Zoey listened to Estella and the words she said to Blackstone. Her attitude was not one that a newbie should have to her boss. And then that little flip of her ponytail and the way she said Zoey's name didn't sit well with her, it didn't sit well with her at all. "Excuse me!" Zoey said before she could catch herself.

Zoey looked at Estella as she walked back into the office. She stood up and walked to the front of her desk and leaned on her desk, crossing her arms. "Well i was just curious how you think you are going to get the information we need because Blackstone and I have been working on this for awhile and can't get anything out of him. Now the head didn't approve us to use veratiserum, so that can't be used and unless you were planning on using an unforgivable curse, which is strictly forbidden, I'm curious what you are planning on doing." Zoey looked at Estella, if she thought she was going to break her down, she'd better think again because thats not how Zoey rolled.

Zoey promently turned her attention back to Blackstone, "Do we have one of the cars that he sold to a muggle or a taxi he used?" Zoey asked. "Because I know of a spell that will let us know if and what spells were used on it. I used it back on the case with the cursed running shoes, that I did myself." She added looking at Estella.

Oh Zoey was just getting so worked up about this, it was almost cute. Estella grinned, showing those pearly whites, and tucked some straying blonde hair behind her ear. "I'm not stupid Cambridge, actually, I'm smarter than most." She pressed her lips together tightly, as to hold back a giggle. "I know wizarding law and the ministry's limits. I'm a smooth talker," And I'm pretty, she thought, "If I let everyone know my plan, it could potentially be compromised." Her voice was almost sneering.

But she caught herself. "Of course, Blackstone, if you want to discuss it I'd be happy to give you details." Estella bit her lip tenderly, as if trying to look innocent.

Estella shook her head as Cambridge went on. "Like all priori-incantatem esque charm's, you can only see what spells have been performed. Not who performed it. We'd have to seize the man's actual wand for it to be successful." Duh. It was really almost common sense to Estella.

Taylor sat back and watched as these girls basically bickered. "Okay then. Hey Zoey want to go over to the car dealership? We can find some way of making him talk" Taylor said.

Blackstone leaned back in his chair and observed as everyone went on disscussing the matter. "At this point the question may not be so much 'Will he talk?' as 'Can we convict him anyway?'." he said, sitting up. "The man is very stubborn. At this point it may just be easier to try and convict him, even if he pleads 'not guilty'." Blackstone was definately tireing of this case. He perused his notes and looked up again "Oh, I nearly forgot" he added "There's going to be a bit of an interdivisional dueling contest coming up. Keep your eyes open for that" he said with a grin. "And finally, I'm going away for the weekend. Just a heads up... Any questions?"

OOC: I will be away from this monday for about a week and a half. If I find a place with internet I will check back in. Pharoman will be leaving and back by Monday. So after I leave he should be available if you have any questions, etc.

"Yeah after the meeting, lets head over there and see if any progress has been made." Zoey said eyeing Estella and then turning to Taylor with a smile, "Lets go to that meeting."

You should have posted Aveira leaving. I posted Ben waiting on her. xD
 

Ben walked in after Aveira. "Slow down, there's no need to rush," Ben said a bit annoyed. Then he watched Aveira talking to no one. He rolled his eyes and stood next to her. "We're looking for Ms. Powers." Ben looked around and couldn't seem to find her, so he walked over to the nearest desk and said, "Hi, I'm looking for Ms. Powers. Or the Division head. Can you please direct me to either?" He added a smile and looked back at Aveira with a look that said, 'This is how you do it.'

After 30 seconds of no response, Ben backed up back next to Aveira. "Okay, it seems as though your method may be more useful, but let's just knock on the Division head's door." Ben walked over to the Division head's office door and fixed his suit. Didn't want to look bad for a Division head. He knocked on it and waiting. Come on, it's their Warrant. Do they need it or what?

*sobs* IT'S BACK UP!!! Yes, I'm a SS addict.... >_<
 

After five minutes of no response, Ben rolled his eyes and sighed. This is going to take forever. It was best to go back. They've been here for 15 minutes without anyone saying a word to Ben or Aveira. "Come on," he said finally to Aveira. "Let's get back to the office." Ben looked around at everyone and walked to the door. He opened it up and walked out, leaving it open for Aveira.

Blackstone sprinted down the corridor into his office, papers hanging out of his briefcase, hair a mess and tie slung over his shoulder. Disheveled in every possible way, he was the archetypal person who looked very late. Panting, he threw his briefcase on his desk, vaulted over a large stack of papers, knocked the wastebasket over and sat down. He quickly whipped out his wand and began fixing everything, standing the basket back up, summoning the briefcase, and arranging papers. With a final swish of his wand, he combed his hair.

Looking up, Blackstone noticed that there were two people... leaving? Was he really that late? Blackstone made a mental note to never try muggle alarm clocks again. So unreliable. "Uh... excuse me... can I help you?" he called after them. He stood up. "Uh... anything I can do for you?"

Blackstone considered himself lucky enough to get this job in the first place... but his prospects of keeping it seemed to be waning.

Ben was ABOUT to leave the office, when he got cornered by the Division head... Who was a wreck No wonder this division was almost about to loose their case. "Yes... You can." Ben said in response. "My name is Ben Amsten, MLES. I need to know if you guys still need the warrant for the veritaserum for the Car Dealership case." Ben couldn't believe that this guy had been given the job he has. Ben could take his spot any day of the week.

Blackstone collected himself for a moment, then left his desk and shook Ben's hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Blackstone Martimus." he said. "Well, we've managed to gather a substantial amount of evidence, though this car dealer guy is really stubborn. We haven't gotten any admission out of him, yet. So, yeah, Veratiserum would make our job easier. Or should I say, your job. How much does the Wizengamot need on him before trial?"

Hopefully, Blackstone thought, he could still make the impression that he was in control of things and credible, however disheveled he may be at the time. "Which reminds me, you're in MLES, right? Do you want us to give him a court summons or do you prefer to handle that stuff?"

Just then Blackstone noticed his tie was still slung over his shoulder. He straightened it out. So much for credibility.

"Considering the veratiserum, he'll probably tell you guys everything you need to connect him to the flying cars. So, not that much after you get the truth out of him." Ben then decided he should play it safe. "But, I'm not in the Wizengamot. Your going to have to ask Warren about that."

Ben then thought about the next question. "Let's handle one thing at a time, first. I'll make sure Warren signs that warrant, you guys get the truth, THEN we'll talk about court summons. It will still probably be us, though. But once again, you might want to ask Warren about that." Ben looked down at the way he looked as well, watching Blackstone fix himself. Ben adjusted his tie. He looked back up at Blackstone and decided there was no more further conversation needed. "Well, sir. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I'll be sure to tell Warren you need that warrant." Benjamin stuck out his hand one more time before walking out of the Misuse door and giving Aveira a look that said, 'Come on!'

Yep, I like legal stuff :D
 

Blackstone shook Ben's hand, and turned to sit down as they left. Finally things were looking a bit better. Veratiserum would make things a lot easier...

He leaned back in his chair, reading over the form. Paperwork, of course, came with everything. Blackstone set to filling out the form. "The undersigned is in the knowledge that this potion is only to be used for the expressed purposes in section 8, clause 3, and that this potion is in no capacity underbrewed, and has been brewed for a significant amount of time to according to... "

Being a lawyer would be fun.

10 minutes after leaving the misuse office, Ben was back in it. This time, with the warrant for the car case. He walked to Blackstone's office door to see that it was already open. He knocked on it twice before walking in. "Blackstone. Here's your warrant." He tapped his briefcase open with his wand and took out the warrant for the veratiserum.



He handed it over to Blackstone and turned to make sure Aveira was with him before turning back. "Me and Aveira will be observing the interrogation as it happens to make sure everything goes according to law." It should be good. Ben will finally have some real police work since working with the muggles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubindo (Post 9069845) 10 minutes after leaving the misuse office, Ben was back in it. This time, with the warrant for the car case. He walked to Blackstone's office door to see that it was already open. He knocked on it twice before walking in. "Blackstone. Here's your warrant." He tapped his briefcase open with his wand and took out the warrant for the veratiserum. Photos!: Warrant http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...tCovington.gif He handed it over to Blackstone and turned to make sure Aveira was with him before turning back. "Me and Aveira will be observing the interrogation as it happens to make sure everything goes according to law." It should be good. Ben will finally have some real police work since working with the muggles.

Aveira trudged back into Misuse, hoping that the room would at least have a sense of life to it this time. Nope... Not really. She watched Ben give the Warrant to Blackstone and nodded as she heard her name. Right... Interesting work was around the corner."

(Invasion by Cinn-O-Bun)OOC: Sorry for the invasion but it's easier to do it this way. I have asked for an Interrogation/Holding Cell thread be added to Level 2. Once it is added I would like the Interrogation to be done there so we bring it to the Ministry.

After a minute of no response, Ben was starting to worry about this office. He snapped his fingers twice. "Um, excuse me. We have your warrant you need..." Ben shook his head and held it out in front of him. Come on, man. Pick it up...

Blackstone glanced at the paper.

He looked up and noticed that they were still standing there. "Oh, yes, you can go now" he said, smiling. He leaned back in his chair. What were they standing there for?

That's right

"Thank you" Blackstone said. Mother had always taught him to say his 'Thank you's and 'Please's.

But they still stood there.

"Oh, would you like a cookie?" he asked, summoning a plate. That had to be what they were still waiting for.

hahaha. way to flip that one on us.
 

Ben was shocked and suprised when Blackstone looked up. What the- They were waiting on him to finally acknowledge them. "Um... No thanks." Ben said in regards to the cookie. Ben shook that awkward moment out and looked back at Blackstone. "Um, when will the interrogation take place?" Ben asked.

Haha, thanks.
 

Blackstone sat up in his chair. He picked up a cookie and pondered it. "Um... interrogation? When? I assume after the papers are served, right?" he offered. He knew it wouldn't suffice. "Um... Ok. Set a date, then. I'm keeping in contact with Covington. He's strangely cooperative, yet stubborn at the same time. He hasn't given an indication that he won't cooperate, but I'd keep an eye out."

Blackstone pulled out a quill and planner. "So... what days work for you?" he asked "You sure you don't want a cookie? Chunky chocolate chips." he asked again, raising an eyebrow. Suspicious. Who wouldn't want a cookie? Let alone a chunky chocolate chip cookie.

"Well, we could have the interrogation at any time. The sooner the better. With the warrant you could have him in right now in the holding cell." Ben watched Blackstone raise an eyebrow about the cookie. Obviously being suspicious about something. Ben raised one right back at him. "What days work for me? Every day. It's all about keeping the law, right?" Ben took a cookie. "Thanks." He said with a small smile. "The question is, when can your people get the guy in for an interrogation?"

Blackstone raised the other eyebrow. So now he took the cookie. Interesting. The chocolate chunks must have done it.

"I believe I can get him in at earliest convenience. I'm here to help you out in any way I can. He's already agreed to come along. But the trouble is, I'm not available every day. I have a pretty busy schedule this week. Are you available at 5:45 Tuesday morning?"

He took a cookie and observed it. This one only had 5 chocolate chunks. The one that.... Ben, that was it... the one that Ben took had 7. This was not fair. Blackstone sighed and pursed his lips. He fingered his pocket, and absentmindedly pulled out a small bottle.

"You believe that, Benjamin, that I'm here to help in any way I can?"

Alright, I'll play the cookie game. It's something Ben would do anyway.
 

Ben watched Blackstone make the connection between which cookie he took, and why he waited to take it. "We'll be at the interrogation," he said speaking for Aveira. It didn't matter whether or not she was free or not, she was going to be there.

"I believe you would help us out in one of our cases. But this is your case. We're here... To help you. Not the other way around." ben smirked and looked at Aveira who seemed to be watching. Ben quickly scanned the bottle Blackstone was holding. He couldn't tell what it was. Probably a medication of some sort.

The chocolate chunks.... this wasn't working. He could have all the interrogations he wanted, but how could he think straight if he knew that Benjamin got two more than him?

Blackstone absentmindedly squeezed a small amount of sanitizer from the bottle and paced it back in his pocket. He stared at the document, rubbing the his hands together, the faint scent of alcohol in the sanitizer barely distinguishable.

He let out a slow breath. "Of course you are, Benjamin. We're all in the ministry together, after all. You're with the MLES and Wizengamot, correct? I'm merely getting this case passed on to the courts."

"Now" he said, twirling his quill in his fingers, "The last thing I want to do is cause... Inconvenience, if you will. So if you and Ava- it's Ava, right? I must admit, I have a hard time remembering names. Particularly the names of people who nod and say 'Mhm' a lot. There are a lot of people like that in the world, they nod and don't speak up. Not very easy to get your opinion out there that way, is it? Of course you aren't one of those people, I hope." Blackstone paused, his voice cracking a little.

"If you and Ava would prefer another time, just let me know. Otherwise be there at 5:15 tomorrow morning. Actually, you had better make it 4:50. Just in case."

Varus walked in. He hated going in this office. But he had to enter in the paper by 5:00.
He nervously handed a paper to Blackstone, evidently interrupting some sort of meeting.
"Here you go, sir, I hope it's up to your standards."
The report, Varus knew, was a little insulting, but it was needed none the less.

Blackstone took the copy and set it down by the warrant. Resting his hand on top of them, he drummed his fingers on the desk. "Thank you, Mr. Armenius" Blackstone muttered. "I hope it is as well."

He eyed all three of them, standing expectantly, as if waiting for some other news, or a resolution. Blackstone wasn't just going to swish his wand and finish all the business right then and there. Did they think he'd solve their problems? That all the work would be finished, so they could go out and celebrate with a round of gillywaters? Or that he would conduct this whole thing on his own? Did Varus want a cookie, too? No, Blackstone wasn't going to make that mistake again. At least not without counting the chocolate chips. He already said 'Thank you' .... what did they want, a card? And what did Ava want? You can't nod your way out of everything, you know.... Blackstone sat, eyes darting from person to person.... why were they staring at him?

"No 'Thank You' cards" he muttered under his breath. Blackstone never liked them anyway. What next, the 'Your welcome' card?. "Is that all?" he asked, collectively. Not hostile, but rather suspicious.

Blackstone continued to let his fingers tap across the table, keeping in perfect rhythm with the song that was stuck in his head, 'All That Jazz'. He stopped abruptly, right before the finale. Was that an ink smudge on his finger. A trace of a frown could be seen lining his face.

Blackstone looked at his thumb intently, almost ignoring what the other people were saying. Ink... not even dry? Ava's voice, or 'Aveira's, that is, broke through.


Blackstone took a deep breath. "4:50? Or earlier? Hm.... I have some things to do... How about 3:30. 3:30 tomorrow morning is suitable, isn't it, Benjamin? We're all awake by then, eh? Don't you say so, Varus? And..."

"Aveira, then. A-v-e-i-r-a?" he asked. "Farewell to anger. If you break it up. Latin, that is" he continued. "Do you happen to speak Latin? Dead language, some say. Rident stolidi verba latinae. Lots of magicians spoke it... we still do today." He trailed off. Something about this person sounded irritated. What could it be? Cookies were seeming like an answer for everything... But to the business at hand.

"So. No objections? We'll get this moving along? If I don't mind, which I don't at the moment. You know, Aviera, I don't doubt your... speaking abilities, shall we say. Maybe if you didn't grit your teeth it'd be easier to understand. That's probably it."

He ceased his very helpful suggestion and returned his attention to the smudge. He took out the hand sanitizer again and rubbed a little more into his hand, frowning a little more slightly.

Warren walked into Blackstone's office with a frown. Why was it the man couldn't get anything done on his own? Why were his own employees telling him that he was putting things off? Seeing his employees in the room he nodded or them to get behind him or else leave and looked at Blackstone. "Now tell me...Blackstone..." he grabbed something on his desk and fiddled with it for a moment before looking at the man. "How hard is it to get off your cushy little chair and go get this man now? Or I send my more capable people for you..."

He was tired of how slow they were dragging their feet here. "You have your warrant...and I've heard you have told him so yes why not just let us give him time to get a move on and leave the country and out jurisdiction...bloody brilliant." He glared at the man and set the trinket back down on the desk. "I want it done today. Not tomorrow...and not the day after. If you don't want to sit in on the questioning because you have 'other things to do' then I'll have someone else do it. Today."

Turning around he looked at Aveira and Ben, "You two...with me. We need to discuss some things and put the bloody cookie down Mr. Amsten. This isn't tea time."

Hebrew, was it? Was she Jewish? Blackstone averted his attention from the ink stain on his thumb momentarily. "I'm sure you do, Ava-...iera, Aviera." he replied. "Other languages- always good. Too many people seem to use magic as a crutch so they don't have to learn other skills. Languages are good. But Latin... well, it's esoteric." he smiled. "Now see what I mean about those gritted teeth?" he continued, bringing the sanitizer out again. "Much easier to understand that way. And if you can be understood, you can assert yourself. Of course, unless you are so asserted that you are simply above everyone else. In that case you have done so well that no one can understand you again. Quite the conundrum, isn't it?" he continued.

"Sin, is it? Of course, I only took a guess from the Latin roots 'Ave' and 'Ira'. But Hebrew, now? Hmm. Now there's theology for you. Interesting stuff that isn't allowed to be talked about around the office, however. Rules and all. Pity, but so it is. Human nature is quite intriguing."

Was it Blackstone's imagination, or did Warren just appear at the sound of the sound of the word 'rules'? He leaned back as a fourth person joined his audience. Blackstone pulled the cookie plate closer to him, out of reach of the visitors.

Blackstone grabbed the trinket and took out the bottle of sanitizer. "If your people were so capable they wouldn't eat too many chocolate chunks... or not know how to speak Latin... or" he mumbled under his breath. He took out a cloth and wiped the trinket with sanitizer.

"No... no, that won't do. I have another appointment tonight. And a squash match. And tomorrow I fancy that I'll be calling in sick. I know little of divination, but the way you make yourself welcome to my things makes me wonder if I won't catch some ailment soon. Not unlikely considering.... things." he said, applying more sanitizer. "I can put it at 2:00. That's practically today. Just two hours into tomorrow. Of course I could cancel my appointment. It's really hard prioritizing, though. If you will... I suppose I could." he continued. Blackstone furrowed his brow. "Squash of course, cannot be missed" he noted to himself. "I'll be there"

"I don't think Covington will run. Or do anything to make it plain he's guilty. He'll try to beat the system, and judging by it's people, I can hardly blame him. Well, if that's it, then, off you go" he said, leaning back in his chair. He eyed each one of his spectators. The ink smudge... that could wait. Aviera... rather bitter... Benjamin... at least sensible enough to sit there and eat his cookie. Warren... well wasn't it just perfect of him to come in like this? He reclined in his chair, making more mental notes about these people. He could hardly wait to file his observations. He sighed.

"Oh, except you, Warren. One more thing" he said, pausing.

"You have to ask me nicely"

Blackstone grinned and continued. "You see, Warren, I can handle the hexes and the curses. I don't want money. Well, perhaps money. What I do want is for you to stand there and extend me some courtesy."

Did any of them watch muggle films?

Blackstone leaned forward, lowering his voice.

"You have to ask me nicely... Now I'll be there, within the hour."

He leaned back in his chair, turning a quill through his hand. He absentmindedly reached for his sanitizer.

Ben decided to let Aveira speak up for herself. He looked down at his cookie. He wasn't going to eat. Just not let Blackstone have it. When Warren came in Ben stood behind him... Mor like next to him. he put a smile on his face that said, These are things I just told you to Blackstone. After wat Blackstone said, Ben realized he would probably be a better choice as Division head than Blackstone. He looked at Warren to see what he would say before spinning Blackstone's cookie like a coin on Blackstone's desk in front of him.

Warren stopped mid footstep toward the door and spun around. Did he just...? His eyes boaring a hole into Blackstone he clenched his jaw and moved toward the desk again. "My people...don't need to know how to speak latin. I don't care what their diet is as long as they can stay with me if we were to run. And I doubt you could take my curses so no...I do not have to ask you NICELY to do your bloody job!"

He grabbed the mans sanitizer and pulled it out of reach so he would focus, "And for the record I'm fluent in German, Russian, Italian and French and I know I could run circles around you. So...today. Bring Covington in here today or you won't be sitting in this office tomorrow since squash is more important during work hours. And no...not at 2am...if I'm not home again tonight I'm going to send Alexa after you as the reason for breaking my promise."

Tossing the stupid bottle back to him, "One hour Blackstone. I'll be in the interrogation room in one hour. That's how long you have to bring him up here." Turning around he glanced at Ben before leaving the office, "You two...my office." He still couldn't believe the way Blackstone had spoken to him. He was nearly a foot taller and definitely bigger. And with his training....yeah well no one said the man was smart. He left the room and headed back toward his office. Bloody idiot.

Mental laugh.

That was awesome. Ben walked over to Warren who was by the door before turning to Blackstone and saluting him with two fingers. With a pivot, Ben turned and walked out the door, making sure Aveira was with him.

Blackstone's reactions were initially minimal. He sat back and smiled. "Languages... Diet? Did I say those things to you?" he asked. The smile vanished from his face when Warren took the bottle of sanitizer. This would not do. That was his personal bottle. He snatched it back as Warren set it down. How do you disinfect a disinfectant?

Blackstone tried to maintain his composure. "Well... well. It sounds like something is troubling you, Warren. Why are you so high-strung? It sounds like you're having marital troubles. Is something bothering you? Or perhaps you are naturally so.... irritable."

Blackstone took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. He leaned back in his chair and resumed the smirk on his face. "I'm sure you are quite... talented. No need to assert that, eh? I'll be there. But don't you think for a moment you can come down here, flash a badge... and make me nervous."

Apparently they didn't watch muggle movies. Having had the last word, or so he though, Blackstone returned his attention to the sanitizer, putting a somewhat copious amount of it on his hands. Can't be too careful... especially with those types. Blackstone summoned up a host of lectures, rebuttals and other things he would have liked to say... But there was no need. Why explain his busy life... or the fact that they spoke latin every time they cast a spell? But much, it seems, was unspoken. By all four of them. Excepting Varus, whatever he was standing around for.

Herod, after visiting three other floors for advise, finally came into the second floor and over to the improper use of magic office. "Excuse me" he said, not caring about manners any longer. "I've been to three floors already. Is this the place where I can register to become an animargus?????" he asked, pleading for an answer, almost insane with frustration and exaustion.