@Harry:
As you fill dhe doorframe, a moment of silence passes, then everything goes back to normal.
You see usual mix of factroy workers and casual drinking companions of yours, some of them chatting, some of them playing cards, watching sports channel on the big trid tank beneath the bar, some of them sleeping on the table...those Hans favourite customers who always have enought money to pay the bill should tak a quick nap before next bottle arrives...the smoke of many flavours.
You take a deep breath...sweet aroma of your almost second home.
As you take your whiskey, Hun nods at you and turns his look to one of the boxes...you follow with your own eyes.
A robust, well dressed, wellfed man at middle fourties, stands up and approaches you with his hand ready for shake.
You are no stranger in the district, and that means you recognize him for the first look.
William McLister...also called Thorough Bill.
He is one of major tenants around here, including the place you pay your rent for. You met him at least once personally, when your parents dissapeared a few yoears back. He came with some of his man to tell you personally that he is really sorry for your loss, saying your father was a good man who did a lot for the safety on the streets, and that he would miss him. And he made a clear statement, that he has no problem with updating the apartement contract to your name and that he would be helpfull at the beginning. And that if he finds out something related to that dissapearance, he will let you know.
You see, why he deserved a street name like this...he is not accepting any violence, drugs or BTL crimes happening in the neighborhood of his estates, and those, who violates his rules, always quickly find out, that he is very resourcefull man. It is also said, but that is just street chitchat, that he is on good terms with Stuck and even with Major Monzo.
Shaking your hand (ha has quite firm grip...for a human) he politely invites you to the table:
Good afternoon Mr. Eastwood. Im really glad that you have made a time for this meeting. Im sorry that I always have to meet you under, such circumstances, but even this evening would not be a friendly meeting. Well, lets hope that some day things would improve.
When you come to the table, you see that there is one more person sitting there, almost lost amongst all those orks here. Subtle chineese man, dressed to the suit that seems to be used just for a few occasions, carefully shaved, with glasses that gave him a "professor" look. Not only that but also a high-tech set of chip and datajacks on his temples makes him look at least inpropperly at the place like this. For the first look, he is using some kind of meditation to keep himself calm, but his trembling hands, oversolicitude of his visage, and far-away look in his eyes gave him away.
For your trained eye, he is obviously living through some actual trauma and he is just a step away from breaking down.
"Well, mr. Eastwood, meet mr. Wang. He is one of my tenants, just like you, and he come to me, asking me for help, because his family is in great danger and he didn`t know who else might provide him appropriate assistance. Well, I have one more meeting to attend to, so please, talk to mr. Wong about his problem. If you are, and I believe so, capable of helping him, we will talk about reward later, don`t let those things influence your judgement."
With this words William leaves you at the table alone with Wong and takes the seat at the bar, evidently waiting for someone.
@Nikolai:
"Hey Lynx, err.. not exactly recovering, the party is sill on HAHAHAA", you hear loud music in the background, and by his voice, Eddie is evidently drunk and loaded, "Aurora, yeah, calm hangout to chill out at the corner of 304th Street E & 132nd Avenue E, if you dont mind a bunch of wageslaves and loosers telling you their sad storries. Owner, Han Skaar, is a thought drunkard, so if he invites you for a drink after the midnight, when the place is empty and he is borring, watch your liver HAHAHA. And if you don`t have enought when you are leaving that hole, came by, we should be able to provide some drinks also HAHAA...."
That leaves an impression of some public place, maybe not too dangerous one, but you never know...
After several minutes, you manage to get there and find a place to park right in front of the bar. There are some bikes standing there and shiny Rover in limo design. No obvious weapons, but it speaks loudly: Dont mess with me, or Ill show you. You got the impression that there is someone in that limo, but you cannot see inside throught mirrored windows. When you enter, humming atmosphere engulfs you. Making your way to the bar, you look around and see what was Eddie talking around. So far, nobody looks dangerous, most of the people minds their own bussines, maybe two or three guys more vigilant than others, evaluating everything with the look of skilled bodyguards.
You made your way to the bar, nods at the bartender and told him your name.
"Oh here you are,. Please, take the seat on that place, right next to that well dressed gentleman. Anything to drink?"
You make your order (Vodka, I suppose, he doesnt seem to have anything non-alcoholic on the tape) and follow his instructions. When you take the place, man next to you turns himself on the stool a bit, just to look at you.
"Welcome, mr. Shroeder. My name is William McLister and, although we haven`t met before, I know you, just a little, because you are living in one of appartements I own."
Takes a sip from his Ancient Bushmills...
"I`ve heard some crazy stories about you, from your neighbors, but, since I know that you are living single, I dont take them serriously. Th reason we meet here is the fact, that you apparently have some experiences with pit fights. I know that you had shown interrests to join the fights after your arrival to Seattle. I dont care too much about this, unless you make arena in one of my cellars. It is told that you pit fighters are some of the most cruel fighters. And that is exactly what Im looking for. I have responsibilities to my tennants, and I take it very serriously. There was an act of violence, ruthless crime, commited on one of them. I already hired a detective to find out, who did this to one of my liege", you see rising anger isnide that man...he certainly have more than one Irish ascendant...then he look straight to your eyes:
"I want you to cooperate with that detective, and after you find those...dead men, I want You to make them example." he gets the final sip from his glass.
"I want their souls to retail terrible stories in hell about messing with William McLister. If you make it right, we should talk about your needs, make your place, lets say, more comfortable, and I also would grant you half a year free rent. We would also discuss some more concrete payment after you meet with mr. Eastwood, who will lead this investigation. I`m sure that we should figure out something. He is already talking with the victim at that table,"his look directs toward the table where big troll is speaking with somebody who is well covered from view by trolls broad shoulders,"feel free to join him, any more insight to the problem should be usefull."
He turns back to the bartender and shows him his empty glass, with unmistakable "One more" sign.
