The two men were silent, Jack knew it would look suspicious so he pulled out his cell from his back pocket and deleted the schematics he had downloaded onto it. He had reviewed them on the way to the bar at Chase's insistence, and other than a small rest room there was nothing else to the ground floor. However it appeared that the bar held a very large cellar, Jack could only imagine what they had hidden down there.
Pushing his cell back into his pocket he felt his arm brush against the gun tucked into his waistband. The comfort made him smile to himself as he took another swig of the drink. The gun was visible through his thin tee, that was his intention. The kid at the bar hadn't blinked at the sight of it, which was what Jack had expected.
Finishing his drink Jack realised he needed to go to the bathroom. Not wanting to take the risk of Wilde taking off or spilling his guts he motioned for him to follow him. Like an obedient puppy Wilde led the way and waited inside an empty cubicle with his hands on his head, as instructed, until Jack was ready to leave. Jack couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Chase monitoring the mike right now, hearing him pee. Wilde herd Jacks snicker with curiosity but said nothing and kept his head down until he was ordered to go back into the bar.
Heading back into the bar Wilde suddenly stopped, causing Jack to bump into him. Annoyed, Jack moved past Wilde to see what the problem was, three men were stood at the bar ordering shots. Jack immediately recognised one as Michael Wilkes. Jack quietly urged Wilde on but it was unnecessary, the men had spotted the other patrons of the bar and were heading over.
"Leon told us you had a guest," Michael said smugly with a lit cigarette between his lips.
"That's right Wilkes," Wilde said quietly, "my friend Jack."
"Why are you bringing outsiders in here," the second man spoke up, given the resemblance to the first man, the messy dark hair and deep brown eyes, Jack guessed this was the younger brother and the owner of the bar. Wilde didn't answer, Jack realised that it was time to speak.
"Outsider? No," he laughed with a confidence he didn't feel, "I'm Jack, you must be Danny and Mick?"
A small grin crept over Michael's features as he shook the mans hands, suddenly amused with the situation. "What's you connection Jack? I never herd of you before…" He added, looking to his brother for confirmation that he was new to the pair of them.
Jack didn't falter under there suspicious darting eyes. "I've herd about you from Marcus, but Neilson speaks very highly of you too."
"Does he now," Danny spoke up, clearly eager to head more. "Lets take a seat," he added, as he moved into the booth Jack and Wilde had earlier occupied earlier. The men obliged, the brothers on one side, Jack and Wilde on the other. Jack made sure to sit on the outside naturally, no harm in being prepared.
"How you know Neilson?"
Jack grinned as he accepted one of the beers Danny had brought over, the kid seemed less sceptical than his brother and Jack realised he needed to play on that.
"I helped him out with Tore."
"You did?" Michael asked as his eyes narrowed.
"Yes," Jack said blankly, deciding to offer up a little more information. "I herd he was getting too big for his boots - stupid man, I don't blame you at all. I mean, you already had his money to set things going, what more did you need him for?"
Michaels face grew into a grin matching Daniels as they watched this man with curiosity, and an admiration they couldn't help.
"So why are you here, does Neilson owe you some money or something," Danny laughed.
"No, I thought I'd see if I could get a piece of the action."
"Well all we got here is a bar and a lacking of customers, not much happening I'm afraid," Michael said dismissively.
"Come on man," Jack said with a contagious grin, "do I look that stupid?"
"You looking for a job?" Daniel asked, swirling his finger around the edge of the bottle as he thought carefully. "Maybe you and my brother should have a chat downstairs?" He asked, looking at Michael for confirmation.
Michaels face had gown cold again, Jack expected them to be sealed up tight, he hadn't expected to get this far so fast. Wilde, who still hadn't spoken, watched Jack with disbelief at how easily he had taken up the new role, and how well he was reeling the men in.
"I'm afraid we got nothing to talk about," Michael said before getting up and heading round the back of the bar, "I'll see you downstairs Dan," he called over his shoulder, the conversation clearly over.
Daniel looked disappointed but refused to let it drop. "So Jack, you been involved in this kind of work before?"
Jack laughed, "I dealt with Tore didn't I?"
"Were talking about a lot more people," he pressed seriously.
"How many?" He asked knowing the answer would help the investigation.
"A lot."
"Okay," Jack said looking thoughtful, "is there a way I can get in on this? I don't wanna be wasting my time."
"It would be worth your while," Daniel said thoughtfully, "and the moneys good."
"What about your brother?"
"He's uptight about newcomers, but you're clearly familiar with this game. We were looking at the totals last night, this thing would run smoother if we had an extra man."
Jack kept his face blank, this was easier than he had thought.
"Just so you know," Jack warned, "I'm not stepping into anything blind, I wanna know what 'this' is."
Daniel smirked, "you'll be informed." He finished his drink and Jack realised this was going to end soon, he had to get in.
"So come on, what's going off? I'm getting other offers for work too, this just interested me the most; so don't leave me in the dark."
Thing for a moment Daniel made a decision, "come back tomorrow. Without Wilde. We can talk than. And don't worry about my brother."
Smiling Jack shook the mans hand as Daniel patted him on the arm, clearly won over by this man. Chase listened to the exchange with glee, this had been easy. Straining to hear what was happening next, the man was saying goodbye, Jack must be leaving. Getting ready to pull the car away Chase jumped when a large explosion roared over the transmitter. Chase grabbed the transmitter as he herd shouts and gunshots, and leapt from the van in shock as he tried to comprehend what the hell was going on. Only one block away he was stunned to see the area cordoned off, LAPD cars everywhere, smoke rising from the bar…