“No, I will not help that jackass,” Nightshade shook his head as he opened a beer, “Have you lost it?”
Laura waved in Nightshade’s direction while leaning toward Longbow. Mims stopped what she was doing to give Longbow a look of disbelief.
Longbow held one hand in the air as he put down his comm and looked around the room, “In doing this, I am effectively ridding us of a competitor in the United Seminole Nation-”
NIghtshade mumbled audibly, “I could ‘effectively be ridding us of a competitor in the United Seminole Nation’. All it would take is one bullet.”
Longbow shot a sharp look at his son, “As I was saying. It would effectively eliminate a competitor without bloodshed and boost our reputation in the process. Take note. I would not be doing this if Laura was injured or tortured. We need Mr. White gone. He can sink when he has left the territory.”
There was an awkward silence as Mims placed the plates on the table. Laura was given a plate of leftover spaghetti with a salad and garlic bread. Everyone was served roast beef and Swiss with chips.
Once Mims was done, she sat and looked in Longbow’s direction, “Who are you going to assign to be with Mr. White?”
He swallowed his bite and chased it with some tea, “I was thinking of Mirage and Thumper.”
Nightshade nodded, “They do have more patience than PItbull and I do.”
“That’s the point,” Longbow took another sip of tea, “We need him to stay alive for us to get paid.”
Laura looked around the table as she chewed her bite and sipped on a soda, “Are we forgetting what he was hired to get a team to do?”
“Mayatech is one of the toughest corps out there,” Pitbull added as he lifted the sandwich to his mouth.
“I am well aware of their reputation for blood magic and near-impenetrable security, Pitbull. That is why I have reached out to Gigamite to be a part of the team. She is highly knowledgeable when it comes to the security protocols in their matrix node.”
Snoops took a swig of her sweet tea, “I would have reached out to 16-Bit.”
“I use her for other jobs, and she has told me she refuses to do anything that involves Mayatech.”
“Oh, and we know Jazz won’t because of what happened.”
“Correct.”
Longbow chased a bite with some more tea as he looked in Laura’s direction, “As you are the one who was kidnapped and looked at me as if I had a horn growing out of my head, it is entirely up to you as to whether or not you wish to be a part of the team.”
For the next few minutes the sounds of utensils scrapping a plate could be heard and nothing else as Laura chewed slowly and pondered the choice.
“I want to do the job.”
Everyone stopped mid-bite.
“I know I looked at you like you were some sort of alien, but after I really thought about it, I want to do it.”
Mims was the first one to swallow, “Are you sure, hun?” No one is forcing you.”
“I know. I also know he never raised his hand to me, and he valued my input. He’s just shit when it comes to recruiting.”
Nightshade’s eyes were slits, “He had you locked in a room. He had you-”
“I was there, ‘Shade, and I am telling you he was patient with my attitude, and listened to what I had to say. Weren’t you listening, or did you tune out every-”
“That’s enough Laura.,” Longbow interjected, “We were all present for your recounting of events, and we all took away what we felt we needed.”
Pitbull cleared his throat as he stood to wash his dish, “So, what’s the plan?”
“First, we get to the meet. We have to meet our benefactor,” Longbow smiled.
“I can’t believe I have found myself in this situation. Why did I come to this accursed territory?”
Mr. White paced his office as he waited for the time when he would have to leave to meet Longbow. He continued to address an empty office, “Nothing is stopping me from leaving now and lying low until the heat dies down.”
He shrugged and then shook his head, “What am I saying? The Johnson network is extensive. I’d be a washout. I would be reduced to… to… a runner.”
“Watch it there, Chief. Without us, you’d have no creds to your name.”
Mr. White turned to face the owner of the husky voice. What he found was a female with a chestnut braid which stopped at her shoulders and hazel eyes glaring at him.
“I thought I was supposed to meet you and not be late. Who are you?”
“Mirage and let’s say Longbow doesn’t exactly trust you will show. From what I just heard, you were thinking of ditching.”
“How long were you standing there?”
“Trade secret. Let’s get going.”
He followed her outside to an old work van.
“This is my ride?” The tinge of disgust was audible.
The side door slid open to reveal drone racks, captain’s chairs, and a spotless interior.
“No, it’s my ride, and you’re just cargo,” The orc snorted as he jumped out of the van to let the troll climb into a chair.
“No food or drink.”
Mirage was already in the passenger seat then Thumper climbed into the driver’s side and shifted into drive, “This is the clown we’re supposed to babysit?”
“Ayup.”
“I’m gonna need booze.”
Longbow and Pitbull walked into EZ’s Jazz and Blues a little after two in the afternoon. They stood and allowed the bouncers to pat them for security purposes and then found a booth in the back.
A young man in his early twenties with dark glasses weaved his way to the to men, “Hey, what’s wiz, my chums? It’s a little early to be taking a set.”
“We’re here on business, EZ.”
“I will keep anyone else from wandering back here then. The usual fare?”
“Yes, please.”
“I will have Misty bring it.” With a small bow, he made his way back through the club to the kitchen.”
Pitbull shook his head, “I will never stop being surprised at how he does that.”
“One of the rules of the place is to make sure all the empty seats are pulled in and the furniture is never moved.”
“Is Mr. White coming alone?”
“Mirage and Thumper are bringing her.”
Pitbull tried to hide blowing into his hand and passing it over his nose.
Longbow chuckled, “This is business, Pitbull. We’re not here to set you up with Mirage,
and you’re not going to need the lint brush.”
Pitbull almost choked on his own spit as he put his brush in his pocket, “I wasn’t-”
“Sure you weren’t.”
Misty arrived at the table with an array of meats, cheeses, and fruits along with water and sweet teas. Longbow passed her a cash tip, and she faded out of sight.
“Is everything soka?” JJ’s voice could be heard over Longbow’s earpiece.
“Yes, just let us know when they arrive please.”
“Null sheen.”
He checked his comm.
“10 minutes out. -M.”
“This van is remarkably clean.” Mr. White noticed as he looked around the vehicle.
“What were expecting? A trashed rig?” Thumper snarled from the driver’s seat.
“It is a stark contrast from the outside.”
“Have you ever run with a team on a gig?”
“No, I can’t say that I have.”
“It shows. You don’t want to stick out when you’re the one that’s got to keep an eye on everything that’s hard-wired.”
Mirage pointed out of the windshield, “Here we are.”
“They’re here, Chief.”
“Thank you, JJ.”
Longbow nudged Pitbull and they both watched as Mirage entered with Mr. White with Thumper in tow. They made it through the security check, and Misty walked them to the table where she did not wait for them to settle into the booth. Mr. White sat while the other two stood.
The troll pointed to the two standing, “Are they not going to sit?”
“We’re not paid to sit. We’re paid to escort and guard. Not sit.”
Longbow cleared his throat as he looked at Mr. White, “You heard my terms. You agreed to my terms.”
“I didn’t have a choice unless I want to live in hiding for the rest of my life.”
“It was still a choice.”
“Not much of one but go ahead. I assume there is something else?”
“You did bring the information you and Flashpoint had amassed to this point, correct.”
Mr. White slid the chip across the table. I have 36 hours left to produce results.”
“You will have your results. My team will see to that. You will be taken to a pre-chosen location where Mirage and Thumper will guard you until the job is done.”
“For thirty-six hours?”
“Hey, I ain’t lookin’ forward to it either, Ghostboy.” Thumper smiled with delight when he noticed the troll was upset.
Longbow nodded at Mirage who stepped forward, “Come on, Mr. White. It’s time to go.”
Discover more from House of Geek
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
