Living in the Shadows: IC, Jan 8th-14th Options

[Vegas]

10:18:33 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Mac shook her head and frowned as the enormity of the situation played itself out on the map.

"Kind of?" She let out a sigh, before she muttered softly. "Jesus, what the hell is he doing?"

Her eyes travelled the AR construct as she brooded, her frown deepening as she wished the answer would just pop out at her. She as looking for the hidden pattern, not looking for the obvious answer but her attention kept being drawn to the spaces between. The areas not touched buy the potential flood, or the immediate vicinity of either the data center or is requested drop off point. She knew whatever move he was going to make was for money or power or both. She wondered if the arrogance of de Medici would be his ultimate downfall and silently questioned if it could be used as an advantage against him.

[grendel]

10:22:19 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

"It's possible that we're looking for a pattern in chaos," said Drift. "His goal might be nothing more than widespread anarchy in order to cover his actual operation."

"There will be a method even to that madness," countered Kovacs. "When we did the dossier workup on him as a Johnson, everything pointed to an organizational plan that bordered on pathological, way beyond the usual requirements for operational security. If these are his ops, then they factor in somehow. I've got to go talk to Isomer about some of this. Drift, poke around a bit and see what kind of movement's been going on across the borders."

The ork rigger nodded, reaching for his commlink as Kovacs turned to Tristan. "Get a hold of List and see if the word from the street sheds any light on our questions. Also, tell him to stay clear downrange of the canal on Wednesday just in case the worst happens."

The chime of Mac's commlink interrupts the swordsman's reply, and as she reads the message, her blood runs cold.

Have you heard from Holly Anne? She was working last night but no one's seen or heard from her since her last date. -Frankie

[Vegas]

10:25:22 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

The color drained from Mac's face as she re-read Frankie's message. This was not good, if the girls were reaching out to her for information, things had gone really wrong. She pinched the bridge of her nose to try to stave off the instant tension and concern that flooded through her. Her left hand gripped her latte a bit tighter as it trembled slightly before she set it on the hood of the truck.

"Frag me!"

Mac felt Kovacs turn his gaze towards her, and she held up a finger as she fired off a quick reply to Frankie.

Was she on book or off book? Who talked to her last and when? - M

Glancing up she caught Kovacs gaze for an instant, her concern evident in her face as she tried to explain her sudden outburst as her fingers continued to work her commlink.

"Good friend of mine has gone missing and silent."

She cursed herself for not staying on top of her incoming messages and calls as she looked for anything from Holly Anne in the last 24 hours.

[grendel]

10:29:17 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Kovacs nodded, continuing with his conversation as he waited for Mac to develop the situation more. She drummed her fingers against the hood of the truck for a solid minute before the endless what if scenarios in her mind drove her to action. Hopping down, she stalked across to the warehouse entrance, not even waiting until she was outside before lighting up and taking a deep drag. The hot smoke filled her lungs and the nicotine raced through the stress, hot needles that sewed her back together. Her commlink shivered with an incoming message from Frankie.

Off the books. Drek went south after you left, Wayne gone loco. Girls are on the streets looking for her. Anastasia saw her head out at 9 last night with a stocky guy in a Ford Americar.

[Vegas]

10:37:49 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Frustration compressed Mac's lips into a tight line as she learned more about the situation. Off the books meant the client could have been anyone from anywhere, or he could have been a first timer which would mean trying to find him would be a quick dead end. Her thoughts were pulling her in a million directions at once, and she felt helpless as she dragged hard on her cigarette, misdirected anger starting to spark inside her.

Was Ana sober last night? She's been chipping pretty hard lately... Where did she see her get into the car and are calls going through to Holly's 'link or straight to her service?

Her stomach rolled as she thought about Holly Anne in over her head with a client and in trouble. Out of all the girls she was the one that still had a sense of innocence about her, the one who had clients who wanted to spoil her rotten as if she was one of their daughters, the one who couldn't fight her way out of a paper bag during self defense classes.

She didn't wait for Frankie's reply before she tried to put a call through to Holly Anne, breathing a small sigh of relief when the call rang multiple times instead of going straight to her messaging service. That gave her a small glimmer of hope and sparked a thought. She killed the call when she heard Holly Anne's bubbly voice on her outgoing message and fired one more message in Frankie's direction.

Where are you right now? What do you need me to do and what do you mean Wayne went crazy when I left?

Mac flicked the butt of her cigarette across the alley and exhaled a stream of pale blue smoke that swirled about her as it caught the cold wind. Yanking open the door the made her way back into the warehouse and rejoined the group, waiting for a break in the discussion to peel Kovacs away and bring him up to speed.

"I need a couple of hours, I need a favor and I need keys."

[grendel]

10:41:12 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Kovacs looked from Mac to Tristan to Drift, who nodded after a moment. The samurai turned back to Mac.

"Take the Shadow. Keep the network updated. What's the favor?"

Wordlessly, Mac accepted the set of keys from Drift, trying to formulate her reply. A reply on her commlink gave her a few moments to think.

He moved his office to the basement. Won't come out. Says someone's trying to kill him because of you. Ana wasn't chippin but she was flying on X. Said her date was loaded, paying her double for something. We need wheels if you've got 'em to spread the search.

[Vegas]

10:48:54 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

Mac chewed on her lip for a moment as she digested the last message. She wondered just what had Wayne so spooked he was hiding out in the basement. She shook her head slightly to clear that train of thought before asking for what she really needed in that moment.

"I need Isomer. If it won't compromise anything you've got him tasking for us already. I need an hours worth of camera footage and to trace a commlink. I don't care the cost, I'll cover it."

Mac's eyes never left Kovacs' face as she sent another message back to Frankie.

Wheels I have. Where can I meet you? Working my network now for more information.

"I promise I'll stay connected, and I'll be back the first moment I can." She inclined her head towards Drift in a silent gratitude for the keys before she turned her back on the rest of the group and kept her voice soft for Kovacs alone.

"Thank you. I can't leave Holly out there with the possibility of some prick doing to her what was almost done to me with no one like you to save her."

[grendel]

10:52:19 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 1400 Willow Heights Road #4, Tacoma, Seattle

"You have Palatine's code, he'll be there. I don't know his workload so you may have to pay to bump your request to the front of the queue," said Kovacs, his voice as quiet as Mac's. "The commlink trace is going to be expensive since it's an active intrusion."

The tall samurai walked her across the warehouse to where the Shadow was parked, the sleek sports car restive amidst the shadows of the morning sunlight. He brushed back Mac's jacket, checking the ride of her weapon and its associated ammunition. She waited for some comment or instruction, but all he said was: "Be careful out there."

She couldn't resist the urge to reach up and kiss him, to taste his lips again and feel his arms around her.

"I will," she whispered, unwilling to trust herself to say anything more. She slid behind the wheel of the vehicle, firing the engine and accelerating out onto the streets. Her destination was provided moments later.

I'm at the coffeeshop on 6th and Morgan.

[Vegas]

11:34:26 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

As soon as Mac had her destination, she controlled her urge to really push the Shadow once she hit the I-5 not wanting to get pulled over or delayed any longer than necessary. Once she had her destination loaded into the autonav and let the car take control, she fired off the first of what she expected to be a number of messages throughout the morning updating the network with her starting location, followed by a short and sweet message to Frankie.

I'll be there in 30.

She fidgeted beneath the harness that held her to the front seat of the sports car as the highway rolled on beneath her. A sense of apprehension mixed with dread ran through her when she thought about what it would cost for Isomer's help, and what might happen if they were too late. She gripped the steering wheel tightly as she tried to force the darker thoughts from her head.

As Downtown started to loom large before her, she took control of the Shadow once again, aggressively leaving the highway and heading down into the business district to find the coffee shop Frankie was waiting at. She found a spot a half a block up Morgan from the cafe and once she stepped inside she quickly found Frankie in a booth to the side and in the middle of a call. Mac slid into the booth opposite of her friend and studied the concern that was written all over her face.

She pulled her eyes away from Frankie to look around the cafe, grateful to see matrix access offered in the back corner as it would mean she'd have an easier time accessing Palatine when she played that card. Her attention snapped back to Frankie as the girl ended her call.

"So what more do you know and what's the plan?"

[grendel]

11:39:47 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

Frankie blew out a breath, pausing to drink from the venti cup in front of her. Although she looked put together, Mac had known her long enough to read the fatigue in her shoulders and the fear lurking behind her eyes.

"That was Lance, he runs protection for J-Bird's girls, the ones that work University? He's gonna ask around to see if they've seen her or know anything about her plans last night. Words gone out through everyone we know, nothing yet. I got word from Rose that she thinks one of her girls overheard Holly talking about hooking up with an out-of-towner, some Eurotrash throwing around lots of nuyen."

Mac grimaced at the third-hand nature of their best lead. If Frankie noticed, she didn't comment.

"There's a hotel I know, southeast of Bellevue, that caters to less than legal visitors. I want to check that, but I don't have wheels."

[Vegas]

11:47:13 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

She nodded her acceptance of heading into Bellevue but she hated the idea of nothing having anything more to go on than second and third hand knowledge that could be wildly inaccurate because of the veil of eX. She watched as Frankie tried to find strength in the bottom of her coffee cup and she reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

"Look, I've got wheels so getting to Bellevue isn't an issue, but we can't spend critical time driving all over the 'plex hoping we'll spot her. We need something more solid to go on. I mean I can ask a favor, but it's going to cost, Frankie. Like really cost."

Mac watched as her friend nodded immediately, the statement of "we'll do whatever it takes" went unspoken but understood. Mac sighed softly and resigned herself to taking a trip to Palatine and asking Isomer for the favor.

"I just need to take advantage of their matrix access while I'm here and we can head to that hotel, ok?"

She slid out of the booth and took another look at Frankie and tried to be as positive and reassuring as possible.

"We'll find her. Something has to go our way, it always does remember? I'll try to keep this quick."

She smiled softly and then headed deeper into the cafe, making her way to the bank of dataports and matrix terminals. She found an open spot and slid into the chair, slotting her credstick before she pulled the cables from her commlink and slid into virtual. As the interface took over, she found herself standing in a virtual replica of Nadia's and she wasted no time speeding off towards Palatine.

The Legionnaires at the gates inspected her closely as they verified she had a valid passcode to enter. Once inside she weaved her way carefully through the crowds gathered and paused at a respectable distance from Isomer when she spotted his stunning iconography in the middle of some kind of discussion she didn't dare interrupt. She waited as patiently as she could and when she saw her opportunity, she approached the booth and politely paused at the edge of the table and inclined her head in greeting.

"Isomer."

[grendel]

11:48:39 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

If the decker was surprised to see her, nothing in the body language of its exquisitely rendered avatar indicated it. One clawed hand gestured to the open seat at the table, as text blazed to life in front of Mac's eyes.

"Mac. Welcome. How may I be of assistance?"

[Vegas]

11:49:38 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

Mac slid into the offered seat and took an extra second to admire the avatar seated across from her.

"Thanks, I know you're probably busy, but I need help and it's of a time-sensitive nature."

She paused and wondered just how much Isomer knew about her and decided if Kovacs had dug at all into her background, Isomer would likely have been the one to do it.

"My old roommate has gone missing, everyone's worried and only has third party information to go off of which is spotty at best. I'd like a couple of things, first to grab camera footage outside of 620 Stewart Street, Downtown 30 minutes on either side of 9pm last night. I'm looking specifically for the guy and the car, probably a Ford Americar, that this girl got into with."

She offered Isomer a photo of her and Holly Anne for reference before she continued.

"Secondly, I'd like to try to pin down who the guy is. All I know is he's got money and they called him basic Eurotrash. Anything to help find him would be helpful."

Mac studied the avatar across from her who watched her just as intently in return before she asked for the last request she'd make.

"If it comes to it, I may need to trace her 'link on the off chance it's still with her. We know there's a price attached to all of this, and we're willing to pay to find her."

[grendel]

11:52:08 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

Nothing changed in Isomer's posture until Mac mentioned her last request. The jackal head dipped to the side.

"The first is easy, and won't cost you much more than a drink. The second requires narrowing of the search parameters. Without additional data, objectively your target could reside anywhere in the metroplex. The last, if you wish to pursue it, will cost. Tracing a commlink isn't an easy task. I must penetrate PacRim Comm's host and run an active triangulation utilizing their mesh network. It is possible, but there is a greater risk of exposure and compromise. The price is commensurate."

As it explained the details to her, the winged jackal traced an arcane pattern in the table top with its claws. Blue fire glowed to life, building quickly to a large scarab beetle, this one with disturbingly mechanical aspects to it. The beetle stood motionless for a second before shaking itself to life, spreading its wings and flying off into the vast smoky dimness of the ceiling. That task complete, Isomer reached across the table and lifted a copy of the picture, peeling off the duplicate like a translucent layer. After glancing at it for a moment, the jackal head once more lifted to regard Mac with its eyes of flame.

"If surveillance shows the vehicle in question, what then?"

[Vegas]

11:54:18 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

Mac realized the likelyhood that if something was wrong, Holly wouldn't have her commlink on her if whomever had her was smart. She was about to say she wasn't sure what she wanted to do with next when she had an idea.

"One moment please." She held up a finger as she sent Frankie a message in the background.

What's the address of the hotel in Bellevue that you wanted to check out?

Mac knew it would confuse Frankie at first to get a message from her, but she hoped it wouldn't slow her down in her response and it might save them a pointless drive if she could help it.

It's up on 140th Ave and 40th NE, what are you doing?

She ignored the last part of Frankie's reply for the moment and returned her attention back to the jackal who waited patiently for her next request.

"If you find the car, there is a hotel up in Bellevue, on 140th and 40th, any chance you could pull cameras from their parking lot and see if the car, the guy and my friend arrived sometime last night... And if they leave together or separately?"

[grendel]

12:02:49 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

As Mac expands her search requests, the scarab returns, alighting on the table before dissolving into a puddle of glimmering quicksilver. Isomer draws its hands through the puddle, creating a rectangle the flickers with video images. Lifting it up, he turns it so that Mac can see. The image, a quartering view of the street, is muddled and blotchy, average quality for the security cameras in the neighborhood. A figure, who could be Holly Anne, strolls into view from the right hand side of the frame. She stops street side, clearly waiting, impatient. She checks her commlink. Fidgets. Lights a cigarette. A minute later a vehicle pulls up, an Americar by the looks of it but Mac can't discern the color beneath the sodium orange glare of the streetlights. The woman gets in and the vehicle departs.

"Based on the picture you've given me, there's a seventy one point six percent chance that the woman is who you seek. That's the best I can do based on lighting and camera resolution." Isomer's explanation sounds vaguely apologetic. "I won't be able to match any video from the location you specified, though. The address you've specified is known as the Deep Umbra. It has no security cameras. It has little security at all. Part of its appeal is that it's a place you can go where no record will exist of you being there. They only take certified cred. No video evidence will remain. Their matrix host is designed specifically to not log any activity which occurs. It's a place to go when you want absolutely no record to be left."

The words in the text chill Mac to the bone. The decker pauses for a moment before it continues, and Mac catches a hint of dry irony in its tone.

"I am, however, quite good friends with several of the staff there. I believe I know one who might be able to help. His name is Denis Wrathmore and he's the hotel's trouble shooter. You'll have to visit in person, but I'll call ahead to let him know that you're coming."

[Vegas]

12:05:19 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

Mac was silently grateful at that moment that all of her emotions didn't transfer through her avatar. There was a glimmer of hope in the offer Isomer had made to his contact at the hotel, but it also meant that her concern for Holly's safety as well as Frankie's and her own just ratcheted up on the scale and she didn't want to waste any more time before they headed up there. She also didn't want to make overly impulsive decisions that would lead to no good for any of them.

"Isomer, if I could, I would kiss you right now. I really can’t thank you enough for this, truly. Tell me what we owe you for this and how we can pay it and you can consider it done."

[grendel]

12:07:34 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Nadia's Cafe, 687 Morgan Avenue, Downtown, Seattle

"For an easy intrusion and an introduction? Five hundred," replied Isomer, "perhaps later I'll collect on that kiss."

Mac grinned, slotting the cred to the decker. "Consider it a rain check."

She dropped out of the matrix with a speed that left her momentarily dizzy. Yanking the cable from its jack, she stuffed her commlink back into her pocket, heading back to Frankie's booth.

"I've got news," she said, dragging her friend from the seat, "but we've got to move."

Frankie let out a startled "hey!", momentarily resisting long enough to grab the rest of her coffee before allowing Mac to hustle her outside. She pulled up short, though, when she realized what Mac was driving.

"Whoa! Where'd you get these cherry wheels?" she whistled. Mac glanced up in surprise, one leg already in the driver's side. She'd forgotten that Frankie knew nothing of what had transpired over the last seventy two hours, and that despite its heavy modifications the Shadow was still a luxury sports car.

"I, uh, I met a guy," started Mac by way of explanation, but the look of no drek, dumbass on Frankie's face held her up. "Just get in the car, I'll explain on the way!"

Frankie shrugged, depositing herself into the passenger seat. "Must be some guy."

[Vegas]

12:23:43 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Eastbound on the 520, Downtown, Seattle

As she settled behind the wheel, a smile played on her lips.

You have no idea.

Mac fastened the restraint harness and fired up the sports car as she waited for Frankie to get settled before she pulled away from the curb. She focused on the light Downtown traffic and tried to ignore Frankie's insistent stare she could feel burning into the side of her face and the myriad of questions she didn't want to have to craft answers to at the moment.

"Jesus Frankie, you know you could have been cop with the way you stare at people like that."

"Yeah well, I ended up an escort. So spill it girl, who is this guy?"

"He's not a client, he's... It's complicated. He kind of saved my life last week, like for real." Mac paused trying to figure out what she could share with her friend that wouldn't open up countless rounds of grilling questions.

"I got in over my head with a real psycho one night, off the books over at Studio Milan. One of those creeps that probably only gets off slotting snuff BTLs and whatnot and decided that night he wanted to act out one of his fantasies." She dismissed her brush with near-death with an airiness to her voice that she might as well have been discussing the weather.

"I don't know what made this guy come check on the situation, but he did. Managed to pull this creep off me before he choked me to death and, I dunno..."

Her thoughts trailed off as she focused on the road ahead of her and pulling onto the I5 and heading north and she tried not to remember the specifics of that night, forcing the memories of the pain and the blood to the background. She masked the ugly thoughts with the memories of the more carnal moments of the past week and the rush of the responsiveness as she put her foot down on the gas and the Shadow sprinted forward onto the highway.

Frankie whistled low and shook her head.

"You are in a world of trouble girl, you've got a thing for him. Don't even try to deny it, I can read it all over your face."

"It's not like that... It's... " Mac hesitated trying to come up with a definition of exactly what she and Kovacs were.

"Complicated." Frankie finished for her with a sigh. "I know."

"Look Frankie there will be plenty of time to do the girl gossip thing once we find Holly Anne and I promise I will fill you in."

Mac sighed as the girl pouted and fumed beside her and she tried to change the subject as artfully as she could because Frankie had information she was curious about.

"So, you said Wayne thinks someone was trying to kill him because of me?"

She couldn't keep all traces of irony and humor out of her voice as she posed her question as the idea seemed outrageous to her on so many levels.

[grendel]

12:31:08 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Eastbound on the 520, Downtown, Seattle

"Lookit you being all evasive," chided Frankie, checking her lipstick in the mirror on the back of her sunshade. "You know I don't believe half the words that come out of Wayne's mouth, but he was really acting strange this time. Kept talking about this corp suit who had him cut you loose and how things hadn't worked out and he was gonna get blamed for it all. He let everything slide, didn't watch the girls or help out on the street so people started to leave. Half the crew is working for other people now."

"Yeah," Mac agreed, tonelessly "Wayne always was a crazy slitch."

Frankie's words chilled Mac to the bone, though. She already knew that it was no accident that de Medici had been waiting for her, but she never thought that it went beyond simple surveillance. Had Wayne been in collusion? Were those gangers nothing more than pawns sacrificed to drive home a point? Why go through all the trouble anyway? She shook her head, knuckles white on the steering wheel. Frankie snapped a bubble between her lips, glancing over at Mac.

"So this...friend...of yours. He got a brother?"

[Vegas]

12:38:41 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - 140th Ave NE, Bellevue, Seattle

Mac didn't have time to dwell on her thoughts of de Medici as Frankie brought the conversation right back around to her. She throttled back the car with a laugh as she started to exit the highway and on to 140th.

"Don't know anything about his family, but he's got a pretty good looking friend..."

She couldn't help but smirk at the thought of Frankie and Tristan hooking up, wondering just who would come out on top of that tryst.

"Want me to put in a good word for you?"

She checked her mirrors as they made their way closer to their destination, watching for any tails or something out of the ordinary. Mac eased the Shadow to the side of the road and parked for a moment before turning a serious gaze to her companion.

"So here's the deal, I've got us someone who works inside the hotel who's willing to meet with us, might be able to let us know if Holly has been there. How do you want to play this if they've seen her?" She shifted in her seat to face Frankie and pulled her commlink from her pocket. "I'm just going to check in, let my friend know where we're headed just in case things go seriously upside down."

She fired off a quick message to Kovacs as she started to plot and hope for the best.

We're up in Bellevue, checking out a possible lead and meeting someone Isomer is putting us in touch with. 140th and 40th, just in case dreck goes sideways.

[grendel]

12:38:41 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Heart of the City Hotel, 140th Ave and 40th NE, Bellevue, Seattle

"Damn, girl, no love in the sisterhood. Keeping all those fine boys to yourself." Frankie grumbles teasingly. Her face becomes serious, though, when Mac lays out the plan.

"I'll back your play, whatever it is, but we should at least make sure she's all right." She glanced at Mac meaningfully before pulling out a Yamaha Pulsar from her pocket and checking to make sure it was armed. The gesture reminded Mac of the weight of her own weapon. Her commlink chose that moment to flicker with an appropriate reply.

Copy. Be careful.

"Right," said Mac quietly, answering both statements. She put the Shadow in gear and pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. It wasn't very impressive at first glance: a flat expanse of blacktop in front of a blocky concrete structure. At first glance there seemed to be ten or a dozen stories, blank mirrored windows reflecting the edge of the barrens and the distant splendor of the Lake Washington communities. Easing forward, she parked the sports car in the second row, nose facing towards the street in case they had to make a quick exit. Together, she and Frankie headed across the parking lot towards the front door.

Lounging outside, dressed in casual armor from Vashon Island, was an older gentleman. Mac guessed he was around the same age as Kovacs, although he looked a little rougher around the edges. His face was seamed with deep wrinkles as well as a patina of scars on the left side. His eyes were a dull chrome cyber-replacement, shadowed by a full head of hair. As they approached, he pushed off from the wall with his shoulders and stepped towards them. He moved the same way Kovacs did, a sliding purposeful step executed with perfect control and readiness. Mac slowed and touched Frankie's arm, although her sister was equally adroit at picking up the body language of a predator.

"Afternoon, ladies," greeted the man, halting several paces away. His voice had an undertone of authority, the diction of a man used to being obeyed.

"Mr. Wrathmore?" guessed Mac. A brief, wry smile twisted his lips, and he inclined his head towards her.

"At your service. Isomer was kind enough to call ahead and brief me on your situation. I think I can offer additional information, if you'll follow me."

It was a directive and not a request. The two girls trailed Wrathmore across the parking lot towards the hotel, although after a moment something occurred to Mac.

"I thought you guys didn't have security cameras here?" she asked. Wrathmore glanced back at her sharply.

"Just because we don't have cameras doesn't mean we don't have surveillance. My security teams keep a close eye on our guests to ensure the safety of everyone as well as the continued existence of the Deep Umbra."

[Vegas]

12:43:08 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Heart of the City Hotel, 140th Ave NE and 40th NE, Bellevue, Seattle

Mac raised her hands slightly to diffuse the sharp look from Wrathmore and to not offend.

"Of course, sorry. We don't want to do anything to jeopardize it either." She did her best to turn on the charm as they walked into the building. "We really appreciate anything you can tell us about our friend."

She walked in step with Frankie just behind Wrathmore as they entered the lobby and cast a glacé the girl's way before she took in the spartan decor of the anonymous hotel's lobby.

"This way." Wrathmore said gruffly as he led the two girls down a hallway and through a door marked "staff only" that was keyed to his ID. Stopping halfway down the hall, he brushed a key card in front of a sensor and opened the door to what Mac assumed was his office.

"Take a seat."

Mac took that as a command and not a request and settled into one of the chairs on the opposite side of the desk from Wrathmore's cushy office chair and Frankie took the chair to her right, impatient to hear what the old guy had to say.

[grendel]

12:47:26 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Heart of the City Hotel, 140th Ave NE and 40th NE, Bellevue, Seattle

The office was spartan, with little in the way of personal touches. Most of the shelf space was occupied by binders with official looking labels that Mac didn't bother to read. Several minutes passed in silence, Frankie shifting uncomfortably next to her as Wrathmore sat unmoving in his chair. She was about to say something when a knock at the door preempted her.

"Come!" directed Wrathmore. The door opened, revealing a young man, well dressed in an anonymous suit of Vashon Island armor. He didn't acknowledge either Mac or Frankie, moving instead to the flat panel display the dominated the left hand wall. Unreeling the data cable mounted to the side of the screen, he clipped it to the datajack installed in his temple. A pearlescent gray replaced the segmented multi-view before the familiar jittery feed from an eye recorder filled the screen. With practiced gestures he spun the feed forward, quickly narrowing down the time stamp to what he was looking for. He halted at approximately 22:35 the night prior and played the feed at regular speed.

The view showed him walking down the hallway, conversing with someone. At a T-intersection, he glances down the other hall and his gaze travels over a man and woman standing outside the door to one of the rooms. He freezes the clip and although the resolution isn't the best, Mac can clearly tell that it's Holly Anne.

[Vegas]

12:49:17 Sunday, 14 January 2063 - Heart of the City Hotel, 140th Ave NE and 40th NE, Bellevue, Seattle

Mac and Frankie had both spent countless hours in security offices in various hotels across the metroplex that mirrored that of Wrathmore's but they were usually on the receiving end of a stern request to not solicit their patrons, not watching security footage of their guests.

Mac's otherwise impassive face fell as the familiar blonde filled the screen and she read the time stamp and knew they were already at least 12 hours behind when she was seen last.

"It's definitely her."

Her voice was flat and she cast a glance over to the girl beside her before her eyes moved back to the screen and then came to rest on the head of security seated across from her.

"I don't suppose any of your team managed to catch her or her "date" leaving? Or that you're willing to let us go upstairs with a little more guidance as to just where that video was taken?"

Her dark eyes moved towards the younger member of the security team with the slightest tilt of her head as she regarded him.

"We don't want trouble, just to make sure our friend is safe."

Her voice was genuine laced with a slight tone of manipulation as she really didn't want to cause trouble, but god help the person who hurt Holly Anne.