Disclaimer:  I do not own the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; they are the property of Mirage Studios, Inc.  I am only borrowing them for the entertainment of those reading this.  Please don't sue me, I assure you—I have no money.  The other characters are mine, please don't borrow without permission. 

Chapter 11:

Meanwhile…

Smith:

I glanced down at my watch again.  He was already 5 minutes late.  He was always late.  It didn't seem to matter to him that tardiness was a liability in this business.

The waitress came over to refill my coffee, but I waved her away.  I was starting to consider leaving when I saw him walk through the side entrance of the diner.  About friggin' time.

He strolled leisurely over to my table and sat down in the booth. 

"Mr. Smith, long time no see."

"I'm a busy man, Jones."

"Of course."  He lit a cigarette and started puffing away.  I hated that shit and I was sure he did it just to piss me off.

"Being that you've made me wait, you'd better have something good for me."

"Don't I always?"  He blew the smoke out slowly and grinned.  He reached down into his trench coat and pulled out an envelope.  "This should make you happy."  He slid the envelope across the table towards me.

I picked it up and slid my finger under the flap.  I thumbed through the contents: progress reports, what looked like a financial summary—and photos.  That was new.  I was careful not to pull them out as I studied them.

Jones was grinning from ear to ear.  "I thought that would make you happy."

"Well it's about time you brought me something substantial."

"I told you—everything's right on schedule.  These things take time."

"Yes, but some things are worth waiting for."

"That's very true.  Especially when they're going to make you a very rich man."

I looked down at the photos again.

"Yes.  The loss of all of our preliminary data was a major setback, but you see it will all work out in the end.  We may have lost our original specimens, but these may turn out to be even better."

"I think you'll find them more than adequate."

"For your sakes, I'd better."

Jones' grin flickered for a moment, then he stood up.  "Always a pleasure, Mr. Smith."

"Thank you, Mr. Jones, I'll be in touch."

He nodded his head and left the way he came in.  I tucked the envelope inside my pocket and left my money on the table.  I needed to return quickly to share the news.