Blaze followed the dark hedgehog through the dimly lit streets. "I'm good with anything, really." She took in her surroundings and tried to think about what Silver would do.
When Saima felt his hand touch her chin and she instinctively pulled away. "He left me no fucking choice!" She assumed the worst. Jon knew about her transactions with that son of a bitch, Samuel. She was letting it out now, emotions wildly escaping without filter. "If he had taken me with him in the first place, I wouldn't have to sell my dignity away to that scumbag!" She swallowed. "And having to listen to that stork and his fucking opinions." Her breathing was erratic, tears poured from her eyes. "When y-you told me he was leaving the country I never felt so-" She covered her face. "-So fucking hopeful, for once." Please, tell me where he is," she begged.
"I'm not making an offer, Samuel," he gritted through his teeth. "I'm your boss. You will tell me where Canstella is for free." Silas heard about his accepted form of payment with his female clients. Saima, most likely, used him as a resource. It didn't surprise him, he knew she was a good for nothing whore. "I will shut down your little operation if I have to. So play along, raccoon, and make it easy for yourself." His hand tightened around the handle again.
Silver left the building with the device tucked under his arm. He felt a surge of adrenaline course through him. The last time he had spoken with chameleon was after the meeting. He said that they were going to McDonni's, but the trail was cold. He decided to scout from above and patrol the streets for anything suspicious. If Espio was invisible he didn't have high hopes for finding him.
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They walked for some time until they reached a small diner. Bright red neon lights announced its 24/7 status and the large windows showed a bit of life inside. A few patrons were eating by themselves and served by the waitress he was well acquainted with. He held the door for Blaze.
"Saima, why can't you be your own fucking person?" Liam scowled. "Just cause you were wrapped into this Mafia shit with him doesn't mean you're getting out with him. Too fucking bad you had to give yourself away for another day to live. You have to do what you have to do, right? But Christ, don't expect him to be your little saviour."
Samuel snickered. "I'd love to see you try that shit. But really, what's the offer? You didn't bitch last time you needed my help." He hummed. "I feel like you're getting drunk on the drop of power Canstella's letting you have. You might want to lighten up." His voice went high pitched on the emphasis. "Juuuust a smidge."
"It was part of her objective, but she was mainly looking for you. She talked to Liam-"
"What'd he say? I know he wouldn't rat me out."
"He said you were visiting the hideout, and that you're leaving."
Jon nodded, feeling a little relief. "I'm glad I left when I did. That brings me to the question." He pointed the gun back at his face. "What are you doing, Espio? You're a great spy, that much I know. Your invisibility served you well. That's why he loved you so much. I respected your skills-I thought we were friends-"
"We are friends."
"Then tell me what the fuck is happening!" He sobbed out.
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Blaze walked through the doors and was greeted to the warm atmosphere. Her nose picked up on the strong scent of grease and coffee. She glanced at a small sign saying "Please seat yourself." She rose a brow and followed him to a booth.
Saima stayed silent. She reflected on his harsh words and stared at the ground. There was nothing stopping her from leaving the country by herself, but the idea of leaving without Jon-it tore her up. Liam was right on a couple things and it made her resent the fact she let him see her like this. She was tired of fighting, tired of justifying herself to others. She gently pushed against the brick again. "I can't go back to Canstella empty handed and I can't let Trevor find me-" Saima sighed. "I'm not paying for the information I received. I'm leaving." Her tone felt dead of any kind of emotion, as if she had none left to spare. "Thanks, Liam." She finally looked into his eyes. "You're Jon's true friend." She cut her gaze away and headed to the door.
Silas refrained from hitting the phone against the wall. Jekyll, his only partner, had his fucking mind wiped of all memory of him and Samuel was trying to squeeze an offer from him? Time was ticking and he knew he would take any opportunity to upcharge his services. "What the fuck could you possibly want?" Silas could feel his face heat up from pure anger. "A deed to a gentlemen's club where you control all profit? You have to give the business a cut, so don't forget that little fact." All Silas had was real estate, this would actually give the raccoon two things. An actual place to work other than whatever sewer he was probably living in and- women, basically. It probably wouldn't go over well with Canstella, but he could try to negotiate the terms tonight if he accepted.
Silver decided to start at the market district. It was the closest and had businesses that were still open at this time of night. He decided to go by foot so he wouldn't attract too much attention, plus he was still tired from earlier. Nothing would keep him from finding his detective partner, he knew Espio would return the favor.
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They sat together and waited for the waitress to bring them their menus. Shadow and her exchanged a quick nod. "Anything you'd two like to drink?" "Coffee." "Of course." She looked at Blaze. "You, darling?" She leaned over to swipe some crumbs and a sticky spot on their table.
"Take it easy, Saima." He called out to her and sighed. "Don't get yourself into more trouble."
"Oooh, that sounds pretty snazzy." The offer definitely piqued his interest. "Drinks, cash, lots of floozies...you sure know how to put out, Silas. Sure. We'll work this out later. As for your dear boss, he's indulging on a few boxes of round confectioneries. You know the place, don't you?"
"I work for the detective agency-"
"You're a cop?!"
"No. We take on civilian cases. We don't arrest-we just collect information, provide for those who hire us. Victor's daughter requested our services."
The elderly bat sighed in mild relief.
"So-you're not going to turn him in? Why did you hide that from me? What are you doing-working for an agency? He'd kill you if he found out!"
"That's why nobody can know."
Jon furrowed his brows. "Espio..."
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Blaze looked up at the blonde woman. "Water, please." She looked at where she swiped the table. She nodded with a tired smile and walked off, leaving the two in silence.
Saima internally sighed. She ignored the stares of the patrons as she walked through the building to reach the entrance. A couple of girls at the end of the bar tried to get her to slow down. "Did Liam put you in your place, kitty?" A red bear called out. "You sure do get around." Echoed another. Saima responded in kind with a rude gesture she was known for at this point. She pushed the door in harshly and left the establishment for the very last time.
He ignored his remark. "He's still at the warehouse behind the donut shop?" Silas was glad to have him off his back about the offer. However, if Canstella was still there this phone call would have been fucking pointless. He withheld a growl.
Each turn he took felt like a move in a maze. If he didn't have the ability to fly, he would have been worried about getting lost. He used this quiet time to reflect over the mission-or should he say, case. Once this was finally over, what would he do? Go back to the future-or? He shook his head. Silver turned a corner and his eyes widened. "Shit." He whispered. Silver hid behind a brick wall and peeked with an amber iris.
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Shadow skimmed through the menu. "Are you going to take him back when you find him?" He set the menu down, deciding on what he wanted.
The coyote waited a few minutes before going in and settling on his seat with a smirk to mask the recent occurrence. She'd gone through so much, and although she was a grown woman, part of him worried she didn't know what the hell she was thinking or doing most of the time. Their conversation cleared that as a fact. Jon was a mess on his own, but someone depending on Jon? He shook his head. Liam whistled playfully as he waggled his finger for any of the girls to come over.
"Probably. They've been there for a couple of hours. It's getting a little late, so I suggest you get there fast."
"Why don't you come with me?" Jon blurted out.
"Wh, what?"
"We can leave the country together-leave this bullshit mafia life behind."
"I can't, the agency-"
"It's just another job keeping you down. Trust me, we can start our own business. Be our own bosses!"
"I can't leave them, Jon, they're my family."
He paused at the word. "Fuck family." His face churned with vexation.
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Blaze rose a brow while she was looking at the menu. "Take him back?" She decided on a patty melt sandwich. She set the menu down to look at him. "I'm not his mother." She had a mental image of pulling him by the ear. "We'll see what happens."
Saima stopped outside the bar. If she was going to leave this place she needed to stop by her apartment. The thought of going back and seeing Jon's belongings upset her. Maybe she should leave a letter? No, she couldn't. Jon may never return there and it would risk her safety if one of Canstella's men found it. God, she could use a drink. She was emotionally drained from today and wished it would end already. It would also help ease the pain of that fucking ankle, what the hell did she do? Sprain it? The red eyed cat started to walk towards the only place that sold alcohol 24/7.
"If you want that snazzy club you'll fucking tell me where he will be next." Silas didn't have the time or the patience to cross town and possibly miss his window. "I'm not falling for your upcharging bullshit." Silas knew his tactics all too well because he often did the same with his clients.
Silver listened intently. Leave the country and mafia life-together? The ivory hedgehog's eyes locked on to the gun. Go, Silver. Bring him back, alive. After hiding for so long it felt liberating to come out and confront someone. He extended a hand that cast a cyan aura around the pistol, he pulled his hand back causing a quick disarm. He stepped up to the trio, giving Jon a scowl. Silver felt the strange weight of the weapon in his left hand, the device still under his right arm. "Jon, huh?" He watched his shocked expression.
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"Heh, right." The waitress came by and set a glass of water and coffee on the table. "Ready to order?" "I'd like a small plate of onion rings." "Hm, alright. You?" She looked at Blaze again.
"Calm doooown." He groaned. That club was a damn good offer, and he didn't want to risk losing it. "Canstella hasn't said anything yet, but I'm pretty sure they'll be heading back to the hotel for the night. Like I said, they'll be there for a few more hours."
His eyes widened when his gun was taken away by the stranger. He'd never seen powers like that before.
"W-who the hell are you?"
Espio was surprised, but highly elated that Silver had come to help him-and he brought the device.
Jon looked at Espio quickly and caught the subtle smile on his muzzle. "You know him, Espio?"
The chameleon nodded. "He's family."