On my way to the Afterlife I talked with Judy on the holo about the situation with the BD and why Rita is so tightlipped. "I don't get what so important about this BD, Judy. Scrolls get stolen all the time from Lizzie's. Why doesn't she just make another one?" "Another one?" Judy asked. "You ever tried those virtues?" Of course I've tried. "Tried" being the magic word. I was never able to use the booths. It's like the gods won't let me. She continued, "Not sure if you've noticed, but Rita is a straight up soldier. Porn ain't her thing." I asked her "What do you mean?" Judy answered. "She's not on the menu, V. Never was." And just like that. A big fat piece of the puzzle lands right on my lap and I have no idea where to put it. "Thanks for your help, Jude. Talk to you later."
I walked into the Afterlife defeated. I wondered if the other patrons could see the shame in my Kiroshi optics. This case has already exhausted all my resources as well as my sanity. The only option left that I can think of is checking the net but my knowledge of cyber space is limited. Where's T bug when I need her. I even thought about asking Rogue for help but knowing her she would clear out my bank. Then I remembered NIX. He still owes me for the time I saved him from getting fried by the ghost of Rache Bartmoss. I walked around back and was greeted with his signature 'I don't give a shit' face. He's a professional non-smiler but a professional nonetheless. I gave him all the detes. I figured he'd know where to look. He said "Give me two. I'll see what I can find."
Back in the bar area I passed a Nicola ad with a picture of US Cracks promoting some kind of contest. The very sight of those girls reminds me of simpler times when problems got solved with bullets and mantis blades. It was a time when every job reminded me of the answer I gave to Dexter DeShawn's famous question. Now my "blaze of glory" feels like "crash and burn". I started wondering if I should've gave this case to River, but knowing him he would've locked up everybody I talked with today. I took a seat at the bar. "What will it be? The usual?" Claire asked. She slid me a Jackie Welles and said "Tell me how this one tastes." Claire and I have had an ongoing debate on what Jackie meant by "splash of love". We try something different every time. I took a sip and let my mind go back to work.
The case screamed "waste of time!" but I couldn't look away. The last job I did that was this weird and confusing ended with a crucifixion. I pondered over what could be on that scroll. "V, you're so dense. You really haven't figured it out yet?" Sitting backwards on the stool next to me leaning against the bar like he owned it was my least favorite brain tumor. I responded "No, Johnny but I'm sure you're going to enlighten me." He takes off his shades. "Come on, V. Stolen BD? Contents classified? This isn't about professional or personal property. It's got blackmail written all over it." I never thought it would go this deep but he might have a point. "If that's true, Johnny either someone's black mailing her with it or even worse, she could be blackmailing somebody else. Most likely someone powerful. Someone dangerous." He adds, "Looks like our little femme fatale might be a damsel in distress." Dam it, Rita. What did you get yourself into.
A few seconds later I heard someone say "V! I got something for ya." NIX don't fuck around. "I found a complaint by a fixer. Had an issue with a curtain client about nonpayment over a stolen BD. Still haven't found a name on said client. So I dug a little deeper and found emails with the Merc that did the job, and dig this, it was klept out of the car in Watson." And just like that, my tits perked up just like Evelyn said they would. "Got a name on that fixer?" I asked. "A cat that goes by Mr. Hands." I slid my empty glass onto the bar. "Saddle up, Johnny. We're going to Pacifica."