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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 17:04:36 GMT -5
Jerod Vance stirred in his sleep, then started awake upon realizing that he wasn't lying on his own cot. He opened his eyes to see the modest surroundings of Regina Dawson's office, and remembered at once why he was there.
Late-afternoon sunlight still shone outside. He glanced at his watch as he sat up; it was a few minutes past five-thirty. As he had predicted, he was ravenously hungry, but other than that he felt vastly better than he had the night before. He rubbed the back of his neck, yawned, and stretched.
"Okay, Dawson," he murmured to the empty office. "You've got ten minutes to show before I leave you a note and wander off in search of that diner."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 20:16:01 GMT -5
Only a few minutes later, there was the rattle of keys in the lock and Daws shouldered the front door of the office open, carrying two brown-paper bags. She grinned at Vance.
"Oh, good -- you're awake already. Here." She deposited the bags on the coffee table and removed her fedora as she seated herself in one of the armchairs.
"Power's out at my apartment, so the stove won't work. I think the guy in 4G blew the fusebox again." She shrugged and reached into the nearest paper bag, withdrawing a foil-wrapped hamburger. "Anyhow, I figured since I was gonna be stopping by Marco's for dinner anyway, I'd spare you the trip. It's crowded in there at this time of night."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 20:40:16 GMT -5
Vance dove at the hamburger with as much dignity as he could maintain. "Thanks. Another few minutes, and I might have started in on your potted plants for an appetizer."
For the next several minutes, he was focused on eating. Sleep had served him well, but his energy still needed replenishment. When his craving had been somewhat sated, he slowed down, and turned half his attention back to Daws.
"Seen the bat today?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 20:47:34 GMT -5
Daws grinned wickedly. "Oh, yeah. Rolled me outta bed at the crack of dawn." She gave a gleefully malicious chuckle. "Vance, the look on his face was priceless. I wish I could've sold tickets." She popped a french fry in her mouth and leaned back with a smirk. "We tweaked his nose but good on this one."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 20:58:01 GMT -5
Vance made a grab for a handful of fries. "I can imagine. He gave you the usual 'find Van Linden' tantrum, I assume. You've gotta admit, she's made a good cover for us."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 21:04:42 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Considering the fact that all of Tiernan's people have completely failed to even find a trace of her, I'll agree with that." She shrugged one shoulder. "It doesn't hurt the cause to have Tiernan wasting resources on looking for one person instead of for all of us. So long as he never gets wind of where she's at -- and I'm gonna make sure he never does."
She frowned and reached for a few more fries. "Which reminds me -- Tiernan's gonna be shaking down his whole operation with extreme prejudice. Our little trip last night has him jumpy about leaks in his organization -- so you might wanna pass on a warning to your mole. He or she best keep their head down for a good long while -- if they plan on keeping it."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 21:14:54 GMT -5
"Thanks for the tip. And by the way, now that I'm awake enough to think about it, I have a little complaint about your strategy last night." Vance leaned back. "You see, the idea of a diversion is generally to have your forces attack from the opposite direction--not come scurrying around to reinforce the same front."
Before Daws could protest, Vance raised a hand. "I know, it's my fault this time for not letting you in on my plan, but I had the idea too late to stop and explain. I figured you'd get the point to rush the place from the front, while the black hats were busy seeing what I was up to out back." He shrugged. "Anyway, it all came off fine, so no harm done. Just don't run toward the nearest explosion next time if you've got another front to attack from."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 21:22:45 GMT -5
Daws chuckled. "Fair enough. Looks like we've still got to iron out some of the finer points of collaboration." She tossed off a mock salute and reached for the french fries. "Strategy duly noted and filed for further reference. I'm more used to the lone-shamus-with-gun mode of strategy, after all."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 21:32:00 GMT -5
"I'm not so used to sharing power, myself. A guy gets sorta used to giving orders, without having to negotiate every detail." Vance shrugged. "A lot of my boys are ex-military, so they get the chain-of-command business alright. But working with you civilians is like trying to herd c--ah... ferrets," he corrected himself quickly.
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 21:39:46 GMT -5
"Nice save, Major." Daws remarked dryly, brushing french-fry salt out of the fur on her arm. Then she grinned. "Just think of it as the Almighty teachin' ya flexibility -- and patience. "
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 21:43:49 GMT -5
"He musta decided I needed it bad." Vance rubbed his forehead ponderously, then glanced toward the door of Daws' inner office. "So when and how are you gonna unload all that junk? I can call some extra help for that, if you need it."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 21:55:19 GMT -5
Daws shrugged. "Caddy gets home about seven from the Lef; I figured I'd haul it all over there tonight." She frowned. "Sid was gonna call today -- but the phone's out along with everything else at my apartment, and I don't think he's called here." She gestured slightly at her pointed ears, adding "I'd be able to hear the answering machine beeping if I had any missed calls."
She shrugged again. "I think I could manage it with one other person -- no sense marshalling a whole squad to Caddy's place. Guess I'll see what's going on once I hear from Sid."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 21:58:58 GMT -5
"Not being able to reach you after that party last night, he might get a little worried," Vance mused. "You try calling him? I guess he'd be at that entertainment palace of his by this hour."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 22:06:29 GMT -5
"Probably." Daws shrugged. "I tried callin' earlier, before I headed to Marco's, but their line was busy. I should try again though -- 'scuse me."
She stood and unlocked the inner office, crossing to the telephone and lifting the reciever. She dialed the Paragon number, and waited.
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 22:16:26 GMT -5
After a moment, amidst a general clatter of dishes and furniture in the background, the nasal voice of Sid's stage manager picked up the phone.
"Paragon Club, Marty Stringer speaking. What can I do ya for?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 22:20:51 GMT -5
"Uh, yeah, I'm tryin' to get in touch with Sid Rosenstein, if he's there." Daws cleared her throat. "Tell him it's Daws calling, if you would."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 22:28:55 GMT -5
"Sure, just a minute." Marty departed from the phone for a short interval, during which there was the rather explosive bang of a metal pan dropping. Then the background noise suddenly cut off, and Sid's voice spoke up cheerfully.
"Sorry, I dunno anybody named 'Doss'--but maybe that's just Marty's English." Sid chuckled. "Am I glad ta hear from you, Daws. I tried gettin' you at your place earlier, but nothin' doin'. I was just about ta call your office. Everything square?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 22:33:12 GMT -5
"Yeah, everything's okay on my end." Daws replied. "Power's out at my building -- guy on the fourth floor is always overloading the system." She chuckled. "Sorry I didn't call earlier -- I'm still not all the way used to havin' people who worry about me. Everything okay with you?"
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 22:42:12 GMT -5
"Oh yeah, sure." Sid's nod was audible. "We're just gettin' the Club opened up--but I'm in my office now. You movin' the stuff for Doc Ollivard tonight? 'Cause I can duck out now before we open the doors. I'm leavin' Foxy ta entertain the customers, though."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 22:46:49 GMT -5
Daws shrugged. "It's up to you. I can enlist a couple of resistance guys instead if you don't wanna leave the Club -- but I wouldn't mind your company, if you don't mind coming along."
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