Day 264 - Thursday, September 11th

[papalobo]

[Max sleeps; has as he'd thought, he achieves nothing, and he's not even a small-talk source of comfort or somebody to soothe Ash's nerves before his two AM meeting with yet another Chinese teenager. Something about Chinese teenagers seems to always spell trouble for Ash, and now he's in a mess involving no less than four of them.

But Max doesn't move. If Ash comes to see him, setting that pill counter and the note about the smoothie, he may notice he hasn't so much as shifted a finger. Ash has had to turn to painting, but there's no need to lock that room before, or even for a long while after. The only one in this house besides him is a breathing corpse.

But Shawn's ready and waiting for him at one, prepared to be decked out a wires that Ling's likely to hang him with if he finds out about them.]

Comments

[papalobo]

Officer Mardigan. I think you have an idea what this is about.

[jadedlynx]

Where's Max?

[papalobo]

That depends on you. I'm willing to overlook some of his crimes, if I can get hauling you in on my record.

[jadedlynx]

Crimes? What has he done?

[papalobo]

Failure to cooperate in a police investigation, threatening an officer, assaulting an officer, bribing an officer.

In that order.

[Something in his voice appreciates the humor of being bribed after trying to slug one of them didn't work, but.]

[jadedlynx]

I was planning on turning myself in. They told me what they were going to say. Sorry, I need an hour. They took my friend. After I get him out of there, I'll come directly to the station.

Have you found Mr.Wu?

[papalobo]

Well, Mr. Golzine, that's a problem. We're arresting you for breaking and entering onto his property, assaulting his guests, and kidnapping him.<

We were really hoping finding you would mean finding him.

[jadedlynx]

Yeah, I wish it could too. I was one of his guest. I can prove that much. The people who attacked him, me, and my friend took my friend, too. They're hoping that having me arrested means they get away with my friend. I'll turn myself over and cooperate fully with you as soon as I get him back. If I don't, he's gone forever. I know that's not an answer a cop can accept, but it's the only one I can give.

[papalobo]

Then you should know we also can't say 'Go ahead, take your time.'

[jadedlynx]

I do. Take it easy on him, he's recovering. I'll ask for you by name when I show up.

[ Max will understand.

He hopes. The call ends as Ash goes back to tracking the bug. ]

[papalobo]

[The bug, which is moving towards Chang Dai.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Why?

His speed increases. Surely they wouldn't attack Nadia. It's political suicide in the bang world . ]

[papalobo]

[It's not even open yet. Though they live upstairs from it--rather, Nadia does now, alone, without a brother who could protect her.

Of course, they'll be able to get there faster, even with it moving as slowly as it seems to be, by foot.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Her phone is ringing as soon as he realizes the destination. ]

[papalobo]

Ash?

[She answers sleepily but quickly.]

[jadedlynx]

There are some bad people heading your way. Sorry. I put you in danger when looking for Sing. You can be pissed about it, but I need you to get out.

[papalobo]

[Nadia has a good head on her shoulders at least, he can hear her moving quickly.]

I don't tell the police I have security cameras, but there are. If they come in, I can capture their faces for you. The dashboard for it is in the bedroom closet, above one of the ceiling panels.

[She can quickly determine Ash may not want her to return to fetch it for him later. Not that she wants him in danger either, but this isn't the time to argue about that. She does know how gang life works.]

[jadedlynx]

Got it. Thanks. Be careful where you go. Chinatown is divided right now.

Don't stop moving, but has Sunny been acting weird lately?

[papalobo]

I haven't heard from Sonny since June, but that's not unusual. He did move to California, and he's been out of the gangs now since the incident with you out there... He says he's working at a hardware store and isn't involved in anything anymore.

[Of course she knows he could lie. But that is what she knows. She does keep up with people no longer involved in the gang life, she does try to help them if they have to be out, if they want to be out. It's why it's career suicide to go after her. You might go after someone she tries to protect, but not her.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Then, he can't be involved and using his living arrangements to get access to Nadia. ]

I might get arrested for a little while. I'll try to let you know if it's safe before then, but if I don't, don't try to go back in alone.

[papalobo]

You should look out for yourself too, Ash. Don't die.

[jadedlynx]

I don't plan on it. Take care of yourself and let me know when you're safe.

[papalobo]

[For now, she hangs up. Slowly, Shawn's bug moves in closer and closer.]

[jadedlynx]

[ As does Ash. The thing is, he doubts Shawn is with them. He knows Sing isn't. ]

[papalobo]

[And when he arrives, the restaurant is closed, with no people standing anywhere obvious on the outside. If he approaches, however, Shawn's phone is there, leaning against the locked and closed doorway.]