as we pass through arrangements of shadows

[shreds]

Comments

[tearhiseyesout]

[She shakes her head.]

But that's not uncommon for Hallewell, he likes his unrecognizable middle men.

[praevaricatio]

There's a metaphor in there somewhere.

( He collects the folder at the foot of the door and drops it down on his husband's resting form. )

We should make a gameplan.

[tearhiseyesout]

We should.

[She makes her way over to the bed and shoves at David's sleeping shoulder.]

Rise and shine. Time to get to work so I can go home.

[David flips her the bird, before pushing himself into a sitting position.]

[praevaricatio]

You're not the only one following protocol here.

( He pats his husband leg over the covers, yawns and opens the folder so the two of them can peruse.

Still wiping sleep from his eyes, his vision blurs and returns, something that happens after a nap and when it centers, none of it means anything to him (1), as he did not grow up in Maryland and doesn't know the area. He also married into the crazy. )

[maleficum]

[David pushes up and peers over Ezra's shoulder, and stops him before he flips the page.]

Looks like we've got a pretty clear schedule for him. And wait.

[He pulls the file towards him gently.]

This hotel isn't really a long term stay kind of situation.

[praevaricatio]

( That doesn't make any sense. But, Jacqueline noticed he returns to said hotel every night. ...Ezra noticed nothing. )

Maybe he puts his victims up there?

[maleficum]

["That makes sense. Most don't last long once he has them."

David nods, as he considers.]

Ez and I could go poke around while you go distract the middle man?

[Jaqueline considers, then shrugs. "Could be a good idea? Do you trust me to talk to the middle man?"]

[praevaricatio]

Do we have anything else to go by except for his picture?

( The middle-man, that is. )

[maleficum]

[She shakes her head. "Not yet, no."]

I'm not so worried about what you say so much as what you can make him say.

[Jaqueline raises an eyebrow, then smirks. "I can definitely do that." ]

[praevaricatio]

Whatever you make him say, as long as it leads to Barnet.

( But, okay, they kind of have a plan. )

Where was the last place your blur was seen. You can start there.

[tearhiseyesout]

Looks like he hangs out at this diner.

[She flips to the picture in question and taps it gently.]

Might be a good place to start. Also, I'm starving.

[So food, please?]

[praevaricatio]

( He checks his watch. He only got how much sleep? )

I could eat.

[maleficum]

Alright. Food it is.

[He rubs a hand over his face.]

Let's do this.

[praevaricatio]

( Ezra avoids one of the Colony perks, the customizable closet, sticking with his outlet find.

To save time, they use David's power, opening one door and letting themselves into a diner they've all read about in their briefing. It's bustling for mid-morning. A host draws away another family that has beaten them there leaving them alone at the front. )

[tearhiseyesout]

[David (15), makes note of the empty reserved table in the corner, and nudges his husband to subtly point it out.

Jaqueline (18) also notices the table, before scanning her eyes over the rest of the room, taking in the behavior of the servers as they glance furtively at the table. She tips her head to the side.]

Someone's off schedule.

[praevaricatio]

He's on the run. If he did take his usual table ( he catches on ) he'd be a guy sitting down to breakfast and easily found. As much as Barnet seems like a guy who likes the notoriety, if we're on his trail, then we're not the only ones.

( And man, he wanted to eat. )

We could get something to go.

[tearhiseyesout]

[Jaqueline nods as she makes her way over to the hostess's stand to grab some menus. But when she gets there, she meets the woman's eyes and gives her a slight mental nudge (14).

Not a heavy one, but one just enough to make her seem trustworthy. Like the hostess will want to share all the information she has.]

I noticed the reserved table. Expecting someone important?

[praevaricatio]

( with a (9) she is easily influenced. in her mind, Jacqueline is a regular she recognizes, and one she would share information with.

"We usually do, but today it seems he's ordered his food on an app. At least we get a percentage of the profits." )

[tearhiseyesout]

That's a shame. Do you know who's picking up his food for him?

[Because that could give them a lead too. Follow the delivery man back to the source.]

[tramplemain]

That guy.

( The redhead dicking around on his phone, holding one of those insulated bags. )

[tearhiseyesout]

Got it. Thanks a bunch.

[She smiles, and takes the menus to make her way over to her partners.]

Turns out the missing reserved table decided to order out instead. Carrottop over there is our delivery boy.

[tramplemain]

( "Keeps up his routine, even on the run," Ezra says, eyeing him.

The host makes some nearby small talk, doing a very obvious job of flirting with the delivery boy who doesn't seem to be biting. )

[maleficum]

[David nods, before taking the menus.]

Then let's order something quick so we can stay on the road.

[Jaqueline tips her head to the side as she watches the two, and decides to give the delivery boy a tiny nudge. Nothing untoward, just enough to get his interest on the hostess long enough for them to get their food (12).]

[tramplemain]

( The delivery boy is very easily nudged, ignoring his time restrictions, even when the order arrives.

The group has time to order for themselves to get back on the road. Even long enough to follow him to his car should they want to. )

[maleficum]

[Yep, that's the plan. David lingers just long enough behind them to avoid suspicion but does his best to keep an eye on the car, following back to his intended delivery (18). Once he does stop to drop the food off, he'll hang back, parking near some trees for cover but close enough that he can see the door.]