Questionable Company ((11))

[victoriousscarf]

Jones breezed through his rooms, able to greet many of his regulars by name. He had always had a good memory for faces, and he attracted the best clientele after all. He moved from the gambling den into the main bar, spotting the newest addition to his regulars list at the bar, at his usual spot. Jones swaggered over, in a remarkably good mood. He had finally gotten an invitation to a meeting with the owner of the Demoniaque, though he would need to figure out something to do for security. After all, it would not do to look like he was not an important enough figure to have bodyguards.

[havlockvhett]

Franz looked like death warmed over. His hair was sticking up, and he'd been scratching at the bare knuckles where two fingers should have been. Even flustered, he wasn't a cat given to drinking in excess and it had put him in a very tight position. Specifically of a cat all wound up and with nowhere to put it. Files at the police station a complete and utter loss, he had no idea where to start his investigation. Questioning down by the docks would be awkward, and would mean flashing his badge around. It was always best to try undercover, to not throw your weight around until you absolutely had to, because these scum protected their own, at least from the Law.

On top of that, he was down to his last five dollars. He needed an In and needed work, and had no idea where to get started. Low level thug work would put him in a bad position, either getting arrested or being outed for refusing to do something despicable. A true and dastardly pickle, and without even a drinking habit to fall back on.

Franz noticed Jones approach, reflexively trying to smooth down his rumpled hair, with little success. He smiled tightly at the other cat. Hard times didn't mean he was going to inflict them on those undeserving. "Evening." He bobbed his head, what had become his habitual deferential greeting.

[victoriousscarf]

Jones arched a single eyebrow at that, the very picture of condescending worry. "My, you look a right fright tonight. What ever is the matter?"

[havlockvhett]

Franz drew himself up, tail flickering irritatedly as his ears twitched. "My work has hit a dead end." And go on old boy, eating crow now is going to hurt less than slinking home without a penny or your man would. "And my employers are unwilling to cover any further expenses in my pursuit." He frowned, distaste completely unfeigned. "I do not like leaving jobs unfinished Mister Jones, but I am at a loss at where to go from here."

[victoriousscarf]

"Ah, yes, you have been having a rough time with these employers haven't you?" Jones said, voice sickly sweet. "Such terrible men. You never have told me what you are employed as either. I would love to be able to help you but I can hardly do so without some information." He hoisted himself up upon a chair, ordering a drink with just a paw motion. He enjoyed his domain to run smoothly after all.

[havlockvhett]

Jones' smarm slid right off his back, as Franz ears continued to flick rhythmically. "I'm afraid my employer's identities are their own to keep, I would hardly have a job to keep if they weren't." He pretended to stare into his nearly empty glass for answers, tapping at it with a claw before appearing to reach a decision. "But I see no harm in job descriptions." He flashed small smile at Jones. "Not between two businessmen. Put succiently, I find people Mister Jones. It was something I picked up after the war, it's applications continued to employee me, so here I stand. I must admit, these days there are less orphans and more cats who don't want to be found, but livings must be made."

Franz dug into his jacket pocket, flashing his Pinkerton badge, just enough for Jones to see it, but keeping it hidden from the rest of the bar. "For now, I'm Franz Cooper. Cool cat, from up in Chicago. He lets me borrow the shine when a bit more... official track might be useful." It was a dangerous gambit, but one that had worked well for him before. If someone was twisty enough to suspect him of the double gambit, they had probably sussed him out already and it was useless. This way, he proclaimed enough neutrality to keep himself out of turf wars, but flashed enough contact power to be interesting to the right parties.

[victoriousscarf]

Jones' eyebrows rose at that, and he appeared quite impressed with the badge. "Well then," he said, voice smooth. "I am not entirely sure if there are very many missing cats at the moment," at least none that wanted to be found, or that he himself wished to find, having disappeared some of them himself. "But if you are willing to take on any Pinkerton style work, I am in need of some... help tomorrow for a meeting I have. It would behoove me to have a bodyguard type with me for a business meeting. And I of course pay very well."

[havlockvhett]

Franz chuckled, as if the idea was novel and pleasingly ironic. "I'm sure I could accommodated myself well." He held up his damaged hand. "Military service does have its benefits. I'm interested to hear your terms. I recall you mentioning a better sort of lodging than the hellhole I've been roughing it at?"

[victoriousscarf]

Jones smiled at the younger tom. "I doubt for this meeting at any rate there would be any danger. But I would hate to look less important than I am, and all important people in this town have personal bodyguards. As for the terms," he continued. "They would of course be more than generous," and he named off a couple, such as pay and duties. "As for accommodation, I'm sure I could find you something," Jones went on smoothly. "And your pay would be more than enough to pay for it as long as you were employed by me."

[havlockvhett]

Franz nodded. "Appearances can be important." Which meant one of his nicer suits tomorrow. If anybody did start a shootout he'd be very cross, he only had the two decent jackets left.

"A generous employer indeed, I accept." He held out his paw. Two problems down, just one to go.

[victoriousscarf]

Jones once again nodded. "Excellent," he said, rising. "I look most forward to seeing you tomorrow then." He named the time. "However, I must be risen at an early hour tomorrow, and thus must take an early night tonight." He did, after all, have to preen for several extra hours tomorrow morning to make a good impression on Mr. Hollister.

[havlockvhett]

"Of course, good night Sir."

Franz couldn't help the pleased sigh, or the bouncing flick of his tail. He had his in. The dance was about to begin in earnest, but he could handle that. Action was good for the soul, it was the waiting and plotting that ate you to pieces.

He left a generous tip on the bar, even though he was leaving two drinks early. It never hurt to finagle your way into a bartender's good graces. Even if it was scrapping on your bottom dollar. Yes, tonight was looking up, but a timid voice in the back of his mind, trying to shout over the sudden storm of optimisim, was screaming that he still had no idea where to start the investigation. Felidae, for all of his big city disdain for the place, was still to large to sort through every criminal by hand.

Something would come up. It always did. It had too.

[victoriousscarf]

[THREAD END]