Parker & Lane: Criminal Justice/Chapter Four

This is the fourth chapter in Parker & Lane: Criminal Justice.

* Stella: Well good morning Victor. You're looking as sharp as ever.
* Lane: I'm sure you say that to all the boys.
* Stella: So, did you get a chance to unwind last night?
* Lane: Not so much.
* Stella: No girlfriend to go home to?
* Lane: Not exactly. I do have someone in my life...
* Lane: But not a girlfriend kind of someone.
* Stella: Well aren't you mysterious.
* Lane leaves the lab.

* Stella: I think Victor is kind of cute. You don't mind if I ask him out, do you?
* Parker: Why would i mind? I wouldn't go for Lane if he was the last man alive!
* Stella: Okay then. Don't say I didn't warn you...

## Level 32

* Stella: Last chance to change your mind, Parker. I don't want to hear about any regrets.
* Parker: Are you still going on about Lane?
* Stella: Come on, he's a handsome man. Strong, charismatic, clever...
* Parker: Wait, we are talking about the same person right?
* Lane enters the lab.
* Lane: Who are we talking about?
* Stella: The victim...
	+ Parker: The killer...
* Lane laughs. Parker & Lane leave the lab.

### Outro

* Parker & Lane enter the lab.
* Stella: Finally! I found the cause of death for Theo Madsen!
* Parker: Well don't hold us all in suspense...
* Stella: It was poison. I won't bore you with long chemical names, but here's what you need to know.
* Stella: It's soluble, odorless, and could be administered through food, drinks or needles.
* Parker: Skin contact?
* Stella: Possible, but unlikely. The killer would need a lot of it for that.
* Lane agrees.
* Lane: Makes sense. Were there any track marks on the body?
* Stella: None. So be careful what you eat or drink.
* Lane: That's too bad. I was hoping to take you out to dinner tonight...
* Stella: Well, maybe I could cook you something?

## Level 33

* Parker: We can't assure all of the victims were poisoned in the same way, so let's start with Madsen.
* Parker: How could the killer have poisoned him?
* Lane: Well, there was no one in the camera frame.
* Parker: But there were tons of chemicals around someone could have used.
* Lane: So what, we're looking for food or drinks the killer could have poisoned then?
* Parker: I think so. A glass of water, an empty pizza box, something like that.
* Lane: As far as evidence for a murder goes, a pizza box seems pretty boring.
* Parker: Boring evidence means a smart killer.
* Parker & Lane leave the lab. Stella enters the lab and goes back to work.

### Outro

* Parker & Lane enter the lab.
* Stella: Logan and Vicky had traces of the same poison.
* Parker: No surprise there. These cases are definitely linked.
* Lane: So the killer always has the same MO. Poison, plus a guilty sign in the mail.
* Parker: MO? Come on, Lane. This isn't a TV show.
* Stella: It kind of feels like one. A cryptic and mysterious case-
* Lane: With a stunningly beautiful cast of detectives!
* Parker: Anyway... We need to figure out how this poison was administered.
* Lane: Well, Vicky did have that case...
* Stella: Good idea, I'll test that next.

## Level 34

* Parker: Logan's case makes sense. I always have water when I work out.
* Lane agrees.
* Lane: But with Vicky's case, that house was piled high with potential items.
* Parker: True. The poisoned item could be almost anything.
* Lane: It's subtle. This killer is dangerous.
* Parker: Well, maybe you can defend the killer once we catch them, eh Lane?
* Lane: I think that would qualify as a conflict of interest.
* Stella: This might surprise you both, but you actually work pretty well together.
* Stella: When you aren't bickering, that is.
* Parker & Lane leave the lab.

### Outro

* Parker & Lane enter the lab.
* Parker: Stella, did we ever get the report back on Theo Madsen's chemicals?
* Lane: That big unlabeled barrel we found seemed suspicious.
* Stella: Those should be just about ready. Let me check.
* Stella checks the lab.
* Stella: The chemicals in that barrel match one of the active ingredients in the Sunshine pills.
* Parker: That's conclusive proof, then. Theo Madsen was producing the drug.
* Stella: Nice work, you two. That's a big find. Not bad for your first week.
* Lane: It's interesting. If someone wanted to profit from these drugs...
* Parker: Why take out the one guy who knows how to make them?
* Lane: Exactly. That says something about the killer's motivation.
* Parker agrees.
* Parker: Two theories come to mind. One - this person is a competitor.
* Parker: They learned to make it themselves, and wanted a monopoly.
* Lane: Or two. Someone is trying to cover something up.
* Parker: Exactly.

## Level 35

* The next day, a cake is in the lab.
* Stella: So how does it feel, being a lawyer turned detective?
* Lane: I just pretend I'm Bruce Willis, and try to look brooding and manly.
* Stella laughs.
* Stella: Well, you're doing a good job of it.
* Lane: And how about yourself? What sparked your interest in... poisons?
* Stella grins.
* Stella: Well, it sounds a little sinister when you put it that way...
* Stella: You can find chemistry in everything, from emotions like love to explosions from guns.
* Lane: So love is just a chemical?
* Stella: Love is a lot of things. One of those things is chemical.
* Parker: And that chemical reaction can be just as dangerous as poison...
* Parker & Lane leave the lab.

### During level

* It's cake day. Stella examines the cake.

### Outro

* Parker & Lane enter the lab.
* Stella: So, it looks like the cake wasn't the culprit for Vicky McDurmon's death.
* Lane: Are you sure?
* Stella tastes the cake.
* Stella: That's how sure I am.
* Lane: So no arresting the cake, Parker. I know it's guilty until proven innocent, but-
* Parker: That's against protocol Stella.
* Stella: Oh lighten up. We can't let this chocolate go to waste!
* Parker: So... If it wasn't the food, I'd guess it was slipped into a drink...

## Level 36

* Lane enters with violets.
* Stella: I think I'm going to need a drink after all this...
* Lane: Tell me about it. I'm ready for a drink right now!
* Stella approaches to Lane.
* Stella: Oh, Lane! Are those hydrangea flowers?
* Lane: They are. They change color based on the chemistry of the soil.
* Lane: I thought you'd like them.
* Lane hands the flowers to Stella.
* Stella: That is incredibly thoughtful, Lane. I love them...
* Stella: Maybe once we've finished work, we could go out for that drink?
* Lane: First round is on me.
* Stella: Mmm. Something to look forward to then.
* Lane: I've always hated waiting.
* Parker & Lane leave the lab.

### Outro

* Lane enters the lab and gives Stella a kiss. Parker enters after Lane, seeing Lane kissing Stella.
* Parker: Ah! Oh...
* Parker: I didn't realize...
* Lane and Stella released their kisses, so Parker leaves the lab alone.
* Stella (laughs): Well, that was a bit awkward.

## Level 37

* Meanwhile at the Police Station, Ron arrives for her daughter.
* Ron: There's my girl! I come bearing gifts.
* Ron: So, hows everything going? This first case sounds pretty complicated.
* Ron: Hmm, I know that look... Anything I can do to help?
* Parker: I've got it. I just need to clear my head, I guess...
* Ron: Don't overwork yourself, it'll turn out all right.
* Parker: Maybe. Or maybe not. It's not that simple, Dad. Sometimes things just don't work out.
* Ron: You're the smartest person I know, Lily. Just give it time-
* Parker: Just give it time? Don't you realize why you never made detective?
* Parker: You were always just waiting for things to work themselves out!
* Lily places a doughnut.
* Ron: I didn't made detective, that's true. And maybe you're right about why.
* Ron: I was never as clever as you are. But I know you, Lily.
* Ron: And I know when you're pushing yourself too hard.
* Parker: Everyone's always telling me to relax while I do all the work!
* Ron: I get it. Who an I to give advice. I guess I'm just trying to say I believe in you, Lily-
* Parker: Well, you shouldn't. No one else does.
* Ron: If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. I know it.
* Parker: That's enough! I put my mind to everything I do, and nobody cares at all!
* Ron: I care. I love you, Lily.
* Parker: I don't feel loved. i just feel alone.
* Parker: I can't do this today. I'm sorry, Dad.
* Parker walks away.
* Ron: It's no wonder I never made detective. I can't even figure out my own daughter.

### Outro

* Parker enters the lab. Stella approaches to Parker.
* Stella: Parker! I've got some interesting updated for you here-
* Parker: About your love life? Please, spare me the details.
* Stella: That was uncalled for. You did tell me you were fine with it-
* Parker: You know what's uncalled for? Using the police station's lab like a cheap hotel room!
* Stella: You've got to learn to loosen up, Parker-
* Parker: What is with everyone trying to give me advice!? What you did was just... so unprofessional!
* Stella: You know what I've learned in this line of work, Parker?
* Parker: No, but I'm sure you're about to tell me.
* Stella: You only live once. And it could all be taken away at any moment.
* Parker: Whatever. What did you want to update me on?
* Stella: Oh, right. The tests show that the poison takes some time to take effect.
* Parker: How much time?
* Stella: I think about an hour, based on the concentration seen in our victims. It all depends on the individual who was poisoned, of course.
* Parker: Right... Well, thanks.

## Level 38

* Lane enters the lab.
* Stella: Good morning, handsome.
* Stella: Last night was fun...
* Lane: Fun nights are usually followed by blurry mornings.
* Stella: Maybe a hangover cure should be my next experiment.
* Parker: I think an antidote for the poison that killed our three victims comes first.
* Stella: Of course. I have been meaning to make one - I'll start on that today.
* Lane: Excellent. In the mean time, Parker, let's figure out how our killer poisoned these poor people.
* Parker: Are you sure you have time? You don't need to go flower shopping or anything?
* Lane: Yeah, yeah. Very funny. Let's go, Detective.
* Parker & Lane leave the lab.

### Outro

* Back in the Police Station, Parker and Lane are chatting.
* Parker: Well, this security camera footage is totally useless now.
* Lane: You're right. If the poison doesn't take effect for an hour-
* Parker: We'd need to know where our victims were an hour before their death.
* Lane: This killer is clever, that's for sure.
* Parker: Unlike some people I know...
* Lane: Anyway. He-
* Parker: Or she.
* Lane: Our she is always one step ahead of us.
* Parker: Here's what we know so far.
* Parker: Our killer knows quite a bit about poisons.
* Lane: And they either want to stop the Sunshine pills, or take over the business.
* Parker: We found that cryptic email to Logan. And a locked phone. That's where we start.
* Lane: Bucket?
* Parker: Bucket.

## Level 39

* Bucket turns off the music from a phone.
* Parker: Playing bad music louder doesn't make it better, Bucket.
* Bucket: You're a woman of many talents, Parker, but an ear for good music is clearly not one of them.
* Parker: Fair enough. How are we looking on that phone?
* Bucket: Cracked. No phone can resist my charms for long.
* Parker & Lane laugh.
* Lane: Too bad that skill doesn't translate to other things...
* Parker: I'm impressed! Nice work, Bucket.
* Parker: Finally! A breakthrough!
* Lane: What have we got? Read it out!
* Parker: Vicky has a bunch of text messages from Colin Walsh.
* Lane: Who's now a Senator. A man with power and resources...
* Parker: And a man who may be missing a nice watch. Listen to this...
	+ "Can't wait to see you again, V. And tell your brother Logan he'd better stop what he's doing. Or I'll make him stop. I won't be a part of his 'business' any more."
* Lane: I think we need to talk to Senator Walsh.

### Outro

* In the Police Station, they're still chatting.
* Parker: Wait, are you really trying to say Colin Walsh might not be guilty?
* Lane: Are you really trying to say he definitely IS guilty of the murders?
* Parker: These text messages show the Senator was directly involved with the Sunshine pills!
* Lane: He may well have been involved with that, but that doesn't make him a murderer.
* Parker: Are you insane, Lane? He threatened Logan, and then Logan ends up dead!
* Lane: But... why would he kill Vicky? They were lovers, right?
* Parker: He's covering his tracks, Lane. Probably trying to cover up the drug ring.
* Lane: Maybe. He probably used that money to fund his campaign...
* Parker: Exactly. And now that he's won, he's going to remove anyone who could testify against him.
* Lane: Maybe... But something feels off about that logic to me-
* Parker: Listen, let me do the detective work. You just stand there looking pretty.
* Lane: Looking pretty?
* Parker: Fine. Just stand there looking... mediocre. And stupid.
* Lane fixes the tie.
* Lane: Ready to go find the Senator?

## Level 40

* Parker: Stella, we've got some new evidence.
* Lane: Looks like our newly elected Senator Walsh was romantically involved with Vicky.
* Parker: And the Sunshine pills. He's covering his tracks, killing the other people involved.
* Lane: We THINK he might be covering his tracks. We aren't sure yet.
* Stella: Nice work! This looks promising.
* Parker: We're going to go find him.
* Stella: Oh - before you go, you'd better take this with you.
* Stella gives something to Parker.
* Stella: It took a lot of experimenting, but this should counteract the effects of the poison.
* Stella: By isolating the right molecules, and splitting them, they can recombine into benign-
* Parker: Right - this is the point where I stop understanding what you're saying.
* Stella: Fair enough. Just make sure you take it within one hour of exposure!
* Lane: Hopefully we won't have to. Thanks Stella.
* Stella moves Lane's tie.
* Stella: You're welcome, handsome! Someone's gotta protect you.
* Parker & Lane leave the lab.

### Post-chapter

* In the Police Station, Parker and Lane are chatting.
* Lane: Hey, they're talking about Senator Walsh!
* Parker: Great. Maybe we can find out where he is.
* Announcer: ...a landslide victory! Senator, how are you feeling about your victory?
* Announcer: I'm excited to represent the wonderful people here, and look forward to improving our great community.
* Announcer: With the election now over, what do you plan to do next?
* Announcer: It's thanks to my friends, family and supporters that I'm standing here today.
* Lane: not to mention a pile of drug money.
* Announcer: So my first job as Senator is to buy them all a drink!
* Parker: Look at his wrist! It's tanned everywhere, except that watch-shaped patch of pale skin!
* Lane: And it looks like he's at the Irish pub we were at the other night...
* Lane: Shall we return this watch to it's rightful owner?
* Parker: Looks like you're buying me a drink, Lane.
* Lane: Now we're talking.