" Why has no one called the police ? " Dante wondered, rearranging the billiard set. " That's... clearly not normal. Unless all the witnesses are dead, no way they're gonna just shut the hell up ! "
" Unless there's been a mass blackmail... but that would be too absurd ! " A man suddenly appeared, with another stick, stepping next to Dante.
" Yeah... Absurd. Wanna play a match ? "
" You're on. You start. "
Both men played billiard for twenty minutes; and Dante Ignacio was the one who was winning the matches, with at least five victories out of fourteen matches.
After this performance, both men stopped playing, with the stranger putting the stick onto the table.
" Nice game, bro ! You totally humiliated me. " The man commented.
" No... It was just practice... Nothing superhuman. "
" You beat me five times and you gained seven draws... And you're saying it's nothing superhuman ?! "
" I hate complimenting myself. "
" I see... Glad to have played with you, Mr... "
" Ignacio. Dante Ignacio. "
" I'm Stanley Parks. "
" What ?! " Dante's face suddenly blocked into a shocked expression, because of a name he never thought he would hear again. At this moment, he felt a great amount of anger invading his soul.
" I said : my name is Stanley Parks... " The man barely finished his presentation... that Dante smashed his face with the billiard stick. After he fell to the floor, he stepped at the top of him and hit him multiple times with the stick. Finally, he got him up and took out a pocket knife to go to plant it into his neck... Until the gentleman from the start of the night, usually drinking wine, interfered.
Dante went behind his victim and held him as a hostage, holding the knife to his neck. The gentleman took out a revolver from his jacket and held him at Dante; while the bartender left to the kitchen, in a hurry.
" Put that knife down. You don't wanna do this... "
" Of course I do ! I wanna bleed that fucker ! "
" Trust me... Listen to me... That man... Isn't your target. The person you're looking for... is a woman ! "
" Wait... That's true... "
" You've been mistaken. Put him down. " Tobias let Parks go, who ran away. Meanwhile, the savior sat to a random table and drank his wine bottle. Dante sat in front of him. " I actually thought you were gonna end him. "
" I was. Until you came. "
" I did this because I wanted you to avoid being arrested for killing the wrong target. Think about your reputation... "
" Don't care about reputation ! I had him in my hands. That fucking killer was gonna earn my judgement... "
" But that was the wrong man ! "
" How can you tell that ? "
" I am detective José Mendez. " The man presented himself, showing his badge.
" What is a detective doing here ? "
" I ain't working. I just took my day off. "
" How do you know about my case ? "
" Your case ?... Anyway, sir, everyone is informed about the murder. "
" Then why no one has caught her yet ? "
" Because she is smart... We've had a lot of difficulting tracking her down... until now. "
" Now ?! "
" You know... I gotta tell you a... little trick. Your assassin ? She's here. "
" Really ?! Tell me where ! "
" If I tell you, I would be named an accomplice. Plus isn't it funnier to find her by yourself ?! "
" That ain't a game. "
" Soon enough, if you can survive the night, you'll understand... that I do rule the game. About time I leave. Nice chat ! " The detective left the playroom. After a while, Dante left too.
" I need to eat. "
He headed to the restaurant and found... John Doe eating at the corner of the room. Curious; he sat in front of him and gave him his hand.
" My name is Dante Ignacio... " He continued eating, waiting that Dante left.
" Okay... Anyway, do you usually eat here ? Have you already come here ? "
Silence.
" You wanna talk ?... As you wish... "
He was gonna leave... when Carl Minkles joined them.
" Guys... Do you mind I stay here ? "
" No. Not at all. "
" Good. I'll have some champagne. "
" Where's my tequila ? "
A dozen of minutes later...
While John Doe kept eating silently, Dante and Carl ate a lot of food, like steak.
" That really happened like that ?! " Carl asked.
" Yeah ! The senator was eating in the restaurant; someone came, with a baseball bat, and BAM ! Skull blown. "
" Nobody caught him ?! "
" No one dared to stop him. They were scared. And the police never found him. "
" Who could have done that ? "
" Maybe... A gangster... A rivale... Anyone ! "
" And you, Doe ? What do you think ? " This time, John Doe stood up and left, leaving his empty plate. At the same time, Jessica Moriarty came in... and chose to sit besides Carl and Dante.
" Good evening, guys ! "
" Still not sleeping ? " Dante asked.
" The night's too beautiful to miss it. "
" Wanna a drink, lady ? " Carl proposed.
A few minutes later...
" I... I... I... Nevermi- " Carl stammered, too drunk. " I think I... Gonna... fuck... " He tried to stand up but he fell to the floor. He got up quickly and got out, walking like a junkie.
" He seems into control when he's drunk. " Jessica said.
" Seems like he had already drunk so much... "
" Anyway, it was actually good talking to you. Me who thought you were just pervert. "
" My apologies. Besides, if you hadn't told me about the scam, I wouldn't be interested into fashion ! "
" Same ! Hahahhahah "
" I wonder... Have you already stolen ? "
" Yes... John's drink ! Hahah... And you ? "
" I nearly stole a few money but then... We all fucked up. And you ? " Dante was distabilized by the alcohol.
" I stole money... Usually... Then today I got sick and left to this place... I... I think I'm gonna... " Jessica suddenly knocked her head onto the table and slept deeply. Dante, still stable, got up, paid the service and left too.
" I wonder where's this Carl... " Suddenly he puked without warning before collapsing onto the floor.