25: [Action] Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

[dashboardlite]

It ain't often that I get myself all gussied up in my gray glad rags, but today's a holiday.  For one, the bets I placed with my bookie on a couple of bangtails came through - few hundred greenbacks richer, and that's only the beginning.  It ain't often that I'm on the nut, 'cause work comes easy as long as somebody wants somebody else dead.

But I

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[paper_knight]

Dean Winchester's a tough customer--not the kind of guy I'd tangle with ordinarily, not without backup and a whole lot of evidence. But all that's over with now. I've got a hunch, and I plan to play it out.

"Looking pretty pleased with yourself, Winchester."

[dashboardlite]

"Yeah?"

I look up and practically get a face-full of flatfoot. Mark Meltzer...yeah, I know the guy a little. Some cop who's never given me much beef before, but I'm pretty damn sure I know the reason why right now.

"S'been a pretty jake day so far, officer. Something grinding your gears?"

[paper_knight]

"I spotted a contact of yours near the scene of a crime last night. Got an explanation for that?"

I wouldn't put it past Winchester to throw the masked man under the bus, but it doesn't matter to me. I get information either way.

[dashboardlite]

I light up a cigarette and cast a glance over the john. He looks shiftier than usual.

"I know a lotta people."

The lighter flicks out, and I pocket it.

"What crime are you gettin' all hinky about?"

[paper_knight]

"A kidnapping. You give me the skinny on that, I'll make it worth your while."

Which is to say, I won't hassle him about anything else his organization might have been up to. And I'm sure there's something.

[dashboardlite]

I shift, just a little bit, and throw on a blank face. I know exactly what he's talking about. And yeah, I had a lot to do with working that job. Self-righteous cop sticks his nose into the affairs of a corrupt government - of course they're gonna send him a warning.

But like I've said before, I got a soft spot for kids. Made sure she was okay before posting guards up around the joint.

I feel for the guy, but the business is tough.

"People disappear all the damn time," I shrug, tilting my head to one side. "Who're you lookin' for, Meltzer?"

[paper_knight]

"Not like this they don't. My only question is your level of involvement."

I'm playing with an empty hand, but he doesn't need to know that.

[dashboardlite]

"Like I said - depends on who it is."

That much is true enough. I don't usually get involved in kidnapping, or ransom, 'cause the fuzz crawls all over those cases like flies on honey. The second I heard about the kid, though, I made sure I was on it.

No tellin' what would happen to her if somebody who wasn't as nice as me took the job.

[paper_knight]

I take my badge and set it on the table, nice and slow so Winchester can see what I'm doing. It's more hindrance than tool right now.

"Cindy Meltzer, all right?"

I hate having to yield even that much--he already knows, and I'm sure of it, but this game is getting old fast.

[dashboardlite]

It's the john's kid, all right. He's real bent outta shape, too. I didn't think anything could crack him like this has.

I look down at the badge, pursing my lips. Silence. Another slow drag of my cigarette, and I sound as conversational as possible when I reply,

"...sure, I know that job."

[paper_knight]

It takes all that remains of my self control not to clock the smug bastard. This isn't the kind of conversation we should be having over shots and cigarettes. He should be at the station, already booked and handcuffed, but that's not the kind of town this is.

"Where is she?"

[dashboardlite]

"Safe."

I answer, real plain, and real honest. Whether the guy believes me or not is his problem.

"But if you're gonna make a scene out here in public, Meltzer," I lean in closer, giving him a hard look. "Then you're not gonna get anywhere. Pick a joint and I'll come along for a little private conversation - as long as it ain't the precinct."

[paper_knight]

He wants me to cool down? I'll give him ice. I name the place, my eyes never leaving his.

"Just you and me."

And if he thinks that makes me a sap, he's got something else coming.

[dashboardlite]

"No, my Aunt Tilly, too. 'Course it'd be just you and me, Meltzer, are you friggin' serious? Whaddayou take me for?"

Besides a low-life kidnapper.

[paper_knight]

"I could go into detail, but we might be here all night. I keep the cops out, you keep your friends out. All I ask."

[dashboardlite]

"Fair nuff," I shrug, hands in my pockets. "Lead the way, fuzz."