Chapter Text
Once Maria left the Nightcap, Hugo wasted no time approaching the counter.
“You know you don’t have to hang out here every time someone leaves,” Naomi said. “It just makes you look suspicious.”
“I’m part of the police, bartender,” Hugo crossed his arms, “people will be uneasy regardless, and it’s not my job to make them comfortable… that’s yours.”
“Funny. Well, as it happens, I do have some valuable information that could be helpful to you.”
“I’m surprised considering Ms. Popa spent most of her time crying.”
“For Goddess’s sake, detective, she just lost her best friend,” Naomi alternated her finger between the counter and her shirt. “And with the amount of tears she cried, I don’t think she did it.”
“That’s your defense for her? Crying?”
“Do you need a second opinion?”
“It would be a start.”
The entrance bell rang and this time an older woman in cooler clothing. Her walk and demeanor appeared sternly, but her face was neutral and composed.
“Verdomme,” Hugo whispered as she approached the bar. “I’ll talk to you later, bartender.”
“Oh no, stay for a bit!” Naomi exclaimed, smiling at his agitated face. “It seems like you two know each other!”
“Yes, we do,” the older woman said, taking a seat next to Hugo’s. “I’m Elena Earnest – Private Investigator of the BPD.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Earnest,” Naomi reached her hand out to shake Elena’s. “The detective was hoping you’d stop by.”
“No need for sarcasm, dear,” Elena chuckled as both women saw Hugo’s flustered expression. “I’m well aware of Mertens’s attitude towards me.”
“Why are you two talking as if I’m not here, gnashing my teeth?” Hugo said, focusing on Elena. “I already got a headache behind the counter, Earnest, I don’t need to make it worse.”
“Mind you, the ‘headache’ was self-inflicted,” Naomi interjected.
“I believe her,” Elena pointed at Naomi but looked at Hugo. “You were never good with people, Hugo.”
“Being polite… isn’t my job,” Hugo clenched his fists. “Why are you here?”
“Vincent’s an old friend,” Elena placed her coins on the counter, “also, I wouldn’t mind something light and fruity.”
“I got just the drink,” Naomi grabbed the coins and gathered the ingredients from the shelves. “Are you here to help with the Dragos case then?”
“Yes.”
“No,” Hugo countered, “this is my investigation, Ms. Earnest. I got official backing on this while you’re putting this case at risk.”
“Are you not doing that as well by visiting an illegal speakeasy? Officials or not, the Constabulary won’t be fond to know that one of their own is breaking the law.”
“Again,” Naomi shook the ingredients.
“Oh, that’s right. You never told me the specifics of the Reed case. I wonder why.”
Hugo raised his voice, “Because the last thing I need is an old bat chastising me about what’s right or wrong with my methods!”
“Do you get off on talkin’ down to people?” Naomi slid the glass to Elena while looking at Hugo. “Because you ain’t gonna disrespect my customers!”
“Oh, it’s quite alright, dear,” Elena took a sip from her drink and smiled. “I’m only teasing him. Vincent already told me.”
“Please, the both of you…” Hugo rubbed his temple with his finger. “Ms. Earnest, I got this under control.”
“So much so, he asked me to help him,” Naomi smiled at his piercing glare.
“I can see that,” Elena casually swirled her glass around. “Then I’ll spare you the criticisms, Mertens. Despite your stubbornness, you realize you can’t do this alone. It looks like you already have a reliable and charming partner on your hands.”
“Hear that, detective?” Naomi leaned over the counter. “I’m reliable and charming!”
“I only agree on one of those traits,” Hugo got up from his seat. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back to my seat and smoke this actual headache away.”
“Have fun!” Naomi waved him off and drew her attention to Elena. “I figured I heard your name come up in the newspaper a few times. That must mean you’ve been in detective work before?”
“Correct,” Elena straightened her posture. “Hugo doesn’t want to say it, but I show up when there’s no progress being made. In a turn of events, you’ve been helping him this entire time.”
“Showed up yesterday,” Naomi sighed. “Been resisting the urge to choke ‘im ever since.”
“Well, if Hugo ever becomes too much, you can always come to me for insights. I’ve been doing this before he was born.”
“What’s his problem? From my perspective, he just showed up outta nowhere with Mr. Floare and been a prick ever since.”
“Mertens was never about playing nice and making friends,” Elena playfully shook her head. “It only strengthens when there’s an investigation going on. He’s been riding high ever since the Natalia Reed case… I’m sure you heard about it?”
“How could I not? A serial killer was on the loose and Reed frequented Grundown Heights. Not long after, the news reported that this place got shut down.”
“Tracking down Elliot Lynn and shutting down a speakeasy are Mertens’s greatest achievements, but it’s getting in his head. I know I complimented him about getting help, but the fact that it took a week tells me he still thinks he could do it alone.”
“And that’s where you come in?”
Elena cracked a smile, “In a way. I’ve been feeling somewhat invigorated with this case. Maybe when the time comes, I’ll express myself more. But most importantly, I’m doing this for Vincent and Feng Bai. I don’t want Vincent’s business to fail again, and I know Ms. Bai is innocent in all this.”
“She’s an old friend?”
“Yes, but putting that aside, I just don’t trust the Constabulary when it comes to suspecting foreigners. They’re needlessly ruthless and want to make an example out of them.”
“They ain’t the only ones…” Naomi said under her breath.
“Oh, that’s right,” Elena chuckled, “I’m sure you had your fair share of discrimination during the military and in Tsara.”
“How’d you know I was in the military?”
“Vincent told me,” Elena winked. “‘An industrious, military woman from the one and only Great Allyson!’”
“Oh, Goddess,” Naomi laughed, “he makes it sound like I was on the frontline. I was just a cook.”
“Au contraire, meals are important to keep soldiers well fed. Don’t want to fight on an empty stomach.”
“If you say so,” Naomi shrugged. “Thanks for helping me tease the detective though.”
“My pleasure,” Elena passed her empty drink back to Naomi. “Pardon the phrasing, but other than trains, you’re probably the only one keeping him animated.”
“He doesn’t have anyone at home?”
“That’s a question reserved for him, isn’t it?” Elena got up from her seat. “I would wait until you two are on better terms though.”
“Then I’m never gonna get the answer,” Naomi saluted Elena off. “It was nice talkin’ to ya, Ms. Earnest.”
“You too, dear. Good luck!”