Day 265 - Friday, September 12th

[papalobo]

[A Chinese man who is definitely a mature adult and not a teenager checks in to the Hyatt, one of their more exclusive rooms, along with his half-white half brother who is also certainly not a teenager and most definitely not the notorious gang leader wanted on suspicion of a September 11th New York City bombing in retaliation for an angry rogue sect of anti-American zealots.

The entire suite floor has been rented out, and it requires a special key card in the elevator and on the stairs to enter that floor. But they can rent one of the still very luxe rooms directly beneath.

A familiar white limo is in the car garage, though the opportunity to gawk or investigate is slim, between the security cameras and live guards.

There's still no contact from Max, but the Department of Homeland Security has become involved, and has begun to enter Ash's territory with intent to arrest any known figures within his gang to bring in for questioning.]

Day 284, Wednesday, Oct 1st

Comments

[jadedlynx]

[ Most have already been hidden. Those that are still on the open interact better with the cops, have no criminal records, and are sure to be confused. The don't really interact with anybody of that description.

The hotel is harder. Being below them helps, but this place isn't going to have thin walls.

But, Shawn's station in the lobby and restaurants to watch for men coming out. He might recognize their faces. Ash, meanwhile, spends more time at the front desk chatting up the workers and learning about the staff. The cleaning staff is also important. He's in the room as they come by and have a conversation. Will they be the same cleaners every day? He bets it can be hard sometimes with some of the more entitled visitors. Don't worry, they'll try not to be as bad as he's seen them yet. Ah, but if they clean more than the suites, maybe it's different.

He wants to know if they have special staff for them. ]

[papalobo]

[No, it's the same standard staff, but so far, rather than entitled, they've just refused cleaning services.

Shawn can camp with a newspaper and be on the look out with ease.

It's around 11:00 there's a call from Max's number. Not his spare number, but his normal number.]

[jadedlynx]

[ He's not in the mood. He's not in the damn mood, but he knows he has to keep his calm if he plans to come out of this and not have to make a new identity. ]

Hello?

[ Is this when they ask him to turn himself in? ]

[papalobo]

We've taken in Max Lobo. Don't you think it's time for you to turn yourself in, too?

[It's an unfamiliar, gruff voice.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Have you? That's... troubling, but being in police custody is better than being in their hands. But, eventually, they will get him. This game can't go on forever. ]

I will as soon as I have my proof together. I didn't do anything, but somehow, that doesn't feel like it's going to be enough for you.

[papalobo]

What do you mean by proof? Leave this up to the pros.

[jadedlynx]

I already see the pros chasing the wrong leads. That doesn't help me put a lot of faith in them. I come in, Mr. Wu stays missing, and the people behind this walk free. I can't see where the good idea comes into play.

[papalobo]

Then, why don't you tell me where you think we should be looking?

[jadedlynx]

The Ling family from Chicago. One of their sons is staying here. I've worked with Mr. Wu in the past, and we stayed in touch. We're on good terms. I just happened to be somebody they could blame this on.

Day 282, Monday September 29th

[papalobo]

[The second man has a turn, which inspires the first to have another go. The two men truly love their job.

Ash is kept in solitary confinement. But he has little chance to become too lonely; as the days go on, Ash is a popular boy, and the hard working investigators under heavy pressure from the latest terrorist attack on US soil--two in 30 days!--are grateful to have such a handy form of stress relief.

By the 25th, Ash is likely feeling rather ill. It's too bad that that's cue for them to do a rectal temperature check, with unapproved tools. It isn't until finally someone announcing themselves as his attorney arrives on the morning of the 29th that anyone is in a position to actually do anything about his ailing health.]

[jadedlynx]

[ When he's alone, Ash does his best to keep from thinking. It's difficult to turn off, but he does try what he can when they're around. Eventually, it becomes obvious that they don't care about the answers as much as the interrogation. Asking for Max just makes him a potential tool to use against him, and they wouldn't let him see him.

When the lawyer arrives, he's suspicious. All his requests - that eventually turn to demands - for a lawyer was ignored.

And yet it's when he tries to sit to speak to the lawyer that consciousness escapes him and he falls to the floor. ]

[papalobo]

[Ash isn't awake to see the absolute state of shock the attorney is in. But, his benefactor, Peter, is informed quickly that the ACLU will be getting involved, a very large scale, high profile case about to be formed. It's something Max protests, for Ash's privacy, though the attorney is willing to try to make the matter a John Doe issue due to connecting to a sealed juvenile history.

but as for Ash, despite numerous investigators demanding access, there are also bodyguards and an attorney set outside of his hospital room 24/7. He may or may not be awake enough to answer questions about what medical examinations suggest he had been through during the last few weeks.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Oh, Peter will assure that the proper outrage exists. He'll want to talk to Max, but he's angry on their behalf.

Consciousness comes and goes, more often out than in, but when he does manage to be awake, he asks for Max. Continuously. The infection keeps the fever high, making it difficult even for Ash to think through the fog. ]

[papalobo]

[Peter will be informed that Max has, as of week two, begun sneak attacking guards, including having taken one hostage and almost successfully escaped, which is impressive considering he's not really even able to run all the way down a hallway. It makes it hard even for attorneys to get much leniency for him, given Max has become suspicious of the attorneys and demanding to talk to Ash. Under the circumstances, the attorney feels it would be outright irresponsible to inform Max of Ash's condition, if they want him to stop self-destructing.

Likewise, it seems unwise to detail Max to Ash.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Peter will be quick to point out that he might not have had to resort to such tactics if his basic rights hadn't been taken from him. Nonetheless, he doesn't disagree so much as he wants everyone to remember that Max is also a victim.

Not fully understanding, Ash keeps asking.

The fever spikes. He's back during their first attacks, hands in his hand, face against the cold table. He demands Doyle be allowed to sit in on the questioning, but he isn't talking about the questions they're asking now.

In his delirium, some information leaks. 'I don't care who you are, you can't keep his medicine from him! I'm answering the questions!' 'Like I think you'll really help me if I do it!" And then, the classics of "I"m not a whore!" "Get out of here!" and "Don't touch me!" ]

[papalobo]

[During the delirium fits, investigators and attorneys bring in several photos of men who may have been on the premises with him, seeing if they can see a pattern in who he reacts to and who worked a shift. Mixed in are those who are completely unrelated, plain models and the like to work as a contrast to see if in this state he even can identify his attackers, or is jumping at shadows.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Even now, his mind is strong, but it's used against him as it conjures up the men in front of him. For some, he seems to shrink back into himself. If some of the more violent ones were shown, he's more likely to swipe at the photo. 'I don't care if you tell them I tried to escape, it's not the only lie you're making up about me'.

The innocent men are just as obvious. If they look like officers, Ash stays relatively calm and asks for Doyle, a lawyer, or both. If they're in plain clothes, he's confused and asks how they got in. Do they know Max? ]

Day 285, Thursday, Oct 2nd

[sentimentalstoic]

[When Ash's alarm starts to go off, Blanca is no longer a firm, warm wall of security pressed up against him, but there is something familiar: a warm, soft weight is settled on Ash's chest where Kuroneko sleeps, at least until Ash moves to stir him awake.]

[jadedlynx]

Nn...

[ It's a familiar enough sensation that instead of rolling over, he places a hand over the cat to keep him in place as he moves to sit up. ]

Where's the mean one?

[ With Blanca, probably. ]

[sentimentalstoic]

[The cat meows, which itself had been a rarity since the attack in the woods.

Downstairs, when Ash is ready to head down, is a faintly buttery smell, which may trick him into believing breakfast may be on the simpler side, in respect for his digestive issues. And indeed, it is merely toast. Or more specifically, toast points, topped with almond butter caviar (made from ground almonds and blueberries), and microgreen sprouts.

Blanca's hair is pulled back in a ponytail, in a black T-shirt and jeans, likely clothing he'd worn for a specific task rather than a more casual fashion choice.]

[jadedlynx]

Two questions?

[ Unintentionally, they match though Blanca's may be of higher grade than Ash's. ]

Where were they, and are you hiding Asher?

[sentimentalstoic]

He's here?

[Blanca inists, looking downward and assuming that Ash, while not having x-ray vision, can conclude that the cat who previously wouldn't leave Kuroneko's side was at Blanca's feet behind the kitchen island.]

Although your--or perhaps it's Master Glenreed's--hide out is something of a roach motel, now. It seems his tactic to feeding them was to open every type of food stored there and hope they didn't engorge themselves, and that someone came for them before they ran out.

I suppose he was likely in a hurry, but.

[jadedlynx]

I have a guy who's in charge of feeding them if I go missing.

[ That seemed to be his worry more than being arrested. A hand pets through Kuro's fur. ]

Max didn't know that.

[sentimentalstoic]

He meant well.

[jadedlynx]

I know.

[ Ash isn't angry. Max didn't expect the need to make those plans. It was all last minute. It could have gone very badly, but it would have been worse if they'd been found. ]

It worked out.