Chapter 2: Sex and Bars
Word Count: 6,265
Ivan took a deep breath as he started waking up, he felt the sun shining on him and he thought that was mostly what woke him up. He usually closed the blinds so this wouldn't happen. Blinking his eyes open slowly, he looked at the large window that showed the tops of trees. So he was on the second floor... He only had one story. Ivan felt more awake as he sat up slowly and looked around. This wasn't his bed, it was comfortable but not quite as large as his was. There were clothes over the floor, some of which he did not recognize, the carpet a darker shade then the one in his bedroom. The walls were white with random paints on it as well as cardboard taped on the edge of the floorboards so that the paint wouldn't stain the carpet if it got close. There was a short end table next to the bed, which he noticed, was closer to the floor then what he was used to. There was a laptop that was plugged in resting on the small table. On the other side of the bed was a couple of random stereos that seemed to be for somewhere else and put there just for the time being. There was two doors, one that was closed and one that was open and led to a bathroom. Then there was a small walk in closet that didn't seem to have a door at all and had organizers with folded clothes organized in a random way and a couple of clothes hanging.
Next, Ivan checked himself over since he still didn't have any idea as to his location and he felt a little off. Maybe due to the headache pounding in his head and stomach a little upset. He had obviously had too much to drink, but other then that he felt kind of normal, no broken bones, he wasn't bleeding, so that was a good sign. Well, not much bleeding. Ivan looked over himself to see small bite marks littering his chest as well as some scratch marks that were fading into thin red lines that ran down his sides. Huh. He rolled his shoulders, feeling a bit of a sting there, he'd probably gotten scratched up there as well, worst then on his sides apparently. He would have worried if he had raped anybody, but for one he didn't do that even when drunk and it didn't look like any damage had been done to him in self defense. Right well, to see who was beyond the doors then.
Standing up a bit Ivan grabbed his clothes that where on the floor as well as others that he didn't recognize, checking his pockets to make sure everything was there. Nothing was missing as far as he could tell. Once he got everything on he went to the door, opening it. Definitely hadn't seen this house before. There was a TV with some sort of gaming system, a couch and coffee table and from the door Ivan could see the kitchen and dinning room. It seemed similar to a studio if the bedroom hadn't been separate. There was a door leading outside onto a deck that showed a long stretch of mostly desert before another house on the horizon was seen. There were no stairs that Ivan could see at all. Frowning a bit he wondered how he was going to get down from the second story. Ivan went to the kitchen, looking around for somebody, who might as well be non-existent as far as it looked. Spotting the stairs that were leading down from the deck outside. Oh, that's how one got down. Ivan opened the glass door and closed it behind him, there was still a bit of chill clinging in the air from last night but he knew that wouldn't last very long with the hot sun starting to rise.
Walking down the stairs that turned left, he found himself on another deck. There was the first story and it also had a glass door leading in, he turned to look at a metal fir pit on the deck, it had burned wood in it. Still, there was no way to tell when exactly it had been burned, maybe the day before. Ivan heard the door behind him slid open and he turned to see who it was, oh, it was that blond - Alfred he recalled - from last night, "Well good morning!" he said cheerfully, "You up for some breakfast or you have to be somewhere fast or perhaps forgot something important that you have to do?" Ivan blinked a few times before putting his usual smile in place, a bit amused at the stereotypical excuses one gave to leave from a one night stand. Instead, he stepping up to Alfred.
"I seem to have already forgotten something important, how drunk was I last night?"
"Bout as drunk as me apparently." Alfred said, grinning before stepping back inside.
After a moment of hesitation, Ivan followed, closing the door behind him. The downstairs seemed to have a similar plan except that there was a hallway in view that led to probably the front and also stairs... that led to the ceiling. Strange. Looking back down to see Alfred sitting at the table next to... well it looked like another Alfred actually, just with longer hair. Alfred piled another pancake onto his plate, "Anyway, sit down." Ivan hesitated before obeying the suggestion. The one with longer hair sighed, standing up and going into the kitchen. Alfred didn't seem to notice and Ivan looked to see what was on the table, there were pancakes piled on a large plate in the center with a bottle of syrup as well as some butter in a butter dish. There was also some crispy and still steaming bacon cooked up as well as some scrambled eggs. Ivan blinked as a plate and fork was set before him timidly.
"Oh, thank you." Ivan said, looking up at the blond.
"Eh, yes, sorry, Alfred isn't a very good host." The other said quietly.
"I heard that!" Alfred said before taking another bit of his pancake, "Anyway, that's my brother, Matthew."
"Oh, hello." Ivan said, "Pleased to meet you." Matthew nodded, "So you two are twins?"
"Yes!" Alfred said as, at the same time Matthew muttered a quiet 'No'.
"Alfred likes to think we are though." The shy blond said before sitting back in his seat, "But um, have whatever you want."
It was weird how causal it was, and made things a bit more awkward somehow. But Ivan grabbed a pancake with his fork, not wanting to be rude.
"And for your information Mattie, I did make coffee for the handover."
"What did you say you did last night?"
"It's not my fault that I drank it all." Alfred continued, not seeming to hear the question his brother asked him. Ivan grabbed the syrup and listened, somewhat amused but still feeling more then a little awkward. And he still had a headache, at least his stomach wasn't giving him such a hard time, and the food did smell delicious anyway. What time was it?
"You could make more." Matthew muttered.
"He hasn't asked for any and he's heard our conversation, maybe he doesn't like coffee."
"Do you even know?"
"Maybe."
"You don't."
"I might! You never know!" Alfred said before looking at Ivan, "Do you like coffee?"
"Um..." Oh the attention was back on him, "Well, I suppose that it is alright, but I am not found of it." Especially when it was homemade, but recently he had found he needed it with as little sleep as he was getting at night. Still, it was better to buy it, wasn't so bitter then. Though he didn't like the overly sweet kind either... It was a difficult medium.
"So there, I win." Alfred said, nodding.
"You had to ask him, that doesn't count." Ivan started in on his pancake, using the helpful fork. It was funny that people he had never met were arguing about how much they knew him, strange yes, but also very amusing.
"It totally does though!"
"Alfred?" Matthew asked suddenly. Alfred hummed as he shoved a bite that should have been to big for him into his mouth, "Well, the water was cold this morning, so... Did you leave the water on again?" There was a long stretch of silence where Alfred seemed to stop chewing to have more brain power to think on memory. A moment later he swallowed his mouthful and stood up.
"I'll be right back!" Alfred said, going out the door and Ivan heard the other running up the stairs outside. Ivan didn't think it would be possible for it to be more awkward, but it did quite rapidly as they both ate in silence before Ivan decided he would ask a question that occurred to him considering the somewhat casual reactions.
"So um..." Ivan started, getting Matthew's attention, "This happens often?" Matthew shook his head.
"No, n-not that I know of." The other said, "And um... You've known Alfred how long?" Ivan coughed a bit, looking away.
"Not long at all." Stupid vodka, how much did he have? It took quite a bit to get him that far drunk.
"And you met how?"
"He stole my wallet." Ivan said, looking back up to see a small look of irritation flash across the boy's features, but he didn't seem surprised, apparently that wasn't new. Alfred walked in right then.
"Sorry, had to check like all the water things, turns out I left the sink on again." Alfred said, waiting for his brother to scold him about water conservation, which he usually did.
"Alfred, you stole his wallet?" Alfred looked back and forth between Ivan and Matthew before holding his hands up in defense. Ivan watched curiously.
"I think I may have left another on, I'll go check..." Alfred started.
"Alfred!"
"He got it back in like five seconds and I totally didn't know he was a cop before then."
"He's a cop?" Matthew said hoarsely and paling at that thought. Ivan coughed. They both looked at him.
"I think I'll get a glass of water." He said, casually excusing himself as he stood up and went into the kitchen, starting to look through cupboards for a glass as he listened to the conversation, which he could only really hear Alfred's side now. Matthew must have been more quiet.
"I don't know, I remember stealing his wallet and drinking, but I don't remember anything after that! I just woke up with him okay! Yes, thank you for pointing that out. No I'm not, Francis is a complete pervert, you can't just compare him to me! Now that's just mean. You can't tell Arthur! No, it's none of his business. God, your such a mama's boy Mattie. ... Well I'm the one that got fucked in the ass last night, so if anybody has a right to complain it's me! No I don't do this often, does this seem like a normal occurrence to you? Have you ever seen anybody come home with me this late? No, I told you."
Ivan turned on the tap water and filled the glass, missing anything that the blond said in that time before he turned it off and started listening again, taking his time to not be a part of the conversation, he should go soon, "You think so? ... Oh god you're right, why do you scare me like that! I can't die of an STD or something!" Ivan sighed, feeling slightly insulted, it wasn't like this was normal for him either. Ivan swished the water around in the cup for something to do before taking another drink, "Yes, thank you again for pointing that out, but I don't want him knowing that I was a virgin, that's embarrassing, especially since I can't remember and you're not going to tell him either." Ivan coughed on his water, blushing darkly and glad he was facing away from the brothers as that information hit his systems. Well, that was definitely new. Alfred had certainly acted slutty enough that Ivan was very unsure of how to process that information.
He was suddenly aware of the silence and that they were watching him. "Are you okay?" Matthew asked a little louder then normal because he actually heard him this time, Ivan composed himself to smile back at them like normal.
"Da, just went down the wrong pipe." Alfred looked at him suspiciously but Matthew nodded in acceptance, Ivan looked up at Alfred, "Something that just came to me though... How old are you?" Ivan asked. Alfred looked a bit nervous, chuckling and gripping Matthew's shoulders from behind and smiling at Ivan.
"Old enough to drink, yep. Just ask Mattie here."
"No he's not." Alfred's face fell as he looked at his brother in a betrayed way that Matthew wasn't able to see anyway.
"Traitor, I'm close. Besides I'm not a minor so that's something." Matthew didn't say anything this time, and it seemed to be honest. Oh thank goodness. Ivan sighed in relief, nodding. Still, that left Alfred around eighteen to twenty, and that was still pretty young. He hoped the other was twenty, but he kind of doubted it. Alfred opened his mouth when Ivan's cell phone went off. Ivan pulled it out and looked at the alarm, glaring at it. It was time for him to be checking into the office.
"Ah, I have to go." Ivan said, putting the water down and turning the alarm off and looking at the two who were looking back curiously, though Matthew seemed more indifferent, "Thank you for um... Breakfast though." Ivan said uncertainly as he went to the front door. He would have to stop by his house and change at least so that he wasn't going into work with the same clothes. He was going to be so late.
"Oh, yeah, see ya." Alfred said, waving goodbye, "Oh wait..." Ivan looked back at him questioningly, pausing in the hallway, "Well unless you want to walk, do you want a ride?" Ivan blinked... Before looking to the door and narrowing his eyes. Where was his car? Probably left where he parked it in the parking garage still. He was going to have to pay a lot for that. Sighing, he looked back at Alfred, nodding.
"A ride would be appreciated then." Ivan said. Alfred smiled.
"Got it, I got to grab my keys real quick. And Mattie... Try not saying anything awkward around Ivan, okay?"
"Like you're one to talk." Matthew muttered, but Ivan caught it this time. Alfred rolled his eyes and once again went outside and ran up the stairs. That must get tiring eventually. Ivan looked back at Matthew, who looked more uncertain of Ivan now. The silence stretched on, and was actually unbroken until Alfred opened the door again, grabbing a couple of pieces of bacon off the table and putting one in his mouth.
"See you later Mattie!" Alfred called, teeth hanging onto the piece in his mouth as he spoke, going past Ivan and opening the door to head outside. Ivan followed, seeing a couple cars sitting in front of the house and a horse coral, interestingly enough. Most people didn't have horses. Then again, not too many lived out here in the boondocks either. Ivan closed the door behind him, following Alfred to one of the cars as the blond got into the drivers seat. Ivan got into the passenger side.
Alfred put the second piece of bacon in his mouth, buckling up and starting the car, "You're going to have to give me directions to where you have to go once we get to the main road." Alfred said through the food.
"I will, though I am not to sure where we are now." Ivan said, Alfred just nodded as if he'd known that before he put the car in reverse, backing out of the dusty driveway and then going to a gravel road, starting off. Alfred didn't seem to care if there was somebody from law enforcement in his car when he hit an interstate highway and started speeding, not crazy enough to be dangerous, but- "You know, most people would be more cautious of driving if they knew somebody from law enforcement was sitting in their car." Alfred gave him a weird look before looking back at the road.
"Why? Everybody speeds on the interstate if there isn't horrendous traffic, have you seen anybody only going sixty five or whatever it is? Besides, I'm not like most people and it's not like you can give me a ticket at the moment being inside the car too, so whatever." Ivan shook his head, the blond was definitely interesting.
"How is it that your car is in the driveway though? You don't think you drove back here drunk, do you?"
"If I did, we'd both be dead. I was seriously drunk. But no, Mattie always drops me off to go clubbing. I don't drive drunk, that's seriously uncool, somebody could get hurt." Ivan didn't understand the blond's logic, but he supposed that that was true. Sill at least the conversation wasn't as awkward as he thought it would be as Alfred continued talking naturally about it seemed anything that crossed his mind as Ivan occasionally interrupted to give directions or impute to the conversation if it interested him enough to do so. Finally Alfred stopped in front of Ivan's house, "Cool, I'll see you around I guess."
"Da, as long as we both agree never to drink around each other." Ivan said as Alfred let out a laugh and nodded in agreement, "It was interesting."
"You can say that again." Alfred said. Ivan nodded before getting out of the car.
"Goodbye." Ivan said, waving a bit before closing the door and starting to walk towards his house, going around behind the car and soon Alfred was driving away. He probably wouldn't even see Alfred again, maybe occasionally but he kind of doubted it in the long run.
Alfred pulled back into the driveway, getting out of the car and walking into the house he shared with Matthew. He closed the door behind him quietly, sneaking past the living room to try and reach safety before, "Alfred." His brother said. Alfred turned to see his brother standing in the bedroom door, he flashed the other a grin.
"Hey Mattie!" He waved.
"Alfred, what were you thinking? A cop? You stole from a cop? I know you've stolen stuff before, and you slept with him on top of that! But you just met him last night!"
"Hey, just because I bring somebody home other then Kiku it's a crime?"
"No, stealing from him and drinking was though! I thought you'd have higher morals then this, Alfred!" If only Mattie knew the half of it.
"What do you want from me? An apology?"
"Doing all this in front of a cop is much more serious." Alfred crossed his arms defiantly, making Matthew sigh, knowing that Alfred wasn't going to listen to his scolding very long, he never did, instead he moved on to another topic, "What about the man... Do you even know his name?"
"Ivan." Alfred muttered, still looking defensive. Matthew was honestly surprised but a little glad Alfred at least knew that.
"Oh..." He muttered, "Well... Do you know anything else?"
"He's really tall." Alfred said, turning away and walking towards the back porch door.
"What, tell me you at least got something on the car ride over, a phone number even?"
"Are you encouraging me to see the guy or not to see him?" Alfred asked confused, turning back to look at Matthew over his shoulder.
"N-no... Well I mean, you usually don't make to many friends so I thought that..." It would be a nice change, even if there was something unsettling about the tall man. Alfred snorted.
"It was a one night stand Mattie, I'm lucky to know his name, address and profession." Alfred said, "You should know that what with France. See you later." Alfred said, sliding and closing the door, thankfully Matthew didn't say anymore to him. He started climbing the stairs, really he was lucky to know everything he did about Ivan in such a short amount of time he had known him.
Ivan walked into the office, coffee in hand and hair still wet. He hadn't lied when he said he wasn't fond of coffee, but he needed something to keep him awake. Who knew how much sleep he had really gotten last night. Most were a bit surprised to see him there late, he usually wasn't. Ivan walked over to Toris, "Did you find anything new?" Ivan asked, not one for pleasantries so early in the morning. Toris jumped a bit, turning to face him, apparently not hearing him approach.
"O-oh, well autopsy is still working on piecing the body together to put together a lab report, other then the date of death was four days ago as you know, around ten at night. The body-" Ivan waved his hand, he was pretty sure they would be similar to other examinations. No chemical drugs in the system to aid in the kidnapping and the body torn apart by a chainsaw. He didn't need a autopsy report to know that at this point. Time of death was the only thing that really varied much. Toris got the unsaid command to move on, "Um, we found another hair, but it looked like one of the boys who was there, we're running tests between them now, and also the victim, still waiting to hear back. Other then that, nothing much." Ivan nodded, looking to one of the blonds.
"Eduard." Ivan said, getting said person's attention. It was strange how much he looked like the blond Ivan had only met last night, he quickly pushed that thought from his head though, "Run a scan to see if you can find any blond living in Las Vegas who has regestered a chainsaw." That was about the only way to find somebody. Hopefully that could narrow down their search. There were still a lot of blonds, and quite a handful that owned a chainsaw. Still, it was more then they had gotten so far. Eduard nodded and sat down at his computer, starting that, he was the best with computers, probably would get something in at least a couple hours, which was amazing considering how much time one usually had to wait to get results back. He looked back at Toris, "So nothing more?" The Brunette shook his head.
Too bad. Well they had something at least. Ivan nodded, "Alright. Try talking to the ones who found the scene and see if they have alibis for the night of the murder." He said, walking over to his desk and picking up a letter that was there. It was from the director of the FBI, perfect. Ivan sipped the coffee before putting it down on the desk, opening the letter and reading the contents. Pretty much the same as the last several times. How he was taking too long and how the press and everybody was getting out of control and everybody suspecting that the FBI was worthless if even their best agent couldn't solve it. The same bull shit.
It wasn't like Ivan had any more chance then anybody else in the world, he was just usually could guess the pattern of murder before anybody else could. But these were as close to random as he thought a serial killer could get with still being in the same general zone for a pattern to be established. Not to mention the lack of evidence. Ivan reread the letter a couple of times, annoyance growing each time he did. He would once again have to call the man to state how he was trying his best and that they were making progress. This time he wouldn't be stretching things to seem that way as much. Well, might as well place the call.
Ivan sighed, putting down the phone and pinching his nose in annoyance. The director was always a hard man to deal with, having to deal with the political side of things a lot when talking with the other, and that was never enjoyable. And he had to be worried about being removed from the case whenever the letter came. At least it wasn't very often, but still. The other had been enthusiastic when learning that they had hair samples that may belong to the killer. But now he would be expecting results quicker.
Ivan leaned back in his chair, glaring up at the ceiling for a moment before looking back down, fake smile in place but still clearly annoyed. He looked at Eduard, "Found anything yet?" Eduard looked up at him for maybe one full second, a record, before looking back at the monitor in front of him.
"I've only found a couple with rap sheets..." He had probably been hoping to get all the information before giving it to Ivan, he was thorough in his searches, something that Ivan liked.
"Send me the ones you have so far, you can give me the rest later." Ivan wasn't exactly patient at the moment though. Eduard didn't look too happy about giving an uncompleted list, but either he knew how pressed they were for time or was just used to how impatient Ivan could be. Whatever the reason, he didn't argue as he did a couple of things, "Sent." Ivan nodded in approval before logging onto his computer and clicking on the file and the attachments that came with it and started looking through them.
After looking through a couple of them that all seemed to be good suspects, he found one that definitely caught his attention. Blue eyes, blond hair, Caucasian, five foot eight, multiple arrests for pickpocketing and shoplifting. It was rare to get arrested for those things, the police must know him well if he keeps getting arrested, "Eduard, everybody on this list you sent me has a chainsaw, da?"
"Yes, that's right. I can't find any proof of purchase though. I can only find out who regestered them."
"Even him?" Ivan asked, turning the screen so Eduard could see. The other looked at his own computer a moment, typing something in and reading a moment.
After a moment he gave a nod, "He tried registering a chainsaw a while back but he was only seventeen so it was denied." Ivan shook his head.
"He may have bought it illegally or gotten it from a relative or something, so that doesn't mean much. I was just checking." He muttered as he looked at Alfred's picture, which was a mug shot, and he was still grinning brightly. Probably one of the only ones. They would at least have his prints then. Well, he would have to pay Alfred another visit sometime soon. Seventeen huh? Exactly two years ago when the murders started.
Alfred groaned, "This isn't fair!" He whined, glaring up at the offensive object. There was a soft and rare chuckle beside him, "I swear you're cheating!"
"Of course not Alfred-san, I am playing just like you." Kiku said, looking at him.
"Lies and blasphemy! We cannot have a tie! It goes against everything that is right in this world if the hero doesn't win!" Though he did like a challenge, and none was as good as Kiku in video games that Alfred had ever met, other then himself of course. The blond glared at the television as it had betrayed him.
"Well, we could go another round if you wish."
"Yes, and this time I will beat you into the ground! Alright, what round is this anyway?" He asked, he had invited Kiku over today, after everything that had happened yesterday he kind of wanted to have a friend over... Or murder somebody. But the last murder had been recent and he still needed time stalking his newest target before he acted. Always plan things out before acting when it comes to blood.
After they had eaten a bit, they had started playing video games. "I was not counting." Kiku said as Alfred leaned backwards and grabbed a pocky stick that the other had brought over to share. He stuck the tip of it into his mouth before sitting up, "I am sorry Alfred-san, but are you expecting anybody else?" Alfred took the candy... Biscuit... Thing out of his mouth.
"Nope, who else would I invite?" He kept his party life and house life completely separate, unlike most people. He actually was quite popular if he tried, but he didn't want a lot of his 'friends' coming over to corrupt Mattie. Kiku was his best friend, and hated parties or any crowded and loud place, "Why?" Pocky back in his mouth. Then there was a knock on the door. Alfred looked over towards the glass door. Pocky dropping out of his mouth, he looked at Kiku, "It's the cop I stole the wallet from." He had told Kiku, "You better scram, I don't want you getting in trouble." Who knows, maybe he would know that Kiku... Well, best not think about it too much. The other might be a mind reader.
Kiku nodded, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it's cool," Alfred stood up, walking towards the door, he felt Kiku following, "I can kick your ass some other time." He opened the door, "Hey." He greeted, "What brings you here?" Ivan looked at him and then looked over at Kiku suspiciously.
"Well I was hoping to ask you a few questions... Who is your friend?"
"Oh well, this is my friend." Alfred said, blinking before smiling at Kiku, "You staying?"
"No, I think I better be going, I will see you later." Kiku said, moving past Ivan, though not touching him as if he was something dirty. Ivan seemed just as thrilled to have the shorter that close to him. Some people just naturally did not get along. Kiku disappeared down the stairs and out of sight. Ivan looked back at Alfred.
"You know when a cop asks you to answer a couple of questions it's usually being questioned for some sort of crime."
"Da."
"Bastard." Alfred said, slamming the door in Ivan's face. Ivan blinked a couple of times, he could still see Alfred through the glass so it wasn't very effective. Ivan cocked his head to the side as Alfred glared at Ivan a moment longer before pulling the blinds closed over it, blocking the view between them.
That two faced bastard, see if he would ever invite him over for pancakes and bacon again! Okay so technically he hadn't invited Ivan over, but still, no more perfectly crunchy bacon for that stupid Russian. So he was going to press charges on the wallet incident? Alfred would like to see that happen, if that happened he would so press for sexual harassment. Maybe rape, no because no way he was raped, and that seemed a bit extreme.. And cruel. So sexual harassment it was.
Ivan watched the swinging blinds calm a bit before he hesitated, wondering if he should try again but it seemed like he wasn't going to get any direct answers from Alfred. Still... Ivan turned and walked downstairs, going to his car as he pulled out his phone and pressed the contact number of Toris. It rang a couple of times before a timid, 'Hello.' Answered.
"Toris, the other hair that we found that didn't match the children or the victim...What color was it?"
"Black, why?" The other said.
"I just visited one of the blonds in possession of a chainsaw." Ivan said, getting in his car that he ha gotten back and closing it behind him, "He had a friend over, an Asian with black hair." There was silence on the other line for a moment, "See if you can get a warrant."
"You think it is enough for a judge to approve?"
"Enough to get a sample. They are just as desperate to solve this case as we are. If you can't get a judge to agree, call me." Ivan said, hanging up the phone and putting it back in his pocket. He looked back up at the house to see Alfred watching him. The blond made a face of distaste before turning his back on the window and walking away. Ivan waited until Alfred was out of sight before he started the car. There was something odd about that American.
Ivan put down the shot glass, ignoring the crowd of people around him. It was a bar, different from the one he had met Alfred in. The reaction would probably be just as pleasant as last time if he saw the blond. Best to talk to the other when he got the warrant. Of course, despite his intentions he did see the blond walk in, but Alfred didn't seem to even look towards the bar, just going out to dance on the dance floor. He watched the other for a long while until somebody interrupted his thought process, "Did he rob you too?" Ivan looked over to see the person next to him. It was a stranger he'd never seen before. Perhaps he had been staring too long at Alfred.
"Yeah, I guess I'm not the only one." Ivan said speaking loud enough to be heard by the person next to him over the general noise. The man seemed to know that Alfred had a habit of taking things. The man shook his head in the negative at his question, smiling in a way that could be taken sympathetically.
"No, he hangs out around the bars." Ivan nodded, he had caught onto that. He wondered if there was a night Alfred didn't go out clubbing, "He doesn't stay too long though." As if on cue, the blond left through the doors. Probably just long enough not to be overly suspicious when somebody noticed that their wallet was missing and no longer, it was always best to leave early just in case somebody did figure it out probably.
"You've seen him around a lot then huh?"
The other nodded, "He steals from me a lot."
"Why not call the police then?"
"What? And lose out?" Ivan blinked.
"I'm sorry but I am very confused."
"I got that, you're new aren't you? He puts a free drink card in your wallet. So he might steal a couple bucks but you could buy a free like forty dollar drink."
"The bar allows that?" What kind of money did Alfred have to be giving out that kind of money?
"The bar he owns."
"Wait, he owns a bar?" The man rolled his eyes, pulling out his wallet and pulling out a small white card and showed it to Ivan. Ivan took it to look it over. It was about half the length of a regular business card and was plain, just words that stated one got a free drink at some location, but it was too hard to read. He handed it back to the other, "He seems a little young." Ivan yelled over the music. The man just shrugged, "Why would he do this then, wouldn't it bad for business?"
"As far as I've heard from him it's great advertising." The man said.
"You've spoken to him?"
"In passing. He's stolen from me quite a bit, I'm saving up these free drinks for a party coming up soon." Ivan hummed, not really interested in that.
"Seems like a lot of trouble to just advertise." The man shrugged again in response.
"Maybe he's a kleptomaniac or something," Ivan wouldn't be surprised if that was true, "but it gets me free drinks so I don't care. He never takes anything above a twenty either." He thanked the man who left shortly after that.
Ivan didn't stay long either, walking out of the bar. He walked down the street and stood under a lamp, pulling out his wallet. He opened it up and looked through it momentarily. After he didn't find it, he looked again, just to be sure. Then he found a little card embedded deeply in one of his wallet pockets, pulling it out. There was a small emblem on the back of a beer slightly tipped. Nothing special really, but on the front was an address and information that he was sure would come in handy some time in the near future.