Ballroom Blitz

[Cece Ryder]

"Well, all of us." Cece replied. "We're here for Eli and Inara's engagement party." she gestured to Inara.

[Kinsey Calhoun]

"Bar's closed and invitations were exclusive." Kinsey informed the detective looking her over suspiciously. "You're the only unfamiliar face to walk in here tonight."

[Cece Ryder]

"And Mr. Fletcher is a family friend." Cece said. "A close family friend..."

[Catarina Peters]

"Ms. Ryder you do realize that most murders are committed by someone the victim trusts? Perhaps someone like you?" She extracted a comm unit that was sealed in an evidence bag from her pocket. "A boss. A friend. A lover." She replaced RJ's comm unit and gave Cece a grim smile. "Well, it's not murder yet. With luck it will only be attempted manslaughter. I would like to invite you to the station tomorrow to answer some questions. You wouldn't mind would you? You too Ms. Calhoun. I'd really like to have a conversation with you tomorrow."

[Cece Ryder]

"Of course not, but to imply that any of us here had anything to do with that..." Cece said as she gave the Detective a death glare. "Clearly you have no idea who this family is and how we treat those we consider friends."

[Catarina Peters]

"I didn't say you or anyone here did. I am simply following the clues I come across. Most are dead ends, but I have to turn those stones over and look at them to find that one bit of evidence I need to put the evil doer where they belong. Goodnight Ms. Ryder." She turned and started for the door and paused to look back at Cece. "I suggest you stay in town. At least for a few days."

Without another word Catarina and her partner stepped outside. "Go ahead and head home. I'm staying here," she said to Anthony.

"Sure. What are you thinking?" He asked.

"I don't know yet. But, our suspect car is right here," she said, "And that means something. I justdon'tknow what that it is just yet. Go on, I got this."

Anthony nodded and got into the car and sped off. Catarina watched him drive off before sliding into the front seat of one of the marked patrol cars. "How's it going Officer Nolan?"

"Quiet," the officer replied.

"It usually is. Criminals generally don't run around with a banner telling the world they tried killing someone. Go ahead and pull over there. We'll watch that car. If it's not touched tonight we'll impound it and search for clues."

Nolan nodded put the car into hear and pulled out of the parking lot and stopped on the street under a tree and between two other cars. "Now what?"

"We wait. I doubt our suspect will do anything with the car now, but one never knows."

"Who's the suspect?"

"No one right now, but my person of interest is Cece Ryder."

"Cece Ryder?!" He exclaimed. "The President's Chief of Staff?"

"The same."

Nolan took a deep breath, "Okay I'm going to need some coffee. You?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. Grab some snacks too." Catarina opened her purse and handed Nolan a credit chip.

[Kinsey Calhoun]

“She can go to hell.” Kinsey said as the door closed behind the detective.

“Kinsey she’s just doing her job.” Inara said calmly.

“Why don’t we go get something to drink.” Selene offered as she guided Inara away towards the food table.

Kinsey took Carly’s hAnd and squeezed it gently. The detective was gone but she still felt uneasy like the danger hadn’t passed. Maybe she was just worried about RJ or picking up on everyone else’s emotions.

“We can go see him if you want. The party can wait.”

[Cece Ryder]

"No... there's nothing I can do for him right now." Cece said softly. "Not that I'm in a very 'party' mood, but this is for Eli and Inara and we love them both. Although I keep having this feeling there's something... more." she looked around. "I don't want us separated. We're stronger together."

[Ethan Talon]

"Who's stonger together?" Ethan asked. He was wearing a blue t-shirt untucked over his Wranglers, and even a newer pair of cowboy boots. His ever present Stetson was pushed back and he had a beer in his hand. "Sorry we're late. Trinity's... well Trinity is being... ya know I don't rightly know how she's acting. I'm blaming the pregnancy brain."

[Kinsey Calhoun]

~I feel it too.~ Kinsey said telepathically to Carly.

"I'm glad you made it. I wasn't sure if you two got our invitations. Eli can't always be trusted with those things." Kinsey joked. "Foods by the wall and drinks are on the bar. Everything is on the house tonight. So whatever you're feeling Joe can make it."