Twelve:
Doctor Grant moved with confidence into the Foot Headquarters, the sharp click of his shoes no doubt announcing his arrival. He felt good today because finally after all the months of working alongside them he was now going to get his reward. With the amount of money that they had promised his retirement would be very comfortable. Arriving at the top of the stairs he paused and adjusted his tie, suddenly it felt a little tight around his neck. Out of respect he knocked at the large metal door and waited.
"Yes.." The accent to come through the speaker was strong; he couldn't tell whether this was Tatsu or not, to him, all Japanese sounded the same.
"Er, it's Grant, from the museum to see Hattori Tatsu" He felt like someone was watching, scrutinizing him through some hidden camera as he tried to quash the rising nerves that threatened to take over.
"We know where you are from. Wait there"
He did as he was told. There was no-where he could go anyway, the door looked like it locked from the inside and there was no handle.
A man dressed head to toe in black dragged the gateway open as another man stood to the side. Grant took notice of the small dagger in the belt of the one to the right of him as he entered.
Tatsu was sitting directly in front of him behind a desk - upon that desk sat a wooden box and a small gold tube.
"Grant.." The man behind the desk did not stand, he merely smirked and offered a hand towards the chair which sat opposite "Thank you for coming to see us"
Ian Grant sat down and the two men moved out of view behind him.
"I know you are here for your money but we need you for one final thing before you have your reward" Tatsu reached forward to grasp the box "We have appreciated your assistance up to this point. So, tell me. How much do you know about these artifacts?"
Crossing one leg over the other Grant sat himself back: "Probably as much as any of us can at this stage - much of it is legend as you know - even James Taylor didn't expect to find it"
Tatsu's mouth twitched upwards, he brought his fingers together at the tips and glanced at the box: "These two items were found at different points in Oyu and at different depths which indicates that they were buried at different times. Do you know why this is?"
"I'm afraid I could only speculate"
"Humor me, let us hear your speculation" Tatsu leaned forwards and snapped open the lid, his eyes flitting over the contents - did it contain the money? Grant felt a twinge in his gut. He coughed, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with anxiety.
"Someone may have wanted to keep them apart, I mean, given all that we do know that would make sense.. Or it could be that one was taken and buried before the other... The scroll has very little value to those who do not know how to unlock it's secret. It looks like gold but we know it isn't of course.."
"Of course!" Tatsu beckoned one of his guardsmen with a finger, muttered something in Japanese and then turned his attention back to Doctor Grant "We are very grateful for all your assistance with this matter" The two men moved to stand either side of Ian Grant "For allowing the Spear to be sent here under the guise of the Museum, for allowing us to acquire the Scroll and for not involving any one else in your 'plan'" Tatsu stood up, his face suddenly becoming serious "We just require you for one more thing" He gave a brisk nod and the men grabbed hold of his arms pulling him up to standing.
"What is this?" Now Ian Grant felt more than anxious: he felt afraid "What about my reward? Our deal?!"
"The Foot does not do 'deals'!" He placed the objects alongside each other on the table "Though we would be honored if you would be a part of our other deal. We think that you will just perfect for that"
There was a moment when Olivia had convinced herself that none of it was real. Though the night had been fraught she could remember lying on the bed and closing her eyes at some point. The pictures inside her head were of monsters and death, they were torturing James and he was yelling her name. Putting every light on in the apartment she cleaned, she organised, she did anything which would avoid that time of sitting. During this time she had come to the conclusion that she would be going into work - staying here and moping would not solve anything. Work would be a good distraction. It had to be - it was her only sense of normal. She'd lost her best friend and things would never be the same.
"She's ignored every call, every text, every-thing I've tried. Even Casey tried because of the dog incident but still no go. She did say though that she was going back to work, she needed to feel normal" April and Casey were lounging in the turtles lair whilst Michelangelo played video games two feet away. He'd beaten Casey and was now attempting to do the same with Raph.
"You're going down Raphie, deep down! Prepare to lose tragically" He bundled the remote in closer to his chest.
Raphael scowled "Don't call me Raphie - I ain't some pet and I don't lose!"
"Guys..seriously?" Donatello was the one who now offered the 'look' "We're trying to talk about important things here"
"And so are we!" replied Michelangelo "War, and cutesy names for Raph!" Raphael grunted and hauled himself up, dropping his remote onto the beanbag: "It's over"
"Oh Raphie, don't be mad.." whined the youngest "I'm only playing!"
"You'll be playing with my fist in a moment if you don't drop it!"
Leonardo shook his head and crouched down alongside April: "So what are you thinking?"
"We have to do something. You want to talk to her anyway right? So let's intervene. Let's go talk"
"I don't mean to put a stop on this whole 'intervention' thing, in theory it is a good idea but... Exactly how would you be able to do that? She isn't answering her phone so she's unlikely to open the door"
They all descended into silence and looked at each other.
"Excellent point Donatello" Splinter emerged from his room "Miss O'Neil is unable to gain entry but there is no reason why one of you cannot"
"But sensei..."
Splinter cut Donatello off mid-protest "Leonardo, this is your opportunity to make good with this girl and find out more information that could be of benefit to all of us"
"You want me to go?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?" Splinter eyeballed him "Consider this the end of your punishment. You can make sure that she is alright, I think that you owe her that much"
Leonardo didn't know what to say. His father did have a point and he could think of no reason why it shouldn't be his duty to make amend and see what had happened, he was the Leader after all: "It'll be my pleasure"
Splinter seemed satisfied and took himself into the kitchen: "I shall make tea. Donatello, some help if you wouldn't mind"
Raphael re-joined the group as Donatello trailed after his father.
"Don't scare the girl too much this time or you'll be on punishment number three and that ain't ideal for Mr Perfect Son now is it"
Leonardo raised a brow ridge "If you've got nothing nice to say then don't say anything. And you were the one who broke the door so let's not forget that"
The eldest moved away. He was tired of butting heads. Perhaps some time apart from the group would be a good thing; some time apart from Raphael would definitely be a good thing.
