Fic : The Blacklist : The House You Live In Ch 8
The House You Live In
Chapter 8 : The Circle is Small
“Raymond, I don't know what to tell you. She's gone - like a fart in the wind.”
A tired and frustrated Raymond stared at him waiting. Glen just stared back.
This was their dance. Glen always did this.
He really wasn't feeling it, but Red said his lines. “Glen, you are the best there is at finding people. If anyone can find her it's you.”
“That's just it, Raymond. No one is going to find her.”
Glen held up his hands to ward off any further argument. “I'm not bullshitting you this time. I may be the best at finding people, but Red, this is Kaplan we are talking about. She has spent a lifetime making people disappear. She's the best there is.”
Glen crossed his arms over his considerable girth. “In this case, I'm not ashamed to admit I'm beat.
“Glen -”
“Raymond, you may market the cease to exist in sixty seconds package, but Mr. Kaplan is the one who originated it. Red, until she wants to be found, you are never going to see her.”
Raymond frowned.
“Think about what you're asking here. This would be like asking me to find you. Kaplan has had every one of your resources and everyone of her resources at her fingertips for decades. All your safe houses, all your contacts.”
Glen shrugged his shoulders and asked. “Why do you need me to find Kaplan anyway? Did you two have a falling out of some kind?”
“Glen, I told you. Mr. Kaplan took a little holiday, but I need to get in touch with her.”
“Okay, okay! Maybe it would help if you gave me a little information to work from.”
“Like what?”
“A last known address, a phone number, oh I don't know - her actual name. You know, just a little something to get me started.”
A frustrated Red picked up his hat and stood. “Keep looking.”
He had his hand on the door knob when Glen called after him. “Do you have a recent photo?”
Raymond hesitated, but kept going.
Getting into the car, he informed Dembe. “Glen has been compromised.”
“What do you want to do about it?” Dembe asked.
“For now … nothing. Let's take a ride to see a few other old friends.”
OOOO
Glen stayed right where he was as Red left. Through the window he saw Dembe open the car door for Reddington. It wasn't until they had driven away that the side door opened.
Glen's update was superfluous. From the next room, she would have been able to hear everything. “He fell for it. Hook line and sinker. But then it wasn't too hard to sell. After all, I really couldn't find you even if I did try. You found me.”
It was rude, but Glen couldn't help but stare at the messed up side of her face. “So what's next, Two Face? Are you about to go all Lady Stoneheart on his ass?”
She didn't answer. Pulling one of those foreigner scarves up over the worst of her scars, she left.
OOOO
“Anyone I know? Anyone I should know?” Raymond asked as he entered Brimley's bustling little workshop. “And here I thought you told me you were retiring.”
With his eyes, the man strapped to the chair with the tourniquet on what was left of his limb looked to Reddington pleadingly, but with the cloth pushed into his mouth he produced nary a sound.
“You know when you are trying to get information out of someone I find it helps to - at least occasionally - take the gag out.”
“Who said anything about wanting information from him? I have a bit of frustration I am trying to work through at the moment.”
“Don't we all.” Reddington agreed before getting down to business. “Mr. Kaplan. I need to see her.”
“Careful what you wish for, Raymond.”
Brimley put down the electric sander. “Kate may never have been the prettiest of girls but she had a sweet face. She didn't deserve that.”
“I know.” Reddington admitted.
“Raymond, you may look at me and only see a doddering old man who can't make it more than two steps without needing his oxygen, but Raymond the only reason you aren't the one enjoying my hospitality right now is because Kate said you are off limits.”
“Where can I find her?”
“You can't.”
“I need to find her.”
“No. You don't.”
As Brimley picked up his buzz saw, Dembe pulled his gun. Red held up a hand to stop his young protector.
“Mr. Kaplan will find you. When she wants to, she will find you.”
Red tried again, but got shut down. “I -”
“Maybe you didn't hear me. Maybe your hearing is as far off as your shot. We're done, Raymond. You're done.”
Nodding, Red picked up his hat and headed for the door.
OOOOO
He never asked her name.
Little girl. Pretty lady. Sweetheart. My pretty one. City mouse.
There were things that he did ask her.
“Won't your mister be worrying about you. Wondering where you are?”
Following his gaze to the band on the ring finger of her left hand Mr. Kaplan answered truthfully. “No. I have been on my own for a long time now.”
Uneasy with his continued focus on her ring, she repositioned her hands to rest on her lap with her right hand covering the gold band.
“Children?”
“No.” Mr. Kaplan looked away. “Not any more.”
tbc