Greg Lestrade, Detective Inspector

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Lestrade smiled in response to her gratitude. He started driving them out of the Met parking lot. “Stalking and cornering people… I suppose they do do that, don’t they? I’m no celebrity, though. They don’t usually get so rabid in my direction, unless I don’t solve a case fast enough for them.” He shrugged. “Take care out there by yourself, especially this time of evening at the park. It’s not incredibly dangerous, but there have been more reports of illicit activity here than normal.”

He paused, thinking of Charlie and River and Mary. “Not that I believe you wouldn’t be able to handle yourself or that you need more help than anyone else.”

“I will.” She smiled at the complement. She actually looked like she could take care of herself. A police officer thought that. About time someone outside of her family took her defensive skills seriously.

“Thanks. I’m just there to look at some of the birds.”

Lestrade pulled up at the entrance to Hyde Park. “Bird watching, eh? Sounds peaceful. I have a friend who could tell you more than you would ever want to know about birds. Anyway I’ve got to get going. You sure you’re going to be alright on your own? Stay in well lit areas and if you see anyone behaving suspiciously, give them a wide berth.” He waited for her to get out of the car. Chinese food was calling his name from across the city.

“It will be I’m sure.” It almost always was. Unless a stray cat came in and tried to pounce on the birds, or dogs or kids started chasing them.

“Oh? I’m an ornithologist, I’d like to meet them sometime.” She unbuckled her seat belt and got out. “Thanks again for the ride, sir. I’ll be careful.” She nodded her head towards him and gently closed the door and started to head into the park.

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Lestrade chuckled despite himself. “No, believe me, you wouldn’t want to meet him. He’s not easy for most people to get along with, as he can be a bit abrasive. You’re welcome.” He waited for her to close the door and pulled away. Chinese take away was calling his name and he was one step closer to getting it.

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Lestrade smiled in response to her gratitude. He started driving them out of the Met parking lot. “Stalking and cornering people… I suppose they do do that, don’t they? I’m no celebrity, though. They don’t usually get so rabid in my direction, unless I don’t solve a case fast enough for them.” He shrugged. “Take care out there by yourself, especially this time of evening at the park. It’s not incredibly dangerous, but there have been more reports of illicit activity here than normal.”

He paused, thinking of Charlie and River and Mary. “Not that I believe you wouldn’t be able to handle yourself or that you need more help than anyone else.”

“I will.” She smiled at the complement. She actually looked like she could take care of herself. A police officer thought that. About time someone outside of her family took her defensive skills seriously.

“Thanks. I’m just there to look at some of the birds.”

#birdgirliris #news and new meetings

Lestrade pulled up at the entrance to Hyde Park. “Bird watching, eh? Sounds peaceful. I have a friend who could tell you more than you would ever want to know about birds. Anyway I’ve got to get going. You sure you’re going to be alright on your own? Stay in well lit areas and if you see anyone behaving suspiciously, give them a wide berth.” He waited for her to get out of the car. Chinese food was calling his name from across the city.

(Greg Lestrade) "Oy! Were you going to get a bag of chips? The machine gave me a free one and I don't want it." Lestrade approached the young man that was at the vending machine he had just stopped by.

Zac looked up. He smiled at the man and took the bag. “Thanks mate. Timing really is everything isn’t it?” He frowned a little. “Have I met you before? You look familiar. See of Photography Conference?”

He recognized the man, no doubt about it, and it frustrated him that he couldn’t place the name. Then again, this was his first day off in a while and he was still worn out from the near endless panels at the photography conference he had been at the day before.

Lestrade gave Zac an understanding nod and a small smile to go with it. “Well, thank you for the compliments. So, what brings you to London?” Anything to get the topic off of himself. Anything.

“Oh, well my grandparents lived in Scotland. My sister and I helped them out for a time. Once they were in a better place I decided to move to London and concentrate on my photography. I’ve been in London ever sense. Around six years now.”

Lestrade nodded along politely, carefully concealing the lingering discomfort and slight irritation behind an interested smile. “I’m sure your grandparents were very grateful for your help during that time.” Lestrade began when, mercifully, he got a text message from Sherlock nagging him about a case, any case, even the most boring and dull case.

“Oh, thank God- I mean, sorry. I’ve got to get back on a case. Got a lead and all that. Enjoy your chips and I’m sure we’ll get to continue this conversation another time. Ta, Zac!”

#occamerazac #rp

(Greg Lestrade) "Oy! Were you going to get a bag of chips? The machine gave me a free one and I don't want it." Lestrade approached the young man that was at the vending machine he had just stopped by.

Zac looked up. He smiled at the man and took the bag. “Thanks mate. Timing really is everything isn’t it?” He frowned a little. “Have I met you before? You look familiar. See of Photography Conference?”

He recognized the man, no doubt about it, and it frustrated him that he couldn’t place the name. Then again, this was his first day off in a while and he was still worn out from the near endless panels at the photography conference he had been at the day before.

Lestrade gave Zac an understanding nod and a small smile to go with it. “Well, thank you for the compliments. So, what brings you to London?” Anything to get the topic off of himself. Anything.

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#birdgirliris #news and new meetings

Lestrade smiled in response to her gratitude. He started driving them out of the Met parking lot. “Stalking and cornering people... I suppose they do do that, don’t they? I’m no celebrity, though. They don’t usually get so rabid in my direction, unless I don’t solve a case fast enough for them.” He shrugged. “Take care out there by yourself, especially this time of evening at the park. It’s not incredibly dangerous, but there have been more reports of illicit activity here than normal.”

He paused, thinking of Charlie and River and Mary. “Not that I believe you wouldn’t be able to handle yourself or that you need more help than anyone else.”

bunny-of-mass-destruction

"Have you seen a lost child around here?" Lestrade approached the gentleman in a lab coat. Was that a toy rabbit in his hands? He pushed his gaze away from the toy. It wasn't his business what other people carried around. Maybe he was holding onto the rabbit for his own kid. Lestrade just needed to find Donovan's niece before Donovan had his head for letting the girl run ahead and get lost.

Ni looked up and examined the man in front of him. The fellow wasn’t bad looking. Not at all. Looking for a kid? Ni tilted his head to the side, shamelessly taking in the other.

He flicked an ear on the rabbit. “I saw a couple of kids going that way,” he moved the rabbit’s arm to point to the left. “But I saw a lone kid go that way.” he tilted his head to the right. “But that was a while back. And she didn’t seem too lost.” And she hadn’t. But she was looking for something. Ni had rather hoped she’d find it and come back with some grand prize. It would have been cute.

But this was more interesting. “Why do you ask? You lost your kid? Not a very responsible daddy are you mister?” He couldn’t have said this more casually, as if he was talking about the sunny weather.

bunny-of-mass-destruction

Lestrade couldn’t help but feel as if he was being checked out by this strange man. He brushed the feeling of apprehension aside. “That way?” Lestrade peered in the direction that the other man pointed. “Thanks, mate.”

Lestrade paused, skin hot with embarrassment. “Ah, not my kid. I’m babysitting for a friend. The lass just got excited and ran on ahead of me and I lost her in the crowd back there.” Donovan was going to kill him. “I should probably get after her now. Pardon me and thanks again for your help.”

He was about to leave when the little girl with black, curly hair just like her aunt’s came around a corner and trotted over to Lestrade with a black cat in her arms. “Detective Lestrade, do you think Auntie Sally will let me keep her?” She held the animal up so he could inspect it.

“Uh.” Lestrade started dumbly.

So she had come back with a prize after all? All the better. One just had to love kids. They were so innocent and spilled everything. Yet they were expert secret keepers, the sneaky little things.

Ni smiled, filing the information on Lestrade away for a later time and knelt down to be on eye level with the girl.

“That’s a handsome kitty you got there. But you shouldn’t go running off like that. You’re gonna worry your friends like that.”

#bunnyofmassdestruction #bunny of mass destruction #rp

“Auntie Sally said not to talk to strangers.” The little girl replied, shifting her grip on the cat. “Detective Lestrade, do you think she’d like him?”

Lestrade took the cat, which was being held up for his inspection, and stepped between Patricia and the strange man. “Thanks for your help, sir.” Even though he wasn’t much help. “And Patty, I think Sally would be angry with me if we went back to your house with a cat in tow.” Patricia gave him the biggest, saddest puppy dog expression Lestrade had ever seen. “But, seeing as it’s a stray, we’ll take it with us and ask her if she would like him. If she doesn’t want the cat, I’ll take him and you can come play with him whenever you want. Deal?”

Patricia bounced on her heels, thick curls bouncing wildly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Come here, kitty!” She reached for the cat, which had been being surprisingly mellow about this entire experience and Lestrade let her take it.

“We’ll, erm, be on our way. Thanks again.” Lestrade tried to usher the girl away from the strange man.

“Uncle Lestrade, why is that man carrying a toy rabbit around?”

“Shh, Patty. It’s not polite-”

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Iris frowned watched as the reporters were shooed away. She almost didn’t process what the detective had said, lost in her thoughts and relief.

“Hm? Th-that would be nice. If you don’t mind. It’s not that much farther but,” she looked around. Reporters were like cockroaches according to her father, and she believed that. No telling they’d actually leave her alone and not follow her to the park. That made her mind up for her.

“Yes please. Does that happen a lot?”

Lestrade unlocked the car doors with a press of a button. “It’s no trouble. The park near here is on my way home.” He got into the sedan and cranked it up. Naturally, he buckled his seatbelt and waited for the girl to get in.

“Only if I’m on a high profile case.” Lestrade replied. “I wish they’d wait for the press conference, but they’re just doing their jobs, annoying as they may be.” He huffed. “So, my name’s Greg. And you are?”

She seemed to be a nice, if quiet and possibly odd, young lady. He put the car in reverse and started to back out of the parking space.

#birdgirliris #rp

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“I’m, I uh. Sorry.” She could feel how hot her face was and knew she was blushing like mad. “I’m not a reporter. I just want to go to the park to study birds.” She said this all so softly that it was almost impossible to hear her over the clamor of the reporters.

“I’m fine though, please just let me through?”

The reporters were clearly having none of that, taking as many pictures and screaming all new questions that didn’t sound like they were related to any sort of crime. She really was considering pulling out a knife and just threatening her way through, but that seemed like a really bad idea. So instead she just took a deep breath and adjusted her bag then tried to break through the crowd of reporters.

“How long have you been dating Inspector Lestrade,” someone said shoving a recorder in her face. She frowned and pushed the hand back and tried to keep going. She had seen her dad go through something similar on really big cases, the best thing was to be polite. Which was becoming harder and harder by the moment. She did have a knife on her after all.

#birdgirliris #news and new meetings #rp

Lestrade frowned and rubbed his forehead. “Alright, alright, enough of this. Let the girl out- and remove yourselves from around my car, because I, for one, would like to have supper tonight.” Lestrade wasn’t sure if he should try to help the girl out of the crowd or if it would be best to let her shove her way through so they don’t clamor around both of them for the rest of the week. Denying it at this point would only fuel their excitement, so it was for the best, probably, to not bother.

Ah, it seemed that some of his colleagues in the Met had decided to have mercy on him and started breaking up the crowd, telling everyone to go home. Then, it was just him and the girl and the handful of officers that helped them out.

“Thanks, Billings.” Lestrade waved at one of his friends as he passed by.

“Ta.”

“Sorry you got caught up in that mess, Miss.” Lestrade sighed. “I know that situation was anything but pleasant. Would you like a ride to the park? It’s the least I can do, seeing as you were delayed by the press clamoring about like a bunch of vultures preying on the latest homicide for ratings and reviews.” Lestrade commented, looking as if he had a sour taste in his mouth. He didn’t really dislike the press that much, but right about now, they were on his last nerve. Can’t a man get some food and sleep in peace?

(Greg Lestrade) "Oy! Were you going to get a bag of chips? The machine gave me a free one and I don't want it." Lestrade approached the young man that was at the vending machine he had just stopped by.

Zac looked up. He smiled at the man and took the bag. “Thanks mate. Timing really is everything isn’t it?” He frowned a little. “Have I met you before? You look familiar. See of Photography Conference?”

He recognized the man, no doubt about it, and it frustrated him that he couldn’t place the name. Then again, this was his first day off in a while and he was still worn out from the near endless panels at the photography conference he had been at the day before.

Lestrade gave the young man a close look before shaking his head. “I don’t believe we’ve met before. I don’t go to photography conferences, either.” He shrugged. “I apologize, but you aren’t familiar to me at all.” If only Lestrade was interested in photography and read up on famous photographers. Alas, but he merely looked perplexed.

Lestrade thought about just walking away, but something about that seemed rude. “My name’s Greg.” He introduced himself politely.

“Ah, I run a photography store and go to so many photography conferences I just assume if I’ve met someone it’s from there.” He smiled and extended his hand for shaking.

“I’m Zac Restall. Pleasure to meet you Greg. You wouldn’t happen to be Greg Lestrade would you? You look a hell of a lot like him now that I think about it.”

“Oh, is that so?” Lestrade’s interest was piqued. “I have a friend that’s interested in photography. Where is your shop? I’ll have to drop by for his birthday present sometime.”

Lestrade took the lad’s hand and shook it with a grin. “Pleased to meet you, Zac.” His grin turned sheepish. “You talk like I’m some sort of celebrity. I’m just a copper. So you watch press conferences often, then?”

Zac smiled and handed him a grey and gold business card. “We’re located in Carnaby Street. Address is on the card. If you know the kind of photography he’s into, I can give you some pointers on what your best bet might be when you come around.”

It was Zac’s turn to get a little sheepish. “I do. My dad, he’s back in the States, he’s a retired copper. My sister and I always admired the police force. I really admire your work, how you go about things, you lot got a lot on your plate, yet seem to handle it very well.” He was hoping that his complement came across genuine, he realized once the words were out that it could sound like he was trying to butter the detective up, as if he could brag about a famous detective shopping at his store. Which would be silly because more famous people had done so.

“Sounds great.” Lestrade took the card. Carnaby Street. Good area. He could drop by sometime, maybe take Donovan’s niece shopping and spoil her with sweets and toys. Maybe help the girl pick out something nice for Sally’s birthday.

Lestrade realized his mind had wandered as the young man continued to speak about his father and then Lestrade was being showered with compliments. He wasn’t sure what to think; he wasn’t used to getting this kind of attention. It must be how celebrities feel. Wow.

“Being a detective isn’t all press conferences. Thank you for the compliment, but I’d say you don’t really know how I go about things.” Lestrade replied, perhaps a little more bluntly than he intended. “I’m not a celebrity. I’m not even that good of a detective.” Lestrade continued with a frown. Sherlock certainly had no trouble reminding him of that, but of course that wasn’t the origin of the sentiment in Lestrade. Truthfully, he felt rather plain in general. He was really nothing special.

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“Inspector Lestrade! Do you have any new developments on the Flames gang case?” A female reporter shoved Iris off the sidewalk and into the road, almost into the path into an oncoming car. Iris glared at her and knocked into the woman, making the reporter squeak in surprise.

Iris wanted to get to the park which wasn’t much further away but she had run into a large group of reporters all harassing an Inspector.

A man had the decency to say “excuse me miss” before pushing her, but this time deeper into the crowd and away from the street. She tried to step on his foot, but wound up stepping on his camera man’s foot instead.

She tried to push her way to the edge so that she could walk around, but the scream and jostle of reporters made progress impossible.

“What do you have on the new murders? Is there any way to catch the gang members responsible?” A reporter called to Inspector Lestrade. Iris was almost there, she saw a break in the crowd and went for it, and stumbled right into the middle of the circle and into a gray haired man who looked very unhappy about the whole situation.

@greglestradedi

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Greg Lestrade had been having a bad day. Another murder, one that Sherlock would deem “uninteresting” in that callously nonchalant manner he regularly employed, had shocked the city. The Flame Gang was stirring up more trouble. He didn’t have enough concrete evidence, though, to pin it on them. It made his blood boil.

And now these reporters were heckling him on his way to his car. Even a copper has to go home and get some sleep once in awhile. Maybe eat a decent meal and not old carryout forgotten in the refrigerator after a couple of busy days.

“No comment.” Lestrade declared to the first reporter. These guys were getting rowdy. Couldn’t he just have a few minutes of peace? Lestrade tried to push through the crowd several times during this charade and the thrumming crowd had gladly accompanied him to his parking space.

“We have our best working the case. I have nothing else to say-” Lestrade recoiled when one of the reporters ran into him. He caught her before she could fall and trip him up. “For God’s sake, will you lot calm down? I don’t have anything I can tell any of you, now kindly excuse me and disperse this gathering before someone gets hurt.” He helped the young reporter regain her footing. “Hey, you alright, miss?”

Hm. She didn’t have a pen and paper or a tape recorder or a camera or anything. Who was this girl and how did she get caught up in this mess? He was vaguely aware of the sound of cameras clicking and excited mumbling throughout the crowd.

They were going to have a field day with this and he didn’t even know who this lass was!

(Greg Lestrade) "Oy! Were you going to get a bag of chips? The machine gave me a free one and I don't want it." Lestrade approached the young man that was at the vending machine he had just stopped by.

Zac looked up. He smiled at the man and took the bag. “Thanks mate. Timing really is everything isn’t it?” He frowned a little. “Have I met you before? You look familiar. See of Photography Conference?”

He recognized the man, no doubt about it, and it frustrated him that he couldn’t place the name. Then again, this was his first day off in a while and he was still worn out from the near endless panels at the photography conference he had been at the day before.

Lestrade gave the young man a close look before shaking his head. “I don’t believe we’ve met before. I don’t go to photography conferences, either.” He shrugged. “I apologize, but you aren’t familiar to me at all.” If only Lestrade was interested in photography and read up on famous photographers. Alas, but he merely looked perplexed.

Lestrade thought about just walking away, but something about that seemed rude. “My name’s Greg.” He introduced himself politely.

“Ah, I run a photography store and go to so many photography conferences I just assume if I’ve met someone it’s from there.” He smiled and extended his hand for shaking.

“I’m Zac Restall. Pleasure to meet you Greg. You wouldn’t happen to be Greg Lestrade would you? You look a hell of a lot like him now that I think about it.”

“Oh, is that so?” Lestrade’s interest was piqued. “I have a friend that’s interested in photography. Where is your shop? I’ll have to drop by for his birthday present sometime.”

Lestrade took the lad’s hand and shook it with a grin. “Pleased to meet you, Zac.” His grin turned sheepish. “You talk like I’m some sort of celebrity. I’m just a copper. So you watch press conferences often, then?”

bunny-of-mass-destruction

"Have you seen a lost child around here?" Lestrade approached the gentleman in a lab coat. Was that a toy rabbit in his hands? He pushed his gaze away from the toy. It wasn't his business what other people carried around. Maybe he was holding onto the rabbit for his own kid. Lestrade just needed to find Donovan's niece before Donovan had his head for letting the girl run ahead and get lost.

Ni looked up and examined the man in front of him. The fellow wasn’t bad looking. Not at all. Looking for a kid? Ni tilted his head to the side, shamelessly taking in the other.

He flicked an ear on the rabbit. “I saw a couple of kids going that way,” he moved the rabbit’s arm to point to the left. “But I saw a lone kid go that way.” he tilted his head to the right. “But that was a while back. And she didn’t seem too lost.” And she hadn’t. But she was looking for something. Ni had rather hoped she’d find it and come back with some grand prize. It would have been cute.

But this was more interesting. “Why do you ask? You lost your kid? Not a very responsible daddy are you mister?” He couldn’t have said this more casually, as if he was talking about the sunny weather.

Lestrade couldn’t help but feel as if he was being checked out by this strange man. He brushed the feeling of apprehension aside. “That way?” Lestrade peered in the direction that the other man pointed. “Thanks, mate.”

Lestrade paused, skin hot with embarrassment. “Ah, not my kid. I’m babysitting for a friend. The lass just got excited and ran on ahead of me and I lost her in the crowd back there.” Donovan was going to kill him. “I should probably get after her now. Pardon me and thanks again for your help.”

He was about to leave when the little girl with black, curly hair just like her aunt’s came around a corner and trotted over to Lestrade with a black cat in her arms. “Detective Lestrade, do you think Auntie Sally will let me keep her?” She held the animal up so he could inspect it.

“Uh.” Lestrade started dumbly.

#bunnyofmassdestruction

(Greg Lestrade) "Oy! Were you going to get a bag of chips? The machine gave me a free one and I don't want it." Lestrade approached the young man that was at the vending machine he had just stopped by.

Zac looked up. He smiled at the man and took the bag. “Thanks mate. Timing really is everything isn’t it?” He frowned a little. “Have I met you before? You look familiar. See of Photography Conference?”

He recognized the man, no doubt about it, and it frustrated him that he couldn’t place the name. Then again, this was his first day off in a while and he was still worn out from the near endless panels at the photography conference he had been at the day before.

Lestrade gave the young man a close look before shaking his head. “I don’t believe we’ve met before. I don’t go to photography conferences, either.” He shrugged. “I apologize, but you aren’t familiar to me at all.” If only Lestrade was interested in photography and read up on famous photographers. Alas, but he merely looked perplexed.

Lestrade thought about just walking away, but something about that seemed rude. “My name’s Greg.” He introduced himself politely.