In the silence after her first low plea, Karen feels her eyes start to burn. Tears come easy to her, and she knows there's no shame in it, okay? But in these kinds of situations (like she's ever been in a situation like this before) she hates it. She can practically hear the saltwater dripping from her second, slightly more desperate, please. Maybe that's why he complies. Falls back into line like it's second nature. Like someone hit a switch somewhere.
Whatever it is, she isn't going to spend any time questioning it. Perhaps it'll only last until she's out of ear shot, but she has to take that risk or they'll be stuck here all day. She doesn't know about him, but she's definitely ready to smell some fresh air and grab a shower or five.
"Thank you," she tells him, taking a shuddered breath and letting the tension flow out of her muscles like water. By the time she's turned around to face the cops again, she's composed herself and she gives them a too tight smile.
"Shall we?" she asks with a gesture towards the processing side of the warehouse, pretending that the idea of going anywhere with Shiny-Badge doesn't make her skin crawl.
Shiny-Badge and his older -- more composed -- colleague trade looks. A cop a couple of cages further back visibly snaps his mouth back shut. They've seen a lot of the Punisher these last couple of days. But they haven't seen him even remotely close to compliant despite their best efforts.
"I'll stay right here," Shiny-Badge says, "Keep an eye on him for you. Miss."
Karen's mouth tightens, but she gives him a nod. Not like she's in much of a bargaining position here.
"I'll walk you," the other cop volunteers, before glancing over at Shiny-Badge. "Officer Lantz here will make sure your property stays in the same condition you left him. Won't you, Lantz?"
"Yessir," Shiny-Badge replies with a mock salute.
Karen's eyes dart between the two cops and Frank. She doesn't trust Shiny-Badge-Fife-Lantz, but she has to go to processing. So. She just has to hope it all turns out well.
"Thank you, officer," she says. She tugs her purse up higher on her shoulder, clutching the strap and then she follows the other cop, gingerly picking out a path between the grime and the wet puddles on the floor towards processing.
The moment the door to the processing office closes behind Karen, officer Lantz walks up to the cage.
"Putting up a pretty act for the pretty girl, huh?" he asks, voice low but edged with vitriol. "She's gonna see what kind of man you are real soon, isn't she? You know, I hope off her real fucking slow. Make it hurt. Then when you come back here, we'll give you a warm welcome before we send you off to slaughter. Sound good, asshole?" He spits straight into the cage, aiming at Frank's lowered head.
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Whatever it is, she isn't going to spend any time questioning it. Perhaps it'll only last until she's out of ear shot, but she has to take that risk or they'll be stuck here all day. She doesn't know about him, but she's definitely ready to smell some fresh air and grab a shower or five.
"Thank you," she tells him, taking a shuddered breath and letting the tension flow out of her muscles like water. By the time she's turned around to face the cops again, she's composed herself and she gives them a too tight smile.
"Shall we?" she asks with a gesture towards the processing side of the warehouse, pretending that the idea of going anywhere with Shiny-Badge doesn't make her skin crawl.
Shiny-Badge and his older -- more composed -- colleague trade looks. A cop a couple of cages further back visibly snaps his mouth back shut. They've seen a lot of the Punisher these last couple of days. But they haven't seen him even remotely close to compliant despite their best efforts.
"I'll stay right here," Shiny-Badge says, "Keep an eye on him for you. Miss."
Karen's mouth tightens, but she gives him a nod. Not like she's in much of a bargaining position here.
"I'll walk you," the other cop volunteers, before glancing over at Shiny-Badge. "Officer Lantz here will make sure your property stays in the same condition you left him. Won't you, Lantz?"
"Yessir," Shiny-Badge replies with a mock salute.
Karen's eyes dart between the two cops and Frank. She doesn't trust Shiny-Badge-Fife-Lantz, but she has to go to processing. So. She just has to hope it all turns out well.
"Thank you, officer," she says. She tugs her purse up higher on her shoulder, clutching the strap and then she follows the other cop, gingerly picking out a path between the grime and the wet puddles on the floor towards processing.
The moment the door to the processing office closes behind Karen, officer Lantz walks up to the cage.
"Putting up a pretty act for the pretty girl, huh?" he asks, voice low but edged with vitriol. "She's gonna see what kind of man you are real soon, isn't she? You know, I hope off her real fucking slow. Make it hurt. Then when you come back here, we'll give you a warm welcome before we send you off to slaughter. Sound good, asshole?" He spits straight into the cage, aiming at Frank's lowered head.