Disclaimer- Gilmore Girls and the characters associated with the show are not mine.

Chapter Eleven: Busted

Tearing down the steps, I jumped the turnstile and ran. Leaping into the car right before the door closed, I sat down and grabbed the newspaper off the seat next to me, opening it in front of my face. In the window's reflection, I could see the police looking up and down the platform as the subway took off. Smirking to myself, I glanced to my left. Busted. The old woman shook her head. She knew. She couldn't know about the stolen billfold in my coat pocket, but she knew I'd done something. I could see it in her eyes, and I felt soiled.

When Tristan sat down next to her, Miss Patty gave him the same story she'd given Luke, but she could tell Tristan wasn't buying it. Although she was sure her acting was top notch, his gunfighter blue eyes saw right through her.

"Just to clarify, what were Jess's exact words when he pointed the man out to you?" Tristan asked. This was the third go around of questions with Patty, and although he knew she was lying, he hadn't been able to trip her up.

"Darling, if you want my company so badly, why don't we take this back to my place? Get a little more comfortable?" Miss Patty drawled, running her fingers down Tristan's arm. Tristan narrowed his eyes, and was never so glad to hear his cell ring.

"Saved by the bell, Miss Patty. Luke? Can I take this upstairs?" Tristan asked, and at Luke's nod, headed up the steps to take the call. Miss Patty took the opportunity to escape the diner. Standing in the alley, she debated what to do. She knew Jess was still in North Dakota, but she didn't know his schedule. Texting him something was going on, she hoped he'd call, and was surprised when her phone rang within seconds of pressing send.

"Tell me," Jess said, as he put his wrench down, terrified something bad had happened. Struck by how hollow he sounded, it took Miss Patty a second to respond.

"There's a man here, his name is Tristan, friends with Rory. He's asking questions."

"What does he look like?" Jess asked. Tristan had cut his call short, knowing Miss Patty would bolt, and was searching for her, when he heard her voice. He loved it when he was right. Stepping into the alley, he leaned against the wall and listened to his description being given. When she saw him, Miss Patty stopped talking.

"Tell him I know Mary, and met him last year. Tell him I know who's after him. Tell him I can help," Tristan said and Miss Patty repeated his words. She listened for a second and handed Tristan her phone.

"You have to trust someone," Tristan said. Jess didn't say a word, so Tristan continued.

"When I researched you before, I found out about Ray. He's looking for you, concentrating in New York, but I'm pretty sure I can get him off your back. This is how I make my living. I need a little time to pull some strings together. I also need to be able to tell Rory something. Anything. Today was the first time she's walked around town."

"He threatened her," Jess said.

"Luke told me Ray threatened him and Lorelai too. Held a gun on him. We have to find a solution. They can't live in fear all their lives. Can you give me time? Are you sure you're safe?" Tristan asked.

"I've got nothing but time," Jess said before hanging up. Tristan helped himself to the number on the screen before handing Patty her phone. He had a feeling Jess would move again, and he needed to act fast. Nodding to Patty, he walked away. Calling his office, Tristan gave them Jess's number to track, picked up Luke and headed to Rory's house. He was counting on Jess to wait for Patty to call back. He was counting on Patty's personality to make the call. He hoped he was right, if Jess turned the phone off too soon, they wouldn't be able to find it. Then he'd have to force Miss Patty to talk. Something told him he wouldn't like the price. By the time Tristan answered his phone again, and gave his assistant instructions to arrange local surveillance and the fastest flight out, Luke, Lorelai and Rory were sitting on the couch waiting. Crouching down in front of Rory, he took her hands in his and stared until she met his eyes.

"I'm going to tell you the truth, no holding back. He's in danger, and by being near you, he puts you in danger. You need to know, Jess made the right move and may never be able to come home. I'm going to do what I can, but you have to understand there may not be a solution where he can be with you," Tristan dropped her hands and she began to shake, she was holding it together better than he thought she would. Speaking to the three of them, he continued.

"Because of the threats, I'm bringing in protection for you till this is resolved. It shouldn't take long. There will be a team of six here, two on each of you. I pay these people well, and I'd trust them with my life. But they'll be watching each other too, because, well, I don't want to find out after the fact I was wrong, and the people Jess is running from have connections and money."

"No, we don't need outsiders, the town will protect us," Lorelai said.

"Lorelai, this is a bad man with a slew of backing, and crews under him. Your town can not protect you from him, or his friends. With one call, your houses, inn, Truncheon 2 and the diner could be blown sky high. These men wouldn't even wait till the buildings were empty. Don't make the sacrifice Jess made meaningless," Tristan replied. "I have to go," he added, waiting a second to see if Rory was going to say anything. She didn't, and he closed the door behind him.

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