Her Protector

Aftershock

New York City. Chinatown, April 6th, 2030. 9:00 P.M.

It was about 9:00 P.M. after violent shootout at the restaurant that Riley, Lucas and Farkle were eating at. The New York Police Department were everywhere while a forensic photographer took pictures of the crime scene and reporters flooded the area. Riley was still inside the Chinese restaurant being questioned by Detective Wilden. The sight of the two shooters shooting at her was still playing in her mind. Lucas stood outside, staring at Antonio De Santis' dead body that was covered by a white sheet. Lt. Keegan checked on Farkle for a bit before making his way over to Lucas to see how he's doing.

"Friar. Friar, are you alright?" Lt. Keegan asked after noticing the grazing wound shot on Lucas' arm. "Do you need the EMTs to check you out?"

"No, I'm fine. It's just a scratch." Lucas said.

"Are you sure?" Lt. Keegan asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." Lucas said while looking around the crime scene.

"What the hell happened here? Why did two masked gunmen enter a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, armed with military-grade weaponry try to kill Riley Gardner?" Lt. Keegan asked. "Who were they? Are they working for Taglialucci?"

"No, they're not working for Taglialucci. I checked De Santis while he was still clinging on to life before another shooter killed him while I was trying to get an answer from him. I noticed a tattoo of an eagle with the words "Audentis Fortuna Iuvat", that's "Fortune favours the brave" in Latin. That tattoo is for a group known as the New Sons of Liberty. They declare themselves POWs in a war against the government. These guys are right-wing militants known for their acts of terrorism. Take a look at this weapon, it's a Skorpion EVO sub-machine gun. This is military-grade weaponry. Probably the same weapon that the FBI found." Lucas said as he described the deadly militia group and points at the gun.

"Why would they go after Riley? What did she ever do to them?" Lt. Keegan asked.

"I don't know. Mike, could you do me a favor? Call Zay to tell him to find out the location of the New Sons of Liberty and find out some of the members and what they're trained in. I also need the profile on Antonio De Santis and the other shooter that I shot in the back of the head." Lucas said as he looked back at Riley, who was sitting in the restaurant while Detective Wilden questioned her. Riley looked up and stared at Lucas for a bit.

"I'll let you go talk to Riley." Lt. Keegan said as Lucas entered the restaurant to check on Riley to see if she's ok.

"Look, Mrs. Gardner. We can do this all day. I just give me answer and I'll let you go. Why are the New Sons of Liberty after you?" Detective Wilden asked.

"I've already told you for third time I don't know why they're after me." Riley said.

"Come on, I know that you can tell me. If you don't give me an answer, then I will have to..." Detective Wilden said.

"You're not going to do anything to her, Darren. Leave Riley alone, she's been through enough." Lucas said.

"Stay out of this, Friar. I can take it over from here." Detective Wilden said.

"You're interrogating her like a suspect. She didn't do anything wrong so just back off." Lucas said as pushed Detective Wilden out of the restaurant, leaving him and Riley alone together. "Hey, Riles. I know that this is hard for you right now, I just want to know if you're okay."