The Blacklist: The Animal Savior [no 196]

Chapter 7

Reddington and Dembe arrived at the hotel where Smokey stayed. It looked like he was packing his stuff to go away. Reddington walked up to Smokey while he was checking out of the hotel.

"Thank you for your service." Said Smokey to the man who worked at the hotel.

"You're going?" Asked Reddington to Smokey.

"It's the Animal Savior. Elain told me he was trying to get rid of me. Because of your mission he thinks I told you his name. So, I'm in danger." Said Smokey while he tried to walk away. Reddington stopped him.

"So, you knew his name?" Reddington asked surprised.

"I did. I'm sorry but I couldn't betray him."

"Maybe you should." Said Reddington. He waited a second before finishing his thought. "Bruce wants to kill you. The taskforce and I can take him down. It will save your live."

"I'm going to stop you right there. You're the reason I'm in this mess. And you're going to solve it by taking him down. That's your plan anyway."

"You know more about him than me, right?" Asked Reddington.

"All right! I will help you and the cops." Said Smokey. While walking to his car. Before getting in the car Reddington asked Smokey a question.

"Where did you meet when you hired him?"

"I told you I didn't meet him. However, I do know someone who can help you." Said Smokey.

"Who is he?" Asked Reddington.

"Nathan Clark. I know where he lives. So, I will give Dembe directions on where to go." Said Smokey while entering the car. Reddington also entered the car.

"Let's go there."

While driving to Nathan Smokey told Reddington more about Brice.

"Brice Floyd is, of course, a fake name. He won't tell people who hire him about his private life. But I think Nathan knows."

"Why Nathan?" Asked Reddington.

"After Elain he hired Nathan. Like immediately. I heard someone say that they are talking like they were friends before he hired him."

"Who is they?"

"No answers for you. I already told you about Elain which put my life in danger."

"Do you know more?"

"Turn right." Said Smokey to Dembe.

"Couldn't you just give us the address?"

"I could've done that. Anyway, Nathan must talk. This is everything I know."

"Are we almost there yet?" Asked Reddington.

"It's right there." Said Smokey while pointing to a house. Dembe parked the car. Reddington got out and held the door open. Smokey wasn't getting out of the car.

"You're coming?"

"No. If I do Brice will know I'm here. How naïve are you?"

"Not. I'm confident."

"Confident? How?"

"I've been on the run for decades. I know exactly what he can or can't do to hide from the cops. Besides that, Nathan is not going to tell him we're here."

"Guess what, you're going to kill him."

"I'm not! We're taking him."

"You're going to kidnap this guy. That would be even more suspicious."