Chapter 4: Elsewhere
The man laced his fingers together and regarded the others at the table.
"What are your reports?" He inquired.
The boy donning a hoodie shrugged and shook his head.
"No sign in the casinos, boss." He reported. "Not since we nearly caught him that last time."
The tall boy, towering over almost all the others, gnawed on his unlit cigarette.
"He's been lying low, by the looks of it - no clues on the news." The blond said.
The slightly chubby boy swallowed his mouthful of hamburger and shook his head as well.
"The only things I've heard that might concern him is that someone got an influential person at Whispering Oaks to snag front-seat tickets, even though there were thousands of others queuing for it." The dark-haired boy muttered.
"That's what I've been hearing too," The short boy with the manic grin announced. "The stable hands have heard of someone with amazing luck who keeps betting at the competitions."
"Sounds like our guy," The muscly boy muttered, resting his head on his right hand.
The burly boy beside him nodded, before saying, "I hear that the Midnight Riders are playing at Whispering Oaks?"
The girl frowned and ran her fingers through her long hair.
"Yeah, that's what I hear too." She agreed.
The short boy started laughing maniacally, causing the others to roll their eyes.
"Did you forget your pills again, Lorcan?" The tall girl gently rebuked.
"Geez, Lorcan is even more of a pyro than you, Brenton." The hoodie-wearing boy teased.
The smoker flipped him off, retorting dryly, "Lorcan is psycho about everything, Jaeger. And that includes watching you do those crazy stunts."
Jaeger swiped playfully at the other, making a face. "Shut up, you. My stunts are awesome. And anyway, what about Farren? All that jerking off must be unhealthy."
Farren growled slightly, his muscles tensing and his eyes narrowing. The other muscled boy intervened before Farren lost his temper, saying "Calm down. You know he's just kidding."
The auburn haired boy let out an annoyed noise, though he did relax. "Othniel, you know I get enough of that shit everywhere else."
The man stood up. "Brenton, you're our best sniper. You should be able to tranquilise him from afar. Jaeger, you're our fastest runner. If need be, you can pull one of your extraordinary stunts to catch him. Othniel, Farren, one of you can go with them in case they need your brawn."
"I'll go," The stronger boy offered, stepping forward. "If I chase him, I won't charge into walls."
"Well, Farren is our resident bull," The fat boy agreed.
"Shut up, Chad." Farren snorted angrily.
"In that case, Othniel, go with Brenton and Jaeger. Perhaps this time we'll actually be able to get him in for questioning." The man said.
"Yes sir," The three chorused, nodding.
Lorcan clawed onto the table before leaping over and clinging to Jaeger like a leech.
"Can I go with them too, Archelaos?" He chattered, eyes glittering brightly.
The man sighed and shook his head, frowning.
"I… Suppose so." He muttered reluctantly. "Just don't cause too much havoc, okay?"
Lorcan broke into a manic grin that sent shivers down the others' spines.
"Don't worry. I won't."