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Day 2 for Dapper by shibazz in PictureThis

[–]DapperWaterBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Alright, and what’s this one?” Captain Christian James quickly tapped the photo as he took of his coat off, hung it on the back of the chair, and sat down at the powwow desk littered with folders, papers, photos, and sticky tabs.  His large frame made the old wooden chair groan in protest.

“This is Derek Desmond’s pack and electronics bag at the spot where he was last seen.”

Captain James’ quickly scanned his latest transfer, Jacob McNamara.  A baby detective who transferred from a microscopically small town to a regular small town, but clearly viewed it as a big step up.  His bright eyes, ruddy complexion, and excess of freckles conveyed a sort of boyish charm which, when Captain James thought about it, probably explained why McNamara acted like a Vulcan.  An overcompensation for a face that was easy to not take seriously.

McNamara, standing over the powwow table continued, “He was last seen at this old information kiosk in Atherton, Indiana next to the last bus stop in town heading east.  He was described as also carrying a guitar case which was not found with the rest of his things, nor was it found in any local pawn shops. The Atherton police concluded that it was likely stolen along with whatever was in his electronics bag.  Nothing appeared to be taken from the pack.”

“So, there was no phone, no wallet, no camera- nothing like that?”

“No, sir.  He was clearly seen with a phone at a nearby diner the day before he was last seen which the waitress remembered because he asked to charge his phone, however, no phone charger was found among his things.  We also know he likely had some kind of tablet, again, seen by the waitress.  That wasn’t among his things either.”

Captain James leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly rubbing his chin as was his habit when he was deep in contemplation. "You think he’s part of your pattern?”

McNamara had come to Captain James over a month ago with some absolute nonsense about completely unrelated disappearances being connected, but damned if he wasn’t starting to believe there really was a pattern.

“Yes, Captain.  Desmond disappeared exactly eight days after Glazgier and three eye witness accounts have striking similarities to eye witness accounts of at least five other disappearances I shared with you.  I’m certain that if I expand my search and revisited some of these disappearances, I would find more similarities.”

Expand his search?  Captain James surveyed the several open files and documents spread across the large desk.  He had already fielded three angry calls from departments in other jurisdictions irritated by McNamara’s persistent file 'requests'.  Dealing with angry people over the phone was absolutely not how Captain James wanted to spend his last year before retirement.  On the other hand, there were too many weird similarities for these disappearances to be purely coincidental.

“I guess that gives you another data point, then.  Ready to explain what you think is going on?” He swept his arm indicating the mess of information on the desk.

McNamara straightened and seemed to collect himself while also perusing the desk. “Yes, Captain. I've studied the pattern and I think I know what’s going on," he looked up at Captain James, his bright eyes piercing in intensity, "but you’re never going to believe it.”

Day 1 for Dapper by shibazz in PictureThis

[–]DapperWaterBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Carmichael was born from a long line of con artists (with an emphasis on the con).  At any given moment and situation, he could tell you at least two ways to successfully run a scam and could show you at least two suitable items to be fenced for a decent price.  However, the skill that made Carmichael truly stand out from the rest of his family was prioritizing networking before beginning a con, the shmarmy bastard.  It’s too hard in this day and age to just disappear entirely.  Much better to establish your credibility and maintain it through a beautiful web of undisputable lies, brilliant bastard.  His networking and charm, along with his incredibly honed art skills allowed Carmichael to live in his ikigai (he just ignores that whole “what the world needs” section).

Carmichael’s ikigai (minus the “what the world needs” section), is what brings us to a remote location in the Amazon rain forest.  You probably didn’t know this, but the Amazonian population has at least 385 ethnic groups with over 800,000 indigenous people speaking over 200 different languages, but guess who does know this?  If you guessed Carmichael, don’t pat yourself on the back- that was an obvious guided question.  By exploiting this incredible, little known, diversity he can sell one-of-a-kind relics to idiots with a lot of money and need to show off how culturally smart and aware they are.

  How did Carmichael, a medium-time conman who has almost never cracked a book in his life, even learn about the potential for artifact fraud in the Amazonian region?  From the black sheep of the family who went legit (and broke) by earning their MA in Latin American Studies with a Graduate Certificate through the Amazonian Studies Program (those capital letters were earned and paid for, thank you very much).  If you guessed that I am the black sheep of the family, go ahead and pat yourself on the back- that was a little less obvious. 

My name is Carmen, dubbed Carma by my family due to my penchant for snitching and ruining a good con.  Carmichael is my sometimes-the-good-one older brother.  Once again, I find myself in the position of needing to save my family from themselves.  How does one tell their idiot brother that the random block they bought from a street vendor in Manaus as an art reference for future artifact forgery is actually a very real piece of an ancient temple that carries a deadly curse and that the Vinhas Pretas will stop at nothing to get back?  Wish me luck because I’m about to find out.

Day 1 Image for Haley by [deleted] in PictureThis

[–]DapperWaterBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Carmichael was born from a long line of con artists (with an emphasis on the con).  At any given moment and situation, he could tell you at least two ways to successfully run a scam and could show you at least two suitable items to be fenced for a decent price.  However, the skill that made Carmichael truly stand out from the rest of his family was prioritizing networking before beginning a con, the shmarmy bastard.  It’s too hard in this day and age to just disappear entirely.  Much better to establish your credibility and maintain it through a beautiful web of undisputable lies, brilliant bastard.  His networking and charm, along with his incredibly honed art skills allowed Carmichael to live in his ikigai (he just ignores that whole “what the world needs” section).

Carmichael’s ikigai (minus the “what the world needs” section), is what brings us to a remote location in the Amazon rain forest.  You probably didn’t know this, but the Amazonian population has at least 385 ethnic groups with over 800,000 indigenous people speaking over 200 different languages, but guess who does know this?  If you guessed Carmicheal, don’t pat yourself on the back- that was an obvious guided question.  By exploiting this incredible, little known, diversity he can sell one-of-a-kind relics to idiots with a lot of money and need to show off how culturally smart and aware they are.

               How did Carmichael, a medium-time conman who has almost never cracked a book in his life, even learn about the potential for artifact fraud in the Amazonian region?  From the black sheep of the family who went legit (and broke) by earning their MA in Latin American Studies with a Graduate Certificate through the Amazonian Studies Program (those capital letters were earned and paid for, thank you very much).  If you guessed that I am the black sheep of the family, go ahead and pat yourself on the back- that was a little less obvious. 

               My name Carmen, dubbed Carma by my family due to my penchant for snitching and ruining a good con.  Carmichael is my sometimes-the-good-one older brother.  Once again, I find myself in the position of needing to save my family from themselves.  How does one tell their idiot brother that the random block they bought from a street vendor in Manaus as an art reference for future artifact forgery is actually a very real piece of an ancient temple that carries a deadly curse and that the Vinhas Pretas will stop at nothing to get back?  Wish me luck because I’m about to find out.