The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

Breaking Rule Four...Again

47

The next morning Ryan woke up and turned on the news.  As he set his eyes on his 65" TV, he witnessed a blonde haired blue eyed man, being led by police through a group of spectators and journalists. The man carried the most solemn and regretful expression upon his face, seemingly unaware of the hungry eyes around him.  Along with the video was a Newsman's commentary.

"Today, Logan Black has been awarded the death penalty-without trial.  This is unprecedented, and has been directed by the DOJ, citing an admission of guilt in the bombing of a research facility in Alamagordo, New Mexico.  Authorities claim three people were in the building when the entire plant was destroyed.  Officials never recovered the bodies from the ruins.  However, chemicals inside the plant may have added to their rapid decomposition.  Furthermore, no trace of any of the suspected three victims can be found.  The DOJ has determined that since Black has admitted to destroying the building, and the vehicles of the missing individuals were found in the facilities' parking lot, only one rational conclusion can be made."

Ryan received the images, and the Newsman's almost satirical deep voice, as jovial theatrics of a killer clown's twisted circus. 'Logan, that's Esmeralda's brother.  They're going to kill him...when?

"Coming up, Jordan will have a look at the weather"  The man said with his phony delivery. Suddenly, Ryan, who had been thinking of Chloe's peck on the cheek all morning, felt guilty for the self indulgence.  He thought of the genuine tears of Esmeralda the night they had met.  Yeah, Esmeralda nearly made him wet his pants, but he did have a soft spot for her.  The talk surrounding her, her brave actions, and the willingness to do the right thing captured Ryan's heart a bit, even if she was doing the right thing in the worst and most illegal manner possible. 

Now, she wanted to meet him in public.  'Wouldn't people recognize her?',  He seriously questioned her sensibility.  He knew, however, that she had thought this through.  He wondered what role he would have in saving her brother.

*   *   *

When he arrived at the Depot, the dining room was about half full.  A hostess, waiting immediately to the left, greeted him when he walked through the antique double doors, "a table for one?"

"Uh....I'm supposed to meet someone here."  Pride rode through Ryan's person, scanning the open dining room behind her.  This was the first time he met anybody, but his parents, for lunch.

The girl's air switched from professionalism to one of genuine cheerfulness.  "Are you Ryan?"  She investigated, with an amiable expression. 

"Yes."  Ryan nodded emphatically.

"Here to meet Jessica?"

Ryan stammered for a brief second. "Nn....I mean yes, yes Jessica."

The hostess studied Ryan teasingly  "You're not sure?"

Ryan answered back,  "Yes I'm sure."

"Okay then," She beamed, "Follow me."  The young lady led Ryan towards a small, square, wood table for two.  It sat unassumingly near a fairly tall old fashioned window.  Beyond the glass stood rail ties, a small park on the Fox River, and Green Bay's downtown.  Ryan could see his apartment building from here. 

The Yellow walls made this place look nice, but it did seem old.  As a matter of fact, it was.  On the wall that Ryan faced, as he took his seat across from Esmeralda, was a large steel sign that proclaimed "Green Bay and Western."  It was obviously a rail line that once owned this depot.

Of course there was Esmeralda, who stood out like a girl in a prom dress at her grandmother's funeral.  Except it was quite the opposite. She was clad in black ,with a thick layer of make up practically hiding her real facial features.  It was definitely a contrast to the modestly dressed customers at the eatery.      The restaurant was partitioned into four separate dining areas.  The table and chairs were also apparently antiques, or made to appear that way.  Ryan was quite comfortable in the largest space, as he sat along the wall admiring the view.