Twitchy

Chapter 4

    The docks were cold, the wind across the harbor bringing in a biting chill. The shipping containers littering the marina cast long shadows across the ground. Caduceus was who he was looking for, and Caduceus was who he got. A weathered sailor, now retired to live a life just a few steps away from his love.
    Fox stepped into the small office building, nothing but a few ratty chairs and what could be considered a coffee table, if you looked at it long enough. The trash can was spilling over onto the floor, crumpled papers and fast food remains. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and tobacco. Sitting in the only rocking chair, pipe in hand, was Caduceus.
"I heard you've got info. The kind of info a guy like me wants to get his hands on."
"Well now, that's a fine how-do-you-do. Do I know you?" the sailor squinted, trying to focus on Fox's features in the darkness.
"No, but I know you. And you know Mr. Yeeeta, or so I'm told. I need to get in contact with him, but so far I've only been led on a wild goose chase across half the city."
"Well, I'm not so sure your chase ends with me. I haven't heard from 'em in years. We were buddies, back when I was a man of the sea. He was my first mate, helped me lead the crew of the S.S. OMEGALUL. A fine ship she was, sturdy and beautiful.." He took a thoughtful puff of his pipe, gazing out the window to the dark, glistening harbor.
"I didn't come here to hear about your glory days, old man. Can you give me a name? Last known whereabouts?" Fox pressed.
"Zen. He was constantly on the move, even when we were friends. I always thought he was a nomad, like me, but by the time I realized the truth it was too late. I'm willing to bet you found out about me through Pear."
"How'd you know?"
"His night club is full of friends of Zen's. You want more dirt on Zen, you gotta keep digging where the hole was already started."
Fox was out the door before Caduceus could even finish his sentence.
"Heh. Go get 'em, kid."