(( This is a continuation of Vincent's call to Venus during Giovanni's beating of her))
The sounds coming from the other end of the phone forcing Vincent's mind to concoct a picture of what was happening in the parking structure in New York while Vincent was on the other end of the phone driving back to their appartment. It was nearly 4 am and the streets were dead allowing the black truck to fly wide open down the main streets of the city, as he was killing the gas milage in the truck Vincent forced himself to keep listenting. The windows were left up so the wind wouldn't obscure the sounds coming through the other end of the blackberry that would hopefully end up with the voice of his fiance.
As the fighting got more intense and the sounds got move and more visceral, less sounds of hard metal and the digusting sound of her screams of pain and deep demanding voice of Giovanni ripping through the phone as he called out her beast. His hand on the steeringwheel was gripped so tight the tanned fingers were pale from the violent grip he had controlling his truck. Just as he was slamming on the breaks to the car in the parking lot of his appartment building Vincent was already sweating from the tension building in his body as the fire of passion ripping through him in ways that was reminding him of London when he put his life on the line the first time for her, and if this piece of shit did not know who he was torturing on both ends of the phone he would surely learn by the time Vincent came across this man. When the sounds stopped Vincent was racing up the stairs of his appartment building up to the top floor. The long strides taking 4 steps at a time then stopping dead when the voice was much more direct on the other end of the phone. Vincent yelled out " You sonofabitch you're going to FUCKING BURN!!!"
Sure Giovanni hung up before Vincent could get to it, but he stuffed his phone into the pockets of his jeans. Quickly pulling the door to the appartment open Vincent was calling the air port and setting in a reservation for the next flight to the big apple. Clothing was thrown in a carry on bag, and that was it. He knew the laws were too strict for him to bring something on the plane with him, but that didn't mean he was going to leave empty handed. His heart was pounding now and he was sure his blood pressure was pumping at levels that would be considered to a normal human's health. Running down to his car he called up the NYPD. The number was acquired by 411, and he told them what he knew including Venus's address, what he heard, and that he would be there as soon as he could.
The drive to the airport was just as violent as the one back to his appartment. Occasionally his phone buzzed from a text message from Venus's phone. The images on them was something no ones signifcant other should be forced to see. After the first one he knew that the rest would be in the same vein and he promised himself he wouldn't put his heart through the pain of doing that again. Either pain or anger blocked out the next hour from Vincent's memory because when his mind was right once again he was nervously playing with his engagement ring on the table of the flight that was now landing in New York. It was an odd time of day to fly, and so the plane was filled with an assortment of people and none of them concious enough to want to talk, especially to the fuming Italian male who had a fire in his eyes.
The moment the door to the cock pit was open Vincent probably pissed half the plane off as he jumped to his feet and plowed down the aisle towards the cabin door of the airplane. His carry on bag was not on the wheels but instead clutched in his right hand swinging at his side as he was sprinting down through the decently populated terminal at JFK airport. Running down the escalators and out through the doors where the public transportation was parked. Not even bothering with a taxi Vincent instead choose a town car, a slick short Italian man with his hair slicked back and enough gold it looked like he robbed a pawn shop. Vincent quickly through out Venus's address and told the driver if he got them there "FUCKING NOW" he would get triple than what the ride would normally cost. Vincent knew from the pictures of his beaten, battered, bloody, and raped wife to be they were no longer in the same space he was listening to the conflict. Of course Vincent didn't know where it could be, but all he could do was start to call his contacts in New York. The first was Venus's manager in New York, the man who had been passed the mantle from Vincent to help her get established. The man surprisingly was clueless which was rewarded with a long list of explitives as Vincent found someone to finally throw some blame on.
Leaving the cab with three $50's behind him Vincent stepped out of the car and gladly was faced with a couple of NYPD squad cars. Vincent's robin blue dress shirt was now stained with sweat, his black hair a mess pointing in every direction, deep dark rings under his blood shot eyes, nothing about him was in the same shape as he was when he first called her less then 12 hours ago. A deep breath was drawn in as he tried to shifted his attitude back into something a little more stable, but his racing heart and short fuse. The cop standing outside pointed him out in the direction of the garage where the crimescene, and a few of the dectives that were placed on the case were starting to gather the evidance of the completely destroyed underground parking structure with Venus's absolutely decimated Mustang, and the blood smeared pavement where he stood just in shock of what he was seeing, the violent scene that he had listened to in the meek hours of the morning was now displayed right in front of him.
The crime scene had many local officers ordered to guard important locations around the yellow tape to keep other unintended people out. Officer Todd, noticed Vincent first standing there not like the other folks who wanted to ask questions. Some falsely stating they saw the whole situation but none of their testimony was sound, or valid. Glancing to one of his fellow officers he gestured them to take his spot. Once the switch was done Officer Todd gave a direct question to Vincent. “Can I help you?”
Silence at this time was not what the Officer wanted to deal with. He had other things to handle before this entire scene got blown out of proportion. Hell, considering whom the missing person’s was he was doing everything remotely possible not to let his leak into the media. Finally Vincent told Officer Todd his name. Formality procedures had to detain the fiancé’ a bit to ask his drivers licenses to be sure. Surveying Vincent’s legitimacy –Officer Todd uplifted the yellow tape to lead him carefully through the various forensic units and investigators. Then he presented him to Inspector Dylan McDoyle. The inspector was an older man who seems in the prime of his career. Older, but had a built that wouldn’t deny him the stamina and strength to keep up with the younger generation of inspectors. Though around his eyes were wrinkles and grey hair strips coming from stress he had to endure. Before acknowledging Officer Todd and Vincent the inspector finished looking over the photographs to approve. Needed those to be all perfect for the investigation file and for a court building case –when or if they find the culprit.
“Inspector McDoyle this is Ms. Armorti fiance’ the man who contacted you?” Officer Todd introduced.
The inspector pivot about face, and alleviated his shoulders backwards in order to crack his entire spine? He eyes nodded to the Officer to be excused to ensure full privacy. He didn’t need a rookie with a badge trying to throw to many questions. Inspector McDoyle reached out his burly right hand for Vincent’s left. There waiting to give a empathetic handshake while delivering his prepared spiel. “Mr Blanc –let me say first I’m sorry this happen to your lovely fiancé. We are doing what we can to compile all facts in order to be assuring she’s not murdered. “
Yeah, he had to be like a doctor who just went into long hours of surgery. Only to come out to stare point blank in family members eyes and bluntly tell them that their loved one had a 50/50 chance survival. He continued when pulling back from the handshake. “We’ve already taken liberties to search her apartment as well. See if this was just a random abduction due to your fiancés fame. Maybe an obsessed fan wanting to much attention that it became ugly. “ He glanced away not sure he’d even by that theory. Looking at the damages of the Shelby Mustang he couldn’t figure out how it became that gruesomely damaged. Or the other car that looked like a figure was embedded. Nothing seem to add up as of yet. Now for the hard part that may frustrate Vincent and that was to retell what he heard on the cell phone?
“I know you had a long flight Mr. Blanc. However, I need you to do your best to re-account from the beginning and end. If, you’ve heard anything after the incident because everything is crucial to lead us to your fiancé whereabouts, and safety? “ Not that he needed to explain this to Vincent, but when your so emotional sometimes you need to be reminded to pull you back into reality of the conversation at hand. Only witness they have right now is Vincent. He also added.
“Does Ms. Amorti have any family members needing to be contacted. Maybe they too have been in contact with the attacker?” The inspector needed to know everyone who may have a clue. He waited with a pen and pad of paper in his hand to write it all down.
Often enough the phrase 'Silence is golden' rings true in this world, but when a NYPD officer steps up to you when you are looking like some tweaked out sleep deprived drug addict in a set of sweat stained clothing, yea it probably isn't the best time to let the cat steal your tongue. Vincent blinked a few times trying to clear the haze of his mind, and the fuzzyness of insomnia from his brain as he looked upon the young officer who approached him. " Yes, I am Vincent Blanc, Venus Amorti's fiance, the one who called and reported this incident. I just arrived from New Orleans, and I would like to speak with someone who I can give some new evidance to." Even though his mind was frazzled, and his body looked like it had been dragged through the gutter Vincent's tone was nothing but professional as he swallowed the boiling rage that had been unleashed in his previous phone calls. He did his best to be professional as he pulled out his black leather money clip and flashed his driver's liscense to the officer. The photo there looked nothing like the unkempt man before him, but the Officer thankfully took Vincent's word for it.
Once it seemed the case of the identity was figured out Vincent picked up his bag and descended down into the parking garage. As they were descending into the basement parking garage, his steps following behind the officer, Vincent dug out a pack of camel's from his back pocket grabing one of the half crushed cigarettes he stuffed it between his chapped and dried out lips. Being behind the officer he didn't even bother a show of acting like he was going to light the damn thing the right way, and it sparked to life on its own, the white crikled paper easily catching the ember. Stepping into the garage he surveyed everything. The police, some uniformed some not, scattered about the area taking in what they could of evidance be it hair, blood, foot prints, flesh, and anything else. Vincent's drags on the cigarrette were hard and deep trying to calm himself with something familar, but it didn't really help since the scent alone reminded him of her. The double edged sword was cutting deep as the seasons officer approached Vincent.
Vincent was thankful for the uniformed officer's disappearance as he reached his tanned strong right hand out to grip the strong one of the sturdy officer. The speech did not do much, but Vincent faked a smile that was almost worse then the slack face of disbelief that was set over the stubble covered sharp handsome features of the young pyromancer. Vincent shook his head at a few of the theories that McDoyle was putting out there, no crazed normal human could have done any of this that was for sure, and what had happened on the other end of the phone was far more then a simple kidnapping. The problem was the past of all involved, and names that would be strange to those even in her family now. No one has a perfect past, but few had one as blood stained and darkened as his fiance, but that was in the past now and the life they were living was something beyond that. Vincent had once been over this with the police, but it was years ago and in a completely different country something this single man before him would know little about and have access to far less. Letting his running thoughts swirl in his head Vincent's blood shot eyes closed and he turned his back to the scene he could no longer force himself to look at.
"I heard all of it Inspector McDoyle, and there are names that I heard that I recognize and names that I don't. I heard bodies being thrown, and blood curlding screams coming from the woman I love that, I have no doubt, will haunt me to my grave. " Vincent walked slowly around the other side of the inspector so he would not have to look at him with the background of the bloody torn mess. " I know nothing of her whereabouts, but as for her safety the last I know it is still in jeopardy. " Vincent pulled out his blackberry and deftly opened up the picture messages of his torn, beaten, bloodied, raped wife-to-be. " I recieved these after this was finished. I know because I heard the man's voice. The piece of scum who would do this to a woman is still out there with her, and if you see what you see around you. I am sure this is not the worst of it. " After showing the pictures to the man he shut off the screen and put it back in his pocket.
"I will contact those who should know. " When McDoyle mentioned family there was one name which burned in his head, but one he doubted could still have any hint of influence on this. Shaking his head to clear the name from his mind Vincent's dark blood shot eyes focused on the Inspector again. "I will call the place of those who should be alerted about this, but I doubt they have had any contact with her abductor." With Vincent's mind still spinning and his hand raising to his chest to grip over the all too familar reminder of what price he paid the last time. " Give me your card. I will forward those messages to you. There are things I need to check into again, and I will be contacting you soon Inspector. " Vincent's mind paused a moment to look back curiously at the inspector. "I don't know how off I am on your technology and what they portay in the shows and movies, but is it possible for you to beable to track her phone, and if so how can I get you what you need to do that?" Never one to ignore the possiblities of what could be helpful in finding her Vincent knew better than to try to hold up the search. He had given the details that were needed for them to search for her now, but the history was something that needed to be deliberated on further.
Once he gave up what was asked up him further Vincent gave his farewell to Inspector McDoyle, and walked down the same path Venus had last walked, but this time he was going back up to her New York appartment. Sure there were less memories here, yet it didn't mean it wouldn't be as hard to be in a place that had only ever been theirs. Something that they decided on, moved in, and decorated all together it was a place that hadn't existed in his mind as soley hers or soley his, but something they shared from the first step. Taking the elevator up Vincent nearly collapsed in exhaustion against the back wall. An aching of his body that was unlike anything physical was wracking through him as the adrenline was subsiding finally leaving nothing but the pain. Dragging his luggage into the appartment he threw it into the bed room, and picked up his phone to make a few calls.
Inspectors head dropped a tad to observe his own hand diligently writing all the information that Vincent explained.Time to time he nodded to let the other man know he was listening. Periodically he had to inspect those in his units dealing with the evidence. Wanting that radiator fluid not to flood to close to where the blood was smeared on the parking garage cement.He took the pen after his observation to the unit and placed the pen’s none writing side against his right side-burns to itch it there as he contemplated.He pictured it all in his mind too. All of it perfectly added up but the conditions of the vehicles smashed. An animal hair embedded into the wall cracks and caked blood.His concerned eyes reconnected with the alleged fiancé who was no suspect, but a witness, and the twisted evidence now being handed over to him made the inspector to retract from further questions.Masculine fingers pressed each photo to inspect the brutal beatings from Venus assailant, and the sexual images sent to Vincent with his fiancé getting rape made his stomach turn. One thing this inspector hated was woman being abused to prove a point?
“Brent--handle these images.” McDoyle extended the blackberry over to his assistant who made sure all the evidence was properly documented. “You’ll get your phone back.” he promised.Vincent continued on about the names that he heard. Pad of paper was found and ready to be used but for a short moment he had to remember where he placed his pen. Ah, yes behind his ear after he’d itch near there that’s were he put the damn thing. He didn’t under estimate anything in this case. It seems in his gut instincts that there is a vendetta connected from this couples past. Denying any relayed information about doing a background check to learn more about Venus and Vincent, and the antagonists, was not given to the fiancé.Right now he had to be careful considering Vincent may very well paid to have his girlfriend abduct to extort money from her? He had to consider all avenues. Even if this guy seems relatively sincere with his story the Inspector played the devils advocate.
“There are some methods to tracking cell phones. I can assure you we’ll look into those options when we get there. For now go get some rest Mr. Blanc. Here is my card if you or her family need to be in contact with me.“ The Inspector gave a nodded gesture to Vincent as permission to leave. Just before Vincent left -- Brent handed back the empty blackberry cell phone that no longer containing evidence of the raping, and beatings. This should give Vincent no more haunting for the night.
Investigation time had just finished demolishing the majority of the apartment. So many were once in this place that natural clumsiness’ did knock personal valuables off Venus shelves, counters, and clothing from her dresser littered the floor. The place looked like a virtual tornado had unleashed its fury. Photo albums had scattered images that meant little to the team. Some pictures were missing as plausible clues. Images with Zoe, Dee-Dee, Nike, Maya and Geller to associate them too perhaps with the crime, it was hard to say? Cabinets in her kitchen were wide open and finger print dusts showed all over. There were many considering this place just had one extravagant party. This must have been even more depressing for Vincent as he made calls.
