Kyle just kept staring at Mo, not saying anything. Mo, noticing this, was a bit jarred.
"Come on, at least act a bit excited. Wearing that frown doesn't always help, you know," Mo said.
Still, Kyle said nothing but still kept a straight face.
"So, what have you found?" Kyle finally said.
"Okay, remember I said Conan had started working for the gangs?" Mo replied.
Kyle didn't respond but just nodded.
"Well, it seems he had gone deeper than that. He had not only come into contact with the gangs but also had dealings with the Mafia from Orion City. It seems the Mafia was looking to expand its territory into Raccoon Ridge."
"So, what does that have to do with Conan? They could have expanded without having to kill him."
"Yes, they could have, but at the same time, what if Conan saw something he shouldn't have? Because according to my record, Conan did have good standing in the gangs at that time and was starting to be respected by them. So, him being discarded must mean something happened around that same time."
"And what could that be?" Kyle asked, looking at Mo for answers.
"During that time, the Mafia had started operations in Raccoon Ridge. They were experimenting with the people here. People were going missing, but it wasn't really noticeable. They took just enough so people wouldn't notice or try to run away to another side or go into another territory."
"Experiments? So, what were these experiments?" Kyle asked.
"That I really don't know. Even I was not able to acquire that information. But it seemed like Conan had a run-in with the Mafia, and so he was killed. But what I do suggest is to meet Blackhand. He knows more about this, as he was working together with Conan at that time."
Mo finished speaking, and as he was done, he immediately pushed two single notes to Kyle. Taking the notes and putting them in his pockets, Kyle asked, "So, where do you think I can find Blackhand?"
Mo immediately smiled and stretched out his hands towards Kyle.
"It will cost you those two notes," Mo said, brimming with happiness.
Putting his hands into his pocket, Kyle brought out the money and handed it over to Mo.
"He is usually at the underground brawls. He loves to gamble. You won't be able to meet him. Even I can't get you a meeting with him. The only way you can get a meeting with him is to go into the underground brawls. Try and get his attention, but be careful what kind of attention you attract from him. He's... how shall I say it? Yes, short-tempered, that's the word. So be careful now."
"We don't have an underground den here, and our neighboring territories do. So, which of them is it?" Kyle asked.
Mo, all smiles, stretched out his hand again, his teeth shining.
"Ahh, my friend, that will cost you, you know."
Placing some more notes into Mo's hand, Kyle watched him put all the money together and started counting. Smiling, Mo looked back at Kyle.
"So, I am happy to have a customer like you. It has really been a while since I got this much money," Mo said, laughing.
"The place you're looking for is in Coalspire, the reaper gang's territory. They hold brawls there, and sometimes even competitions. You could check it out today if you want, but actually getting his attention will be hard, so I'll leave that part to you," Mo continued.
Having gotten what he needed, Kyle looked around the information shack and at Mo one last time before heading out. Taking a deep breath, he knew where he was headed now, and who was of value and importance to his vendetta.
Calmly walking through Raccoon Ridge, Kyle now started heading toward Coalspire. It got its name from the coal mineral it had and the large quantity of it. Though Coalspire had minerals and provided jobs for a lot of people, most people did not like staying there. It was more like they just came to work and then went back to their own territory, like Ma, who was part of the people who carried coal and moved it to the factory to be processed.
They usually used a kind of basin to carry it on their heads and then walked to the factory, which was far away. The pay wasn't good, nor was it much, as people were clamoring to work there because it was a stable source of income. Most of the coal mine workers did die, though, from lung-related diseases too, but that wasn't the only reason why they died.
Most people were scared of the gangs and were made to pay heavy taxes in Coalspire. They had different names for the taxes: for having a place to stay, you paid a tax; for being allowed to move freely and work within Coalspire, you paid a tax; for being allowed to live, or for them protecting you, you still paid a tax. And it's not like they protected you from the harsh realities, nor did they protect you from the Black Death (lung disease), but still, you had to pay.
All these things Kyle thought about as he walked towards Coalspire. Leaving Raccoon Ridge, he was getting closer to Coalspire. Looking ahead, he could see a scythe symbol engraved on a board, and underneath it read "Welcome to Coalspire."
Looking at the place, Kyle said nothing, but his face grew darker. Approaching the gate, he was met by some young men. Obviously, they were part of the Coalspire gang. 'The Reapers' they called themselves. Stopping by the gate, the men started approaching him.
"And what business do you have here?" one of the men asked.
"I am on a business trip," Kyle said trying to sound very casual.
"Business? What kind of business?" the man asked, the man his fellow gang members slowly picking up their bats and pulling out their blades.