Real Crime, No Time (Jo)

[powermaniac184]

Her car stopped by the police headquarters. Lisa entered the Police doors, some officers smiled, others continued working. She wasn't just strolling somewhere, a recent homicide linked to a sex crime just happened. And she wanted to know the seen so that she could get the warrants. New detectives, old detectives though one in particular was helping Lisa alot with the cases in evidence; Jo Bartlett. Lisa had met Jo the first day when she came in to the office. Lisa had a respect for detectives especially Jo, who like Lisa took her job seriously. She stopped by her desk hoping she was there. Noticing files were on her desk.

" What do we have Jo" She stood, her suitcase in her hand, her cellphone in her suitcase. She noticed and smelled the bad cofee, coffee in her office wasn't any better. Though Lisa could always have a good coffee, always. If it wasn't for coffee she would be unhappy and grind the police department, she does that enough. Telling them what they can and can't do in the law. Jo knew that, or so Lisa thought she did. She hoped that they could head to the crime scene, then the Medical Examiner. "Give me a name and I'll get you the warrant"

[jek]

Jo sifted through the files on her desk with a determination that can only be described as resolute and unyielding. How long had she sat shoulders hunched leaning over her desk sipping at the same cold cup of coffee? Three hours? Four? She couldn't have been more delighted when Lisa turned the corner and pulled her out of her caffeine induced haze. "Excellent timing." Jo glanced up holding a manila folder in one hand and a pen in the other. "I've got three potentials and a fresh crime scene. What do you say we see if this bastard left us some DNA evidence?"

Jo reached for her leather jacket and brushed several empty coffee cups into the trash. She slid her black pumps back onto her feet and stood up smoothing the front of her black button-up shirt. "Although, I could use a quick coffee run if you think we can spare five minutes." Jo knew that Lisa shared her affinity for hot caffeinated beverages and would have no problem with the pit stop. It was nice to have another woman in the department. It was such a testosterone infused workplace that often times Jo felt like she was constantly being judged by her male counterparts. But, with Lisa, Jo could just be one of the girls.

[powermaniac184]

She smiled when she was handed the file. Looking through the names.."Hmm. Alright. Yeah I can go for some coffee" Almost taken back when she mentioned Coffee, but she did love her coffee. "You seem happy to get out of here, I'm the same way when it comes to the D.A. office." She was wearing a black summer jacket and quickly unzipped one of the suitcase pockets and grabbed three blank warrants. She always had extra warrants. She began filling out the names and the reason on why their houses were going to be searched and why they would be arrested. She took the warrants and used the nearest fax machine sending them to her favorite Judge, Judge Haley. Within a few minutes they were sent back this time with her signature next to Lisa's. "Alright, lets go to the crime scene, then we pick the perps up. Well after Coffee that is." She subtly smiled and grabbed her suitcase walking with Jo to the police car sitting in Shot gun. "So, how have you been?"

Lisa looked out the window and the bustling scene of people walking or leaving buildings. Buses stopping or speeding. Cars everywhere, shouting, shooting, and policeman and SWAT called along with ambulances. This would be an interesting and fun day.

[jek]

"I've been stuck in here all day. Captain says I've been overworking myself and should take less cases but, you know me, I'm always up for one more." Deep down Jo knew the Captain was right. She should take some more time off but, honestly, she didn't want to. Unlike most people Jo did not classify work as a burden. It was... fun.

Once all the paperwork had been squared away Jo accompanied Lisa to the carport downstairs. Sliding into the driver's seat, Jo felt more at home than back in her office. She'd driven the same black, unmarked police car for the past three years. It was a 2006 Ford Mustang, sleek and sexy. It was a present, of sorts, for her promotion to the Major Crimes Unit. Well, a present to Jo from Jo. She'd been saving up her paychecks for a new ride and living in a houseboat definitely cut costs during the year so when the Commissioner offered her the position of Detective in the new unit she was more than pleased to accept.

"I suppose it's illegal to throw the signs on if we're just headed to the coffee shop..." Jo sighed as she pulled out of the garage. Driving through the city was something Jo loved to do. She didn't mind the traffic or the crazed, jay-walking pedestrians. It was just all part of the Gotham City ambiance. Out here you really got a feel for the people. Who they were. What they are doing. All that Jazz. "Things been mighty busy back at the station." Jo flipped her blinker and moved into the left lane. "Especially with all this FBI crap they've got going on. I'm just trying to do my job, right? And all those suits seem to do is get in the way."

Jo really needed some coffee she could tell that she was about to go into a caffeine reduced rage about office politics at any moment. It was something she only did when she was crabby and she was crabby when she didn't have coffee. "What about you? Seems like we're two ships passing in the night these days."

[powermaniac184]

"Yeah, the FBI are getting annoying, the won't let me in on anything, ignorant pricks. But that's how the feds are. Luckily I'm the ADA, so I'm fortunate to have beeen able to convict forty people in the last four weeks. Lost two cases, but my prosecuting has really surprised alot of people." The car stopped right by the coffee shop, Lisa grabbed her bag with the warrants, and got a coffee quickly.

No line, means no time. She waited on the side for Jo to get whatever she wanted. Though Coffee's now a days were more expensive than ever before. Though the coffee was very good at the local level.

She smiled, "You know not everyone recognize's me with my dyed hair. I'm not a natural blonde but a red head." She laughed "Funny how all the bad ass woman in this city are red heads" It was true, Lisa was a badass, thoug she never was prideful about it. Yet she deserved a little recognition right? Well maybe not. She sat down in a booth and took out the file reading them, under no stress, "Theses perps are good, good except that they don't know when to stop and to continue. Five convictions yet no jail time?

I won't be making a deal like to them if these are the guys. Though look at this." She turned the file around showing it to Jo.

"Why would Charles Lotara do this? He knew he would be caught." Lisa was no detective though she did have a keen sense for facts and opportunities. Not to mention she knew the law like the back of her hand.

[jek]

Jo liked her coffee simple. She rolled up to the counter, rested her hand on her hip, which forced the folds of her jacket to the side revealing her glittering gold detective badge, and ordered a large black coffee. She didn't often show off her badge. It wasn't something she felt was appropriate or even pertinent. If anything she much preferred to keep a low profile especially when patrolling the streets. But, today, she felt like a badass. Particularly, after Lisa started talking about redheads and badasses and all that. Jo nodded, Lisa made a good fake blonde; the color just suited her. There was a time when Jo almost took the leap and dyed it platinum blonde but, common sense quickly caught up with her when she realized she was only doing it to piss off her parents.

"I don't know Lisa, I'm told blondes have more fun." she took a long swig from her cup as she nodded for Lisa to follow her back to the car. The booth looked tempting but, there was work to be done and girlish chit chat would have to wait until later, hopefully accompanied with some drinks. "I've always been under the impression that cops would make the best criminals. We know all the loopholes and do undercover work all the time. It would be a cake walk. But, these sociopaths are all about preforming for an audience. They aren't in it to go away to some beach in the Caribbean. Deep down, they want to get caught."

Snapping her seat belt into place, Jo took another sip of her coffee. The hot liquid burned the back of her throat but sent a charge of energy through her system. "You ready to go detect the shit out of that crime scene?"

[powermaniac184]

She looked at Jo sort of laughing at the same time, "Except that I will always be a red-head. You have to change it up sometimes."Even though you might be the best at being criminals, I will always be around to convict you. Try me if you want to see what happens." She pretended to point her finger. "I'm ready when you are Jo." She locked the seat belt into place waiting for the car to start. "First to the Crime scene then to the Medical Examiner. I wonder if any DNA was gotten off of them. It sure helps during a trial."

[jek]

Jo smirked putting the car into drive and craning her neck to glance behind. It was clear and she pulled out onto the road. "I wouldn't be stupid enough to take you on." she laughed. Lisa really was one of the best prosecutors in Gotham. Pressing firmly on the gas, Jo rolled her shoulders back and took a deep breath. "If we could put a dent in this case it'd be a miracle." She had at least half a dozen case files sitting on her desk; a whole array of murders and thefts that were just begging for her attention. So much so, that her sleep patterns had managed to get worse than they already were, which was astounding in it's own right.

Reaching for her coffee Jo couldn't help but pray that that son of a bitch left behind a finger print or a strand of hair, anything that would point them in any direction. Else this case would soon find itself in the back of some file cabinet with all the other unsolvables. Jo had never had a case fall into that category and she wasn't about to start now. Just down the road was an apartment complex taped off in yellow with three [policemen stationed out in front. "Looks like we've found our stop." she pulled to the curb and yanked the parking break. "Let's go find us some evidence." She grabbed her coffee and was out of the car a moment later.

[powermaniac184]

The car stopped and Lisa calmly and quickly walked out. The three policeman were standing still, they were talking about baseball or something. Lisa was a fan of watching sports, not being in them though. As a girl she was good at softball and played in highschool. Though she dropped sports soon after. "Hello officers" They collected themselves and one of them spoke, "Hello Counselor, three homicides in one spot" He removed the tape as she walked in walking around, "We found bullets and some cartrages, spray on the walls, and arson blew up the half of the building." "Thank you" she said as they went back, one of them left with the siren on.

She walked around, noticing the white outlines of the bodies, the blood, the outer shells. "All this needs to be collected and sent to the police office for processing" "Yes, the Medical examiner came by at twelve o'clock to get the other shells, he sent them to the crime lab for processing" She squated down, "This seems different from the regular homicide. Seems stages with alot of deaths and more arson. Perps like to play with fire these days. Hope that the medical examiner has more info than this scene does."

[jek]

Jo nodded to the boys in uniform. She'd seen them around that station a fair few times and they'd certainly seen her. Watching their reactions to Lisa was comical. Upon her arrival they began to straighten themselves up and stopped their chatter about the Yankee's game. Not only was Lisa something to look at but she was also a counselor which meant she was a double threat. Intimidating on both a sexual and professional level. They handled the pressure fairly well. While Lisa went ahead, Jo hung behind for a moment. "Try not to get drool on the uniforms boys." she joked patting one of them on the back. "See you Saturday for the Station softball game. Bring you're A-game."

Striding up the steps, Jo flashed her badge to the officer at the top of the steps and followed Lisa into the crime scene. It was a mess, blood spatter and burnt embers everywhere. Jo had seen worse in her time on the force but, it was still a sight. "I don't remember reading up on anything about arson in any of the other case files. Something's different here. Our perp is trying to hide something." Jo paced around the scene for a moment, looking around the corners and beneath several charred furniture. She pulled on a pair of blue latex gloves and lifted several fibers off the ground. Several feet away there was a pile of green glass. "Get these to the lab." she zipped up a small plastic bag as she stood up. "I'm willing to bet he soaked some cloth in alcohol and lit a match. All household items you can get from a..." she paused walking toward a small entry way. "kitchen."

[powermaniac184]

(I am so sorry, for not posting. Things have been hectic, I'm back and I'll try to post more often)

Lisa looked at Jo, Gotham was good, but it needed people like Jo and Gordon. There were too many corrupt cops, murders, rapes, beatings, and criminals in suits or with smiles that made this city the heart of the FBI invasion. Now as a prosecutor she understood the law extremely well, it came with benefits and loopholes. Parts of it were against her moral code, but if her moral code was the law, things would be... different.

She looked at the bag, then looked around, noticing the different marks, even a bullet hole. "I have a feeling more will be discovered at the Medical Examiners office. I have my intentions, and this looks like a rape, but I can't be sure, because homocide was involved. We should head to the office soon." She wasn't hungry, but she felt that if she had something to eat, she wouldn't be asking or implying things. Ah she worried some times. Her dad would say, "Lisa, calm down". She missed her dad greatly, but she didn't show it, she was to the point and empathetic to the victims, not the attackers.