# ======================================================= # SCRIPT START # ======================================================= SCENE: HALLWAY BRIEFING The scent of old coffee and disinfectant hung in the sterile hallway air outside Interview Room 3. Scuffed linoleum reflected the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. You stopped just before the door as DS Miller approached. He looked to be in his late 40s, an experienced face suggesting years on the Met, weary around the eyes but alert. He held a thin file, his expression serious. DS MILLER Right, Sharma. Accountant at Global Trade Solutions. Didn't show for work Wednesday, reported Thursday morning. Global Trade Solutions... name rings a bell. Not in a good way. Financial Crime have looked at them before. DS MILLER Thing is, GTS... they feel slippery. DS MILLER Bosses reported him missing, seemed concerned, but maybe *too* quick to suggest he was unstable. Felt rehearsed. Could be nothing... or he saw something he shouldn't have. DS MILLER His friend, Chloe Bell, is inside now. Came in voluntarily but sounded rattled on the phone. She might be the key. Get what you can. DETECTIVE Understood. Let's see what she knows. You give Miller a nod and push open the door to Interview Room 3. # ======================================================= SCENE: INTERVIEW ROOM START (Initial Phone records available. Location data available. GTS info not reviewed. Leo profile not reviewed. No evidence contradicts timeline yet. Chloe hasn't stated her timeline yet. Chloe isn't evasive about GTS yet.) The fluorescent lights hummed, casting a sterile glow on the metal table. Leo Sharma, GTS, and a nervous friend waiting across from you. She looked to be in her mid-20s, dressed in smart-casual attire that looked slightly rumpled. Her pale face showed clear anxiety. Chloe Bell looked up as you entered, then quickly averted her gaze, fidgeting with the strap of her bag. She jumps slightly as the door closes. Her initial phone statement yesterday was brief: hadn't seen Leo in over a week. Time to see if that story holds. DETECTIVE Ms. Bell, thanks for coming in. I'm Detective Hargrieves. We need to discuss Leo Sharma. CHLOE BELL (Chloe is tense.) Okay... She nods mutely, swallowing hard. Her knuckles are white. # ======================================================= SCENE: INTERROGATION LOOP Chloe waits, avoiding your eyes. Where do you want to start? EXPLORE # --- Option 1: Ask about Timeline --- Let's start with the last time you actually saw or spoke to Leo. (The timeline topic is now being discussed.) DETECTIVE So, tell me about the last time you had contact with Leo. Phone call, text, saw him in person? CHLOE BELL Like I said... it was a while ago. Last Monday, I think. Just a quick call. Normal chat. Haven't seen him since then. She parrots the timeline she gave before. Still seems nervous. # --- Option 2: Ask about GTS/Work --- (If the timeline topic has been discussed.) # Only allow after timeline established Did Leo mention any problems at his job? With Global Trade Solutions? (The GTS work topic is now being discussed.) DETECTIVE Leo worked at GTS. How was that going for him? Did he ever mention any stress? Problems with work, or management? Mr. Davies, Ms. Vance? CHLOE BELL (Chloe is now being evasive about GTS.) GTS? No, he never really talked about work much. Said it was fine. Busy. Why are you asking about his job? She bristles slightly at the mention of his work. Definitely a sensitive topic. # --- Option 3: Consult Dossier --- Let me review my notes for a moment. DETECTIVE Excuse me a moment, Ms. Bell. Just need to check something here. CUT TO: CHECK DOSSIER # CUT BACK returns here DETECTIVE Alright, thank you for your patience. Now... # --- Option 4: Address Demeanor --- (If Chloe has claimed last contact was over a week ago or Chloe is being evasive about GTS.) # Only show if she seems off You seem quite nervous, Ms. Bell. Is everything alright? (The Detective is addressing Chloe's demeanor.) DETECTIVE Forgive me for saying, Ms. Bell, but you seem very tense. More than just worried-friend tense. Is there something specific you're afraid of? CHLOE BELL (Chloe becomes more defensive.) My friend is MISSING! Of course I'm tense! What are you implying? She pushes back, indignation flashing in her eyes. # --- Option 5: Confront (Becomes available under certain conditions) --- (If Chloe has claimed last contact was over a week ago and evidence contradicting the timeline has been found.) # Condition example Ms. Bell, some things aren't adding up. DETECTIVE Right. Let's talk about these inconsistencies. CUT TO: CONFRONTATION # --- Option 6: End Interview Prematurely (Example Give Up - maybe needs more flags set) --- (If the timeline topic has been discussed and the GTS work topic has been discussed and the Detective has addressed Chloe's demeanor AND evidence contradicting the timeline has *not* been found.) # Can only give up if no solid evidence found yet I think that's all for now. DETECTIVE (Outcome set to Deceived / Failed Early.) Okay, Ms. Bell. Thank you for your time. We'll be in touch if we have more questions or if anything changes regarding Leo. CUT TO: ENDING DECEIVED # ======================================================= SCENE: CHECK DOSSIER You access the case dossier on your tablet. EXPLORE Check Phone Records: Leo & Chloe. (If phone records are available in dossier.) You review the call logs from Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. (Evidence contradicting the timeline is now found. Player notes the dossier shows calls Tuesday night.) Clear evidence: Multiple calls logged between Leo's number and Chloe's between 10 PM and midnight Tuesday. Directly contradicts her "last contact Monday" statement. (If phone records are not available in dossier.) The full logs are still pending telecom response. Nothing concrete yet. Check ANPR/Cell Data: Chloe's Movements. (If location data is available in dossier.) You check the preliminary geolocation and traffic camera data. (Evidence contradicting the timeline is now found. Player notes the dossier shows Reading station Wed AM.) Confirmed ANPR hit: Chloe's vehicle registration near Reading train station, 05:15 Wednesday morning. Cell data triangulates her phone in the same area around that time. Miles from her home, at an unusual hour. (If location data is not available in dossier.) No ANPR hits matching her vehicle near relevant locations. Cell data inconclusive. Review GTS Background Info. You scan the file notes on Global Trade Solutions. (GTS background info has been reviewed. Player notes GTS is shady and bosses acted suspiciously.) Notes confirm Miller's briefing: past financial crime interest, no charges. Info on Mr. Davies (Leo's direct boss) and Ms. Vance (Head of Ops). Miller's remark about their 'rehearsed' missing person report is highlighted. Review Leo's Profile. You quickly read Leo Sharma's details. (Leo's profile has been reviewed. Player notes Leo was reliable until recently.) Accountant, 28, 3 yrs at GTS. No priors. GTS HR note: 'Reliable employee, though seemed distracted/stressed recently.' Chloe Bell listed as primary emergency contact. Close Dossier. You make a mental note of the key points and close the dossier. CONCLUDE CUT BACK # ======================================================= SCENE: CONFRONTATION DETECTIVE (If evidence contradicting the timeline has been found.) Ms. Bell, let's be direct. You stated you last spoke to Leo over a week ago, last Monday. DETECTIVE However, phone records show multiple calls between you late Tuesday night. DETECTIVE (If location data is available in dossier.) # Check if location data also exists to add more pressure And furthermore, traffic cameras and cell data place you and your car near Reading train station at five o'clock Wednesday morning. Miles from your home. Not Monday. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. You pause, letting the direct contradictions sink in. Chloe looks cornered, her previous composure evaporating. CHLOE BELL (She visibly flinches. Her breathing hitches. She might look down at her hands, then back up, eyes wide.) I... I don't... # --- Detective's final approach --- CHOICE # Option A: Empathetic Plea / Offer Help Chloe, I understand you're scared. Help me ensure Leo is safe. DETECTIVE (Leaning forward slightly, adopting a softer tone) Look, Chloe. I get it. You're scared for Leo, maybe scared for yourself. But hiding the truth won't protect him if these GTS people are really dangerous. My priority here is finding Leo and ensuring his safety. Help me do that. Tell me what really happened Tuesday night. # --- Chloe's Reaction to Empathetic Plea --- CHLOE BELL (Voice cracking, tears possibly starting.) Yes! Okay! He called Tuesday, he was terrified! Said Davies... his boss... threatened him! Something about fraud... money... he thought they'd hurt him or frame him! I didn't know what to do! He begged me... I gave him my old pay-as-you-go phone... I drove him to Reading station Wed morning so he could get away! He sent one text later saying he was safe for now, that's it! Please, they can't find him! (Chloe fully confessed. She knows about threats, GTS fraud, the burner phone, and the Reading Station drop-off. She admitted obstructing the investigation. Outcome is Confession.) The confession tumbles out, a mix of fear and relief. You finally have the real story. CUT TO: ENDING CONFESSION # Option B: Direct Pressure / Leverage Obstruction The evidence is clear, Ms. Bell. Lying now only makes you look involved. DETECTIVE (Tone becomes firm, serious.) Ms. Bell, the calls are logged. Your car was tracked. You lied to a police investigation. That has consequences. Right now, you look like you're hiding something serious. Cooperate, tell me the truth about helping Leo, and maybe we can focus on the real problem here - GTS. Continue obstructing, and you'll be the focus. # --- Chloe's Reaction to Direct Pressure --- CHLOE BELL (Voice trembling, avoids full eye contact.) Okay... I... I did see him Tuesday. And I drove him to the station Wednesday. He *was* scared, okay? Really scared. Said he had to get away. But he wouldn't tell me exactly why! Just that it was serious. I was trying to protect him! That's all I know! (Chloe confessed partially. She knows about vague threats and the Reading Station drop-off. She admitted obstructing the investigation. Outcome is Partial Confession.) She admits helping him flee and lying about it, but clams up about the specifics of the threat, likely still too scared or defensive to name GTS directly under pressure. CUT TO: ENDING PARTIAL # Option C: Aggressive Accusation (High Risk) Stop wasting my time. You helped him run, didn't you? What else are you hiding? DETECTIVE (Tone becomes sharp, impatient. Leans in.) I'm losing patience, Ms. Bell. We know you lied. We know you drove him. You helped a potential suspect in a serious corporate crime investigation disappear. What exactly is your role in this? Are you involved in what happened at GTS? # --- Chloe's Reaction to Aggressive Accusation --- CHLOE BELL (Voice hardens.) How dare you! This is harassment! I haven't seen him! I want a solicitor! Now! I'm not saying another word! (Chloe denied everything. The interview was terminated by her. Outcome is Shutdown.) The shutters come down hard. Accusation backfired, fear replaced by anger and defiance. The interview yields nothing further. CUT TO: ENDING SHUTDOWN # ======================================================= SCENE: ENDING CONFESSION Full confession. Leo Sharma is alive, likely hiding, and fled due to specific threats from his bosses at GTS concerning financial crime. Chloe obstructed the investigation but provided vital leads: GTS, Davies/Vance, the burner phone, Reading station. Right. Actionable intelligence. Need to verify the burner text, check CCTV at Reading, and brief Miller. This just became an investigation into GTS. And I need to decide how to proceed regarding Ms. Bell's admitted offense... The path forward is clear, though complex. The focus shifts decisively to Global Trade Solutions. END # ======================================================= SCENE: ENDING PARTIAL Partial confession. Chloe admitted helping Leo flee and lying about it, confirming he was genuinely scared. She wouldn't implicate GTS directly, but her fear points strongly in that direction. Confirmed flight, confirmed fear, Reading station is a lead. Strong suspicion on GTS, but she's holding back the core reason. Makes building a direct case harder, but we know where to look now. Her obstruction is noted. You have strong leads, but lack the full picture Chloe could have provided. The investigation into GTS proceeds cautiously. END # ======================================================= SCENE: ENDING SHUTDOWN Despite the evidence, Chloe Bell denied everything and terminated the interview. You couldn't break her story legally. She's lying, almost certainly protecting Leo or herself, or both. The evidence suggests it, her fear suggests it. But without her cooperation, connecting this directly to GTS is much harder. Back to square one on getting solid proof. The interview is a dead end. You'll need alternative methods to uncover what happened to Leo and what's going on at GTS. END # ======================================================= SCENE: ENDING DECEIVED You concluded the interview without uncovering Chloe's lie or finding evidence to contradict her initial statement. Nothing concrete here. She seems like a genuinely worried friend, maybe a bit overwhelmed. Could still be a personal crisis for Sharma, like GTS suggested. Keep the missing person file active, follow standard checks. The truth about Leo's flight and the danger he's in remains hidden. The investigation proceeds down the wrong path. END