Black Day, Blue Night: A Tale of Detroit
Part Two: A Guest of Honor
This night didn't look like it was going to be good at all.
At the moment Harris was standing in the kitchen of his friend Will's apartment. Will's decapitated body lay in the center of the room in a pool of blood, next to it was the dead and drained corpse of a hooker. Will's head was in Harris' hands, straws stuck out of its grotesquely grinning features.
The front door was wide open, two women stood in the entryway. One was a frightened looking brunette in cowboy attire, two revolvers in her hands as she looked in horror at the two dead bodies. The second was a diminutive Asian swordswoman in a white gi top and tights, she was looking at Harris as he stood in the kitchen with the head.
He somehow suspected it didn't look like he was an innocent bystander.
Hello ma'am, would you believe I'm a friend of the family? He had to admit it wasn't the best thing he could have said, but he had been caught off guard.
The cowgirl turned in shock at the sound of his voice. Her hands snapped up, pointing the guns towards his face. Harris cursed yet again. He was right, tonight was not going to be a good night.
Guess not
He hurled Will's head straight at the cowgirl; she shrieked in surprised fear and ducked the hideous missile. Harris didn't even wait to see her reaction. He turned and leapt up onto the island counter that ringed part of the kitchen, and sprang off it back into the living room.
The swordswoman shoved the screaming cowgirl out of her way as she pulled out her blade and leapt after him. It was a dead race for the windows. Harris leapt and covered his face with his arms as he smashed into the still intact window. Glass shattered around him and cut at his arms as his jump sent him sailing over the fire escape and plummeting towards the pavement five stories below.
He smashed headfirst into the ground, his right arm took the brunt of the impact, he heard the sickening crunch as it snapped. He rolled up to his feet, and then collapsed to his knees. He glanced down at his left leg; the back of it had been cleanly sliced open by the swordswoman as he had made his leap for the window. He grunted as he forced his blood down to begin patching up the gash.
He glanced up and watched as the tiny Oriental woman sprang through the shattered window and onto the fire escape. With hardly a pause she hopped off the edge and grabbed onto one of the support beams. Bracing her feet against it and holding on with one hand, while her other gripped her sword, she started to slide quickly down the pole.
Damn, she's fast, hissed Harris as he started to stagger away. At the same time he whipped out one of his pistols and fired at the quickly descending blur of white. She pushed off of the pole even as he fired, his bullets hitting nothing but air. She somersaulted backwards and landed softly on the ground, the large loose sleeves of her gi billowing around her arms as she raised her blade.
Harris turned and ran for it, dashing at full speed down the alley and back out towards the street. A bullet snapped by his ear as the cowgirl leaned out the window and fired at him. She shouted something. He ignored her and charged around the corner and back towards his car. Standing in front of the building were two more girls. Both were identical in appearance, young and blonde, and very voluptuous. They each wore a tight red outfit that hugged their curves nicely. Of course Harris was paying far more attention to the fact that each of them were also pulling out Glocks and turning to look at him.
Freeze asshole, said one of them in a bubbly little girl's voice. He skidded to a stop as they raised their weapons. He turned about and started back the way he came, only to come up short as the Asian girl with a sword came sprinting out of the alley to cut him off. He glanced back at the twin gun dolls; their gazes were steady as they targeted their pistols at his face.
These must be The Ladies, Harris surmised, and it looks like they think I just killed my friend. It wouldn't have been the first time, came a dark thought within his mind, Harris ignored it as he held his arms out to his sides. No problem, he thought, all I need to do is talk my way out of this. I'll just explain to them how this is all a mistake.
Look, I think, he began. Then the sword came hissing up to rest next to his neck. The twins stalked in, their guns still pointing at him.
Don't bother, snapped one of them as she advanced. You'll be answering all of our questions soon enough. Aw no, aw hell, thought Harris as the three women closed in about him This night just didn't seem to be getting any better
Blue walked down the street and paused at the corner. What the hell had Harris been doing there? This complicated things unnecessarily. She crossed her arms over her chest, the blue jacket she wore tugged strangely at her. She muttered in annoyance, the lack of having both her swords concealed inside of it was throwing off the line of the designer garment. Harris stole my sword, she thought in a minor flash of annoyance. She brushed a hand through her blonde hair as she considered her options. The job was over, that was certainbut, she so hated loose ends. And knowing Harris he wouldn't give up so easily. That pathetic bum of a Caitiff just had to have been a friend of his. Blue sighed.
Harris could get so uptight about his friends being killed.
She looked up as a car pulled to a stop at the curb. She cocked her head in surprise when she realized it wasn't her ride. Instead it was a sporty blue mustang. The darkly tinted window rolled down as a young man leaned out. He smiled rakishly at her as he eyed her up and down.
And here I thought I knew all of the finest women hereabouts. Hey baby, wanna go for a ride? He grinned widely, his shining white teeth flashing next to his tanned healthy skin.
Excuse me? Blue blinked at his arrogance. She was accustomed to men being drawn to her. But rarely were they so brazen in their interests. Usually some primitive danger sense tried to warn them off. Oh, they still came, but it was with a more careful and subtle approach.
I asked if you wanted to go. Don't worry, I got money. Cash. Blue suddenly smirked in understanding. Of course, Old Town and its legendary girls. She glanced down at her attire, a skintight short blue dress that included full length blue gloves, her little tight blue jacket. She did look the part she supposed, she glanced back up at the man. Well? I don't got all night honey, you in or out?
I don't think you could handle me, junior, why don't you run back to mommy.
The man's face flushed red in surprised anger at her dismissal. Who the fuck do you think you are? Blue glanced away from him as a large black Cadillac pulled up behind him.
Sorry, but my ride's here, she said with a grin. She walked towards the car as the driver's door opened and Roulda stepped out. The towering monster of a man was dressed in his usual black suit and chauffeur's hat. He bowed to her slightly as one massive white gloved hand reached out to open the back door for her.
What the hell? Fuck you bitch! The young man muttered as he started his car back up. Blue froze in her tracks and glanced over her shoulder at him. Her blue eyes flashed. The young man turned to look at her with a grin as he revved his engine. Ha, you'll never know what you missed! Blue grinned at him as she reached up and brushed at some of her hair, pushing the long strands back behind her ear.
Oh baby, you shouldn't Her arm snapped forward in a blur, the knife flashing through the air to embed into his eye. He was tossed back to collapse onto the passenger seat, dead before he ever knew what happened. Blue glanced over at Roulda and nodded at him. Thanks, but I think I just got myself a ride. Follow me, I've still got a bit of business to take care of here.
Of course, mistress, rumbled the powerful Tzimisce as he bowed again. Blue sauntered over to the car and opened the door. She shoved the dead owner fully over into the passenger seat and climbed in. With a chuckle she popped the knife out of his eye and cleaned it on his coat. As she slipped it back into the hidden sheath behind her neck she revved the engine of the sporty car. She grinned as she felt the rumble of power beneath her. With a sigh of satisfaction she accelerated with a roar out onto the street. This promised to be a great night.
The night just kept getting better. If by better he meant worse. Harris struggled against the chains that held him to the heavy metal chair. He sighed and shook his head, no way was he going to just rip his way out of his shackles. He glanced around the room and watched the grim faces of his captors.
The diminutive Oriental woman straightened her fingerless white gloves as she looked at the array of sharpened implements spread out on the floor in front of her. The cowgirl leaned against a wall and smirked at him. Sitting at a table in the corner and looking at Will's head was a small mousy woman, her short dark hair circled her small rounded face. She was leaning down close to the head and looking at it seriously, she also seemed to be talking to it in soft whispers.
Standing in front of Harris was an amazon of a woman, at least six feet tall and with a lean and muscular frame. She wore a pair of dark round sunglasses, combined with her short and wild blonde hair it gave her a surprisingly intimidating presence. She shook her head from side to side as he finished telling his story yet again. She held up Blue's curved short sword and ran one of her fingers across the blade.
You'll like Miho, you and she are both good with knives. The tall woman pointed with the sword at the crouching figure of the swordswoman. The small figure selected a curved knife with a sharp hook on the end. She twirled it lightly around her fingers as she looked up at him.
I didn't kill Will, Harris said once more. He was starting to feel like an old record that just kept jumping and playing the same tune over and over, and doing nothing but annoying the listeners. He didn't care much for the analogy. He remembered what he used to do to records that did thata section of his apartment's wall was chipped from the impacts. I was there because he asked me to be. I'm a friend of his.
And with friends like these, muttered the woman looking at the head. Harris cursed again at his situation. From what he had heard The Ladies were usually more then willing to enact their own justice on anyone they caught breaking their rules. He idly wondered if the anarchs would even give a damn. He was almost certain the Prince wouldn't. The amazon caught the exasperated look on his face; she grinned at him and leaned down.
Fine, let's say you didn't kill him, she smirked, why did you have his head, and the murder weapon? Harris sighed, broken record, broken recordhow long till they shattered him against a wall?
I came in on the assassin, there was a fight. The assassin ran for it and abandoned that sword. I admit that I was getting ready to dispose of the evidence. But I was trying to preserve the Masquerade, not conceal a murder. I've told you this twice already.
For a man who's chained to a chair you're awfully rude. The tall woman set the blade down on the table next to Will's head. She turned back towards him and leaned up against the edge of the table as she nodded towards the Oriental. Miho's looking anxious. I might decide to be nice to her and just let her get started. She doesn't ask many questions like I do, but she always gets answers. Miho now sat patiently with her blades. She glanced up to look at Harris, her face remaining calm and unreadable. The tall woman grinned. Harris sighed; this was not a good night.
blurted out the woman at the table. Harris shook his head at the sudden stream of words and looked over at her.
What the hell did she just say, demanded the cowgirl in annoyance. Harris found himself wondering the same thing.
Becca, slow down, urged the tall woman.
I think he is speaking truth.
Finally, the voice of reason, sighed Harris. He could have kissed her.
She's a Malk.
He could have killed her.
The last thing he needed was the group's Malkavian trying to suggest he was trustworthy. Especially when said Malkavian talked to heads and spoke in uninterrupted streams of syllables. However the tall woman apparently took this message with some seriousness, she turned around and leaned down closer to the Malk.
Why is he innocent, Becca?
Simple, I remember Will talkingabout a friend of his, thenhe went and got a message fromhim one day. Itwas signed with an H' name, Harris isa name that begins in H' Then wehave evidence that thisman would not havehad the mindset to place straws in anotherman's nose. His demeanor suggests he prefers kills that are more direct and perhaps, ifIamright, more artistic. Plus, what assassin would be driving a Honda Accord? The tall woman nodded. Harris blinked a few times.
Aw hell, he was screwed. Who the hell tried to defend someone on the basis of how cruddy their ride was? As if assassins had some unwritten rule that they should be tooling around in cool sports cars.
Blue roared through the traffic light, the Mustang purring like a cat as she allowed it to run wild. The air roared through the open windows, rushing over her face and running through her hair. She glanced behind her and sighed as she again slowed down to allow Roulda to catch back up, her aide apparently unwilling to so blatantly break the traffic laws. Further back, behind Roulda, she caught just a brief glimpse of the silver Lexus. She smiled to herself, amateurs. Oh well, at least they were persistent. She put them out of her mind as she came closer to her destination.
She took another turn and coasted down the street, her eyes dancing along the signs decorating the front of the dingy businesses. Ah, there it was! She pulled around the block and into the alley behind the building, Roulda pulled in after her. No need to tip off her prey before she struck and it would make the departure easier if their cars were already out back. She hopped out of the Mustang as Roulda clambered out of his car. He looked at her and then over at the building.
Mistress, what are we
Relax Roulda, you're the one who told me about this place. Besides, I think you'll enjoy the new target. In fact, I guarantee it. Roulda nodded as he started to head towards the building, Blue smiled as she looped her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. As a matter of fact, if you've been good I might just let you do it. Have you been good?
She felt his muscles tense slightly underneath his suit. Roulda well knew how dangerous and capricious she could be. But he didn't need to worry; she was only looking for one of her loves to die tonight.
Hell Nikki, this is bullshit! I came in and caught the freak red handed! He was holding the bloody head! The head! The cowgirl seemed even more eager to off him now that the Malk had urged them not to. The Oriental sat quietly, keeping an eye on the amazon. The Malkavian's eyes danced back and forth while she watched the argument.
Look Dallas, I'm not saying I think he's innocent. I just want to get to the truth before we go and dust him. You got a problem with that? Nikki stepped forward, her powerful frame easily dwarfing the smaller Dallas. The cowgirl's eyes narrowed as one of her hands dropped to her gun belt. Harris caught the flicker of motion as Miho shifted her posture and gripped one of her swords. He suspected that if the cowgirl decided to draw on her leader she'd be dead before she could even fire.
Fine, fuck it! Dallas tossed her hands up in agitation. Miho shifted back to her old posture. But let me tell you this, Dallas snapped as she pointed at Nikki. I don't wanna have to be the one to say I told you so!
Nikki nodded and turned back to Harris, she eyed him up and down slowly. Maybe you didn't kill him, maybe. Dallas snorted in annoyance as she crossed her arms.
I didn't.
So, what do you know about the assassin that did? Nikki smiled at him as she walked back over to begin a whole new line of questioning.
Harris sighed, he had hoped to avoid this. Blue was bad news, dangerous and evil. However, in his own way, Harris loved her as much as his dear Nancy. He didn't want to betray her, but it was the right thing to do. If he wouldn't hunt her down, why not let these ladies do it? Surely, someone, somehow would have to face Blue and stop her. She was too dangerous to trust, and too deadly to let run free. Harris nodded, Blue had to be stopped. He looked up at Nikki.
Sorry, nothing. He supposed he'd regret saying that tomorrow night.
Nikki placed her hands on her hips as she looked at him. Harris forced himself to meet her gaze evenly. This woman was dangerous too, and in more ways then one. Anyone with enough gall to oppose the prince and try to put together her own little personal kingdom had to be built from tempered steel. He eyed the sharp and dangerous lines of her face and body. She was like a statue, a carving depicting the power and danger of women. A Valkyrie, an ancient warrior goddess. She leaned down and grabbed his coat, without the slightest hint of effort she picked him, and his chair, up and stared into his eyes.
I'm going to let you go now. For what it's worth I think you're playing it straight with me. I'm going to give you my phone number. If you learn anything give me a call. Will was my friend too, and I don't like people hurting my friends.
I sort of guessed that much, said Harris quietly as he hung in her grip.
Good. You have to stick by your friends, that's my motto. So you better stick by Will and help me find who killed him. You aren't going to make me regret this are you? She shook him, a show of her power. He easily spotted the not so subtle implication.
Good, Miho, unlock him. The small white robed figure slipped over and quickly undid the locks. Nikki pulled out her wallet and handed him a small card with nothing but a number scrawled on it. Harris stood slowly and slipped the card into his jacket. He nodded to the amazon, she motioned to the door with a twist of her head. Harris nodded again and slipped out.
He quickly headed down the steps and out into the street. The twins sat patiently on the hood of his car; apparently they had been nice enough to drive it here for him. They smirked at him as they hopped off and motioned that he could have it. He growled as he stepped forward and went to get his keys, his hand reached into an empty pocket. He paused in annoyance and looked up. One of the girls grinned and tossed them to him. His hand snapped up and caught them.
he opened the door and climbed in. With a shake and a sputter the car slowly started as he turned the ignition. There was a loud pop as the exhaust fired noisily. Off and away ye mighty stallion, he growled in annoyance as it ground out into the street. This has not been a good night, he muttered while shaking his head. Not good at all.
He would be happy to just get the hell out of Old Town and back to the streets he knew. His mind still swam with thought about what to do with Blue. Should he stop her? Ignore her? Orjoin her? He shook away the last, nono. He wasn't that man anymore. Filled with doubts he started to drive off. All he was certain of, for sure, was that he needed a drink.
From the window above Nikki watched him start to drive away, she checked her pistols and slipped them into the holsters strapped to her side. Becca, hold down the fort. She reached over and pulled a long black leather coat off a rack and quickly slipped it on. Miho, Dallas, let's go! Nikki turned and rushed through the door.
Dallas asked in shock as she rushed after Nikki down the stairs.
We're going to follow him, our friend Mr. Harris knows something. I'd bet my life on it.
What! Why the hell weren't you betting your life on it when he was sitting right there all locked up! I told you so! Nikki burst out onto the street and rushed over to her black Camero, she quickly opened the car and hopped into it. Dallas quickly rushed into the passenger seat as Miho leaped into the back.
I was just as sure then, Nikki hissed as she started the car and quickly pulled into the street. She spun the wheel and peeled off after Harris.
Then why?
Because he wasn't telling us everything! He's holding something back, and I want to know what, and I want to know why. Nikki accelerated down the dark roads.
At least driving that tub he's in oughta make it easy to catch him, muttered Dallas as she leaned back in her seat. So what are we going to do once we find him?
Wait, watch, listen. See if he's hiding something because he's scared. Or because he's working for the killer.
And if he is?
Then he's going to regret ever coming into Old Town. Nikki's eyes narrowed as she continued driving. Dallas nodded. In the back seat Miho gripped the hilt of her sword, and waited. The time for killing would come soon enough.