"Look, I don't wanna be doing this as much as the next guy, but this is pretty serious," Officer Thompson, a middle-aged cop sent to investigate the whereabouts of the missing kid, said, "You sure you don't know anything?"

"I assure you, they're just upset because their brat is missing," Fransisco responded calmly, shifting the cigar in his mouth. Both of them didn't want to have this conversation, since Officer Thompson was an ally of the gang, but Fransisco knew she was just doing her job and he could get into trouble if he didn't comply. It was a most awkward situation.

"Yeah, I know you wouldn't do that. But you know how the chief is about this place and it's history."

Fransisco took the cigar out of his mouth. "Hm?"

"Oh yeah, forgot you're kinda new to the area," Thompson replied, "Well, you know about the murders of '87?"

"Yes, one of my closest members was there when they occurred. Terrible case, it is. Eight dead and not even a hair or finger print of evidence. God bless those poor souls."

"You see, the Chief was related to one of the victims, so he's kinda crazy about this case. He believes that the murderer is still out there, even though it's been a cold case for over twenty years. And with a new murder happening and you're one of the suspects, he probably still thinks that there's hope if he can search the building again."

"Tell him he's crazy," Fransisco scoffed, "It's just a misunderstanding because of an old grudge. It's mere coincidence that the same brat who set off one of my psycho acquaintances is now missing."

Thompson sighed and folded her arms across her chest. "I sure hope so," she said, "Besides, I'm sure he'd love to see that son of a bitch Fitzgerald again. Where is he, anyways?"

"Night shift," Fransisco replied, a smirk crawling up his lips, "I take it you miss him being on your side?"

"Well, he was a damn good cop. If you see him again, tell him to watch his temper; I know he blows up at the drop of a hat."

Fransisco shrugged and stuck his cigar back in his mouth. "He's obedient enough. Besides, he's been pretty quiet lately. Who knows what's eating him up?"

"Probably drinking his problems away like usual."

The pressure from the workplace during the past week was almost unbearable. Fransisco had shut down the business from operating for a few days, as he was too frustrated to deal with people at the time. Jeremy had even heard that Fransisco almost pegged a glass at one of the newbies for telling him a police officer wanted to talk to him. Not to mention that all of the gang members were put on high alert to avoid screwing up to blow Fransisco up. Thankfully, work was basically the same for Jeremy, since he didn't have to deal with anyone at night. \

Additionally, Ben wasn't available for anybody lately, since he was spending time with Fransisco to both keep him calm and not draw any suspicion. Although it wasn't too much of a setback for Jeremy, he still found himself feeling a bit empty from a lack of intimacy. He hated feeling like that.

Jeremy and Payton were spending a Saturday night together watching a hockey game and eating homemade chili Payton made for the both of them. Despite the volume being at a decent level, the two still chatted with each other in between eating.

"You didn't happen to see what the officer looked like, did you?" Jeremy asked after swallowing his mouthful of chili/

"I-I did, a-actually," Payton responded, "I-It was a woman. Mousy r-red hair, f-f-freckles, kind of a-a scratchy voice."

"Amy Thompson," Jeremy concluded. It had been ages since Jeremy had spoken to her- the last time was right before he was kicked out of the police force. Jeremy remembered how she'd always be making crude jokes and had more balls than some of the men on the force. She'd always bring coffee in her own mug that she got from a yard sale years ago. In a way, she reminded him of Fritz. Too bad she shut Jeremy out after he was fired, like the rest of the force.

"S-She seemed anxious," Payton added, "Weird, 'c-cause I thought s-she was f-friends with Fransisco."

"Probably a new development; didn't know she'd befriend a gang leader. Thinking of her makes me wonder what the hell is going on down at the force right now."

"C-Chaos, probably. B-Bet the kid's p-parents are t-threatening all of t-them right n-now."

Jeremy grunted in agreement and shoved more chili in his mouth. He silently ate for another couple of minutes before speaking again. "Thought you and some guys were gonna go to Saint Clarissa's tonight? What happened to that?"

"W-Well, uh, t-those plans were m-made before… y'know."

"Oh yeah. Makes sense Fransisco doesn't want anybody leaving town."

"B-Besides, I h-heard Purple is r-really sick," Payton said, "G-Got a f-fever, I t-think. B-Ben saw him y-yesterday and s-said he was b-bed ridden. P-Poor guy. He w-was gonna l-lead the t-trip out."

"A coincidence, wouldn't you say?"

Payton cocked his head at Jeremy. "Huh?"

"That he got sick the day after Fransisco was accused of murder? You don't think he could be faking it?"

Payton shook his head. "No, h-he's actually sick. B-B-Ben even noted h-how he looked uneasy t-the day e-e-everything went t-to crap. Though h-he should be f-fine today or t-tomorrow; it i-is just a little s-stomach bug."

"Yeah…" Jeremy agreed. They finished off their chili and Jeremy washed the dishes since Payton cooked. There wasn't any conversation between the two, just occasional one-word phrases muttered to one another. Both went to bed early that night. Thankfully Jeremy didn't have any nightmares that night, but a powerful rainstorm that suddenly blew in kept him awake for a while.

The next time Jeremy went into work, he managed to catch Ben in the hall while walking to the security office. Ben looked as prim and proper as always, but Jeremy noticed the faint dark circles forming under his eyes. Both of them knew the other was exhausted, like every other gang member lately. Ben smiled softly at Jeremy.

"May I help you,love?" Ben asked, "I was on my way to lock up the front doors and retire to my apartment, and I'd love to get my rest." It was blatantly obvious Ben was barely holding himself together. His jaw and face were stiff and trying desperately not to lose their cool. The smile he wore looked incredibly fake, like a retail worker near the end of a shift.

"Oh, I, uh…" Jeremy said, his words being jumbled, "Just was wondering if you, uh… y'know."

"What? Spit it out."

"Well I mean, get together again."

Ben chuckled and patted Jeremy on the shoulder. "Oh, you miss me that badly?" he teased, "Perhaps in another week or two. My loyalty to Fransisco is always my number one priority, and I can't waste time with someone like you."

"Oh, okay," Jeremy replied quietly, feeling quite embarrassed at his neediness.

"But," Ben whispered at his mouth went up to Jeremy's ear, "Perhaps tomorrow I can give you a few minutes of my time tomorrow. You'd like that, right?" Before Jeremy could really think of a proper response, Ben had started walking in the other direction, leaving the other with a hot face and racing imagination. Even when tired and frustrated, Ben always knew how to weave sentences together like a new sewing machine.

Jeremy went back to the office and settled down in the chair, getting comfortable. He watched Ben leave the dining area after locking and then leave the building. Despite knowing he should stay on alert in case he was caught, he decided to put his head down on the desk. The rhythmic clicking of the fan and faint whir of the monitors running were the only faint sounds in the room, making for a perfect sleeping environment.

However, despite taking a nap earlier, Jeremy was asleep in what seemed like only a minute or two.

Fransisco unlocked his office and stepped inside, letting out a long yawn as he did so. Ben and Cheyenne visited with him last night and Cheyenne made simple martinis for the three in an attempt to ease the atmosphere. Fransisco almost felt guilty about Cheyenne and Ben spending so much time with him lately and stressing themselves out. Yet was also annoyed because he wished he could tell them to go away, though decided against it, due to knowing the two had well intentions.

When he flipped on the lights, a letter sitting on his desk addressed to him greeted him. 'If I locked up yesterday, how did this get here?' he thought to himself, scratching his beard thoughtfully. Perhaps it was some mail he forgot to open yesterday and subconsciously left it on the desk as he was interrupted to go somewhere else. He opened it up with one of his fingers and unfolded the paper that was inside, leaning against the desk as he did so.

"Dear Fransisco,

I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I said I'd never lie to you, but that in itself was a lie. You trusted me, and I betrayed those few years of trust. But I couldn't resist after what that little brat did to Maggie. He deserved everything that came to him, and watching him struggle was the only way to get retribution for Maggie's long gone sanity. I felt almost happy doing it.

Please don't come looking for me. I'm going to be gone from this place forever. I wish you and the gang the best of luck, and maybe now the Medianos will get off your case. Again, I'm sorry.

-Your partner and friend, Patrushev Georgiy"

Fransisco dropped the letter after he finished reading, the paper softly falling to the ground on top of his shoe. With every emotion he's held back over the past few days, he took a bottle of whiskey that sat on a nearby shelf and chucked it at the wall, the pricey liquor exploding and smearing the wall down to the floor.