(This chapter is a bit disjointed as it puts some things into play for later)
*
(Thursday)
My first week back in town I located a nice little bar that felt more like a pub. It had three necessary factors: a small familiar crowd, good liquor, and no gun checks at the door. Now I'm not a huge fan of a routine but sometimes you need a familiar place to unwind even if that means people looking for you can stop by for a 'chat'.
I notice the two of them at the bar when I come in. I'm hardly someone the bartender would consider a regular (I haven't been there at least five years) but he knows me and doesn't know them. He gives me a nod which I return. The girl member of the duo gets up leaving her beer and walks over to me. I keep track of her out of the corner of my eye. The guy tilts himself toward me making it easier to draw down if the situation demands it.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asks sliding in before I can say no. "Buy me a drink?" I give her a look over. She's attractive with rich full lips, medium brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her facial features are strong and well-crafted that accentuates her neck and broad shoulders. Her breasts are a B/C size more lined up with the center. She has a taut stomach and waist but fuller hips and legs that just won't stop. I imagine her ass is pretty nice too.
"What do you need?" I say in a bored voice. She gives me a foxy smile.
"Can't a girl sit down for a bit of conversation?"
"Is that the girl with the 9mm on her hip or the girl with the ankle holster," I stare at her. She doesn't move. I figure her partner is too far away to hear what's going on.
"Oh, well I suppose you would be perceptive," she admits. "Mr. Talle I would like to ask you some questions."
"Is SWAT outside waiting for me?" I interject. I am a mass murderer after all.
"No."
"Ask away," I tell her.
"Several bodies have been showing up dead recently. Would you know anything about this?" she asks.
"I plead the Fifth," I respond.
"At one of the shootings eight men were all killed with one weapon. That's some very impressive shooting skills," she hints.
"Maybe several guys juggled the gun back and forth," is my sarcastic alternative.
"There is some real pressure to deal with this. There is a fear that a major gang war breaking and that means people dying; some of them innocent," she tells me.
"What do you want me to do about it?" I wonder.
"Why don't you help us deal with this matter? We can help you out," she offers.
"You can probably arrest me but you are not which makes me wonder what is really going on here. Are you going to beat around the bush or can I go home?" I sigh impatiently.
"Do you want us to arrest you now? I'm sure you don't have a permit for that gun," she now threatens.
"It's in the car," I reply. She stares at me for a minute.
"Let's try this again. I'm Detective Serendipity Smith," she says evenly.
"Serendipity? Seriously? Man your parents must have hated you. I'm Christian Talle, but you already know that," I respond.
"I do, but what I don't know is what you are doing back in town?" she smiles.
"I've come back home and now I do odd jobs to get by," I grin back. Is it really a lie if we both know I'm making all this up?
"I am more concerned about what you are doing on these odd jobs. You are making things unsettled on the streets. People are afraid," she tells me.
"What is it that you think I am doing?" I counter.
"You are helping a new player move into the drug market," she answers.
"Now we are back to the question of why I'm not in jail," I relate to her. We look at each other for a few seconds and then I'm back 'In Country' except this time I'm the tribal warlord and she's the Government operative with the bigger enemy to fight. "You want me to keep up with what I'm doing but under your control," I suggest.
"That would be illegal," she gives me a wink and a smile.
"So, who do you want me to kill?" I inquire.
"It isn't that easy," she tells me. "It is more that we want to know who you are aiming for or who you having trouble with."
"What is in it for me?" I question.
"You don't go to jail today for one thing," she responds.
"Do you know when I came home all I wanted to do was work at a gym," I inform her.
"That doesn't seem to have worked out all that well," she points out.
"How do we communicate?" I ask. Serendipity hands me a card, which I see is not her official police issue; probably some sort of special task force that will never, ever admit to making any deal with me. "Is there any other person I should be talking to?"
"No, I think it is safe to say it will only be you and I," she answers.
"No. I want to talk to the person in charge. That's not negotiable. If you are working alone I might as well face a trial now where I can garner some sympathy for saving a girl's life," I reply. "How do you think you will avoid Foster long enough to get to trial?" she threatens me.
"I'll take my chances," I say in a blasΓ© voice.
"Awful sure of yourself, aren't you?" she notes.
"Not really; you have a plan but so do I and my plan doesn't involve me being in general population. Now if you can figure that one out I'll give you a cookie," I glare at her. She studies me for a minute then nods.
"I'll arrange a meeting if possible or arrest you if not," she smiles. "Is that good enough?" It is my turn to nod. She's welcome to try and catch me if she can.
"One thing I would like to know on a personal level," she asks. I wait so she continues, "Why take the risk for Regina Blackburn?"
"She's a great piece of ass," is my glib reply. "Are you offering to take her place?" Serendipity smirks and gives me a 'ya right' expression.
"In that case I need to go," I tell her. I finish my beer and head out the door. I can feel her eyes upon me and in a way I almost feel sorry for her and her boss. Violence hates constraint and better people than a bunch of metropolitan cops have tried and failed. What matters right now is that I'm free to walk the streets. Being in jail would really limit my options.
(Friday)
I wordlessly welcome Jewel into off the elevator letting her stand inside fidgeting uncomfortably. This is the second time over tonight. Earlier she came by, she told me that a few of the others knew about our meeting and I sent her home after fifteen minutes. Her car has GPS after all so I make her come back in a cab paid for in cash. I don't want interruption.
"Come with me," I motion toward my living area. There Regina is waiting for us and Jewel gives me a curious look. I sit down in the chair closest to the couch giving the only two places to sit being on either side of Regina.
"What is this all about?" Jewel inquires nervously.
"Jewel we were friends; you of all of them kept in touch with me. You gave a crap. What I need to know now is if we are still friends?" I question Jewel.
"What? Of course we are still friends Christian," Jewel says with some relief.
"Prove it," I tell her as I stand up and hover over her.
"Christian, I don't understand. What is it that you want me to do?" Jewel wonders.
"Stand up," I command her. Jewel hesitates uncertain what to do then stands up. I cup her face in my hands and kiss her. Jewel tries to pull away but I'm far too strong. "Take off your clothes," I tell her next.