OOC<div class="floatright"> (https://i.pinimg.com/236x/1f/a7/7e/1fa77e8e5413e486587472cc38bda590.jpg)</div>There's a transition problem, with Blaine bumping Karen to walk off and then turning to talk with Frank. Additionally, I want Blaine to stick around for the conversation with Frank and Karen's response. I will flip the order of Blaine's second and third paragraphs and have Blaine not leave after a request from Karen.<br/><br/>Characters<br/>Blaine<br/>Karen McConnel (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TQjkX1IbaF79Bcze6X7lX2ynGcwkx4AukKLXuqPe8WA/edit#heading=h.kq2o5recxiic) - Human, Detective, Frank's gang killed her partner when she was in Patrol LVMPD<br/>Frank Parker (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=344531.msg16258873#msg16258873) -<br/>Melissa (maiden name), two kids<br/><br/>Mechanics.<br/>Frank 7 Persuade/Initimidate Karen (https://discord.com/channels/1007352388996300890/1009249001536770059/1031242292557791352)<br/>Frank owes Karen a debt (2nd debt), and Karen's going to help Melissa;<br/><br/>'owe an NPC a debt to Escape a Situation' - Melissa owes Frank.<br/>'You end up in another dangerous situation.' - Melissa is potentially under arrest.<br/>A major arrest would/will fulfill one of Frank's debts to Karen.<br/><br/><hr/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote from: Blaine</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"> "You should be ashamed of yourself!" With that final declaration, the ex-Coastie shouldered past the cop. Hard! Possibly even hard enough to bruise the woman.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Karen's face went white with shock at Blaine's accusation. The blonde hair detective couldn't move out of Blaine's shoulder bump, but rather than resist it, Karen went with the bump and became partially wrapped around Blaine's body. Karen laid her hand on Blaine's arm, but it was gentle, a caress and not a restraint. Karen turned Blaine to face her. The two women were just inches apart.<br/><br/>The first few words out of Karen's mouth were angry.<strong>"No, you don't understand - who Frank is, what he does."</strong>then there was a long sigh, and Karen's tone changed and became more reflective,<strong>"You're right; I should not visit the sins of the father on the wife and kids. I was acting like a bitch."</strong>and then a self-deprecating laugh,<strong>Who am I kidding? I am bitch."</strong><br/><br/>Karen looked at Frank. Shoulders that hunched defensively relaxed.<strong>"You're girlfriend here is right, Frank. I still think you are a piece of scum, but taking my dislike out on you."</strong>the detective gave Blaine an appraising glance,<strong>" or your friend isn't going to solve anyone's problems."</strong><br/><br/>Karen paused for a few moments debating how to approach the two. She smiled as she figured out the angle.<strong>"Frank, I don't have to use your kids as bargaining chips. They're already on the table, in play. This shootout wasn't some random Home Invasion gone wrong. The guy Melissa decapitated had a bag with duct tape and zip ties. This crime was an attempted kidnapping. Since you're talking about a war, I assume that Melissa and the kids are still targets."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Alright, I hate to say this, but it sounds like we need to work together. Melissa and the kids, I'm going to write it up as an attempted kidnap and home invasion. I'm releasing her to you."</strong>The muscular blonde pointed at Blaine.<strong>"I'll need your name and address, but I'm not going to put it into the case file. You'll need a lawyer to convince the DA and the Judge that Melissa and the kids should not be held for either protective custody or as a material witness."</strong><br/><br/>Karen shook her head and got out her wallet. She removed a card and held it out to Blaine,<strong>"I cannot believe I'm giving this bitch work. She's a maestro about getting people off. Still, she's ferocious in protecting her clients."</strong><br/><br/>Karen gave Frank a dead-eye stare,<strong>"You're talking about a war and dead bodies stacking up. I prefer the bodies stacked up in a jail cell, not the morgue. Additionally, you know the Mayor - Vegas has a reputation to protect, and violence is bad for business. So spill, who are the sides in this war, and more to the point, how do we shut it down?"</strong>