Tonight is the night we die

Chapter Seventeen

JAKE'S POV

I shake Alan's hand, unsure but I decide to play his game and see where that leads me :

" I am guessing you are on your way to see your girl. But, what about we take a quick little walk you and me? It won't be long I promise " He asks but it is rhetorical. Alan walks away slowly and turns around, waiting for me to join him. He does not have anything threatening about him, even his voice is calm and almost friendly but I am not sure of that completely for now. I glance one last time around us, put my hood on, and follow him. We go in the direction of a park, quite big and busy at this time of the day. Kids are playing around us so I have a tiny hope I am not going to get shot in the head right there. It is quiet for a while until we reach a calmer spot with fewer people a :

" It might be a bit strange for you to see me here without any intention of arresting you. So I will explain myself. I am a bit smarter than you think, at least a little bit. " Alan chuckles. He stops and sits on a bench in the quietest part of the park. I imitate him, leaning back on the bench, hands in the pockets of my leather jacket. I sigh and ask, losing my patience :

" What do you want ? "

" I want your help ! " He says, looking straight in front of him, adopting the same position as me. I raise an eyebrow :

" My help ? What for ? "

" Well it hurts my ego to admit it but you did a good job, almost a better job than me with miss Donfort's case. You and your abilities played a huge role in that ! " I can't help but let a snort of amusement come out. Alan turns his head, visibly confused by my reaction :

" My abilities ? We are not talking about superpowers here, Alan " I explain to him but he keeps a straight face.

" They kind of are, Jake. Not everyone can do what you do. What I want to propose is that you use your superpowers to help and I use mine to help you "

" What superpower do you have ? " I am quite curious but he was not able to save Hannah, Gloria did all the work so I am not sure what he can propose that is interesting.

" I am able to protect you from your little friends at the FBI, just an example. I am able to lead them on, I am able to misplace files and pieces of information. I can do a lot here and there and they will end up so far away from you that you will completely forget they are even looking for you. So I can do a lot I should not be doing for someone like you but that I am ready to do if we can make a deal together. " He lists as he puts one hand out of his pocket to inspect his fingernails

" What do you want from me in return ? "

" Help me solve cold cases. See, catching you and giving you away to whoever wants you would be great for my career, yes, but it would not bring me anything in the long run. But, solving multiple cases that have been impossible to solve for years... This can make a difference. For my career but also for the people that are concerned by those cases in question. Families that are still looking for answers, and closure. With you by my side, having access to things I do not have access to, we could make that difference for them. Plus I gain in reputation and you get to live an almost normal life with an ally from the police by your side. " Alan shrugs and crosses his arms on his chest.

" And if I refuse ? "

" Well... In that case, you suddenly become one call away from jail. "

" So you do not leave me a choice there." I scoff, grounding my jaw.

" You have a choice, help people in need thanks to everything you know and enjoy that love story you started, or go to jail and pay the price for the life you decided to live " He shrugs like it is evident " I am not asking you to decide now, I know you are not going anywhere. I give you 24 hours. " Alan gets up and adjusts the sleeves of his camel suede jacket " I know you are not a bad kid, I don't know everything about you but I know you always wanted to help. This is your chance to do that again and to do it well. I guess you know how to contact me ! " He chuckles and nods as a goodbye. I am left here on that bench. Unsure of what I should think of this. Even if the decision appears simple, I stay on my guard concerning Alan. I let my head fall back and close my eyes for a second, just enjoying the sun beaming on my face. Gosh, I have missed being normal.