Caught Up (Pheobe/FBI Agents)

[norafreeze]

Nora collapsed into the ragged bed at the Women's Shelter. She shoved a toe into her shoe and popped it off, allowing it to clatter to the floor. She rolled onto her stomach and pressed her face into the pillow, holding her breath against the musty smelling bedding. Groaning, she rolled to the floor, kneeling beside her bed and grabbing her shower items from the tiny plastic box she was currently living out of and heading to the Women's bathroom.

As she walked past the rusty tin nightstand beside her temporary bed, she noticed a slip of paper with a quick scribble of a note. Nora tucked everything under her arm, and snatched up the paper. It was from the head of the shelter.
" Would you mind meeting me in my office ASAP? Thanks."[/i]

Putting her shampoo, soap and razor back on her bed, Nora slipped her feet back into her shoes and winced as they pinched at where she already had blisters.

Padding along the hall, Nora heard voices in the office, and paused knocking tentatively. Miss Colton answered almost immediately, but kept the door half-closed. "Oh, Nora. I was just waiting for you. I-I've been worried about you lately, and so I ended up putting your name around...to see if there was...you'd better come in." The door swung open, and the tall form of Miss Colton backed in.

Nora stood frozen at the doorway. She was a bit terrified that Victor would be waiting in there for her. With some degree of trepidation, Nora walked in, and Miss Colton closed the door behind her.

[Deleted]

It had been a bit of a surprise back at the F.B.I. office when they were running names and came across a Nora Fries at the women's shelter. Mostly because she's supposed to be... well, not dead, but in a coma and beyond help. It's a name definitely worth investigating in any event, and during their chat with Miss Colton they were able to determine that the woman staying here is indeed that Nora Fries, or someone who looks pretty much the same. Which is exciting because this may finally get them a solid lead on tracking down Mr. Freeze. Then again, the fact that the woman is staying at a women's shelter now is also a bit interesting - what does that mean?

But since they knew going into this that there would be a lot of unknowns and perhaps even a chance of bumping into the criminal they're looking for, it only makes sense to send a little bit of strength on this investigation. But since their lead directed them to a women's shelter, Agent Stevens and Force were the logical ones to send - the pair of them look a lot less intimidating than a small group of armed men even though Phoebe is significantly stronger.

Agent Stevens is sitting across from Miss Colton when a knock on the door interrupts their conversation. Phoebe, as tends to be her habit, stands quietly behind her guardian where she can so easily blend into the background. People tend to soon forget wondering why a federal agent has a 10 year old girl tagging along with her when she does that. Miss Colton is quick to get up and answer the door, and Phoebe's head tilts curiously as she listens to the woman's apologetic explanation. She knows far less about the situation than Agent Stevens, too easily bored by briefings and the like to pay much attention when she generally finds out what she needs to know on the spot. And if she needs to know more, Agent Stevens always remembers. All she really knows is that they're here to talk to the wife of a bad guy. And for her purposes that's all she really needs to know.

She remains put even as Agent Stevens stands to greet the woman at the door. Well, this certainly looks like the woman from the years old photo they'd found. "Nora Fries? I'm Agent Stevens. I have a few questions for you," she says simply. The agent isn't a very big woman, and rather plain-looking even even in her formal pantsuit, yet she holds herself with authority. She does not, however, look very unfriendly - merely very, very serious. The girl behind her remains quietly observing, looking a little curious but remaining in the background as much as possible for the moment. She doesn't look like anything special - she could be any kid from the suburbs the way she dresses. Even though, at the moment, her job is making sure that the woman they're here to question doesn't try to run.

[norafreeze]

Nora regarded the people in the room with a wary smile. She was not sure entirely what this was about, but she knew it would not be good. The people seemed too...tight. As if by walking into the room she had somehow stepped into a tapestry of problems that was being pulled taunt.

Giving a short glance at the girl, Nora passed her over completely and continued eye contact with the adults in the room. At the greeting, Nora nodded stiffly, knowing that they had to be with the government somehow. Like in those crime shows where an agent walks into a room and everyone is sort of holding their breath to see how things will play out. Well, exactly like that. But Nora was not watching safely from her couch, she is the one that with either make a mad dash...or "be reasonable". It really isn't a toss up at all. Nora had always been level headed and did not think much of dramatics, she certainly was not about to give it a go either.

"What sort of questions?" By the fact they had her last name, Nora knew she wasn't going to be able to get away with bluffing. It didn't take too much hunting to link her name to Mr. Freeze...but she'd never been awake while he was insane. She could only assume they wanted information on Victor. But could she give it to them?

Miss Colton sat behind her worn desk, her face portraying no emotion that Nora could make out.

[Deleted]

Sensing quickly that this isn't the type of person liable to make a run for it, Phoebe finds herself relaxing a bit and settling in to do her next job; making sure that the woman tells Agent Stevens the truth. It's a bit of a tedious job compared to what she could be doing, but if she learned anything from her training it's how to be patient with this sort of thing. Maybe this will turn into them being able to catch Mr. Freeze - that would definitely make this worth it.

Knowing that the woman they're questioning is probably already making very accurate guesses about what they're here for, Agent Stevens gives a vague nod toward the other chair in the room as she returns to her own seat. This conversation may end up taking awhile and they might as well be comfortable, and the non-verbal indication that she's not going to haul the woman away in handcuffs or anything like that (at least not immeadiately) should help everyone relax. Phoebe won't sit, but Agent Stevens almost suspects that the girl uses her powers to prop herself up when her feet get tired sometimes.

"To start with, do you know where your husband is right now?" she asks, going directly for the most important question since she knows that the question is already expected anyway; there's a time for subtlety in an interrogation, but that is not now.

[norafreeze]

Nora's uneasiness had not abated, but as they had not made any sort of move against her, she settled into the chair as the other woman did. She smoothed her 50's style red and white dress, feeling a bit embarrassed at her clothing and greasy hair. Shifting uncomfortably, she finally took a moment to notice that there was the oddly serious looking child that was actually with the agents. Nora wondered if "bring your kid to work" was something the FBI allowed? If not, then why was she here? Nora had no idea. But the child made her skin crawl a little, something about her mere presence. Nora looked away quickly.

The question was finally out, and Nora had to shake her head a little. Knowing that they wouldn't like her answer. "I have no idea where he is currently." That was absolutely true, she had no idea where Victor was, she knew where she had left him, but that did not mean he was still in that apartment. If his insanity was laced with paranoia, he had probably packed up and left as soon as possible. She couldn't know that for sure.

"I had to leave him, it was only a few weeks before I was strong enough, but... I walked out on him about two months ago and I haven't seen him sense." Nora said solemnly. She nodded slowly, and looked down at her grimy hands. "I think I can give you where I saw him last though." She had to give them all the help she could. What they were doing was right. All of these people, all of these people in insane costumes with silly gimmicky names...they needed help. The FBI, the Police, they all were going to make this right, if people just helped them. Victor needed mental help... he needed to accept the responsibilities for his actions and she needed to rid herself of as much guilt as possible...after all, he'd done it all for her.

[Deleted]

Phoebe doesn't react immediately to the woman's reaction to her, even though she can easily sense the full depth of it rather than the simple averting of her eyes. Having someone find her a little creepy is nothing compared to what they sometimes think.

Agent Stevens gives the girl a glance after Nora's answer, and gets a subtle nod in reply. Yes, she's being truthful. Damn, Agent Stevens thinks to herself, having actually hoped that answer had been a lie. She'd rather that this woman would be able to give them something more definitive and current. Still, it sounds like Nora's willing to cooperate fully and at least that's something. Even if he's moved his hideout, there's a chance that evidence at the old one will lead them closer to him. Unlike many of Gotham's rogues, his physical condition makes changing residences an undertaking unless he wants to remain in his specialized suit all the time, so theoretically he should only be able to run from them so fast. "That would be very helpful," she says with a nod, "But why didn't you contact the police yourself?"

But as Agent Stevens is asking her questions, Phoebe's keeping tabs on the woman's thoughts. And in particular what the woman's thinking about needing to help them is quickly marking her as a 'nice lady'. Therefore, Phoebe's serious expression is replaced by a surprisingly warm grin. This isn't someone they should be scaring and making nervous, at least in her opinion.