Chapter 6: Step back

I perked up when I remembered something but it was going to raise a lot of questions when I get back.

"Quinn, take us back to CA HQ"

"Why?" He quirked an eyebrow at me.

We were going back to the penitentiary where the authorities kept Friday Register, if he had a clue where those people selling those bottles were then that would be the first step to catching those baddies.

"I missed all that while I was gone?"

So we changed courses and repaid a visit to the central HQ in LA, Captain Schmidt was vacant and he folded his arms with a stern look at the three of us.

"We need to ask Register a few questions"

I explained.

"The league no longer keep Friday in our custody, he's in jail serving time for abuse"

"For how long?"

"With the gravity of his offense let's say he won't be going near Konstante ever again"

"A mutant who kills agents and over fifty people...and Sith is in prison?" Emma questioned.

Quinn looked surprised "Sith's dead?"

The Captain shrugged and we followed as he moved to his office to fetch his jacket and hat.

"He's harmless as it is and we have no power to hold him under custody unless he's a danger to society at large"

Emma scoffed and Quinn still looked at loss.

"That guy's a sociopath, he's even a danger to himself"

"If you need to know more, I suggest you stop yelling at me and go to LAPD and find him. Good day"

He tipped his hat and locked his office with the biometric system and left us.

"Geez"

...

LAPD

We got into casual clothes and paid a visit to the police department, it was nice to be home again, the cop was giving us the stink eye when we entered.

I nudged Quinn to speak for us since he was older and he glanced at me then cleared his throat.

"Yes?" The cop raised an eyebrow tapping his pen, I would say he had met more than just three pesky kids and a shadow in a mask and hoodie.

"We need to see Friday Register"

The cops pushed us outside and Emma straightened her jacket and huffed.

"My dad's a freight train!"

"Get outta here"

"You had to show him your fake ID," Emma said to Quinn and he looked like he was about to blow a fuse pointing at the door.

"You told me to tell him that he was my uncle"

"It was a joke, you're both unethical" She rolled her eyes and shrugged shoving her hands into her jacket.

Shadow hurried to me opening her hands to form an image of a girl glitching, I smiled.

"I have an idea_Shadow has an idea."

"Whatever it is, it's gotta be good"

"It's a shadow," Quinn said wryly as we walked across the intersection uptown

...

Giovanni Estate.

I took a deep breath as I buzzed the exterior gate open, the second would be a challenge, the security guard saw me and plopped from his chair, he adjusted his hat.

"Hey you, brown hair, hold on"

He opened the gate and grabbed my hand pulling me inside to the yard where there were bushes for paths and a fountain. I grit my teeth at his grip "Hey!"

"You're that free runner giving the police trouble ain't ya?"

"Ehi terminare!"

I heard a voice and turned to the girl hurrying to us in a short black dress and flats. A dog hurried after her to meet Quinn jumping at him, Emma stepped out of the way to meet the gaze of Konstante, she smiled.

"Hey. Darcy!"

I smiled returning her hug, it was good to see her cheeks full again and healthy.

"That was me," She said to the security guard and he nodded in apology and returned to his column.

The husky howled pawing at Quinn.

"This is Diamond, she likes you"

Emma grimaced and crouched to meet the dog's gaze "Really? I hate you already"

Diamond howled at her, she was very expressive and you could tell she wasn't very pleased with Emma's comment.

"Sorry about the last time, who are you?"

She tilted her head at Quinn.

"This is Bin Laden" She touched his shoulder and nodded, he pushed her hand off them shook Konstante's hand.

"Douglas"

"Come on, I was just taking Diamond for a walk...oh"

Diamond dropped her leash at Quinn's feet and wagged her tail, he patted her head.

Strange dog, I thought they were the ones who wanted out of the leash.

We strolled down the path and I was amazed by the expanse, the estate was a palace and the sun fell pleasingly on the bushes with flowers.

"What's this about a free-runner?" I asked and Emma pulled me aside.

"I thought you went to summer camp," She asked and Emma nudged me upfront and we were sort of shuffling for who to explain, not good for agents in training.

"We forfeited"

"Really? That's too bad" She said and plucked a cabbage rose.

"How's the family treating you?" I raised the question and her head sort of quivered, her shoulders dropped holding her hands together.

"They are awfully nice and Pietro is trying to adjust to me being around"

I understood the position Pietro was in, Konstante rubbed her neck and I could see the scars on her shoulder through the laced sleeves. The League should've done something about them.

"I want you to meet them" She took our hands and led us to the building, Konstante bumped Emma.

"He's a modest type" She murmured and Emma looked back at him staring at the paintings and Diamond trying to get his attention, he quirked his eyebrows at all three of us staring and Emma looked away quickly.

I noticed she looked upset and tried to refrain from making any negative comments.

"Sure"

Konstante hurried to two grown-ups, I recognized Vince and Laurie, they smiled but seemed uneasy about me.

"Vince, Laurie, these are..." She looked uncertain about what call us "These are my friends, Darcy, Emma and...Doug"

Diamond barked, Pietro was laying upside down on the couch with his feet up and his hair dangling, he snorted.

"You have friends?"

Konstante passed him a timid look and blushed, then ushered us to sit down, we shook our heads at that.

"We won't be here for long"

Laurie approached me and I smiled, a little worried, her eyes narrowed.

"You're at my daughter's school, right?"