Date: 1 Mar 2022 00:29 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 052)
From: [personal profile] conning
Everything about this woman’s responses makes Neal dislike Ms Windsor even more, but he hides it. “What’s your name?”

“Rachel,” she says, shy and with an air that says she’s not entirely sure she should say. “Wait here, please. Guests aren’t allowed in the rest of this wing. Um, what were those names you needed?”

Date: 2 Mar 2022 21:12 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 085)
From: [personal profile] conning
"Doll makers," Neal repeats, looking at the doll, unsettled. He walks over almost tentatively, picking it up, turning it over in his hands. "This is custom, too. Hand-painted."

Date: 2 Mar 2022 21:23 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 032)
From: [personal profile] conning
"Who's the maker? It's beautiful work."

Neal keeps his tone entirely mild.

Date: 2 Mar 2022 21:26 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 063)
From: [personal profile] conning
"I'm an artist and art consultant," he says, still mild and friendly. "And it's very much its own art form."

Date: 2 Mar 2022 23:49 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 084)
From: [personal profile] conning
"That would be wonderful."

And yes, that comes with another Winning Smile.

Date: 3 Mar 2022 03:54 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 021)
From: [personal profile] conning
Neal’s answering grin is shameless. He walks the business card between his fingers before presenting it dramatically to Malcolm. “It’s a necessity in my line of work.”

Date: 8 Mar 2022 00:20 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 096)
From: [personal profile] conning
Neal breathes in the damn afternoon air, thinking silently while Malcolm texts Gil. Once he's done, Neal gives him a sidelong look.

"Is it just me or is Ainsley being..." A long pause.

He's trying to think of a word that's not insulting.

Date: 8 Mar 2022 03:00 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 138)
From: [personal profile] conning
Goosebumps crawl up Neal's arms. It pings wrong. It just pings wrong, in a way he can't quantify yet. He retrieves the card from Malcolm with a little sleight-of-hand flourish, turning it over to see the address.

"Would Gil take it badly if we went shopping?"

Date: 8 Mar 2022 03:09 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 081)
From: [personal profile] conning
Neal grins. “Oh good. Me neither.”

It’s not a long cab ride—Neal and Malcolm actually step out onto the curb in front of the shop as JT and Gil walk up the sidewalk toward them.

The latter scowls. “No.”

It’s more instinctive protest than actual objection.

Date: 8 Mar 2022 03:45 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 004)
From: [personal profile] conning
"You want idealization--the dolls themselves are modeled to look like the students, and given at graduation. Ideal, flawless, unchanging versions of themselves, minus all the mess of humanity."

Neal studies the sign above the door, trying not to let it show how his skin feels like it's crawling. He understands it, the logic of this man. That makes him feel more than a little sick.

Date: 8 Mar 2022 19:06 (UTC)
conning: (NealC 114)
From: [personal profile] conning
Gil sighs, trying not to admit to himself the fact that Neal has been annoyingly helpful so far. Instead, he holds the front door of the shop open, managing to make the courtesy look sarcastic as the other men file past him inside.

Neal studies the shop with interest, all the dolls in various sizes, various mediums, even the "cheap" ones crafted with undeniable care. He's never been much for this kind of artistry--too creepy for him--but he can appreciate the skill involved.

Gil leads the way into the workshop area, which is far less polished, and in Neal's eyes, far more interesting.

"Trevor Falvey? NYPD. We'd like a word."

Neal gives Gil a startled look. "Way to ease into it."

Date: 8 Mar 2022 20:24 (UTC)
conning: (Default)
From: [personal profile] conning
"We were hoping you could tell us why this was found in a corpse this morning." Gil holds up the freshly-cleaned glass eye, eyebrows raised. "We've confirmed it's your work."
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