New Cottington PD (Crime Drama|Char RP|IC|Open)

[Dyelli Beybi]

Co-OPed by Europa Undivided and Khasinkonia

OOC | Discord

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Welcome to New Cottington PD, a crime drama where you get to write the life of a detective in the Serious Crimes Unit of the (seemingly) hopelessly corrupt New Cottington PD. You will be tasked with tracking down and bringing to justice a variety of strange and interesting gangsters and other criminals, a task which is made harder by the fact that half your fellow officers are on someone's payroll and the citizens don't trust you. Will you fall to corruption? Perhaps you go off the rails and become worse than the criminals? Or maybe you might try to be a light in the darkness who can bring some kind of order to the crime ridden city?

'New Cottington' is set in the fictional city of the same name that is more-or-less this universe's version of New York. Other than this one change you can assume that all technology etc. is more-or-less the same as it is today and other places still exist on the map. I have chosen to use a fictional city to allow a bit of creativity on my, and your part regarding places etc. Similarly, the NCPD is not a real police force with real procedures etc; this is a crime drama, not a police simulation so you do not need to go to police college to learn procedure before joining. Someone who I trust to remain active and not abandon the thread unexpectedly will be told their character is the 'Lead Detective' (yes I know that real police departments have grades etc.) though the Captain will be your 'quest giver'... and rip you a new one if you decide to shoot up the casino.

The tone of this RP will not be entirely serious at times. Expect outrageous villains who chew the scenery and big shoot outs, but also plenty of time to develop your character.

Finally, if you still feel like joining (no matter how long it gets), that is fine, there is always room for a new rookie on the squad!

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Case One
(With some theme music)

It was another cold, dark day in December. Snow was falling on the city, just a light dusting. For now. The Christmas lights were up across town and the shop windows were lavishly decorated, glowing with the promise of the festivities to come and the promise that the world's problems might be fixed if only people would spend just a little bit more money on the latest offering by this season's well intentioned pop star. The women and men of the Serious Crimes Unit were, undoubtedly not feeling particularly festive.

Another body had been found - the third in a series that was beginning to point to a serial killer. For some people that was cause enough to be feeling grim though, if that were not enough, the call-out had come at 5:00 in the morning, which was really quite uncivilised, especially for those officers who had been feeling festive the night before...

The local detective, a gaunt looking man with large ears and a mop of hair that fell forward across his brow, seemed all too eager to hand the case over, which wasn't a good sign. Local detectives could be quite territorial and the involvement of Serious Crimes all too often got their back up, as if it were somehow a challenge to their competence, "You the guys from Serious Crimes?" he inquired, "Detective Lambert, pleasure to meet you. If you'll follow me, I'll show you the body."

The body had been found down by some old warehouses on the riverfront. If there hadn't been lights, it would have been easy to think the rusting, dilapidated old buildings were abandoned. A few curious warehouse workers were hanging about near the police perimeter, though they couldn't see much. The cordon had been set up on the road, though to get down to the body required climbing down a steep bank next to the docks, where the local cops had the body under a blanket set right on the water's edge. Lambert peeled it back far enough to see the face, which, for those in the unit who were familiar with the local mafia would immediately reveal why Lambert was so happy to get rid of the case.

The body was pallid in death, though the crooked nose and lantern jaw perched atop a massive frame that was as much fat as muscle was still unmistakable: Frank 'the Lemon' Scavi. His dark hair, usually slicked back was plastered over his face - time spent in the water. Someone had cut his throat, the wound was unmistakable, though there was no blood under the blanket. Presumably the crime had happened elsewhere and he'd washed up here.

Scavi had worked for Tony Cardo, one of the big players in the city. Whomever had taken Scavi out was going to have Cardo out for blood; if this was the work of another family it could turn into a gang war and anyone investigating the case would end up in the middle, potentially in the crosshairs of both groups. Investigating it wasn't going to be easy and was likely to draw the ire of some very dangerous people... not the kind of hot potato you wanted to be left holding.

"This looks like the work of a serial killer," Lambert supplied, which was the excuse they were using to get rid of the case, "Third body we've found like this in the last two weeks, throat slashed and gallbladder removed. Don't ask me why. If it's like the other two, when your medical examiner takes a look at it they'll say it looks like the person had some surgical training. The other two were vagrants. I'm sure that our ME will be happy to share any notes on the bodies, though we haven't generated any leads."

They probably hadn't put much effort into investigating the death of a couple of vagrants. That kind of crime tended to go unsolved.

"You folks have any questions?" Lambert asked, "If not I'll be up at the car," he hiked his thumb in the direction they had come from, where the police vehicles were parked up, "so you know where to find me if you come up with some."

[Main Nation Ministry]

Detective Mason Sherwood

“It strikes me profoundly that the world is more often than not a bad and cruel place.” - Bret Easton Ellis, American Pyscho

Mason opened the car door from his cruiser, as he got out into the cold morning air. The sun struggled to peek through the clouds, as snow was lightly dusting the ground and everything nearby. It was supposed to be December. The month of Christmas for people to get together with the family. However, Mason had to do work. He had family, but he has to be in the dark side of winter to do his job. There was reports of a body, where since he was a part of the "Serious Crimes Unit", he had to investigate.

Notes:
- A body has been found by the riverfront. Detective Lambert seems too anxious. Something's might not be right.

The temperature outside had to almost reach below 40. Or was it 30? Mason wasn't a scientist. He had to wear a large winter overcoat, as he made sure there wasn't any random gust of wind to blow his hat off. Some of his fellow officers might recognize Sherwood, since he was one of the tallest and lankest of the bunch. There was a steep bank that he tried to make sure he didn't slip down, as it led to the water's edge of the riverfront. "Woah....WOAH!!" He nearly slipped heading down. He was a damn klutz. One of the officers nearby snickered at him, as Mason tried to act natural. He went to the body, as he stood next to Detective Lambert, as he pulled back the white blanket on the cadaver.

The body was well dead, though since the temperatures were near freezing, one might argue that the body could be in good condition. The problem is that it makes it difficult to determine a time of death, since the temperature screws with the decomposition process. Mason took the guess that the victim might have been killed last night, but he wasn't too sure.

"This looks like the work of a serial killer," Lambert said, as everyone was examining the body, "Third body we've found like this in the last two weeks, throat slashed and gallbladder removed. Don't ask me why. If it's like the other two, when your medical examiner takes a look at it they'll say it looks like the person had some surgical training. The other two were vagrants. I'm sure that our ME will be happy to share any notes on the bodies, though we haven't generated any leads."

Mason took his time to examine the body. He had someone else touch the body. Even though, he was one of the first at the scene with Lambert, he didn't want to wake up in the morning to touch a freezing corpse. The cause of death might have been the slit throat. Throat seemed to be cut with a scalpel, since Lambert mentioned the killer having surgical experience. Combined with the removed gallbladder, it only added some questions. "Could someone check his pockets? The body, I mean.." Mason tried not to sound socially awkward, when in reality, he was completely social awkward.

"Our victim might still have something in his possession. Evidence that didn't get washed away, perhaps." Mason gave the suggestion, though he was largely unaware of the victim's identity. He wasn't aware that the victim was Frank 'The Lemon' Scavi, who was a gangster.

Notes:
- The victim was found at the waterfront at the water's edge. Body had washed up, meaning that the victim could have been killed somewhere else. Most likely, the body was dumped into the river.
- Wounds were a slit throat and a removed gallbladder. Reason for gallbladder removal? Symbolic importance?
- Two similar murders occurred on vagrants. Possible serial killer in the midst. What's the connection with the victim and the others?

Leads:
- The killer has surgical experience. Killer might be an ex-doctor or someone who works or worked in the medical profession.
- The killer is using a M.O. Identifying victims will be easy.
- The amount of certain victims can offer up a connection. The murder locations and last whereabouts of recent victim is to be considered. This might cut down the area to search for the killer. Personal attributes for victims is something to look into.

Mason was scribbling away at his notepad, as he was jolting down notes to the point to which it took up two pages. "I feel like a popsicle in this weather." Mason muttered, as he felt like he might have a good lead or two.

[Europa Undivided]

Detective Aurelio Estrella
Team Leader

Arriving before most of the team, Aurelio looked down at the body of the dead gangster, eyeing the corpse as if it was a prize piece of furniture crafted from well oiled Italian Maple. He had been in the force for years, and knew well that this case could very well end up in the trash bin if they get in too deep in the city's fetid rotten core.

And considering the high profile of this murdered gangster, that may as well be the case. The mafias of New Cottington were unforgiving towards anyone that pissed them off, and the members of the police weren't exempt from their wrath, either. Sometimes, no, oftentimes, the police department was complicit or compromising when it came to this. This is the price to pay if you'll be an enforcer of the law in what could be the single most rotten city in this country.

Aurelio took in the sight, and had enough. He popped out an Almond Joy chocolate bar and chowed on it, healing his appetite from looking at a murder victim.

"Could someone check his pockets? The body, I mean.." Mason tried not to sound socially awkward, when in reality, he was completely social awkward.

Aurelio had been rather deep in thought when he heard Mason request for someone to check the dead gangster's pockets. Quietly, he placed the half eaten bar back into his pockets, and walked towards the corpse.

"Here we go." Aurelio coughed as he slipped on a pair plastic of gloves on his hands and pulled up his face mask. He then reached into the pockets of the dead man, expecting to pull out a wallet or something similar. He took care not to touch any other area of the body to avoid ruining any forensic evidence the CSI's might find.

"Someone reach me a plastic ziplock bag, please." Aurelio requested, motioning with his free hand to no one in particular. "Forensic people, you know what you do best."

Now, as for that pocket. Nothing... something... maybe something...?

[The GAmeTopians]

Adelina Sofia Trevisani
Detective, Forensic Specialist, Serious Crimes Division

The chill of NC City's least friendly month had long since set in by the time police cruisers and unmarked cars had begun to pull up to the morning's crime scene, packed tightly along an open section of the curb. Some distance ahead, the dark frame of an expensive-looking sedan pulled off of the eerily quiet side road, coming to a stop a clean fifty or so feet from the main group of vehicles. The driver's door opened - a man in a matching black suit stepped out, carrying a large black briefcase in his right hand. He made his way swiftly over to the curbside passenger door, and opened it wordlessly, before reaching out to clasp the pale, dainty hand that extended from the vehicle.

"Thank you, Fabio." The figure of one Adelina Sofia Trevisani slowly became clear as the woman herself swung her feet out of the car doorframe, and came to a standing position with Fabio's assistance. Everything about her appearance was, of course, immaculate - even at this obscenely early hour. From her exquisitely applied makeup to the skirt-suit that was more expensive than any designer brand, a casual onlooker without context might suspect they were witnessing the arrival of an international businesswoman, not an NCPD detective.

"Dante, escort."
"Woof!"
A white streak emerged from the same door of the jet black Maserati. The german shepherd nuzzled Adelina's polished black heel, its whine for attention not verbalized but very much implied. With an impatient gesture, driver Fabio quickly passed Adelina the briefcase, and returned to his spot at the wheel after closing the passenger door. With haste the woman and her canine companion descended the steep slope towards the crime scene - and despite the treacherous downward grade, they would not have to wait long.

Ducking under the cordon, Adelina made a hand signal to Dante, who promptly laid down just inches from the tape line - one might assume to prevent evidence contamination. One could only guess.

"Shit," was all that escaped from her ruby red lips as the ice-cold face of The Lemon came into view. Well... this could be a problem. Guess it's my problem now. Adelina clicked open the clasps of her briefcase, retrieving an evidence bag and passing it to the team leader. She stood next to him and slightly behind, muttering in a low but not incomprehensible tone.

"Frank 'The Lemon' Scavi, well-known goon of the Cardo familia and personal lackey of the man himself, Tony Cardo. Did all the stuff you might imagine a high-level lackey does." Leaving Aurelio with that information, Adelina began to fiddle with a pair of rubber gloves, tugging at the elastic caught against her wrist. First, she would assess potential damage elsewhere on the corpse, before it grew too cold to analyze - a slash to the neck like the one described was clean... too clean. If you got lucky, you might catch a normal guy off guard with a move like that, but Frank Scavi was a professional - a real piece of work. If she had to wager a guess... blunt force trauma on the back of the head, then the slash added afterward to fit the MO of the serial killer. Maybe it was the same guy, maybe not... that was, after all, their job to find out.

[Talchyon]

The crime scene
Det. Marco Lanzetti

Early calls weren't all that early anymore. There was a time when he was just a new boot from academy where the jarring of his phone at all dark hours grated against his sleep routine. He'd go out to the calls, groggy. The whole rest of the day usually left him not as productive as he might have been. That was then, way back when. But now? As he neared the figurative "hill" in his life, the big 5-0, he found that getting up early was just something he did. His body sent out signals, saying, "Get your ass out of bed and do something." Try and resist those if you wished, but they kept nagging worse than a mother-in-law. So he had just gotten used to being a morning guy. By the time his cell phone rang with - of all things, a ringtone sung by the Police - Det. Marco Lanzetti was already up and moving. It wasn't too much a stretch to get his off-road work boots and gear on, and head out in his 4 door Toyota.

The morning was a cold one. Jack Frost was doing more than just nipping at noses. He was vying to shut down lungs with every breath that got drawn in. So far, the lungs were winning. But, it was still early, and Jack was a guy that did more the longer you dealt with him. Lanzetti hoped this call wouldn't take long. Standing out in the cold wasn't the most annoying thing about his job, but it was far from the best thing either.

Having parked his vehicle, Det. Lanzetti got under the yellow tape as he shook his head, annoyed. That was a hell of a big crime scene. There was no way they'd be getting out of there soon. Doing his best to keep his balance as he edged his way down the steep slope, the middle-aged Italian detective took in the report by the detective on the scene, this Detective Lambert who he didn't know. Different precinct from up north, and Lanzetti had never had the opportunity to rub shoulders with the man. The report wasn't good. Someone had mistaken the man for an organ donor, and wanted to give him another mouth in his neck with a nice sharp blade of some kind. Trevisani came down the hill not long after, wearing her standard Gucci outfits. He and some of the guys called her "the Princess" behind her back, because she always looked like she was spending enough money equivalent to some royal family in a 3rd world country. Anyway, she had a lead on the vic. Frank "the Lemon" Scavi. Lanzetti had heard of him but only vaguely. Younger than him, might have grown up in the same neighborhood but times changes things. The fact that it was Scavi and that he worked for Tony Cardo only meant trouble. Mob hits weren't pleasant to work. But you can't hand-pick what case you get assigned.

You could tell which detectives were seasoned pros - like himself, the Princess, Estrella - and then what guys were green rookies. Lanzetti tried not to show any embarrassment when Mason (or as people called him, "the Geek") didn't want to get close enough to go through the stiff's pockets. It's not like stiffs are going to come back to life and start eating your brains or something. The guy probably watched too many zombie movies. They'd have to tease him about it later, back at the station.

While other detectives examined the body even closer, Lanzetti approached Det. Lambert and asked who had found the vic and what time. Sometimes, you can find info from the first discoverer. Regardless, it was protocol to at least talk to that person. Wouldn't be the first time a killer had been the one to call in the cops to report his victim.

[Barapam]

Det. Eurasia Dahlstrom

Detective Dahlstrom shivered in the cold. She wasn't dressed enough for the temperature, but at least the NC Rangers scarf helped somewhat. She hadn't downed any breakfast before the call, and she was getting hangry. Unlike Aurelio she hadn't had the foresight to bring snacks, and she was a bit jealous at him because of it. Now she couldn't even light a cigarette to take the edge of, since that would contanimate the crime scene. It would also mean she'd have to get her frozen hands out of her pockets, and that was probably the heavier reason right now. Her fingers weren't far from the state of the slized Lemon that had brought the team here.

Eurasia was not a morning person, and as if it wasn't enough with the lack of warmth, food and caffeine to make her cranky, the princess showed up. Dressed for the red carpet, as always. Eurasia scoffed. Perhaps her dislike for Adelina wasn't entirely rational, but it was still there. The Trevisanis had after all killed her brother. Sure, Billy had known the rules and played the game, and Adelina was a child when it happened and couldn't be directly blamed... Even her mafia connections weren't too much more than what a few others on the force had... but still.

There was however moments when Adelina's background came to use, such as now. Even Eurasia could appreciate that.

"So if it's a serial killer, either those two vagrants were for practice, or else we have some sicko with a vision on the run. Someone who's decided to exterminate what he considers scum..." She said it out loud, to no one in particular. She preferred to voice her ideas out loud rather than writing them down. Especially in this weather.

[Sao Nova Europa]

Chris Wilson
Crime Scene

Last night had been wild; partying, loud music, scantily dressed girls and lots, lots of alcohol. Chris grimaced. The inside of his head thundered like a battlefield and his neck had grown stiff. But he tied to maintain his carefree, happy-go-lucky mood.

"Good morning people!" he loudly exclaimed with a wide grin on his face. "How's everyone doing? Enjoying the holidays?"

Moving closer to the crime scene, he saw Detective Lambert explaining that this was the third victim found in such a state - "throat slashed and gallbladder removed" - in the past two weeks. All of his pointed to a serial killer. "Nice," Chris said. "I mean, not for the victim obviously," he rolled his eyes. "But for us. Serial killer cases are a lot more challenging than your usual murders that are 99% of time committed by the spouse. At last some challenge!"

Mason examined carefully the body while Aurelio checked the dead man's pocket with equal care. Trevisani too had arrived to the crime scene, dressed in a Gucci outfit. She went to examine the victim's body, and assess damage to the body. Chris gave her a flirty smile, but decided to wander around on his own and do some personal research.

The body had been found on the riverfront and was set right on the water's edge. It was thus easy to deduct that the man had been killed somewhere else, his body had been dumped to the water and was washed up here. But Chris had some reservations. 'For one,' he thought, 'even though the most likely scenario is that he was killed somewhere else, we cannot be a hundred percent sure. Secondly, even if he was killed elsewhere and was dumped in the water, there is always the possibility that one of the personal possessions of the victim could have been taken away by the current and washed up somewhere nearby. Thirdly, there is always the possibility that the killer may have accidentally dropped something, either because the victim was killed here or because he dropped it when he was dumping the victim in the water. Never underestimate clumsiness. '

So Chris decided to check out the surroundings of the victim. He kneeled down and checked carefully the ground for anything else that could have washed up or have been dropped. He was committed to remain here and keep searching even if the rest of the team were to leave.

[Ideal Britain]

Det Abdullah Muhammad Khan
Police station
Detective Abdullah Muhammad Khan BSC reported for duty, he knew about the series of murders. He was very confident in his policing abilities due to his first class Criminology degree and multiple bravery commendations from the uniform branch:
“I will save the streets from these animals! I will catch these scumbags!” he thought.

[Madrinpoor]

Det. Joey Romeano
Crime Scene

The still morning and solemn mood were interrupted by a Suzuki roaring down the street by the riverfront. It took a sharp turn into the area near the riverbank, and screeched to a stop dangerously close to the edge. An Italian guy jumped out, with a sport coat over a t-shirt, and wearing jeans. He casually walked over to the site of the crime, where a couple people were gathered around, with a grin on his face.

He slipped under the caution rope, slid down the gravel slope, and took out his little badge wallet.

"Detective Joey Romeano, NCPD Serious Crimes division. Step aside amateurs. I've caught two international criminals, ex-FBI." He said, waving his badge wallet around so everyone could see it. Man, what a grumpy bunch. All of them were old and like only one of them was smiling. Oooh, but one of them was a girl.

"Hey," Joey said, to Adelina doing that weird nod that guys do when they're trying to act suave. "I'm Joey. Joey Romeano. I've caught two international criminals. At the same time. Pretty cool eh?"

"So, what do we got here? What are the looks on your faces, who died?" Joey looked around for a response, and then started laughing at his own joke. "Heh heh. Wow. Serious, aren't we. Anyway, what do we think's the cause of—what the?!?" He jumped back upon seeing the victim's slashed neck. "Mother of...what the hell did this guy do? Piss off a werewolf?"

Joey examined the body. He recognized that face! "The Lemon, Isn't it? That gangster dude? Sheesh, What a stupid name. Who thinks 'the Lemon' is a cool gangster nickname?"

Joey walked out from under the safety cordon and up towards Lambert's car, knocking on the window when he got there.

"Oy, you're a precinct detective right? I heard from one of the other guys that two vagrants were killed too. Do you know what happened to them after their bodies were found? Is there any way we can find them?"

This was going to be in interesting case.

[Grenartia]

Allison McCray

Allison sighed in exasperation. Seemed like someone had brought in the entire SCU. Didn't they know the adage about too many cooks? After jotting down her notes, she shoved her hands back into the cozy pockets of her warm bomber jacket, right next to the handwarmers.

"Anyone have any idea when and where the last time this hamburger was seen alive?", she asked aloud, finally breaking her silence. "And someone get in touch with the port authority or whoever the hell keeps track of river currents. Maybe we can get an idea of where the body was first dumped."

[Main Nation Ministry]

Detective Mason Sherwood

Mason watched as the team leader Detective Estrella started to examine the body. For Mason, he didn't know why people would just eat snacks at a crime scene. Wouldn't that contaminate evidence? It was too late to object. Estrella got some gloves on and was checking the victim's pockets. Estrella said that he needed a plastic bag. Mason wasn't a part of the forensic crew, but he could fe-

He saw and heard something, as his train of thought was broken. She had shown up. Detective Trevisani. She brought that dog along with her and her assistant Fabio. Mason knew that she had some wealth. She had experience, but he never knew it would led to this lifestyle she parades towards others. There was also the other detectives who arrived. Two of them were loudmouths from Mason's point of view. There was Wilson, who was this playboy detective fellow. Along with Romeano with that Suzuki he drives. That was what they were. They were loud. They acted like the center of attention. They dressed like celebrities and acted like celebrities.

Maybe Hollywood didn't want them. Who knows? All Mason knew was that they were thorns in his side. Perhaps Mason could still have Trevisani on his side. The only problem with her was that she probably had "connections". Mason knew that most of the department was corrupt, but he figured Trevisani might had done some "side jobs". Both Trevisani and Romeano revealed a key fact about the victim.

The victim was "the Lemon". Frank Scavi to be precise. Goon of the Cardo familia. Lackey, but professional lackey. This gave Mason some more questions than answers. The last two victims were vagrants, but the latest victim was a high-ranking official from the mafia. It wasn't until he heard a friendly face from the force, who was voicing her thoughts to herself. He thought she was talking to the others, but Mason ended up joining her in a conversation.

"So if it's a serial killer, either those two vagrants were for practice, or else we have some sicko with a vision on the run. Someone who's decided to exterminate what he considers scum..."

"The removal of the gallbladder suggests the work of a serial killer, but we don't know the significance of its removal." Mason said, however, there was that awkward feeling again from Dahlstrom. "Uhh...Ahem. As I was saying. This case does seem to tie towards the work of a serial killer. We don't have an actual motive or profile of this killer, yet. The profile of the killer exterminating the scum of the city might explain some things. Judging by the cut throat and the surgical removal of the gallbladder, we might be looking at an ex-doctor or surgeon. Don't know what the gallbladder removal is supposed to represent. Both Trevisani and Romeano mentioned that this victim is a mob lackey. Doesn't explain how the last two victims were vagrants.." Mason said, as he was trying to think up a solution with Dahlstrom.

"Estrella is checking if there is evidence still on the body. Maybe something in his pockets that didn't get washed off." Mason further remarked.

[Barapam]

Det. Eurasia Dahlstrom

"Alright everyone, let's see if we can solve this before Joey gets back!" It was a joke of course, but Eurasia and Joey were polar opposites in terms of jumpiness, and she knew that many of her collegues agreed that Romeano could be a bit much.

Eurasia then picked up on Mason's brainstorming. "We'll have to check that up... gallbladders from bears are used in traditional Chinese medicine, for potency but I've never heard of it when it comes to humans." She shrugged. "Maybe the only connection is the killer. Could be a sex thing, like with Jeffrey Dahmer..."

"Estrella is checking if there is evidence still on the body. Maybe something in his pockets that didn't get washed off." Mason further remarked.

"Yeah, hopefully..."

She turned to Allison. "I'll call them. Might as well do something useful while I warm myself up in the car. Plenty of people here to handle the corpse anyway..." she said and nodded towards the murder victim.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Det. Eurasia Dahlstrom

"Alright everyone, let's see if we can solve this before Joey gets back!" It was a joke of course, but Eurasia and Joey were polar opposites in terms of jumpiness, and she knew that many of her collegues agreed that Romeano could be a bit much.

Eurasia then picked up on Mason's brainstorming. "We'll have to check that up... gallbladders from bears are used in traditional Chinese medicine, for potency but I've never heard of it when it comes to humans." She shrugged. "Maybe the only connection is the killer. Could be a sex thing, like with Jeffrey Dahmer..."

"Estrella is checking if there is evidence still on the body. Maybe something in his pockets that didn't get washed off." Mason further remarked.

"Yeah, hopefully..."

She turned to Allison. "I'll call them. Might as well do something useful while I warm myself up in the car. Plenty of people here to handle the corpse anyway..." she said and nodded towards the murder victim.

Detective Mason Sherwood

"Don't know if it's a sex thing. It's likely the killer keeps the gallbladders as trophies. Makes sense for the serial killer angle." Mason said, as he followed Dalhstrom. "I'm already planning on having Lambert pinpoint the past victims' locations of where the bodies were found. The three might have been killed within walking distance of each other. This victim is already positively IDed. There might be a clue at the victim's place or we can ask the neighbors if they seen anything suspicious." Mason was trying to make sure there were enough leads to be known. Aurelio was still handling the body for evidence, but it was better than nothing.

[Dyelli Beybi]

Further investigation of the body...

While there weren't signs of further injuries to the body there were ligature marks on the wrists. Someone had restrained Scavi before killing him.

Going through his pockets didn't reveal much of any particular use. One waterlogged cellphone, some keys and a wallet with a driver's license to confirm that this was, indeed 'Francis Scavi'. There was just over $100 in cash still in it - this definitely hadn't been a robbery if anyone was thinking along those lines.

Further searching of the surrounding area didn't seem to be revealing anything else relevant - just more detritus washed up by the river.

The crime scene
Det. Marco Lanzetti

...

While other detectives examined the body even closer, Lanzetti approached Det. Lambert and asked who had found the vic and what time. Sometimes, you can find info from the first discoverer. Regardless, it was protocol to at least talk to that person. Wouldn't be the first time a killer had been the one to call in the cops to report his victim.

"One of the warehouse workers, came out here for a smoke before work. He's at the top of the bank, at the barricade," Lambert answered, motioning in that direction, "We've already taken his statement. Doesn't really add much, but you can talk to him again if you want."


Brendan O'Sullivan

Up on the road there was the sound of another car pulling up and a few moments later Detective O'Sullivan appeared at the top of the embankment, a paper coffee cup in one hand. He gave an exasperated sigh, then disappeared again, reappearing a few moments later without the coffee before gingerly picking his way down the bank.

He trudged up to the body, took a look down and asked "Is that Frank Scavi?"

He grimaced, pacing backwards and forwards a couple of times before asking of the group at large, "So, what? Someone killed him, chucked him in the river like garbage and he washed up here? Looks like it was pretty recent since I can't see that the fish nibbling on him." He paused, glancing between the group, "And someone said his gallbladder has been removed which is the MO of some serial killer who's been cutting up bums?"

He paused again, before adding, "Oh come on! It's a mob hit! If I was some killer cutting up homeless folk I'm not going to jump straight to attacking a mob enforcer. You go after bums when you're trying to stay low profile; going after someone like Scavi will get the Cardo's out for your blood. Someone is trying to muddy the water by copying the bum slasher. If I go and pay a visit to Tony Cardo at his clab I'd put down a twenty to say he'll know something about this or at least have started putting some theories together."

[Barapam]

Det. Eurasia Dahlstrom

"Don't know if it's a sex thing. It's likely the killer keeps the gallbladders as trophies. Makes sense for the serial killer angle." Mason said, as he followed Dalhstrom. "I'm already planning on having Lambert pinpoint the past victims' locations of where the bodies were found. The three might have been killed within walking distance of each other. This victim is already positively IDed. There might be a clue at the victim's place or we can ask the neighbors if they seen anything suspicious." Mason was trying to make sure there were enough leads to be known. Aurelio was still handling the body for evidence, but it was better than nothing.

Eurasia lifted the tape framing the scene and began to walk up the slope to her car. She looked back over her shoulder at Mason, to see if he was following her or not.

"I'm with you on that. My idea was that the killer tricked them to think it was a hook up... but it's a long shot, I know. And like O'Sullivan says, could be a copy cat. But why? Mob killings aren't done in the dark. No, in that case it's likelier that the two hobos had some business with this chopped-up Citrus as well. A deal gone wrong. Different familias or some other gang alltogether. We can go to his house if you like, and check the neighborhood."

She managed not to slip on the way up, and got into her car, an old Saab 900 which worked most of the time, to call the port authority.

"Hi! Detective Eurasia Dahlstrom, NCPD. I need a reliable map of the river currents. Could you send them to me ASAP? Thanks!"

[Grenartia]

Allison silently mused on the possibilites as the others tossed out ideas aloud. She doubted this was a Dahmer-esque happening. That sick fuck kept the bodies of his victims until he could dispose of the parts he did not want in a piecemeal fashion. The 'gallbladder as trophies" bit was a valid possibility, though.

Then O'Sullivan spoke up, almost acting defensive about the possibility of this being anything other than a mob hit with the gallbladder removal being a red herring. She had to admit, she couldn't rule that out, but there were still several problems with that theory, and she felt compelled to air them out.

"I don't think this is a mob hit. For one, the surgical precision means we're either dealing with a professional, likely a surgeon, either human or veterinarian, or an incredibly practiced amateur. But how many mob hitmen have that fucking skill set? The mob might want to take advantage of a loose serial killer in this specific case, but in general, their hitmen don't take the time to do this precise cutting on their victims. They'd need to find outside help for this kind of work. But they generally like to keep the number of people involved as small as possible, and they have plenty of other ways of greasing someone that they can do with in-house skills. Which leads to another problem with your theory, O'Sullivan. What possible motive could the mob have for doing it this way, and not something more traditional for them? Any benefit gained by the red herring is nullified by the fact they need to bring in outside help to do it, and by the fact that they surely know that we'd suspect it was them anyways because its Scavi. To say nothing of the fact that this kind of shit would bring a lot of unwanted attention to them."

She briefly paused to take a breath. "Secondly, who's to say Cardo or one of his other guys didn't order the hit himself? If--and that's a mighty big if--this is a mob hit, there's clear motive. Scavi has probably done many things to the other families in town to earn their ire. But if it was a rival family, they'd surely have gotten to him well before now. But if Scavi pissed off Cardo, then everything would fall into place. And in that case, depending on him for a lead would be an even bigger mistake than the one you're trying to steer us away from right now."

"I'm thinking our serial killer, fresh off the high of his two hobos, and confident that he wouldn't be caught, decided to go for more upscale prey. But that he wasn't aware Scavi's involved with the families. Somehow, he got the drop on Scavi, and got his jollies off before dumping the body. Hell, the sick bastard still probably doesn't even know he iced a goombah. I say, we primarily focus on the serial killer angle, treat the mafia possibility as secondary, and don't trust a thing Cardo has to say unless someone from a different family can vouch for it."

[Europa Undivided]

Aurelio Estrella

A dozen possibilities have been tossed around as Aurelio listened to all of them closely. Having picked his way through the chopped up Citrus' pockets, he had found an ID that confirmed his identity as well as a waterlogged phone that would probably not work; but it was worth a try, nonetheless. He heard that putting a phone in a tub of rice and getting it drained of the water was something that could be done to remedy such a watery dilemma.

Putting the ID and the phone in separate ziplocks, he handed them to the forensic people currently present. "See if you can pull something out of these." He said to them. "I heard that you can drain a waterlogged phone by putting it in a box of dry rice for two to three days. It will probably not work, but in the unlikely event that it is recovered, maybe it would have been worth it."

Turning towards the others, one side of whom suggested asking the Mafia boss named Cardo, and another that vehemently opposed it in favour of the serial killer angle, Aurelio simply nodded at both Allison and O'Sullivan. "Luckily, we have someone who has some more direct connections, don't we?" Aurelio smirked, referring to the mafia princess of the Trevisani family that was in their midst at this very moment. "Your family doesn't have any serious rivalries with Cardo, no?" He asked her. "Do you mind if you were to speak with the boss of the fallen citrus? Detective Sullivan here will accompany you... for good measure. And I'll be listening from the outside through an earpiece, so there you go. Find out who could possibly have motives to off one of his men. And maybe ask your own family what they might know or think."

He didn't trust anyone that spoke with the mafias to pass any message they had completely unfiltered, and if he were to go, their presence might be rebuffed completely, given that he was one of those precious few that did not consort with the mafia. Ah, well.

"At the meantime, Detective Allison, the rest of us will look into the serial killer angle. As you said, Cardo can't be trusted. But it doesn't hurt to get what he thinks or knows. We ought to get to know our vagrants better, too. Find what is the common denominator between the three of them other than having their gall bladders removed."

Another case, another brush with death.

[Lara Monia]

Daniyah Qasim
_____________

"Rice thing's a bunch of shit." Dani brushed some of the snow off of her overcoat. "Need the silica packets like you get in beef jerky if you want to actually dry a phone out. Of course dropping it in the toilet is a few steps removed spending time in the harbor." As for the actual theories presented, the tall woman wasn't convinced.

"No way it's a mob hit." she said. "They don't care about gallbladders. Maybe if he'd had his tongue cut out, we could consider it, but I doubt half the goons in the mafia could even tell you what a gallbladder is without thinking about urine." She leaned against the wall of the warehouse. O'Sullivan seemed to want to wrap the case up right away without considering any other options.

"It's a big jump up from two homeless people to an enforcer for Cardo. Could be the killer didn't know. Most people don't try to actively piss people like Cardo off without getting paid for it." Pissing powerful people off was part of their job description for Serious Crimes, but it took a certain type of person to work there. She couldn't imagine someone knowingly going after Scavi, and if they did why would they go after the homeless population first? "They obviously didn't need to practice their cutting first, so it doesn't make sense as a targeted hit."

[Main Nation Ministry]

Detective Mason Sherwood

Mason followed Dahlstrom up the hill, where Sherwood made sure not to slip again. O'Sullivan had arrived to process the scene, however he dismissed the killing as a mob hit. Sherwood thought it didn't make sense. The slit throat might suggest a possible assassin, but Sherwood doubted the mafia had heard about the killings of the vagrants. A bunch of hobos getting killed doesn't get too much attraction. "I don't know how the killer managed to kill a mafia thug. It's likely that the killer wasn't aware of the victim's status." Mason said, as he saw that new evidence was being discovered. "I need to head back down. Looks like they bagged up some belongings from the victim." Mason told Dahlstrom, as he went back down the hill.

He overheard the other detectives counter O'Sullivan's claim that it was a mob hit. A lot of them were shooting for the serial killer angle. The evidence at the moment seemed likely. Mason agreed with Allison, since the killer could have been trying to kill more upscale victims, unaware of Scavi being involved with the mob. There was another detective around Mason's age. Her name was Qasim, if Sherwood could recall. He doesn't admit it to anyone else, but he thought Qasim was hot. Not in the flammable way, of course. He knew online of how people were interested in others with muscles, to which Sherwood saw the appeal. For some reason, he thought Qasim was cute, even though she could kick his ass.

There was something important that Mason needed to see. "May I see what you grabbed?" Mason asked Aurelio, wanting to see the phone and wallet. Mason knew the keys were probably for both the victim's home and car. "Those tons of ways to dry a phone. Air dry it, maybe? Water might have short circuited the battery, but we might be able to trace Scavi's last movements with what's on his phone." Mason said, as he asked to see the wallet also. "Open the wallet, quick. The address might still be visible from the license."

Sure enough, the license looked legible. He quickly wrote down the information in his notepad, as another cop mentioned the marks on Scavi's wrists. "Ligature marks? What kind, though? Cable ties? Rope?" Mason thought, as he was making sure to write some stuff in his notepad.

Notes:
- The victim's name is Frank "the Lemon" Scavi. He is a goon for the Cardo familia. "Lemon?" Who would use that as a nickname?
- The victim was found at the waterfront at the water's edge. Body had washed up, meaning that the victim could have been killed somewhere else. Most likely, the body was dumped into the river.
- Wounds were a slit throat and a removed gallbladder. Reason for gallbladder removal? Symbolic importance?
- Two similar murders occurred on vagrants. Possible serial killer in the midst. What's the connection with the victim and the others?
- Money was found in the wallet. Whoever killed the victim didn't do it for the money.
- Ligature marks were found at the wrists.

Leads:
- The killer has surgical experience. Killer might be an ex-doctor or someone who works or worked in the medical profession.
- The killer is using a M.O. Identifying victims will be easy.
- The amount of certain victims can offer up a connection. The murder locations and last whereabouts of recent victim is to be considered. This might cut down the area to search for the killer. Personal attributes for victims is something to look into.
- Now that I know the victim and checked his wallet, I might be able to head to his residence to find some witnesses or more evidence. The others will most likely dry the phone to check his messages.

"I'm off to head to the victim's residence. It's best that someone comes with me. It's risky to head there alone." Mason said, making sure his hat was still on, as he was going back up the hill. Then out of nowhere, Mason managed to nearly slip on the hill again. This time, he managed to slip going up. Some of the other cops were eyeing him. "Pretend you didn't see that."

Ah great, he's back to social awkwardness.

[The GAmeTopians]

Adelina Sofia Trevisani

Theme Song: Tommy-Gun

The young miss of the Trevisani familia pursed her lips. As the rest debated the macro of the case, she was caught up on a minor detail.

"Ahem." Adelina cleared her throat, and held up the impression-marked wrist of the victim. "The victim was clearly restrained before being killed, otherwise there would have been no point to restraining him. Regardless of the details of the gallbladder removal, this tells us that he was either caught off-guard and somehow kidnapped without having to be bruised or battered, or he was knocked out by someone he already knew and trusted. I find the latter much more likely."

The corpse's arm slumped back to its side, no longer held up by a pair of slender fingers. She sighed.

"I'd give even odds Cardo was the one who ordered the killing in the first place - he has plenty of connections, enough to arrange for a surgical removal of the gallbladder by a familia doctor once his throat had been slashed. The only question then is why they'd even bother allowing the body to be found - but I suppose that's our job."

Adelina shrugged when Aurelio began speaking to her. "No more than we do most other familias, Signor Estrella. Despite your... distaste for the presence of familia in the city, my nonno in particular prides himself on his neutrality. The only fights you see in our territory are begun by fools who think that our peace is synonymous with weakness." And although Adelina Trevisani was not unaccustomed to lying directly to the faces of her coworkers, that much was true. The Trevisanis hadn't been caught for a crime once in the last thirty years, and even the deaths that could be attributed to them would never see trial - a good familia lawyer could tie up the prosecution for years, not to mention good odds that they'd get off on self defense. The DA knew it wasn't worth the time.

"I'll see if I can set something up, Signore. No promises that Cardo will wish to speak on the subject, though I suspect he will at least grant me the respect of an audience." The dark screen of her phone appeared from a suit pocket - an iPhone, of course - and she held it up to her ear after a few quick swipes, walking away from the rest of the group. Those with better hearing might still be able to catch the words that followed, though unfortunately (for them) the words of the Trevisani patriarch were far too quiet to make out.

"Buongiorno, nonno. Scusa se ti ho svegliato."

"Il Limone è morto. Sì. Vorrei parlare con Cardo."

"Grazie, nonno. Ciao."

[Talchyon]

The crime scene
Det. Marco Lanzetti

Further investigation of the body...

While there weren't signs of further injuries to the body there were ligature marks on the wrists. Someone had restrained Scavi before killing him.

Going through his pockets didn't reveal much of any particular use. One waterlogged cellphone, some keys and a wallet with a driver's license to confirm that this was, indeed 'Francis Scavi'. There was just over $100 in cash still in it - this definitely hadn't been a robbery if anyone was thinking along those lines.

Further searching of the surrounding area didn't seem to be revealing anything else relevant - just more detritus washed up by the river.

The crime scene
Det. Marco Lanzetti

...

While other detectives examined the body even closer, Lanzetti approached Det. Lambert and asked who had found the vic and what time. Sometimes, you can find info from the first discoverer. Regardless, it was protocol to at least talk to that person. Wouldn't be the first time a killer had been the one to call in the cops to report his victim.

"One of the warehouse workers, came out here for a smoke before work. He's at the top of the bank, at the barricade," Lambert answered, motioning in that direction, "We've already taken his statement. Doesn't really add much, but you can talk to him again if you want."

Hearing that the uniforms had taken the discoverer's statement, Lanzetti nodded and told Lambert he wouldn't mind talking to the man again. Trudging up the hill while the other detectives were squabbling over competing theories, Marco just kept his mind open. That's the thing at the beginning of a murder investigation. You have to let the evidence lead you, so it can also lead a jury down the road to the exact same conclusion - the guy arrested is proven guilty by the evidence and not some case of police bias. Lord knew there were too many out there - mostly idiot liberals - who thought all police officers were monsters. Monsters? Lanzetti wasn't a monster. Irksome at times, perhaps, but hell, he had never had a reason to see the fine people at the Internal Affairs office, aka the police for the police.

At the top of the bank, standing with a few uniforms was a man in a heavy thrift store-type black winter coat, with the pants of brown and orange striped that identified his factory uniform. He looked like he was both struggling to keep warm and annoyed he still had to be there. Lanzetti approached the 2 uniforms, asked to speak to the witness. They took a jaunt, one to find a restroom. The interview itself was brief. The man - a Walter Jackson - was working the graveyard shift at the aluminum processing factory roughly a block away. He had come for a smoke, but didn't stay near the factory because he wanted to stretch his legs to get some distance on his smoke break from an aggressive co-worker who was always trying to ask him out who he didn't like. Coming to the ledge, Jackson was taking in the view, helped by the streetlight behind him. It was about 4 in the morning. Something got his attention down by the river's edge. Seeing something that looked too pale to be a tree, Jackson was puzzled and went down the slopes to see what it was. And after the descent, found the victim and had to hold his lunch in. Not touching anything, the witness climbed back up the hill and went back to the factory to be closer to better cellphone reception. He called 911 and then reported things to his supervisor, and waited for the police to show up. The witness had no idea who the victim was. And he was annoyed to have to repeat his story multiple times for the police.

Lanzetti thanked the man, and then motioned the uniforms to come back. "You can let Mr. Jackson go back to work now. He needs some warming up. We're done with him." Thanking Jackson, who scowled in annoyance, Det. Marco Lanzetti turned his thoughts to the next step. At that time, some of the others were coming up the hill. Among them, the rook Mason Sherwood who managed to have a time getting back up the hill. Lanzetti didn't blame him. It was early morning and officers didn't normally climb hills like this for their workouts. At the top of the hill, Lanzetti took Sherwood up on his offer to go to Scavi's home with him. Marco didn't know if Scavi was married or not. If he was, this would be one of those visits every officer hated making - death notices to the next of kin. Showing up in the early morning - it was around 6:30 now - wasn't always welcomed either. Still, the job had to be done.

Lanzetti told Sherwood, "Hey, maybe we can drive our separate cars to the station and pick up a slickback there, ride together. It would also probably skim some time so if we have to inform the next of kin, it's not oh-dark-thirty in the morning. Plus, we should call in and find out if Scavi had a family or roommate or something. Would tell us how to approach things."

[Dyelli Beybi]

Brendan Sullivan

Adelina Sofia Trevisani

Theme Song: Tommy-Gun

The young miss of the Trevisani familia pursed her lips. As the rest debated the macro of the case, she was caught up on a minor detail.

"Ahem." Adelina cleared her throat, and held up the impression-marked wrist of the victim. "The victim was clearly restrained before being killed, otherwise there would have been no point to restraining him. Regardless of the details of the gallbladder removal, this tells us that he was either caught off-guard and somehow kidnapped without having to be bruised or battered, or he was knocked out by someone he already knew and trusted. I find the latter much more likely."

...

"I'm with Adelina on this one, for the record," Sullivan put in, motioning at the younger detective, "We'll take your car. They're expecting you, and it's nicer." It was a lot nicer than the beat-up old chevrolet that Sullivan drove around in, "Though I'm very happy to play chauffeur if you like," he added, with a slight smirk that implied he both liked fast cars and didn't expect Adelina to actually say yes to letting him drive the vehicle.

He turned, beginning to scramble back up the bank, "Oh... and Estrella, I'll wear the wire," he added.

"Any chance we can stop off at a coffee shop?" he added, as soon as Estrella was out of earshot, "My head is still pounding from last night. People really need to learn the decency to commit their crimes in daylight hours... or at least hide the evidence better so it doesn't get found until a bit later."

---

From the Port Authority...

Det. Eurasia Dahlstrom

...

She managed not to slip on the way up, and got into her car, an old Saab 900 which worked most of the time, to call the port authority.

"Hi! Detective Eurasia Dahlstrom, NCPD. I need a reliable map of the river currents. Could you send them to me ASAP? Thanks!"

It didn't take long for the port authority to email over a map. It would take specialist knowledge to fully interpret all the details (particularly trying to piece together where he might have gone in), but it was clear from the map that the current flowed quite quickly near the bank where Scavi's body had been found. It was either very lucky or unlucky, depending upon your point of view, for it to have been washed up here; it would have been far more likely for the corpse to have been washed out to sea, potentially appearing on some beach in a much less presentable state weeks down the line.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Detective Mason Sherwood

As Mason got up to his car, another detective took up his offer of heading to the victim's place. Sherwood was a rookie, but he heard a little about Lanzetti. He looked like a honest by-the-book cop, but he didn't understand the rumors with him being a "nutjob". It was already a better option than getting pestered by one of the show offs at the crime scene. "Hey, maybe we can drive our separate cars to the station and pick up a slickback there, ride together. It would also probably skim some time so if we have to inform the next of kin, it's not oh-dark-thirty in the morning. Plus, we should call in and find out if Scavi had a family or roommate or something. Would tell us how to approach things." Lanzetti asked Sherwood, as he gave a suggestion on how to handle the situation with visiting the victim's residence.

Mason didn't want to go for a risk. A safe approach would be more appropriate and clean. "We can try to radio in for information about Scavi while we drive back to the station. After that, we can head to the apartment together to see if we might have a fresh lead. If we don't find anything, we can try to interview a neighbor who might have saw the victim alive." Mason said, as he got back into his car, as he made sure that Lanzetti followed him back to the station. He straightened his hat during a red light, as the morning could make itself more prominent as the minutes ticked by.

[Talchyon]

The crime scene
Det. Marco Lanzetti

It was squared away then. He and the rook Sherwood would learn more on the way from guys at the station, then head out to the vic's home. Lanzetti noticed a brief moment of hesitation on Det. Sherwood's part when he asked. Something to be aware of. Whatever it was, it would come out eventually.

Instead of using the car radio to ask, Marco pulled out his cell phone and hit a number. "This is Det. Marco Lanzetti. Sherwood and I are heading back to pick up a car and then we're going to investigate the vic's home. Tell me the address, and also if you can find out if he's married, got a girlfriend, and who his next of kin is. Thanks."

After that call was done, he punched in a new number. This time for the organized crime division. "Hey, Chico! Hey man, yeah, we do need to get together and cook out again. It's been awhile. Anyway, we got a fresh vic." He explained the situation. Then asked, "So, is there any kind of gang wars going on with the Cardos and anyone, or is anything else happening internally in their family organization? Some kind of bad blood maybe?"

Traffic was great, it still being early. Lanzetti's car had coughed itself back to life to stave off the cold, but it had warmed up nicely by the time they got to the station. Parking his car in one of the gated lots for officers, Lanzetti noticed Sherwood had made it at roughly the same time. So they walked in, checked out a Crown Vic, and headed out to the address they had been told.

[Dyelli Beybi]

Scavi's Apartment

Scavi's place of residence was in an insalubrious looking apartment block in a rundown part of town, across the road from a rather nice smelling kebab shop. While the officers hadn't been briefed on his marital status, the building manager who, after some delay trying to find a key, let them in, did reveal that Scavi lived alone. There were a number of girlfriends, though nobody too serious (in the building manager's opinion at any rate). He thought Scavi had a mother somewhere, though he couldn't say why he thought that. Maybe he'd overhead something, some time? It was all rather vague. Apparently the man hadn't paid too much attention to Scavi (though he had paid attention to some of Scavi's girlfriends) - probably paid not to.

The interior of the flat was, charitably speaking, 'Spartanly' decorated. An uncharitable person might have called it tired and undecorated. Scavi, it turned out, had not been a neat man. The room had an open plan kitchen-living area, with a bedroom and bathroom leading off from them. The kitchen still had shopping bags on the floor. Apparently he had either run out of time, or couldn't be bothered, to put all his groceries away - though the refrigerated items had, thankfully, managed to make it to the fridge. There was a crate of beer on the counter and several empty bottles next to it. Several more on the living room table.

There were more bottles next to the well-dented old brown couch that had been set up facing the television. Aside from the bottles, the living room table also had several old envelopes, assorted paperwork a 'Jack Reacher' novel, three unwashed glasses, a bottle of Jim Beam and a whole pile of photographs.

In the bedroom, the bed was unmade. Clean clothes were tossed on the floor in one pile, dirty ones in another. Some clothes had made it to the wardrobe though it wasn't clear how they had managed that. In the bathroom, the basin was in need of cleaning.

There wasn't much of interest at all, with one exception. The photographs. They were of a heavyset man with a ponytail who apparently liked to wear expensive suits and they did not look like the man in question knew they were being taken at the time. He looked like a mobster and apparently been meeting with a figure that Lanzetti and Sherwood would probably recognise - Don Palmiotto. One of Cardo's rivals.