a knowing look. She responded with an imperceptible nod of her head.
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Despite his disbelief, Vincent couldn’t help but be intrigued by her story. He had to know what this Teen had gotten herself wrapped up in. His instincts were telling him that she was probably their best lead. They hadn’t solved any of the cases so far and there was now no denying that they needed her help. Any help.
What did she have in her possession that could help prove the existence of vampires? What kind of criminals were asking her to steal plasma packs from hospitals and what did they need it for? What gave her the right to then sell it on the streets to strangers?
“Alright,” he conceded finally, “I’ll bite.”
The Teen jumped excitedly in her seat at the prospect of her freedom.
“However, ” he continued, “what you’re suggesting here is a little...” he rolled his wrist as he searched for the word, “unusual. I think it would be appropriate if you worked with us on this one. How does becoming a Confidential Informant sound to you, huh?”
The excitement vanished from her face as he stood up to leave.