Project Shady

Clara's list

Clara had woken up early and with the events of the night before still replaying in her head, she figured she needed to do something to get her focus away from what had happened. She needed to try and figure out the list and how Andy was connected to Swartz. That was why she found herself already in her office at 7:00 am, the computer on and a notebook sat in front of her. She'd made the mistake of not picking her stuff that was at Marshall's up the day before, meaning her laptop was still at his. Clara just hoped that the normal desktop computer that was in her office would do the job.

Her only lead was the brand that had been on each of the men's necks, plus the added extra of their last names. She also knew the name of what gang/group the brand symboled, for she had come across them on many other accounts and if she found that Swartz had connections with them then the whole mission was about to become bigger than anybody had expected, least of all her.

However, first of all, she decided to compile a list of her own because if they had a list of people they wanted to 'expire,' without anybody knowing, then surely a list of famous people who were assassinated or died in suspicious circumstances would be help in working out if there were any patterns at all. That was the computer came in handy because she could write their names and the date they'd died. The first few names came to her mind pretty quickly.

Tupac Shakur-1996
John Lennon-1980
Princess Diana-1997
Christopher Wallace (Biggie)-1997
President Kenndy-1963
President Lincon-1865

Deshaun Holton-2006

There was no specific order to the list and no actual reason as to why those were the names that came to Clara's head first. Although she did have a feeling that there was no way the list could have gone back as far as 1865 or could it? An organisation hell-bent on the killing of influential public figures stretching back to the 19th century seemed a little far-fetched to Clara, but somehow she was compelled to add the 16th American president to the list. Clara knew there were possibly more names she could have added to the list and even contemplated adding Micheal Jackso, but she wasn't sure.

Now she had some names to mull over and maybe share with Rose and Joe at some point. She deiced to send off pictures and the last names of the men who had worked with Andy. Clara sent the pictures from her phone to the computer and sent them to MI5 using an encrypted email address she had been given. Again she knew Shady Records wouldn't be suspicious as they weren't an illegal organisation and one strange email would probably slip right through the cracks in their security system.

By the time she'd finished, it was around 10:00 am meaning that Marshall at least was probably mooching around the studio or even possibly recording. She'd heard in passing that he and Royce were going to working on an album together and being a fan she couldn't wait for it to be confirmed because she feared she may have heard wrong.

''What time did you get here?'' The voice made Clara out of the thoughts she was having. Looking up from where'd she'd been staring down at her notebook, she noticed Marshall was stood in the doorway and had started to approach her. With hesitation, she flipped the notebook closed. A list assassinated famous people and why she had it, wasn't a question she felt like making a lie up for.

''I've been here a few hours. Marshall about last night...''

''Nope don't, I get it you weren't being yourself and didn't wanna make me any more confused. I mean you did confuse the hell out of mean. That shit about me having to believe it to be true was a bit weird,'' Marshall pointed out. Clara slightly embarrassed by the situation laid her arms on the desk and buried her head in them.

''Can we just forget that like I forget when you called me a freak, please,'' she looked up again to see Marshall letting out a laugh before he approached her desk taking a seat opposite.

''Might as well, but I didn't really come to talk to you about that. Um, fifty is coming to Detroit and well he's going to this charity thing and wanted me to go with him. I don't really wanna go, but I was thinking along the lines of getting to know each other and that...''

''You want me to go with you?'' Clara questioned raising a tentative eyebrow at him. She could hardly refuse, a charity event was an excuse to get a hit on Marshall or Curtis since they were both on the list and Curtis had been a target last time.

''Er yeah, but you won't be the only chick. Curtis has got this new tour manager, assistant. I actually have no clue what she does, but she's British too so maybe you might get along. I'll be there anyway,'' Marshall explained, Clara could help, but be slightly amused at how he was trying to come up with reasons as to why she should go with him.

''I have one question though,'' he nodded and Clara smiled, ''is it open bar?''

''Yeah I think so,'' Marshall answered a little weary.

''Well if there is you may need to keep me away from it,'' she winked and the action caused Marshall to tense up.

Was she flirting with him or was she just joking? Either way, it was a game two could play that was for sure.

°°°

Half an hour later Clara saw a familiar strawberry blonde head of hair poke into her office. The smile on Rose's face near enough matched the one she had. In truth, Clara had thought it would have been Joe, who'd she'd most likely see because of Marshall's connections with Dre. Having Rose appear was a nice,  but very much unexpected surprise. She would have screamed if Marshall hadn't told her beforehand.

"So so how are you doing?" Rose asked, the smile slipping into that of a serious expression.

"Good I guess. Already had to knock one guy out and been kidnapped. Oh, I also defused a bomb too, " Clara giggled as Rose's jaw dropped.

It took a moment for her to pick it up from the ground before she replied, " nothing eventful has happened to me. I kind of missed the action you know?" Clara nodded, the overwhelming feeling that Rose was bored on the mission quite clear.

"It might pick up. Charity gala, someone might take a shot at fifty again, " Rose was about to reply, it was lucky didn't because it could have gotten awkward.

"See told ya they'd get along, " Marshall was the one that had spoken, Curtis was stood next to him a questionable look on his face, which was very much directed towards Clara.

"Hey have you got a dress for tonight because I sure don't. Wanna go and do some shopping, " the two men her the words coming out of her mouth. Rose, however, focused on the tapping of Clara's nail against the desk.
..-. .. ..-. - -.--     .-.. --- --- -.- ...     .-.. .. -.- .     .... .     .-. . -.-. --- --. -. .. ... . -..     -- . --··--     -... ..- -     -.-. .- -. ·----· -     --.- ..- .. - .     .-. . -- . -- -... . .-. ·-·-·-     .-- .     -. . . -..     - ---     --. . -     --- ..- -     -... . ..-. --- .-. .     .... .     ... - .- .-. - ...     .- ... -.- .. -. --.     --.- ..- . ... - .. --- -. ... ·-·-·-
(fifty looks like he recognised me, but can't quite remember.we need to get out before he starts asking questions).

With a swift nod from Rose both of them picked up their stuff and decided to head out.

"You don't mind do you?" Clara asked, not caring which one answered.

"Nah it's fine, just find something that looks hot, " Marshall remarked.

"Oh I will, " she whispered to him before she followed Rose out. It was impossible to keep the smile off her lips.