|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It was a dark alley in a worst part of town over on the West side of Sacramento. A hobo stood in the shadows as he leant on his guitar case, pondering the information he has learnt from his acquaintances in the homeless fraternity. All he needed now was some people to pass this onto, people with more intelligence than him.
Well, anyone more intelligent than him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stripes comes down the way, eyes scanning about for potential threats. A smile comes to his fanged face as he spots Smudge. The ogre usually isn't that easy to miss thankfully.
"Got here fast as I could," he says with a wave. "What's up? You found something?"
After Smudge's message, Danny had dropped everything. The sound of the cellphone vibrating had almost given him a heart attack.
Fortunately, he'd only been building a house of cards while waiting for the cellphone to vibrate, but even so, he'd almost shrieked.
He'd been ashamed by it. Ashamed that he'd reverted to a jittery idiot the moment he'd let the contract lapse. His tongue ran across his lipless mouth, his hooked fangs extended. He summoned the strength of Autumn, feeling relief flooding him as the fear trickled away into nothingness.
Then he swung his long coat around his shoulders and grabbed his cane in his long fingers, heading out.
The Smith walked fearlessly through the worst part of town, straight to the dark alleyway.
"Smudge. Stripes. Marcus. It's good to see you again."
1 success
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As the trio appeared, Smudge gave them each a nod as they arrived, glad that he'd managed to find out something.
"Found out some good shit. These 38s are primarily a Latino gang, made up of mostly immigrants or the children of immigrants from Central America, and 'ave had beef with the Dunnies for quite some time. Shit seems to have gotten worse over the past few months though, with both sides 'aving been coming int' direct or indirect confrontations against each other. As for the Yakuza," he begins before pausing and spitting onto the floor, "They've never really had much of a presence in Sacramento it would seem but seeing as they're hitting it hard in San Francisco and that, it ain't so hard t' imagine they'll be heading this way. Wha' else was there?" the Ogre thought before hitting his head with his palm. "Oh, yeah. Rumour 'as it that one of the top guns in the 38s 'as been seen with an Asian girl of late. Not sure if she was Japanese though. Could be connected. Also, wanna know the best bit? The 38s 'ave a hangout in a series of warehouses off Rice Avenue, not far from 'ere."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wow, that was a lot of info. Stripes picks up on the important bits, though most of the gang's background just gets filed under 'unimportant'.
What matters is that they know where they are.
"So, think the girl is the same one we saw?" Stripes asks, slightly worried.
She seemed so young. The tiger doesn't like the idea that she might be Fae, but the thought that she's mortal is somehow worse. What could have happened to a kid to get them working with a gang like that?
"I would think it very likely, yes. After all, the odds of there being two small girls who just happen to spend time with organised criminals is quite low," Danny said, his voice as tranquil as if he had just discussed the weather with the lot of them. "We should certainly investigate it. Perhaps we can finally get close enough to them to find our shooter when he doesn't have so much back-up."
After all, the Smith owed Smudge his life. Pragmatically, he had to be willing to repay that debt, even if it meant interfering in a gang war.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Actually, I don't think it is," Smudge said in relation to the girls. "From wha' I un'erstand, this Asian girl was older, not a youngster like the one we saw."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stripes tugs at one of his whiskers, only slightly relieved that they might not be dealing with the little girl.
"So which way is the hideout?" he asks, ready to get down to business.
Danny cocked his head, remembering too late that Smudge had a habit of speaking with heavy colloquialisms. Of course. Girl could mean any female between the ages of about zero to forty-five or so. With Heart of the Antlion coursing through him, he didn't even feel slightly awkward about the situation.
"Indeed? That's rather more concerning. Still... it seems likely that they're all tied up in this. Do we have any intelligence on this place's layout?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Not far from 'ere," Smudge said to Stripes, liking the boy's enthusiasim. At least, he thought he was a boy. It was a bit hard to tell.
When Danny spoke, Smudge spat on the floor where the phlegm sizzled slightly. "Nah, nothin', which is a bit of a pisser, really. Looks like we'll be flyin' blind, fellas."
Draft this Post