Hours later Don was still going though his papers. Since he was usually very precise of everything what he does, he plan to review the case quickly before going to bed. But his quick had ended up taking way more time than he had expected. It was way past the midnight already. Once again both the residents of this household were still up, one working and one trying to study but halfly watching TV. No matter how either of them try to stick to healthy sleeping routines, both of them usually lack some rest afterwards, failing badly. Especially Don. Without a doubt he really was a bad workaholic, work comes first and the rest later.
Free walks out from the bathroom, brushing his teeth. He could swear Don was just a few minutes ago packing his stuff away but was now again reading some different files. "You are still going?" young man wonders.
Man hums. "This might become a long run. Three suspects. The guy who handled the case has build a good outset in this. So I want to be sure not to miss anything before I get started," Don rubs his eye. Since he has slept only two hours or so this morning after staying up the whole night, even he couldn't keep concentrated anymore. The lack of sleep was affecting him.
Free flushes his mouth on the kitchen sink and turns back to eye Dons papers. "What is it about? Drugs?"
"They are a group known to have fun with drugs but nothing too notable from that. This is actually about double homicide," man clears, finally putting the file down. "They all were near the scene but nothing so far can prove they have anything to do with it. The case almost end closed. Then they gave it to me. Asking different light."
Young mans eyes had locked on one of the photos in one of the files. Growing suddenly very curious, he kept eyeing other photos, trying to figure out what was reading there. "Hey, Don..," Free quietly speaks, holding his excitement. "You said everything I have done until now.. has been erased?"
Bringing that out this suddenly felt very out of context so Dons tired mind went instantly alert. Man turns his eyes on the young man next to him, giving this wondering look. He shouldn't assume anything before actually hearing more, but suddenly kids question cleared out there was a lot more on him what they have never discussed through. And it definitely had something to do with someone in some of these photos. "Yes. You have a fake education background and a living history, all black in white. Dead parents. No relatives. Indeed, also nonexistenting criminal record," he calmly ensures, smiling. Very trilled to hear what this kid would confess next.
Since Don has now turned his whole attention on him, Free made sure to show out his confident mood. He puts his toothbrush down on the sink and leans down next to Don. "The fact I have cleared my 'crimes' to you when I admit those robs.. the truth is I really haven't. I've done a lot more shit so.. You are looking at their former drug dealer right now. I know them," he admits. Then meets with Dons eyes. "Actually all three of them."
That wasn't so surprising, when Don already knew about kids connections to Greens. But having Free just casually admitting that from nowhere was somehow unexpected. "Aren't you popular."
"I too know people. Gonna be well paid 'cause of my connections," younger gives this very familiar cocky attitude out and moves his hand to caress Dons neck teasingly. "Pay me and I will talk."
But like man would go with that. Instead man stays impassive. "I will pay your food and other crucial things you will ever need. Just name it," Don smiles back, ignoring kids seductive gesture.
"I was thinking something else..," Free tsihs back a little annoyed, but wasn't actually any surprised. Out of all men in the world, this one was the most likely not fall to his charm. Cheap bastard. But all in all, man was right. Becoming Frees lawful guardian Don is the very one who takes care of his living. And that Free couldn't deny. His debt felt bottomless.
Letting it slide for now, young man moves his hand and heads to the lobby area. He took his time to searchs something from the pocket of his light jacket. Then he walks back. "My friend did business with them regularly. I was the one transporting their items. Always on the public places, three hotel areas. I'm pretty sure this one here owns them. The hotels," young man points this one photo of a man who was smiling toward the camera. "Manuel here. He likes girls. Is the lady-killer, as I call. But not the killer type if you ask me. Big mouth, likes to show out what he owns. Thinks with his dick. Harmless."
Then Free takes the next paper with different guys photo on it. "Him, Tony Maren. I have.. done some other businesses with him as well. He likes young guys. Pretty faces. That's how I get to know him."
Don turns his eyes from photos to Free. Even when younger doesn't dare to look back he was well aware of the stare toward him. And somehow it felt very threatening. "I got paid well," Free clears his throat, trying to act calm. Ignore that damn intent staring. "He had big gatherings in closed doors every now and then. Guards and all. I think it was about the drug parties but.. I might be wrong."
When young man seem to get distracted, the older finally moves his eyes back on the files. Pointing the last unnamed man on the photo he shows he was eager to hear more. "And the third one?"
Free doesn't answer right away. But puts the card on the table from his hand, right next to the file about the one in question. "I never heard his name back then, but now I know," he says calmly. "Isa Miller. A random guy to me. Friends with Tony. The one who gave me an black eye and a broken rib. Just a fuck. I know nothing else. Other than he likes it rough."
While intently staring the business card on the table, reading the name written on it, Don lets out a deep breathe, calmly going through what all he just heard in his mind. The way kid talk was suddenly different. Explaining the situations how he knew them, how they look to him. This was how he 'did his job' under. Even with young age he could act very mature way, smarting his words. Of course Don has personally witnessed Frees acting skills while kid played with him before. But after spending this much time with Free and getting to know the real person under that street mask, that time together has almost blinded Don, almost made him forget this cocky kids true nature. Free was indeed a street survivor. Knew his ways in this concrete jungle. He was once someone who took care of others. Was a leader himself. That Don should not underestimate. But be aware. Lead him right.
"Are you still able to contact with them without a problem?" man asks then, meeting with Frees eyes.
Young man shows back this wide smile, getting excited. "I am. Are you asking me to go back to streets to do the job for you?"
"No." Was the fast answer.
And that was like throwing cold water on, that didn't satisfied Free at all. Younger sighs out his frustration, letting his disappointment show. While turning around, he removes some of the papers on his way and sits on the table, placing his other foot on Dons chair between mans knees, leaning now closer, intently eyeing the older guy. "You are not, Mr Palenne? Then why am I even here?"
Free could easily see now how confused Don suddenly get. But before man could say anything, younger boldly continues. "I am here so you can use me, right? To do the jobs you can't do? Like Taro?" he points out. "If you won't use me now when I could actually do something, the point me being here feels puny. Makes me feel useless. Right now, I am just useless to you." To heighten his words, Free leans even closer. "I'm willing to do anything you ask from me. Because I chose this myself. Or don't you trust me? You think I'm no good? People in my streets know me as a thief who does anything for money. That's one kind of advance, right? I'm trash. Unseen. A real ghost. How I couldn't be good?"
Sighing out, Don was about to turn his look away but Free turns it back, keeping his hand strongly on Dons head. "I'm pretty sure what you are thinking now. You can't let me do the same shit Taro does? Before my training? I'm not Taro. What I've heard from you.. I can never do the same what Taro can," now he lets his hold go. "But these people in your case, I know them. I've been with them. So I can be useful. I can get as close to them as you want me. I can do anything."
"That is not what I'm thinking," Don smiles, being very amused of kids mouthful attempts to get his point heard. Of course this kid would be trilled to have something else to do than sit inside this apartment doing nothing. But not seeing the whole picture here why such wasn't necessarily the best idea only prove this ambitious and confident kid was still just a newbie here. Still not understanding what it really takes one to be actually ready to work as they do.
Free clicks his tongue, as he has habit to do when he was feeling annoyed. "Really? You are the one who said you could use my skills if I were with you. Don't back off now," he should be more aggressive here to make Don understand his point. "If your obsession of me makes you too worried now or something, that is your problem. In your head. So get over it or just learn to accept it."
Older snorts. At least those words hit the very truth. "When it turn around the way you became worrying what I might think?"
"Am I wrong then?" Free asks surprised. Has he read Don totally wrong?
Man couldn't help but reach out to touch kids hair gently, petting a little. Intently eyeing youngers sullen look. "You are not wrong. It's true the more I push you forward the more I grow regreting taking you here. But I have learnt to accept it, kind of. I am not going to slow you down," he agrees. "But it is too early let you go in. I know that. Your nice speech just now won't change that fact. Even if you knew them then doesn't mean you could go to them with right mind now. But..," and adds before Free could talk back. "The same time I know this couldn't be better time for that. When your connections are still fresh. I can't help it. Feeling uncertain. It's that cocky attitude of yours I'm worried. The way you move too fast without long-sighted plan."
Hearing that made Free lose his attitude. "Now I think that is one of my strengths," he smiles back, being happy Don hasn't totally crushed his idea. "My 'cocky attitude'."
Don sighs once again. Eyeing Free quietly. Sure, older knew very well how suffocated someone like Free could feel when trapped inside like this when his whole essence was screaming to fly free, without walls around. For now kid has been very patient even when he really wasn't that kind of person at all. One day he might lose his calm. And really run. A change in routines might actually do good for this one. "Okay," Don suddenly says.
Free gives a wondering look. "Okay?"
"Can't say no to my future Boss, can I," man keeps, lowing his hand. "Let's do this. When we get you settled down you are on your own. Go to them. Any way you need. Be my eyes and ears in. Do what you can do best."
"..It was this easy?" younger wasn't so sure was Don joking now or what. Man kind of changed his mind very fast. But this cop wasn't a type to joke.
Don hums. "We are moving you out. In your own place. No connections to my work building. Not until you are done there. I will give you two month, max," he calmly lists, like drawing a plan in his mind the same time he spoke it out. "But remember, your Training ahead is your main focus. As you promised with Taro, he will train you when it fits with both of you. Mark and I will give our trainings in the shooting range too. Don't forget your studies either.."
Realizing he might have just asked one extra add-on more in his to-do list made Free breathe out a long sigh. But still he was feeling very excited. And confused. "You sound so cold suddenly.."
Don gives a smile back. And raises his hand again to pet Frees hair. His fast decision let his wild pet have some freedom before actually locking him in this world where he himself was living surely didn't thrill him a bit. But what he definitely didn't want was to break this ones spirit. So to avoid that, he must overlook his selfish thoughts and think what was best for Aki. Who knows. This experience might be the very thing what they both need. "If you are sure of this I can do nothing but trust you," man clears out, landing his fingers on Frees cheek, gently touching young mans lower lip. "Go make me proud, kid."
- - - -
Two days later Free was lying down on the bed inside this small one-room apartment with french balcony opening in the middle of the longest wall and a small kitchen level on one of the corners. The wide bed was taking most of the space on the area left from the entrance when this very small kitchen table with one chair was set in the middle of the room. Overall this place was simple, clearly for sleeping only, when there wasn't even TV here.
Don had just drop Free here not that long ago. Fast goodbyes and kid was now on his own. 'Don't do anything haste now. Use this evening to settle your mind,' were the words older guy had said just before leaving. And truly, it felt somehow empty. This situation. Free never thought everything would happen this fast, him suddenly being alone now, getting ready to help that cop out with his case..
A wide smile gets on Frees lips and he pushs himself to sit on the bed, reaching his laptop which was charging next to him. Sure, he was here working. But that mean he also has a change to go back to his former life, to the other side. That was how he plan to take this opportunity. Remind himself who The Free inside him really was. The free one. The very one who raised himself up from nothing.
Free needs a plan. That one spark where he could move on. First he was thinking to get in touch with Isa right away, since he was the last person he had met. But that definitely wouldn't lead to anything. Just Free using his body, for money. Like hell he would even do that anyway. Not only the whole idea felt discusting, Don might really lock him in if Free would do something that stupid willingly.
The whole episode happened in one of Manuels hotels. The ones actually working there should be Frees main goals to approach. Don never told him exactly who the murder victims in his case were, what relationships they had with the suspects. To Free, that information wasn't crucial to know to get himself near them. And Free has to agree with Don when man said knowing too much might be a double-edged blade. He could screw up everything if he was too direct. Anyone could see through that kind of act. So letting them see him first and come to him should be the most certain plan. Not show out he was intentionally trying to approach any of them.
So blend in. Wait and keep an eye on. Don was doing his own investigation. His own way. What Free has to do is find out anything useful and be a helping hand when Don needs him. "Well.. He told me to do what I do best, right..," young man says out loud, stretching his hands before moving his fingers on the keyboard, eyes locked on the screen. "For that I'm gonna need money." Free opens his main web browser and googles a word 'sorry', to make sure the one who was monitoring his computer by remote access would definitely see it sooner or later. "I can't use more words to tell you how sorry I really am now.. Or explain what I will do. Can't fucking spell a shit..," he sighs.
Sitting inside his box as he liked to call his work office, Luor was reading what Free let him see. "What are you up to..?" man wonders out loud. He was actively watching Frees every move, through his computer, phones, if possible cameras around the city... That was the deal, for the sake of giving Free a freedom to work with them. The people up them saw Free as a criminal still. Not a co-worker. His actions couldn't be totally trusted.
Of course the order follow him came from Don. So if young man does something out of line, everything would go to Don. Just to Don. Him to decide how to proceed. Free wasn't asking Luor to be quiet about something what he might do, was he? Kid should definitely know there was limits with his actions. Working for someone like Don wasn't exactly something you should take lightly, that man could be scary if you don't do as he says, making sure you will regret if you betray his trust. Hopefully kid knew where he has get himself into.
Suddenly Free starts his show. And Luor follows in silence, first eyeing his screen with his usual bored look. But his boredom fastly changes to deep bafflement from what the young guy was doing with fast steps. Kid went under. Side to side all the way to that part of a web not every normal webuser would ever search. He moved fast, clearly knowing where he was heading. Some of the pages demand the access in with ID's which Free casually fyllata with fakes. Three of them at least what Luor was seeing. And the page where kid eventually signed in.. It was very primitive looking page. A market place. The kind the admins here definitely doesn't wish someone like Luor to find out.
A smile on his face, Luor kept calmly watching what kid would do next. "Is that kid for real?"
- - - -
The next morning Don was following his normal routines, just about to head to work when he gets a phone call. It was rare to get a call directly from Luor, not from his work number. And very nerve-racking especially when kid hasn't been out even a day.
"Your call must have something to do with him, right?" Don asks straight.
"Free left you a message," Luor sighs. " 'Sorry'. That was what he send me. Let me warn you, what he did last night.. If you trust that kid.. It's not even about trust in this point but how much you are able to overlook. I alone could accuse him of three different charges so far. You will definitely make him feel sorry now.."
Don breathes in and out. "What he did?"
"I'm quite sure he is planning to rob someone.. Not anything to do with guns thought.. Also he checked the prizes of drugs online. At least that's how it look to me..," Luor clears out straight. Lucky for him, he wasn't the person in charge here, so he could actually just enjoy the ride here as a bystander. He has never met anyone this crazy before, acting this extreme, like without any fear of failing. This was definitely what you would call getting in trouble purposely.
"From deeb web? Keep this between us. I gave him free hands," Don calmly says, keeping his mind still. Of course he knew Aki has his own ways to do things, but who would have imagine kid was playing in this deeb. If he has always done things like this, he might be the luckiest ever having his unknown history been cleaned for him.
"Sure, if that's what you want," Luor hums and leans on the back of his chair to get more comfy. "But if you do have personal feelings in, I success you pull him out now. Before something irreversible happens.." He could easily tell this kid wasn't just anyone to Don. But something else. This kid matter.
Those words Don didn't want to hear. Not when he was already near to regret letting that kid go. But he wanted to trust Aki. Not withdraw before even seeing the whole picture here. What ever kid was planning now, Don should fill himself in before making the last decision. Nothing has happened yet. "With him I have nothing but personal feelings," man confesses. "But I have my reasons to trust his skills."
Luor doesn't have a reason doubt his superior here. More than once this guy has showed out his own skills to turn the impossible into possible. It's been a while Luor could be part of something this thrilling, so he was feeling more than excited to see how this would end. "You have found yourself a quite nice toy to play with. Or play through. Hope he won't grow too dangerous you to use."
Ignoring Luors comments, Don gets himself ready to move. "Stay in. I'm coming back to station."
- - - -
Even when the most summerish days were already behind them for the year, this very day was still sunny and quite warm. Couldn't be better day to catch up with people around who Free hasn't been contact a while. To get back to his old roots. Let streets know he was here still.
The first thing he need to do was to create a chain of events, a reason out of nowhere to get his foot in the door. And after that, support his chances with something more compelling, what the other couldn't ignore.
That's why Free was now here. Wearing these huge sunclasses on young man steps in the open-like garage building, looking around, clearly searching someone. This place hasn't changed a bit. No matter how many times Free has visited this place during the years, he could swear there were many same cars which still haven't moved an inch. The same dirty tools were lying around here and there. The owner here has still multiple new projects what will never be finished. But they just couldn't lose them either. Either out of laziness or because someday it may get done.
"Can I help you?" a man wearing this dark boiler suit had spot the comer already and walking to meet him from behind the car he was just in the middle of fixing. Because this young man didn't seem to be an actual customer, when he looked young enough not even having a license yet, man approach him with caution.
Free turns around. "What. Am I that unrecognizable, Danny," he smiles and takes his classes off.
"Wha-? Free!" man shows a wide smile back and welcomes the younger gladly. "It's been some time since your last visit. You changed your hair. Couldn't recognize you." The guy here was called Danny. He was one of Kains contacts. The under dealer. What ever it was between items to drugs, Danny was the man who you wanted to talk with. Apparently he had some kind of connections to different gangmembers around the city. Keeping it low but wealthy. Because of his cautious nature, he has been able to keep his business alive many years now. So to Free, he was the main key to get closer to his goal.
"Yeah, a lot have happened," Free tsihs, showing this very unsatisfied look on his face. The drama queen in him was definitely out for a second. "Had to go under a while. There was a small misunderstanding with the fuckers from Greens."
Danny hums, but gets suddenly more serious, clearing his throat. "I heard what happened in Kerdon. Heard you died."
Young man snorts and sits on the working table. "Do I look dead to you?"
"Who else would run from Death," older agrees, being glad to see with his own eyes those rumors weren't true after all. There were too many youngsters dying for nothing in streets. Someone as outstanding as this kid was would have been a shame to lose, when he definitely had a potential become way more what he was now. "How about Kain? I heard he went to his family? Is it true? He found a reason go back?"
Hearing that suddenly made Free feel quite emotional. But he didn't let it show out. "Your guess is as good as mine. I don't know. After our house burned down we all went our separate ways," he explains. "But if he went back to his family then I'm glad."
Older nods. "You are not here only for catching up, right?" he then suddenly says. Already knowing this one had a real reason to be here. "You are always going and moving. If you are here now, that means you need something from me. What is it?"
Right to the point. Indeed it was better to just make this quick and move on. Free still has a lot to do today. "That's where you are right. I'm broke. You got anything?"
"You know where to get something in need. Why you are here personally?"
"I figured I should come to you first. I know what you have. To get money is my next plan."
Danny sighs. "What is this? Dealing? I'm not giving you a shit without your pay."
"Who you think I am," Free tsihs back. "I'm here to get it pre. I want the whole shit. The dosing and dealing over, I can do it myself. So let's talk about money now. How much?"
Danny was eyeing him quietly a while before finally speaking. "How much you need?"
"The whole shit," Free repeats cocksurely.
That made man snort, unbelieving. But knowing Free kid was probably dead serious. "The whole shit I have.. It would cost over 6 thousand.."
"I count it would be about sixty-three hundred," young man says calmly. Then shows his relaxed smile. "Do we have a deal?"
"We have a deal when I see money," older boldly states out. While doing business he too was dead serious.
Free jumps down and hums. And gets instantly moving. "Give me two days."
- - - -
The whole hotel area was crowded. The spring season was about to start. People coming and going. The hotel Free was now standing in was one of Manuels. Finally the time to get real was here. A long breathe in. He was preparing himself to the worst. And at the same time he could feel the familiar enthusiasm he felt everytime he was about to challenge himself like this. Could they do it without anyone noticing or would they get caught right away? Everything might go wrong even from one little mistake.
Living like this, succeed or fail, was once his everyday life in streets. Free didn't care about the after. If something went wrong, consequences were the pain or even dead. Both he wasn't afraid of. When both were always so near anyway. The time with Don haven't changed the way Free felt about that. But there was one thing different. What was like a chain keeping him on his toes.
He was afraid what Don would think. How his actions would reflect to Don. Without mans guiding.. how Free could be sure he wasn't doing something to offend him? Instead of helping?
Free breathes deeply out and pushs himself to move. Thinking like that might destroy his focus. Don't think. Stop caring what Don might think. Do as you have always done. Just move forward. Run. That's how he set his mind up.
And didn't look back.
- - - -
"We might have a serious problem," Mark calls out while walking rushly toward the desk area on the back of their floor, where Don was sitting at his own desk. Older drops some papers and photos on the table. It took Don less than a second to recognises the young man on one of the photos which he now takes on his hold, intently eyeing it. It was a shot from one of hotels security cameras. The photo wasn't clear but anyone who knew Free could easily identify him from that. Although his hair was more lighter colored in it. Like kid has recolored his hair back to blonde.
What suprised Don more was the fact Free was already in the hotel. "What is this about?" he immediately wants to hear the details.
"Someone set the fire alarm on. And while the area was empty and researched by the guards, they noticed from the cameras a group of youngsters walking around, breaking into the rooms, searching valuably items. That's the official call..," Mark leans to the table, trying to keep his voice low so others near wouldn't hear him. "Free ain't stupid. Why would he ever do that kind of mistake? Go in and show himself to the cameras? What exactly were you planning here, making him do this?"
Don doesn't answer, but was just calmly looking at the photo. "Where is he now?"
Mark sways his hand. Man was clearly ignoring his questions. "Don't know. They were all long gone when the alarm company called us. These kids just walked in and out without anyone noticing," he sighs out and finally sits down. Dons calm was irritating him when he himself was feeling this frustrated. They were the ones responsible letting that kid act like this. "He is your kid. Do something."
"I don't think it was a mistake," younger points out then, showing a smile, placing the photo back on the table while meeting with Marks upset look. "He just wanted us to see he already made contact. And succeed."
- - - -
"Now that is one kind of way to make money," Manuel laughs while sitting on his chair with crossed legs inside the management teams private bar area, raising a glass of beer on his hand. "If our culprit never gets caught, that is."
"It's pretty uncertain way to do business, if you ask me," Tony clears and drinks down his celebration shot. "But somehow I liked how boldly you faced us with your crazy plan. Who could say no to that." Man moves his eyes on the young man who was sitting further away from them at the bar deck.
"No, you could have said no and I would have went to somewhere else," Free answers, kept touching his almost full beer bottle on the deck with his fingers. He was wearing a different outfit again. His hair was his normal dark. But his blue eyes were as sharp as ever, albeit he was looking very bored at the moment. Nothing could show out just a few hours ago he was making a scene for the cameras with some of his friends from the streets, just to get them some pocket money. "I told you this deal would make us both happy. It's a win-win."
Basically, Frees plan was kind of simple but needed people in and out to work together to make it happen. While Free was playing his part being someone who needed a free ticked out from cops gazes by faking to flee after breaking in some hotel rooms during the fire alarm, the ones been robbed here could con their insurance money without even losing anything. Tony doing his job as a hotel manager and knowingly showing photos of this young group, especially of Free who need cops to see him being part of this, could benefit both of them. Not only it prove the hotel company was very serious to catch them, clearing them out of any suspiciousness, Free could make cops think he was a long gone by now. He wasn't so popular his chasers would spend any more time trying to find him now when they would definitely assume he has left the city with the money. Non of hotels real customers were really robbed anyway. They could still keep this all out from public. Keep their reputation.
Under this plan, Free has just made himself a little more closer to the ones he was really after. Dragged them down with him to the path they couldn't but share some trust.
Manuel laughs to that comment. "And still you don't look so impressed. Always acting so cold. How cute."
Free smirks. Intently locking his eyes on Manuels. "Don't fall for me now. I'll be gone again before you even realize it."
"May I ask you something?" Tony places his drink on the table in front of him, relaxing his pose once again. "Why actually you were targetted by the cops? You said something about being left behind or something?"
Youngest glances Tony. Was not gonna talk first. "What does it matter?" he tsihs.
"Just curious," Tony smiles. Showing with his intent stare he was serious. Now when they were in this together, he at least wanted to hear would there possible be any problems later. What was treally going on here.
And Free gets a hint. Building a trust was a must. Act too honest. He want these guys be like best friends with him. "Well.. I come across some problems with the gang from my neighborhood and.. they burned the place where I lived," he speaks out. "I almost get caught by the cops and social workers but I ran. Been under ever since. But I still have my contacts so I thought I could do some business again if cops think I have moved to somewhere else, with the others." Frees long time friends who helped him set up this fake rob were all travellers. They never stayed still too long in one city, so they were probably already moving while they spoke here. Picking up the next city to stay in a month or two.
"How narrow thinking," Tony smiles. But was satisfied to that explanation.
"Narrow thinking is sometimes the smartest way," Free says after clicking his tongue. Being treated like a kid always made him lose his calm. "Cops care shit of my kinds. It won't take long to forget me."
"How anyone could forget someone like you," Tony teases. "Your whole essence was made to please others eyes. That is how beautiful you look." And waves his hand elegantly, supporting his words.
That straight admiration Free has used to get. Before he wouldn't have hesitated a second to go with it, use this attention and have some fun and get paid from it. But he has definitely changed here. When that couldn't even thrill him a bit. "Hah, that's exactly the same what your friend said," Free tsihs, taking a gulp from his beer, looking annoyed. "That crazy bastard."
"My friend?"
Free hums. And searchs his pocket, shows out this business card he was still carrying with him. "Yeah. Isa Miller," he puts the card on the counter, tapping the card with his finger. "I met him at the train station earlier this week. Definitely wouldn't have wanted to see him anymore, thought.."
"Isa?" Tonys facial expression change when he heard that name. He surely wasn't pleased.
That only made it clear; the three of them weren't together anymore. "It was you who introduced us. What, you weren't so good friends with him after all?"
"I know Isa, sure," Tony says coldly. "But he is nothing but trouble."
"I have to agree with that," Free moves his hand up. While still holding the beer he points Tony with his finger. "Thanks to you I went with him and he broke my rib. Beat the shit out of me while having his fun. Damn nice guy."
"Thanks to me?" man smiles. Kid dares to blame him?
Young man hums, finally showing a smile back. Not only Tony, but Manuel too seem to get charged when Free brought up the third guys name. Following their conversation in silence, man kept constantly eyeing Tony. It couldn't be just because they were speaking so boldly here that he seem very uncomfortable. There must be something else going on. "If you knew what kind he was you should have give me a warning or something," Free lows his hand, adding the rest with more quiet voice. "So cold from you."
"Warn you?" Tony snorts. "I can't see a reason for me to do so. Or am I in debt to you or something?"
"Guess not," other sighs, showing out how hurt he felt. But the smile on his lips made it look more like flirting. "There really are no manners among you people. Nothing good ever comes when getting involved with guys like you. Except money of course."
"If it's money you want, I can always suggest something more nicer you to do," man gets up, taking his drink with him he slowly walks next to Free, leaning his back on the bar counter, eyes intently looking deep down those blue eyes.
Free turns his look away for a second, to put his beer bottle away. When he turns his eyes back, he intentionally let his eyes wander through mans body before properly meeting with mans glance. Then he leans a little closer. And speaks whispering. "I have six hundred pills of Molly in stash. You interested?"
Showing a wide smile, Tony leans his own face closer, not dropping his intent stare. Kid surely knew how to play his cards right. To get his attention. How tease. "That's a lot.."
"A lot?" Free smirks and turns his face away, wearing very bored look. "Forget it then. I sell the whole thing or nothing. If it's too big for you then -" "No, I am interested," Tony fastly corrects, raising his glass. Waiting.
Free looks at his glass, then Tony. Without moving his glance, younger takes his own beer bottle and clings it with Tonys drink.
Done. One thing more taking him closer to his goal.
- - - -
Later the same night, Free steps out from the hotel buildings backdoors and walks slowly away, eyeing the outdoor area around him. This time Tony made sure no cameras were on inside and out the hotel when kid made his leave. It was a both-way deal. Pretend they never knew each others. Young man was never here in the first place.
This all was somehow so familiar, but still confusingly different. The feeling of surviving in shadows, against the law, the people who work for it.. Making a living by being faster and always one step a head of those who were trying to stop him.. Only this time Free wasn't so sure would anyone even be there chacing after him. Was it pointless try to avoid those cameras around the city when he knew very well now who were watching through them? Or was he indeed in serious troublems now and should definitely hide?
Free stops his steps in the middle of the street, eyeing the quiet nightly city view in front of him. There were only a few walking here during these hours. Some cars and bikes here and there. The main streets were more popular, so this was the moment you could really enjoy the calm side of the city life, right in the middle of the night, far from those hot spots when there was no one around to break the peace.
But streets have ears and eyes everywhere. And those hiding above them had their own ways to keep an eye on the people living in here. The real peace was just an illusion. Either you were constantly fighting for it or will never truly find it because you were too busy to survive. That was how Free has always seen it. The eternal sleep was the time to get rest. The real peace was waiting right after the last breath. So to make a best of his time, he has always thought he should keep moving. Always keep fighting. When one thing was done, do another. Never stop.
So why this same nightly view Free has seen hundreds of times before could look so different now? Like he could now actually see every different lights here, every details in, without needing to worry about the cameras catching him walking by. Without constantly worrying his surroundings.. Or worrying over others. When there were no others anymore. Just him.
Slowly raising his look up, Free could find the nearest surveillance camera on the traffic lights. Before, those things were his most bugging enemy, which he could hardly avoid. And now they were just windows to that different world, beyond he could just walk. Nothing special about them anymore.
Like seeing through these buildings around him, Free turns his longing look on his right. Kerdon was there somewhere. About fiveteen miles from here. It's been there this whole time, but nothing was pulling him back to those streets anymore. When everything around here was still the same as always, Free himself has changed a lot. Not really knowing anymore where exactly he should even belong here. When his new place was in the very different direction. The place what he was kind of already missing a little after only just one day.
Making his mind now, Free keeps going. He has a great deal to finish. And the next plan to think through. He was here for a reason. To prove Don man made a right decision when he took Free with him, gave him this new opportunity, a new life. Doing as Don asked from him should be his main focus now.
Nothing else.
- - - -
The managers office on the second floor where Free was waiting in was right above the restaurant area. The view from the window was quite stunning when he could see the wide entrance area and the busy road opening behind it. The technology used with these large windows allow the light get in but block the curious eyes to see what was going on inside. So Free could actually just stand right in front of the windows and not fear anyone seeing him.
It was an evening already so the crowds down there were multiplying fastly. People coming and going. Even those who weren't hotel customers were gathering here to go inside the night club on the other side of the hotel building or the restaurant at the front. Since Free was purposefully moving only during the night times again, he could easily just sneak in without a problem. What made it all even more easier were the staff members who were already waiting him to arrive, knowing he was a guest of Tony and asked to be escorted into this office.
Now Free had thought it would be much harder to get in secretly, but only he needed was show a smile and everyone here were already delighted to see him. Now this was his speciality. Make people like him without even freaking trying. Just because of his looks.
After chatting a while with the staff members, Free trying to act just casual with them, they finally leave him alone here, saying Tony would be here soon and they should go back to their works. And truly, Free might be pro to act social and was very used to the attention around him, but when it comes to talk with normal people in normal hotel environment, he was close to get nervous. Not really knowing what to speak with them about. But luckily these people weren't quiet types. And Free manages to get in here without really even answering a thing what they were trying to milk out of him. Who he was. Why he was here. Would he come back again..
Noting how doubtlessly he was treated here, even when no one really knew him at all, made it very clear how easily one could get drugs delivered in here. Just let the dealer walk in and give it to them, nothing was interrupting the delivery when everything in here was in their own control. The staff members. The guards. The cameras. It has always been this easy. And now Free was really understanding the power behind it all, when he could see the situation from different perspective. No wonder someone was killed here without any evidence. When the ones running the whole place could just make it happen.
The sound of someone finally opening the door and stepping in made Free turn around. Tony calmly closes the door behind him, meeting young man at the resting area in the middle of the office room. "Good evening. Sorry you had to wait," man politely says while showing with a hand gesture young man to sit down on the couch.
"No mind," Free just casually states, but refuses to sit, handling this small bag he was here to deliver. "Do I need to give the details? It's from the same guy." What he meant was should he use the proper way to speak here and announce how many sets was in here, how many were in one set, the full ammount, how clean it was.. This was common when dealing, make sure both of the parts were getting what they want from the deal. If it was said out loud and wasn't true, the other had the right to call it off. In any way he want. And since non of the participants have the law to backup them, when this was all illegal, these simple rules were what everyone follow. To keep the business running. To both ways.
Customers like Tony couldn't be compared to those who bought drugs for their own addiction. To them it was all about money. And the risks they were ready to take for it were much higher. The amounts could be much higher too. These customs, these rules were all about trust. Which Free has learnt to follow ever since he was eleven. To him, any less was just showing you were still a rookie and didn't respect others.
Tony smirks and sits down himself, eyes on Free. "No. This is not our first rodeo," man just clears. Does his part of the deal and hands a rolled pile of cash to the young man. "Thank you for doing business with me."
Free straightens his back and drops his too serious appearance, being now visibly more relaxed. "As so. Thank you very much then," he smiles and hides the money roll inside his pocket. "If we are done here, I'm going."
"So soon? Now I wouldn't mind if you wanted to stay a little longer. Can pay you for some company," Tony bluntly suggests smiling.
"That I have to refuse," Free says while walking next to Tony. Then he leans closer. "Even if you were one of my favourites." And if his cop would find out he was screwing with the suspect, this guy would be in huge troublems. But that reason Free of course let unspoken.
Tony hums back when young man kept moving toward the door. But then he adds. "About the next set.."
Young man stops and turns calmly to look at the man once again. "There will be next set?"
"There will not?" Tony waves his hand, without looking the younger. "I assume we are talking a long-term relationship here. Tell your guy I have many new clients myself who are definitely interested what he has. As long as you will stay as our middleman, I'm fine with his terms."
Showing a wide smile out, Free turns around, trying to keep his calm. "Then I will see you later," he notes, doesn't look back but just walks away.
- - - -
The rest of the night Free was checking up his regular spots here and there where he used to hang out, to show his face, catch up with his so called friends. Most of these people were originally Blues old friends who Free has learnt to know during the years of living in that old hostel building. When Blue gradually became more and more isolated because of her addiction, Free was the one who kept the commutication between these old friends alive.
Now those times were well paying off. If there ever was a need of some pocket money, these people were the first ones to ask about jobs. Unlike Blue, most of them were just normal working adults, like construction workers, waitresses.. Nothing illegal. Except the fact to him wages were paid by cash. Being friendly toward the others and helping the ones in need has always secured Frees own success when it comes to surviving on streets. Having contacts was a must. Free needs to stay active to get more money. To be able to buy more drugs. But he also must make sure not to get in troublems. Or cause problems for others. Even when he was doing this all for Don, Free wasn't planning to sell out those helping him.
Thinking how to balance all that, while still trying to make time to study and train was starting to feel damn impossible task to do. But Free was too stubborn to give up when he has just get started here. Compared to his life in Kerdon, this was nothing.
The early morning light was slowly painting the buildings around with multiple different shades of white and yellow. While eyeing down the still quiet street, Free was sitting on the floor, keeping the door of this french balgony open, smoking. He had just came back to his apartment, planning to get some rest before heading out again. But all the fuss inside his mind was keeping him very awake still. Even when he felt physically tired, his mind couldn't rest.
Isa Miller. The first impression of him when Free met him the first time was a good looking, self-assured man who definitely knew what he want. And he wasn't actually hiding his interest when Tony introduced them that boldly. The only reason Free saw nothing too wrong about the guy was how good friends those two seem to be. Tony was nice. So must be his friend. That presumption paid a lot after. But it didn't change the fact those two were close. The air around Tony was way more relaxed when that guy show up. They were very good friends. Back then.
When one has changed his whole attitude toward the other, something bad has definitely happened between them. That thought Free just couldn't drop. Adding the fact those two were the very same ones someone had a reason to suspect from murder and ask Don to investigate it more deeply, Free couldn't but think it was all linked.
Not only to get closer to Tony and Manuel, Free should also figure out a way to hear Isas side of the story. Was that guy speaking as coldly about the other. But exactly how Free was going to fit that in his schedule? How he was supposed to approach a man he personally didn't even want to have anything to do with, without making it look too forced? Should he just forget Isa totally?
Putting his halfly smoked cigarette away, Free lets out his frustration by sighing loudly. Was he too haste here? Wasn't the way he was now thinking exactly what Don had pointed out earlier, why man was feeling uncertain to let Free do this in the first place? Thinking he should find a way to figure all out just after being here a few days was indeed him moving too fast without long-sighted plan. Don gave him two months. There was no reason to act before a right time. If such time even ever comes.
If Free could just go back.. and talk to Don. Would everything be more clearer? Man never said he couldn't go to him. Talk to him. But somehow that also felt like admitting he couldn't do this on his own. He definitely could. And he will. Feeling confused and solving it all by himself has never been a problem to him.
At least until now. Frees hesitation was all because he has become too used to have Don around, telling him what to do when ever he was feeling uncertain. And now he was out of habit relying to that mans support..
The sound of phone vibrating pull Free back from his thoughts. Immediately young man jumps up and reachs the phone on bed. That was his own personal phone, the one he kept in this apartment, just in case if something happens outside and someone would find it. And since there was only one person left to contact him through this number, Free rushes to see what it was about. He opens the lock and reads the message he had just received.
"Play nicely." That was all what was written here. But it was enough to light Frees mood up.
Young man sits down on the bed, unintentionally showing a relieved smile out. It hasn't been even ten minutes Free came back here and man was now suddenly messaging him? That can't be just a coincidence. Did this guy actually knew where he was moving? Did Free has a tracker on him? While his hands search his pockets, Free turns to look at his shoes on the floor, immediately starting to imagine things.
After calming once again, Free snorts and drops down to lie on the bed. What ever. Why he suddenly felt scared when he should be glad. Even if he would have something on him, the one following him was Don, his own Boss.
"Maybe it's Luor," he then wonders out loud, thinking they might just actually follow him through the surveillance cameras around the city. Free himself knew very well there were quite a lot of them only under CGB.
"Why you are awake..? It's four..," while thinking should he try to reply something back, Free turns on his side, once again just staring that short message, smiling. Indeed, just this simple contact from Don could somehow clear his puzzled mind.
It was a reminder. That Free definitely shouldn't forget his main goal here. It wasn't to solve the case. But be his Bosses eyes and ears in. Until the time was up and Free would go to his Training. This here was just temporal. This wasn't his real world now.
Free closes his eyes, holding the phone on his fingers even stronger.
Now he just wanted to work even harder. To make Don feel proud of him.