Chapter Seven: hunters
By Richard LeBlanc
Within the abandoned tunnels known as Sanctuary - the Gangrel sheriff claws was looking at his watch. He had heard a rumor through the grapevine that someone had something important to talk about and all clues pointed to one person. Just then the sheriff felt the barrel of a gun touch the back of his neck.
"Hi you dumb furball," a familiar voice muttered.
"Put the gun away or you might get hurt," Claws casually warned. The gun moved and Skamms stepped out from the shadows and smiled at the person he had requested to meet. "You called this dance - what is it about?" he asked seriously.
"I wanted your take on some literature I happened onto. Wondered if it came from anyone you know - anyone - princy?" Skamms asked as he showed the Gangrel the flier that posted the reward.
"Why would the prince try something like that now? He has his hands full with this Sir Clown," he replied seriously. Skamms retracted the flier and looked at it again. If it wasn't the prince that did this - it left only one other suspect.
"Sir..." he muttered as he crumpled the flier in his fist. "How close is this flower child to making his move?" he asked seriously.
"Haven't a clue - but I have a feeling that the time is getting closer," he answered.
"What does the prince know?" he asked seriously.
"Why - would I tell you?" he retorted.
"Because you like to keep things interesting. Because you want to keep a loose cannon from exploding in the wrong direction. Take your pick - I have a million of them," he replied coolly as he walked over and sat down on a dusty table.
"He knows about as much as you," he replied.
"What makes you think I know anything?" Skamms asked curiously.
"You wouldn't be here if you didn't. Let's cut to the chase - fuck the games. The prince is coming down on my ass for losing that Skitts kid - and I could be using this time looking for him," Claws stated coldly. Skamms held his hands up and quietly chuckled.
"Skitts - he's that riddle brat. Why is the prince so hot to find him?" Skamms asked.
"Because he has helped him on several occasions. I don't suppose you know anything about his whereabouts - do you?" Claws asked.
"I don't play with children - especially the kindred kind. You say he's helped out - has he offered any advice on this - situation?" Skamms asked. Claws slowly walked over and glared at the Malkavian.
"My loyalty is to the prince," Claws began.
"Which one?" Skamms interrupted. In a blur of motion Claws had his wolf claws to the throat of the Malkavian. Skamms showed no fear. "Did I touch a sensitive nerve?" he asked curiously.
"Push me," Claws warned. Skamms motioned for Claws to look down by using his eyes. The sheriff slowly did and saw that Skamms had two pistols aimed at his chest.
"Your move," Skamms replied coolly. Claws growled and stepped away.
"I - ugh, apologize for that. But it was necessary," Skamms stated as he put his guns away.
"Come again?" Claws replied.
"I had what you might call two retainers. You met them the other day - while back - when those Dreamer chicks tried to play me," Skamms began.
"I remember them," Claws remarked.
"They kissed the sunrise - if you get my meaning," Skamms stated seriously.
"The prince had no hand in that," Claws stated seriously. Skamms smiled and sighed.
"I know. One of them - had this flier on him. One died to protect me - damn fool," Skamms muttered.
"The madman has a soul - your secret's safe with me," Claws teased.
"I had to make sure that Sir hadn't gotten to you as well. You said fuck the games - here's one you might like. It's called - I'll show you mine if you show me yours. To be nice - I'll go first," Skamms muttered with a smirk. He reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a folder. He tossed it over to the feet of the Gangrel. "After - junior tried to cash in on the lottery - I did some fishing around. I can go places your people can't. You might not know this - but Sir - is getting a little nervous about the way this is going," Skamms commented. Claws reached down and picked up the folder.
"What do you want to know?" he asked curiously.
"What did the idiot savant tell the prince? Skitts - I'm told can be a little befuddled - but everything usually comes into the light," he replied seriously. Claws quickly skimmed through the folder and then looked up at Skamms.
"It wasn't much. Biggest strength - is his biggest weakness - or something like that. How did you get this?" he asked seriously. Skamms quietly laughed and hopped off the table.
"That is for me to know..." he began - but stopped. He sighed and looked over at the sheriff.
"You - did come alone right?" he asked seriously. Claws noticed the way that Skamms was slowly reaching for his weapon. It was then that he noticed it too.
"Yeah - why?" he replied. Playing along. Skamms closed his eyes and concentrated.
Is there a back way out of this place? He asked telepathically.
"No," he replied flatly.
"Shity - this could get messy," Skamms muttered. Just then dozens of spotlights lit up the tunnels and all but blinded the two.
"This is the police! Nobody move!" a voice echoed. Skamms focused his eyes to the light and could see the silhouettes. There were hundreds of them. Dozens more than he had bullets.
"This legit?" Skamms whispered. Claws grunted and slowly raised his hands.
"Unfortunately - we were set up," he muttered. Skamms still looked like he was getting ready to take the mob down. Claws scowled at him. "Don't do anything stupid - that many cops - can not be covered up. Masquerade?" Claws whispered.
"I don't like cops," Skamms muttered.
"Who does. Put your hands up. I'll get us out of this," he reassured. Skamms disarmed the safety on the concealed pistol. "Skamms - don't do this," Claws whispered.
"Put your hands where we can see them! Do it now!" a voice echoed. Skamms growled and slowly removed his hands from his pockets and placed them in the air.
"You had better not be crossing me furball," Skamms warned. In a blur of motion dozens of police officers is swat gear took the two down hard.
"Do we get to know what this is about?" Claws asked seriously.
"We got an tip that two drug dealers - big ones were going to be here. The tip matched with what our deep cover boys was close to," an officer said as the two were dragged to their feet. "We would read you your rights - but I am sure that both of you know the drill by now," he continued.
"How so Officer Bacon Snout?" Skamms goaded.
"Shut - up," Claws hissed. The two were roughly escorted back towards the light.
A few hours later - at the Royal Palace, a hesitant toenail approached the prince.
"Sire - we have a situation," he began. Axis looked over at the kindred before him and could tell that it was not going to be something that would make his day complete.
"What now?" he asked.
"Your sheriff - is in a bit of a bind," Toenail began.
"Spit it out," Axis demanded.
"He - is in jail - with Skamms," he answered. Axis slowly rose up from his chair.
"Walk me through this - leave nothing out," he requested seriously.
"Apparently - a raid went down at Sanctuary - huge one," Toenail began.
"Go on," he stated seriously.
"Supposedly - there was a big sting going down - and they were at the wrong place - at the wrong time," he continued. Axis walked away from the informant.
"Did Skamms go down quietly?" he hesitantly asked.
"Yeah - oddly enough. When I heard what happened I thought there would be dozens of dead cops - but so far as I know - not a shot was fired," the Nosforatu answered. Axis looked over at Toenail in disbelief.
"Skamms - surrendered?" he asked in disbelief.
"I'm as shocked as you," he replied.
"I doubt that. I want as little of this stink touching me as possible. Tell Man Basher I have a special pick up for her," Axis began.
"Both?" Toenail asked. Axis sighed and shook his head. It would be so much easier to leave Skamms - he knew that such an act would cause more problems than it would solve.
"Oh yes - I want them both. I also want to know who used their influence to pull this off - and I want the information a few minutes before you get it - got it?" he replied seriously. Toenail nodded and hurried away.
At that moment - at the central police station, Skamms was in an interrogation room being confronted by some angry investigators.
"You think you're pretty smart don't you?" one asked.
"You seem to have all the answers - you tell me," Skamms replied coolly. One grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and glared at him. The aggressive motion made Skamms laugh.
"I like it when they play tough," he goaded. The officer cocked his arm back to strike - but was restrained by another. "Well - I have a savior amongst the sharks. Color me grateful. Is this where I am supposed to be grateful and show my thanks by tell you all my secrets?" he asked sarcastically.
"Give me five minutes with him," the restrained officer requested.
"Yes - please - do so," Skamms goaded as he slowly rose to his feet. Two of the other officers instantly drew their weapons.
"Look. It goes down one of two ways - you talk - or your friend does," the restraining officer suggested.
"You must be 'good cop' in this. Sorry - I ain't buying. Whatever you are trying to pin on me won't stick," Skamms said coolly.
"He knows about the killer! I know he does!" the angry officer strained as he tried to get at Skamms.
"I know a lot of things," Skamms stated coolly. The officer broke free and threw a punch across the face of the handcuffed prisoner. Skamms fell to the floor with the officer on top of him. the officers quickly dragged the officer out of the room.
"Was that his best? Must be lowering their standard on the city's finest!" he called out with a chuckle. One of the officers slowly helped Skamms up. He looked over at the others and quietly laughed.
"So tell me - is there any reason - why I am here?" he asked seriously.
"Is there any reason why someone would want you dead?" an officer asked as he placed a wanted flier of Skamms on the table. No expression showed on his face.
"You have me here - because of this? That - is priceless. So what now - I tell you what you ant or you try to cash in - try it - I dare you," Skamms goaded coldly. The officer took the flier and put it back in his pocket.
"Nothing could have been further from my mind. But it is quite the coincidence - don't you think? A person with a huge price on his head - is at a place where a reported drug deal is going down. A drug deal that has ties to five dead deep cover officers?" the officer stated calmly.
"A cop killer? Wow - no wonder Bucky the wonder cop was steamed. Tell you what chum - I'll walk you through this from where - I am seeing this - and where my lawyer - will see this. I was talking with a friend about current happenings. Nothing illegal - if there was anything - you boys wouldn't be wasting your time and mine talking to me like this. So what we have - is an illegal arrest - I didn't get my rights read to me, I wasn't allowed to talk to my lawyer or anyone for that matter. Funny eh? Oh - I have also been detained - traumatized even. What do you think the dollar value on my lawsuit would be worth?" he asked curiously.
"Take him back to his cell. We won't get anywhere with him," the officer replied coldly. Skamms laughed an insane giggle as he was taken away.
"I know that he is dirty - but he isn't a part of this," an officer whispered.
"You sensed that too?" the officer replied.
Moments later, down in one of the holding cells, Skamms was being glared at by some of the larger looking inmates.
"Whatever you boys are imagining - I would advise against it. I am in a bitter mood," he warned.
"Ask me if I care?" one retorted.
"Okay - do you care?" he sarcastically replied.
"Not in the slightest," he answered gruffly. Skamms looked at the people that were getting ready to pounce. He stared at each one and then looked over at the one that was challenging him.
"This is between you and me tiny. The rest of you - stand back - and watch," Skamms ordered. The inmate was going to laugh - but when he saw the others step away - the laughter stopped. "Now - I think it is time I introduce myself to you. My friends - call me Skamms," he continued with a wicked smile. Almost half a minute later - a battered a bruised inmate was sprawled out of the cell floor. "Dumb fuck. If he has anything you boys want - help yourselves. If anyone asks - he fell down - understand?" he asked coolly. The inmates fell on the barely conscious inmate like a pack of rabid wolves. Moments later - Claws was being escorted down.
"Hey! Get off him!" one of the officers ordered. The inmates scattered from the battered prisoner.
"What happened to him?" one of the officers asked.
"He fell down. Hey furball - what's the deal?" Skamms asked as Claws was pushed into the cell.
"They think we had something to do with some dead cops," he replied calmly.
"Kids these days," Skamms commented.
"Yes - kids - these - days," a familiar voice confirmed. Skamms tensed up as he saw a familiar person being escorted by an officer. It was Vincent!
"You see the person that killed our men?" the officer asked seriously. Vincent smugly walked up to where Claws and Skamms were standing.
"I haven't seen this one before," he began as he pointed to Skamms. "But him - I will never forget. I heard the officers beg him for mercy - mercy - he did not give," he continued as he looked over at Skamms. "This one could be his partner - I heard he had an accomplice," he continued.
"Betrayers wish for death," Skamms whispered.
"Are you threatening me?" Vincent asked loudly.
"Damn right," Skamms admitted with a lunatic smile.
"You must be mistaken," another familiar voice stated. Vincent tensed up and looked over his shoulder. There by the police chief was Man Basher. She calmly walked over to where Skamms and Claws were and glared at Vincent. The Toreador hesitantly stepped away.
"Hi Vinny - long time no see," she whispered.
"Not long enough," he muttered.
"A close friend of mine is just - dying - to see you again," she continued as she lightly patted him on the cheek. Vincent scowled at the smiling Brujah.
"This man identified them," one of the officers began.
"What - day would they have been involved in this?" she asked curiously as she looked over her shoulder at the two prisoners.
"Three weeks ago exact," the officer answered.
"About what time?" she asked - looking away from them.
"Between ten and midnight," he answered.
"Hmm. They couldn't be your men then. Vinny here must have been mistaken. These boys were at a party I was throwing - and I take it as an insult - if people leave my parties before dawn," she began. She walked over to where one of the questioning officers was. "I also always have police on sight to make sure that everything is on the level. Between ten and midnight - they were at the party - afterwards - they were with me," she added seductively.
"You have the officer's name?" he asked - trying not to blush.
"I have his business card. Call him up," she suggested as she handed him the card. Vincent groaned and quietly slipped away. Man Basher watched as the officer dialed the number. He asked some quick questions and then hesitantly hung up the phone.
"It - uhm, seems as though we were mistaken," the officer muttered.
"No hard feelings hon? You were just doing your job right?" she asked curiously.
"Let them go," one of the other officers reluctantly ordered. The cell door was opened  - Claws and Skamms stepped out and walked over to where Man Basher was.
"Lawyers - lawyers he cried," Skamms sang. Man Basher put her arm around his shoulder and smiled at him.
"Behave. You'll have to pardon him. he tends to be a little crazy sometimes - that's why I put up with him. Come on boys - the night is young and there is much - celebrating that needs to be done," she stated. The three calmly walked passed the officers and made their way out of the station.
"You guys okay?" Man Basher asked as she stepped away from them.
"Been better - the prince got my message?" Claws asked seriously.
"I'm here aren't I?" she answered as she looked over at Skamms.
"I heard you didn't try to take the police force down. You learning some respect for the Traditions or something?" she teased. Skamms smirked and shook his head.
"I listened to the furball. Don't ask me why - though. Who was behind this?" Skamms asked seriously.
"Vincent was there accusing us - I think that gives us a vague notion," Claws commented.
"No - he doesn't have that kind of pull with the police - and Sir's influence in this city wouldn't be secure enough to try something like this - yet. Someone else set that into motion," Skamms stated calmly.
"How do you know what kind of pull Vincent has?" Man Basher asked.
"People like to tell me things - I like to listen sometimes. Whoever did this - called in a lot of favors to bring that down on me," he answered and stated.
"What makes you think you were the target of that bogus sting?"  Claws asked.
"No disrespect furball - but you aren't that much of a player in this drama. Someone wants me out of the picture - almost as bad as Sir and Axis do," he replied seriously.
"Hate to burst your bubble - but Axis paid your way out," Man Basher pointed out.
"Covering his own ass nothing more. Hard to uphold the masquerade if one of the locals combusts in the cellblock - but tell your big cheese - I said thanks. For his act of kindness - his death will be clean. Now if you will excuse me," he began as he started to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Claws asked.
"Someone is making this personal - I want to find out who. Thanks for the info Claws. I'll be in touch," he replied without looking back.
"Info? Is there something I should know?" Man Basher asked. Claws tossed her the folder the police missed when they searched him.
"A trade of sorts - I think we got the big end of the stick in the deal," he replied. man Basher thumbed through the folder and smirked.
"Men - always talking about their sticks. Skamms did a lot of legwork. What did you tell him?"  she asked.
"Just what that Skitts kid said," he replied.
"Interesting. Come - the prince is waiting - and I am sure that he will find this very interesting," she concluded as the two made their way away from the police station.
To Be continued...
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