Neil couldn’t believe what he was doing, it felt like he was going against everything he’d ever learned in his life. His common sense told him that trailing a woman who’s committed casual murder down a dark street in outer space in the middle of a crime ring was probably a bad idea. If he was trying to stay out of trouble, this would be the worst place to be. But yet his legs kept moving forward, although he tried to stop them many times over the long walk that they were taking. He wasn’t entirely without caution, naturally, he kept to the shadows and made sure to follow his target at a reasonable distance. The collars on his oversized coat were popped up concealing his face, he felt like one of those detectives from the black and white movies he’d seen in passing on the TV, only without the gruffness or the cigarette addiction.
Sally Silver was his target, and she was moving down the street at a quick but easy pace. She was wearing a large furry coat that kicked up dirt as she strolled, and her pair of impressively large red heels didn’t seem to bother her stride. Neil had seen her shoot a man in the face without hesitation, sure, the guy kinda deserved it but when you’re launching a murder investigation you can’t really be nitpicky. He noted the way she seemed to move with utter confidence, maneuvering her way around passersby and the occasional obstacles with purpose. It made him wonder what someone moving with such clear motive was doing behind the Extemorst Casino.
Abruptly Sally came to a halt, which caused Neil’s heart to race. His first thought was the assumption that she had spotted him, his second was the acceptance of his impending doom. But to his relief he noted that she hadn’t yet turned around, instead, her gaze was pointed outward down the street to a man approaching her at an awkward pace. The silhouette of Short-Barrel John-John came creeping out of the darkness and even at his distance, Neil could tell he wasn’t doing any better from the last time he had seen him.
“Hello, Sally.” Said John-John, his face shifting unnaturally.
“Hello, um…” The woman thought for a moment. “Sorry, but who are you again?”
The man looked offended for a moment before his expression shifted to one of acceptance, with the way his life had been going a lack of recognition was low on his list of problems. “I’m from the cantina, don’t ya remember?”
Sally tilted her head, still thinking. “Didn’t you get shot or something?”
“That wasn’t me!” John-John cried, “that was my friend- no- my backstabbing crook of a partner!”
“Ah, yes.” Sally snapped her fingers with a smile. “I remember, you were the sad sob in the corner gawking about how betrayed you were. Tell me, how’s life been treating you after you got shafted so hard? Judging by that look in your eye I can see you haven’t been dipping into your favorite nose powder for a minute, so I’m guessing not too good?”
On a good day, John-John would’ve been insulted, but this was not one of his good days. Still, he felt the need to retaliate. “You’re one to talk! You’ve been wearing that filthy coat for ages, business ain’t going swell aye?”
Sally shrugged, “I guess the fire ain’t totally burnt out of you yet, somehow! Now, why don’t you tell me why you’re even talking to me? I’ve got places to be.”
His weight uneven on one leg, John-John looked around to make sure that they weren’t being watched. Neil acted quickly, turning his back to them, and pretended to act very interested in a random empty cargo container that rested upturned in the street next to him. Surprisingly this seemed to work and the two felt safe to continue their conversation.
“I want the gun.” John-John continued. “I know you have it, give it to me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, darling.” Said Sally, her eyes narrowing. “But even if I did, why would I ever do that?”
The crook shifted more in his place like his feet were on hot coals. “Look, that gun was Corpus’s, and you nabbed it off his body before I could get to it and I ain’t thinking that’s fair!”
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The woman frowned, clearly playing dumb wasn’t going to work on this guy- shockingly. “Ain’t happening.” She put bluntly. “I was quicker than you, pal! Just because you were too busy throwing yourself a pity party to act doesn’t mean I have to pass up a score, does it?”
John-John scoffed, “that’s what you think.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Still jumpy, he looked around, neglecting to pay Neil any mind yet again. “Look, I don’t expect you to care, but I’ve got some people comin’ after me soon, I need that gun.”
Sally shifted her furry coat on her shoulders and gave the man an inquisitive look. “You’re right, I don’t care.” She said with a half-smile. “So, if you don’t mind, could you please get out of my way?” Stepping forward she found her path immediately blocked by the hobbling crook. “I’m not going to ask you again.”
John-John backed off a bit, but not enough to give her an easy pass. “Why do you even want the gun, aye? Why even bother with it, you already have one of your own don’t ya? That little thing you shove down the top of your dress is more than enough, right?”
Sally didn’t like it when over people got in her way, and she didn’t appreciate being questioned. This scraper was stepping in a deadly mix of the two. “What’s good enough for me is my business, darling. So walk away before I feel the need to test the dependableness of the weapon you seem to need so badly.”
Over near his new pal the cargo container, Neil braced himself to hear a shot or two ring out. The silence was deafening, but he’d take quietness over the sound of miniature explosions escaping gun barrels. He felt himself release a breath when they started speaking again.
“You know people are looking for it, right?” John-John spoke finally, sounding increasingly more desperate.
“What people?” Sally inquired.
“The friends of that yellowed-headed numb-skull that shot up Corpus!” John-John barked. “I’ve seen ‘em, they’re all snooping around the place asking questions every which way, they think that he didn’t do it.”
Sally gave a strange half-smile, “oh?”
“Yeah, one of them even tried to question me, asked me all sorts of stuff! They’re on the trail, Sally, and they ain’t letting up!”
“What’s a couple of random outsiders going to do?” Said Sally with a shrug of her shoulders. “It’s a miracle they haven’t lost their heads yet, they can’t do shit.”
John-John shook his head hard, in a way that seemed too aggressive for his own good. “You think that but I ain’t too sure! It’s always the little ones that get ya, like minmites! Did you hear what happened at the casino?”
Sally looked down, “vaguely.”
“No one knows who cashed the lottery ticket, but those scrapers sure seem interested.” The crook whispered.
Neil’s eyebrows raised, they had only been at the casino minutes ago and yet someone already knew that they were there.
“Would you hurry up and arrive at what you’re getting at?” Snapped Sally, her hands on her hips.
“I’m saying that it ain’t a great look to be holding a murder weapon when there are people creepin’ around,” John-John said, his voice low and shifty.
Crossing her arms, Sally looked the man dead in his face for a good long while. Her heel tapped against the street as her teeth gritted in her mouth. Neil peered over his shoulder to see what was going on just in time to see Sally reach into one of her coat pockets and retrieve the gun.
“Here,” she said quietly as she tossed the weapon over. “Now get lost before I change my mind.”
John-John smiled as the gun landed in the curves of his fingers, it was like watching a kid get a piece of candy. His face twitched as he swiftly shoved it into one of his own coat pockets, his hands shaking as they completed their mission. “See ya later, Sally.” He said, finally stepping to the side and letting her pass.
Sally gave him a spiteful glance as he trotted along down the street, looking back at him as he went like a dog walker realizing their pet left a surprise on the sidewalk. Shaking her head, she readjusted her coat and continued on her way, her heels clicking as he went.
Neil panicked as John-John started towards him and did the only thing he could think of doing. Quickly he shoved his head into the upturned container, praying to whatever god could hear him that he wouldn’t be noticed. Inside the box, it was dark and cold, and unimaginably sticky for some unknown reason that the boy really didn’t have the mental willpower to question. He listened as footsteps approached, came closer, then slowly drifted away. As if he was coming out from underwater, Neil wrenched his head back up and took a deep breath.
Suddenly, Neil found himself alone on the street- which considering what he just did was probably a blessing to his ego. Dusting himself off, the thought of turning back now occurred to him. He didn’t have to follow Sally anymore, right? Surely one overheard conversation was enough? But he bit his lip, knowing that he couldn’t live with himself if he knew he could’ve done more to help Timothy. So carefully, and half-heartedly, he started back up the street in the direction he knew that Sally was headed.