Interlude - Tawna
This was the third time Pinstripe came to visit her, and every time he did he could sense a bit of Tawna's shyness melt away. He stood there in the dank cell, holding her in a comforting embrace. He was stroking her hair delicately, and Tawna seemed to appreciate the gentle contact. If she had known what was really whirling through Pinstripe's mind she would probably snap away from him in disgust. Or maybe she would enjoy it, Pinstripe had no way of knowing as of now. He still needed to get to know her. Yet after he disposed of that meddlesome bandicoot she would be all his. Pinstripe was contemplating pulling her a little closer, to better bask in her warmth, yet before he decided he heard a trilling beep. Tawna didn't react as he lifted his pager from his belt and glanced at it. He was not surprised when he read it.
AXE FAILED TO STOP THE BANDICOOT.
Pinstripe replaced his beeper and gave Tawna a tight squeeze.
"I have something I need to do Tawna, so I gotta go."
Tawna lifted her chin from his shoulder to look at him.
"What?"
"Just a little errand, that's all." Pinstripe grinned warmly. "I'll be back to see you again when I'm done."
Pinstripe leaned down to kiss her, and was surprised when she turned away. A small flare of irritation blossomed in his chest, but he calmed himself instantly.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
Tawna was staring out the window, and the expression on her face was mournful, again.
"Pinstripe, you are being very kind, and I really appreciate it. Um, I have one question." Her eyes met his, and Pinstripe realized how heavily her heart depended on his answer. "Are you sure that Crash is…well, do you know if he's still alive?"
Pinstripe lowered his gaze, pretending to be regretful at the question. Inside he was boiling with jealousy. So she still cared for that short little creep over him. Well, if he had to shatter her weak heart to suit his own need, then so be it.
"Tawna, I thought we discussed this already. I'm so sorry, but he didn't even survive the first island. We have evidence to prove it."
Tawna gasped pathetically and shrank back to the window. They stood there in silence for a moment, and Pinstripe could tell by the way her shoulders shook that she was weeping. Pinstripe took her carefully by her shoulders and turned her around to face him. Her cheeks were wet with tears. Pinstripe lifted her chin so she was looking at him
"Tawna, the best thing for you to do right now is forget about him. I am going to help you."
Tawna blinked, and when Pinstripe leaned in and kissed her this time, she didn't recoil. Pinstripe would have loved to sit there all day and see where this led, but time was dire. He needed to make his words credible, and that meant he needed to take care of that bandicoot.
"I'll be back, alright? Now just stay here and be good until I come back."
Pinstripe kissed her again, and then left her cell. She had sunk to her knees, but Pinstripe didn't turn around. He didn't care about how she felt, really, but she sure was beautiful. After this was all over he had some very specific plans for the two of them. Pinstripe's shiny shoes clapped at the ground as he passed a gun rack and lifted an automatic rifle, testing its weight. Satisfied, he slung it over his shoulder and continued down the hall. In his mind he was imagining how many bullet holes it took to kill a bandicoot.