The Coward on the Rooftop
Because she realizes she’s no braver than the man she calls a coward.
Detective, At Last
(And Everything That Slipped Through My Fingers)
Personal Entry (04/03/2026)
(Not for publication.)
I did a good job with Nana yesterday.
Good enough that Chief Serpico approved my promotion.
Detective.
The paperwork hasn’t been filed yet. The Chief is busy this morning, the department always is, so he told me to go off and handle things on my own for a bit.
Detective Valentina.
It has a nice ring to it.
Despite all the leads we chased yesterday, nothing became concrete. Every trail dissolved before it could become evidence.
Then I received a message.
From Mr. M.
He has already left town.
But before leaving, he sent me everything he had. His notes, his observations, the small fragments he had been collecting.
Most of it are things I already knew.
But the sentiment matters.
Someone else was chasing the same shadows.
The first place I drove to this morning was the Vanilla Unicorn.
I heard that To Night had been shot yesterday.
I wanted to see if she was alright.
The moment I saw her, something dropped into my stomach like a stone.
It didn’t feel good.
Sadness.
Grief.
The ugly emotions that tie humans together.
The same ones I watched drown Nana yesterday.
I think I’m beginning to understand it.
The heartbreak I feel around To Night… it’s the kind that keeps people orbiting each other long after they should have drifted apart.
So I made it hurt.
I made the conversation difficult.
Sharp.
I made sure the wound stayed open.
Because if it hurts enough, we will always remain in each other’s orbit.
Twisted.
But effective.
I cut the conversation short.
Left the yearning unfinished.
And walked away.
After that, I called Ryan.
Updated him on everything.
Told him Mr. M had left town.
Ryan told me his own leads were going cold.
I was getting desperate.
Every thread we followed turned into smoke.
So I asked him directly:
Who is the weakest link in the Vanilla Unicorn?
Someone I could flip.
Someone who might slip up on camera.
If I could just capture proof of what happened at the masquerade, even a fragment, that would be enough suspicion for the Chief to issue a warrant.
Ryan told me a name.
Damon.
I’ve met Damon before.
Maybe this would work.
I turned on the charm.
I’m rusty.
All I’ve been doing lately is police work. Social manipulation used to be second nature.
Now it feels… mechanical.
We talked for a while.
And then I realized something.
Ryan was wrong.
Damon isn’t the weakest link.
Not even close.
If anything, he’s solid.
Which means one of two things.
Either Ryan doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Or Ryan sent me into a trap.
Either way, Damon was a dead end.
Still, Damon showed me something from one of his “contacts.”
A building. Inaccessible.
Suspicious enough to try.
So I asked the Chief for a lockpick.
But the precinct was too busy.
He never got back to me.
So I called someone else.
Billie Baxter.
Also known as the Raccoon.
Yes, the same one.
The one who’s good with lockpicks.
I explained the situation.
I told her I’m a cop now. My hands are tied.
But if she opens the door…
I might look the other way.
She agreed. She tried.
Even used advanced lockpicks.
Nothing.
If that door couldn’t open, then maybe the “world” itself decided that building was nothing more than decoration.
Another lead.
Cold.
I cursed Damon.
Before heading to the next event, I tried reaching out to Shelby.
I asked if he would consider bringing me to the gala, if it ended up happening.
Too late.
He was already deep into To Night.
I suppose that answers that.
I paused for a moment after that conversation.
Something about today feels… dangerous.
Not the kind of danger that comes from criminals or heists.
A different kind.
I am pulling on too many threads.
Too many emotions.
Too many people.
Playing with hearts is far more dangerous than playing with evidence.
And today, it seems I am doing both.
I should be careful.
Playing with too many hearts is not good, Valentina.
Today seems to be a day of hearts.
There were multiple events happening around the city.
Weddings.
Celebrations.
Then, suddenly…
Bank heists.
Right in the middle of the ceremonies.
Chief Serpico declared martial law.
Anyone wearing a mask would be shot on sight.
And for the first time since joining the force…
I finally got to use my gun.
The chaos ended as quickly as it started.
Just another storm passing through Los Santos.
By the evening, Cortado and I finally linked up again.
Most of the department had been pulled into the Batchelor situation.
Which meant Cortado and I were left handling everything else.
Pursuits.
Small incidents.
Nothing spectacular.
Just the quiet work that keeps the city running.
I asked him more questions about himself. He does open up a little, just enough to know, Regal Cortado isn’t what he seems.
He couldn’t give more unless I do…
And I am…
I will never be ready to trust anyone enough to give anything.
Eventually we prepared to head to Sakura Village for the final event of the night.
I almost suggested that Cortado ride with Captain Adler.
He seems to fancy her.
But then there’s that lawyer… Ex-lawyer?
Whatever the situation is, I can’t keep track anymore.
So I said nothing.
Instead, I offered to drive.
And I drove like a maniac.
Deliberately.
Just to create one small memorable moment.
I laughed sheepishly while they held on for dear life.
If they’re worried about survival, they won’t worry about anything else.
I wasn’t in the mood to celebrate.
I solved nothing today.
Every lead slipped past me.
Before the night ended, Nana’s voice came through the radio.
She asked all LSPD members to gather on the rooftop.
One last moment together before the night ended.
So we went.
Standing on the rooftop of the precinct…
I heard a voice.
Remi.
I didn’t say anything.
Didn’t even look at him.
I did what I do best.
I listened.
Remi, Aurora, Roy.
They looked good together. Comfortable.
There was no need to intrude.
Let them have that moment.
I don’t need it.
I don’t want it.
I pulled out my phone.
Sent a message.
His reply came instantly.
He was standing right there.
And still….
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.
Turns out…
I’m a coward too, huh?
So I will watch him leave.
And regret not speaking.
Every day.
Every single day.
The LSPD has become something strange to me.
Something I never expected.
Family.
And tomorrow…
We continue.
Protecting those who need us.
Because the job’s not done.
