A/N: This chapter is just snooping around and trying to show some more of the Tess character. It's not very interesting to me... Please review!
Chapter 3
Tess wandered around the lair, looking for something decent to read. All of her books had been read twice and she'd read Griffin's novels once. She wasn't fond of comics, but she picked one up to read just to pass the time. Tess walked back to the couch, carrying a copy of Watchmen. As she sat, Griffin appeared in the room. He was holding what looked to be photographs in his hand. "How'd it go?" Tess asked, putting the comic down at her side.
Griffin held up three photographs. "I just followed this guy to that blonde's house. They seemed to have been…busy. He left an hour later though. Went surfin'." He handed the photos to Tess and she looked them over.
"Good photos stalker," she joked.
Griffin snatched the pictures from her and huffed over to his desk. "Look," he began as the pictures went on a pile of random things, "he's jumping. A lot. Paladins'll swarm him if he keeps it up. It's easy fun."
Tess rolled her eyes. This was just like Griffin. Looking into the face of danger and calling it "fun". It was his way of staying somewhat calm. She, on the other hand, went with the flow. If Paladins were coming at her and she had to fight, she would. Never had she thought of it as a game or fun like her brother.
Over the top of the book, Tess saw Griffin flipping through a book. Abruptly, he put the book down on his desk, not bothering to close it. "Wanna come with?"
"Where?" Tess asked.
"We're gunna pay blondie from last night a visit. See if Mr. Show-off told her anything personal to help find him."
While talking, Griffin walked into his room. He came out a few minutes later wearing his more rugged and beat up leather jacket. Tess knew he only wore it if he was being cautious about Paladins. She couldn't even count the times when that jacket was thick enough to protect him from harm. Wearily, Tess got up and tossed the book to him. "I'm in." She ran into her room and shrugged off her bomber. She decided to go for a safer jacket so she threw on her durable leather jacket that was similar to Griffin's. Only difference was hers was slim fitted and a little more womanly looking.
Tess let her eyes gaze over her room, just as she always did before leaving to go somewhere. She never knew what could happen so she at least figured one happy memory before death was something. She finally sighed and turned around. Tess scurried back out to Griffin. "Ready!" she shouted from behind him.
Griffin turned around, not a bit surprised by his sister's actions, and said, "Right then." He jumped, leaving enough rot for her to follow through.
Tess walked through the scar. She found herself standing on a sidewalk. With another glance around, she noticed they weren't far from the bar they visited the night before. Griffin motioned her over to a door. Tess hurried over and asked, "What's the plan?"
Griffin held up one of the photos that was decent and of just the mystery guy. "I'll do the talkin'." Tess just nodded as he knocked on the door.
It didn't take long for a woman with blonde hair to open the door. 'Same one. Wow. Griffin's a stalker.'
"Hello?" The woman looked at them curiously. "Can I help you?"
Griffin held up the photograph. "Have you seen him?"
'Way to go. No explanation or anything.' A look of confusion and alarm came onto the blonde's face. Tess cleared her throat and said, "What 'e means is have you seen him? He's a friend of ours."
The blonde seemed to search for an answer. "How did you know he was here?"
'We didn't say we knew, but since you asked…' "Neighbor," Tess answered before Griffin could. "We're going door to door. We live a few blocks up."
Griffin glanced over his shoulder at Tess with a smirk. The blonde said, "Oh. Well David didn't mention much last night. Just that he was on a business trip. Maybe he left?"
"What'd he say his last name was again?" Griffin questioned.
"Uh, Jones. Why?"
"Some times 'e lies about his name," Tess whispered. She knew it was probably the truth. Her and Griffin lied about their names hundred of times.
The blonde frowned and said, "Oh."
Griffin turned to leave. Tess looked at the woman quickly and said, "And where did he say he lived? Sometimes he lies about that too…"
"New York City. In upper Manhattan." The woman frowned as she spoke.
Feeling a little bit guilty, Tess said thank you before walking over to Griffin. "That went well," she said.
"Now to find David Jones."
"New York, here we come!" Tess shouted before turning into an alley and jumping.