Tear It Down

Chapter Seventeen

"We shouldn't be doing this Tommy." Arthur growled around his cigarette, hands stuffed into his coat pockets as he walked alongside Tommy in the bustling street. "Like you said, we get to her we get to those who hired her, but she doesn't know their names or what they look like. How the hell can we get to them if she's useless?"

"She has other talents that can be used." Tommy said as he looked about, an uneasy feeling creeping up his spin. He kept their conversation low, only audible to him and Arthur, it being drowned out by the sound of carriages and those walking the streets, laughing children running by in the falling snow.

"Yes, the talents of a rat sneaking around for any crumb it can get."

"That may be, but she was able to evade us far too many times. If she can do that to us she can do that to another, to our advantage." Tommy said as he looked around, that feeling crawling up his spine growing worse with each step they took. He held an arm out to stop Arthur as he looked around them.

"I still say we get rid of the bitch." Tommy heard Arthur grumble before he shoved Tommy's hand off of him. "The bloody hell is wrong with you Tommy?"

"I think someone's watching us." He said low under his breath, eyes scanning the streets and he turned around to see someone holding a newspaper up and reading it as they leaned back against the brick building. With a frustrated sigh he placed a finger on top of the paper and pulled it down to show Adrien looking up to him with a smirk.

"About time Thomas."

"Why you son of a-" Arthur began.

"Now now Arthur, no need to make a scene." She said as she folded the newspaper, looking at Arthur as his mouth turned into a scowl. "This rat won't be of much help if you keep that up." And Arthur cursed at her words.

"Enough games. You're here for a job." Tommy spoke up, bringing both their attentions to him. "I want to see your worth today. Take this," he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a thick envelope and handed it to Adrien. As she took it Tommy noticed bags under her eyes and light red marks on her throat where her collar moved just enough for him to glimpse them. Holding his tongue so he would not ask he told her, "to the name I've written down on the front. Do not leave until you have his response."

Adrien rolled her eyes and took the envelope.

***

"I'm no damn messenger Thomas." Adrien said as she slammed her hands down on his desk, teeth clenched and hate in her green eyes.

"You're whatever I dictate you to be." He spoke calmly, enjoying the way she tensed at his words, nails digging into the desktop. "Or do you not remember?" He leaned forward with his own smirk, daring her.

"You think I will stand for this?"

"You have no choice but to." Arthur spoke up from behind her. "If you find that's to difficult for you-"

"Unlike you, Arthur, I don't find such simple tasks a problem." She said without taking her eyes off of Tommy, "But someone like me should not be doing such a simple thing. You know what I'm capable of."

"On the contrary, I know of one thing you're good at."

"So you're testing me? Like I'm some child?"

"If you show that I can trust you with such simple tasks then I'll be able to have you do more. But if you show that I can't, well, Arthur will have to deal with you." He said with a shrug.

"If only he had the gall." Adrien growled, finally breaking her gaze to glare at Arthur.

"Don't tease me now Adrien. You know how excitable I get." Arthur said with a sneer, his self satisfaction evident in his voice.

"You piece of shi-" Adrien began, turning to him with her fists clenched and venom in her voice.

"It seems the only childish one here is you. Will you let someone get to you so easily Adrien?" Tommy asked calmly.

Her chest heaved and lips pursed, trying to calm herself. As she did Tommy leaned back in his chair and noticed that the red marks on her throat were all but faded though the bags under her eyes were still present. "Did you read the letter?" He picked his glass up and swirled his drink around, certain he knew her answer.

"Why do you ask?" She hissed through clenched teeth.

"Because it would be something I would do. Get to know the workings of the person in charge and use it to my advantage."

Arthur made a rude noise as he watched Adrien. "No doubt she did."

"That would explain your anger. You thought I would have something important to give you, numbers, names, something other than a blank piece of paper." Tommy said as he watched her hands unclench. "You also know a great deal about us, I don't see you passing a chance to learn more." The tip of Adrien's tongue touched her top teeth, eyes narrowed at Tommy. "I'm willing to look past this incident, but anything else you do after this point I will not forgive you."

"I don't need you to save me Thomas."

"I'm not trying to save you Adrien. I'm investing in you."