The Blacklist: The Animal Savior [no 196]

Chapter 4

Joe Putnum, better known as Smokey Putnum, was standing there waiting by the pool of some budget hotel, the hotel where Reddington started searching for Smokey. Reddington was walking up to him. He was laying there enjoying the beautiful weather. Reddington was standing over him.

"Reddington, how are you doing?" Said Smokey after he put down his sunglasses. He was standing up. He didn't seem as happy to see Reddington as previous times.

"I need your help, Smokey."

"What do you need? By the way where is Dembe?"

"You can contact The Animal Savior, right?"

"You think I'm going to give you a criminal so you and your cops can get him. No! No way. He's is a good person. You know what he does. I'm not just giving them to the police."

"The FBI? Why do you think I need the FBI to take him down?"

"That's how your deal works, right. Well, I'm not going to help you catch him."

"Are you mad at me?"

"You haven't contacted me for almost a year. You think I'm now just handing you a friend of mine? No, I'm not. You're selfish."

"I didn't contact you because Keen almost died."

"What that cop who helped you getting me to be part of your empire?"

"Yeah, that's Elizabeth Keen indeed."

"I'm so sorry, Red." Smokey stopped talking. "I'm still not going to help you get The Animal Savior. He helps the world be a better place. Kill the persons who deserve it, people hurt animals."

"Smokey, please! I'm so sorry I didn't talk to you for almost a year. I need him. The FBI took The Catcher down for me and now I need to get them something in return."

"So, you admit you're going to let them imprison The Animal Savior?"

"Oh, forget it! I'll search for another guy who can help me and be a part of my empire. Should I call the FBI than they can incarcerate you?"

"Come on, Red. Just because I can't help you this time, you're going to bail on me? I thought we were friends."

"I thought we were friends too. I guess we were both wrong." Said Reddington with a straight face. Reddington couldn't convince Smokey.

"Say hi to Dembe for me!" Said Smokey while Reddington turned and walked away. It took Smokey not long to finally give him a name. "Wait, don't turn me in. I have a name. I can give him to you, but he won't talk. Please don't hurt The Animal Savior!" Said Smokey. Reddington turned around. Of course, Red knew Smokey wouldn't let him get turned in. Reddington knew Smokey wouldn't give up his freedom because he thought it was the right thing to do.

"Tell me the name."

"Elian Blankwater. But he's in the Netherlands. I'm afraid you must go there. And I think you'll need someone who knows something about computers he's very in to it. I know his go to bar. He will probably be there." Said Smokey.

"Thank you, Smokey. I knew I could count on you. I'll say Dembe you said hi." Red grabbed his phone and called someone.

"Dembe we three are going to the Netherlands. We're going on vacation." He said at the phone.

"Three? Is Smokey joining us?" Asked Dembe.

"Aram is joining us." Answered Reddington.

A few minutes later Reddington was back at the post office. Harold, Samar and Aram were standing there. Reddington told Harold on the phone he had new information about The Animal Savior.