Chapter: Eight

Location: Chicago, La Ochoa

Lena had cleared the place out for the evening but it didn't erase the mess left behind. Empty glasses of wine from foreign vineyards rested on tables, chairs, and even the floor.

"You would think these people knew how to clean up after themselves," Lena huffed drawing her hair back into a messy pony tail. Without saying anything I joined her in the cleaning process.

Trey was no where to be seen and was most likely holed up in his room. The kid certainly had guts, that much I gave him credit for, but he was reckless. Lena couldn't afford another reckless member in her family. It was recklessness that had forced her father into prison.

The clinking of glasses to my left indicated Brooklyn's late arrival (she had followed me desperately) and her silent help. Her eyes drooped slightly and I wondered if the evening was finally taking its toll on her.

"So, what's this meeting for?" Lena questioned. She straightened to her full height, eyes casting a glare down on Brooklyn and I.

With careful precision I detailed what Clarke and I had discovered never once stopping in my task. The room began to retain some of its previous cleanliness. Only, as it grew pristine I became disheveled.

The ends of my fingers were stained with smudges of color caused by cleaning spilled wine. My hair fell in awkward and loose strands around my face and a slight sweat beaded on the back of my neck. The pleasure of exertion was always an odd thing.

"If I'm understanding correctly, the government made a huge plot to kill off important families. People who ran banks, politics, real estate, etc. so that the children of those families would grow up and take over their inheritance." Lena paused for a moment seeming to organize her thoughts, "When those children grow up they fight the criminals that 'supposedly' killed their families. Ultimately, having them wipe out the underworld that the government hasn't been able to do for years. Then, with the underworld gone, the government doesn't have an external financial or political threat."

"Yes," I nodded adjusting a chair, "and they'll have those children who own massive industries and financial power at their disposal. In the end, the government pockets control over all aspects of major economic and social influence."

"So my parents, and Niklas' parents, were all killed by government agents who might have hired other criminals?" Brooklyn had taken a seat at the edge of the stage where her head rested in her hands. It was a lot to take in, and as Clarke had been quite for some time upon this revelation, Brooklyn had done the same up until now.

"Yes."

"Good God," Brooklyn breathed. Her dark hair shielded her face from view but I could only guess that her expression was one of confused grief.

"But they're mad aren't they? That's why they tried to kill you and Clarke, it's also why they killed Dwyer." Lena pursed her lips in contemplation. "Which means anyone associated with you and Clarke, or Brooklyn and König, is also in danger. They messed up with the plan and want to get rid of their mistakes in order to start from scratch."

"Yes, they'll do anything to clean up the mess they made." Brooklyn's attention was captured by Lena's realization.

"I'm putting all of you in danger?"

"It's not your fault. I'm in danger as it is, and so is Clarke." My words didn't ease the other girl's concerns.

"Brooklyn, I-I'm starting to understand why you cleared your history. It's dark and dangerous and you probably wanted a bit of a fresh start." Lena cringed at her words never one to enjoy issuing an apology, "but it would have been nice to at least know the connection you had to König."

"You're right. I made a mistake and it won't happen again."

"What we need to focus on at the moment is stopping whatever scheme is going on before it worsens," I didn't want to end the tender moment, but time seemed to be something unpredictable for us. Anything could happen at any moment, and,  in truth, tomorrow could very well be our last day alive.

"Agreed. Things have been oddly quiet. If they killed Dwyer with such ease I'd have expected them to keep pushing for momentum. Once you're in why back out?" From a hacker's perspective it made sense, once inside a database get everything you can before you leave; but from a strategic standpoint sometimes it was best not to overstay your welcome, and if they retreated, then perhaps they aren't as strong as they wanted to appear.

"It's a game of probability," Brooklyn noted, "when will they strike next and how? Their strength is keeping us on our toes."

"Precisely why we need to counter what they've done as quickly as possible." Lena and Brooklyn nodded at me in understanding. "Chances are Clarke, and your brother Niklas, are going to call a meeting. They'll try and bring the issue to the attention of other allies and bosses. That can buy us some time and leverage."

"That doesn't help us narrow down who exactly is working for the government let alone which government official is responsible for this." Brooklyn frowned in worry.

"I can do some digital digging but I can't promise anything." Lena chewed on her bottom lip in thought.

A loud bang against the upstairs door caused us to jump. Brooklyn's eyes widened and her hand gripped the neck of a nearby beer bottle. Lena's eyes narrowed in confusion. The bang was followed by another one only this time the squeak of straining hinges echoed down the stairs.

Instinct drew my hand to the hem of my dress. Beneath was a small holster containing a twenty two caliber gun. Lena locked eyes with me for a moment before making a move to the back bar counter.

A screech of snapping hinges and thump of the door followed a third bang. This time I didn't bother with hesitating, the cool metal grip of the gun pressed against my clammy palm.

Lena ducked behind the counter for a brief moment before drawing out two semi automatic pistols she kept for emergencies like this. "Brooklyn, have you ever shot a gun?"

"Of course!" Brooklyn nodded.

"Here," Lena tossed the weapon delicately across the room to her friend. Brooklyn caught it with ease and checked the clip before a satisfied look flashed across her face.

"Stay here, I'm taking the stairs." The room above had gone oddly quiet and I didn't like the implications silence brought. Before either of them could protest I padded silently across to the first step. Feet brushing lightly against the surface I began the ascent.

Eyes skimming across the stairs and entrance above I kept a firm grip on my gun. With some effort I managed to slow my breathing and ease the hammering of my heart. Adrenaline made people tired in fights, if I could help control it stamina would be my advantage.

There was a soft shuffle of feet overhead. Pausing, I waited anxiously for another sound. If they would just speak I would have a better lay out of the room, I could identify numbers, location, maybe more. Only, whoever was there remained quiet.

Setting my jaw I knew that I had to make the first move. Whoever was there would wait as long as possible before coming down; we couldn't remain here forever.

I had always told Lena this place needed a back door out.

Five steps up the stairs I spun to face the intruder. Observation kicked in, there were three intruders instead of one, two were tucked in back corners, one rested just in front of me, they were armed, they wore black suits, hands were gloved, earpiece cords dangled from their ears.

My finger twitched into the trigger and a shot rang out. The man who'd stalked the stairs fell with a bullet lodged in his forehead. The others retaliated in an instant. Sucking in a sharp breath I slipped back down the stairs.

The sound of pounding feet indicated their pursuit. The stairway was too skinny to risk opening fire in. Bullets had odd paths of travel and if heard one to many stories about deadly ricocheting incidents.

Entering the room once more I noticed that Brooklyn and Lena were no where on sight. My first instinct was to duck behind a couch. Panicking I vaulted over the back and slammed into the floor awkwardly on my hip. Blood pricked at my lip from the bite I used to muffle my pained cry.

A premature shot from the enemy pierced a hole in the plaster above the pool table. Moving to peek around the edge of the sofa I spotted Lena standing with her back pressed against a support beam. Eyes flicking closed for a moment she turned firing at the two men.

They too searched for cover. One jumped behind the bar counter disappearing from sight, the other was shot in the shoulder but managed to slip behind the stage speakers.

A shot slammed into the edge of the pillar just as Lena retracted from sight. Scanning the area I spotted Brooklyn resting elegantly atop a shadowed edge of stage equipment.

The poor man behind the speakers didn't stand a chance against her position, he was shot down in an instant. He gave one dying cry and the clatter of his gun signaled his official demise. The remaining man put up a fight.

It was a difficult game of hide and seek. Glass exploded as bullets hit the liquor shelves encased in glass. Alcohol and blood gave the room a nasty new cocktail smell. Brooklyn slunk against the far wall to another spot in the room.

Lena remained behind the pillar as just as I lay rooted behind the sofa. The man had a pattern, it had taken some time to notice but it was there. He liked to check far left, then right, then center. Approximately two minutes passed between each transition. He had just completed the right side.

Six. Five. Come on. Two. One! Standing from my hiding place his head popped up behind the counter just as anticipated. The wound appeared just between his eyes followed by a look of surprise.

His body gave a hollow smack as if slumped over into the pool of drink and glass.

"Who are these guys?" Lena breathed, hesitantly emerging from cover.

Crossing the room with careful steps, still searching for a threat, I knelt beside the last victim. His earpiece crackled in protest as it soaked in blood.

Setting aside my gun, my focus fell on any form of identification. Searching the body wasn't difficult, the jacket yielded nothing, neither did the pants, the earpiece was too damaged to work, but a watch of unique design was enough for me.

"Lena, check the serial number on this," She nodded taking the device and heading to the back room.

"Someone had to have heard he gunshots," Brooklyn warned.

"I know."
— — —
Lena returned moments later with little success, but success none the less. "His name is Luis Atkins. Former marine. He was discharged not long ago."

"How so?"

"It was dishonorable." Lena clarified.

"Interesting."

"His record is pristine other than that," she continued, "not sure what got him into this."

"We can dwell on it later. We need to move for now."

"Trey!" Lena blurted in sudden realization. Sprinting off to one of the back bedrooms she returned with a pale looking Trey in tow. "You're okay right?"

"Yeah," he breathed, but it was clear he was frightened. "What happened?"

"Intruders." Brooklyn explained.

"Right."
— — —
Charles didn't hesitate to collect us. His lips, however, were pressed into a thin line. He was unhappy.

"So...what did you do? Just leave the place? They'll have evidence in no time." Charles finally broke his silence.

"Burned it." Lena spoke quietly.
— — —
"You sure you have the heart for this?" I'd asked.

"If I don't get rid of this place the cops are gonna track us. I can't afford hat! Dad's already in prison he'd die if I end up their too!" Lena protested frantically dumping gasoline around the room. "I can hear the sirens already."

It was true, wails in the distance signaled the authorities and their anger. There was no telling how much evidence was here.

"Okay, I understand." And I did, but I also knew this place was her lively hood. She'd built a life her and Trey here, getting rid of it because of something I was involved in stung. She was caught in the crossfire sooner than I'd expected. It was exactly what I'd worried about.

"There's not other choice. I'll just...I'll find something else." Her words were hollow.

"You can stay with us. Clarke and I are probably going to stay with Maria for now. It's too late to worry about going home." The proposition did little to ease her grief even as she struck the match.

"Yeah. Let's go." Lena and I climbed the stairs quickly before she tossed the burning match over her shoulder. The roaring of fire grew loud in a matter of seconds. Stepping outside I spotted Trey with tears in his eyes.

Brooklyn looked clunky at the orange light reflecting from the inside. Trey sniffles but there was nothing any of us could do. Lena slung an arm around his shoulder's and gave him a gentle hug.

"What now?" Brooklyn mumbled.
— — —
"Clarke is back at the estate in case you wanted to know," Charles' grip tightened on the wheel. His tone was beginning to border on passive aggressive.

"Good. The others are staying temporarily. Brooklyn we'll take you home first." Glancing in the overhead mirror I saw her nod and the rest of the ride was quiet.

No one spoke. Trey was nestled into his sister's side both of them looking lost and sad. It was a picture that made my eyes sting with empathy. Losing a place you loved and called home was never easy.

The tires grated against the driveway and when the car came to a complete stop Charles exited the car to aid the Durans. The warm glow from the windows was inviting and how long this endeavor had taken finally hit me. It was early morning, dawn would be soon, and I had little sleep to maintain my sanity.

The air outside was crisp but Charles caught my arm before I could follow the others. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

"Pardon me?"

"You've been all over hell's half acre today! Did nearly dying not give you a wake up call that maybe these people shouldn't be messed with?" Charles' expression was on of fierce concern.

The way he looked at me reminded me of someone I'd forgotten for some time; my father. "I'm sorry, but things are different than they were. Something is going on and I'd tell you but it would put it in danger. It's why Lena had to burn down the bar."

"My job is to protect you," Charles whispered. "You and Clarke have got to consider what tor lives mean to other people."

"I know, but I also know that this job, this business we're in-it doesn't make for long lives." It was a sad truth. Charles tried to forget it at times, but it was something that needed remembrance. "I can't bring you down in this, not with your wife and kids on the line too."

"Lord, you're as stubborn as the first day I met you," his gaze shifted from my face but it didn't keep me from noticing the tears in his eyes. "Just be careful. Alright? I'm not going to beg for information but if you need me, you can tell me. Danger comes with my job, as you said."

"I will." I promised.

"Good, now go get some damn rest would you?" His smile was enough to make me laugh. It wasn't often he hugged me like a bear, as it wasn't professional, but this time he didn't care.

"I will."

Charles left me on the driveway watching the car drive off. In the distance I could see a plume of smoke acting as a beacon in the sky. Firefighter teams should have arrived by now and the news wouldn't be far behind.

Sighing I turned my back on the scene and headed inside. There Clarke stood near a window in the front room watching the first beads of light hit the glass.

"What did you and Niklas discuss?" His soft eyes were a warm welcome as he gazed back at me over his shoulder.

"Something that can be saved for later. You need rest." He noted.

"As do you."

"Hmm." Clarke hummed. "Mine has to wait a moment more. There are calls to make."

"You waited?"

"For you. I wanted to say goodnight." His gaze flicked back to the window. "Well, whatever time of day it is."

"You're sweet." He smiled kindly as I crossed the room and pulled him into a hug. He was warm and his body heat nearly put me to sleep then and there.

"Thank you." His hand rested lightly against my cheek as he coaxed my face away from his chest to press a kiss against my forehead. "I can carry you to bed if you'd like."

"No, I'll be alright. Go make those calls." Clarke nodded and slowly withdrew from the embrace. His hands held mine for a moment before we both set forth on our own paths.

On my way to my own room I paused by the one Lena was staying in. It wasn't hard to figure out due to the faint smell of gasoline. She'd need new clothes to wear tomorrow.

"Lena?"

"Yeah?"

"If you need to talk, wake me." I waited for a reply and was afraid I wouldn't receive one until she mumbled a faint agreement. Closing my eyes I lingered for a moment before continuing on my way.

That early morning, sleep had never felt so good before.