Daylight - First Draft

Act II - Scene 33: Pieces of the Puzzle

SC33 - Pieces of the Puzzle

INT. SECURITY OFFICE. NIGHT.

General Greye strides into the downtown security office and approaches the officer at the desk.

GREYE: Is Kayla on duty tonight?

OFFICER: Oh General! Uhh... no I'm afraid she isn't. You really should talk to the Captain about that, sir.

GREYE: The Captain? Why, did something happen?

At that moment the Captain walks out of his office with a cup of coffee.

CAPTAIN: Ah General, good to see you again. How's the wife?

GREYE: She's fine. Listen Captain, do you know where Kayla is?

CAPTAIN: Well she's... hold on, you don't know? She's been missing for a few days.

GREYE: What? Why did no-one inform me of this?

CAPTAIN: Well the Grand Admiral said he'd tell you himself...

GREYE: Raije? Damn that man. What else did he tell you?

CAPTAIN: Only that Kayla was caught up in some kind of mess busting out a prisoner from the detention wing up at the senate. It were Kayla and some mercenary. He told me the rest was none of my business... Sorry I can't help more sir.

GREYE: It's alright Captain, there's a far more urgent matter for you to attend to. I want you to round up every available soldier and start combing this sector of the city. The Emperor has gone missing.

The Captain spits out his coffee mid-sip and tosses the cup down on the desk next to him.

CAPTAIN: Dear Haven! Are you serious? I'll get right on it sir!

GREYE: Time is of the essence Captain. Now if you'll excuse me, I have another old friend to catch up with...

The Captain runs off down the hall and Greye exits the building. He looks down the street, where several huddled citizens are watching a patrol of soldiers jog past them with urgency. One of the citizens notices Greye standing there and points at him. The huddle stares and whispers to one another. Greye stops the sergeant in the patrol.

GREYE: Goddamn man, try and be a little more subtle about it. Haven knows what kind of chaos there might be if the people find out what's happened.

SERGEANT: Sorry sir. We'll try and be more careful sir.

Greye nods and lets the patrol past. He makes his way through the streets and eventually ends up in an alleyway, face to face with the Mercenaries Guild. He knocks on the door loudly and it opens slightly to reveal Taryns face peeking out of the gap.

TARYN: Whadya want?

GREYE: Open up, I need to speak to Roland Thane.

TARYN: I'm 'fraid he's busy sir. You'll have to come back later.

Taryn goes to close the door but Greye slips his arm inside before she can.

GREYE: Do you know who I am girl?

TARYN: Yer do look familiar...

GREYE: I am General Valar Greye of the Mayagarde Senate! You will open this door right now!

VOICE: Let him in Taryn!

Taryn reluctantly opens the door and Greye pushes past her and surveys the room. He spots his man drinking at the table with his back to him. Taryn closes the door and motions for Gatling to lower his gun. Gatling - who was barely visible in the corner - obliges. Greye approaches the Roland, who simply continues to drink.

GREYE: Roland you know more than anyone about what's happening on the streets. I need your help.

ROLAND: Hmmm, I don't think there's anything I can help you with Valar.

GREYE: Please Roland, you're the only person I can trust with this.

Roland turns and stands up, placing his drink down on the table. He makes his way over to the kitchen to wash his hands.

ROLAND: If this is about your Emperor problem, I ain't heard nothing. Besides the rumors of him goin' missing o' course. Anyway I hear you got all your boys on the case. You don't need me.

GREYE: This isn't about Crimson. Not anymore. You know why I'm here.

Roland sits down on a stool opposite Greye. He steeples his fingers.

ROLAND: Refresh my memory Valar.

Greye places his hands on the kitchen counter and leans in close.

GREYE: Where is my daughter?

ROLAND: I don't know.

GREYE: Fine. Then where's Zavier? She always used to hang around with him.

ROLAND: You know I'm not at liberty to discuss our missions...

Greye slams his fist on the table.

GREYE: This has gone beyond rules Roland! The city has a missing Emperor, I have a lying brother and now we both have missing kids who might be in serious trouble for breaking the law! So one last time... where did they go?

Roland is silent. Then he sighs and leans back away from Greye.

ROLAND: They went to St. Nero. Zave had a job to protect this girl Eleanor so they busted her out of the detention wing and now they're taking her home. Kay went with 'em.

GREYE: Why?

ROLAND: I'd imagine it's 'cause she's his friend. Didn't want him on this one alone.

GREYE: Who's this Eleanor and what was she doing in the detention wing?

ROLAND: Girl seemed pretty normal. Just a kid from down south. As fer why she was locked up? Only one who'd know that is the lying brother himself.

GREYE: Raije... I think I need to have a little talk with him.

ROLAND: You do that General. And you be certain he don't fast talk you. Kay's safety is important to me too you know. Not to mention Zavier. He is like a son to me.

GREYE: Thank you Roland. I'll let you know the moment I get any more information.

Roland nods and Greye leaves the building. Taryn closes the door behind him and looks at her boss.

TARYN: What do we do?

ROLAND: There's not much we can do for now. In the mean time, keep both ears on the street and listen for anything on Crimson. Zave... wherever you are, you'd better be ok.