Sly Cooper 5: Promises Made By Thieves

Chapter 70: Thornel

It's been a while since I've been back on the other side of the island in Dominican Republic. I don't really love it here. There has been a load of violence toward Haitians in wars from previous centuries over holding this land. Sometimes I feel such investment goes toward resorts like this to rub their financial superiority in our faces. I'd love to one day take part in a higher-up heist where so much more of the resources here go rightfully to us.

But I'm not thinking about how best to rob this resort when I get the next chance, though. What we really need is to hunt down the Order. I'm on Team A. Sly, Branwell and Jing King are in different points of the restaurant. I ended up asking if this was really necessary, and after Sly took me outside the room to properly explain our history, I can understand slight trust issues. Still, Penelope's been nothing but in good behavior since she woke up. She asked politely for a cheeseburger and she was grateful when Murray returned forty minutes later with one.

I have a modest tray of food with me when McSweeney asks if he can sit with me. I smile and nod.

Our chairs are facing a wide window. We can see the beach from here. I noticed McSweeney spending a very large time out there early this morning. The view's not so spectacular for me, but I've seen many tourists think about their entire lives out on the shoreline.

"So what were you thinking about this morning when you were out there early?" I ask.

"Well, uh...A few things." McSweeney pauses chewing his piece of pork tenderloin. "One is how I'm the last survivor of Sly's father's gang. I heard the brains behind our gang perished a few years ago, and it's given me, I don't know, survivor's guilt? Of being the last? But now I'm in this big new Cooper gang...and even though I could do without all the tension, it has been a lot of fun." McSweeney swallows his piece and cuts up another one before stopping quite suddenly. "Speaking of which, Thornel, do you think you can call yourself a Cooper gang member now?"

I lift my shoulders. "I don't see why not. When we're done here, I'm probably going to have to return to Haiti. I have too many friends back there who need my help. It seems fun and I can't thank the Cooper gang enough for what they've done, but I just don't know if I'll be able to officially join."

"Oh..." He looks disappointed in that.

"On the, well, other hand," I point out, "Once the pieces are properly picked up, if things stay bad, maybe I can get some of my friends out of there, or help elect leaders who will get the place back in shape. Maybe when The Shadow Order is completely out of there, we'll see."

"That should be soon," he points out. "I spoke to Miss Carmelita. Interpol is planning a Haiti takeback as we speak."

"Okay, but..." I'm not sure if I truly know what I'm saying. "I should make sure nobody gets hurt. Whenever political turmoil like this happens, everyone closely involved is at risk of having someone break in and commit a hate crime."

"If...If things get bad, I could stay around here and help a little."

I stop making my next forkful and look at him. "Well, that would be very sweet. You'll definitely help out the Guru when you go into his mind."

"So I take it you're still not gonna join?"

I shake my head. "I once got really high on magic mushrooms and was not told that's what they were. Hypnosis is really not my thing. Besides, I'll be with the Panda King keeping security going. There needs to be at least more than one set of muscles if we want to do this right."

"That makes sense. Thornel, there's something I...kind of wanted to talk to you about."

I've been told I'm good at reading the room. McSweeney looks kind of uncomfortable, maybe even sick. And I know he's not scared of going into the dream state, or else he would've just decided not to go, whereas he's so far been completely up for the job. Realizing he's looking really deep into my eyes, I know what he's about to ask before the words leave his lips.