Eternal Night

(III) Chapter 4: Inquisition

Danny Polovsty shoved his fidgety hands into the pockets of his jacket, as if doing so would better conceal his nervousness.

He had always hated this part of town, even more so now that the city had gone so quiet these last few weeks. This level of stillness in the dead of night was especially unnerving, and to make matters worse, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced over at Damon who was walking casually alongside him. If the man was uneasy, he hid it well, eyes on the alert as they made their way down the empty street, but not even so much as a flicker of anxiety could be seen in his steady gaze.

"I'm not sure I like this," Danny confessed in a low voice.

"You worry too much," Damon assured him with a friendly smile. "Just because Vlad and Morene haven't been together in over a year doesn't mean we can't trust her. She's still a friend of the alliance."

"But we haven't seen her in months," Danny insisted. "She just... up and left. And now, after everything, she suddenly comes out of the woodwork because she has information on Basilio? It's almost too convenient."

"You think we're walking into a trap? That she's betrayed the alliance?"

"I don't know," the man admitted with a sigh, clearly conflicted. "It's just the timing of it... and she knows where our headquarters are – I don't see why she couldn't just come to us instead dragging our asses all the way out here."

"It's probably safer for her this way. Her flat is just a two blocks ahead. We'll go in, collect the info we need, and leave. Ten minutes tops, Dan, I promise. We'll be fine," and he gave him a rough pat on the back before quickening his pace.

Danny followed suit, though his hands remained in his pockets.

Desperate for a change in topic, he asked,

"So how are things with Carmen?"

Damon chuckled a little.

"You're seriously asking me that right now?"

"It's better than the silence."

"I like her," Damon conceded, eyes still ahead. "We get along well, though it's clear she's still pining after Rémy. Not that I take any of that personally..."

Danny snorted, but made no comment on that front.

"I enjoy spending time with her, though... and Vesper. That girl has a mean right hook and some killer instincts."

"Her aim with the knife throwing has certainly gotten better," he noted with a fond smile.

"I kind of want to start her on archery next. She knows her way around a gun, but I think she'd do well with something silent. She has a naturally light tread. If Leinhart gets this thing with Feng off the ground, I think it'd be good to train her as a spy or something."

"That is if Carmen will let her," Danny added with a knowing look.

"Your typical mama bear," Damon laughed. "I've noticed Frankie is a lot more liberal in the girl's education though. You think I should broach the topic with her first? Get her on my side before taking it to Carmen?"

They entered the silent complex where Morene's flat was located, lowering their voices down to whispers. Danny studied a displayed map near the leasing office. When he had identified the woman's apartment, he motioned with his head for Damon to follow.

"If you think Carmen will shoot the idea down, then yeah – always good to get Frankie on your side of things as a safety measure. But honestly, Carmen is reasonable. She knows Vesper's not a child anymore and the girl's been growing into her inherent abilities at an accelerated rate. She can only benefit from further training."