Would you listen? ((22))

[Meadowlark]

"I'm willin' t' listen if'n y'd jus' tell me!" Ricky protested.

[amanika]

Taradan nodded, glad he had found a way of getting his bother's full attention for once. "Alright," he took another puff of his cigarette, "Zimmerman wants you t'report back t'me on what Jones is up to. You do that, y'got the protection of our gang if y'need it."

[Meadowlark]

The kit's ears flickered as he considered. "I...dunno. What if Jones figures out that I'm a hole in 'is network? Protection's great, but it don't do me much good if I'm dead already."

[amanika]

Taradan sighed heavily, wishing he had a better answer than this, "I told you this was a dangerous business you were gettin' into. If you think f'a moment that Jones knows what you're up to, you need t'let me know."

[Meadowlark]

Ricky hesitated, his tail swishing. "Now, b'for y' freak out 'bout this I'm lookin' at my options. Say I turned this down, what are we lookin' at?"

[amanika]

Taradan considered this, "If there's any bloodshed between the two gangs, you won't have no immunity jus' because you're related t'me. Same as there won't be no protection from Jones' lot if he changes his mind about you." Taradan stayed silent for a moment, wondering if he should mention anything else, "Plus if I put a paw wrong, Zimmerman might use you t'his advantage, t'make me do what he wants." he added finally.

Of course, there was nothing to stop Coricopat continuing to use Ricky to manipulate Taradan once he was working for them either, but Taradan trusted that if Ricky was considered an assest, he was less expendable.

[Meadowlark]

Ricky sighed. "So I guess I ain't really got much choice, huh?"

[amanika]

Taradan sighed again, taking a last puff on his cigarette and stubbing it out somewhat violently in the dish on the table by his chair. "I'm sorry y'got pulled inta' this kid."

[Meadowlark]

He shrugged in response. "Ain't your fault. Tell y' boss I'll do it I guess."

[amanika]

Taradan nodded, "Far as I know it's only me you got to pass the information on to. So less suspicious than if you were caught runnin' between two places. Though if y'think f'a second Jones is on t'you then say an' we'll get you out of there. Zimmerman did mention he might have a job f'you with us once this is done with." another sigh, "Course, I'd prefer you t'get a legit job, but I ain't one t'talk. Least you'd be workin' where I can look out f'you."

[Meadowlark]

Ricky nodded slightly. "Tell, y' what. I get to that point I'll get a legit job other than sellin' papes, kay? Since I can't keep those corners if Jones is after me."

[amanika]

Taradan nodded, "An' you'll let me help you out if anythin' comes up like at at the gas station or what have you?"

[Meadowlark]

Ricky bit his lip, his pride saying no, but.... "...yeah.."

[amanika]

Taradan nodded but didn't press the issue further. Part of him wished Ricky had stayed in school, not that he was much of a role model for that, but out of all of the Logan brothers, Ricky had stopped going the earliest on. It would have kept the kit out of trouble for a few more years at least. But things were as they were and there wasn't much else he could do about it, except to look out for his youngest brother.

"I don't like this any more than you do," Taradan told Ricky after a moment, "but it don't pay t'try an' mess with cats like Zimmerman. He's a cold hearted bastard, the only way you ain't expendable is if you're useful."

[Meadowlark]

Ricky nodded. "Yeah, I got that much." He got up, curling in a chair, drawing his legs up next to himself. "I..." He shook his head.