After Sugar saw Proctor go, he sighed with relief and quickly poured himself a drink to drink and let go of the nervousness that afflicted him a little, not going unnoticed by Hood.
— Why are you so afraid of him? I don't think it's that dangerous —Hood said, sitting with a perplexed expression.
—You just got to Banshee Town and you still don't know much about him. I saw it coming step by step.
Sugar sat down and continued looking at them both:
—He went from being an Amish boy who was expelled by his family with nothing to lose, to the most powerful man in this town. Would you believe me if I told you that it is not dangerous at all? As far as I know, its tentacles have spread throughout Pennsylvania. Believe me, don't provoke it if it's not necessary. I don't want to be shot dead one day. It is not worth being the enemy of that jerk.
After hearing Sugar's words, Hood was silent.
After several people drank quietly for a while, Hood took a gold watch out of his pocket and threw it on the counter. The light shone on the dial with an embedded diamond ring, emitting a dazzling light.
—No need to say anything —Ethan saw Hood trying to explain, drank all the wine from the glass, got up and said —: As I just said, I don't care about these things. After you figure it out, just don't forget my part.
Ethan got up to leave without saying a single word more, just leaving a couple of bills on the bar. After the door closed and he heard the vehicle drive away, Sugar looked at Hood worriedly.
— Do you know something? If your false identity as police chief comes to light, we will all be in trouble.
—Don't worry, he won't know. You have to trust my friend's abilities. No matter how you review the entire police system, I'm now Lucas Hood.
—I just don't understand why I didn't give myself away and asked for a slice —Hood took the gold watch with his fingers and waved it several times.
—I guess not all cops are like Lotus, right? —Sugar grabbed the gold watch and said —: I'll find a channel to sell it. It won't be much but it's better than nothing.
—After the sale you only have to give it a part. After all the boy took the punches tonight ..
They both chatted at the bar speculating a bit about Ethan's true intentions, while he was driving his car when his cell phone rang. He pulled out his cell phone and looked at the caller, then smiled.
—Mr. Proctor, what's up?
—Officer Ethan, I am now at Savoy Gentlemen's Club. Are you interested in coming and talking for a while?
Is this an attempt to recruit me? Ethan thought for a moment and replied. — I'll be there soon —
He hung up the phone, turned the wheel, and drove to the Savoy Gentlemen's Club.
When he entered through the door, two guards saw the scars on his face and detained him, indicating that they wanted to search him.
Ethan raised his coat, exposing his badge and police weapon, and the guard obediently stepped aside.
—Sir, admission costs $ 20, thanks.
The blonde beauty with rabbit ears at the reception stopped him and showed a charming smile.
—Elizabeth, it is not necessary, it is Mr. Proctor's guest —Burton the bodyguard of Kai Proctor appeared, in a suit and tie, walked towards Ethan —. He's waiting for you, please come over here.
When Ethan entered the club lobby, as he watched the soft pink light emanating from the lamps, accentuating the brightness of the reflections on the metal surfaces. The dance floor, located in the center, was flanked by steel tubes where the dancers turned sensually.
Ethan avoided the attention of one of the bunnies who was approaching with a tray, and walked towards the dressing room, whose door was clearly marked with a sign that said "entry is not allowed." Opening the door, she found herself in a bustling dressing room, where more than a dozen dancers prepared in front of illuminated mirrors.
Now is the high season in the dressing room, more than a dozen strippers are busy dressing in front of the mirror. Most of them wear thongs on the lower body and patches on the upper part.
Seeing Burton and Ethan enter, they didn't care at all and continued the work they were doing.
This was the first time he witnessed this type of situation, which we say he could get used to. Ethan pretended to be calm and followed Burton without looking away.
A beautiful Ukrainian girl next to him gave the cigarette a drag and exhaled a breath of smoke towards him from his pretty red lips. Ethan's footsteps suddenly became unstable and he laughed a few times, his chest trembling.
Clumsily, he went through the dressing room and entered. When he reached a room, Burton knocked, opened the door, and entered.
Proctor was sitting behind his desk. When he saw Ethan enter, he got up and walked to the showcase next to him.
—Ethan, welcome to Savoy, I remember you like to drink whiskey, right? I have a bottle of vintage bourbon here that a friend gave me, how about you try it?
—Okay, thanks —Ethan unceremoniously approached his chair and sat down.
After serving the wine, Proctor looked at Burton behind him.
—I can do it only here. Go find Sánchez's agent, Dunn. We have something with him. Go get it back.
Burton's eyes sparkled with a sharp glance, he turned around and left the office.
—I don't know why you came here. I don't think you want to settle accounts with me —Ethan took the glass and smelled the fragrance.
—Of course not, I know you were just doing your job.
—I was glad you called me last time.
—It is a shame that so many people in this city have misconceptions about me.
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
—Don't get me wrong. I didn't want to help you last time, the damn almost killed me and anyone who threatens my existence must pay the price. And in the end let's say I wanted to use your hand to get rid of it.
Proctor did not expect Ethan to be so direct. He shrugged. The night before, he had been the one who had informed him of Hansen's arrest, and he knew very well that he was not going to leave him alive, he did not know the reasons why Ethan had revealed this to him, maybe money or a personal grudge, but it did not matter. I couldn't let Hansen drop his tongue.
—I guess that's a reason. But it does not infer that the end result will be beneficial for me, right?
Then, he leaned over, took out a suitcase from under the table, put it on the table, opened it with his hand, and then handed the suitcase to Ethan, who was full of green bills.
For the first time in his life, Ethan saw so many bills placed in front of him and his breathing accelerated.
—This is to express my gratitude. Also, if there is any news about me in the future, I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.
Ethan drank the whiskey eagerly and looked at the green bills in front of him. He repressed his instinct to take the money and reached out to close the suitcase.
—This is not necessary.
He patted the suitcase and pushed it back.
You cannot take this money. After taking it, Proctor will control you in every way. Although he has no bad intentions towards Proctor, he does not want to put himself in that situation.
—If you must express your gratitude —Ethan reached out and took the aged bourbon next to him —. I think this will do.
Ethan's meaning is very clear: I don't want to help you work, but I accept your gesture and I have no resentment towards you.
Proctor was stunned, not expecting Ethan to resist temptation.
—Ethan, you're an interesting guy and I'm starting to like you.
—I like the girl outside better —Ethan pointed to the door.
Proctor threw a cigarette at Ethan and the two laughed together.
Days later, Ethan was holding a cup of coffee while looking through the glass in front of the police station. A banner hung from a nearby tree, announcing the event: "The 90th Banshee Festival"
—Siobhan, you are local. What is the history of this Banshee Festival? —Ethan asked.
—It's just a legend, nothing special. A woman from the Kinaho tribe was killed on her wedding night. Since then, her soul is said to roam this town, she became a ghost to torture the man the murderer —Siobhan replied.
— Is that all? —Ethan heard no more and turned to Siobhan —. So what are you commemorating or celebrating?
—Just forget it, it's time for us to go on patrol —Siobhan said, patting the watch on duty in his hand —. Just a memorial event for the Kinaho tribe and for us. I will go first.
Ethan threw the empty cup of coffee in the trash, picked up his equipment and walked away from the police station on his patrol, today he opened a lot of movement in the city so everyone at the police station would be on duty until tomorrow.
Passing through the city, he saw small tents installed on both sides of the normally empty streets. The townspeople were busy putting various staples, agricultural products, and souvenirs on the shelves.
Ethan smiled, stepped on the gas, and left. Usually, if he didn't have a special mission, he would drive the police car through the jurisdiction. When he got tired, he found an intersection and stopped.
When he reached Route 80, he parked the car in a small side street, blocked by tall trees. If the passing vehicles were not paying attention, they would not notice that a police car was parked there.
The mission of the previous system had been completed and he had claimed the reward for defeating Sánchez.
This time he chose to add points in the handling of long weapons. For now, firearms were his main means of attack and survival, increasing the competition of these skills ensured that he survived in the future.
When skill points were insufficient, he had to prioritize improving aim.
After waiting a long time, a paid vehicle passed. Ethan yawned, looked at his watch, and prepared to move to continue patrolling.
Just as he was about to leave, a black motorcycle roared past and headed in the direction the pay vehicle left.
Ethan became interested and chased the motorcycle from the side road, drove a short distance, and soon caught up with it.
After turning on the police lights twice, the motorcycle slowed down and stopped.
—Motorcycle driver in front, turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle, take off your helmet. —ordered Ethan, parking the police car behind the motorcycle.
After seeing the person in front of him turn off his motorcycle, Ethan opened the door and got out of the car.
—You were above the speed limit. License and registration, please. — Ethan said.
—Sorry officer, it was not my intention to do that —he replied, the subject was wearing a black leather jacket, while he took off his helmet and his head was glowing.
—Well, isn't this Hood's best friend, a professional transvestite hacker with a sharp tongue, Job. He is the one who created Hood's current identity —Ethan said to himself, looking at the bald Asian man in front of him.
Looking at the man, Ethan decided to make fun of him, reached out, took out the key to the motorcycle, and asked Job:
—Sir, do you have a firearm with you?
Before Job could respond, Hood's voice rang from the radio on his shoulder:
—Ethan, where are you?
—Chief Hood, I am making a traffic stop, please wait —Ethan replied.
—I have work to do here, please come and help me.
—Okay, send me the location —Ethan said, turning off the radio disappointed. I didn't expect the rescue to come that fast. He threw the key at Job — You're lucky. Drive slower next time.
—Okay, thanks officer, I'll pay attention —Job said, taking the motorcycle key calmly.
After Ethan left, Job pressed the earpiece.
—Fuck you, Hood, why didn't you inform me that there were police patrolling the area?
—I still haven't been to the police station. I forgot to ask them. He's gone, right?
—It is very unfortunate to have a friend like you —Job said, taking a deep breath —. Now you should be able to see the stock truck. I followed him for four days and the route is the same.
—Okay, I saw it. Go back to the bar first. Sugar and I will come looking for you later —Hood said.
Job hung up the phone, looked at the cows bellowing on the side of the road, and angrily pulled his pistol out of his arms and fired two shots into the sky.
—Get away from me, damn it, it smells like cow dung —murmured.
The cattle went up and down one after the other, bellowing a few times and slowly moving away from the manic two-legged beast.
Ethan saw Hood and Sugar sitting in a light blue truck wrecked from a distance. He stopped the car and Hood handed them something wrapped in greased paper.
—Three thousand dollars, this is your part —Hood said.
—Thanks, what are you doing? —Ethan took the paper bag with oil and patted him on the hand.
—Nothing, just go shopping with Sugar.
—Okay, I'll go back on patrol —Ethan said.
Seeing that he didn't want to say anything, Ethan stopped asking and continued driving on patrol.
When noon came, it was time to find something to eat so he turned the wheel, turned around and drove into town, assuming that for the festival there would be a lot of food on the premises. The celebration area was no longer as deserted as in the morning. People were flowing through it and there were many children in white masks and cheerfully chasing balloons in their hands.
Passing a stall, she saw Rebecca dressed in a traditional long skirt and a white scarf, standing at a stall. He played with his boring fingers, with several cakes placed next to him.
Ethan stopped the vehicle, left, and walked to his post.
—You are Ethan, right? —said a woman with deep blond hair with a fiery, deep blue presence, wearing a tight denim skirt that accentuated her curves, combined with a white blouse with ruffles that complemented her outfit with a touch of retro style.
Ethan stopped and said nothing.
— Don't you know me? My name is Kat Moody and Cole was my husband.
—Nice to meet you, what flavor is it? —Ethan pointed to the food in his hand.
—Damn, you murdered my husband, don't you have anything to say? You actually asked me how the cake tasted! —Kat widened her eyes and looked at Ethan in disbelief.
—Well then, you're welcome? —Ethan thought for a moment —. I saw Cole's background, he had a long history of domestic violence. You must have suffered a lot to be with him, you don't have to thank me.
The next moment Ethan finished saying this, a piece of cake hit his face with a "pop" sound.
After Kat said "fuck you", she waved her middle finger and went back to the food stall where she had left.
Ethan shook his head helplessly, wiping his face calmly, seeing the eyes of the people around him, left the matter for peace, approached Rebecca, who covered her mouth and laughed with an expression on her face, and asked seriously:
—Miss Bowman, who you recommend.
—Of course, the crispy piece of peach pie that hit your face is our specialty. However, I guess you need to try it in a more civilized way —Rebecca smiled and handed her a towel —
— How much is it? —Ethan took a bite out of it and it tasted great.
—Five bucks.
Turning the money over to Rebecca, seeing that she was still laughing sneakily, Ethan took a hard bite out of the crisp peach pie in his hand. I will make you not laugh next time.