Chapter
Erwin was surprised at the amount of detail within Jessie's file. Nile also provided him with files for both Levi and Kenny the ripper. Another pleasant surprise from the last time Erwin needed information. Back when he was scouting Levi, Erwin was forced to use his own means of gaining intel about the thug. The military police had arrest records, known criminal circles, and last known locations. Jessie's file was a lot smaller than Levi's or Kenny's but no less as detailed.
Jessie was well known womanizer and errand runner for Kenny the ripper. The most serious of his charges was home invasion/burglary. Other than that he could be found in the brothels or taverns. Erwin decided they would start there. Jessie frequented a low end surface bar near the entrance to the underground. Erwin had Clare bribe one of the working girls into luring the thug into the back alley.
The hooker brought him out like a pro. She was painted for her profession with enough make up on her face to cover sad eyes and wrinkled flesh. Her clothing was far too tight for daily life and her breasts were hiked to her chin. Erwin noted that the hooker also shared Levi's bored expression. It was the look that everything around you meant nothing and that you were just another boring piece in a mindless game. There was a sense of hopelessness that this was the punishment the goddesses deemed to be your life.
"Where's my money?" the woman said once Jessie was outside the bar.
"You gotta work for it baby," said Jessie stroking his crotch. The hooker rolled her eyes and walked away from Jessie. Clare moved from her hiding place.
"Here you go," she passed the coins to the woman. The woman tested the weight of the coins. She bit into one of the coins until she was pleased, then nodded at her payment.
"Hey!" Jessie yelled after woman as she walked back into the tavern. She waved him off.
"You're a deadbeat Jessie," the hooker said. Erwin and Hange stepped out of the shadows. The thug whipped around seeing that he was surrounded.
"You!" Jessie growled when he saw Erwin. Erwin towered over this thug as well. He used his height to his advantage to intimidate the animal.
"Good, you remember me," said Erwin. His voice and eyes were as cold has ice. "I warned you once already to stay away from my subordinate." Jessie smirked. He drew his knife from his jacket. Hange kicked it out of his hand and Clare grabbed the knife from the ground.
Erwin grabbed Jessie by the shirt then slammed him against the brick wall "I have witnesses that can prove Levi's innocence."
"Are you threatening me?" said Jessie.
"Warning you," said Erwin. Even in the dim light his blue eyes seemed to sparkle with madness. He nodded to his subordinates. The three faded into the shadows.
"Fuck," said Jessie. If this blew up in his face Kenny would kill him. He hurried back to the underground. Jessie was in such a hurry that he didn't see the three shadows trailing him.
000
Levi was an idiot. Just because he was so strong he thought he was untouchable. Everyone knew the only person strong enough to kill Levi was Kenny. Long ago, Jessie decided he would be patient. He watched that little brat pack for the right moment; even going so far as the friending that little brat Isabel. The night before they were going to the surface she even came to say goodbye. His brother was supposed to make her a woman that night, as a going away present, but the little wrench was too quick. The memory made Jessie's heart hurt. His brother paid for Jessie's misstep with his life. Jessie grit his teeth. Levi deserved this. Everything was perfect now. Levis strength couldn't get him out of this mess. It was as if the goddesses laid a path for Jessie's revenge. He just had to take care of these last few details.
"Wake up old man!" Jessie kicked the old beggar to consciousness. Bert curled into a protective ball. "Some green cloaks came through here talking about Levi. If you step foot on the surface you're dead. You hear me?"
"No one came through here," begged Bert. "I don't know what you're talking about." Jessie stomped on the old man.
"Don't fucking lie to me," he spat. "Just don't go to the surface." The old beggar nodded still in a protective ball. Jessie spat on the ground beside the old man before walking away.
The next stop Jessie knew well. He was one of Shirley's regulars. He knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" A young girl's voice crept through the door.
"It's me," he said. The girl peeked through the door. Jessie pushed it open. The force was enough to knock the girl back. She covered her face in an attempt to hide her black eye.
"Momma's in the kitchen," she said quickly.
"I'm here to see you," said Jessie. The girl flinched. "I don't care what those green cloaks told you but if you go to the surface you're dead."
"Green cloaks?"
"Who is it Claudia?" Shirley asked. When she spotted Jessie she slinked against the doorway to entice him. "Oh hey Jessie baby," the hooker adjusted her bra. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon." In her hand she held a bottle of liquor. "I guess we were rudely interrupted last night."
"I can't stay," said Jessie. "I came to talk to Claudia."
"About what?" Shirley's speech slurred. She rocked from the doorway to stagger toward them. The girl flinched. Jessie turned to look at the Shirley. Once she was a beautiful woman but years of liquor, drugs, and underground life showed in her sunken eyes.
"If you see any green cloaks you let me know."
"Alright," said Shirley. "Are you sure you can't stay?"
"I gotta see the boss," said Jessie. He had one last stop to make. Jessie had to make sure the greens hadn't visited the boss. Jessie made his way to the tavern. Yesterday was an exception; of course Kenny's fucking pride and joy wouldn't be embarrassed in front of just anyone. No, Levi HAD to come home. The boss had to see Levi away from the rest of the guys. If it were any other guy, he would have been drug to the tavern where Kenny held most of his dealings.
There were many drinking spots in the underground. What made this one so different was the only people who entered worked for Kenny or had business with Kenny. Every now and again, the boss would let a couple of hookers in to break up the monotony. But those days were only when the boss was feeling extra generous.
"Is the boss here?" Jessie asked one of the guys playing cards.
"In the back." Jessie hurried to the back room. He had to clean this up quick. Jessie walked toward the back of the tavern. In the very back was a single wooden door. From experience he knew it only gave the appearance of wood. The door was made of metal with wood planks screwed into it. The door was battered from turf wars over the years. It rattled when Jessie knocked.
"Boss, it's Jessie."
"Come in then," Jessie opened the door to see Kenny and Stephan looking a map on a table. Stephan smiled at Jessie. He hated that bastard. He was too happy to be a criminal. Kenny dubbed this guy the angel of death because of his white blonde hair and gray eyes. He would prefer not to speak in front of this bitch but it couldn't be helped. Jessie had just opened his mouth to speak when another one of the guys came through the door.
"Boss, there's some military guy here demanding to speak with Kenny the ripper."
"Military Police?" asked Kenny. He rose to his full height with caution in his eyes.
"No, sir, said the thug. "They are wearing green cloaks."
"Want me to take care of it boss?" Jessie said quickly. Kenny eyeballed him.
"They asked for me didn't they?" Kenny walked around the table. He threw on his trench coat to cover the blades at his waist. Stephan and Jessie followed. With every step Jessie cursed in his head.
"Are you Kenny the ripper?" the tall blonde asked as they entered the main room. He was even more imposing in the well light room. Behind the blonde stood another Survey Corpsman wearing glasses. Jessie wondered where the third one was hiding.
"Perhaps," said Kenny with an easy air. "Who wants to know?" To Erwin, Kenny the ripper looked as if he belonged on a ranch rather than the underground. Right down to the cowboy hat and pointy boots. Erwin knew better than to judge him by his appearance. He found out from the file that Kenny killed over 100 Military Policemen. That alone would be enough to put him at the top of the most wanted list. Unlike Levi, the Military Police had no interest in capturing this criminal. In the file, the policemen were instructed to shoot on sight. Erwin wondered how many lives were lost following that order.
"I understand you are Levi's previous employer." said Erwin. Kenny scoffed.
"Previous employer? I guess you can say that. Are you looking for a reference mister Survey Corpsman?"
The thugs in the bar laughed. Kenny sized up the tall blond. He appeared sturdy enough. There was a madness in the man's eyes that was dangerous enough to be interesting. Kenny still didn't see how this man would give his prodigy a run for his money. An interesting distraction perhaps, but he defiantly couldn't beat his Levi.
When Levi told Kenny about that job he tried to warn the brat about dealing with the military and nobility. One or the other was bad enough but playing with both was so dangerous a game that even Kenny was hesitant to play. Now, because of that hard headed asshole, he had government dogs walking onto his turf like he had a shingle outside.
"Oh I see," said Kenny. "I finally get to meet the motherfucker who stole our Levi," said the boss. Captain Erwin stood firm. Both men played their cards close. From what Erwin read in Nile's file the cowboy in front of him had more blood on this man's hands than a rampaging titan. Erwin knew that he had to be careful. Levi was easy to read but this man…
"I also understand that you are the gentleman to speak with when releasing people to the surface?" said Erwin. Kenny sat back on the bar stool.
"Typically," said Kenny. The word took it's time passing the gang boss's lips. Erwin decided to continue.
"There are two people that I would like for you to release to the surface, temporarily."
Kenny remained silent.
"One of your men threatened our witnesses," said Erwin continued. "That is what led us here this evening." He decided to answer the thug's most pressing question. Erwin had a strong suspicion that Jessie was behind all of this madness. If Jessie had listened to his warning the first time he would have lived.
Kenny turned to look at a shaking Jessie. No wonder the stupid fuck came looking for him. It only took a moment for Kenny to see the complete picture. Jessie led the soldiers right to him.
"Witnesses?"
"Levi is accused of tampering with the Royal games," said Erwin. "If he is convicted he could spend the rest of his life in prison."
"Now, why would I want to help that traitor?" said Kenny.
"From my understanding Levi worked for you for many years?" said Erwin. This was another gamble. Kenny and Levi's files only separated as Levi grew up. The man sitting before him had a hand in Levi's upbringing. Erwin gambled that the even Levi's sense of loyalty came from this man. Traitor or not, the gang boss wouldn't abandon Levi so easily.
Kenny clenched his jaw. There it was, Erwin thought. A flicker of emotion in the mob boss's mask. It was just a glimpse; not enough for Erwin to figure out which emotion but there was something there.
"Levi can get out of there whenever he wants. He doesn't need anyone's help." Kenny retorted his eyes firm. He adjusted on the stool to a comfortable position.
"Levi doesn't belong there," said Erwin.
"Oh, he belongs there," said the boss crossing his arms. "Maybe not for this, but he belongs there. He didn't learn how to kill those titans while taking a shit." Kenny laughed at his own joke. "That little bastard is a monster." Erwin bit his tongue to keep from saying that Levi wasn't the only one.
"I have a question," said Kenny. He shifted on the stool again. "Do you have any hobbies mister Survey Corpsman?" Kenny gave the blonde captain a moment to speak before he continued. "Mine is training hunting dogs." Kenny sat back on the bar stool looking off in thought.
"You know, the best kinds are the wild ones that roam the underground streets. Dogs raised in this filth only know pain. Their world is nothing but hardship. Because of that they're creative little fucks." Kenny the ripper paused, thinking of some distant memory. Erwin opened his mouth to speak but decided against it.
"The hardest part is breaking them," continued Kenny. He looked at Erwin as if he didn't have the balls to break a piece of straw. "The reason I tell you all this is you look like you have pets of your own mister Survey Corpsman." He nodded in Hange's direction. "Why do you want mine?" Erwin took his time before speaking.
"A quality hunting dog is hard to find," he said. "Especially for the kind of prey that I hunt." The two men locked eyes. Kenny's eyes were different from Levi's. No matter how expressionless Levi's face Erwin could still read what was behind his eyes. This man's eyes were completely empty. "You should be congratulated on giving humanity hope." The gang boss scoffed.
"Fuck humanity," said Kenny. "A mutt knows his master."
"Even the most loyal dog is sure to stray without a leash," said Erwin. A thick silence settled between the two men. So these were the kind of soldiers in the Survey Corps, Kenny thought. Any other man in the blonde's position would have pissed himself by now based on Kenny's reputation alone. Even less would challenge Kenny's words. Kenny laughed softly to himself. He was used the weak pieces of shit in the Military Police. He should have expected more resolve from the people who fought titans.
"You know, you seem to have a way of making a mangy mutt look like a show dog. I think it will be interesting to see what you can do with a couple underground rats. Stephan go with them."
"Yes boss," said the young man. He smiled at Erwin. Erwin didn't need a file to know that this man was also dangerous. "Right this way."
"Thank you," said Erwin. He turned to go.
"Oh and one more thing mister Survey Corpsman," said the boss. "As far as Levi is concerned…we never met." Erwin nodded.
"Understood." Erwin walked out of the filthy tavern Hange watching his back. As soon as they were out of Kenny's sight he said.
"Jessie."
"Yes boss?" asked Jessie. Jessie rushed over to where Kenny sat. Kenny rose to his feet. He picked up the barstool and slammed it across Jessie's head. The thug crumpled. He curled up in to a ball on the ground.
"How did that motherfucker find his way to me?" asked Kenny. His voice was calm as he circled around the bloody mess. Kenny kicked Jessie in the stomach making sure the point of his boot hit his ribs.
"I didn't tell him anything boss," Jessie begged. "Please, I didn't tell him anything."
"I believe you," Kenny said. He took a step back. Kenny the ripper stroked his beard in thought. "You fucked up Jessie."
"Boss, I didn't tell him anything," Jessie begged. He crawled to his knees. Kenny shook off his trench coat and tossed it onto the bar.
"You fucked up," Kenny continued. He reached for the blade hidden beneath the back of his shirt. "The only thing I asked you to do was rig the games. Why did you set up Levi?"
A look of surprise washed over Jessie's bloody face. "I…." Kenny flicked the black handled blade in his hand. "He killed my brother! I figured since you were done with him you didn't care with I did to him." Kenny looked down at the groveling man before him.
"That was your first mistake," said Kenny. He knelt beside the broken man wrapping his free arm around Jessie's shoulders.
"Bo-." The blade slide in with a flick of Kenny's wrist. He listened to the blood gurgling from Jessie's lips. "Bosss….."
"Go to sleep Jessie," Kenny replied. When the man was dead Kenny rose to his feet. The body fell to the floor with a thump. He wiped his blade on Jessie's pants before putting it back in its sheath.
"Get my shirt," said Kenny. One of the thugs brought Kenny a clean shirt. When that brat was there he demanded that Kenny keep a clean set of clothing where he did 'business'. Kenny unbuttoned the blood soaked shirt. He threw it on the mess bleeding out on the floor before him. If Levi had been there he would have taken care of this garbage. "Get rid of this fucking corpse," Kenny barked.