Chapter 57

For the second time that night, Luke Spencer sat inside his idling car outside a dilapidated building, waiting. He knew it was odd to go hunting for information here, but it was the only lead he had. But, then again, nothing about the whole situation wasn't odd. After all, how many men could say they were hunting for information for a former First Lady on their crazy niece's even crazier ex?

Besides, 'Rizzo' had had a point.

Talking to Mike had allowed him to see that.

Luke knew that he was a lot of things--- quite a few of them not good--- but one thing he didn't like thinking was that he was anything like his former best friend's gambling addict deadbeat father, and the truth was he shouldn't have to be out looking under proverbial rocks to find information on Junior Quartermain. He should've had a file on AJ a long time ago, and if AJ had done even a portion of what he had done to Carly to Liz or Emily he would have crushed the slimy bastard.

But, he hadn't, and he didn't.

AJ had hurt Carly, and because he wasn't a fan of his niece's, Luke had just let it slide. He had watched with dark amusement as the Qs repeatedly tried to tear her down only for her to fight back and win. In fact, he had to admit that she had become a formidable woman. Her Spencer heritage pulling her through even when her Spencer relatives wouldn't.

As movement off to the side of his car caught his attention, Luke couldn't help but smirk slightly. Just because he had left her to her own devices then didn't mean that he couldn't do something about the weasel now.

Slipping out of his car and into the alleyway, he walked up to his prey. "Coleman, why am I not surprised to find you in a dump like this?" he asked as he clasped the younger man's shoulder.

"Shit, Spencer. You have to do that?" Coleman exclaimed as she shook the older man off and turned to face him.

"Gotta get my kicks somewhere," Luke answered as he flicked away the remnants of a cigar.

"So I've heard. What do you want?"

"Just some information."

"What makes you think I know anything?"

"Normally, I'd assume you know nothing," Luke started. "But word on the street is you just might in this case."

Coleman sized Luke up quickly: "You're fishing."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But I still think you'll help me reel in a bigger fish. If not, I'll just leave you to be filleted."

Coleman laughed at that: "yeah, by who?"

"Corinthos."

"I seriously doubt that. The guy can't stand you."

"We've got a history. And if that doesn't do it, there's always your involvement with his sister Courtney."

"Give me a break, man. I hired the girl. Nothing more."

"And got a burnt out place for it, right?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I just bet you don't. Was the settlement he gave you worth it?"

"You've lost it man," Coleman rebutted, pushing pass Luke.

"What did AJ have you do?" Luke called after him. Bull's eye, he thought as Coleman misstepped.

"Look, man. Drop it. I'm not letting you pull me into one of your family dramas."

Luke shrugged as he pulled out another cigar and rolled it between his fingers: "fair warning, Coleman. Someone with more power than me is gunning for AJ. I'm just helping them gather ammunition. Be a shame for you to get caught in the crossfire."

"I'm not getting involved. I'm not talking. I'm staying as far away from all you nut cases as possible."

"Fine, but don't be surprised if the FEDS come knocking on your door."

At that, Coleman cursed under his breathe, "if I point you in a direction, you'll leave me alone?"

"Depends on where I can get to from there."

"Whatever man," he retorted as he turned to leave.

"Point me and we'll deal."

"I don't need the Feds nosing around. I'm trying to turn my life around."

"Yeah. You're a real upstanding citizen there, Coleman."

"And you're one to talk?"

Luke shrugged at that, "I try."

"Yeah, because we all know the score on you. The big man who keeps feet on both sides of the tracks. Who protects his family, but only when it suits him."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're still known on the streets. A lot of guys don't want to mess with your rep. Know not to mess with your kids. Stay away from Kelly's. Don't mess with Liz Webber or the Quartermain girl, yet your niece, she was. . . well, let's just say word on the street was you could care less if someone roughed her up or put her in the middle of a conflict with Sonny. Still seems to hold true. You're gunning for Junior because of someone else. And you came turning over my rock because of Corinthos's sister. Real dominant family loyalty and values there."

"Yeah, well that's something I need to rectify. In the meantime, get to pointing."

"Fine. Quartermain likes to make the ladies 'scream.'"

"Meaning?"

Coleman rolled his eyes, "it's a movie reference. I'm sure one of your kids will help you understand."

"Maybe, but for now, it's not pointing me anywhere."

"He wants to be a hero. He'll pay for certain things to be done to make himself look good."

"And he paid you?"

Coleman shrugged: "it wasn't supposed to go as far as it did. I'm not that stupid or money hungry. But word is, since then, he does it on his own."

"What are we talking here? Scare tactics?"

"Mostly," he confirmed. "That enough of a direction for you?"

"It's a start anyway. See ya around," Luke answered as he turned and moved back towards his car.

"Not if I'm lucky," Coleman muttered as he continued down the alley. "Man, I gotta get out of this hellhole of a town."