Evening in The Capital (OPEN)

<...Arsenal chuckled when Clayton, as he was now known, made the crack about the labs. He vaguely remembered a story about some sort of heist where a Jack of Diamonds was found at the scene, but his status as a thief would have to be ignored. Going up against whoever this was was going to require some help, and this Clayton guy seemed to be able to hold his own. He just needed to calm his nerves a bit and he would be a useful ally. Geoffrey was unsettled at the news that this guy was a thief. He keeps quiet about it though, because Jefferson seems to know what he's doing, and Clayton probably wasn't interested in lifting any candy-bars or soft drinks. Arsenal writes on a blank receipt slip as he speaks...>

"I guess the lab is a bit cliche but it proves useful time and time again. If you want Cliche, this guy is sortof my butler."
"That's only cause your whole shit would fall to pieces if you didn't have a levelheaded individual like myself looking after you."
"This is true. Well, Clayton, can't say I really know much about a 'Jack of Diamonds' but I'd imagine you're good at what you do if you don't make big news all the time. You don't have to disclose any of that to me of course, and I won't be asking you any more about it. For this... the less I know about your work, the better. Here, I wrote quick directions to my base of operations on this. It's deep in the woods so, I hope you've got a car."

<...Arsenal passes the blank receipt he wrote on through the glass via the metal box contraption...>

"I'll be there tomorrow. Meet me at eight thirty. I'm going to look at this scalpel and see what I can find out from it, I'll also see if I can track down any connections to this Patches guy... actually feel free, if you think you can, to find out some more info as to what his operations were in D.C. We need to find the pattern."

<...Jefferson enjoyed the idea of having a knowledgeable connection to the underworld in his corner, at least for now. It would make the detective work a little bit simpler. As long as they didn't get into each others way during their respective "streets business" this should work out without incident...>

"So you're in then?"

Atleast they had senses of humor. Clayton smirked. Were he on the other side of the law, Clayton might have even been friends with them. He reached for the receipt through the metal tray in the glass, and gave it a quick look over while Jefferson instructed him on when to meet him and what to do between then and now. He planned on investigating on his own, anyway. He continued to silently eye the receipt.. Did he really want to team up with Arsenal? They were on the same side. Clayton preferred to work alone, but what if he met with nothing but dead ends? It would be foolish not to accept any help. He pursed his lips for a moment as he swallowed his ego before looking back up to speek, “Of course I’m in. I’ll figure out whatever I can and meet you at eight thirty” He turned and left immediately. He did not mean to offend his new allies; he just wanted to get to a place where he could make the calls he needed to make.

*****

Clayton spent several hours making phone call after phone call. They were all the same. As soon as Patches was brought up, they all sounded scared; too scared to say anything. It was one dead end after another, and Clayton was sure that everyone was tired of late night phonecalls. Not to mention that too many questions could be bad for his health. He decided to try one last contact. It was Sal, another old man from Patches’ day.

“Clayton. I was wondering when I’d get a call from you. You shoulda came to me first. Woulda saved you a whole lot of trouble. I know what you’re gonna ask, but I’m gonna let you do it anyway.” The heavy Brooklyn accent spoke through the phone.

“You know, Sal, most people just answer the phone ‘hello’, but go on. What do you know?”

“More than I’d like too, but still not enough. You ever heard of The Doctor?”

“ Maybe. Probably not though. Name sounds kinda generic, don’t you think?”

“And here I was hoping I would be able to spare some of the details. Before I go on you gotta promise you never heard this from me, and if you go after this guy, you gotta end it. All right?”

“Promise.”

“All right…”

Clayton was supplied with information to give Arsenal and himself a few leads on the killer. He still hoped Arsenal was able to learn more than he was. The more information; the easier finding The Doctor would be.

*****

He slept in and left a bit later than he would have liked to. The heavily wooded roads were not easy to navigate, even with Jefferson’s directions. He was nearly half an hour late when he pulled up to what had to have been the spot. A cabin in the woods, was that his lab? It was the only building around. Clayton was unsure of what to do at the door, so naturally he knocked and hoped he was in the right place.