The Cat and the Canary in the Coalmine

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

He worked hard to get his position. He fought through so much and finally got away from his father, but with every day that went by he could hear the accursed man's laughter in the back of his head. The corruption ran deep. The whole thing had gone rotten. Systems that had been put in place had been eroded by nepotism, under-the-table money, and blind loyalty to the other boys in blue.

Alex had enough. He could feel his skin burning with his rage, as even now his reports have been 'lost'. If his bosses think they had cowed him, they made the common mistake of underestimating him. He sat in his cubicle or went out to investigate, keeping his head low and biding his time.

Meanwhile at home he worked on a different investigation. He remembered stumbling across a rather interesting hitman some years prior, one of the many with rules about who they would not hunt. This man, however, had a discount on scum, even if that hadn't been exactly the same wording used. He'd taken mental note about it and moved on at the time, doubting he could afford that since he decided to take a job in something extremely dangerous with awful pay that generally kept him too drained to do much in the way of coding at home. Having certain reports ignored was taking it's toll, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer under so much corruption; he spent too many sleepless nights staring at his service pistol, not sure what impulse felt stronger.

 

He started spending those nights tracking down that one hitman again. It took entirely too long, but finally he sends a message.

 

I need your help. Police corruption is blocking investigation on a Mr. Furest. Children are involved.
 

He signs with his contact information, none of which are traceable back to any real, or at least living, person. He made sure to cover his tracks, just to prove he at least isn't some random kid trying to cause trouble. He steps away from his laptop in his small apartment to drop on the couch and check the news of the day, hoping there would be a ping alerting him of a response sooner rather than later.

Comments

[monsieurnoir]

Felix was careful about where he posted his contact information. He moved it and shifted it from place to place; Never leaving it in the same place for long. He changed the information often - different user names, different emails things like that in addition to burying it deep, deep in the depths of the darker corners of the web.

There were reasons for it. So many reasons. Some people would say he shouldn't take hits or jobs since he's the Boss but Felix liked getting his hands dirty from time to time. That's why his job postings were so infrequent and his prices so high, his rules so strict. Oh sure he got plenty of, 'My man is cheating on me kill him and his whore' messages and he occasionally took one or two of those but only after digging nice and deep; finding the cheater at the fault of some even greater crime yet unknown was usually the tipping point.

He's seated at his desk, cherry brandy resting by his left hand as he went over reports and intel. There's a window that pops-up on one of his screens and he's pulling it up looking at it.

The name Furest is not unknown to him. How could it be when a bulk of his secondary life was in the deep dark depths of the web. Everyone knew of Furest at least in passing. Felix hadn't ever bothered with digging in a deep dive about the guy and his bullshit - he traded in human flesh, sex trafficking.. things like that.

Now he knows his cousin and a few other people hopped in it and yes, they occasionally got hired for a rescue but to actually full tilt go after him that wasn't something they'd tried. Or ever been asked to. He never had a reason to. But Children that made the man's icy blue eyes narrow.

He's running a check on the message, he can never bee too cautious - keying up a few codes he has to make certain that it's not some bullshit kind of trap or something.. Once he's certain of its validity he's hitting the reply button.

Send me the information you have on Furest and the investigation. Whatever you have no matter how small. I'll take it. Since it's for kids and you've likely done most of the work I'll adjust the rate once I see what you've got and check it against my own intel.

Felix is sending it off after making sure takes every precaution he needs to. Then he's taking a drink from his brandy before pulling up the browser he usually uses for these kinds of deep dives and slips his reading glasses on so he can get to work compiling a proper file for this job.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

A direct connection request comes through with a file-load of over 100gb.

The majority of it is directly off the police database on him, but there are videos, pictures, names of victims, some with information on sellers, and pictures of varying quality capturing the numbers and aliases of clients. Among these, two images stand out- a family photo of Alex and both his parents, and another from his academy graduation.

He didn't want to explain the whole story, he hoped that this guy could put things together. Yes, he's a cop, but he's been in the thick of this since before he could remember. He's been fighting against a brick wall despite dedicating his life to trying to fix this. He'd risk his job, his freedom, his life for this.

While the download happens he sends another message, "You should be able to see the police corruption. Not sure how high it goes. They think they can run things like a gang, keep people scared quiet. It's been working."

[monsieurnoir]

A low whistle leaves Felix's lips as he downloads that bulky zipped file to a spare blank external he can scrap later if he needs to. It's going to take him a bit to confirm this to what he gathers with his own web crawling. But that massive file size does add credibility to this.

It might take me a day or so to wade through and confirm all of this but I'll do it. Now when you say you want this handled. I need to know where you want me to take this. I can cripple his little kiddie grade network and leave things open for the law to do the right thing. Or we can skip that middle man and red tape and just chop the head off of the snake along with all of his arms and legs. Either way, I intend to tear this shit apart I'm just wondering how high of a body count do you want here..

He's opening it once it's downloaded and it's scanned through. Right so, it's a safe file a big one and he's scrolling through it quietly.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Alex hesitates.

What did he think he was asking? For the law to handle it? He IS the law, and even with that he can't get it handled.

He shoots back a response, hating the shaking feeling of his hands.

I have tried the law. I can't tell exactly how high up supports the hush order.

It's not a clear answer, but he didn't want to just order a hit. He wanted to get this settled, all the way up.

I want to work together.

He could pay, he has bitcoin, but taking it out in cash would link his online persona to him. To show his seriousness he wires a full bitcoin to the advertised address.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

[monsieurnoir]

You've tried the law while he still has all his pieces in place. I'm offering to take all that out. I'm sure I can knock that support out for you.

Felix is looking them over reading them over some of the files. He's humming softly.

Then we'll work together... I won't let children suffer obviously so we're going to do whatever we have to do to take care of it.

Blinking at that sudden deposit he's rubbing at his chin. Felix was already going to help.

I already agreed to help and usually, it's only half up front. But this is fine. I'll be going over everything you've sent but consider this taken care of by what ever means I need to use.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

You can put it to better use than I can. I want to stay informed. Consider it payment for sharing intel.

And tell me if you find out about the CRP in the process.

He leans back into his chair, feeling almost on the verge of tears over the stress alone. He's sick of the sick feeling in his stomach. It would be over after this. Hopefully. He could retire and do something different, put his past behind him. He has helped a lot of people in cases already, put away a lot of creepy uncles and weird neighbors, and even a violent repeat offender. He would be glad to stop reliving his own trauma, but he would still suffer it if he was not here, not helping victims. And maybe it was some penance.

And call it hush money, since you know who I am.

[monsieurnoir]

Alright then. I'll let you know about major steps and anything I come across about this CRP.

He's jotting the letters on a note and sticking it to his monitor. No one would know what it meant and besides that Felix lived alone. He has nothing to worry about when it comes to anyone digging into his things. Anytime there's anyone in his house he's home - the rare times he has a maid or someone here to tend things.

I wasn't going to say anything anyway. I was going to just pretend I didn't know so that you wouldn't worry and concerned.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

You wouldn't know it if I didn't want you to. Hear from you soon.

He is about to leave the page, contact to a burner number left in the documents he sent, but he hesitates. He bites his lip, his fingers going back to hover over his keyboard.

If you need more intel than that, I can find anything if you just tell me what I'm looking for. Hear from you soon.

He leaves the page, letting himself take a deep breath and stop shaking a bit before wiping the VM and shutting down the computer to go do something not related to having just broken more laws than he wanted to know about. Work, he always had more to do, it made a refuge from his guilt and anger.

Alex was good at putting pieces together, it was soothing to solve even difficult cases. But the deep network his father was involved in, he struggled working on that. He shouldn't be the one working on that, it was a conflict of interests surely, but each time it was reported it disappeared, just like the copy of the police records he sent Felix was from the official database. He couldn't trace back who did it without risking being caught or it being traced back to him.

But a hitman would have access to a lot of information he wouldn't without a ton of digital undercover work. He had so many cases on his plate, cases other officers trapped him into because of his unwillingness to see a victim mistreated, he was underpaid and over-worked, vaguely desperate to retire to being a full time... something with computers. He'd taken to watching scam-busters on OurCable, and may or may not have been dreaming of making a channel to do the same.

[monsieurnoir]

I suspect I wouldn't. Maybe. You will. Soon.

Felix is shifting in his seat, reaching for a set of noise-canceling headphones tugging them on. He doing the cuffs of his pressed button-down shirt, neatly rolling his sleeves up past his elbows. There are pale silvery scars on his skin and further up there are tattoos under the dark slate of his shirt. His hands reached up and undid his tie letting the length of dark grey fabric settle as he undid his shirt collar and the first couple buttons.

I know you're anxious and excited about this but I need a couple of days to wade through this. If I need anything else I'll give you a nudge.

Silver rims in place, music now pumping through his headphones. He's clearing everything he doesn't need out of his way, refilling his brandy and settling to read his way through all the information that Alex has supplied to him. Some of it he's shifting on to a thumb to keep and pass on when the time comes.

He will absolutely kill Furest since that seems to be what Alex wants without out and out saying it. But Felix knows better than anyone how this kind of shit goes. You take one boss down someone else rises up in the ranks thinking they're the next big bad and Felix isn't going to fucking have that. Felix might be a shady as fuck hitman and boss but he's not going to let someone getting away with abusing and hurting fucking kids.

Felix's rules are very lax but he doesn't allow shit to happen to kids or women. That is a fucking hard pass. He doesn't do family hits. He'll take out the fathers, grown men no problem. He'll ruin a cheating spouse, tear a woman to shreds in the press - if she meets the very, very specific criteria for him to do anything like that. But he doesn't kill or physically harm women or kids. Any of his team he finds doing that find themselves in his office on their hands and knees with his hand fisted in their hair, his gun shoved down their throat while they gag and beg.

As Felix is reading over what Alex gives him, he's checking it against his own sources. Some of his own are far, far more detailed. Which is both a good thing and a sickening thing. Either way, he's quarreling away the newer more in-depth parts to pass on to Alex as he goes. It's three days out before he messages Alex again.

I've cross-referenced your information with my own. I did come across more but what you've given me has been confirmed. Let me know when you'd like me to send along the additional information I scoured up. I'm still digging into my resources but like you said, intel sharing, right? I'll be going in to see what things are like in person soon. I have my own way in. Don't worry about a thing. I'm presently out of my office but I can get it to you when I get back in in a few hours.

Presently, he's in his car still on the road. They have another twenty minutes before the driver is parking and Felix is sliding from his car. Stretching and arching, Felix is walking into his favorite out of the way mom and pop place. It's truly out in the middle of nowhere. He's greeting the couple behind the counter with happy cheek kisses before letting them usher him to a chair.

He's not alone for long another blond that looks a lot like him only with green eyes, and more golden than platinum hair is joining him. "You always seem to step into some interesting things. Fe." To his credit, Teddy played the parts he took on easily - especially if it was bored little rich kid looking for a thrill.

"It was as bothersome a task as you made it out to be but I managed." He's taking out a couple of carefully constructed invitations. "You fucking owe me."

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Alex sends another message back, though it easily takes an hour or so for him to do so. He immediately wipes the messages, just in case.

I'll connect to the same address as before tonight.

It was a struggle to focus on his work knowing what would be waiting for him once he finished another late night of paperwork he hadn't yet figured out how to automate. He hated this part the most, but with how careful he keeps records he knows how important they can be. He gets home a few hours after he should have had dinner to keep up normal appearances or have at least complained about hunger, but he didn't have the energy to put effort into his already awkward attempts at trying to eat normally.

He logs back in after grabbing a bowl of instant ramen, querying a direct connection to Felix's address and waiting for it to be accepted and the file to come in. Three dots appear one at a time only to disappear and start over again and again while he waits, slurping ramen in a dark windowless room, wrapped under a pile of fleece blankets. He needed to relax, but he could hear his own heartbeat.

[monsieurnoir]

Felix is sitting with Teddy and they're eating. Planning out outfits and everything for the party. They're like this for hours. Eating, drinking happily while they plan this as if they're going to just another big event. Four or so hours later they're parting, each going their own way in their own car.

As soon as Felix is home he's getting that message and clearing it out of the burner. Then he's heading home into his office, setting up his rig as he starts stripping away his clothes. He's settling in his chair half-dressed belt and pants undone as he connects and sends those files along. Judging by the files it's obvious they were gotten by some not so legal means considering they're from various international agencies and there a few on CRP, too. Not as many but a few.

These are what I have so far from my international contacts. Tomorrow, I'll be going to one of their events to get close enough to see how they work in person.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

If they ask "And where do you hail from?" answer "The Aryan Nation". It will open a lot more doors. Do not go in with any bugs, wires, or weapons, though that should be on the invitation if you have them.

He can't help himself, he goes to review the intel he got on the CRP. Of all the intelligence agencies to know what was going on, the French had the most foreign intelligence on the operation. They knew it was some kind of human experiment and far less details than he had collected, but there were officials named as having known involvement, and, surprisingly, a classified report on attempts to infiltrate the program.

That would easily take up the evening of the party. In regards to his father, however, he's a little surprised to find his father is Wanted in Germany for "Dissemination of Means of Propaganda of Unconstitutional Organizations". It takes a quick duck-duck-go search to find it's a law specifically targeting those who spread mainly nazi propaganda both in the country or overseas. That was it? A slap on the wrist. No wonder they offered him extradition on the psychopath in exchange for Alex keeping his mouth shut. Those fucking pigs.

He leans back in his chair, closing his eyes and trying to regain his even breath. I'm sure you are capable, you've been around for this long, but this might be more dangerous than either of us could suspect. They don't leave paper trails if they can avoid it, and do not share information, pictures, videos, and propaganda digitally. Which leaves the question of how he got digitized versions. He's sure Felix could put the pieces together. He couldn't imagine being able to get in there himself, not with his job, his history, and the threat he had become to them. He's pretty sure he's only not dead because of some kind of arrangement they have with the CRP, or the government itself.

[monsieurnoir]

So then I'm some Nazi, white power kind of bastard? I figured as much from the information I gathered but it's good to have a proper confirmation. I suppose it is a good thing that I look the part - blond hair, blue eyes all that...

Yeah, we weren't planning on any of that. We've got our invitations and everything. We'll be fine. We've done things like this before. The fact that no one knows me for this and only knows me for what I want them to helps. I know you're concerned, Alex. But just trust me.

He's already got everything ready and set up. It helps that Teddy is assisting him this time. It made things easier since they were often seen in public together for galas and functions like what the party was listed as under the invitation and everything. He and Teddy had set up social media several years ago - it was carefully curated thanks to their family name and presence in the press. These accounts they kept up; pictures here and there, some flaunting money, connections so on...

These actually came in handy for things like this if people wanted to dig into things. They'd easily be labeled as well-connected rich playboys, pretty to look at sometimes underestimated as laidback or even stupid in Teddy's case but that was how they liked it honestly. It made their jobs easier.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Furest at least is friendly with the Russians as well. Anyone who can claim Aryan blood, really. I'll be waiting for an update.

He can't help his anxiety. He's scared of getting caught, scared of them getting caught, scared the CRP would intervene, scared they had some victims of their own they brainwashed into serving them. Hell, since they know about shadow projections, as they call them, he wouldn't be surprised if they selectively picked the first few to get a poorly understood psychological upper hand. If they had someone, just one person like Mikel working for them for extra pay, a gilded cage, the rest would be easy.

I trust you.

[monsieurnoir]

I'll make sure to pepper in some Russian and German then. Everything will be fine. I need to get ready. I'll reach out in the morning.

Felix is yawning softly before running his hand over his face. He needs a shower and a shave. So he's starting to shut things down and leaving his office to go head into his bathroom for a shower and shave before getting dressed. He and Teddy arrived at the party together. It went about how they expected to. By the end of the evening, Felix and Teddy had made connections; and were taken on as potential members.

It doesn't bother either of them that they end up with 'pets' and 'playmates' pressed against them rolling on drugs and all too eager to please. Teddy wasn't happy about it but it was part of the task. By the end of the night, they're leaving and parting.

Felix is coming home and texting Alex. Tonight was interesting. I know I'm contacting early but I wanted to let you know it went well. As well as could be expected. And he might be attaching a picture. It's been scrubbed on any identifying information - no landmarks, no geotag or anything like that, and its from a mirror that gives a nice back view of two blonds, fitted slacks, perfectly tailored corset vests.

Needless to say we made a very good impression.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Alex is surprised to feel his heart skip a beat seeing the two handsome blonds from behind. He's not sure what to make of it, so he ignores it for now. He switches back to the message screen, I'm glad. You will probably need more intel I do not feel safe sharing digitally. He had a good sense for people now. Alice had taught him a lot about that. Age taught the rest. He wanted to be sure of exactly who he tells this to, and not even risk a single other soul hearing it. Shipping lines, names of victims, who he last knew to be resilient still. How to watch someone and tell if they could still fight, or if they'd given up. Information that would help the wrong person more than he would ever feel comfortable with.

You have it on the honor of the pledge I took to serve and protect that this will all stay quiet. He honestly wouldn't blame them for refusing to meet him. But he's neck deep in this, he's sent payment, Felix could be holding all those records and give it to the right people, and Alex would disappear.

He felt a bit on edge leaving it all up to a stranger whose face he doesn't even know, whose personality he is basing off of what cases he publicly says would and would not take. It could be a front, he's seen things that made less sense, and he's always felt that just because he is paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get him. He'd rather keep his hand close, be cautious, than risk allowing another person to take advantage of him, even if he's still figuring that out.

[monsieurnoir]

To be fair vows and oaths like that usually only mean something if they mean something to the person that makes them. However, you've given me more than enough intel and money to show me that you're at least genuinely concerned for these people and children being trafficked and used. And the fact that I know who you are, where you are already it makes it easy to agree.

He's reaching up to undo his tie. Raking his fingers through his hair. I need to get a bit to sleep off my drinks before we meet. That'll give you time to pick a time and place plus; a codeword or something so that you'll know I'm me and I'll know you're you. I'd invite you back to my offices but I know you're too cautious to take me up on that just yet. So think about it tonight and let me know in the morning?

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

I wouldn't be putting myself in this kind of risk if it didn't. He starts considering the different options he has, still ruminating them as he fell asleep.

In the morning he messages Felix back, Do you know the Grand Central Whispering Spot? It is his favorite poorly kept secret other than Rat Rock. 9 P.M. tomorrow. I will whisper into the wall, "What comes with great power?" Reply, "Great corruption." You know my face already, so you know when to approach. He can feel his hands shaking as he waits for a reply. Why was this making him so uneasy? Was it really uneasiness, or was it butterflies of nervous excitement? It hovered in his core, nestled right between his ribs making him both want to puke and laugh. He takes a deep breath, trying to find a quiet place in his mind, but it felt like every neuron was buzzing with some kind of encoded message, making the entire atmosphere static.

He shakes off the anxiety by pulling out his suit, a smartly tailored tough jersey fabric with leather shoulder and elbow patches, ensuring it could last much longer by just replacing those after getting into something physical and stretch enough it wouldn't split the seams. He sets it aside to be put on before his shift, and then starts going through his closet, picking out clothes he could hide a knife in- just in case things went south. Bringing a gun seemed an insult, but he didn't want to be unarmed. He also didn't want to look like a hobo, his usual off-duty appearance. He might not generally care about appearances, but even he could recognize that first impressions have lasting effects. He wasn't good at this, but Loretta taught him enough he could do it, and it would take enough focus that he wouldn't work himself into a senseless panic attack waiting for a reply, or even just for time to pass.

[monsieurnoir]

I know. And I wouldn't be willing to meet you otherwise; however, here we are. Let me know in the morning. Goodnight, Alex.

He was signing out, moving around his office, putting things away, stripping away his corsetvest, undoing his cufflinks so on as he readies for bed. He's a little bit tipsy so mp shower he'll do that in the morning.

In the morning he's waking up to Alex's message and reading it as he makes his coffee. Nine. Does he have anything to do at nine? No. No, he's usually done with things before that late. So then he's nodding to himself after doing a quick check of his schedule, just to make doubly sure.

I do. That works for me. I'll see you then, Alex.

He's moving about his day. He checks in with Teddy then checks his email and things. There's nothing much for him to do today so he's just puttering around his house. He's not getting his shower til three since Felix honestly just relaxing and doing little things here and there. By three he's picked out and gotten everything ready for his meeting with Alex before hopping into that shower.

Freshly clean and dressed, it's only then he's heading out. He's going to get a trim and get something to eat out rather than cook for himself. Killing time til 9 really. Then he's heading out to where they'd agreed to meet. He's approaching the wall and Alex - he knows it's Alex but he's careful not to approach too closely. He's giving a subtle nod, waiting for Alex to prompt him.

When he does he's answering, properly, his voice hushed as he comes closer. "Great corruption." Then he's coming to a stop a foot from him, extending his hand forward - there's a silver ring on his middle finger of his left hand a matching black one on his other hand the right. "Hello, Alex."

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

He settled on a well fit print top Loretta had bought him. It is one of his favorite shirts because of how comfortable the high-quality cloth is. It at least is fashionable, and he wears it with a pair of jeans one of Loretta's friends had designed using him as a mannequin, tailor fit jeans as payment. He left the hoodie at home, instead slipping a knife into an inside pocket on a replica Starlord jacket.

He doesn't arrive too early, and pretends he doesn't see Felix nodding to him. He was casually standing by one side of the arch, and only when Felix is on the other side does he whisper the question. He takes Felix's offered hand and shakes it with his own jewelry-free hand, offering a strong grip- a tip another officer had given him when he was a rookie. His voice breaks as he speaks to respond, "Good to meet you." He clears his throat and continues, "I know a great karaoke place nearby." They could rent a private room, put on some songs and no one would be able to hear them, or even question it. It wasn't strange for business partners to do as much, though they were usually surprised to see an American partaking in the hobby in the same way.

He couldn't help but notice how well dressed Felix is, and how much he would love to wear such clothes himself. It was the first time he saw something that looked both feminine and masculine being worn by a man, and it seemed perfect. He pushes a smile and starts leading Felix towards the exit. The middle of a terminal wasn't the best place to discuss their business, afterall.

[monsieurnoir]

Okay, so Felix thinks Alex is adorable. It's cute how his voice breaks. He's taking that hand in a firm steady grip and shaking it. To anyone walking by they're just two guys meeting. Maybe for work, maybe a date, maybe for a reunion of some kind. He smiles and it's a playful kind of smile - open, warm, amused. "That sounds like fun. I think I know the one you're talking about but I'll let you lead the way."

He's drawing his hand away. Alex is cute. He'd clearly dressed with both comfort and style in mind; likely an effort to impress Felix. Just like how Felix had dressed down a bit - slacks replaced with form-fitted black designer jeans, the short-sleeved shirt under his less elaborate corset vest; he does have a blazer in hand but he'd intentionally left it off so that Alex would know he wasn't carrying a gun or anything.

Felix is letting Alex lead him, keeping at his side - not ahead of him, not behind him beside him, and making idle small talk as they go so as not to seem suspicious. "I'm glad you could meet me. It's been a while and we've both been so busy." Mundane boring chat like that that wouldn't draw attention if overheard. And once they're there he'll be ordering a handful of drinks for each them; some regular drinks, others alcohol - after paying for four hours of time alone in a room. That way they'd not raise questions - They'd have more than one drink so no one would come and ask if they wanted more and ample time so that no one would buzzing them with any time warnings or anything like that.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Alex plays along, complaining about the damn wind the way a Londoner might tut about the rain. He seemed to be old hat at filling the air with conversational nonsense, saying nothing while speaking a normal amount.

Alex does his best to not scrunch his nose over the order for alcohol. He doesn't really judge people for it anymore, but it was hard to resist that gut reaction. He is glad to settle into the room, pushing in some numbers as soon as they enter so there is something better than the terrible stock music playing. Finally he can ask the handsome man, "So, uh, i-is there something I c-can call you besides 'hitman'?"

[monsieurnoir]

Felix is taking the drinks and putting them on the table after hanging up his blazer and locking the door. He's reaching for one of the drinks. Alex might not have noticed yet but none of them are strong. They would be the kind that would take drinking double digits to get even a weak buzz. And it's obvious he doesn't expect Alex to drink if the way he nudges a glass of soda toward him gently.

He's settling into the couch and offering Alex a smile. "Felix Agreste. You'll find out soon enough now that you've meet me. You can call me Felix. It's only fair you be able to find as much information about me as I can about you - That way we're both on even footing here."

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Alex smiles a little, relaxing a bit with how casual Felix is. He takes the soda and opens it, taking a sip before relaxing back into the couch. "I'll admit it makes me feel better having at least that." He quickly verifies the name is legit on the burner phone. It's a normal smartphone, but a Japanese model running an unrecognizable OS. A pop up notifies him that it would create a report for him on this individual after he double-taps the image. He puts it away and takes another drink.


"Where should we s-start?"

[monsieurnoir]

"Trust me. You'll find more than enough. Though to be fair, it's all rather clean and mundane. I'm good at keeping my lives separate." He shrugged and sipped at his drink watching Alex. Where should they start? That's a good question but honestly, Felix doesn't know where they should begin. Alex had been the one to say he had things to tell Felix. Things that couldn't be shared like they had been communicating.

"I believe that's your call. This meeting is on your terms."