Page 26 of So Vicious
“Well, one of them is releasing those emotions by strangling people, injecting them with epoxy, hanging dozens of dog tags around their necks, and staging their dead bodies in a mockery of prayer,” Faith said.“You’re not a licensed psychologist or a lawyer, nor are you a religious authority of any kind.So, youwillcooperate, or we will have grounds to charge you with obstruction of justice.”
The moue rippled.“I don’t see any reason for aggression.”
“Are you serious?”Jessica snapped.“People aredying, lady.You’re really going to—”
Faith lifted a hand to stop Jessica.She kept her voice calm.“That’s fine, Miss Belfort.Here’s what happens next.I obtain a subpoena that orders you to release any and all information you have on potential threats to public safety.”
“You can’t—”
"I also called my friend with the Channel Six news and told her that we have a lead in our case, but Miss Angelique Belfort of the Langley Art Academy in McLean, Virginia, is refusing to cooperate with the investigation.We're currently seeking a legal injunction to force compliance."
The moue rippled again.Belfort took a deep breath and said, “Very well.If you must know, there is no one in my class who fits that description.”
Faith stared daggers at Angelique.The moue moved into something that was probably her best attempt at a smug look.
“If that was the case, then why wouldn’t you just tell us that?”Jessica asked.
“I believe it’s the duty of all citizens to resist authoritarian overreach,” Angelique said, and there was no doubt about the smugness this time.
“I want a list of every student in your class along with their contact information,” Faith said.
“That will not happen.”
“Then I call the news and tell them why we’re not making progress.”
“If you wish.”
Faith took a deep breath and nodded.She smiled at Angelique and said, “Very well.We’ll see each other soon.”
She left the office, Jessica following.Turk growled at Angelique, causing her to jump, before following the human agents out of the studio.
“I can’t believe that bitch,” Jessica grumbled as they walked to the car.
Faith was seething, but she didn’t let it show.“She’s just passionate about her beliefs.You and I are in law enforcement.We know how easily vermin take advantage of those principles.Ordinary people don’t.They worry about people like us going too far.”
“She wasn’t worried about shit.She just wanted to be obstinate.”
“Probably true,” Faith said, opening the car door for Turk.
When they were all in the car, Jessica asked, “So are we calling the news?”
“Not yet.There might be a way to get the answers we want without Angelique’s help.”
“How?”
"The Langley Art Academy is associated with the Arlington, VA office.They might have a list of people attending the class."
“You think so?”
“It’s a bit of a long shot, but I don’t think we have enough to get a warrant.”She glanced into the rearview mirror at the academy receding behind them.“I’m afraid if we get a warrant, she might be willing to fight us on this in the media.”
“Who’s going to side with her, though?”
"As I said, ordinary people don't have the same perspective on life we do."
They stayed silent for the rest of the drive to the VA office.Jessica’s lips were pushed into a slight pout.Faith was frustrated at having her bluff called and even more frustrated at realizing there was little she could do about it.Turk was quiet because he could sense the frustration from both of them and couldn’t help.He rested his head in his hands and looked despondently out the passenger side window of the rear seat.
Faith thought about their profile on the drive.She’d encountered “artists” before during her career.One notable individual used his victims’ preferred media to murder them, crushing a sculptor with a statue, encasing a glass blower in glass, and drowning a painter in paint.Another man posed individuals like abused dogs to illustrate the pain dogs suffered at the hands of trainers he considered abusive.And of course, the Messenger mutilated her victims in spectacular fashion in an attempt to disturb Faith.
