CHAPTER 2

Frank had planned to visit the Haven, but a note under his doormat had changed his plans.

"12 am at McKinley Square.
Don't bring your 'special friends'
and don't tell anyone if you want
us to trust you."

This was new. His 'special friends' could only refer to the Kindred and the McKinley Square was one of the sunniest spots in whole San Francisco. It was also well visited by young children. So, definitely not a place for an ambush, Frank figured. A meeting at high-noon didn't sound like Kindred-style, either. No, the note had to mean something else.

Obviously, he was not only under observance by the Kindred but also by some other group, one who didn't seem be on friendly terms with them. Or so it seemed. For an instant he thought about calling Luna, asking him of what he knew.

But he discarded the thought quickly, because that would have been exactly the wrong thing to do. Frank figured that whoever these people were, they were not affiliated with the Kindred.

So, he didn't call Luna nor did he visit the Haven to have a chat with Lillie, whom he had somehow grown fond of. He knew from Luna that her clan was known for their seducers, but sometimes he needed her closeness. After all, there was currently no one else he could get close to without taking the risk of destroying their lives.

These people wanted to be sure that they could trust him. He would not disappoint them - until he knew whom he dealt with.

And just then the shrill ringing of the phone pulled the detective out of his grim thoughts. Quickly Frank headed for the desk.

"Frank, we need to talk…" Damn, it was Luna! If someone was watching him right now, he couldn't have a friendly chit-chat with the Prince of the City.

"Who's there?" he barked into the phone. "Listen, I don't know who you are and I don't wanna know. So, leave me the fuck alone!"

Frank smashed the receiver down. Phew, if someone was truly watching him – probably eavesdropping the phone – that should hopefully convince them, or given them a good laugh. Whatever, Frank felt that he had done the right thing. Luna would understand if he explained it to him later.

He was a bit grumpy that he couldn't go out tonight. So, he just shoved some scalloped potatoes into the microwave, took a beer from the refrigerator and slumped on the couch to watch a random movie on TV.

Julian Luna was baffled over the strange reaction of the detective and stared at the receiver.

"Got brushed off, uncle?", came from the other side of the room. His niece Sasha was standing in the door frame.

"It was Frank Kohanek." He replied in a serious voice.

"Oh, so you date him now?", Sasha said with a cheeky grin. Julian starred at her for a second and then just shrugged his shoulders and ignored her remark.

"What brings you here, Sasha? Is there a problem with our new Primogen?" he was referring to Cameron. Sasha didn't have a good stand in the Brujah clan from the beginning. Being in love with the Gangrel Primogen didn't make her very popular and being the Prince's niece didn't add to it. Fiori had ordered her unauthorized Embrace and he had paid for this perpetration in the end. But Sasha had also been under the protection of the former Brujah Primogen. Now that he was dead, this protection was gone.

Cameron claimed her as a member of his clan, but he made her feel his despise for Julian and everything that was connected to the Ventrue prince. So did the rest of the local Brujha clan.

"Uh, nuttin'" she muttered. "Have you seen Cash lately?"

Julian shook his head, suddenly realizing that he hadn't seen his bodyguard since yesterday evening.

"I haven't" he answered, concerned. "I will contact Lorraina. Maybe she knows about his whereabouts."

Sasha frowned upon the mention of Lorraina's name. She didn't like that Gangrel bitch at all. But if someone knew where Cash was, then it was her. She glued on his butt like flies to…

"Sasha…" Julian warned as he sensed her growing rage. As Brujah she was more susceptible to the beast than he was. And Sasha had always been short-tempered – even as a mortal.

Sasha's eyes turned back to a dark green. "I'm sorry, uncle Julian." she said and turned on her heels.

Julian watched her leave the room and reached for the phone.

"Julian here. Is Cash with you?"

Lorraina on the other side of the line declined. "Haven't seen him since yesterday. I thought he was with you… or that Br… you niece, Sir."

"Neither of both, Lorraina. Listen, I want you to figure out where he is. Please report to me immediately once you've found him and send him over."

Cash usually could take care of himself. Yet, with the roaming Brujah on the streets anything was possible. Fiori's death didn't prove to be the solution of problems at all. In fact, it had made things even more complicated. He would soon have to talk with Cameron about the current situation. Not that he was eager for a meeting with the slayer of his sire. But for a Prince, the city always came first. Personal issues had to stay behind.

Sasha's sudden visit had made him almost forget about the detective's strange behaviour on the phone. Maybe he was in trouble? Julian made a mental note to send some of his men, to see if everything was alright.

The Ventrue looked at the envelope on his desk. It came from the "Asian Art Museum" and its content was quite alarming. As soon as he knew what was going on, he would have to approach the detective with a small request.

tbc…

Well, I promised to upload the next chapter, didn't I? Sorry that it took me 2 years to do so. '

So, is there more to come? Will you have to wait another 2 years for the next chapter?

I honestly don't know. But I DO know that some of the grammar in this chapter must be horrible. I apologize for this. Feel free to send me your corrections to my FF mailbox :).

Edit: Thanks a lot to Jedipati for some corrections!