"But, boss…" Bones started.

"There's no choice about it," Ash said, pulling on his jacket. "We've worked with him before. If I refuse Golzine's invitation now it will look suspicious."

Bones turned to Alex desperately. "Alex, please tell him. There's got to be some other option, right? One of us can go instead or-" Bones gulped, as the idea behind what he offered hit him.

Alex was leaning back against the wall and shook his head. "There's no choice." He didn't look happy about it. He looked up as Ash headed up the stairs. "Where are you going, boss?"

Ash smiled. "To get a little information."

Ash knocked on the door gently before opening it. Eiji was sitting on the floor, handcuffed to the radiator. He glared foully at Ash.

"Wha-" Ash gaped. "What happened?"

Skip appeared in the doorway behind Ash, his hands on the back of his head, smirking. "Ei-chan tried to escape. But don't worry, boss, I wouldn't let him past me."

Ash suppressed a laugh. "You let this little kid chain you to the radiator?"

Eiji glared at Skip. Skip laughed. "I might have implied that you'd do horrible things to me if he escaped on my watch."

"Damn right, I would," Ash laughed. "Okay, Skipper, give us a couple minutes, would you?"

"Sure thing," Skip said. "Let me know if he doesn't cooperate. I've been working on my interrogation skills."

Ash smiled and closed the door behind him. He looked at Eiji and tried to suppress a smile.

"It's not funny."

"It's a little funny," Ash grinned.

Eiji shook his head and smiled in spite of himself. Ash fished a key out of his pocket. "Come on, I'll get you out of there."

Ash kneeled beside Eiji and unlocked his handcuff. He felt the warmth of Eiji's breath on his neck and turned. Eiji's face was inches away from him. Eiji flushed and looked away. Ash smiled and stood.

"Thanks," Eiji said, standing a little too quickly.

"I need your help, Eiji," Ash said.

Eiji looked up at him uncertainly.

"I'm going to see Dino."

Ash watched the mixture of emotions swirl across Eiji's face. Confusion, shock, fear, betrayal.

"Y-you can't."

"Dino asked to see me," Ash explained. "We're not the mafia's dogs, but we've done some work for them in the past. It will draw his attention if I refuse." Ash noticed that Eiji's hands had clenched into fists to stop the trembling. "Don't worry, Eiji. I won't turn you in. We're on the same side, aren't we?"

Eiji looked guilty and scared.

"Aren't we?"

Eiji looked up. Fear flashed in his eyes, deep and primal like a hunted animal. "It's too dangerous. He wouldn't call for you unless he knew something."

Ash nodded. "I know. That's why I have to go. I have to find out how much he knows. Or what he suspects. That's why I need your help. You know him better than anybody."

Eiji looked away and shook his head.

Ash frowned and turned to leave. "Sorry I asked."

"You'll have to be careful."

Ash stopped and looked back. Eiji's eyes were dark.

"Anything he says is calculated. He'll say something, drop half a clue, wait to see if you take the bait. He'll draw information from you without you knowing it and he will use it against you."

Ash nodded. Eiji stepped forward and then stopped, something flickering through his eyes. Ash waited.

"Ash, I…" Eiji looked up. Then the darkness returned. "Just be careful."

"Don't worry, I'll come back. I promise."

Eiji went white at the words but Ash didn't see as he closed the door and left.

Skipper looked up at him gravely. "You're going to see Golzine?"

"Do you eavesdrop on all of my conversations?" Ash smiled.

Skipper didn't smile. "Ei-chan's right. It's too dangerous."

"It's too dangerous not to."

"Ash Lynx. Would you care for some breakfast?"

Ash glared at Dino. "No thanks, I had some arsenic for breakfast, so I'm already full."

Golzine chuckled. "So hostile. Tell me, is there any reason for this unfriendliness towards me?"

Ash smirked. "No more than the usual. You said you had business to discuss?"

"Yes," Golzine said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin and standing up. "There was a hit on one of my trucks. A valuable piece of cargo was stolen."

"Did you call the police?" Ash offered.

Dino ignored him. "This cargo is special. It has a tendency to wander off when not kept on the leash." Golzine looked down at Ash, his size looming over the teenager. "Anyone could be mistaken for taking it in without realizing who it belonged to."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "You dealing in black market puppies now? What, drugs and weapons weren't lucrative enough for you?"

Dino ran a hand across Ash's shoulder. Ash snarled and his hands curled into fists. Golzine smiled. "Have you ever heard of Banana Fish?"

"If that's some sort of new street drug then it's the dumbest name I've ever heard," Ash spat.

"It's why this bitch is special. A laboratory experiment representing years of work. You can see why it'd be worth so much to me. A beautiful lynx," Golzine grinned, "surely would have no trouble tracking it down?"

Ash stepped back and brushed his hand away. "Call a bloodhound. Or better yet, put up a poster." Ash stormed out but stopped in the doorway, hesitating. He glanced back at Golzine. "What's the reward for this lost dog of yours?"

Golzine smiled. "Substantial."

Ash gave a slight smile and shrugged. "I'll keep an eye out for him then."

"Be careful if you do," Golzine said. "This dog is dangerous. It's been trained to please and manipulate. It's easy to fall in love with it."

Ash's hands clenched.

Golzine smiled. "Isn't it?"

Ash turned and smiled. "I guess I'll find out if I ever see the poor beast." He turned and waved his hand as he left. "You really should consider some lost dog posters, old man. Or ask some girl scouts for help."

Ash shut the door to his room and sank into his bed. He wanted to break something. Preferably Golzine's face. It. No better than property. What kind of hell did that kid go through?

Ash looked up at the wooden door. He could hear Eiji moving around quietly on the other side.

"Hey, Eiji."

No answer.

Ash threw a shoe at the door. "Eiji, are you awake?"

Nothing.

Ash groaned and got up. "If you try to hit me and escape again," Ash muttered as he pulled out the key and unlocked the door.

Eiji tossed and turned beneath the covers, tears streaming down his face. He was whimpering in his sleep, hunted by dark nightmares.