InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Is it secret? Is it safe?"

Eliina Silja Luvic (mens_rea) wrote in haunted_roads,
@ 2008-04-05 11:53:00

Entry tags:

eliina, veronica

Week Five: Monday
Who: Eliina and Veronica
Where: Old Town Towers, Eliina's condo
When: Monday Evening

Eliina didn't often pace, even rarer did she take up the old habit of chewing at the perfectly manicured nails that she kept. One of her few vanities. But at the moment she was wearing a path on the rug that sprawled across her living room floor, protecting that hardwood floor investment. Another glance at her phone told her that it wasn't quite seven yet and that she should just calm down and wait patiently for Veronica to arrive as they'd discussed over the phone earlier.

That was easier said than done though.

She broke away quickly from the path she was so familiar with and headed into the open kitchen. The kitchen that looked barely used. A bottle of Chardonnay sat open on the counter and Eliina poured herself another glass, her hand shaking ever so slightly as she held the glass bottle. Damn.

Her nerves had always been a source of irritation. Panicked breathing and that tight feeling in her chest. Why now though? She was scared. Her memories of her brothers were so very faint and it was such a long shot... she barely remembered their names. But more than that it was as if... doing this would bring back the ghost of her entire past, leaving it bare in front of her and maybe she would lack the courage to face it all again. How he'd loved to tell her that they were dead. That even if they were alive they wouldn't want to know her as she was now... No matter how many times those words had been spoken she'd never truly been able to believe them.... until she'd done what she never thought she'd been able to do and dirtied her hands beyond cleansing.

But the desire still remained in her, to find out the truth. She could only hope the cost wasn't too great.

Wine glass in hand and still dressed as she had just left the office, she made her way back into the minimally decorated living room and waited for the sound of the door buzzer announcing the arrival of the investigator.

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secreteyes
2008-04-06 07:56 pm UTC (link)

Veronica spent as much time in her office as she did at home.

Really, she spent more time there than her own home sometimes. If she could have a shower installed and if the cot already there wasn't so hard, she'd be set.

Today was unusual, she actually had two client meetings. One was a retainer fee which was great. And the other was a woman who wanted to check on her cheating husband. The norm. It paid the bills. But what was unusual was a third meeting. And that meeting was at her apartment building no less. Convenient that. Though she hadn't told her newest potential client that yet.

When she left the office, she was met by a light rain. She both loved and hated it. Loved it when she was home and could sit, watching it fall against her window. It was purifying. Relaxing. It calmed her, and allowed her to think. Unfortunately sometimes about things she'd rather not think about.

The bad was that sometimes people drove like idiots. For a place that got so much of the stuff, one would think people would be a little more cautious. As it was, she hated driving in the stuff because of the people who thought they were invincible and their cars moved with wings.

So be it. It was a short ride home, which made her thankful. She only screamed obcenties at one F150 driver who thought the road was only his. Ass fuck. So when she finally pulled up to her apartment building, it was just as well. Maybe she should look into anger management for driving.

A moment later she's in the elevator shaking off her coat. She checked the piece of paper in her hand. Hmm. Condo. Maybe she should've stayed in law school. So it was five minutes to seven o'clock that Eliina will hear the knock at the door. Standing outside is the slightly mused detective, gazing down the hallway as if keeping a watch out for something.

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mens_rea
2008-04-06 10:28 pm UTC (link)

Was her wine glass empty again? Damnit. Eliina knew she had to watch that. It was one thing to sit in her own condo and work her way through a bottle of wine when she had nothing else to do but pour herself into bed at the end of the evening... but it was quite another to do so when she needed to be cogent and prepared for a meeting. Her finger tapped on the edge of the glass for a moment in debate. Half a glass. That would have to be it until after this was over. She gave herself free reign after that though.

Eliina glanced around her condo as she moved back from the kitchen the glass refilled partially. It was her sanctuary no matter how sparse it might look. To have someone else over... seemed a bit uncomfortable. She was an incredibly private person and to breach that... well it was necessary here and she had to just remember that fact.

It also went along with the various confidentiality agreements that she had drafted up before leaving work that evening. Whether they would hold up in court wasn't a matter of interest to her, but she wanted some kind of asurance that individuals like Anthony didn't ever catch wind of her particular goal. Not that legal paperwork would stop them... she knew that all too well. But she liked to think that it would help in some abstract way. Not to mention it was where her comfort lay.

The knock at the door nearly startled Eliina, she rose up quickly from the white couch she'd been seated on and quickly crossed the floor to the door. It was opened a bit too quickly though Eliina did her best to put her nice face on. It was a start.

"Ms. Kincaid?" she said, though she did recognize her face from previous dealings with her law firm. "Please come in. Thank you for meeting me here rather than at my office." Eliina extended an arm and gestured toward the open area past the doorway, a spacious living room with the white couches she'd been seated previous. "Would you like anything to drink before we get started?"

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secreteyes
2008-04-06 11:34 pm UTC (link)

Veronica looked up with a slight smile. "Yes. Ms. Louis," she greeted. Slung over her shoulder was a messenger bag. It was filled to the brim with way too much stuff. Her laptop had been left at home, so she was left with the usual to take any notes she needed.

She stepped past the woman, looking around as a matter of habit. As her eyes scanned the area, one could almost guess she was cataloging the details. But she didn't stare or linger in any particular spot. "It's not a problem. Actually, I live in this same building." What a strange coincidence. "So definitely no inconvenience."

She turned at the offer of a drink, shaking her head. "No, thank you. I got plenty of water outside." She ran a hand through damp hair and then shed her coat. No need to get anything on the pristine white couches. That would just be phenomenally rude.

Ronnie walked a little further inside, "Ms. Louis," she held onto the straps of her bag as she watched the other woman. "I understand you said this was a rather personal matter. I just want you to know that I am perfectly capable and willing to keep whatever you need separate from my work with your firm. You shouldn't worry about that. I promise discretion to all my clients."

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mens_rea
2008-04-07 01:34 am UTC (link)

Eliina smile quirked ever so slightly as she was referred to as Ms. Louis. It would be the last time for that, at least with Veronica. And in her own way she welcomed that fact. She had never truly cared for the name that she'd gone by for years. Ellie was the name for a child or... an animal. She far preferred her given name but didn't prefer the questions and trouble that it would take to return to it professionally. The questions most of all.

A slender eyebrow shot up in surprise as Veronica said that she was a resident of the Towers as well. Showed how much she paid attention to the occupants of the building. "I suppose that paints me the picture of a bad neighbor. I can't say I even know who is next door." Eliina admitted a bit sheepishly as the door was closed behind the other woman.

She followed her the few steps and held a hand out for the woman's coat. "I can't say that I'll ever get entirely used to the amount of rain here." She said before moving to hang the coat on a back of a chair in the foyer. The tile floors there could handle a bit of wetness. "I suppose that is the price paid for the green." She was capable of smalltalk... it just was a bit of a struggle for her. She always felt awkward engaging in it.

Elinna took a seat before she spoke again. gesturing to a seat for Veronica as well. Slowly sinking into the cushions she linked her fingers and hooked them around her trouser clad knee. "Thank you. I don't doubt that you will. Though since it is in my nature to be a bit... cautious, I did take the liberty to draw up some confidentiality forms. Feel free to have them looked over if you'd like. They are standard though." Eliina leaned forward and slid a few papers from a folder out and pushed them toward the other woman. "I know this may seem a bit... much but there is a great deal that I would rather keep between the two of us and with my position I have made a few enemies in life."

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secreteyes
2008-04-09 04:13 am UTC (link)

Veronica settled where indicated, leaning forward with her arms on her legs. She watched the woman's movements, in part because she knew from experience that it told more than mere words. Ellie was extremely put together, but there was an almost tightness to her that she could pick up on. Nervousness? She couldn't say for sure. But at the mention of the legal papers, she nodded. Cautiousness. She was guarded and deliberately so.

She reached for the papers, then reached into her bag for a pair of glasses, her eyes scanning them over looking for the highlights she knew to be there. It beat wearing her contacts for days at a time which she often did. She was familiar with contract law, though she didn't doubt Ellie could run circles around her. Still, it all seemed rather basic. Non-Disclosure Agreements were part of her trade. But it seemed this time, she wouldn't need her own.

"It seems like it...." She half-said at the mention of the papers being standard. She took out a pen and started to sign on the dotted line, "Not at all. I had my own papers if you didn't. It usually puts people at ease."

She paused just a moment, reviewed, and then handed them back. "Could I have a copy for my own files?" It's one of those business things she knew was a necessary evil. She'd take the papers and probably file them away never to be seen again.

She leaned back then, tilting her head as she watched the blond once more. "You mentioned enemies? Why don't we start from the top. I still have no idea what you'd like for me to do."

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mens_rea
2008-04-09 07:08 pm UTC (link)

Oh those little details about a person. Eliina hated that they were so telling. Hated them because she could never seem to rid herself of all the tiny little actions she committed a hundred times a day that gave away far too much of herself. With some it just gave off an impression that Eliina didn't care to have passed on, with others, like Anthony, it only gave him fuel for the fire. That was what she truly hated. But it didn't seem to matter how much she knew it was what she was doing, her body seemed to find ways to rebel against even her most carefully thought out plans.

A slight bit of tension that had run through her shoulders eased at Veronica seemed to have no qualms about the additional legal protection that Eliina had insisted upon. Seated now, she reached for her wine glass and took a sip as the other woman read over the documents. Read over them competently at that. Wasn't always the case, though Eliina supposed that in her line of work she had to have some knowledge, cover her own bases and all that.

"Thank you, I know it probably seemed a bit overkill, but..." Eliina gave a small shake of her head as she leaned forward to collect the now signed papers. "perhaps it is a better safe than sorry situation." A brief scan of the signature with her own eyes and the papers were back into the folder they had come from. "Of course," Eliina said, an actual smile almost gracing her features. It was nice to see someone as thorough as her. "I figured as much." She added as the extra copy that she had brought along with her in case was pulled from the folder and handed back over to Veronica.

And now came the hard part. Eliina didn't relax back against the cushions of the sofa. She kept her legs crossed and once again linked her fingers and held them across her knee. Better to keep her fingers held tightly rather than to let them fidget. She was silent for a moment as the other woman spoke, formulating her own thoughts. "What I would like you to do," Eliina blinked once and took in a breath before continuing. "is see what you can find any information about two individuals. Whether they are still living. If so, where they might be residing. Anything at all that you can find. I know it may be asking a lot since I can't rightfully say that they have the same names that I knew them by."

Eliina took a moment's break to lean forward and pull out the last piece of paper from her folder, it was handwritten and not typed. "Here are their names, or at least possible names." On the paper was written Taavi 'Tavin' Luvic and Jerzy Luvic. Following the names were approximate ages, Eliina would be the first to admit that her memory had significantly faded over time. But she knew that Taavi had been older than her, at least three to four years, so by his name approx. 40-41 was listed. Jerzy was easier. She knew her exact age when she'd been taken and he had been just a baby. So approx. 33 was placed next to his name. Eliian handed the page over. "I wasn't sure what other sort of information you might have, though what I do have is limited. Place of birth, last place seen, that sort of thing."

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secreteyes
2008-04-28 09:26 pm UTC (link)

"No, overkill would be to make me sign over my first born...yet to be born...and then want to take a lein out against my car and possibly threaten bodily harm should I not stand on my head by the light of the full moon and rub my stomach three times to the left should your husband be cheating on you." She's had some very strange contractual requests from some very strange clients before.

Her deadpan aside however, Veronica accepted the extra copies given in her direction and leaned back, folder in hand, as she watched the other woman. She listened, not saying a word. It was easier for her that way. Even in stark silence, sometimes she would just sit there and let it go. People had a habit of filling it up with all sorts of interesting things to say. It's like the human ear abhored silence.

Veronica took the note and glanced over it. She arched a slight eyebrow at the names written there and looked up at Ellie. "I see." She looked over the information as if she would memorize it. And really, she is. One of her many talents. "I don't like to pry any more than necessary, but it would help me to know what is the motivation behind you needing to find them? Are they aware that you are looking for them even as we speak?" Just a couple of questions at a time. She can tell that for whatever reason, this is a little overwhelming for the woman across from her.

But she had to know the situation she was getting into and just what to expect from this investigation.

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mens_rea
2008-04-30 06:38 pm UTC (link)

She actually managed to get Eliina to crack a smile. Not something that happened very often that was for certain but maybe it was the wine or maybe it was the fact that Eliina could appreciate having insane clients with even more insane requests. Probably a little of both. "Lucky for you I have no desire for children. I'll leave you all the diaper changing for your first borns. And I'll let you stay inside on the full moon." Eliina added. Never knew what was going to happen on those days, not that most really knew what could go on when the moon was at it's peak. Eliina however did, an amazing number of assault cases came up then. Imagine that.

Eliina wasn't the most comfortable person talking about anything personal. Have a background that had to remain almost entirely hidden from the normal human world, not to mention one that you weren't exactly proud of and you would probably be pretty close lipped as well. But in this situation Eliina knew she had to put her qualms aside and at least give the bare minimum of facts, though she knew she ought to give more if she actually wanted results. Hence the wine. She could only hope it would help loosen her tongue.

Eliina waved her words off with a small gesture of her hand. "I know you need to ask questions. Part of the job." Eliina lifted the stemware to her lips and took one last sip before setting the glass back down on the coffe table. Screw the coaster she should probably be using. "They're my brothers." She explained, cutting right to the chase. Well in her own way considering she could have just said that to begin with. "I haven't seen or heard from them since I was a child. Ellie Louis is just my professional name. Eliina Luvic is how they would know me, if they... well regardless. I would doubt they would think I would be looking for them." She worried that sending someone looking for them was perhaps the wrong thing to do given their past but how she could find them otherwise... Eliina didn't have a clue.

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secreteyes
2008-05-01 03:32 am UTC (link)

It's that dry sarcasm that does it. Ronnie's cultivated it since childhood. She was bound to be a private detective or a British comedian. It just didn't flow as well in a lawyer. She found herself grinning as well as she nodded once, "Appreciated, very much," she said with that same hint of a smile. Though if Ellie would reconsider on that diaper thing, she's reconsider on not giving away her first born.

So as Ellie...Eliina...revealed a bit of her story and background, Veronica showed only a carefully drawn poker face. But man...Wow. That was a little unexpected. Maybe that's why all the secrecy and paperwork. But a search for long lost brothers? Rather commendable. It reminds Veronica she should call her sister when she gets her. As annoyingly perfect as she is, it doesn't mean she doesn't love her. "If they what, Eliina?" Veronica tried on the pronunciation, careful not to butcher it.

"When was the last time you actually did see them?" She wondered. "Even if they don't suspect you're looking for them, would they know your name? Or did something happen when you were young that might be an...issue." Yes. She is rather full of questions, isn't she? But she wouldn't ask if it didn't matter.

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mens_rea
2008-05-03 05:04 am UTC (link)

Eliina would be the first to admit that the legal profession often had the ability to suck the humor out of a person. It was hard to crack a smile after a ninety hour work week and all too often a stodgy judge didn't exactly appreciate dry senses of humor. Now whether or not Eliina had much of a sense of humor... wasn't something she was too well acquainted with. Maybe if she'd had a different life? For now she'd just stick to appreciating the humor in others.

There was more than one reason for the secrecy. Her professional name, or rather the name nearly all knew her by was just a name. It held no true importance anymore other than saving to have to explain why she used it. Something Eliina did not care to get into, so it remained. But those that knew her, knew who she truly was... yes she wanted to keep all word of this current search from their ears. Bastards that they were. Eliina gave a nod o fher head as she seemed to say her name cautiously. It almost brought a small smile to hear her name actually said and not by someone she utterly loathed. "If they even remember me, or if they are even alive." Eliina finished her thought. Two things she didn't want to be true but were all too possible.

"When?" Eliina's fingers drummed slightly on her leg. Drummed because she refused to chew on the nails. "I was... young. We were separated when I was only a child. Jerzy was just a baby. I don't know... that he'd remember my name, or that I even existed. Taavi was older though. He... I'd think he'd remember." The openness that Eliina had been engaging in immediately shut down when the final question was asked. "We were simply separated." She paused for a moment. "Placed in different homes," Eliina finished. Not a complete lie. Though it did speak to a far more legal situation than the one they had been in, but that was a detail she'd leave for an assumption. "They might not want to be found though. That would likely be considered an issue." She did offer as her only means of help.

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secreteyes
2008-05-03 10:41 pm UTC (link)

Veronica is used to having her clients crave their secrecy. Even when she didn't quite understand why they would need it...does anyone care that Fluffy lost her favorite collar? And while your grandmother's opal earrings are important to you, she doubted the rest of the world really gave a damn. But alas, respect for client privacy was a foremost talent of Ronnie's. And probably one of the reasons she kept in business and even managed to get some good clients out of it.

"So then Taavi may be where I should concentrate. At least initially." If he's the one that could remember his sister, then so much the better. She doesn't seem to notice the hesitation or change in demeanor at her question. In fact, Veronica even glosses over the answer, though clearly she heard. She knows when to leave well enough alone. She smiles a bit, "Most of the people I am paid to locate most definitely do not want to be found. Not even a little bit."

She leaned forward, brushing hair back once again. "Eliina, I need to know if you have any idea or suspicions on where they could be found? Or even last known whereabouts? I'll need to start my search from the beginning if you truly have no idea. That could take some time."

She's not daunted by that fact however. Rather, she was intrigued. She wasn't sure what else it was that this woman was keeping to herself, but this case touched all of Ronnie's hot buttons. She could sense a mystery within a mystery here, but one problem at a time.

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mens_rea
2008-05-04 08:10 am UTC (link)

Eliina was well prepared for her strong need for privacy to not be fully understood. Afterall it was rather hard to make sense of anything when she was as close lipped as she was about matters. But at least she planned on paying handsomely for the silence. Eliina knew that compensation had it's way of keeping matters quiet. At leas with most it did and she liked to think that those numbers didn't lie. And when they did... that was what contracts were for.

Eliina gave a nod of her head. "Yes, Taavi or Tavin I don't know what he goes by now if he even uses that name anymore, would be the best place to start." Her memories of her siblings were few and far between but she'd always remember him reading them stories, leading them out of the house on walks, taking care of her. She'd worked hard to retain those memories in the middle of everything else that had happened in her life.

Eliina reached back for her wine glass. All too close to being empty but it would have to do until after the conversation ended and she could finish the bottle off in the confines of her own room. "I'm sorry," She shook her head. "I don't even begin to know where they could be now. Last location that I could tell you about would be San Diego. That's where we were when we were separated." Eliina offered by way of the only information she had. Lorenzo had always taunted that he knew where they were and that he would tell her.. but in all the information of his that she had rooted her way through... she'd never found anything other than that they were longer in California. "I don't believe they are still in California though."

She honestly wished she had more. Or at least more that she could share. That mystery still had many missing pieces.

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secreteyes
2008-05-07 04:56 pm UTC (link)

Thankfully, Veronica's motivation was only partially tied to monetary gain. As a few shady insurance companies and more than one shoddy client had found out. But by that same token, Veronica didn't do this for her health. Given a good client, a solid case, and the addition of comparable compensation for her grief? Eliina could sit there and spill her guts about her most intimate unmentionables and Ronnie would conveniently 'forget' the woman had ever said a word. It was a gift. Granted to her by Benjamin Franklin.

At the apology given, Veronica was already shaking her head. "No need to apologize. If you had that much of an idea of where they could be, I imagine you'd be doing this on your own without having to involve anyone else." She can tell the blonde woman isn't exactly being open about everything. Whether out of fear or concern, she couldn't say, but she could see it. But some of her better clients were some of her most reluctant ones. They needed the help. They were motivated to cooperate. And tended to let her do her job without their 'brilliant' input.

"If California it was, then that may be a place to start. You never know how these things go." She sat up a little straighter, and ventured her next question so casually, it seemed to disappear in the air. "Is there anything else you feel could help me along or that you think I should know?"

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