Rose looked at her, seeing that James had ended the call. Grinding her teeth, she took a deep breath and called George. "Hey. Wanna grab a drink?" When he answered, she asked instantly, wishing for someone to help her take he mind off the things happening around her.
George could hear how tired she was, "Sure. Same bar." Accepting that she had agreed and got dressed, she ran to her car and sped off. As she turned down the road out of sight, a van turned its headlight on and drove before it as three electricians stepped out.
Steeping into the bar, she shook her umbrella, enjoying the warmth of the building before getting a drink and sitting in their usual spot. Ten minutes passed, and George walked in. The tow made eye contact, and George's smile beamed as he got himself a drink and sat before her.
"You alright?" Pointing under his eyes, he playfully said, "I can see the bags even with makeup." Rose smirked and took a drink.
"A little trouble sleeping, but nothing serious." George looked at her, unconvinced, but said nothing. Moving on to the topic, he remembered the news from the station.
"You see that Jeremiah brought someone in. Apparently, he made a big..." Seeing Rose sink into her shoulders as he spoke, he paused, "What's going on? I can take being left in the dark about things, but you and James have been distant these past few days."
Rose played with her drink, swirling the straw around. Looking at George, she wondered if she should say anything, scared that if she did, he would get involved. "That was the guy, James, and I saw at the park." Saying the bare minimum to ease his worries, she sighed, "I don't want anything to do with it, George, and neither should you. James is suicidal, and Jeremiah is Jeremiah. But you and I. This isn't our problem."
Rose frowned. 'Why did he drag in Jeremiah. How many people does he want to risk?' Tightening her hold on her glass, she took the straw out and downed the rest of its contents, wiping her chin afterwards.
George looked over at the bartender and signalled for another drink, putting the money to the side. Leaning forward, he smiled, "I already told you, Rose, we can't leave him alone. I know you're hesitant, but we can't stay still."
"The ISD is involved, George." Rose said under her breath, "We can and we will." George was stunned, leaning back. Opening his mouth, he nervously chuckled before he could speak and took a drink.
"God." Rubbing his eyes, he turned to the bartender and thanked her. "We've got to stop him, then?" Rose groaned. Although she loved George dearly, she couldn't help but curse his good nature at times.
"No." Rose coldly said, "I gave him a final out today, and he refused. He doesn't want to stop. Maybe part of him is praying someone will stop him, but I'm not doing it. I have tried over and over, not even with this case, but with ones before. He had the self-control to listen those times, but now it's gone. Every principle he had, he has let go of, whilst justifying it in his head." Rose scoffed, "I mean, the leak from before. I bet you it was him."
"James?" George looked up, "Sure, but why is it bad. We know how corrupt the system can be. Exposing it isn't a bad thing."
"James brings up a guy buried in the system and makes it public. The same day it's released, the guy is killed at home. James certainly didn't pull the trigger, but he did make it so someone else would. Tell me, when have you ever known James to get his hands dirty when he can offload it?" George stayed silent and took a drink.
"But why?"
"Because he's in the pockets of New Horizons Grand Prophet." George was once again stunned and looked at Rose as if she were crazy.
"There's no way. Sure, he owes a debt, but to actively work for him."
"It's true. He and Xavier are buddy-buddy. That debt has changed into something else, and James, even if he knows it wrong, likes it." George huffed and shook his head.
"Let's just say this is all true. What does he get from it? He likes to be right sure, but does he even know what he's chasing?" Rose shrugged and looked to the TV in the corner of the room. Seeing things around the election, she sat up and stared, he mouth slowly going agape.
"He can't be serious. Is it really that? Still?" George followed her gaze to the TV. Not understanding the connection she made, he looked to her, waiting for an answer. "Do you not remember?" Rose saw George and spoke, "Three years ago, James was adamant that Hopkins was dirty. Told everyone and was, well, laughed at for it. I trust James' gut, so I looked into it, the only reason I remember actually. Anyway, I got nothing and summed it up as paranoia. After a while, he never brought it up again." Rose stared at the TV, "Can he really not let it die?"
"But what does Hopkins have to do with the guy today?" Rose took a deep breath. If what she thought was true, she could finally understand a little what his obsession was, even if she found it ridiculous.
"I think that's what James is trying to find out. I don't know. God, why did I call in sick that day? Maybe it could have all been prevented." Rose slumped over the table and sighed, "If what he's looking for is related to Hopkins, he won't stop."
George looked at her, "You're really done with him then?"
"Until he fixes himself, yeah. But even then, I don't think things will be the same." Rose sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Enough about this. How's your girlfriend?" George's smile sweetened as he looked at his drink.
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Stumbling back to her door, Rose pulled her key out and pushed it into the door, missing, falling through it as it opened. The shock of crashing into the floor sobered him up slightly, and, preparing to use her ability, she looked around with rapid breaths.
"HELLO!" Her words slurred. Stepping back out, she didn't dare go in, the fear of Cain still fresh in her mind. Reaching for her phone, she placed her back against the wall so she could see all around her.
Scrolling through her contacts, she saw James' and Jeremiah's numbers next to each other. Skipping James, she called Jeremiah. The phone rang for a while until a tired, angered voice spoke.
"What? It's late."
"I'm sorry."
"You're drunk," Jeremiah said coldly.
Feeling he was about to hang up, she quickly spoke, "Someone broke into my house. The guy you took in today was brought to you by James, right?" Rose could hear him sitting up.
"How did you know? The captain told you." Rose sighed in relief, seeing he stayed on the line.
"He didn't tell you everything. When James found him in person the first time, I was there. Cain saw me, Jeremiah." She paused, trying to find a reason why he would go after her. Her broken thoughts slowly pieced together in her panic. "I told the ISD about him."
"You did what?" Jeremiah said with rare panic, "What do you mean, the ISD?"
"Ask James. I'm guessing he didn't tell you the whole truth. Anyway, I don't know if he's inside. He will kill me, Jeremiah." Rose said, terrified. Jeremiah stayed silent and sighed.
"Rose, go to the station... no, wait a moment, I'll get someone to pick you up and take you. I want to go to bed. Wait there, and tomorrow I'll deal with it." Jeremiah hung up. In silence, Rose stared at her door, the wheel next to her spinning endlessly until an officer came and collected her.