A/N: Just when I was about to post the newest chapter yesterday, I noticed a gaping plot hole as big as the Baltic Sea. As a result, I had to rearrange a lot of the following scenes. Sorry in advance about the uneven chapter lengths! But as a consolation you're getting two of them today. ;)

November 28th

Danny had not told Erin about his meeting with Arabella. In fact, only Frank knew what he was doing, seeing that Danny would not have been comfortable to speak to that dangerous a person without anyone knowing where he was. Now he was sitting in a dimly lit bar on twenty-second, waiting for her to make an appearance. He'd just ordered his beer when someone slid into the booth.

"Hey, Danny", she said, holding out her hand and shaking his. She'd gotten older, lost some of that nervous energy in her movements, but the wide face with that small pointy nose, the amber eyes and the paleness were still the same.

"How is the business going?", he said when he noticed the band-aid on her hand, which she was obviously ignoring. To his astonishment, a dark shadow passed over her face, but the expression was gone so quickly he wasn't certain. A warning sign flared in his head, but he dismissed it, focusing on the conversation.

"It's fine, thank you."

"And the hand?"

"Just a scratch. Really, Danny, I don't mind making small talk with you, but the phone call yesterday seemed urgent." Arabella raised an eyebrow, "Or did you just stop by to make sure I was doing alright?"

"No." At the tone of his voice, her face transformed again, going from child-like amusement to cool business-woman in a matter of seconds. That was fast, he thought, reminding himself that he had to watch out with her. Still, he needed the help, no matter whether their relationship was based on trust or not.

"I called because my brother Jamie has been kidnapped. We have reason to believe that he is on Herrera territory or at least someplace the mob has influence on."

"Why do you think that?", she wanted to know, leaning back and folding her hands patiently. Like her predecessor, she didn't have to take any notes. Carrying evidence could be the death of her with the work she did, Danny guessed, despising the idea that he had to resort to this path. Getting Jamie back is the only thing that is important, he repeated his current mantra. Nevertheless, he didn't want to show his hand completely yet.

"Just a hunch." An answer she was obviously not happy with, but she nodded anyways, being used to vague information from her various clients. As a liaison between the cartel and their customers, she probably had to deal with all kinds of lies and half-truths.

"Any idea by whom and why he was taken?"

"Revenge and no, we do not know the person", Danny answered, reflexively choosing the plural as this was a family matter. Arabella took a sip of the strong coffee she'd ordered, looking thoughtful.

"Jamie... twenty-something, as pale as I am, dirty-blonde hair, blue eyes, quite handsome?"

"Yes", he exclaimed, sitting up straighter, excitement barely concealed. Had she heard about him? Did perhaps the cartel's network know anything about his brother?

"Never seen him in person, sorry to disappoint", she explained, interpreting his mien correctly, "I just researched you after your call. Wanted to check whether I remembered right. But don't worry, if he's with the family, I'll have him home for Christmas. No guarantees, though, revenge as a motivation is always an awful mess to sort out."

"What do you want in return?" Danny asked suspiciously. His Dad was the PC of New York, surely there would be a catch? In her business, nobody got anything for free. So what would it be? How much was the life of his brother worth? When she smiled at him, Danny gripped his coffee mug tighter.

"Nothing. I like to have my own and the debts of my predecessor payed, 'cause you never know whether the next in line will be as decent as you are and keep the promises you made. Just consider us even, okay?"

"You already have another apprentice?", Danny asked, unable to keep his curious nature in check.

"No, not yet. Although I probably should find one, there are so precious few of us working the connection business... not many indeed", she said, obviously deep in thought before suddenly springing back into action.

"We done here?"

"Sure", hiding his confusion behind a sip of coffee and a tight-lipped smile. Something definitely was not right here. Firstly, the band-aid. Nobody harmed the Spark - or the Spider when she'd been alive - or nobody survived doing so. Why didn't Arabella boast about the kill? Her predecessor definitely would have. And not demanding repayment? His cop instincts told him that he could not trust her, not even after he'd rescued her and the Spider from a risky situation years back. So when the woman asked for a codeword to tell Jamie that would verify their alliance, he hesitated.

"Crossroads. Tell him Crossroads. He'll know", he said firmly, doubting the same instance whether this had been a wise decision. Would Jamie remember? It had been awfully long...

While he'd been considering the issue, Arabella had gotten up, saying how it was a pleasure but that she had a flight to catch. Danny politely extended his hand a second time although he felt uneasy. Was he making a deal with the devil in disguise? Or was he wronging a good Samaritan? Either way, she shook his hand and then weaved through the early evening crowd. In the dim light her red hair glowed like flame, proving her nickname a fitting one. "Just what are you up to, Arabella?", Danny asked.