Chapter 2
Thankfully, it turned out that Jack Crawford was fully aware of the interview he was essentially told to participate in. It was clear from the brief conversation that the man wasn't given a choice on the matter. Eddie could almost sympathize, he in a sense didn't have all that much of a choice either, an offer was made to just skip it and go do something else. Like going to the zoo. Or the aquarium. They couldn't do either, at least until after they get this interview finished first. He already had enough quotes or information from peers. A lot of it favourable.
Some called him the guru, a name Eddie was informed that the man now hated. Especially after what happened to a trainee – Miriam Lass. A person Eddie looked into, a young upcoming FBI agent with six years of law enforcement, a forensics fellowship as well as a degree in psychology and a doctorate in criminology. Impressive by any count as far as Eddie was concerned, unfortunately, she fell to a serial killer dubbed the Chesapeake Ripper.
The ones who weren't so favourable called Jack Crawford reckless and self-serving. Willing to sacrifice everything to catch the killer. Some who said this were old friends of the fallen Miriam Lass and observers. Eddie made a note to look further into that later. He wanted to be thorough with his investigations for this story.
His notebook that had the first page filled with potential questions tucked safely away, Eddie headed towards the FBI headquarters. He was told to go there, whether the questioning will take place there or somewhere else was still up in the air. Venom wasn't entirely fond of the unknown of it. Eddie could understand, they found that the unknown at times held too many risks or consequences for the both of them.
“If he puts us in any unnecessary risks – we eat him.”
“You can't eat the head of the FBI Behavioural Unit. As tempting as it might get. No cops. No FBI. We don't need them on our trail.” Eddie said, Venom was mildly offended at the thought of not being able to protect them from these sort of threats, Eddie had to explain further, “It's not that you can't, I know you can. We can hold our own, we proved it more than once. But kill cops, even corrupt or even FBI corrupt or not, they won't stop. They won't leave us alone.”
“Fine – we won't eat him. But we won't hesitate to defend us.”
Eddie always found that comforting, it was a nice feeling knowing someone always had your back. Warmth flooded him, relaxing muscles and tension in him. Eddie didn't realize he was smiling until he took off his helmet and saw his reflection in a car parked by where he parked. Eddie let it drop and took on a more serious expression.
“We may purposely traumatize him, as a friendly warning.”
Eddie really couldn't say anything more to that, it would only escalate the situation and potentially make his job difficult. He's learned that sometimes it's best to just take what Venom says with a grain of salt.
“Right, let's just get this show on the road.” Eddie muttered as he double checked to make sure he had what he needed. A recorder, a notepad, and a few pens. All accounted for.
“Don't forget to ask him all the questions. Especially the underlined ones.”
“Don't worry, we got this.” Eddie said, this wasn't their first rodeo, and hopefully soon it will be the last and Eddie can go after the stories he would rather be doing right about now. The important stories.
At the entrance stood a man instantly recognized as none other than Jack Crawford. Hands in his pockets, and standing proudly. But it was evident by his posture, he wasn't fond of being here for this reason. As Eddie drew closer, he introduced himself, “Jack Crawford, I'm Eddie Brock. The reporter from San Francisco that is supposed to be interviewing you.”
“You're a long way from home, Mr. Brock.” Jack commented as he shook the hand Eddie offered. Eddie couldn't help but laugh a bit at that, because yeah he was a long way from home.
“I'll say, but my boss told me to come so here I am.” Eddie agreed deciding to add, “I'm good at what I do, and I needed a short break from the city. So why not.” Thankfully the reason he needed a break wasn't anything to do with his and Venom's nightly routine every now and again. They were careful. Venom didn't leave bodies. For the most part, the exceptions were when messages of a bigger badder predator on the prowl.
“Waste not, want not.”
It was a joke. Enough of one that Eddie really wanted to reply, but he couldn't as his hand was released and he followed Jack down the stairs.
“There's a small cafe close by, figured it would be quiet enough to do this thing there.” Jack suggested, however, his tone told Eddie enough that this wasn't a suggestion.
“Wherever you're comfortable.” Eddie shrugged it off, he can do his job just about anywhere. Jack nodded, and the walk was silent, Eddie can feel eyes on him. He was being studied by Jack. Wonderful.
A last-ditch offer was made and silently denied.
It was pure luck that they missed the lunch rush, a few people still lingered but nothing too distracting. Eddie let Jack pick, best to go this route because it would at least help the interview go slightly smoother if the man felt like had some control. Eddie ordered hot chocolate, it wasn't cold out, but it was better than coffee, and it would appease Venom at least somewhat. Jack ordered a coffee. Nothing was said about the hot chocolate, but he got a look for it, his physical appearance taken into account.
By many accounts, Eddie was fit and looked like he took fitness seriously. It helped that he had someone helping out when needed, so Eddie was free to actually eat whatever he wanted without too many ill effects. That and their activities helped burn fat, something that had a drawback. He had to eat to keep up with it at times. He was, after all, eating for two.
“So, how is this done?” Jack asked.
“I ask questions, mostly we talk. Like, what got you into being an FBI agent?” Eddie asked, carefree shrug as he set the recorder on the table and hit record. He had his notebook set there with his pen. The page with the questions turned in favour of a blank page.
“I didn't start out, didn't even go to the academy once graduated. Joined the army actually.” Jack answered, easing up slightly but not dropping his guard. Eddie didn't mind, so long as he kept talking and answering what he needed to answer. His full history wasn't actually required, but it would be nice to paint a picture of a man.
“Oh yeah, where were you stationed?” Eddie asked, showing some genuine interest that may be connected to Venom who was curious about Earth's forces. Eddie teased him on whether or not he was still willing to conquer this planet. Venom, of course, got insulted first, then sarcastic second. Spent a good hour fighting with Venom on how functional 172 different armies were.
Eddie spoke a bit more about that with Jack, found out that Jack met his wife in Florence Italy. Taking note on the adoration, he clearly had for her. All the while trying to be as discreet as possible as he jotted down a fact here and there. Eddie could easily put a romantic spin on the story, but he wasn't here for that.
Eventually, they got to how he became an FBI agent and the head of the Behavioural Unit. This was the important part for the story, everything before was important for the man.
“Given a man of your reputation, what had you turn to the idea of bringing in a man who is a teacher? And how you managed to get a renowned psychiatrist assisting with cases?” Eddie asked outright, Jack can double as a peer and a focal point of his story.
“He's the best, Will Graham that is. Not many people can do what he does, Doctor Lecter is there to keep him anchored.” Jack spoke, posture loose enough that he seemed relaxed and willing to talk to a point. Eddie will take what he could, for his story after all.
“If he needs help, then he's not as good as you made it sound Eddie.”
Eddie couldn't help but agree, but the idea of having someone out there that's potentially unstable and in need of an anchor makes Jack seem like a questionable individual.
“Corrupt?”
Who knew? At least right now.
“Does this mean we can eat him?”
Eddie had to think of the moment he explained to Venom why they couldn't eat cops or FBI agents regardless if they're a corrupt piece of shits or good. There was a grudging sound made, Venom knew. He was pushing his luck.
They spoke some more, by the end of it Eddie found he didn't like this man too much. For a moment, a split second if that he was almost tempted to let Venom have his way. If he were a lesser man, he would have. Still, in the back of his mind, he felt and swore he could see the reflection of rows and rows of shiny teeth stretched in an ungodly wide smile.
He could see why there was a mix of positive and negative views of this man, and his own souring thoughts seemed to be caught as the conversation grew stiff until Eddie decided he had enough for his story and cut Jack loose.
~ POV Change ~
Jack was glad to be able to go back to work, done with the bullshit called interview to fix his reputation and the reputation of the FBI. Freddie Lounds has done a number ever since she found herself a vendetta against Will, all because Will couldn't keep his mouth shut and because Doctor Lecter just couldn't seem to keep a leash on the man. If he wanted to in the first place, perhaps he should rewrite Doctor Lecter's contract so that Will's reputation is his own.
A snort, like that, would happen. For one, Doctor Lecter's lawyer was actually intimidating, and he had high regard for the man himself so he couldn't do it to him out of being a friend.
The sound of a motorcycle broke him from his thoughts. Eddie Brock was an odd one, friendly and polite man. Despite this, there was something that had the hairs on the back of his neck standing on attention, he could ignore it for the most part until he got the feeling that the man's approval of him went down as the conversation – interview continued.
It was almost like something was staring right back at him through Eddie Brock's eyes. Something worse. Dangerous. Something Jack thinks should be caged. But it was only a polite albeit disapproving man who was sitting before him, nothing more than a reporter. Odd. So knowing this, and believing this because there's no evidence pointing to something else Jack did what he could do to shake the feeling as he walked through the doors and met up with Beverly to see if she found something new on the Chesapeake Ripper case.
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