David and Sandy thanked Shelby for all the information she had given them. They released her with their contact information, cautioning that she may be called back in for an investigation into her Mosconi sighting. She left, being picked up by Nicole and the Daily Report crew.
"We should inform the chief about that Mosconi sighting. Lord knows how long they'll be in Shore City." David said to Sandy as they traveled back inside.
"A bust like that could make a cop's career." Sandy cooed, nibbling on David's ear.
David smiled, thankful that Carol had already taken back the k1ds, "Not here, not now. We have to find Beth Bills and this Ethan Hunt character. They're testimony could be extremely valuable."
"Making sure their okay would be nice too." Sandy added that finer point.
"Fair enough, get the chief on the horn. After we'll go over a time line of where Ethan Hunt's been while he's visited our fair city. If what we've been told about Ethan thus far proves true he's probably calling all the shots." David said.
***
"We should hide out here for a couple days. Let the fire die down, make certain no other Triad gangsters are tracking us. Then we could either come crying to the cops or take a train out of here. Start fresh some where else. Heard Center City is nice this time of year," Beth said as she stood near the door frame.
They were at a seedy motel near the East side of town, across the street from the Kitty Kat Play House. Ethan doesn't know the full lay out of Shore City so Beth gave him directions to a place they could lay low at for a while. The room they were at was part of a run down motel that had seen better days. College k1ds usually rented the place out for trap parties or smoke outs. They were there to keep out of sight.
Ethan was taking a long drag on a cigarette, "Maybe they don't know your here. Maybe they don't know your part of this. Maybe you can still get out of this mess."
Beth sighed, "Face it, slugger, I got myself involved and now we're both got to see it through to the bitter end. So stop blaming yourself for getting me involved and start helping me dye my hair."
She hated losing her long, wavy shocking blue and purple hair but she needed to not stand out in a crowd. Ethan cut it down and shaped it into a loose bob that ended at her shoulders. He dyed her hair dark brunette to make her appear more normal. Ethan understood what they were doing. If they had to go out the Triad would be looking for the loner traveling with the crazy hipster girl. They wouldn't expect the ordinary looking couple. They already ditched their cloths, trading them for cheap wears from a local Good Will.
"Shouldn't we leave for the police now? Instead of all this hiding?" Ethan asked in earnest.
"Ha, we don't know whose in with the Triad and who isn't. Who will stand up for us and who will blame us for the fireworks. Who wants to apply real law and who is just looking for a cheap bribe. I'd sweat it out, pin whose Johnny Law and whose Slimy Pete before I start surrendering my flag. Besides, I might have a cousin who can help us determine who is really gonna stick their neck out for us." If she didn't have any sore feelings for how she recently treated her. Beth made it sound like she had a fantastic plan to keep them above water and ahead of the Triad. But really she just wanted an excuse to spend alone time with Ethan, everything else coming out of her mouth was bull shit. Let him be scared of the imaginary crooked cops. The only real threat was any Triad members left over.
Beyond that, hiding in some crappy motel was the perfect excuse to cuddle up to the man she loves. Even if he has yet to love her back...
***
Elsa Hart had received a message on her burner phone. She left the charred remains of Tray Lee in the tender care of David Bennett. Elsa didn't much care for Bennett, guy was too attached to his work, too attached to his own sense of morality. He needed to get that stick out of his ass. No wonder Carol left him.
But Elsa wasn't focused on her small grudge with David Bennett. She was more focused on the back street meeting she was having with Meredith Lee, daughter of Tray Lee. "Hello, Detective Hart. It has been too long."
Elsa chose to be polite, considering what has happened, "I'll say, how's school?"
Meredith frowned, "Unchallenging. I'd rather focus on current events. A mad man decided he was Rambo and went ape shit all over my father's operation, killing him in the process. But before my father's death he was given the Purple Puma by a mysterious third party. A wander by the name of Ethan Hunt. As the new head of this section of the Triad, I request you locate and bring to me Ethan Hunt. There is a bigger reward if he is brought to me alive..."
Elsa snickered and laughed, "Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but things have changed. Daddy's dead and so is most of his operation. Without his money I'm no longer your pawn. So whatever you want and what ever you'll pay for it you can shove it up your ass."
Elsa was content to flip her the bird and walk off but it was now Meredith's turn to laugh. "I was afraid that some of our agents would get cocky and try to back out of our arrangements. Fine then, if bribery no long suits your fancy, perhaps threats will..." Meredith threw some pictures on the ground.
Elsa noticed them, picked some up, and began to sort through them. They were pictures of Daisy Duncan. Her leaving and entering work at the Kitty Kat Play House. Her studying at the university's library. Her on dates with Elsa. "No..."
"Oh yes, we know all about your stripper girlfriend. Or have you forgotten that we have eyes everywhere? More specifically we have knives to go along with those eyes. Cloak and dagger policies, honey. Can I assume you know what would happen to little miss Daisy here if you don't comply with my demands?"
Elsa frowned, gritted her teeth, but nodded in acknowledgment. "And need I say what would happen to your career and personal relationships if I revealed your previous relationship you had with my father to either your chief or Ms. Duncan. Especially the more intimate parts..."
Elsa scowled more but nodded in acknowledgment. "Good, then we have an understanding. I've always been told by my father I was better at black mail than bribes. Consider this your first warning. Bring me Ethan Hunt and we will leave Daisy Duncan alone. More importantly no one has to know what you've done for my organization. We'll keep in touch, Ms. Hart."
Meredith Lee left Elsa Hart alone to contemplate her current situation...
Tue Aug 02 08:11:49 2016
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