Every time you stayed at the Empire Hotel, you’ve seen many cases, albeit minor. However, when Ryan Foster turned up dismembered in pieces at a garbage depot on the news, Detective Claudette Wallace and her partner, Detective Melvin Olivia, showed up to the case.

Curious, you decided to show up to the room where the murder apparently took place. There, with the doorway wide open and blocked off by yellow tape, you saw Claudette in her winter trench coat, brown hair and headphones on her neck looking around the room with Melvin. You found her attractive, admittedly but before you could even do anything, you bump into the trolley that has empty dishes on it. Claudette turned to the noise and saw you as you tried to un-fumble yourself before you ran off.

"This is the second time someone bumped into the trolley," she said as she pressed her hand against her chin.

Melvin raised an eyebrow, "you know, don’t have to OVERANALYZE everything, Claude."

However, she didn’t respond to him or even deviated her head from what she was looking at, more concerned with the trolley that was sitting there untouched for the past few seconds.

"Plus, I think they liked you," Melvin smirked.

This caught Claudette off, who had to do a double take. "And you know this how, detective?” She questioned.

"They were basically staring at you the moment we came in,” Melvin explained. "Give them a chance."

Melvin said before thinking and shrugging, "plus if they’re is a suspect, it’s an easy way for you to interrogate them. Even though, in my gut, they’re not a suspect"

Claudette’s looked at Melvin in pure confusion, almost as if he just confessed to cold blooded murder.

"You’re suggesting I go on a date with a potential suspect?” Her eyebrow raised.

Melvin sighed exasperated, "you need it, Claude. Ever since the New York Ripper case, it’s been your life’s mission to solve it. So much so you almost lost your job over it. You need a life and what else is there to do that is by talking to people. They seem interested, talk to them."

Claudette thought to herself, taking his words in before scoffing, "I don’t have time for relationships, Detective."

Melvin just shrugged and moved on to looking around the hotel room. Even though Claudette dismissed him, she was considering his words. Yes, she was dead set on looking for the New York Ripper even though he hasn’t been active since, she couldn’t help but reflect on the state of her life. Maybe a date wouldn’t be bad.

————————————————

An hour later, as you were at the bar, drinking a small glass of water (since you’re posh like that), Claudette walked beside you in the same stoic expression she had on her face. You got stunned slightly but you weren’t nervous, just surprise she came up to you.

"I apologize for scaring you earlier next to Ryan Foster’s room. After talking to an associate, he recommended me to… interact with the public."

She stated in her flat voice before pulled out a card with the New York Police Department logo on it, which had Claudette’s work and personal phone number on it. She set it on the bar counter.

"If you are up for a date, then call me. If not, I then this will be the last you see of me…"

She then walked away, not even giving you a chance to talk to her or even get her name. You took the card and decided to call her near the end of the day.

————————————————

After you got back to your Hotel room, you sat down at your armchair. You pulled out the card and then decided to dial her number. After a few seconds of ringing, you get a voice pick up,

"Detective Wallace speaking," she stated in the same flat and direct tone she spoke to you at the Hotel bar earlier.