Episode 093 Previous Episode	Next Episode
“An apple a day keeps anyone away if you throw it hard enough.” Stephen Colbert, the Colbert Report “I don’t like this,” Roland said, leaning against the hood of his car. His arms crossed over his deep blue shirt, his black trench coat hanging down to his ankles, he stared grimly at nothing. Leaning against the passenger door, Sydney was quiet, her hands tucked in her trench coat. “I mean, what’s Everett hoping to accomplish by us taking them there?” he asked, his voice echoing through the cool, subterranean air and off the unfinished concrete walls. “Everett’s got a plan,” the dame said, swinging her blonde hair away from her face. “And I’ll give him this; it’s an ambitious one.” “Yeah,” Roland agreed. “I just can’t decided if I think that’s cause for concern or not.” As he spoke, the sound of steel moving echoed through the underground parking deck. “Shhh,” Sydney said to him, both of them standing up from the car. Before them, the white-painted metal door pushed forward and Erik stepped out. In his white trench coat and blue shirt underneath, he led Donovan and Richard into the parking deck. “Oy,” Roland said, calling to the three knights. Erik approached the car, smiling to Sydney. “Hello my dear,” he said, bowing slightly. “This is quite a pleasure.” She gave him a playfully disbelieving look. “To be escorted into the bowels of the enemy by a woman of such beauty is a rare joy.” “Yeah, I don’t know about going anywhere near Alan Vick’s bowels,” Roland said. “We’re just taking you to the club so you guys can see it for yourselves.” “We are quite capable of finding the club ourselves,” Richard said coldly. “Yes, but this way, we will have assistance should matters get out of hand,” Erik said over his shoulder, his eyes never leaving Sydney’s. “Moreover, we may be able to avoid standing out with their insights.” He smiled at her. “And plus, there is the delight of having the company.” “Well, first things first,” Roland said. “We need to know what you guys have found about Alan Vick’s little operation.” “We know mostly his financial status, which is not good,” Richard spoke up, preempting Donovan who glared at him. “The money that he and his associates have been living off for quite some time is nearly depleted.” “Where’d he get it from?” Sydney asked. “Student loans.” “What?” Roland gawked. “Alan Vick has almost fifty thousand dollars in student loans,” Erik said. “Over half of it was borrowed shortly before he traveled to Europe. And it was borrowed from a variety of banks. Odds are, no one’s put together how much he’s amassed. I’ve got to think a graduate student borrowing that much money over such a short period of time would set off red flags with someone.” “Yeah,” Sydney agreed. She thought for a moment. “But the money’s nearly gone?” “Yes,” Richard confirmed, coming to stand next to Erik, leaving Donovan outside the circle of knights. “He’s been beneath five hundred dollars in his account for almost two weeks now. However, no further transactions have registered to his account.” “Which begs the question, where’s he getting the new funding?” Erik asked. “The club, probably,” Roland said. “That’s what we plan to find out tonight,” Erik said. He took a pause to breathe intentionally. “No doubt, you are aware of some of the…tension that has developed between us and Everett. It is regrettable, but I hope we can work past it; him and us, and all of us.” “I wasn’t there, so I don’t know,” Sydney said amicably, crossing her arms. “But Everett isn’t prone to irrationality, nor to exaggeration.” “Never the less, we find ourselves in an uncomfortable situation,” Erik allowed with a handsome, diplomatic smile. “One that I hope we will be able to put behind us quickly.” Sydney smiled in return. “We can hope,” she said before turning to the car. Erik looked at Roland but he just smirked indifferently and got in. Erik turned to Richard and Donovan. “I don’t like this at all,” Richard confessed quietly. “Our hands are far from clean in exacerbating this situation,” Erik reminded him, gesturing for Richard to get into the car. Donovan followed Richard in, pausing halfway. “Look, I hate to be a dick and all,” he said, “but I’m getting real itchy. I’m hoping for some action tonight. Of one sort or another,” he added with a lecherous laugh. “I wouldn’t worry,” Erik answered to himself, walking around the car. “I’m certain that there will be plenty to go around before the night is over.”
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