Dane has got to be the biggest dumbass to exist. What the hell was he thinking staring at Rue just to get caught? Who gets caught staring?
For the millionth time Dane slams his head against his desk, completely annoyed with himself. First he stared. Not suspicious if he didn't get caught. Second, he got caught staring. Now that's suspicious. To make matters worse he tried to lie, but before he could he ran away. That's even more suspicious.
God. How dumb could he be. He was never this careless before. Admittedly he could be staring at Rue for any number of reasons. They was bound to meet again. When they did Rue would have questions for Dane, not 'Moon'.
Dane groaned, unable to move pass his embarrassment. It wasn't yet time for his plan to be reevaluated, but if it continues to shift he would need to alter it some.
"How long are you going to beat yourself up about this."
Dane raised his head, ink on his face from the paper before him. He almost forgot about the uninvited guest in the room.
"As many times as I like. Do you know how many electronic stores are in Calloway? Serveral. Yet, we both chose the same one." Dane points out, wiping his face of the ink with wet wipes.
"We was never supposed to meet this soon in person. One shift, even if it just a small shift can alter everything. The amount of planning that went into things is too much for it be screwed up by a simple meeting, Mitchell."
Eric scoffs at his last name being used. He understood where Dane was coming from, but that was no need for panic. "Calm down. You still have phases of the plan we could use. One meeting won't ruin five years of planning."
Dane stretched his neck to the side, cracking both sides before he finally faced Eric, his disagreement with Eric's words clear. "One small change in a plan can cost someone's life."
A wheezing laugh could be heard in the small room. Eric's next words came out in puffs of air, between his laughter. "Okay. One, you're not going to die. Two, he's not going to figure out your plan and kill you."
Eric became back serious again, his amusement with his friend gone. "You need to get out of that mindset. You're not who you was. You're a father, who just wants revenge. Not a man who's fighting to survive everyday."
Wasn't he? He still is fighting to survive everyday. Every breath he took for the past five years was akin to swallowing nails. Fucking painful, and slowly killing him.
"I'll try." Lie.
They'll both pretend it wasn't like they've always done. Dane lies, and Eric pretends to believe them. It's what makes their friendship stick.
The room was silent for awhile that it became awkward. Eric was the first to break the awkward silenc. He was never good with silence. "How's everything going on the new job front? Everything according to plan?"
"Everything's going well. Despite the changes Rue was bound to keep some things the same." Dane responds, eyes involuntarily moving to the poster above Eric's head.
"Is it time for the next phase?"
Dane couldn't help the smile that came to him with the question. The next phase was bound to interesting. After all it is the Trojan horse.
"Reagan is already in place. She should be meeting him soon enough after all they both will be in the country in two months."
Eric stood, nodding along to Dane's words as he made his way to the door. "Me and Lesedi have a date. We'll probably stay at our home today."
Dane had no issues with them going on a date, they still need a semblance of a life during all of this. A reminder that their human still, not accomplices in a murder plot.
"Have fun."
"I will. Try to get out the house, will ya? Don't stay cooped in worrying about all the what ifs. Also don't forget to eat."
"Mmh. I'll even watch a few horror movies later." Dane says trying to reassure Eric. He could handle himself. If only Eric thought so too.
Eric nodded once more, closing the door behind him on his way out. He's starting to wonder if he should make a backup plan to give Dane a life outside of this. Maybe set him up on a date? Possibly give him a dog.
They haven't reach a point were he thinks Dane is too far gone. He would hate to have to a intervention for him with their friends to smack sense into him.
He doesn't know what it's like losing a child, but there's a certain line you shouldn't cross. No matter what.
Dane was left unaware of his friends thoughts to busy online searching through the past of Rue once more. There was both new facts, and old facts.
Lucien (Rue) Lyarsian is the third son between Sebastian, and Veronica. Born at Arlington Hospital. Have a younger sibling that lives with Liana parents.
A social butterfly during school. He was friendly with everyone. Academically smart, roughly between the third, and fourth smartest in his school year.
No friends. A social butterfly with no friends. Nowhere that Dane searched could he find anything that said Rue has friends.
"'ello,"
Dane looked down at his phone with a confused look. He didn't realize he called Lee. Now that it's done he might as well have his question answered.
"I need another favor. See if you can find information on Lucien Lyarsians friends past and present. Mostly past."
"Hold on. It'll be awhile I'm doing something right now."
"I can wait." Dane got more comfortable in his seat as he listen to the tapping of keyboards. He didn't realize how long 'awhile' meant until he was sitting for four hours doing nothing.
"Finished." Lee exclaims, his next words taking Dane by storm. "I never thought you would send me down a rabbit hole. First the kid has no friends in the past. No matter how much I dug there was nothing there. Here's the exciting part. That new arm candy friend he got file is lock. Lock as in national secrets locked."
Dane suddenly sat up at the news. "Now why would his file be locked? Could you get in it?"
Lee tsk, his fingers now taping a table. Dane could imagine him shaking his head in irration at his words.
"Of course I could. Who do you take me for?" Lee sounded offended, his voice harsh.
Dane was mildly done with his dear friend's crap. If he didn't start talking he was going track him down, and murder him. "Are you going to tell me the information about him?"
"What? Why would I do that. This type of information cost money. Money I ain't accepting. Good talk. I'm glad we can agree on this. I'll be coming down for a visit soon."
"You fuckin-" His words was cut off by the sound of the disconnecting of the call.
He was going to murder that little shit. All of his friends was by someway problematic, and eccentric. Lee was the worst to deal with. Dane was usually the one who kept Lee on a leash in the past, but things was different now.
He was dreading Lee's visit, but also excited to see his dear friend after ten years. All he could hope for now is that Lee didn't come with a storm of problems like he always do.
Now the million dollar question is: what is Rue's new friend hiding?