KasperXIII
Sworn To A Great Divide
Looks like the sting operation was hinging on Thalia, whether or not she was ready to return to the hornet's nest and pry information about her employer. It was going to be unpleasant, sure. But she could manipulate the man to go easy on her. It still unnerved her that she'd be watched when it happens, but it seemed necessary to get Tony to trust her. Frank seemed to be on the same page as the women, though maybe a bit uncomfortable. The older one? Not so much. It was a bit of comic relief for Thalia when Karin gave the detectives the bird. She couldn't help but giggled at the thought. She'd wanted to do that so badly from the moment Tony brought up the idea of placing her undercover, but being in handcuffs certainly stood in the way. She was on very bad terms with these two cops, but it seemed they were in agreement that she was their best shot at nailing Al-Asheera. Some sort of common ground at last. Frank kept emphasizing that she would be protected, explaining the details of how things would go down, come that dreaded day. But first item on the agenda: the money. Ra's would not get close to Thalia and expose himself without his payment. And Thalia wasn't going to go to him just to seduce him without paying her debts. If she told him she couldn't get the money, he'd end her then and there. But it seemed like everything is in order. The officers were taking the watch and seemed like they'd leave them be for the night. Probably were going to leave Joseph here, too. But Thalia had to ask to be sure. She still didn't trust Tony.
As for Tony? He had nothing further to ask. He glanced back at the redhead he despised so much, the metal chains around her wrists hanging down to her and Karin's knees as the two held hands through most of the interrogation. They trusted each other more than they should. Why? It puzzled him. Karin was a cryptic lawyer wannabe who was forced out of her dream to take care of her brother. Thalia was a fragile street kid who ditched her loving parents to be taken in by a gang of heartless thieves. How could they get along? Opposites must attract more than he thought.
"The kid. He stays here," Thalia added. Joseph was still in another room with that other man, Karin's neighbor. She didn't want him going anywhere tonight.
Tony stood up from his place, removing his hand from his pocket to show a black pin-like object in his hand. Thalia glared at him, at first worried why he was getting close. This time, she didn't assault him. "He stays. Deal. All part of us staying in the dark."
The detective raised the chained wrists of this girl and inserted the pin into the keyhole of the bracelets, soon undoing one cuff, then sortly after, the other. Now free to use her hands, she felt over the cold areas of where the metal was moments ago. She looked up at Tony briefly, who was returning his handcuffs to his overcoat pocket. Her voice cracked as she spoke from her tamed anger, "You're sick. But you're getting me my freedom. Come through with that, and we won't have to butt heads again."
"Oh, trust me, Miss Griffin. I'm not here to make friends with a thief. You've just forced my hand. I HOPE we don't have to see each other after Al-Asheera is no more."
"My pleasure." The two equally wanted to strangle each other, but refrained from doing so. It would only break out into another fight, maybe someone getting shot, too. Not with a child just a few walls away.
In reality, everyone in that room had something to lose. For Tony and Frank? Their jobs. For Karin? Her brother. For Thalia? Her life. Whether they liked it or not, they were a team now. A private task force in charge of ending a gang of thieves. And it was just the four of them. For now. But for now, without the money, there was nothing they could do to push forward. Not the girls, at least. Tony and Frank had the brothel to worry about. Calling in SWAT. Worrying about Bradan and the Clover Boys. Maybe another robbery from Al-Asheera to come that night. So many things could happen that night. Almost overwhelming for the two detectives. One step at a time. One thing was for sure: Karin and Thalia weren't a problem anymore. At least not as big of one as they were before.
"I think you should leave now," Thalia snarled at the grey haired man standing in front of her. "You've pestered us enough for one evening. And I've given you more than enough to look into for Al-Asheera." The mutual bitterness between Thalia and Tony was consuming. But the girl didn't stand up from her seat. She didn't dare challenge him again. She could beat him if she caught him off-guard. But now they were close to being on the same side. So why spoil it.
Adjusting the collar of his coat, Tony patted his partner on the back and told him, "Let's get out of here. Leave these ladies to their peace..." He looked back to Karin, still bitter. "No need to show us the door. We can find our way out." Before leaving, he looked back to the hallway in which Graham left the four alone to take Joseph somewhere private. "Graham, it's safe! You can come out, have a nice evening!" He then turned his back on the women, in no need of looking back at them, and exited the front door with his partner.
At last. The two could rest. Thalia rolled her eyes back and threw her back into the couch she sat in, letting out a sigh in relief. Seeing those cops? She almost thought it was the end of her. Scared to death, she tried to strike the older one, but to no avail. But she hated him from the start, long before he became aggressive and hostile towards her. Frank showed his assertiveness, but in moderation and reasoned with them. Tony didn't. There was more to that man, why he was so tense towards Thalia. But she didn't let it bother her yet. She curled her legs underneath her, relieved to be able to use her arms freely again. She rubbed her palms over her face, trying to clear her head for a moment, then moved her left one through the side of her head through her hair, the other reaching forward for Karin's hand again, swinging it back and forth in her own. She needed something to get her mind off of things.
"So you know... that watch wasn't 25k. Maybe 10. That younger guy was fucking with you the whole time. I just kept my mouth shut to avoid getting hit again. I've got a good eye for value." It came with a playful smile too. She didn't blame Karin for not being able to guess a price. She even admitted she wasn't good with price determination. Whereas it was right down Thalia's alleyway. "I've swiped waaaaaay too many watches from people. Like candy from a rich ass baby. Those cops though... that older one's a douche. The younger one? Not too bad. I mean, he kinda was a douche, too, but at least he was kinda hot, you know?" Not the time to be flirting with cops, but she wanted to cheer Karin up for a moment.
But there were more important things to discuss than the price of a watch they no longer have, or about their attraction to the men who just left. It was more of a melancholy topic, but she need to say it, maintaining her cool now with her newfound friend. "So you know.... yes. I'm scared to face Ra's again. When he came to explain my debts earlier, he grabbed me by my neck, pinned me to a wall, and smacked the shit out of me.... He's insane. He won't change. And most importantly, he's obsessed with me. Will he kill me if I don't deliver? I'm guessing no? Maybe he'll just... well... I think you can take a guess.... But, let's not talk about that. You said something about a way to get the million, within the law? I have to know this. WE... have to know this." There'd be time for a friendly conversation later. For now, there was business to discuss. And an interesting relationship with the LAPD in the balance.
...
Once the two detectives left, Tony immediately started ticking away at his phone. He explained his methods as they marched towards Frank's car. "I'm contacting a friend in the higher ranks of LA's SWAT team. Giving him the location, but I'm keeping it off the police radio. As you've seen, we are in a bit of hot water when it comes to secrecy. Gotta be careful who hears what. With inside men from Al-Asheera and the Clover Boys, we can only trust each other, right? I say we head over there and stake out from a safe distance, let SWAT do their thing and survey from a block away to make sure it goes smoothly. See if that girl gets out in one piece... see if Thalia was being truthful about 'minimal security.' I don't know about you, but I don't trust her. The bride-to-be for the head of Al-Asheera, turning on him? Sure, she made it pretty damn clear there was abuse in the mix, and odds are, he doesn't treat her well. But look at how she jumped back onboard the idea. She's tough, I'll admit. But also incredibly stupid and rash. Plus deceptive. I'm willing to bet every tear in her eyes was a fake. She's a thief, as a reminder. It's her job to lie to us. Question is: was she lying now?
"Then there's Karin. What moron sees the same hostile that came robbing her workplace and walks outside to go MEET her? Plus, after everything Al-Asheera's done, what kind of idiot stands up to them? Armed to the teeth and coming with ill-intent. Yet, she stands up to them, doesn't obey their orders, and risks getting shot, but survives without a scratch. Yet, they happily shot someone clearly weaker for standing up and trying to assault them. Doesn't that all sound a bit weird to you? I still think there's something deeper to those girls.... Ugh. We'll have to see when Thalia decided to infiltrate. But I'm in on keep this off the books. We can't get caught in this act, Frank. It's way too risky."
As for Tony? He had nothing further to ask. He glanced back at the redhead he despised so much, the metal chains around her wrists hanging down to her and Karin's knees as the two held hands through most of the interrogation. They trusted each other more than they should. Why? It puzzled him. Karin was a cryptic lawyer wannabe who was forced out of her dream to take care of her brother. Thalia was a fragile street kid who ditched her loving parents to be taken in by a gang of heartless thieves. How could they get along? Opposites must attract more than he thought.
"The kid. He stays here," Thalia added. Joseph was still in another room with that other man, Karin's neighbor. She didn't want him going anywhere tonight.
Tony stood up from his place, removing his hand from his pocket to show a black pin-like object in his hand. Thalia glared at him, at first worried why he was getting close. This time, she didn't assault him. "He stays. Deal. All part of us staying in the dark."
The detective raised the chained wrists of this girl and inserted the pin into the keyhole of the bracelets, soon undoing one cuff, then sortly after, the other. Now free to use her hands, she felt over the cold areas of where the metal was moments ago. She looked up at Tony briefly, who was returning his handcuffs to his overcoat pocket. Her voice cracked as she spoke from her tamed anger, "You're sick. But you're getting me my freedom. Come through with that, and we won't have to butt heads again."
"Oh, trust me, Miss Griffin. I'm not here to make friends with a thief. You've just forced my hand. I HOPE we don't have to see each other after Al-Asheera is no more."
"My pleasure." The two equally wanted to strangle each other, but refrained from doing so. It would only break out into another fight, maybe someone getting shot, too. Not with a child just a few walls away.
In reality, everyone in that room had something to lose. For Tony and Frank? Their jobs. For Karin? Her brother. For Thalia? Her life. Whether they liked it or not, they were a team now. A private task force in charge of ending a gang of thieves. And it was just the four of them. For now. But for now, without the money, there was nothing they could do to push forward. Not the girls, at least. Tony and Frank had the brothel to worry about. Calling in SWAT. Worrying about Bradan and the Clover Boys. Maybe another robbery from Al-Asheera to come that night. So many things could happen that night. Almost overwhelming for the two detectives. One step at a time. One thing was for sure: Karin and Thalia weren't a problem anymore. At least not as big of one as they were before.
"I think you should leave now," Thalia snarled at the grey haired man standing in front of her. "You've pestered us enough for one evening. And I've given you more than enough to look into for Al-Asheera." The mutual bitterness between Thalia and Tony was consuming. But the girl didn't stand up from her seat. She didn't dare challenge him again. She could beat him if she caught him off-guard. But now they were close to being on the same side. So why spoil it.
Adjusting the collar of his coat, Tony patted his partner on the back and told him, "Let's get out of here. Leave these ladies to their peace..." He looked back to Karin, still bitter. "No need to show us the door. We can find our way out." Before leaving, he looked back to the hallway in which Graham left the four alone to take Joseph somewhere private. "Graham, it's safe! You can come out, have a nice evening!" He then turned his back on the women, in no need of looking back at them, and exited the front door with his partner.
At last. The two could rest. Thalia rolled her eyes back and threw her back into the couch she sat in, letting out a sigh in relief. Seeing those cops? She almost thought it was the end of her. Scared to death, she tried to strike the older one, but to no avail. But she hated him from the start, long before he became aggressive and hostile towards her. Frank showed his assertiveness, but in moderation and reasoned with them. Tony didn't. There was more to that man, why he was so tense towards Thalia. But she didn't let it bother her yet. She curled her legs underneath her, relieved to be able to use her arms freely again. She rubbed her palms over her face, trying to clear her head for a moment, then moved her left one through the side of her head through her hair, the other reaching forward for Karin's hand again, swinging it back and forth in her own. She needed something to get her mind off of things.
"So you know... that watch wasn't 25k. Maybe 10. That younger guy was fucking with you the whole time. I just kept my mouth shut to avoid getting hit again. I've got a good eye for value." It came with a playful smile too. She didn't blame Karin for not being able to guess a price. She even admitted she wasn't good with price determination. Whereas it was right down Thalia's alleyway. "I've swiped waaaaaay too many watches from people. Like candy from a rich ass baby. Those cops though... that older one's a douche. The younger one? Not too bad. I mean, he kinda was a douche, too, but at least he was kinda hot, you know?" Not the time to be flirting with cops, but she wanted to cheer Karin up for a moment.
But there were more important things to discuss than the price of a watch they no longer have, or about their attraction to the men who just left. It was more of a melancholy topic, but she need to say it, maintaining her cool now with her newfound friend. "So you know.... yes. I'm scared to face Ra's again. When he came to explain my debts earlier, he grabbed me by my neck, pinned me to a wall, and smacked the shit out of me.... He's insane. He won't change. And most importantly, he's obsessed with me. Will he kill me if I don't deliver? I'm guessing no? Maybe he'll just... well... I think you can take a guess.... But, let's not talk about that. You said something about a way to get the million, within the law? I have to know this. WE... have to know this." There'd be time for a friendly conversation later. For now, there was business to discuss. And an interesting relationship with the LAPD in the balance.
...
Once the two detectives left, Tony immediately started ticking away at his phone. He explained his methods as they marched towards Frank's car. "I'm contacting a friend in the higher ranks of LA's SWAT team. Giving him the location, but I'm keeping it off the police radio. As you've seen, we are in a bit of hot water when it comes to secrecy. Gotta be careful who hears what. With inside men from Al-Asheera and the Clover Boys, we can only trust each other, right? I say we head over there and stake out from a safe distance, let SWAT do their thing and survey from a block away to make sure it goes smoothly. See if that girl gets out in one piece... see if Thalia was being truthful about 'minimal security.' I don't know about you, but I don't trust her. The bride-to-be for the head of Al-Asheera, turning on him? Sure, she made it pretty damn clear there was abuse in the mix, and odds are, he doesn't treat her well. But look at how she jumped back onboard the idea. She's tough, I'll admit. But also incredibly stupid and rash. Plus deceptive. I'm willing to bet every tear in her eyes was a fake. She's a thief, as a reminder. It's her job to lie to us. Question is: was she lying now?
"Then there's Karin. What moron sees the same hostile that came robbing her workplace and walks outside to go MEET her? Plus, after everything Al-Asheera's done, what kind of idiot stands up to them? Armed to the teeth and coming with ill-intent. Yet, she stands up to them, doesn't obey their orders, and risks getting shot, but survives without a scratch. Yet, they happily shot someone clearly weaker for standing up and trying to assault them. Doesn't that all sound a bit weird to you? I still think there's something deeper to those girls.... Ugh. We'll have to see when Thalia decided to infiltrate. But I'm in on keep this off the books. We can't get caught in this act, Frank. It's way too risky."