Chapter seven PART
TWO Disgust
Ed waited around the corner with his brother, watching, snacking upon a sandwich. It was after midnight but they'd been watching Anise's house since this afternoon and seen a man, a different man not Mr. Carter, come and go and followed him here to this place. The only thing to light the alley way was a light outside a door where a sign hung that read 'Franky's'.
It was a shadowed place, smelled of rotting trash, rats darted this way and that, and more than once they had passed a few prostitutes. Ed had been offered sex for the second time that day and like before he was utterly revolted. But at least the hooker who had come up to him was nice. She was sweet even and didn't seem to really belong down here. Hell she'd even asked if they were lost, offered them food and a place to stay.
They declined of course. She'd pulled a sandwich from her purse anyway and wouldn't take Ed's refusal then wished them luck in what ever it was they were searching for, told them to be careful.
"Hey," a soft sweet voice said from behind them. Ed and Al both jumped and whirled around to find the prostitute standing there in the shadows.
"Jeeze scare us to death," Ed hissed.
She giggled covering her mouth. "I'm sorry; you're a lively thing aren't you?"
"What do you want?" Ed asked quietly, trying not to be rude.
The woman shrugged and rested her hands upon her hips. "Well I just couldn't live with myself letting you two boys go, not that I don't think you can take care of yourself. I trust you. Who I don't trust are the people down here in this part of the city. So I came to check on you."
"Thank you that's very nice," Al said. "But we're okay."
"Mm I can see that," She moved around Al and peaked around the corner. "Oh you're watching Franky's place huh? That's pretty brave of you."
Ed had thought, no make that several and sighed. "You know that place?"
"Honey everyone one here in the underworld knows Franky and his infamous bar. If anyone has to deal with something illegal they have to go through him. He owns this enter section of the city." She glanced at him with her big brown eyes and smiled. "He keeps order in the chaos that surrounds us and he's really a good guy, quite the character too. I think you'd like him. He's actually my boss."
"You mean your pimp?" Ed asked.
"You could call him that I suppose."
Ed nodded. "So he knows everything down here?"
The woman nodded. "You want to talk to him don't you? Kid what is it that you're looking for?"
"Just some information," Ed replied slipping his hands into his pockets.
She bit her lip. "Well that won't come without a price, well maybe I could pull a few strings for you, Franky and I got a certain arrangement."
Ed's eyes widened and he waved his hands. "No, please don't!"
"Yeah don't," Al replied.
The woman laughed. "It's not like that boys, I'm Cara by the way and you are?"
"Edward, and this is Alphonse my brother." Ed said relieved she wasn't going to sell herself for them, at least he hoped not.
"Nice to meet you, now" She wet her lips. "I'll get you in to see him, it's rather easy, and anyone can go in. It's the coming out that might be interesting." She smiled. "But don't worry I doubt he'd stop you. All you have to do is lay your cards out on the table and he'll do the same. Come on,"
Ed followed her but didn't take her hand. After Anise he didn't want another woman touching him at least for the rest of the week and even then he wasn't so sure. She shrugged and began to lead the way into the light. "So this Franky guy, you said he brings order to the chaos, what's that mean Cara?"
Cara smiled. "He makes sure that no one gets hurt, at least if he can help it. And if someone who works for him gets hurt, he takes care of it, especially us girls, calls us his flowers. When we want to quit he makes sure we can survive on our own, Lacey quit last year and is living in East City now, still comes to visit off and on."
"So what else does he do?" Al asked.
"Oh he watches transactions, illegal ones and his law is if you're dealing in his turf everything has to be clean and fair. If it isn't you're pretty much… Well you don't really want to know about that. He's strict, but as fair as possible. Ah here we are." She said and knocked upon the door five times.
Somehow Ed just didn't know how someone could keep dirty illegal things clean, but then again he was from a different world and didn't really care to learn how this one operated.
The door opened and a tall giant of a man stood looking them over. It was so unnerving, the man was bigger, taller than Armstrong. What was with this world? "Cara," He said gruffly. "What's this, picking up kids now?"
Cara giggled and pat his arm. "No Larry, don't be silly. They're just a couple of lost lambs I didn't have the heart to leave wandering around down here."
Larry smiled. "You're a real sweet doll Cara, come on in. Tiffany's made her famous hot wings tonight. I'll tell her to send a plate,"
Cara smiled. "You're a prince, but I'm taking them to see Franky,"
Larry frowned. "What for? He's in a meeting with someone and asked not to be interrupted."
"Just to talk and we'll wait." She replied.
Larry seemed to pause. "Don't like the slimly fucker anyway. I'll get you in right away."
"Thanks Larry, coming boys?" Cara asked.
Ed nodded, finding the exchange between the two rather fascinating. Either this was normal or Cara had her way with people.
Inside was loud; music was being played from a small band upon a small stage off to the right. The place was terribly crowded and the air so thick with a blanket of smoke that burned Ed's lungs and eyes. People laughed and glasses clanked with what looked to be a wide variety of alcohol.
As Cara led them to a table along the wall Ed got more than a few smiles from several girls, some cooed, some waved. And the men, well that was interesting, they seemed to regard him like he was one of their pack, gave him nods but all had watchful eyes. Still the place had an air of safety and was down right jovial. He kind of liked it and it was surprisingly clean, except for the smoke. And it wasn't just pipe tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, there was most definitely something else being smoked in here, but what he wasn't sure.
Cara took a seat and patted the worn down bench beside her. "Take a seat boys." As Ed sat she slipped her hand into his pocket and gasped softly. Ed jumped away quickly, panting.
"What was that for?" He breathed. "Trying to cop a feel?"
Cara shook her head with a smile. "Not at all, sit now." When he hesitated she gave him a very stern look one that reminded him of his mother. Slowly he retook his seat beside her. "You don't like to be touched?"
"Not really," He replied.
Cara nodded. "I can respect that." She leaned close. "You might need to use that watch of yours sweetie, just keep it in your pants until I tell you."
"Okay," Ed replied as an old woman waddled over and placed a plate of steaming hot wings before him.
"Here you are, hey Cara where'd you pick up these two handsome young'ns?"
"Just outside, why?" Cara asked with a smile and it was now that Edward really got a good look at her face, having not really paid too much attention to her before. Good grief she was… breathtaking. Long dark brown hair, big brown eyes, deep red painted lips so full, perfect nose… Wow.
"Larry said you brought in a couple of boys," she paused looking to Al. "You are a boy right, not a full grown man inside that suit?"
"I'm only twelve Ma'am," Al replied.
Tiffany blinked in surprise then smiled. "And manners to boot, well it seems we've got a couple of gentlemen in this place finally. You know the girls are chattering up a storm, curious folk we are. It's not every day new people come in here."
"Hey Tiff, can we get some more of your wings?" Someone called.
"I'm coming Tommy," Tiffany replied. "Well Cara keep them out of trouble."
"Oh I will," Cara replied with a smile that nearly took Ed's breath away. When Tiffany was waddling away Cara pushed the plate toward the boys. "Eat up, you're not going to ever get these anywhere else."
"Oh I'm not hungry, thank you." Al said softly.
Cara merely shrugged and dug in. Ed reached for a wing after removing the glove upon his flesh hand and took a bite. He chewed for a moment letting his tongue get a feel for it. Tangy, spicy, and a hint sweetness and they were really good, making his mouth water for the rest of it. He'd never had wings this tasty and they weren't dry at all but dripping with sauce just the way he liked them.
After he'd had half the plate he licked his fingers and wiped his mouth with a napkin given to him by Cara. "So how much do I owe you for this?"
Cara giggled and wiped her own hands. "Not a thing, you're with me and I eat for free here. Want something to drink we have juice and water, I think even some milk."
Ed winced, trying not to wretch at the very name. "I'm fine,"
"Sure, how about you Al?"
"I'm good, thank you."
Cara shrugged again sitting back, smoothing her dress. "Well that was good, I wonder what's keeping Larry?" She pulled a small mirror from her purse then a small tube of lipstick and reapplied it. Pressing her lips together she smiled slipping everything back into the small handbag. "So how do I look?"
He couldn't help it and felt himself blush. "Uh… nice,"
Cara giggled. "Why thank you Ed," It was then that Larry appeared.
Ed and Al stood just inside the door of the small back room. There was a large round table where several girls sat playing a game of poker, drinks and money upon the table. Off to the side was a screen like room divider where two large men like Larry stood guard. Upon the walls were paintings, painting like Roy might like and though the smoke was lighter in here, it still bothered Edward.
Cara pat his shoulder and led him toward the screen. The two guards smiled and stepped aside, letting them pass. Edward Elric never in his life expected to be greeted by what he saw behind the screen. There were two large fancy red sofa's, both so rich they could have gone into Anise's mansion, a beautiful rug upon the floor, a dark oak coffee table and side tables, small antique lamps upon those side tables. But what stunned him the most, what jolted his senses in a place like this, the thing that just down right baffled him was the man sitting upon the sofa. He was… smaller than he was, couldn't be more than four foot two! He wore a nice black suit and green tie, had long brown hair pulled back into a pony tail, and glittering blue eyes, sat with one leg crossed over the other with a cigar in one hand and a drink in the other. He looked like a king in his throne room, a midget king!
"Franky, thanks for seeing me."
"Oh I'll always see my favorite flower Cara, shh, don't tell the other girls they might get jealous." Franky replied in a slightly high pitched voice.
Cara approached him and leaned over to embrace him. Franky grinned and hugged her tight. "Been working hard tonight doll?"
"After a fashion, got some boys here who would like to talk to you."
Franky nodded and pat her rear gently. "Sit, you too boys." He motioned to the opposite sofa, letting Cara go. Cara sat beside Franky as Ed and Al took their seats.
Franky leaned toward the table and pointed to a small box. "Care for a smoke or a drink, a girl?"
Ed shook his head. "No thanks," That was… well that was illegal, offering minors drinks and smokes, and girls. Ed wouldn't be legal for either for a few years. God help him if Mustang ever found out. Suddenly he wondered what Roy would think of him even being here, would he mad?
Franky chuckled. "Good boys, but you're missing out. My three loves in life are good wiskey, fine cigars, and beautiful women, I need nothing else. Now what can I get you?"
Right down to business. "Ms. Cara said you know everything that happens down here. Do you know anything that a Ms. Anise Miller or Mr. Daniel Carter and what they might be doing?"
Franky perked a brow and turned to Cara. "Where did you say you picked these two up?"
"On the street, I thought they were lost or something." She nodded to Edward. "Hon, show him the watch." Ed hesitated for a moment, afraid that showing he was with the state might just get him killed or in the least beaten up. "Go on nothing bad will happen."
Slowly Ed pulled his state watch from his pocket and it was Franky's turn to be surprised. He was quiet for a few moments then smiled, sitting back with a reminiscent expression. Ed shoved his watch back into his pocket quickly.
Finally Franky sighed. "So what's your name kid?"
"Edward Elric," He replied and to maintain politeness he motioned to his brother. "And this is my brother Al."
Franky smiled excitedly. "Neat, Cara you brought the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother!"
Ed and Al looked at each other, both a little wondering and confused. "Uh you know-"
"Of course I know about you. Other than my father being a military man, my older brother was an alchemist in the Ishbal war and even though the state wouldn't take me because I'm so short and I didn't pass the alchemy exam, I still have a deep respect for them."
"They didn't take you for your height?" Al asked a little startled.
Franky chuckled. "It's complicated, I've got a few health issues to go with it, but I don't mind, it wasn't like they were cruel. Needless to say I keep in the know about things that go on in Central and the military as much as possible. Kind of have too to cover our asses down here. So Anise Miller and Daniel Carter huh, what's got you mixed up with those two?"
"We're investigating them," Ed replied. That was just… weird. He couldn't see any reason why height would factor in becoming a soldier and heath, well some of the best doctors worked for the state.
"It was only a manner of time I suppose, Carter's more careful, clean, but Anise… Stupid woman," Franky tsked. "Such a shame she's so pretty and there's not one ounce of kindness in her, not like our Cara."
"You're sweet," Cara said with a smile.
"I try," Franky replied with a smile of his own.
"Can you tell us what they're trafficking or what they're doing? The states got suspicions that they're doing something illegal."
"Oh they are," Franky confirmed, setting his glass aside. "They're hiding opium in the antiques they're dealing. They've got a warehouse on Gatehouse and 11th, big building, can't really miss it. All the illegal stuff's in the back, kept under the floor…" He frowned. "Last I knew they were getting a big shipment in this week. If you're looking to catch them red handed I'd wait until tomorrow night. I'll send one of my guys with you, don't worry they'll stay out of your way and let you work but lately I've come to know that Anise is getting in with some pretty dark people and I can't let you two go in there alone."
Ed smiled. "Thanks but that's not necessary,"
"No actually it is. This is my turf kid and I like to keep it clean, she's getting dirtier with ever transaction she makes. There's a price for that." He sighed then jumped. "Hey wait a minute; doesn't she have a little kid living with her, a little girl? That might complicate things, don't want a kid out on the street or down here."
"Oh she's living with her dad now." Al replied. "You don't need to worry about her."
Now how Franky knew about Lily was something Edward wanted to know. "How do you know about her?"
"It's his job to know, he tries to know everything about the people working in his territory." Cara replied. Then she frowned. "How do you know about the girl? We live here and didn't know a thing."
Edward sighed and questioned whether or not to pass that kind of information on, they seemed to care but then again he'd learned you can't trust everyone. He wet his lips. "She's our sister,"
Franky and Cara both sat still, both astonished for a long time then Franky took Cara's hand. "And the plot thickens my dear," He turned to Edward. "So Anise is your aunt, what a strange circle this small world has."
"No, the little girl's father adopted us," Ed explained. "After a fashion. I wouldn never thing of that woman as my aunt."
Franky nodded in approval. "Good, so the kid's okay?"
"Yeah," Al replied.
"Well," Franky said slipped off the sofa. He bowed dramatically. "My price to let you leave today is simple my dear boys. Leave me and my establishment, my friends, out of your reports and we'll call it good."
Ed nodded. "Done,"
Franky smiled and walked over to Edward lifting his head. "One more thing, may I see you transmute something? I'm rather addicted to the science myself and love to see other's perform."
Ed shrugged, clapped his hands and touched coffee table, transmuting it into bench. Franky smiled happily, a twinkle in his eye. "Very good and without circles, you come back anytime Edward, Alphonse, my door is always open to fellow alchemists and fine upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves." He held out his hand, crossing them.
Ed and Al shook his hands and Cara rose. "Well I suppose I should see you boys out."
"Just a minute, Zack,"
One of the guards turned. "Sir,"
"Trail these boys to where they are staying, make sure no one bothers them, they're under my protection now."
"Yes sir, come along boys." Zack replied.