*** "So the place was empty, my last 'client' for the night had just left - a call girl with some interesting information concerning a local politicians real views on family and morality - when I hear the bar doors open and Carl start his usual 'We're closed, get the hell out' speech. Next thing I know the place is being shot to pieces and my door ain't shut no more. 'Course, I'd pulled the sign and was reaching for my piece by then, but two hand cannons pointed at your skull makes you think twice. After those two goons busted in and strung me to this chair, they started asking about your little book there. What the hell is in that thing anyway?" "Tell you later. What else did they ask?" Drake asked, looking down at the two corpses. "Not much," Hack grimaced down as well, holding his crushed hands to his chest. "Ugh." "I'd better get you to a hospital-" "No hospitals. I know a...freelance physician who I can trust. Hey, Drake, do me a favor..." The big man sat back down in his office chair with a groan. "Yeah, Hack?" "Look under my desk, there should be two empty briefcases there. I want you to clear out my files." The detective slide behind the information brokers cluttered desk and attempted to open the top drawer without much success, "Feels like it's locked, Hack. Where's the key?" "Bottom of the coffee mug." He managed a weak smile. "What about the file cabinet?" He shook his head, "Mostly dummy files and nickel and dime information. The real stuff is in the desk." Drake finished cramming the contents of the drawers away in the now bulging cases, "Let's get you out of here." Stepping over the bodies, Drake couldn't help but notice something about one of them. Reaching down he picked up the item of his interest and experimentally perched it on his head. He shrugged off Hack's odd look and adjusted the grey fedora. "What? He won't be needing it anymore." "One more favor, Drake." Hack said, pausing at the door and looking very tired. "What is it?" "There's a gas can behind the bar..." Hack trailed off. "I understand. Get in the car, I'll be out in a minute." The detective began to douse down the Eclipse, starting with Hack's office and working his way around the front of the place. He ended behind the bar, respectfully leaving Carl's body untouched. "That reminds me, Carl..." Drake tossed the second pistol, taken from the bartenders hand, and a small bill down next to the cash register. "Hope that covers my tab." A lit match later, Drake left. *** "I don't get it, why would Tanner's men think you had the book?" Drake asked, one eye on the road, the other checking the rear view mirror to make sure they weren't being followed. "I'm telling you, Robbie sold you out." "You said Robbie sold 'us' out, Hack. And that still wouldn't explain why they were at your office and not mine." The large man muttered under his breath. "Spill it, Hack. You owe me." "Alright, but don't think you're getting freebies for life. After you came to me last night for information about Tanner, your kid came in." "How do you know it was the same guy?" Hack frowned, "Huh. I guess I don't. But he said his name was Robbie and his daughter Erica was missing. Anyway, he was pretty loose with the cash, and I told him what I could. About Tanner's safehouse, who I knew I was working for Tanner, that kind of stuff." "You didn't tell me Blackthorne was working for Tanner." Hack gave a start and immediately winced in regret, "News to me." Drake furrowed his brow in thought, trying to make sense of the nights events. The car came to an intersection and Drake took the opportunity to check his watch. The sun should be rising any time now, Drake thought, looking out the window at a slowly brightening sky. "How much did he drop for your info?" Drake couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy when Hack told him. It didn't last long though. "There's no way the guy who walked into my office could've afforded that. He's a grunt, an Outfit Grunt, but still a grunt." "Don't know what to tell you, Drake." "You still haven't told me how came to the conclusion that Robbie sold us out." "Something the thugs said, something about them making an 'anonymous visit' too. It was pretty obvious what he was talking about..." The pair drove in silence for a time, the city shaking off the night, its nocturnal citizens retreating. It was around then Drake realized just how much he could use a good nap. "Turn here, she lives on this street." "She?" *** Drake pounded on the door of the rather non-descript rundown building, Hack leaning against the wall at the foot of the steps. Moments later an equally non-descript woman answered the door, an annoyed expression on her face. He noted, as she frowned at him, that she wasn't dressed much like a doctor. "What do you-?" "Jillian...?" She looked past Drake to Hack, who was slowly sliding down the front of the building, and her eyes quickly widened in alarm. "Larry!? What the hell happened to you?" The female street doctor hurried down the steps to the exhausted mans side, Drake following. Together they managed to get him through the door and onto a bed. *** "Larry?" The private investigator raised an amused eyebrow at 'Larry' as Dr. Jillian tended to his hands. "You gonna tell me what's in that book or what?" Hack gritted his teeth, more in pain than irritation. Drake chuckled before turning serious, "Not much, just a list of kids names and their addresses. Looks like they all come from aspiring Outfit families and more than half the names are crossed out. Already hit." Hack grunted, in acknowledgment or pain, Drake wasn't too sure. "I can see why they'd want that back." Drake nodded, "I think I've figured out why Blackthorne's men came knocking at your door. You see, when me and Jarhead did our little raid on Tanner's place, it didn't go down as smoothly as we'd hoped it would. One of the guys that saw me won't be telling anyone about it, but the other one is probably gonna remember me introducing his face to a chair. I'm guessing Blackthorne figured out it wasn't an Outfit hit since I left him alive." Hack closed his eyes, "And started looking for the only broker in Crummton who would know about Tanner's place and send someone to see what they could see..." Jillian gave a small but exasperated sigh but said nothing as she continued to mend Hack's hands. Drake considered the woman and her brief introduction for a moment. A well educated woman practicing medicine without a license because an unlicensed doctor who doesn't have to report a gunshot wound earns some worthwhile perks in this part of town. Cute too. "And it wouldn't be hard to find out about Robbie asking for help around town and send one of his men out with the same tear-jerker story." Hack opened his eyes, "Seems he's as dangerous as his reputation, Drake." "I know. Thankfully, I have some friends who aren't too concerned by his reputation." Drake said, intending to get in touch with Jarhead and Clane...Just as soon as he had a well deserved rest on one of the examination tables. *** Notes: Eh. This needs more polish in my opinion. Oh well. Fun! M.E.T.A. Scene 8 08/20/00 by Een for Beware The Radish http://www.chaoseed.com/btr/meta/