Ever Tilley's frantic story sent tingles over Leo's skin, an itch to his palms, urging him to insist that they, his team of ninjas, not just the police, would help her. But lately the team, his team, weren't really a team. They were individuals, with separate purposes, each with their own plans for their lives and how those days, hours, minutes, and seconds were spent. Besides, what she was telling him, about Renet, it was none of his business.
He watched Michelangelo's blue eyes widen, even knew the first thing his little brother would tell Ever, that is, when he found his voice.
Mikey stammered helplessly.
Then Raph said he was leaving, off to his 'I can't stand being under you in my profession too, so I'm gonna do the next best thing' job. He would've made a great cop, perfect for SWAT. But he sold himself short, wanted freedom. Something I'm not sure we'll ever really achieve.
Leo sighed as the door shut behind Raphael, then he looked from Ever's red-rimmed eyes to Mikey's deer-in-headlights expression and decided he too had someplace to be.
"I've got to go, Mikey. If you need anything, just give me a call." Leo rest what he hoped was a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder, then offered his hand to Ever. "Mrs. Tilley, it was a pleasure to meet you in person. I'm sure Michelangelo will do everything he can to help you find Renet. And when you're ready to file a report at the station, we'll be eager to help you from there as well."
Ever's hazel eyes flashed, her tears evaporating beneath a sophisticated façade. "Leonardo, I wish I could say the same. Hopefully, I can talk some sense into your brother and we can resolve this quickly."
"Quickly?" Michelangelo squeaked.
Leonardo took a slow deep breath. "Mrs. Tilley, I can assure you Michelangelo has done nothing to endanger Renet. And I'm very sorry, I really must go."
As Leo turned for the door Ever's voice cut through him, "I never said he did anything to hurt her. It's what she's giving up for an ideal that concerns me. An ideal your brother put in her head."
"Me?" Mikey eeked out.
Why are you so worried about talking to this woman Little Brother? Leo wanted to ask, but was determined to give Michelangelo the opportunity to handle the matter himself. I'm here if you need me. I'm here if you need me… He'll call if he needs me.
Leo met Ever's gaze straight on, speaking to her with carefully chosen words and deliberate clarity. "Mrs. Tilley, Renet is a smart girl, and my brother is a good man, perhaps you should have more faith in them. I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding and that Michelangelo can handle it."
I hope he can handle it. Of course he can handle it. He can handle it.
If Ever Tilley had anything else to say directed at him, Leonardo didn't hear it. He left the coziness of Mikey's pizzeria, along with his little brother's dilemma, behind him.
A spray of red maple leaves floated down from the canopy of sidewalk trees, swirling and spinning before drifting to their demise on the cracked concrete below. Leo shoved his hands in jeans pockets, breathing in the heavy odors of motor oil, gas, cigarette smoke, and fast food in a convoluted chorus of scents and flavors mixed with the crisp bite of early fall air. All the signs told him the seasons were changing even as the rhythm of the city remained the same.
He stopped by a little alternative medicine shop he frequented every few days, to buy some incense. The small sign perched in the window that read 'mutants welcome' sent a pang to his gut. When in uniform he was permitted in any building, 'mutants welcome' or not. He had a job to do. But as an everyday citizen there were plenty of establishments that refused to serve his kind.
I'm good enough to save the planet, and this city, good enough to go down in your history books, but I'm not good enough to shop in your stores, to use the same bathrooms, to eat in the same restaurants? Some of you fear and despise me even after my brother oversaw endless laboratory testings to satisfy you. Even as we put our lives on the line for you. Even if we follow your rules. We never fit, not exactly. He sighed as he paid for his purchase.
The store owner, a mutant rabbit, thanked him for his business. The droop of her long velveteen ears told him that something wasn't right with it.
"Is everything going alright, Becca?"
The rabbit's eyes drifted over her shop, her voice coming out even softer than usual, "I shouldn't bother you with it, Officer Hamato. You're not in uniform. Besides he said that if I told anyone—" the rabbit was visibly trembling, "he'd destroy my store."
Leonardo's teeth set on edge. "Becca, whether I'm in uniform or not you can tell me. I'm still carrying a badge." Leo fished out his wallet to show her. "If it makes you feel like this is more official, here it is. Who's threatening you and why?"
"I shouldn't have said anything. It's just, this is my livelihood. I need my business," the rabbit looked at her cash register, "and every penny it brings in." She hesitated, then took a hard swallow and seemed to steel herself. "A man stopped me on my way to the bank yesterday. He took my deposit and told me he'd be charging me a regular safety fee to protect my business from," she held up her paws forming air quotes, "less desirable people who would otherwise put me out of business."
"What did this man look like?" Leonardo tried to remain impassive, controlling his every breath, demanding his muscles remain slack, but he had a good idea of who was harassing Becca. And they were probably tormenting every other business on this block as well. Wannabe Purple Dragons trying to make a come-back.
Well he'd put a stop to that, whether it be through legal channels or one of his nighttime ventures. But he had to let the rabbit describe the crook, just to be sure.
"He only had one eye, and his face was badly scarred. Officer Hamato, he was the most terrifying man I've ever met."
Leo stiffened, his stomach rolling like he'd been caught in a riptide. "One eye," he repeated, "scarred?"
Was Shredder back? It couldn't be. He was satisfied when sensei passed, even if it was from natural causes, Shredders only gripe with Splinters death was that he'd not caused it himself. If Shredder was back then maybe this was a message for him. Has he been watching me?
"Bbb," Leo stopped himself, tried to slow his racing heart. "Becca, do you know if any of the other shops on this street are being made to pay as well?"
The rabbit shook her head. "They had no idea what I was talking about when I asked them."
Leo nodded. "I see. How many times has he taken your money?"
Becca shrugged. "Just the once, yesterday."
Shredder has been watching me. How did I missed this? Wait. If he's watching me, then is he after my brothers too? And how long has he been watching?
"Becca, I need for you to go down to the station and file a report." He didn't want to tell her it was his fault she'd been harassed. And he was fairly certain Shredder wouldn't bother her again. If he was back, and had done this pathetic harassment, one that his minions would usually handle, then this was a message… meant for him.
"Are you sure I'll be safe if I do that?" Becca's brown eyes seemed to tremble, and Leo wanted to reassure her but felt a more pressing need to get to his next destination, which he was sure would either confirm his suspicion or render him a paranoid idiot who should probably complete another stint in rehab.
"I'm pretty sure. Look Becca, I have to go. I'm really sorry, this happened to you. Please, call down to the station and make a report. They'll send someone by to check on you." Leo pulled the small paper bag containing his incense from the counter, offering the rabbit what he was pretty certain was a pathetic attempt at a smile.
He ducked out of the shop and picked up a jog straight for the cemetery. How could I be such a fool? I led him right to me. All he had to do was follow me for a week and he'd see. Every day I visit my brother, every other day I go to Becca's shop then… I… visit…
Leo's feet slowed to a halt as he came upon his end destination, but his heart thumped against his plastron in painful jerks. The grass covered earth was solid beneath his feet, an array of red, gold, and yellow leaves sprinkled across the lawn like confetti. Granite markers lined the perfect rows hard and sharp like teeth jutting up from their foundations. Most of his surroundings were as they should be, the memorial flowers adorning random stones, the grounds free of litter, trees shedding their last remnants of summer ready to hibernate for the winter. But one little detail about his father's plot confirmed his suspicions, and set his blood on fire.
The mere thought of his arch enemy coming to gloat, and taking great care to ensure that Leo knew it, was enough to push an already teetering Leonardo right to the edge.
There beneath the name Hamato Yoshi, in the incense burner Leo himself had placed there, burned three long sticks of incense. If indeed it was Shredder, he hadn't been gone long.
