Until We Have Faces

Fernanda awoke the next day with a slight headache as the memories of last night came rushing to her. Now, as she laid there with eyes open, she was unsure of whether what she had seen had really been there. She stood up quickly and ran to the window as she peered outside. She was unsure of what she had been expecting, possibly police officers and the familiar coroner's car coming to pick up the body. Fernanda knew that if what had happened last night had actually happened, she should go to the police department. She remembered what Mr. Nygma had told her about the police department in Gotham- that they were incompetent.
Fernanda stood near her open window a moment longer until she decided on what she would do. She remembered all those cases she had seen thus far and the cases she had worked on during her stay at the mortuary school, most of those bodies were never claimed by their families. She felt bad, she knew the correct and moral thing to do was to say something to the police department- even if that meant that there was a possibility that they would never find the killer. What if Ed Nygma hadn't even been his real name? Fernanda ran her hand through her hair as she tried to focus her thoughts. She looked down once more as she noticed the door to the house on the other side of the street open as a red-headed woman stepped out. That must be the girl... Kringle, was it? She stood watching her for a few more moments as Kringle picked up some of her mail and went on inside once more.

After a few more minutes of deliberation, Fernanda began gather her things and prepared to head out. She knew what she had to do, and nothing would change that. She was kind of surprised and shocked at the thoughts she had had. How could she even think about not going to the police to report what she had seen? She, of all people, should know how a death like that would affect loved ones. Not knowing where your son or partner is, is devastating. She knew this would come as a shock to the family, but it was better to know what happened to your loved one than not know at all.

Coming out the door, Fernanda began walking towards the nearby bus stop. She wasn't sure where the police station was located, but hopefully the bus driver would have some insight and give her directions somewhere. As soon as she had arrived, Fernanda noticed the familiar red hair she had seen from her window. Kringle. Fernanda smiled as she arrived and stood next to her. She tried not to make eye contact as she looked away.

"I've never seen you around here." Fernanda heard a voice to her right.

"Excuse me?" Fernanda asked as she turned in the direction of the voice.

"I mean, the same people wait on this bus stop. Just something out of the ordinary.." Kringle responded as she smiled, "Hi, I'm Kristen."

Caught off guard, Fernanda forgot to respond back for a few seconds before she replied back, "Fernanda. Actually I just moved here a few weeks ago. I just haven't had the chance to ride the bus yet."

"Oh, are you the one that is now staying on the house across the street?"

"Yes, that would be me." Fernanda responded as she tried to smile politely. "It's a relief to have a normal conversation with someone. I haven't had the chance to just make small talk with someone since I arrived to Gotham."

Kristen laughed, "Yes, well.. most people around here aren't worth talking to. You can never trust someone completely around these parts."

Fernanda internally struggled as that reminded her of what she had seen last night. Kristen was right about trusting people around here. Nygma had seemed like a nice person, until all of that was shattered with what had happened.

"Where are you headed?" Kristen asked breaking the silence and bringing Fernanda back to reality, "Maybe we can do something after I get off work. I need a girl's night since it seems my boyfriend forgot to call me last night."

Fernanda knew she shouldn't say anything, especially not to her since it was now apparent that the man that Nygma had killed was indeed her lover. Fernanda shouldn't be the one to deliver the news. Who was she to even begin to spread this around? It was something that had to be kept on the down low, the only people she had to tell were the officers at the Gotham City Police Department. They would handle all of it, even the part about telling Kristen what had really happened to her boyfriend and why he hadn't called last night.

"To the GCPD." Fernanda blurted out as she mentally slapped herself.

"Did something happen? Why would you be going there?"

"I don't know. I shouldn't really discuss this in the open. I just have to see what can be done." Fernanda kept word vomiting everything, except she excluded most of the details- thankfully.

"If it's something important and you want it done, you should see Detective Gordon. He'll know what to do. Trust me, I work there. He's been catching criminals since day one."

Before she could respond, the bus arrived and everyone started to get inside. Fernanda now knew she was at the correct bus stop, so there had been no need to talk to the bus driver as she stepped inside the bus and took a seat towards the front with Kristen at her heel.
Throughout the whole bus ride, Kristen kept talking about things that didn't catch Fernanda's attention. It was great that Kristen just kept talking and hadn't noticed that Fernanda had tuned her out as soon as she had opened her mouth.

By the end of the ride, and as they arrived at the GCPD, Kristen had set plans for both of them to go out on the town and explore the city with a few of her other co-workers. The only other thing that Fernanda had learned about Kristen, that was worth noting anyway, was that she was the archivist for the GCPD. Initially, Fernanda had thought that maybe she was a secretary, by the way Kristen presented herself and acted.

Once they had stepped out of the bus and walked toward the GCPD building, Fernanda's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the daunting structure before her. Kristen kept by her side as they stepped through the front doors and as Kristen excused herself- Fernanda's eyes wandered around the inside of the building as she tried to take in the different structures until her eyes landed on a familiar face. Nygma. His face faultered as she noticed him and began walking toward her. Passing by Kristen, he smiled and politely said good morning to her.
Fernanda stood there for a moment unsure of what to do until someone bumped passed her. An officer holding someone in handcuffs passed by her as the individual looked at her with a crooked smile.

"Ms. Garcia. Are you here to report your missing hand bag?" Nygma asked as she turned back toward his direction. Nygma towered her by inches, but somehow she did not feel intimidated by him and yet..

"Yes." Fernanda responded quickly, too quickly even for her to comprehend what she had just said. What else could she possibly say? No, I came here to report you to the authorities for killing that man last night. Of course not. That would be the stupidest thing she could do. "I was quite fond of that trocar and novel that were in my bag."

Nygma smiled at her as he began to open up his small notebook. Fernanda recalled the last time they had met and how he had held his notebook right before he had asked her a riddle.

"I'm not good at riddles, Mr. Nygma." He lowered his gaze. "But, I would love to hear some, some other time. I just have to report this."

His smile came back just as Fernanda had added the last statement, "I know just the man. Detective Gordon will help your belongings- it's a guarantee. Follow me."

Fernanda walked up a step of stairs and made her way toward two desks that faced each other. To her right, a light-haired bearded man with a hat sat eating a donut as he argued with the man on the opposite desk. This man had slicked, dirty-blonde hair and a harsh, deep voice.

"Harvey, we both know there is no way in and out of that building. It's like-"

"Excuse me, Detective Gordon. A word?" Nygma interrupted the detectives as he stood in front of both desks.

"Who's your friend, Ed?" The man, Detective Harvey Fernanda assumed, asked as he looked over at her- while putting his donut down. A few sprinkles still on his shirt and a few wisps of frosting stuck to his beard.

"I have lots to say but never speak, I open but you cannot walk through me, I have a spine but no bones." Nygma responded as he ignored Harvey's question.

Detective Gordon looked at Nygma and then at Fernanda as he now stood in front of Nygma, "Book. What is this about?"

"Well, Ms. Garcia was robbed of her belongings and she came to report the incident. Those belongings were in a brown leather bag with a golden pin in the front- it included a book and a trocar. Items dear to her. I thought who better than Detective Gordon to-"

"Ed, I'd love to help, but I can't be running around Gotham for a book and a - what was the other thing?" Detective Gordon asked as he looked from Nygma to me.

"We- it's an instrument used in the prep room. I work in a funeral home- I'm an embalmer's apprentice."

"Look, Ms. Garcia. I've got a lot of work to do. Most stolen items are never found around Gotham- it's a fact. But, if I find any bag that matches that description, I will notify you; that's all that I can do."

"Thank you. Sorry for interrupting your conversation- apparently Mr. Nygma doesn't know when it is alright to speak out of turn." Fernanda smiled at both detectives as Gordon smiled at her and Harvey laughed from his seat.

"Ain't that the truth." Detective Harvey said from his desk.

"I mean, I am grateful to you, Mr. Nygma. I should just stop talking and let you continue with your work. I've probably interrupted enough."

"Not at all." Detective Gordon responded as he held her gaze a moment longer before he responded, "I should be getting to work, but if there are any more problems- give us a call. Come on, Harvey." He said as he grabbed his jacket and began to walk down the steps and towards the doors.

"Call any time. Even if there are no emergencies." Harvey said as he wrote on a small paper and handed it to her- a business card. "His number's on the back too. Can never be too careful right? Anyway, see you around, miss."

"I can help you. We can look for your handbag together." Nygma finally spoke. For a moment, Fernanda had forgotten that he had been there this whole time. "I'm sure we can find the individual who stole it."