Tacos In A Heavy Sauce of Vendetta
The tables were sparse populated and those who occupied them kept to themselves, tiny one man islands scattered over the floor in the dim lit restaurant. No one paid attention as another person joined the lonely mix and sat in an empty booth. The pattern was only changed, as ten minutes later a couple stepped in through the south entrance. They glanced around before stepping to sit in the booth with the stranger. Their quiet talk barely lilted over a mellow latin guitar.
Before any one could speak, he began.
I want to know what the hell is going on and I want to know now, Darien's voice whispered firmly.
It's complicated, just listen to what I have to say. Please don't ask any more than that, her voice was quiet and, and, allowing the shadows of her hat to peel away, Claire met Darien's eyes with her own.
Fine Claire, Hobbes leaned towards her from his place at Darien's right, But you can't rely on us not asking.
She nodded and picked a tortilla chip up from the bowl. Sucking the salt off the corner she closed her eyes to organize her thoughts.
Darien and Hobbes both leaned back as they anticipated her response.
Finally she broke off an edge of the chip and began, It was just after I'd graduated Cal Tech with my first doctorate. I worked on a project with that... that man you saw today.
The one who trashed your lab? Darien asked, placing a hand on the table.
That's not important. What I came here to tell you is that now he might be coming after you...
Already did, Hobbes interrupted her.
Claire looked up, her eyes moving from Hobbes to Darien, What do you mean?!
Darien tilted his chin to reveal the newly forming bruises ringing his neck. They ran in long streaks forming the large hands that had grabbed him.
She let out a breath and moved out to touch her only patient before remembering the need for inconspicuocity.
When did this happen? her voice held it's usual softness, but there was a strange edge.
After I got home, before I got your message. So Keep, I don't think that...
No they'll try again, she cut him off,
Reaching into her coat she pulled out a pen and scribbled something on a napkin.
As she pushed it across the table, Darien and Hobbes leaned over to read her quick writing.
Samuel Morgenstein
18 Blue Paris...
Hobbes didn't even finish reading, as he reached out to catch Claire's arm before she slid out of the booth.
You're not going anywhere. I want more than an address, because I know Fawkes, won't leave. What's this project? And who was that guy that he can just trash your place and walk out with a word from the
Claire said looking at him patiently and meeting his determined gaze equally. The project was with the NSA; you understand what that means, Darien might not, but you know you're way around. NSA means a lot more than just a nameless Agency half the bureaucrats won't acknowledge. San Francisco is nice this time of year and Sam has a pool.
She tugged out of his grip and started to weave between tables, but the men she'd been sitting with wouldn't let it be.
Ohh no you don't, Darien said side stepping into her path, and as Claire turned around to meet Bobby's stiff form, Stay put Keepie.
The young woman looked angrily back and forth between her captors before speaking with surprising venom, Dammit, just leave well enough alone! I can handle this and I don't need two big strong men to protect me. You're nothing but tools to them, leverage over me! If you really want what's best for me you'll both leave. The Official can tell you when to come back.
Pushing her shoulder into Darien's chest she pressed past him and to the door.
Darien remained where he was, as his partner ran past him to the street outside.
Tell us something, Claire! Anything! Hobbes called futilely at her retreating figure down the sidewalk. He'd turned to go back inside when he heard something. Returning to her direction, he saw her start to walk back towards him, and when within in ear shot enough to whisper she said, Marana... That's all I can tell you.
She turned away form him once more, and as she walked nodded her head for him to follow. He walked a few feet behind and listened to what she had to say, If you find out what it means you endanger both Darien and yourself. Please, don't tell him until you know. This is bigger then just Darien or yourself, too many lives are at risk for carelessness, Bobby.
She quieted and ran across the street to her black SUV, appearing for a moment beneath the street light.
Hobbes watched as she climbed in, for a moment, only an unnoticeable second, her head turned and blue eyes met brown. In that moment Bobby was taken aback by what he saw... fear. He knew she didn't want to go, as her car drove away to blend with the night, but he couldn't do anything to help it.
Claire was gone and Darien ran up to meet him on the side walk.
Well, since you two left I had to pay for the drinks, he said swaying slightly to get in step with his partner, I'm not leaving, that's for sure. I don't know what the hell it is Keeps gotten mixed up in but we can handle right Hobbes?
Hobbes didn't answer, as he distractedly realized Fawkes had asked him a question.
Right Hobbes?
Uh, yeah sure, his voice rose, Bobby Hobbes ain't leaving for no one.
He looked up and smiled slightly at his partner.
Darien laughed and looked up at the night sky before breathing in deeply, Ahh, that's fresh. Would you just look at those stars?
He slung an arm around Bobby's shoulder, but Hobbes didn't look up, rather his eyes kept tracing the cracks, and he could help but see one word... Marana.
***
All evening the memories had threatened to break her down. Everything felt like a nagging reminder of how she'd failed, of what she'd allowed to happen, but most of all, what she couldn't let happen. A street light flickered above the road, and once again her mind slipped beneath her.
Everyone was wearing the same white, drab, lab coats, but somehow he managed to make even that look exciting. Claire felt a blush rising in as she watched him from across the lab. She shouldn't do this, there was Kevin to think of, then again, he hadn't called her since graduation.
She glanced down at her notes, and realized it was time to record data again. Glancing the chemicals in the small beaker, she squinted to see the measurement. Then, scratching down a ratio, her eyes found themselves to the table of the man across the room again. He wasn't there.
Puzzled, her eyes surveyed the sterilized room. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Head whipping around, she smiled when she saw who is was.
Sorry, did I scare you? he asked, and removed his hand from her shoulder.
She laughed and smiled No, I just wasn't expecting you, Frank.
He looked at her notes, then up at her, his natural curiosity kicking in, So what're you working on over here?
She sighed, Probably same thing you are. When I applied for the job I thought I'd get some excitement with the prestige. Guess not.
She shook her head, rubbing the thoughts away as her fingers massaged her temples. She had to do something, but it was going to be a long night.
***
From his seat in the deep blue sedan he watched the SUV pull away. He didn't bother moving as it drove up the road, instead keeping a sedentary role at the sidewalk. Somebody was already on it.
He looked back at the walk across the street to realize the man he'd been looking had finally arrived on the scene. Keeping his head bent towards the magazine, he only watched out of the corner of his eyes as the man and his companion climbed beaten van.
Together, eh?
This was going to make his job so much easier.
Picking the phone up from the seat beside him, he dialed work. For God and country as they always say.
