(Untitled)

[bass_line_blues]

So now they know

Comments

[k_gabriel]

Karla can help with grapevining!

Because Karla is a social butterfly and talks to everyone. Yes.

"Hey."

[bass_line_blues]

"- hey," Preston says, sitting up straight.

Because on the list of people who need to be told PRONTO, Karla: kind of at the top, in Preston's mind. Although Claire and Russ might disagree.

"Hey, Karla - do you know a guy named Nick?"

[k_gabriel]

"--Met him once," Karla says, sounding like the meeting didn't leave the best impression on her. "Why?"

[bass_line_blues]

Succinct: "Gwen recognized his scent around where I got chased."

Preston shrugs, a little. "Which I guess is circumstantial evidence, but - odds seem good that he's our bad guy."

[k_gabriel]

The wary, tight look that shuts itself down over Karla's features hasn't been there for a while. Not in the club, anyway.

"Fuck. Well, that's more of a lead than we've had so far, anyway."

[bass_line_blues]

"Yeah. Well, once I figure out how to get the news to Claire and Russ, he probably won't be a problem long," Preston says, quietly.

She's right to be wary.

Doesn't mean he likes seeing it.

[k_gabriel]

Fiercely, "Good."

Karla folds her arms and looks down for a moment.

"Fuck. I ran into him outside the shelter--same night we talked out there. Gave him a fucking light."

[bass_line_blues]

Preston feels cold.

". . . fuck."

He looks down. He doesn't want to think about how close that might have been.

Especially not when, if he'd stayed out a little longer, it might not even have been as close as that.

After a beat: "Well - trying to give him cancer is maybe a little subtle as far as dastardly plans go, but it's on the right track."

[k_gabriel]

Karla looks over at him, hair partially hiding her face.

"Hey," she says after a moment. "It was...well, I'm not gonna say 'fine', not if he's our guy and we didn't know it. But...I was ready to get inside if I had to. I didn't have to. And that makes me a lot more fine than some people he's run into, apparantly, so we've got worse stuff to worry about."

[bass_line_blues]

"All very valid points," Preston agrees, and gives her a half-smile.

"So. Not worrying about it. Honest."

[k_gabriel]

Karla gives him a wry half-smile in return, then shoves her hair back, adopting a businesslike look.

"So. Neither Russ or Claire knows yet?"

[bass_line_blues]

Preston shakes his head.

"Sadly, I don't think either of them check their e-mail that often these days."

[k_gabriel]

Karla snorts, and elbows his shoulder lightly.

"I'll keep an eye out. 'Case I see either of 'em before you do."

Yes, Karla's offering to approach either Russ or Claire. Yay for crisis solidarity?

[bass_line_blues]

Preston grins at her, a little grateful.

Claire probably won't eat Karla. Only guitarist in Chicago! Even Claire has more scruples than that.

Besides, Claire needs Preston right now.

. . . well, technically she doesn't, now that Salla and Gwen know also. But Claire doesn't know that yet.

However, speaking of . . .

"Thanks," he says, and then hesitates. "If you see them, though . . . tell 'em to see me before you give them a name?"

[k_gabriel]

Karla looks at him a bit quizzically, but nods.

"Sure, but...how come?"

[bass_line_blues]

"They're both kind of fond of vigilante justice."

Preston shakes his head. "If possible - that's not how I want this to be done."