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Post by Jordanna on Aug 11, 2008 20:07:06 GMT -5
Proteus ducked his head and chuckled, for a brief moment looking entirely Joey-like.
"I'll leave the detecting to you youngsters. I've seen enough unpleasant things in my life, without rooting around for them on purpose."
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Post by skybright on Aug 11, 2008 23:09:20 GMT -5
"Fair enough." Daws chuckled. "I guess I'm safer with you as a contact than as competition, anyway."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 12, 2008 22:26:20 GMT -5
"That's fine with me," Proteus returned, browsing the heap of fries on his plate. He munched for a moment, then glanced up again.
"Getting back to business--I've still got that cellphone Vance gave me. I don't guess he'll mind if I hang onto it for a few more days, in case you need me for anything about this."
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Post by skybright on Aug 12, 2008 22:32:32 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "If you'll ask the Spooks to keep their eyes and ears open in the meantime -- I'll go see Jai and talk to Vance. Between us, maybe we can come up with an angle for you to work."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 12, 2008 22:43:58 GMT -5
"Sure. You've still got the number, so call anytime."
Proteus paused, then shook his head grimly. "A couple of the Spooks were used for lab rats once. I've seen personally what those people can do."
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Post by skybright on Aug 12, 2008 22:49:07 GMT -5
Daws flinched slightly, flexing her claws. "So was Jai." She said. "I've seen enough -- more than enough -- to hate the thought of them getting their hands on anyone else."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 12, 2008 23:02:06 GMT -5
"It puts me in a difficult position, though." Proteus frowned and stared down at his plate. "You know I still don't want anyone getting killed over what I may tell you--even indirectly. Even if I get any information, I can't promise I'll tell you everything."
He glanced up. "But if I believe more people would die in their labs than in an effort to crack open those labs--I'll choose the lesser evil. Same as I tried to do with Mount Bliss."
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Post by skybright on Aug 12, 2008 23:18:12 GMT -5
Daws sighed and nodded. "You help on your own terms -- that's fair enough."
She glanced up at him gravely. "But I'll warn you -- this has the potential to be every bit as ugly as Mount Bliss, or more so. And I've got no illusions left that we can do it bloodlessly."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 13, 2008 20:05:04 GMT -5
"I know." Proteus nodded. "I'll weigh the factors, like I said... but it's a good bet those people at Mount Bliss had tried their hand a lot of times before Colonel Ashley, and none of the others lasted as long as he did. I can't stand for that."
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Post by skybright on Aug 13, 2008 21:34:04 GMT -5
"No." Daws agreed quietly. "Nobody with any conscience can."
She fell silent as their waitress brought the check by the table, beaming cheerfully at both of them. "Thanks for coming in today, guys."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 13, 2008 21:54:00 GMT -5
"Thanks for being here yourself." Proteus smiled at the waitress with genuine warmth, then counted out the payment for their meal--including a very large tip. "Keep the change."
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Post by skybright on Aug 13, 2008 22:02:58 GMT -5
"Hey, thanks a lot!" The girl beamed at Proteus and whisked the empty dishes off the table as she returned to the kitchen.
Daws grinned and reached for her fedora and hte folder of information. "Thanks for lunch."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 13, 2008 22:16:37 GMT -5
"Glad to." Proteus smiled ruefully and stood up. "And by the way, you can keep the kid busy for another day or two. I'll still be trying to find out more from Tiernan's sources."
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Post by skybright on Aug 13, 2008 22:20:11 GMT -5
"Can do." Daws nodded as she rose. "I figured I'd see if he wanted to tag along when I go to see Jai -- at least give him a little bit of a break from filing."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 13, 2008 22:29:45 GMT -5
"That's fine." Proteus moved to the door of the diner and held it open for Daws. "I'm gonna make the rounds of the Spooks and take some time to rest, so he won't have to worry about turning up in two places at once."
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Post by skybright on Aug 13, 2008 22:34:10 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "I'll get in touch with you when I find anything useful -- and you know where to find me if you do."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 13, 2008 22:45:16 GMT -5
"Right." Proteus smiled grimly at Daws. "And here's wishing us all luck."
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Post by skybright on Aug 13, 2008 22:54:11 GMT -5
Daws nodded and pulled her fedora down slightly, then turned her steps in the direction of the nearest subway station.
One short subway ride and a brief walk later, she found herself in the familiar street her office was located in. She pushed her hat back and shouldered the door open, calling out as she did so.
"Hey, kid." She shrugged out of her trenchcoat as the door swung closed. "Any calls?"
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 13, 2008 22:57:18 GMT -5
Joey looked up from a cardboard filing box he had dragged from the depths of the closet. "Nope, and nobody's come in. Any trouble at Tiernan's place?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 13, 2008 23:05:24 GMT -5
Daws sighed and held up the folder. "Not trouble, exactly -- but complications. About like there usually are."
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