Guilty Until Proven Innocent

[BlueEyedLady]

Tanya

Tanya cursed herself as she backed up, doing just as the man said. She walked backward, her face staring directly at his, studying it, as if she were unconscious of the gun at her belly. Her attitude was cold as ice. There was no way that he was going to know how affected she was by the prospect of death. She had faced it down more times than she cared to remember. And she believed in the old saying 'Never let them see you sweat.'

"Smythe," She bit out as they stood there, facing each other at last. "Well, I never had a mark come to me before. You owe me some smokes and a car, by the way. Not to mention a new rifle and the answers to a hell of alot of questions."

Her gun was in the waistband at her back but she was sure that Smythe knew that and so she made no move...yet. Before this was over she would be in control again. She would have it no other way.

"So, start talking," She said in a low voice, "I assume that's what you want to do. If you wanted me dead I would be lying in a pool of my own blood by now."

 

[poohlive]

It was another hour before anything came back to Taylor, but when it did, it all came at once. A firepower of problems that just seemed to start with Jill and escalade up and up.
At the backdoor, one of the supply entrances with the big doors, a man was forced inside, screaming and resisting as hard as possible.
Two guys in black suits, pushed him into one of the sex rooms, locking it up with Sergio and Taylor inside.
"That's Sal," The man was beyond freaked out, trying to unlock the door, and then pounding uselessly on the walls.
Taylor shook his head, "This is Sal? What the fuck happened?"
"They'll get me. They'll know I was here. Let me go, please..."
Sergio was cool, calculated, already thinking just what had happened in his mind. Taylor sat silently, his eyes wide.
"No, no. Fucking get the hell away from me. He said he knew Lizard. Don't fucking get me with that shit."
Taylor repeated the name, as if it were some weird egg he just discovered, "Lizard?"
Sergio took on a serious dramatic tone, "Who was it? Who threatened you?"
"A couple, guy and girl. She called him Hank. That's all I know. They asked me questions..."
Sergio reached into his back pocket, hands over the gun he kept there.
"What did you answer?"
"Enough. Not all of it... but enough. They were going to fucking kill me, and Lizard. Damnit, I'm fucked..."
Sergio paused, looking back at Taylor.
"We've got a serious problem."
The door burst open, as the security guard came in. He had a hurried look span across his face.
"We've got a serious problem," he held a video tape, and popped it into the vcr in the room. It showed a lineup of girls ready to leave for the clubs and whatnot. Jill was among them, some guy grabbed her and tossed her into the van.
Taylor shook his head, "Where are those guys, bring the van back!"
"Too late, I talked to the guys. They said she ran off. They tried to chase her, but she outran them."
Just then, Sal threw himself at the security guard, screaming in anger and frustration. He grabbed at the gun on the man's side, pointing it at everyone. Sergio had his gun out, already cocked and ready to take Sal down.
"Come on, Sal, take it easy. What about your family, your friends? The girls?"
Sal shook his head, "They're already dead. Hank'll take care of that."
Sergio cursed, "What in the hell did this Hank fucker do, putting you in this sort of frenzy?"
Sal stood up straight, tears streaming in his eyes, "He called on Lizard."
Sal put the gun to his mouth, pulling the trigger. Blood and brains littered the now crowded room, as the man either tried to duck and cover from the horrible scene.
They left it for the cleaners, who'd had some experience with deady bodies before.
"This Lizard must be an important man?" Taylor asked Sergio.
"You have no idea."
Taylor didn't.
"What about Jill?"
"She could be anywhere. We can put up some people around her house, try to track down her boyfriend, even find this Hank guy, whoever he is. I don't know..."
Taylor felt like he was backed into a wall, things were crumbling down. Thoughts, crazy and sinister, were beginning to form in his mind, put a suitcase filled with cash, and find the first deserted island you can.
"We need to find her," He wanted her, yes and his dick still strained for her, but this was business. He wasn't fucking with himself, he was fucking with the business, the higher ups. And they didn't like to be fucked with.
"We need to find her, now."
Sergio nodded, already calling up people. They were going to fight this the best way they knew how.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Brandon Smythe:

"Lady, I don't know who you are or why you're after me, unless your some kind of bounty hunter that is, but I've never shot anyone other than in self defense and won't start with you.
"Now turn around slowly. You can watch me in the mirror, but I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."

When she slowly complies he pats her down and takes what he finds, which isn't all of it, and tosses each onto the bed near the headboard.

Standing again he moves her to a chair by holding her fingers together at the back of her head and says, "Now won't you please sit down so we can talk."

He sits on the bed across from her on the edge of the bed then says here, "Aww fuck. Here. Catch." and engages the safety on the PPK and toss it to her.

"Jill's alive. I know it for certain because I spoke to a woman who saw her today and told me so.
"She also told me that my asshole boss is directly involved in her abduction.
"I've used a computer in a computer cafe and emailed several collegues my story and what I know so no matter what happens to me Tayor will be put under a microscope.
"All I want is to save Jill. I don't give a shit what happens to me as long as she's safe.
"Now you've got my only gun, so what happens next is up to you.... but so is Jill's safety and her life is in your hands too."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Jill (on the run)

Jill gasped as she ran further and further away from her pursuer. She couldn't hear him now but she didn't dare to turn back and see if he was still following her. She sobbed as she tried to draw air into her lungs. She could feel her chest throbbing and on fire with every breath she managed to draw. Finally, she stumbled and lay there, unable to move, sobbing into the ground, waiting for someone to come and drag her up onto her feet and back to the van again.

When more minutes past and she wasn't accosted, she managed to raise her head and look around. She was alone. And very, very lost. Nothing around her looked familiar and it all looked very frightening. She had to get up, had to move, had to find her way back.

Back to where? Taylor would be looking for her at her apartment and she didn't know anyone around here. She didn't know where Hank was. She didn't know where she was. God! She was so lost.

Picking a direction, not daring to stay in one place too long, she started walking. She was dirty and ragged and she was dressed like a hooker. She wore no shoes and she had no ID and no money to make a call from a pay phone. She had no idea what she was going to do except try and stay away from everyone so that she could stay alive and unharmed.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

As he patted her down, Tanya smirked and said,"Have fun?" When he handed her his gun, she looked at him in surprise. He was either telling the truth or tired of life. Saying nothing, she went to where her weapons were and picked them all up, getting them out of his reach. She didn't take her eyes off of him, he said this was his only gun but he could very well be hinding another gun or even some other kind of weapon.

"Tell you what," She said, taking the gun off of safety and holding it down by her, ready to pull up if need be,"You let me return the favor of checking for weapons and then we'll talk."

When she was satisfied that he was clean, she let him put his shoes back on which she had insisted he take off as she sat on the chair across from him.

"You guessed right. I'm a bounty hunter." She said as he redressed. "And a damn good one. You caught me in an unprepared moment. They call me the Man Hunter and you were my man. But I have already heard about Jill not being dead. If that's true than I have another goal...which seems to be the same one you are telling me is yours. To bring the girl in alive."

"I have her brother here. He's coming back soon. So I suggest that you tell me alot more than what you have so far. Like everything you know. I don't think Hank is going to be waiting for explanations when he arrives. And I hate listening to macho bullshit between two men."

 

[Evil Attorney]

Hank and Vinny had a nice conversation.

Ok, Hank had a nice conversation. Vinny on the other hand was floating in a daze of pain.

His arms were shattered thanks to Hank's sap, most of the fragments worked into the mussle and surrounding nerves.

Vinny was beyond moaning in pain, but he answered Hank's questions.

Ordinarily he would feel sick, but this guy delivered Lex to be tortured and raped, so he really didn't care what happened to Vinny.

He was perfectly willing to kill the man, but he decided not to.

Tanya would be pleased, and disposing of a corpse was time consuming and a bitch to do correctly.

Vinny wasn't going anywere, not in his condition. Technicaly he had arms, but with the swelling and damage Hank caused, some of it just for spite, they were useless and would remain so untill he spent about $1,000,000 at an orthopedic surgon.

He arived back at the hotel and walked up to the room. He heard voices, and Tanya's was upset at someone.

That voice...Brandon...

The fox to the dogs...

He went down to the car he and Tanya shared and checked the trunk for the shotgun.

FUCK, she took it...which probably meant brandon had a Benelli Semi-auto tatical at his disposal...

Self defense...

Good bye, Brandon...

Hank went back up the stairs silently to just outside the door, and looked at the door frame. Not kicking through that...

He took out his key taking care that it didn't jingle. Spitting on the key, he inserted it into the lock with care.

Drawing the Sig Saur .45 he cocked the hammer. He wanted to be on single action for a faster shot.

If Brandon had the shotgun, and if he had overpowered Tanya, he had to have had it, then he would need to be as fast as can be.

Hank worked the knob and threw the door open, took a step in and moved left along the wall, breathing slowly and steadily as he went.

"Brandon...fancy meeting you here. Long time no see."

Hank had the gun on him and his finger on the trigger.
Hank stared at him over the barrel of the gun.

Oh, he lusted to pull the trigger...but till he got his answers, that would have to wait.

"Their is so much we need to talk about. I'm so utterly glad you dropped by."

Hank's voice was light. He sounded very relaxed and pleased.

"Lets start at the beginning. You tell me were Jill is and I'll only kill you. If I have to find out for myself...I'll see to it you live."

 

[Evil Attorney]

Hank and Vinny had a nice conversation.

Ok, Hank had a nice conversation. Vinny on the other hand was floating in a daze of pain.

His arms were shattered thanks to Hank's sap, most of the fragments worked into the mussle and surrounding nerves.

Vinny was beyond moaning in pain, but he answered Hank's questions.

Ordinarily he would feel sick, but this guy delivered Lex to be tortured and raped, so he really didn't care what happened to Vinny.

He was perfectly willing to kill the man, but he decided not to.

Tanya would be pleased, and disposing of a corpse was time consuming and a bitch to do correctly.

Vinny wasn't going anywere, not in his condition. Technicaly he had arms, but with the swelling and damage Hank caused, some of it just for spite, they were useless and would remain so untill he spent about $1,000,000 at an orthopedic surgon.

He arived back at the hotel and walked up to the room. He heard voices, and Tanya's was upset at someone.

That voice...Brandon...

The fox to the dogs...

He went down to the car he and Tanya shared and checked the trunk for the shotgun.

FUCK, she took it...which probably meant brandon had a Benelli Semi-auto tatical at his disposal...

Self defense...

Good bye, Brandon...

Hank went back up the stairs silently to just outside the door, and looked at the door frame. Not kicking through that...

He took out his key taking care that it didn't jingle. Spitting on the key, he inserted it into the lock with care.

Drawing the Sig Saur .45 he cocked the hammer. He wanted to be on single action for a faster shot.

If Brandon had the shotgun, and if he had overpowered Tanya, he had to have had it, then he would need to be as fast as can be.

Hank worked the knob and threw the door open, took a step in and moved left along the wall, breathing slowly and steadily as he went.

"Brandon...fancy meeting you here. Long time no see."

Hank had the gun on him and his finger on the trigger.
Hank stared at him over the barrel of the gun.

Oh, he lusted to pull the trigger...but till he got his answers, that would have to wait.

"Their is so much we need to talk about. I'm so utterly glad you dropped by."

Hank's voice was light. He sounded very relaxed and pleased.

"Lets start at the beginning. You tell me were Jill is and I'll only kill you. If I have to find out for myself...I'll see to it you live."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Brandon Smythe:

"Well if Hank's folks talked to him at least he knows I called them and let them know she's alive.
"As far as what I know, it' limited to tell the truth.
"Seems Taylor is using the girls who are models, some I've photographed, as hookers and not just the legitimate escorts I photographed for him. Hell, as far as I know, maybe some of them were forced into prostitution too.
"Apparently somehow Jill found out and has some information hidden some place he needs to get from her. I'd guess if someone else finds it first he'll be so well done you won't need a fork to test him.
"I was given some matchbooks, the ones you found in my pocket and told I might get to Jill via one of those places by mentioning Carlos.
"Apparently Taylor and his buddies supply those places with hookers for select clients.
"I was in the Pleasure Dome earlier, spotted you two and now here I am.
"That's all I know so far. Oh, other than there's not a thing on the magazine mainframe. I spent hours checking it and came up empty.
"If it's on a computer it must be on his laptop. He almost never lets it out of his sight."

When he comes in as he finishes talking to Tanya, "Hello Hank. Mom and Pop get my message to you.
"Nice to see you too. Wish the circumstances were better though.
Rather be drinking a beer with you and watching a game.
"Now how do we find Jill and save her life.. without you getting, to quote her-nodding at Tanya, all macho bullshit with me and losing an ally."

 

[Evil Attorney]

Hank looked at Brandon.

Brandon always had an angle.

Heh...who was he kidding. Hank was the one calling in the Merc and keeping that under his hat, but that was to save Jill, so it really didn't matter...

"I got your message. I just don't know that your not involved. Anything for a story...isn't that right?"

The weapon hadn't waivered.

Hank asked Tanya if she frisked him, when she said she did, Hank frowned and his eyes narrowed.

He decocked the gun and lowered it, but kept it in Brandon's general direction.

He saw Brandon practice tai-chi before. Brandon had a teacher who was old school, very hard core. He wasn't nervous, but respectfuly warry of Brandon's skill up close and personal.

He wasn't worried though. Hank had used unarmed combat before in real situations and kept in practice through Judo.

Besides, he had no intention of things happening unarmed if it came to it.

Hank sat in a chair 10 feet from Brandon. He said "I'm in this to find Jill and get her back to safety. I don't know why you are in this...I'd like to trust you, but I'm a little short on trust these days.

Start talking and keep the insulting quips to yourself."

To Tanya, "I just had a very interesting conversation with our friend, the Bulk. He had lots to tell me, but before I share with the class, I'd like to hear Brandon's piece first."

If Brandon could convince him that he was not Jill's captor or killer, fine.

If Brandon couldn't convince him, he was getting a round in the balls, then a trip to the police station.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Brandon Smythe:

Brandon glances at Tanya and sighs, then repeats what he's told her already as he looks at Hank calmly and steadily.

When he's finished his tale, "So what's it to be Hank, ally and near brothers-in-law again or something very different and one less to help get Jill back as quickly as possible?"

 

[Evil Attorney]

It was 2 in the morning and Lizard was on the plane to meet Hank and Tanya.

In his hand he had the work product that was the result of five hours of his little computer ferrets time.

The missing girls in Hank's area. Some of them had families, some didn't.

He chose Candice Morehouse as he lead into the case. She was a clasic blonde, 21 yrs old going to college in the area. She was working as a model for a while before her disapearance and she had no remaining family left, as her mother died of a heart attack.

Their was noone to say she hadn't hired Falcon Eye to investigate, and he had paperwork and canseled checks to prove she did.

He also read an interesting report from the accused, Brandon Smythe. It was emailed to one of his investigators in France, and the man entered it into the mainframe and it ended up on L.'s desk.

L's people were busy writing reports and case notes so that he would have a paper trail in place by the next day, with enough to fax over by 8:00 AM to make it look like they were on this trail for a long time.

Lizard hoped Hank didn't kill Smythe.

For one thing, Smythe likely wasn't the killer.

For another thing, he wanted to hire Smythe after the shit cleared.

Time to rattle a few bushes...

His first call was to the local head of the families in the area. When the phone picked up, he simply asked for Jill Meyers.
The man on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, and then said "Um, I don't know who your talking about..."

Lizard, giving his best raido voice said "Oh yes you do. Blonde thing, really sexy. Kidnapped a few weeks ago and presumed dead, but we both know better.

I'd like her back, you see, as her well being important to me. "

The man at the other end of the line was still a little confused and said "Look, I don't know who or what you are talking about...who the fuck are you?"

Lizard laughed. It was a rich sound, like that of a man who knew exactly what was going on.

"Ask Franco Capielo who the last person he saw was...and what happened to his family..."

He hung up on the mafia asshole.

(Capielo was a crime boss in the 1980's in Denver. Drugs and gambling. He and his family were all killed one night. It was very profesionaly done, and very quietly handled. Never made the Media but the underworld knew who did the hit.

Lizard killed Frank, his wife and 4 kids, beheaded them all and sent the heads to other familes. Frank used Lizard's name in some circles to boost his reputation. )


It was now time to call Tanya and introduce himself. Well, himself in his legitimate persona that the rest of the world knew. So far, the only people who knew he was the Lizard were either dead, working for him, or very trustworthy.


He dialed her number and when she picked up, he said "Ms. King? My name is William Kincade of Falcon Eye Investigations. I believe an open case I am working on has some bearing on your current bounty, Brandon Smythe.

I'm in posession of information which may be probative in the matter of his guilt, or specificaly, his lack of it. I'd like to meet with you and discuss this new information as soon as I'm in your area.

Would a breakfast meeting at 9:00 AM be acceptable?"

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Tanya

The testosterone was flying and Tanya had had enough of it. "Hank," She said waving him to put the gun away,"Smythe would have no reason to put himself in danger if he had Jill. If he was guilty and wanted to drag a red herring, he would have gone to someone else. Not come to Jill's brother who is more likely to take his head off with a bullet than listen to what he has to say. He really needs our help."

Pulling out the message that Hank had written down after Jill had called him, she handed the paper to Brandon. "First things first. What do you think this message means? It came in fron Jill through Hank's cell phone. We think it's a clue but we don't know exactly what she is trying to say."

Just then her phone rang. Looking at the clock, she gave a short exclamation of disgust. A call at this hour was never a good thing. She never got good news from anyone who called early in the morning and she wasn't up for any bad news.

She listened to the man on the other side and she felt an unease growing in her belly. Who the fuck was William Kincade? And how the fuck did he know she was tracking Bradon Smythe and why the hell did it matter to him? She didn't like it. Smelled too much like a trap and she didn't like falling into traps. She had already put herself at risk by opening the door without a gun in her hand and she wasn't about to repeat a mistake that could get her killed. No, this was going to be done on her own terms.

"Mr Kincade," She said in a voice with an underlying icy tone,"I don't know how you found out about my involvment in this case since only the family and lawyer know what my job is. You see, I don't tend to advertise and my cell number is not free knowledge so I have to wonder how the hell you got it."

"I have information of my own about Mr Smythe's guilt or innocence and I don't need confirmation of that at all. If that's all you got, than you got nothing. And, if you are another bounty hunter and have a mind to interfer in my case, I should warn you I don't take to poaching very well."

Hanging up, she scowled at the phone as she punched some numbers. When it was picked up, she said to the sleepy voice on the other end.

"Yea, Slick, I need a favor. Hell yeah, I know what freakin time it is. It's time for you to get your ass out of bed, tell the bimbo you picked up last night to head out the door, make some coffee and get your ass on the computer to look up a man named William Kincade. And look deep. I have a feeling that there's something iffy about him. What do you mean how? Try the fact that he had my phone number and only my clients and my own contacts have my nunber. Not to mention he knew I was working this bounty and you know how I feel about people knowing my personal business. Yeah, yeah, I'm paranoid. So, soothe my paranoia and get to work. And don't do a half ass job. I want full details no matter what you have to pull in. A girl's life is on the line here. And I won't tolerate mistakes that will get her killed."

Closing the phone, she laid it on the table. Actually, she expected it to ring again any minute. She had refused information on Brandon's guilt or innocence. She didn't need it. If Mr Kincade had any other information and if he really wanted to get a meeting with her, he would call back. And, when she went to meet him, she would have all the information she needed to make sure she knew exactly who she was dealing with.

 

[Evil Attorney]

Lizard smiled.

Ohhh...touchy touchy...Women...can't live with them, can't kill em.

Ok, well, yes he could, but he tried to avoid that kind of thing these days. Just wasn't worth the hassle doing it on a whim. Now when he got profesionaly frustraited, yeah, fine...

She was probably having someone look him up now.

He so wanted to see her face when she made the connection.

He wasn't worried about her linking him to Hank. Their was no link.

Nothing personal, nothing in police records, Hank never served in the military and in a unit like B-11, well...

The B-11 opperated in the border reigons near Cambodia but officialy they never left Korea were they officialy spent the war teaching Korean troops.

No, unless Tanya king could get access to the REAL recoded of the Pheonix Program...nah. The CIA had those and wasn't about to make war crimes paid for and ordered by the US Government public information, Freedom of Information Act or not.

He wasn't expecting a Hug and Kiss from Hank either.

They had actualy never met. He knew what Hank looked like from a Licence photo, but Hank had never seen him.

The first time they ever had contact was less than a week ago, and never on Hank's cellphone, only using public phones.


Smythe might have heard of the Lizard, but he was a little young for it. He belonged to an earlier generation, one conserned with people like Carlos the Jackel, Abu Nidal and the Ruskies, not the current generation of people conserned with the environment, global reform, Osama and Saddam.

Oh well. Time for a nap.

Tanya was going to call back in a few hours. If she didn't, he would simply show up at her hotel room in person and introduce himself.

 

[Evil Attorney]

Hank looked at Brandon, Tanya, and back to Brandon.

He still had his doubts, but that could be some paranoia on his part. He was so focuesd on Smythe, he might be overlooking things.

Vinny didn't know one way or another about Smythe, but with all the other information coming in...

"Ok. Tanya trusts you, so I'll play along. I don't know who to believe right now, and I know your clever so its not so outside the realm of belief that your lying...but for now, for Jill, I'll play nice.

If I'm wrong, I'll appologise."

Left unsaid was that if he was right, ...

Hank put the gun back in his holster and launched into a discussion of what Vinny had volunteered, then what he said as his arms were broken into mush. (Not exactly the same thing)

It did dovetail, but was that because Brandon found it out on his own, or knew it all beforehand?

Who the fuck was Mr. Kincade? Could it be the Lizard? He didn't know.

Hank was going to keep to his station in all this. Jill's brother trying to find her.

If that was the Lizard, well, Rogger spoke very highly of the man and his competence. He would know what to do and how to play it. Hank could play it by ear.

What else was in play, he didn't know.

He did know that an Old School bad motherfucker would finish it if He, Tanya or Brandon couldn't, and with that he was content.

His expression didn't change, his eyes didn't flicker. That was one more aspect of who he used to be coming forth.

He hoped their was someone left at the end of this all, but once Jill was safe he would either deal with himself with a shrink or eat a bullet.

Once Jill was safe, it was all the same to him.

 

[poohlive]

It wasn't until Taylor let out a huge yawn that he realized how late it was. As much as he wanted to stay here and continue the search, he did have meetings and such to attend to tomorrow. There was a magazine to be run, after all.
Taylor left the hard work to Sergio, who seemed to be in his own in this environment. He was content with chaos, and stress only fueled him. It was a good thing he was working with Taylor.
"Call the limo, would you?"
Taylor got up, loosening the tie around his neck.
"I'm going to turn in, call me if anything happens."
Sergio nodded.
Part of their search was to let something out on the streets, a note to low lifes and scum that there was a reward for any information on Jill or this guy named Hank. So far, a few calls were placed, but nothing solid or trustworthy.
Taylor passed a woman working the phones, who gave an offsetting look as she hung up the phone.
"Everything ok?"
She just shook her head, "Nothing... just, we get some fo the weirdest calls, you know. Some guy wanted to know about Jill."
Taylor furrowed his brow, "Did he know where she was?"
"No, he still thought he was with us. He did say something about a Franco... Capielo."
"Oh," Taylor gave a confused look, "Does he have Jill?"
"I doubt it," she said, "He's dead."
Taylor nodded, easy enough. He walked out to the front of the warehouse, getting into his limo and driving home.
A nice mansion in the better part of the city, something he could look forward to coming home too. He barely had time to take off his clothing before he fell into his bed and went to sleep.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Bandon Smythe:

When Hank said, "If I'm wrong, I'll appologise.", Brandon replied, "I'll opt for a handshake, having a beer with you and beating you in a college ball game pick so I can spend some of you money, like I usually do Hank."

"I have a couple of calls to make. I can either do it here on one of your phones or use a pay phone and calling card. Either's fine with me, but I have to make 'em before 9AM in the morning or Taylor'll be splashed all over the new services.
"That won't do Jill any good at all," he says looking at them both then continues, "If you'd rather it be later on then I need some sleep too.
"It's been a rough week dodging the cops, you two and trying to find Jill all at the same time."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Tanya

Tanya tossed him her phone. "I have call waiting. If it beeps and it's Slick. Switch over and let him know I'll get back to him."

Taking out her personal catch of weapons, she began her daily cleaning. "If it's Mr Kincade tell him I'll get back to him when and if I am damn well ready to and he can take a cold shower and damn well wait."

Looking up from her task, she added,"And Smythe...don't think I trust you completely. There are still too many questions that haven't been answered. I'll go on the basis that you want to find Jill as badly as we do and for the right reasons. If I find out you are trying to pull the wool over my eyes I will either take you in like I promised. Or take you to the morgue. Either will be fine with me."

Turning to Hank, she added,"I'll take first watch. You get some sleep. You look like hell." She gave him a rare smile,"And I mean that in the best possible way."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Brandon Smythe:

He catches the phone and begins dialing as he listens to her and nods, expecting nothing less.

He smiles to himself picking up on the vibes between them when Tanya talks to Hank.

Turning his back he begins to speak quickly and softly in French.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Jill (Alone and scared)

Jill sat huddled in the concrete pipe she had found and crawled into. Her arms were around her legs and she was slowly rocking back and forth, the enormity of what had happened to her now sinking in.

I won't cry, I won't! She thought to herself as she felt the burning behind her eyes. I have to do something now. I have to get up and get some help. I have to find out where I am and find someone to help me...lo listen.

Instead, she buried her head in her arms and bit her lip hard to keep herself from going to pieces. All she wanted right now was a hot shower, her own bed and Brandon beside her. Why did she have to freak out like that and get into a fight with him? Why didn't she just tell him and let him help her then? God! She wanted so badly to just be in his arms right now. He could always make the world seem so small and unimportant. As if they were the only two people in it.

"Brandon," She wispered his name just for the comfort of it. If only he could hear her and come to her. But he couldn't. They had always had a strong connection, always seemed to be able to read each other's thoughts and looks. Body language said as much as words when they were together. If only she could bring him here to her by the mere thought she knew she would be okay again. He would know what to do. He would take care of everything. He always did.

Sitting back and letting her head rest on the pipe, she stared up at the cracking, leaking top of it. But she was on her own and she had to rely on herself right now. She had to think what to do now.

She might be able to get to a phone and call. It was so late at night, though, that she didn't think any business that she could possibly walk into and not get molested in this outfit would be open. And Taylor was sure to have put some men on alert. She didn't know who to trust. Damn! Why didn't she try and sneak her old boss' cell phone when she ran. She shook her head. He could probably put a trace on it, would even have had it shut off the moment he knew it was gone. She could have at least called 911 from it even if he had turned it off. Gotten the police...

Her body stiffined as she had a flash. If she could make it to a payphone she wouldn't have to have money to call 911. All the payphones accepted that number without having to put coins in. It was a risk but, if she could do it...

Uncurling her body, she crawled to the edge of the pipe and peeked out to make sure no one was around. Not hearing or seeing anything, she quietly crept out and made her way to the incline along a deserted road. Staying in the trees and long grass, she walked the road, ducking down whenever she spotted a car or saw the flash of headlights which was seldom, in the direction she thought the van that had the girls were taking her. They were headed to some kind of civilization, she was pretty sure, she could see if it would lead her back to town or a phone on the side of the road that was directly linked to the police.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Brandon Smythe:

He finishes one call and punches in the numbers for a second call and when it's answered begins to speak in soft and fast German.

The call lasts as long as the first, which is fairly short.

He makes a third call and speaking English this time says quietly, "It's okay so far. I think I have two allies now to help find Jill and bail her out of the trouble she's in, but again if I don't check in by midnight tomorrow you know what to do.
"I've talked to Pierre and Kurt so they're aware and primed and have already started digging in France and Germany and using their contacts to reach out to Mario in Italy too.
"If you learn anything call me at this number and ask for me by name. Don't worry if a woman answers we're together along with Jill's brother Hank.
"I'll call tomorrow. Talk to you then, unless you call me first that is.
" 'Bye for now buddy."

Again he hangs up the phone then closes it and, since Hank at least appears to be asleep whispers loud enough to be heard, but not enouth to wake him if he is, "Here's your phone. Thanks." and tosses it back to her.

"I'm going to the drink machine. Want a soda Tanya?"

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Tanya

Tanya shook her head and pocketed her phone as she began to put her weapons back together. "Not unless it has a good shot of burbon or whiskey in it," She replied. "Oh, and Smythe, I wouldn't try and take off if I were you. It would piss me off and so far you really haven't seen me pissed."

Taking out a cigarette, she lit it and began packing her firearms away in the hidden pockets of her jacket. Just as she finished, a call came in. Flipping open her phone, she said,"Yeah?" And then listened intently to what the other person on the line had to say.

It was Slick, and she didn't like the information he had been able to dig up of Kincade, sketchy as it was. The fact that it was so sketchy made her even more uneasy because it meant he was a man with something to hide...and the knowledge to hide it. What was known was not pleasant.

"Son of a bitch!" She exclaimed into the phone when Slick was done with his report. "Fuck! Goddamnit! How does a scumbag like that get involved in a fucking case like this? Hell! And why would he be so hot to tell me that he has info on Smythe's innocence? What the hell does he care if Jill's boyfriend is blow to dust?"

Unless there was something in it for Smythe. But then, why would he do it? What would he gain? Surely he would know that Tanya would have his buddy, if this Kincade, aka Lizard, really was his buddy. The guy stank to high heavens. And that was with only the basics of what Tanya knew. Oh, she had heard of the asshole. She had heard plenty. And she wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. He believed in everything she was against and he stank of the blood of the people he had killed. Gods only knows how much more he had killed and it had been covered up.

Not even bothering to thank Slick, Tanya clicked the phone closed and stood at the window, scowling out between the gap in the curtain, watching what she could see of Smythe through it and debating on what to do next. She couldn't believe he would be that stupid as to hire scum to try and clear his name. She didn't care how legitimate a business he was supposed to have now or how powerful he was supposed to be. It just didn't mesh. But there was only one way she was going to get her answers. Ask.

And that was exactly what she intended to do when Brandon Smythe came back. And he better have the right answers. For his own sake.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Brandon Smythe:

It was late. It was dark. The only light on was in their room and it was a dim one. Even the office only had a night light burning and the roadside sign was off. There were no headlights on the road and no sounds of cars in the area.

So after Brandon got two cans of Coke from the machine he carried them from the parking area onto the dry grassy area around the pool.

He set the cans down on a parking bumper first then began to stretch out. It's been to long since he'd had a work out and he was getting stiff.

He took off his shirt and shoes and socks when he was ready and then began to go through all of the slow and lovely, albeit potentially deadly, movements of Tai Chi Quan.

To the uninitiated it looks like the exercise program used by millions of Chinese and more recently Americans as a no impact exercise regimen.

However, to the few who could detect the difference what Brandon was doing was one of the ultimate soft forms of martial arts.

He went thought all of the 'routines' slowly at first letting each muscle group stretch properly and to warm up. Then gradually he speeded up until as he was getting ready to stop he was moving at full speed and his hands and feet were near blurs, or blurs and his body moved as fluidly and smoothly as a snake or a willow blowing in the wind.

He leaped, he dropped. He bent forward and parallel to the ground in a squat, forward and backward. He pivoted on one hand then both hands, on one foot then both feet sweeping his arms.

He did back flips, he did kip ups. He did forward standing flips and somersaults. He rolled backward and forward.

Then it did it all over again slowing with each repetition until he was finally standing immobile on one foot, his other leg stretched to the side and slowly brought forward. His knee bends and when the foots on the ground he does the same with the other leg.

Then he bows from the waist.

Standing again he picks up his shirt and the sodas and heads back toward the room, seeing a figure in the window, Tanya.

 

[Evil Attorney]

Hank was about to nod off when he thought of someone.

Vinny.

Oh shit...wait...he wasn't going anywere. Arms that were useless and duct-taped like a mummy, he was about as restrained as can be.

Tanya was pissed about something. Lizard probably made an appearance.

Oh, this would be fucking fireworks unless Big-L played it correctly.

He had been thinking recently it was a bad idea to mention his role in setting this up...but no.

Jill was not the primary goal. She was the only goal.

Tanya, as much as she was desireable, was secondary. Very secondary.

As he rolled over he took out his Sig, press checked it, dropped the mag and racked the slide.

Into his hand came a Golden Saber Hollowpoint. Its brass jacket gleamed like a golden pearl in the soft light.

He loaded his gun, racked the slide, changed mags and replaced the spare round.

Tomorow morning he had to pick up the Glock Ed left him. .357 sig....357 balistics in a 9mm package...spicy...

When he woke up, he would do some footwork drills and knife practice. A long time ago and far away he learned Fairbarin-Applegate-Sykes methods. It was time to get reacquainted with it.

He set his watch for 4 hours and went to sleep.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Tanya

Tanya watched what movements she could of Brandon's exercises. She tensed a moment as she heard Hank's movements on the bed. She could tell by the sounds what he was doing but she didn't turn around. Didn't say anything. What was there to say?

"I think I'm falling for you? Even though I swore never to do that, especially never with someone who could very well get killed by what I do, who I am? Especially someone who doesn't give any indication that he feels anything for me?"

She sighed and berrated herself for letting herself care. For letting her heart out from behind the wall she had built around it for even a moment. She knew that was dangerous. Too dangerous. She would just have to put it back where it belonged and keep a better eye on it from now on.

The door opened and Brandon stepped in. Without turning to look at him, she said in a low, clipped voice.

"Lizard. What do you know about a man with that nickname? And you had better make the answer good."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Brnadon:

He shut the door looking at Tanya. Then laid down his shirt on a chair back and set the can's on a table as he said, "The best answer of all, the only one.
"Never met the man, but heard he's either an old merc or hit man, if he's still alive. Haven't heard about him in years and then only in conversation over drinks with an old reporter friend.
"Anything else before I go and shower?"