Miraculous and The Flash crossover: Collision of Worlds. (Book 4)

Chapter 25

Barry observes the interaction between Adrien and his father, trying to take note of every single detail. Gabriel then turns to Barry.

Gabriel: I apologize for my son's outburst, Mr. Allen. He's like his mother, sometimes. Way too overly dramatic.

Barry: So, I see.

Gabriel: Now then, I understand you have some questions for me, regarding an investigation of some kind?

Barry: Uh, yes. I'm investigating a robbery that occurred at your business partner, Tomoe Tsurugi's tech firm.

Gabriel stands stoic and quiet for a moment. After Barry explained his reason for being at his house.

Gabriel: Very well, come to my office. We'll discuss it further.

Barry: Thank you.

Gabriel leads Barry inside the Atelier, with Nathalie in tow.

As the door shuts behind them, and a large glass platform rises up from in front of Gabriel's digital console. Gabriel leads Barry over to it.

Gabriel: Please, have a seat.

Without saying a word, Barry does so. Gabriel sits across from him and Nathalie stands on the side, as Barry takes out a notepad.

Gabriel: Now then, I understand you have some questions for me?

Barry: Yes, sir. I trust you're aware that your business partner, Tomoe Tsurugi was recently the victim of a robbery, yes?

Gabriel: Of course I am. But why does this send you to me?

Barry: Well, I recently questioned her about the missing technology that was stolen. And she told me that her Particle Transitioner prototype went missing, and that she found the tracer at your house.

Gabriel starts to become slightly annoyed. Which Barry takes a mental note of.

Gabriel: Are you accusing me of stealing from my business partner, Mr. Allen?!

Barry: Of course not. I'm simply re-stating what Ms. Tsurugi-san told me. Although, I am curious as to what your business has to do with hers. You are, after all, the most renowned fashion designer in Paris.

Gabriel: I'm in charge of creating and providing multiple different fabric materials and designs for Tsurugi's projects, be they standard or custom-made.

Barry: I see. And you had no knowledge that someone planted the device in your house?

Gabriel: No, I didn't.

Barry: When exactly did Tsurugi-san come to your house searching for the device?

Gabriel: It was at least 4 days ago. Tsurugi-san came to my home, demanding to know where her stolen technology was.

Barry: I see. And what time did this incident occur?

Gabriel: It was, as far as I'm aware, sometime around 7:00, to 7:30, at night.

Barry: Okay. And what were you doing earlier that day?

Gabriel: I was designing a new line of fashion. For an upcoming event, next month.

Barry: Okay. Could you walk me through the events of that day, in full detail?

Gabriel: Of course. I woke up early that morning, and went over my schedule for that day. Nathalie went to Adrien's bedroom, and woke him up for school that morning. After I prepared breakfast for myself and my son, Nathalie and Adrien's bodyguard took Adrien to school.

Barry: I see. What exactly did you cook that morning?

Nathalie: Excuse me, but how is this relevant to this investigation?

Gabriel raises his hand in a calming motion.

Gabriel: It's alright, Nathalie.

She nods and calms down. And Gabriel turns back to Barry.

Gabriel: I cooked my son, and myself, some pancakes, that morning. Drizzled with a spoonful of maple syrup, for Adrien's. And honey for mine.

Barry: Hmm. I had no idea you also pulled double duty as a cook. Uh, please. Continue with the events of your day.

Gabriel nods.

Gabriel: Very well. Some time after noon, I made the arrangements for the date of my fashion show, and went over which designs were to be used. And which ones needed improvement. After my lunch at 1:00, I had a press conference for my 100th collection of my brand.

Barry: Your brand being named after yourself, yes?

Gabriel: That's correct. I named my brand after myself.

Barry: And how did you attend the press conference?

Gabriel: Same as I always attend an important event. Nathalie shows up on my behalf, and I attend using digital means. Such as on a tablet or a video camera.

Barry raises an eyebrow.

Barry: Was there any reason in particular you couldn't attend in person?

Gabriel: I'm a very busy man, Mr. Allen. Time is an important factor in my line of work. Which is why I prefer to use video conferences when I can, to save time.

Barry: Okay, then. Keep going.

Gabriel: Well, after my conference, Adrien came home from school, two hours later. After witnessing an incident at his school, which I've often considered pulling him out of, on multiple occasions.

Barry: I see. And what is your knowledge of this incident at Francois Dupont?

Gabriel: I was only told that a fight ensued between two students, because one of them fell down a flight of stairs and they assaulted a student who allegedly pushed her.

Barry: Well, it seems like you weren't given the whole story. The incident between two students was between Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and Lila Rossi. And I understand Lila happens to be a model for your brand, yes?

Gabriel: Yes, Ms. Rossi has been a model for my brand, alongside my son, for a few months now. And it was this particular incident that I considered pulling Adrien from the school.

Barry: I'm sure you're also aware of what happened to Marinette?

Gabriel: You mean the loss of her mother? I am indeed aware of her loss. It's a tragedy, to say the least.

Barry: Indeed it was, but back to the rest of your day.

Gabriel: Of course, I went over a few details of my company's branding and advertising, before having dinner with Adrien and Nathalie, at around 5:30.

Barry: And you and Nathalie spent the remainder of the evening by yourselves, until Ms. Tsurugi barged into your house?

Gabriel: That's right.

Barry: And where exactly did she find this tracer for her device?

Gabriel: She found it in the safe, behind the painting of my wife.

Barry: I'm glad you mentioned her, because I was going to ask about her next. How exactly did your wife die?

Nathalie interjects, again.

Nathalie: You don't have to answer that.

Gabriel: She fell ill after my son was born. She experienced tiredness, dizzy spells. Until it became much worse, for her. And then...

Gabriel shuts his eyes, solemnly.

Barry: I'm sorry to hear that. Did she have any family?

Gabriel: She does. She has a sister who lives in London, Amelie Graham de Vanilly.

Barry: Does she happen to have any children of her own?

Gabriel: Yes, her son, Felix.

Barry furls his brow, at the mention of Felix.

Barry: Did he ever visit Paris or you and Adrien recently?

Gabriel remains stoic and emotionless, for a moment.

Gabriel: No.