Chapter 16: Old Faces
With a steady hand firmly gripping the wheel, I slowly cruised the car along the tightly packed street. Now in the dark of night, dingy neon and LCD lights buzzed outside of the rather plain car I drove. All the better to remain unnoticed. My gaze slowly scanned the surrounding buildings and alleys for any sign of threat. I sharply mounted the curb, causing several pedestrians to jump back in alarm, quickening their steps to avoid a potential scene. I watched as the rest of the crowd quickly made their way past, taking no notice to us. Wrapped up in their own schedules and lives. Not a single one distinguishable from the other. Holo sat next to me silently observing a rather small apartment block across the street. The neon glow coloring her face a shade of vivid red.
I exhaled softly as my gaze wandered over to the same apartment block, where we'd supposedly find Hans Remario. We sat there in silence for a moment longer, when Holo unexpectedly spoke up.
"I suppose we're fairly indebted to her... right?" Holo muttered, playing around with the hem of her new jacket. Eve had supplied us with a shower, a meal and a fresh change of clothes before we set out to look for Hans. My eyes traced her new outfit. Instead of the bloody night gown she once wore, she now had a dark fur lined coat that was long enough to cover up her luscious brown tail. She also had on her person a pair of tight fitting jeans and a flat pair of slip shoes covering her feet. She went to adjust the dark cotton beanie that sat upon her head, covering her white tipped wolf ears.
I raised a gloved had to my unshaven chin and stroked it in thought. The black cardigan that I now wore, clinging tightly to my chest.
"Yeah… But it's not like we had a choice in the matter…" I muttered with a furrowed brow.
Holo turned her attention back to me.
"You seem resentful, unwanted aid is aid nonetheless." Holo dictated.
I scoffed.
"Heh, her 'aid' isn't out of the goodness of her heart. I don't trust her." I stated, trying to figure out what her angle could be. Holo suddenly glared at me.
"You don't trust anyone do you?" She murmured, a hint of disdain in her voice.
I arched a brow at her sudden jab at me.
"It's healthy to be skeptical…blind trust in someone can very well get you killed." I said in my defense.
Holo narrowed her eyes. "Skeptical? That's a mild way of putting it." Holo shot back with an edge of spite, now turning her head to look back out onto the street.
"Whatever, let's just get on with it…" I muttered, as I killed the engine.
Holo whipped back around, I could tell she wasn't going to drop this so easily.
"Oh! So, you're just going to brush this off and move on? My apologies, I didn't know you were so callous. No wonder Norah wound up dead!" She griped.
'What the hell is her problem?' I thought, before confronting the wolf head on, a pained surge of heat coursing through my chest.
"What's this all about Holo?" I growled through clenched teeth, now meeting her gaze. If she wanted to fight that badly, she was going to get it both barrels.
Unexpectedly, Holo broke away looking out back out through the car window. Her aggravated glare now reduced to a small pout.
"…Sorry." She muttered, spinning me for a loop and my glare fell to a confused stare.
"I didn't mean to… ugh, sorry…" She said softly, rubbing her temple with one hand, regret flashing on her features.
I was quiet for some time, trying to wrap my head around our sporadic conversation. And I pondered if I was traveling into a minefield. I folded my arms and leaned against the steering wheel.
"What's on your mind?" I asked cautiously, still deliberating whether or not this was such a good idea.
Holo didn't respond as she continued to look out through the window, her pale skin illuminated by the red neon glow.
"I…I'm scared Lawrence…" She murmured in a rather unsettling calm voice.
I pushed off from the steering wheel, sitting upright as Holo continued.
"I just… don't think I can trust you… But… you and you alone helped me when no one else would. It's vexing to have my judgment of you so clouded." She muttered, never looking my way.
I furrowed my brow in thought. 'Yeah… I don't know what to make of me either…' Visions resurfaced once again. Zheren, Yoitsu, Trevino and… that scientist girl… god what was her name? I gripped the wheel with one hand, my glove giving a soft leathery creek.
"You were willing to risk your life for me, like some kind of idiot! And yet… How do I know that you won't just turn on me at a moment's notice? How can I be sure? I don't-" Holo babbled, working herself up.
I cut her off with a simple action, my hand glided over to touch hers. My mind acting irrationally… it just seemed… right. The sudden contact disrupted her spiraling thoughts, and she quickly glanced to her hand and up to my eyes. I smoothly interlocked my gloved fingers with her's and gave her a soft squeeze. Holo stared into my silvery eyes and I put on the best comforting smile I could muster. I didn't want her to worry.
Suddenly Holo squeezed back, and I couldn't be sure under the red neon light… but I swear she turned a deeper shade of red. We sat in silence with our fingers interlocked, a mixture of emotions passed across Holo's face. Until finally a calm smile spread across her lips. Nothing more needed to be said between the two of us…
"Let's go…" I said softly, breaking off our contact before opening the car door. We undid our seat-belts and stepped out onto the neon lit street. As I made my way to cross the crowded street, I checked my concealed pistol. Making sure it was still sitting snugly on my person. Holo quickly made her way to my side, eyeing up the apartment block we were headed towards.
"So, this is where this so called Hans lives, correct?" Holo mused, her eyes tracing up the building's stories.
"Seems like… I have no idea what to expect. So best we keep things civil." I shrugged as we entered into the building's lobby. I headed over to the apartment's register, my silver eyes scanning the text scrawled upon it.
"Got it. Hans Remario, thirteenth floor room two-o'six" I stated before calling the elevator.
"Not the most secure location is it?" Holo mused before a sharp ding echoed through lobby. The elevator doors opened wide and we steped inside.
I exhaled softly. "Well… who'd bother with a Blacklisted detective?" I mumbled before pressing the button for the thirteenth floor.
The lift ascended at a painfully slow rate. Obviously the building was rather old and somewhere in the back of my mind, I hoped that the lift's mechanisms wouldn't give out on us.
Soon we reached the thirteenth floor, stepping out into a rather modest looking hallway, plain numbered doors running either side.
"Cleaner than most." I snorted, as my eyes started to trace the room numbers, finding room two hundred and six with ease. Below the emboldened numbers, a crudely made sign hung against the door. It read:
'Office of Hans Remario: Private Investigator'
My brow arched in surprise. 'I suppose he's getting accustomed to being blacklisted.' I pondered.
"What if he isn't home?" Holo muttered, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Well, why don't we find out?" I mumbled as I slid up to the door, on the verge of knocking, before a sudden realization made me hesitate.
"Actually… Holo, wanna try your hand at this instead? I suspect Han's would know who I am, now that I'm back on the wanted list. As soon as he saw me... well, civility would go out the window. You on the other hand…" I suggested and a sultry looking grin spread across the wolf's mouth.
"You needn't ask." She played smugly, as I sidestepped the door, out of sight.
The wolf glided over to the door, a composed and charming smile now gracing her lips. She gently rasped against the door, before a small camera in the door frame buzzed to life. The Camera slowly whirred as it zoomed in on Holo's face. The wolf kept her composure, now staring directly into the camera with an alluring smile.
A man's voice droned from the camera above.
"W-who are you?" The man asked, rather hesitant.
"Hans Remario correct? I was hoping to come meet with you." Holo acted naturally. Maintaining her charming nature.
'Had she been practicing this?' I thought as the camera replied.
"What's this about?" The voice asked, holding his ground against the wolf.
"You're a Private Investigator are you not? It shouldn't take that much to put two and two together." She teased with a subtle wink.
'No doubt about it… had practiced this…' I sighed in my head.
"I um… of course… er… wait right there." The camera suddenly went silent, before shuffling footsteps echoed within the room. The sounds of several sliding locks and bolts were heard before the door opened, still held fast by a chain. I pressed my back against the hallway, as to stay out of sight. I rested my hand on the compact pistol. Ready to rush the door and hold Hans at gunpoint, in order to let us in. However, with a discrete hand gesture from Holo telling me to wait, I held my ground.
'What on earth was she thinking?' I thought, before the two continued to talk.
"You wanted to make a case?" Hans mumbled, his voice flattened by exhaustion.
"That's correct. Yes." Holo stated firmly, hardly giving anything away in her performance. It was rather scary how well she could lie… but wolves would do as wolves do…
"I see… well if you have the required documents I can start building your case and-" Hans muttered, before Holo cut him short.
"This is a rather private matter Hans… I would much prefer we discussed this inside. Or am I just wasting my time?" Holo snubbed, acting as if he'd offended her. She played the part perfectly.
"Oh, um… of course. You must forgive me, I didn't know this was such a… sensitive matter." Hans admitted worriedly, evidently Holo's bluff worked.
"I'm waiting." The wolf teased. Enjoying this a little too much…
"Wait one moment miss…" Hans muttered before closing and quickly unchaining the door. Unsuspecting, Hans opened the door with a creek before gesturing for Holo to come inside.
"Please, come in…" He said in what was probably his most welcoming manner.
Holo smiled at him, her crimson eyes gleaming as she stepped into his office.
I waited for a moment longer, shuffling to the door frame as Han's was about to close the door. Listening for the right moment to enter.
"My my, had I known you were this handsome Mr. Remario, I would have come to you sooner… you must have women lining up to date you." Holo flirted, far too well for my liking.
Hans chuckled awkwardly "I um… no, I'm afraid not." He admitted sheepishly.
Before Holo continued to lull Hans into a false sence of security.
"Nonsense… with that jawline, how could any girl refuse you?" She mused playfully, articulating her words just so in order to sway Han's under her spell. And it worked…
"W-well I-" Hans bashfully replied before he was cut off by a sudden 'Thwack!' The door suddenly started to close, but I managed to catch it with my foot, keeping it open.
Hans gagged, before I heard a thump against a wall.
"Come on in~" Holo cooed, to me obviously. I opened the door raising my pistol , unsure what to expect.
What I saw was a very surprised looking Hans pinned against the nearest wall by a girl half his size. Holo had her forearm pressing against his neck and a wicked, almost devious smile twisted the corners of her lips.
Hans glanced over to me and back to Holo, a dreaded look of realization in his eyes.
"Do exactly what we say and I won't rip you to shreds… understand?" Holo threatened in a playful tone, causing a vivid fearful shimmer to spark in Hans' eyes. Hans made a shaky nod, as I closed and locked the door behind me. Keeping my pistol out, just in case…
'So much for civil.' I thought bitterly
Holo slacked off on Hans, allowing him to slump against the wall, rubbing his neck vigorously. His eyes darting between the two of us.
"Now… questions…" Holo cooed, squatting down to look Hans right in the eye.
"W-what do you want?" Hans rasped, still rubbing his throat.
"Richten Marlheit… where is he?" Holo queried in a light, almost whimsical tone.
"I… I don't know who you're… talking about" Hans muttered, glancing away from the wolf's gaze.
Bad move… Holo smiled pleasantly at the slumped man, before speaking.
"I'll try again…" She elated, in that light tone of hers, before her face visibly darkened.
There was a loud 'CRACK!' before my brain could even register what had happened. Holo had struck the wall, just to the side of Hans' head. Leaving several large fractures in the wall. Hans jumped in surprise at the sudden rush of movement from the wolf, before cowering under her gaze.
"Richten Marlheit… where is he?" She inquired again, her voice lowering considerably.
"Ok, ok! Let's not do anything rash alright?!" Hans hastily stated, raising his hands in a meek defense.
Holo stood to her feet, gazing down at Hans, as the gaunt black haired man took several deep breaths. The blood drained from his face.
"Then tell us…" Holo huffed, folding her arms.
Hans scrabbled to his feet, before moving further into the tight, yet almost barren office that Hans had setup for himself. Large wads of paper and leaver files littered a cheap plastic desk at the far end of the room. Accompanied by an unkempt shelving system of even more scattered documents and files. Resting on the table was a miniature ashtray, the smoke tails of a recently extinguished cigarette climbing smoothly through the air.
Hans approached the desk, hastily pushing files aside and scrabbling through documents. Desperately searching, seeking for whatever it was like his life depended on it. For all he knew, it did. Finally Han's pulled up a thick black file and quickly gave it to Holo.
"H-here… this should have what you're looking for." Hans mumbled nervously, as I kept my gun trained on the nervous wreck.
Without a second thought, Holo began flicking through the file, her crimson eyes scanning the pages for anything that took her interest.
"Quite the detective, aren't you…" Holo mused as she continued to browse the file.
"I've been trailing Ricten's movements for some time now… keeping tabs on him in case he slipped up somewhere. He passes himself off as a legitimate businessman, when in fact he's dealing in all kind of trafficking and contraband. He's been sidestepping the law for years now, always changing locations and covers. So at best, all I can offer you is a general idea of where to look for him." Hans explained, shooting several nervous glances towards my gun, before he got a good look at my face.
"You…You're those fugitives aren't you?! The one's responsible for the recent terrorist attack on Wheaten Laboratories." Hans prodded, his curiosity getting the better of him. Holo remained silent as she flicked through the file, her brow furrowing in thought. I decided to blow off his statement.
"Oh… so that's what they're saying about us huh?" I muttered softly, wondering if I could get some information out of him.
"You two have no idea what kind of enemies you've made. Because of you two I had my career and life stripped away. Blacklisting is a near death sentence, I'll be living the rest of my life with that tacked over my head. I'll never be able to work here again! And then you barge into my house threaten and extort me for information, talk about kicking a guy when he's down." Hans spat, growing in agitation and resentment.
Suddenly, Holo slammed the file shut. Causing the two of us to turn our attention to her. She spoke in a calm and clear manner as she handed back the file to Hans.
"Your insight is to be commended sir. This information will indeed be helpful in our search. You have my thanks."
Hans took the file back from her, a look of confused curiosity on his face, before Holo gave me a sideways look.
"You can put the gun away now…" She muttered with a condescending smile.
I shot her a resentful glare. 'Since when were you calling the shots?' I grumbled in my head. Before Holo returned her attention to Hans.
"I must apologize for earlier, but… I doubt you would have given us what we needed if we simply asked politely." Holo giggled, amused by the whole situation. Hans stared at her for a moment longer, before his brow darkened slightly.
"What do the two of you want with Richten anyway?" Hans asked curiously, his interest in the two of us piqued.
Holo and I exchanged a brief glance before I went dodge his question.
"We're just curious in him… That's all." I stated firmly.
Hans sighed lightly, realizing he wasn't going to get anywhere through simple questioning.
"Alright, I get it… that's fine. But can I at least ask a favor from you two?" Hans questioned, and somehow the room was filled with a sudden tension.
"What do you want from us?" Holo asked frankly, as Hans shifted a little uncomfortably.
"Well… you and the PH corp aren't on… the best of terms right?" he muttered softly, shifting his eyes around the room, as if someone were watching him.
Holo discreetly nodded, before Hans gestured us to follow him. Hans lead us through his cramped office, before opening up as small inconspicuous room near the back. He flicked on the light, and a large map of the city was pinned up against a tack board. Several points and routes were marked in red throughout the city, accompanied by several news clippings and articles. Each titled with various headlines pertaining to kidnappings and disappearances.
My brow furrowed at the sight, Hans had evidently been doing some heavy research and investigation. He stood their quietly for a moment, allowing us to take in the sight.
"I mentioned Richten was heavily involved with trafficking." Hans muttered softly before he turned to face us.
"My daughter went missing several years ago… as to what happened to her…" Hans trailed off.
"Richten has been involved with this business for a long time now, but I can't get near him, especially now that I'm Blacklisted. But he's been getting away with this for far too long. If you manage to find anything… please contact me on this." He muttered, handing me a small business card. I took it from him, silently looking over his contacts.
"It seems you've gathered quite a bit of information on this issue, why haven't you pressed charges?" Holo muttered, moving past Hans as she studied the board.
Hans grimaced as he looked over at Holo. "Richten passes himself off as a man of business, as I've said before… and… it's only speculation at this point but… he may have ties with a few Pegasus Horizon officials. As to how far they go up… I'm not sure. But because of this, I can no longer pursue him myself." Hans admitted, seeming somewhat defeated. I glanced up at Hans before returning my gaze to his business card. Unsure if we really should get caught up in this mess. I was about to refuse him, when Holo beat me to the punch.
"We'll consider it…" The wolf mused, before turning tail and began walking out of the small room. Hans nodded sullenly.
"It's all I ask." He stated in a soft tone.
I pocketed the card and followed the wolf out of the small room, eventually followed by Hans. Soon, Holo was opening the door to leave, before she turned back to give the detective a soft smile.
"We'll keep in touch Mr. Remario." Holo murmured as she left the office. I held the door open for a moment longer, looking at the detective one last time. He had the look of a broken and desperate man. A feeling I knew all too well.
"Take care of yourself." I offered sympathetically, before closing the door behind me.
I quickly caught up to Holo, who was setting a fast pace down the hallway, she looked as if she were staring off into another dimension. She stayed completely silent and I was unsure of what to make of it all. Was she really considering taking on Han's case?
It wasn't long before we returned to our parked car and strapped ourselves inside. The red neon glow softly illuminating the interior.
"What do you think?" Holo muttered, almost as if she was talking to herself. I went to look at her, her gaze fixed ahead. Something big was on her mind.
"I think we should stay well clear of it all. We only need to pull a favor from Richten. Nothing more… nothing less." I admitted, resting a hand on the steering wheel and now looking out at the neon lit street before me.
"You didn't notice it then did you?" Holo muttered, a little disappointed.
"Huh?" I mumbled, returning my gaze to Holo.
"The points where the kidnappings were taking place… one of them was not too far from Wheaten Laboratories." Holo speculated, her brow creasing with thought.
Images of the monstrously deformed hybrids resurfaced, causing me to cringe.
"You don't think…" I blurted out, before Holo turned her gaze towards me.
"I don't know… Just a passing thought." She murmured before her face lit up.
"Regardless, I know where we can find Richten." She beamed with mirth.
I arched my brow at her.
"Oh really?" I mused, as a smirk appeared on the wolf's lips.
"Club Milone, I take it you know where that is?" Holo stated surely.
"Yeah, It's on the otherside of town. Sector fifty I think. What makes you so sure?" I inquired skeptically.
Holo shot me a dazzling smile before winking.
"Call it a woman's intuition." She snickered.
I sighed, Club Milone was certainly well known for its disreputable types, but that was no guarantee that Richten would be present.
"Look Holo-" the wolf cut me off.
"Just trust me, ok?" She snapped, obviously dead set on going.
I hesitated for a moment longer before sighing once again.
'Fine' I thought. 'But if you're wrong you can pay for the fuel.'
Not long after this, we were speeding along the Skyway, high above the dark crowded streets of Lower LA, the city lights dazzling past us as our car shot along at a rocketing pace.
Holo was quiet once more, resting her head in an open palmed hand as she stared out the car window. Lost amongst the shimmering city.
I mainly focused on the road, but I couldn't help wonder what she was thinking about. I made the assumption of Wheaten, she was madly driven to find the truth about her past. I had to admit, I was curious as well. But now it was far too late to turn back. It was settled when I entered that damned Laboratory. A flash of the shepherdess's smile appeared in my mind.
'If only I had said no…' I thought bitterly, before refocusing my attention. It didn't matter much now, no point on dwelling on the past or future. But I couldn't help wonder… what was going to happen to us when it was all over. How would it even end?
Soon, the exit for Sector Fifty appeared along the Skyway and I moved to the correct lane for the turn off.
The decrepit, filthy buildings of Sector Fifty loomed high above us as we descended off the Skyway. Drunken patrons and seedy looking thugs roamed through the trash littered streets, a tarted up call girl on every corner.
Holo expressed a form of mild confusion as she glanced at the various forms of debauchery that were openly present in the streets before her.
"This place seems… dirty." She remarked haphazardly, and I was unsure if she truly understood what she saw.
'She's not far off the mark' I noted, before driving on ahead through the littered streets.
Soon, an all too familiar light spewing structure came into view. The grandiose thing was so over the top in it's light display, it practically lit up the whole street like it was still midday. The heart pounding bass echoed loudly as I drove closer, heavily built men dressed in pitch-black suits standing by the door. Keeping out the unwanted or undesirable. The line to gain entrance to the place stretched farther than what would be considered reasonable. Club Milone was obviously 'the' place to be.
Holo's brow furrowed, deep in thought as she took in the sight of the club. Something was still plaguing her mind. I slowed down at the blaring base and dazzling lights, my eyes searching for a particular acquaintance of mine. Before my face lit up as I spotted him. I wound down the window, calling out.
"HEY! MARKUS!" I shouted as loud as I could, trying to get his attention over the bustling crowd trying to gain entrance to the club.
The huge gruff man looked my way and his intimidating glare softened dramatically. Yet, it was still more than enough to scare away most people. He stepped forward and approached my car, the crowds of people parting almost instantaneously as he stepped ahead. No one wanted to get in his way. He bent down to get a good look at my face, before he sniffed quickly through his nose, the thick black mustache on his upper lip twitching as he inhaled.
"Lawrence, haven't seen you in a while… Heard they bumped you off." He stated flatly, his brow darkening.
I could tell he was suspicious of me, just had to play it cool.
"Huh, really? I don't feel bumped off… A lot of Lawrences' in this town Markus…" I joked lightly, trying to brush off his accusation.
Markus was silent for a little while before responding.
"Sure… so, here for business or pleasure?" Markus asked flatly.
"Strictly business Markus, you know that… your boss in?" I asked casually, hoping to get some answers from him. Markus glared at me, this wasn't going as well as I'd hoped.
"Depends. Not sure." He grunted, before he tilted his head and spotted Holo sitting next to me and his stern gaze rapidly changed to one of curiosity as he eyed her up.
"Who's the girl?" He muttered softly. Intrigued by her.
I hesitated, but before I could answer, Holo perked up with a dazzling smile.
"His girlfriend." She teased with mirth. 'Great, she was never going to let that go….' I moaned in my head.
"Girlfriend?!" Markus exclaimed in shock, before staring intently at me.
"Heh, yeah she-" I tried to play along before Markus cut me off with a nudge.
"Lawrence, what the fuck man! You seriously brought this bombshell to a fucking business meeting?! You soft in the head or something?" Markus scalded, before shaking his head in dismay.
"And your stingy enough not to buy her a new outfit, she's way too good for you man." He sniffed, before shooting Holo a wink.
I grimaced in response as Holo tried her best to stifle her giggles at the scene she caused.
"Yes, perhaps my stingy boyfriend should help flare up my wardrobe a bit…" She giggled with an amused smirk. I shot her an angry look. As Markus started getting comfy by the car window.
"Why don't you come on in gorgeous, we gotta a good vibe going, have a couple of drinks, dance for a bit, whatcha say?" Markus invoked with a cheesy smile.
Holo pursed her lips and hummed in thought.
"Hmmmm… perhaps... buuuuut…" she trailed off, hoping to bait the bouncer.
"What's the matter babe? This guy slowing you down? You can ditch that loser if you just-" Holo sharply cut him off.
"Could you perhaps do something about that line? I'd be ever so grateful. Get a few drinks in me and who knows what I'll do…" Holo teased with a dazzling smile as she slowly started to undo her fur lined coat. It worked like a charm.
Markus went ramrod stiff as an idiotic smile appeared on his face.
"Sure thing babe." He said with a wink, before he went to address me in a much harsher tone.
"Just park it in the back." The bouncer stated frankly, appearing a little jealous of me.
"Understood." I muttered before Markus walked away from the car, getting a couple of bouncers to help him break up the line, revealing a side pass that lead around to the back of the club. Roughly shoving the people in the line aside so I could get the car through. Holo tried to keep a straight face throughout the ensuing commotion of angry club goers and the stone faced bouncers. But it wasn't long before she started to scream with laughter.
"Honestly, you humans are far too easy! You get worked up over the simplest of things! Did you see his stupid mug?!" She exclaimed breathlessly within her bouts of laughter. I glared coldly at the wolf, she was a real piece of work, no doubt about that. But a useful one at that… I decided to let it slide.
When the line had been cleared, Markus indicated for me to drive in. Gliding the car in smoothly, as I drove at a slow crawling pace. It wasn't long before parking it around the back.
"Let's just find Richten, I wanna get out of here…" I mumbled to myself, as I stepped out of the car. Holo was quick to follow, stepping out and rapidly coming to my side. I could feel the heavy beat of the club now. It resonated in my very core, the bass pounding in my gut. Holo's ears twitched at the sound. A look of discomfort on her face.
"What is that sound?" She asked with a mild look of distress.
"Music." I answered flatly, spotting a back door heading into the club.
"Its loud. This is what you humans enjoy?" Holo whined softly and I turned to face her.
"You can stay with the car and wait for me if you want." I offered, although the thought of going in alone was a little unnerving.
Holo shook her head. "No, I'm coming with you… I find myself curious about this… Richten character." She admitted with a ponderous expression.
"Well, alright. Just don't do anything stu-" I was cut off unexpectedly, a man in a black suit appeared from a nearby door. He was well built and talked in a thick European accent.
"Kraft Lawrence yes?" he said, eyeing the two of us up with a calculating gaze.
I nodded. "Yeah, that's me. Markus let us in round the back. I've got business with Richten… figured he might be here." I explained and the suited man was silent for a moment.
"Come, the boss wants a word with you." He said, gesturing for us to follow.
I began to feel my nerves winding up, business with a crime boss can do that. I took a deep breath to steady myself before heading towards the door, Holo close behind.
'If things go astray, I know I've got some muscle at least.' I noted before we entered the club's back entrance. We followed the suited bouncer through a rather dimly lit corridor, with various doors running down it. At the end was another door, where two other bouncers stood guard. Flashing technicolor light could be seen leaking through the gaps around the door.
The bass got stronger as we went deeper inside, accompanied with a pulsing electronic melody. We approached the door, before the two bouncers stepped forward to meet us. Their eyes turned steely, as they ran their eyes up and down our bodies.
"Hold still please." One of them grunted, before they each pulled out two small blacked devices, waving them across our chests and sides. Suddenly one of them flashed red and made a high pitched whining sound. The man scanning me got up in my face, fixing me with a fearsome glare. They weren't playing around.
"No weapons allowed on the premises… sir…" The bouncer growled. And I gave a nervous chuckle.
"Aha, yes. Of course." I muttered lightly, before reaching into my cardigan and handing my gun over to him.
"You'll get this back as you leave." The bouncer said, as he gave it a once over, tagging it and placing it in a nearby tray.
I nodded, now feeling on edge that I didn't have a gun. It put the two of us at a greater disadvantage.
With my weapon now confiscated, the other bouncer opened the doors into the club proper. The booming sound and dazzling light hit me like a wave. I nodded my thanks to the bouncer, before being lead onto the floor by the bouncer from before, the one with the strangely thick accent. Holo and I followed closely, feeling a little dazed by the sudden sensory stimulation. But I soon came to my sensors, and observed the club floor. Rave lights and booming vibrations shot chaotically through the air. A flurry of people intermingling through the noise and light, dancing to the rhythm. Nothing particularly noteworthy aside from the various bars around the place, but it just seemed like a standard club. Holo however, seemed to be entranced by the place. Staring with a wide eyed, almost gormless expression.
The bouncer cut through the chaotic crowds of the club, they dispersed as soon as they saw him coming. Holo stuck close to me, grabbing onto the hem of my cardigan as I followed in the bouncer's wake. My thoughts dulled by the overwhelming light and noise.
The bouncer led us up a flight of lit up stairs, which twisted up like a snake to the VIP section of the club. We passed a tight group of burly looking guards. Obviously there to keep out the nobodies. Normally that would be someone like me, but now that I was in league with Eva, it must've amounted to something.
'Just what did a Senator have to do with someone like Richten anyway…' I pondered, as we entered the VIP section. The throbbing base and electric overtones muffling as we entered. Holo exhaled softly in relief as she let go of my cardigan.
I glanced around at her as we now walked through a red velvet hallway, rooms lining either side. The sounds of playful giggling and flirtatious banter heard from inside.
"You alright?" I asked in a hushed voice. Holo looked at me with a wide stare, a mixture of confusion and fear on her face, before she steadied herself and answered my question.
"Yes… I'm fine." She replied with a soft sigh, before adding.
"I appreciate the concern however." She complemented, before quickly rushing to my side.
"So… what should I expect from this Richten?" She whispered, so quietly it was almost audible. Her crimson gaze fixed solely on the European bouncer.
"Huh? I'm not sure I follow." I muttered in return.
"What sort of a man is he?" Holo quickly retorted, a look of mild annoyance crossing her face. I thought about it for a moment, before answering her question.
"He's the kinda guy you don't want to screw around with. He's all about punctuality and formality when it comes to business. And business is his passion so…" I trailed off.
"Act professionally, then?" She mused with a cocky, almost knowing smile.
I exhaled a snort. "Yeah, close enough." I muttered in response, before I realized the bouncer had stopped dead in his tracks and now stood to face us with a steely expression.
"The boss will see you now." He grumbled, pulling away a velvet curtain to reveal a smoky fluro lit room beyond. I hesitated for a moment, before stepping inside cautiously. As we stepped into the room, the smell of strong alcohol hit me before I even saw the empty bottles. The bouncer let the curtain fall behind us.
The room was the very definition of debased. A large circular couch lay before us, dressed up men and high end call girls were taking shot after shot. In the center of this was a glass table, with the largest pile of capsules in the middle, where the guests would help themselves the mountain of pills. Guards armed with high powered automatic weapons stood on the sidelines, silently watching over the guests as they engrossed themselves on the pill form feast before them.
And there in the middle of it all was Richten, an absolute knockout of a girl on each arm. His blonde pageboy haircut and piercing blue eyes surveyed the scene over the top of his thin glasses. An amused gleam in his eyes as he watched the drugged up revelries before him. He was obviously sober, on looking with a knowing smile. He was like a lion among sheep.
However, as soon as he spotted me. His amused gleam disappeared and his eyes darted over to me, giving me the same look a predator would give when it spotted it's prey.
"Ah, Kraft Lawrence!" Richten grinned, his deep voice gaining the attention of the rest of the room.
"Richten." I replied, greeting him with a small nod.
"It's been a while since we last saw each other… How are things? And… who is this?" Richten asked, his gaze now falling upon Holo.
Holo placed her hands behind her back before shooting him a smile, far too charming than he deserved.
"Insurance." She replied quickly.
A smirk appeared on Richten's lips, before his gaze moved between the two of us, he started to eye the wolf up with pale grey eyes.
"Insurance? You? What sort of game are you playing here Lawrence?" Richten mused, standing to his feet to get a better look at Holo.
I swallowed. "Nothing of the sort, this is Holo. A recent associate of mine." I introduced with a hand gesture to Holo.
Richten stepped around the glass table to stand before us, dressed up in a fine quality suit. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine." He grinned, before taking Holo's hand and giving it a light kiss.
Holo's gaze darted to the side, with a playful grin on her face.
"Oh, Mr Marlheit, I do believe you're making your guests jealous." She teased breathlessly. The guests in question glared at her in contempt. I figured they were furious for stealing Richten away so easily. When in reality, Richten was nothing more than Holo's new plaything. Regardless, it was becoming a little unbearable.
"I heard you wanted to see me… We've got some business to take care of, right?" I said with an unwavering poker face. Causing Richten to turn his attention towards me, looking a little dazed thanks to the wolf.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. Heh, it's always business with you isn't it Lawrence… Alright let's get to it." He said, before turning to his guests.
"Unfortunately dear friends, I have business to attend to. So please, continue to enjoy yourselves." He jauntily said, causing his guests to groan with disappointment.
"But Richten, the party is just getting started." One of the girls moaned.
"Now, now. We work before we play, I shall return shortly." He said before gesturing for Holo and I to follow him. With a final wave of disapproval from his guests, Richten stepped out of the neon lit room. Swiftly followed by two nearby bouncers. Holo and I followed the sudden grouping to a smaller, but equally decadent room, a little way down the hall. We sat by a round glass table, Richten sitting on one side, flanked by his two armed bouncers. While we sat opposite to him.
"So, let's cut right to the quick. You wouldn't have come here without a reason Lawrence. So, what do you want?" Richten asked as I watched his previously friendly facade quickly dissolve. A shrewd, ruthless businessman took his place. It was a little unnerving how quickly he transitioned between the two.
"We're here on the request of an associate of yours…" I said in a soft, yet firm tone. Attempting to match his business front, but also avoid any form of intimidation.
"Oh really? And who might that be?" He asked, a mildly intrigued expression flashing across his face.
"I'm here on E's request…" I explained and Richten's demeanor changed for the worse.
"I see… And what does 'E' want?" He muttered, slightly aggravated. I glanced around the room, checking if it was really safe to talk here.
"Access codes." I muttered softly.
Richten pondered this for a moment. Interlocking his fingers before raising them to pursed lips. His brow furrowing slightly. He was silent for a short while before he finally responded.
"And what would these codes be for exactly?" He asked flatly.
"Sector Ten." I replied.
"Ah… I see… Well Lawrence, unfortunately I plan to sell those for a fairly exorbitant price… I don't think I'll be able to just give them to you. They were very difficult to acquire. You of all people should know how protective Pegasus Horizons is with their data." Richten sighed, lowering his hands to his lap.
"I heard you owe a few favors to E" I retorted, not liking where this was heading. Last thing I wanted was to be indebted to someone like him.
"While this is true, I cannot just hand something like that over to you… not without a price." Richten explained, before making a slight hand gesture to his two bouncers. They moved slowly, standing on either side of us. Their high powered weapons resting snugly in their hands. I warily glanced at them before returning my gaze to Richten.
"And you had something in mind… didn't you?" I muttered. Knowing how this was going to turn out.
Richten was silent, now wearing his best poker face before he answered my question.
"I've already told the Agency that I'm holding you here. Offered a large sum of credits for your capture." He admitted.
My eyes widened and my jaw clenched as things became clear. There wasn't much I could do to change his mind.
"So… stabbing me in the back huh?" I muttered darkly.
Richten shrugged. "Sorry Lawrence, it's just business. As soon as I was informed you were here, I didn't have any choice in the matter. You know, considering you were supposed to be dead, according to the Agency. Helping you would be like blowing my own brains out. E probably knew this would happen and sent you along as collateral. So in exchange for you I'll do as E asks…"
I balled my hands into a fist. I should've known something like this would have happened. I've been getting sloppy lately, too many mistakes and slip ups. It's been costly… it was like Pegasus Horizons have been a step ahead the whole time.
'What could we do against a foe like that really?' I thought, as my mind clouded with doubt.
Suddenly, Richten turned to Holo and started to speak in a light hearted tone.
"You however Holo, don't need to be caught up in any of this. Lawrence is washed up, but you can stay. If you do, I'll give you whatever the hell you want… or you can just go free, up to you. But I can't stand the thought of a pretty girl like you wandering these streets alone. So, how about it? Wanna be my girl?" Richten proposed with a sly wink.
The room's attention was now fixed on Holo, as she sat complacently, her expression devoid of emotion. Suddenly she burst out laughing. A shocked expression overcame Richten's face as he watched the wolf clutch her stomach in howls of laughter. After a short while Holo's outburst started to subside.
"Do you honestly suspect someone like you can handle me?" Holo chuckled with merriment and Richten's face fell, seeming both confused and shocked by Holo's sudden jab at him.
He went to play it off with a casual laugh.
"Aww, what's the matter? Don't think I'm man enough for you? Take a good look around this club. It's 'THE' place to be. And I own it all and a hell of a lot more. So perhaps you should reconsider your statement, before I change my mind and throw your lot in with Lawrence." Richten growled softly, his threat clearly present in his tone, as he leant forward, a cocky smile on his face.
Holo crossed her legs, before looking the crime lord straight in the eye. Completely unfazed and a rather mean looking smirk crawled across her face.
"The place to be huh? I'm surprised that 'THE' place to be was a complete slaughterhouse for the weak willed and the stupid. I wonder then… which one are you?" Holo chuckled darkly and Richten shot up to his feet with a look of fury.
"I'd watch what you say bitch." Richten seethed, and I glanced frantically between Holo and the crime lord. And I knew, neither one of them were going to back down.
"Oh~ I know. A big fish in a little pond. In other words… a coward." She grinned and Richten glared daggers at her. This was not going well.
"Grab her." Richten muttered softly, his gaze darkening immensely.
The two guards on either side of us quickly brought up their guns, as the one closest to Holo moved to wrench her out of her seat.
"Lawrence?" Holo chirped calmly. Her gaze never breaking away from Richten, a vicious gleam in her eyes.
"Y-yeah?" I stammered, unsure of how we'd get out of this. The guard hesitated, surprised by Holo's calm and controlling demeanor.
"Are you finished with your negotiations?" She teased, knowing that question already.
"I am." I responded, eyeing up the nearby guard, his weapon trained carefully on me.
"Well… I'll take over from here then." She grinned, the edge of threat in her tone caused the nearby guard to act.
He went to strike Holo with the stock of his gun. But the wolf merely scoffed, before raising a hand and grabbed it, stopping it dead in its tracks. The guard's eyes widened in horror at Holo's display of strength. She still stared at Richten, before she wrenched the gun out of the bouncer's grip, completely powerless against the wolf's over whelming strength. The other bouncer primed his weapon, ready to gun her down. Before I shot out of my seat and knocked his gun, drawing his attention towards me.
I struggled with the bouncer's weapon, trying to keep it away from Holo as she dealt with the other bouncer. However, my opponent was far stronger than me and I was quickly thwarted in my attempts of heroism. The bouncer leaned back his head, before bringing it down sharply on my nose. There was a loud crack as pain shot through my face. I flinched at the sudden strike and the Bouncer threw me to the ground.
But it didn't matter at this point, my failed struggle gave the wolf the time she needed. After disarming the other bouncer, she quickly sprung out of her seat before skipping around the back of her opponent. A vicious grin appeared on her face as she grabbed the man's head from the back before smashing it down through the glass table.
The table shattered on the impact, jagged shards sprayed across the room, the bouncer's face and neck pierced by some of the shards. A small gout of blood landed on Holo's face, forming a small splatter that ran up the side of her cheek. The downed bouncer lay groping wordlessly, weakly clutching at his neck as a thick pool of red started to seep across the floor. He made grotesque gagging noises before lying very still.
The remaining bouncer went to raise his gun again, but the wolf had already acted. Using the fallen Bouncer's gun, she ditched the high powered rifle right into the man's gut. The force of the impact was enough to cause the man to double over in pain. By the time the bouncer looked up, the wolf was already upon him. With a single punch, Holo smacked the bouncer right in the jaw. The force of it alone was enough to shatter his neck, as it twisted violently before the bouncer toppled to the ground, dead.
Richten stared wide eyed in shock, backing away from the wolf. He instinctively reached into his suit jacket, intending to pull a gun on Holo. The wolf quickly caught onto this, running towards the crime lord, picking up a sharp shard of glass as she charged him.
Richten never had a fighting chance. As Holo swiftly pinned him against the nearest wall, the shard of glass pressing hard against his neck. Holo braced an arm across Richten's firearm as she leaned in close, their faces mere inches apart.
"I have a few questions for you Mr Marlheit." Holo cooed softly. I got to my feet, looking around at the carnage Holo had made in a mere matter of seconds. But then, something caught my ear as the sound of several rapid footsteps emanated close by.
Suddenly, a group of bouncers stormed into the room, each one armed to the teeth drawn by the sounds of the struggle. They were caught off guard by the sight of two of their co-workers dead before them. They spotted Holo and Richten, causing them to quickly draw their weapons and trained them on Holo.
She merely looked over at them, making a taunting grin as she lightly flicked her wrist. The glass in Holo's hand made a small cut into Richten's neck, causing him to panic.
"DON'T SHOOT! THIS BITCH IS CRAZY!" Richten bellowed, a crack of fear in his voice.
"I'd recommend dropping your guns… I'm not in a very playful mood at the moment." Holo threatened, staring the bouncer's down with a fearsome glare. They kept their guns trained on her as they exchanged a few uneasy glances.
"Jesus! Just do as she says you fuckwits!" Richten growled, more out of fear then anything else.
The bouncers slowly placed their guns on the ground, before backing away. Holo smiled, returning her gaze to Richten.
"Now… I'm going to ask several questions, I expect you to answer them quickly and truthfully understand? Don't bother with lying, I'll know if you are." Holo stated sharply. I pondered whether the last part of that was a bluff or not. Regardless, it seemed to work.
"Ok, Ok! Just… let's not do anything unnecessary alright?" Richten exclaimed, wary of the jagged glass by is neck.
"That all depends on you." Holo grinned with a light tone in her voice.
"Now, first question. In what way are you involved with Pegasus Horizons?" She asked, her crimson stare fixated on Richten.
Richten clenched his jaw for a moment before responding.
"We have done dealings with each other in the past. Not much else."
"What sort of dealings?" Holo pressed quickly, cutting right to the point.
"Nothing major. Just simpl-"Richten was cut off my Holo
"You're lying." She seethed coldly.
Richten was silent for a short while.
"Human trafficking." He admitted begrudgingly.
Holo unfazed continued to push.
"For what purpose?"
"I don't know, they never told me. I was just handed instructions, a large sum of credits and was told to go do it. If I didn't I would be 'replaced'." Richten answered.
"Are you still dealing with them?" The wolf asked.
"No, they stopped contacting me some time ago. About fifteen years back, I wish it could've been sooner. Fuckers were horrible to work with." Richten grumbled.
Holo pondered this before muttering to Richten
"Final question. Do you know anything about Project Romulus?"
The crime boss looked the wolf in the eye. "No. I don't." He answered softly.
Holo kept the jagged shard at Richten's neck a moment longer before she let it fall to the ground and moved off of him.
"Very Well." She muttered, before looking over to me.
"Let's head off Lawrence, we're done he-" Holo was cut off by the sound of gunfire. The whole room snapped their attention towards the sound and saw another bouncer dash into the room.
"BOSS! WE GOT TROUBLE!" He screamed, ignoring the dead bodies on the floor. He looked absolutely terrified about something.
"Ugh! What now?!" Richten growled, rubbing his neck.
The bouncer quickly responded.
"It's the PH corp! They're shooting up the place boss!"
I felt the colour drain from my face.
Author's Note:
Hello again!
Still not dead, sorry this took so long to get out and I hope it's length will make up for it. I wanted to get the story up to a certain point before continuing.
Also, I've reluctantly had to change my update schedule to once or twice a month, instead of every two weeks.
I am very determined to finish this story and by god I will!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
-RRR