Leah peeked through the glass door of the CID, looking around carefully. The room was crowded and busy, as compared to the rest of the quiet and empty department. She could only make out the faintest of conversation, but nothing coherent.
Luckily enough, one of the officers left the office, giving her enough time to dash through the door right before it closed. She slid underneath a nearby empty desk, her body uncomfortably crushed in the thin tight space.
"It's cause he gets all cocky," a woman sneered, tapping her finger on her desk. "Being the son of the chief and all."
"The way he disrespects all of us like that," another man chimed in, "he can't possibly expect to solve the case by himself! It's been months! Six people hav died and the seventh is about to come in a week!"
"Chris!"
"It's true, though," he snorted.
"No, I meant shut up!"
The office fell silent, save for the sound of a single person walking on the hard tile. Leah could practically touch the tenseness filling up the air. It must be so awkward to be shit talking someone only to find that they're beside you.
The footsteps stopped. The sound of a desk drawer opening and closing. Papers being messed with. Then, a metal click.
"Good morning, Vice," a voice broke the silence. It sounded young and immature. Definitely couldn't read the room.
"Morning, Hughes," a familiar voice replied. That was undoubtedly Adam.
"Are there any updates on our case?"
For a second, there was an awkward silence. As if he didn't have an answer.
"I'll report anything regarding to it in private, Officer Hughes," Adam replied curtly.
"Why can't we get any information on it now? Or ever?" A rude voice barked.
"God damn it, Chris," the same woman from earlier sighed.
"Because it's none of your business."
"None of our business? Kid, the whole department is being scrutinized because of this case," Chris retorted.
"Crime is at an all time low in De'Lapin. Cold cases are being solved. The department is being praised," Adam replied coldly.
"People are dying! Murdered in the cruelest of ways! Your little ability can help us solve even the oldest of cases, but not this one?!" a fist slammed onto the table. "Isn't that a little suspicious?!"
"What are you talking about?" Hughes chimed in, defending Adam, "Are you implying something malicious?"
"What I'm implying is that he's not working his ass off on this case on purpose! It's a hate crime! Multiple hate crimes!"
"You're so passionate about it being a hate crime," Adam replied, a hint of poison in his voice, "but you didn't care before your daughters body was added to the list, now did you?"
Almost everyone in the office collectively gasped. Leah would have definitely done so, if she had the ability to.
"Don't pretend like you give a shit about grays, Officer Darles," Adam growled, Leah watching as his feet walked across the office towards the exit, "Didn't you want our kind to be culled?"
"Get back here you little shit! I'm reporting you to your shit chief father, I'm reporting you to the god damn news channels, I'm reporting you to the journalists and the public! Don't talk about my fucking daughter like that! Don't disrespect her god damn name like that!" Chris Darles screamed back, his voice nearly giving out from his rage. Adam continued to walk, giving no reply. Leah darted out behind him, a confused gasp erupting from the crowd. The door closed shut behind the two as Leah chased the other gray, who was now walking at a brisk pace unlike before. If they were prohibited from talking about it in the office, or at least limited their say in front of others, there was no way Leah would receive any information she needed by eavesdropping. The only important thing gained was a better understanding of the situation she was in.
The kitten leaped from her paws and onto Adam's back, crawling up onto his shoulders rather quickly. He panicked, however briefly, before realization settled in.
"How did you get out of the car? Did I leave the window too open? No, wait, how did you even get in the building?" Adam groaned, clearly tired.
Leah flicked her tail nervously. He may or may not have been robbed as of that moment.
He rubbed his face for a moment, before continuing his walk. "Damn cat."
The two continued their stroll until the finally got back to the car. Adam stopped in his tracks as he looked at the open car door before casting an angry look at the troublesome kitten. Wordlessly, he closed the door and got in the car.
"You're off," Adam muttered.