Thread: A Vision In Blood (Miss Eleanora and Mr. Quixotic)

Alphabet soup agency confirmed. Elizabeth wasn't surprised, though in reality neither of her suspicions being confirmed would have surprised her, the very upper crust did occasionally frequent art galleries like hers. Alphabet soup could mean the FBI, which could bode quite poorly for her. Though, had this man been here to arrest her because of a critical mistake she had made, or here because they were suspicious about her, he would have to be quite the actor because she saw no tells to indicate he was suppressing anything. Even with some internal turmoil and concern running rampant within her mind Elizabeth was ever the consummate professional, and ever the actress herself. The suit was a hint, so were the sunglasses, oh and the concealed gun you are wearing on your hip there. She answered his question about what had given him away, acting for all the world as if this was simply friendly banter, and that she wasn't considering the odds of managing to incapacitate him if he was here to arrest her. I actually was torn between private security and an alphabet soup agency and just guessed. She winked, best to appear fallible. Then Agent Lyle Carter introduced himself, displaying his credentials and revealing that he was in fact an FBI agent. He hadn't said his first name but she'd quickly read it off the credentials he'd flashed. Her smile faltered slightly in that moment, fortunately if he noticed it was likely that her faltering smile would be attributed to his statement that he wasn't there to browse. As loathe as the red haired woman was to admit she had made a blunder the presence of an FBI agent in her gallery on this day, stating that he wasn't here to look around was making her consider that she might have in fact done so... Then her thoughts did an abrupt double take, what had he just said? It was a rare moment, Elizabeth didn't quite know how to respond. An FBI agent was in her gallery, not because she had erred, but because he wanted her help with something? Fortunately her stunned silence did not seem to have been noticed by the man as he continued to speak and explain what he meant. That was when the smile began to return, a grin creeping its way onto her fair features. It was all she could do in that moment not to burst out laughing with sheer mirth. This Agent Carter wasn't here to arrest her or because he suspected her. He was here because art was her job and he wanted her to examine her own handiwork. It was delightfully ironic and wonderfully amusing. The sense of dread she had felt since first spying the man now fully receded and her expression truly took on the full luster and warmth that she reserved for those who had that special glimmer about them. As Lyle cracked his joke, sarcastically glancing around the empty expanse of Crystalline Memories, Elizabeth laughed. She was grateful for something that could be construed as a joke, it let her release her mirth at the situation without appearing odd. Then she spoke again, glancing downwards at the counter and an appointment book, that was utterly empty for the day. Well, first I need to check my availability. She hesitated, furrowing her brow as if she was really examining the blank page there before she raised her gaze again. I suppose that having no paying customers scheduled to come in today I can take a look at your killer's work for you. And don't worry, I've never been squeamish. Quite the opposite in fact, blood had always fascinated her. Her eyes flickered over Lyle's features again, that glimmer of sorts still present. He had features that would look so wonderful upon a canvas... No, she would not let herself think that way, she was too smart for that. It would be utter lunacy to even consider that. Besides his using her as a contact made it even more unlikely anyone would ever suspect her. To think she had begun this interaction with fear. But since I do have walk ins, I will close for the day, that way we won't be disturbed. Elizabeth continued to talk as she walked around the counter and strolled past him, passing rather close by, though not quite too close to be proper. She flipped the sign on the window from open to closed and then returned. Shall we take a look?