Chapter 10: Chapter 10: The Bureau

John sits at a table with two agents who look over at him. A thick non-transparent window beside them as John sighs realizing the situation he’s in. In front of him is a tape recorder. He looks at it as one of the agents turns it on.

“Listen, I think there’s been a huge misunderstanding.” John says.

“Oh and why’s that?” An agent asks.

“Me and my friend were with a teller counting our money for a deposit. We were just at the wrong places at the wrong time.” John says.

“Oh yeah? Then why’s it that he’s dead and you’re not? The way I’m looking at it, you’re an accomplice, killed the teller and when shit went south, you turned on your own guys.”

“You’re fucking psycho, you know that?” John says to one of them.

John sighs.

“We were hiding from them, then that teller started to panic. That’s when they started shooting at us through the walls and that’s when we-”

“Yeah, yeah. Heard it all before.That’s when you became the hero right?”

John raises his eyebrows.

“More like, just saving our own skin.”

One of the agents scoffs.

“That’s a lot of money you were carrying with you.”

“Am I going to get my deposit back?” The agent shakes his head.

“I wouldn’t count on it.” the quieter one says.

John winces in pain.

“Why? What’s it to you anyways?” 

“It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? Huh. With that much hell, I could pay off my rent for half a year, maybe even buy a new car, and that’s nothing to you, huh?” An agent says sarcastically.

“My friend runs a security company, Condor.”

“Never heard of it.”

“Runs on sixth street, we were just there to deposit some money from a job we finished.”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why’s it that you were depositing it under your name?” The quiet one continues.

John looks over as he avoids eye contact.

He’s quiet as he thinks to himself.

“Well? You gonna answer him?” The other agent asks.

“Personal reasons.”

The quiet agent leans in.

“You know, if you share a little more, maybe I can get you your money back.” 

John sighs.

“I lost my job, alright? Been living on the streets for a while and met an old friend. He took me in after he learned about my condition, found a job and got paid.” John says as he begins to break into a coughing fit.

The other agent seems disgusted as the other one stares.

“Jeesh. At least use your arm or something.”

“Now, am I free to go?” John asks, his voice cracking.

 

---

 

The two agents walk out the door.

“What a freak, am I right? Dude couldn’t stop coughing during the entire thing. What do you think?” One of the agents asks the quiet one.

“It’s probably just a coincidence. Wrong place, wrong time.”

They walk together as they seemingly head towards a break room. Entering it they grab a cup of coffee as they look at each other.

“You serious? Some of those bills that guy has are marked with the Triad.”

“We can’t just let him go can we?”

The quiet agent smirks at the much more talkative ones.

“Follow the money, plus we got nothing to hold him for anyways. Maybe we’ll get lucky and learn something new about what the Triads have been up to.”

“Or maybe, he’ll skip town.”

“That’s why we’ll mark the account and wire the cash for him.”

The agent nods to the other. A person coughs as the agents look over to see a middle eastern man walking towards them in a suit.

“So, anything new about the robbery? With our suspects?”

The boss looks over at the quiet one.

“No, just a coincidence.”

“But a lucky one.”

The boss turns towards the talkative one who smirks.

“Oh? Tell me more.”

“Mason thinks that they’re associated with the Triad, our background check reports that they’re ex-military, possibly former special forces. If it’s true we could get a lot.”

“Special forces huh, do we know how long they’ve been part of the operation?”

“Could be brand new, it might be possible to convert them into assets.” Mason says.

The boss raises his arms to stop him.

“Wait until we know more for now, just watch and listen.”

 

---

 

Still waiting inside of the interrogation room, John looks around.

He stops as two police officers walk inside from the door.

“Sorry about the wait.”  An officer says as he walks over to John.

John looks over at him.

“Am I good to go?” John asks.

“Well, Mr.Fray you’re free to go. We’re just going to need you to sign a few release forms once we’re outside and you’ll be on your way. We’ll ask for your contact information in case we have any further questions regarding the investigation. But just know you or your friend are suspects.” An officer says as he begins to uncuff his arms.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you guys.” John sighs.

The police officer holding the door glares at him as John begins to touch his wrist as he groans. Turning over to the friendly cop he leans in.

“What’s with him?” John asks.

“It’s my resting face, asshole.” The police officer responds.

The other police officer begins to walk away.

“Come on, it’s been a busy day as it is, let’s fill out this paperwork so we can all go home.” The other police officer replies.

John gets up as he walks out the door.

“Long hours, huh? That’s gotta suck.” John says.

They don’t respond to him. Heading towards the front they stop at a receptionist desk, at it an older man hands the officers some paperwork as they look over it before walking it back to John. They hand it to him.

“Sign, here and here.”

Taking the paperwork he looks over it.

“What’s this?”

“A NDA and a consent release form. So you don’t talk about the accident until it’s been on the news, the form is just a formality saying that you won’t sue.”

Looking it over, John quickly signs the forms and gives them back to them.

“Thanks.” The police officer says turning it in.

“Your friend should be waiting for you outside. Got out early after his friend came in.”

John nods as he begins to walk away.

 

---

 

Walking out of the Police Station, John looks around as he spots Jamar and Santiago talking to each other on the steps. Jamar seems to be getting into it as he seems to be talking about the robbery in great detail using his hands.

“And then, a barrage of bullets flew threw the air. Cut up the teller like he was swiss cheese.”

“Fuck.”

“So we busted out, I took down some guy, John popped some more, then he told me to get up onto the top of this thing, and then I helped him up too. Saw them try to sneak up on us. Haha motherfuckers didn’t even see it coming!”

John walks down the steps, Santiago glances over as Jamar turns around.

“Look who it is.” Jamar says.

John sighs.

“You know they’re probably listening in on everything you just said.” 

“Relax.” Santiago says.

“It doesn't matter.” He replies. 

Jamar points down the stairway at two women, it’s Anya and a woman in tactical uniform with the word, Interpol on it. They’re having an argument as Anya seems upset as the other woman looks very annoyed.

“Come on, Anya’s still trying to get you out.” Jamar says.

They walk down together.

“I thought you said you were in Human Services, what are you doing with gangbangers? I’m risking my job for you.” The woman says as Anya seems genuinely confused.

“Gangbangers? John was a CPA until a week ago. He’s got his own situation to worry about.”

“Situation? That’s all you’re giving me to get him out? They found drug money on him.”

Anya looks away unsure what to say.

She sees the others as they walk down as she looks up.

“Yo.” Jamar says jokingly.

John looks away anxiously as the woman looks up at them, then at Anya. Seeing John, her face begins to blush with embarrassment. As she tries to walk away. Anya grabs her by the shoulder as she freezes.

“Wait. Let me explain.” Anya says and the woman brushes her off.

 

---

 

Inside a small traditional Hungarian restaurant, John, Jamar, Santiago, Anya and the woman awkwardly sit at a table as Anya tries to make small talk with her, John seems too uncomfortable to speak as Santiago and Jamar are busy eating.

On the table we can see a variety of dishes, made in the traditional manner, Goulash, Fisherman soup, meat pancakes and stuffed cabbage leaves. Served on platters, Jamar and Santiago grab seconds as John looks over at Anya. Who’s speaking in Hungarian with the other woman.

“Just eat, they’re going to be like this for a while.” Santiago says.

John looks over at him and Jamar who nods.

A short older woman walks by with a tray filled with food as she makes her way to the table. John notices as he looks around the restaurant which is practically empty.

Jamar looks over and puts on a smile.

“Thank you, Aunty Sophia.”

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“It’s delicious.” Santiago comments.

“Yeah, amazing.” John adds in looking at the others.

“Anya and Katarina’s friends are so nice. Their mother was always wondering when they’d bring back a boy, now they have three and won’t talk to any of them.” Sophia says as he puts the food on the table. Anya and Katarina look over.

“Go away, we’re busy.” Katarina tries to wave her off, speaking in Hungarian.

“It’s important.” Anya says.

“Speaking about them in Hungarian is rude, don’t you think?” Sophia comments.

“Stop eavesdropping on our conversation.” Katarina says.

“You’re in my house.” Sophia says.

“Eat.” Sophia says as she walks away.

Anya and Katarina look at their plates seeing Jamar and Santiago grab seconds; they look at each other hesitantly as they start to grab items off the plates.

Jamar looks down at John's plate as he gestures for him to take more.

“Oh, no I’m full, really.” John says.

Jamar continues to look at him as he eats.

John sighs as he takes a bit more food off of the dishes for himself. Looking at it he begins to eat some more as Katarina begins to look over at John.

John tries to ignore her gaze as he eats.

It continues on for a while, as Anya looks over and sees what she’s doing.

She coughs.

“It’s rude to stare, Kat.” Anya says.

“Anya, why am I eating with a criminal?” She responds in Hungarian.

Anya sighs as John begins to cough up the food he’s eating.

“We’ve been over this. He’s not a criminal, he just has cancer.”

Katarina leans against the table.

“Cancer? I haven’t seen him cough once.”

“There’s medication for that.”

“How come he isn’t bald?”

Jamar begins to laugh. As John looks over at him as Santiago seems a bit disappointed. Anya gives John a look as John feigns a cough.

“Actually, that’s sort of why we were even at the bank earlier. To make a deposit. I haven’t actually had any treatments yet, I just don’t have the money for it.”

“So you were going to rob a bank? That’s your plan?”

John sighs.

“Do you really think I’m that stupid?”

Katarina stares at him.

“I don’t know why I need to tell my life story every time I meet someone new.”

“Then don’t.” Santiago replies.

The atmosphere is awkward as they continue to eat.

___

John and Jamar are walking on the sidewalk of a street as they come up to a series of apartments, they’re not too bad but not in the best of condition, at one time they could be considered to be decent but the years have added up.

They head inside as they make their way to an office.

The sun can be setting from a window as a person looks up at them from a chair. It’s a short, friendly looking woman. She smiles as she sees Jamar.

“Hey, Jamar. What can I do for you?” The woman turns to look at John.

“My friend here’s looking for a place to stay. Was wondering if you could help him out, for the right price of course.” Jamar says.

“Sure, anything for you. Even give you the standard rate. No questions asked.”

“Great.”

The woman begins to grab some paperwork as she looks over at John.

“So, you paying with cash or card?”

“Card.”

“Good, good. Makes it easy to check everything at once.”

Bringing over a stack of papers, she puts them on a desk as she gestures for Jamar and John to sit down in the seats in front of them. They oblige as they walk towards them, sitting down.

“So, how long are you thinking of staying?”

“Couple months, maybe more if I’m lucky.” John responds.

“Mmm.” The woman listens as she reads through the papers on the table. 

Taking one out, she puts it in front of John. Clicking on a pen, she places it in front of him.

“Sign here, and here.”

John looks over the paper, it’s a tenant agreement form, standard one at that, it goes over basic tenant rights and the rate for the apartment, it’s relatively cheap, ¥1,850 for a small studio.

“Take your time.” The Woman says confidently.

The studio itself from the reference photos and structure isn’t that bad, standard kitchen, and bathroom with a shower and bath. Looking through it, he turns to Jamar who smiles.

“Not bad right?” Jamar says.

Going back to the signature page, John quickly signs it and hands it over.

“Great. Now I need to get your card on record and to charge the deposit, if that alright with you.”

“Oh yeah, no problem.”

John hands her his card.

“There won’t be a credit check so don’t worry about that. I know most homeless people tend to not have good ones to begin with. But since he’s here, I know you’re at least employed.”

She wipes it on a machine as it begins to process something as a receipt comes out.

Taking the receipt, she walks towards her desk, opening it up, she looks through a series of keys inspecting them, she takes one out labeled 444. 

“I’ve been having trouble renting this one, nothing wrong with it, just that most of the people I deal with don’t like it.” The woman responds.

She hands John his receipt and his keys.

“Come on, I’ll show you inside.” She says beginning to head towards the door.

The head out of the office as they walk around, she shows them the basic amenities, laundry, garage and gym. As they move towards the fourth floor from a small elevator.

The walls are a bit color-washed as they head down the hallway. Stopping at apartment 444, she opens it up for them as she turns towards John as they head inside. It’s already furnished similar to a model apartment as John looks around.

“Does it come with all this?”

“Yep. Pre-furnished.”

“Not bad.” John says as he looks around.

“Huh, check this out, it even comes with a fridge that dispenses water. We don’t even have that at our place.” Jamar shouts from the kitchen as John looks over.

“So, what do you think?” The landlord asks him.

“I love it.” John says.

“I thought you would. Been putting a lot of work trying to get it rented out. Anyways I’m going to head back down, have to close the office for the night. Let me know if you have any questions.” The landlord says as she begins to walk away.

“Yeah, thanks for everything.” John says.

“No problem.” The landlord replies as she walks out of the doorway.

John inspects the place as he takes off his backpack and sets it down beside the wall, there’s a small flat screen tv, next to a queen sized bed. Jamar heads to the bathroom as John tries to find the remote for it.

“Hey, mind if I use the restroom real quick?”

“No, not at all.”

Jamar heads inside, closing the door behind him.

He turns on the TV as the news begins to play.

“Breaking news: we have a report of an attempted robbery of a bank around Highland Park, News 13 is reporting exclusive footage of the incident as cyber psychos continue to terrorize Neotokyo.”

On it, we see first person footage of a camera man desperately trying to get footage as we can see the gang members inject themselves with a substance as they’re blasted by the SWAT unit, seemingly willing through the pain as they gun them down. One of them poses for the camera man as he’s pushed back by authorities.

“Ah, jeez.”

A flush can be heard from the bathroom as Jamar comes out pointing towards it.

“Don’t go in there. Just let out a big one.” He jokes.

John lets out a chuckle. Jamar looks over at the television and sees the scene.

“Hey, it’s those motherfuckers.”

“Yeah.”

“Wonder if they have footage of us blasting a cap into their asses.” Jamar asks.

“Doubt it.” John says as the feed is cut.

“Ah, man. It was getting to the good part.” Jamar says.

John clicks on the remote as he turns off the TV as Jamar turns to him as he sits beside him on his bed.

“So, what do you think of the place?”

“I like it. It’s got everything someone would need.”

“Ah, thought you’d say that. But is that really enough?” Jamar asks.

John looks over.

“What do you mean?” 

“The basics, that’s all it is. Yet most people can’t even afford this shit.” Jamar continues.

“Supply and demand.” John says.

“Man, fuck that shit. Every god damn project in this city is canceled or over budget. You really think they give a shit about us. I’ve been working my ass off, yet nothing ever changes.”

John and Jamar sit together in silence.

Jamar sighs.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking as well, if I can’t help fix the system, at least I can help a friend.” Jamar says as he looks over at John who looks back.

He gets up.

“I should go, it’s late. The others are probably wondering where I am.”

“Yeah.” John says.

Jamar gets up as John follows him out.

At the doorway, John hugs Jamar as they do a fist bump handshake.

“Let me know when you’re ready to go out again.” Jamar says.

“Yeah. I’ll be sure to do that.” John says.

Jamar walks away as John watches.

“Take care.”

“Yeah, you too.” John responds.

He closes the door behind him as he locks the door. Taking in a deep breath, John stares at the blank space in front of him as he sits down against the door and takes a breath of air in relief. For a moment he closes his eyes and genuinely smiles as tears fall out from his eyes.

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