Trishank: A Way In

Chapter 6

Haven't known him for long, but he sure isn't a grumpy face.

Apart from the disorientation from the attempt on her life, she was quite shaken at the fact that the ever pleasant Sherman had lost his smile somewhere. He was bolting the windows shut with wooden planks. "I've called for Mr. Danton Eve, once he gets here, cooperate with him so we find the bastard who sent a bullet your way," he had told to her, rather sombrely this morning. Whomever this Dalton guy was, he seemed to be in charge of the matters in the city, it seemed. Should I be calling Chris? He was already unsettled about sending me here...

Other than that, it was business as usual in the Graves' Books. Prisoners as well as officials from the Garrison came to pick books up. Wonder where these prisoners get the money to purchase books? She had pushed that query at the back of her head while she catered to the customers. It was high noon when a peculiar customer reared his head inside the establishment, looking for a certain Animal Farm. Evelyn helped him search for the aforementioned book. An interaction couldn't hurt... "What's this 'Animal Farm' about, Mister?"

The man raised his head to meet Evelyn's eyes, and replied, "Carl please. And yes, animal farm is all about self-sustenance, Ms. Graves. You must give it a read sometime. And if I may, you remind me a lot of Roland."

"Oh, I'm glad you think that Carl," Evelyn couldn't help but smile at what he said, and continued, "How well did you know my uncle?"

"He was quite the friend Ms. Graves, great company, and an even better opponent," he looked at her, as though prodding how she would react to the remark, before continuing, "Our debates lasted for days together. Even though our views were so diverse, we were still thick as blood."

With a smile, Carl acknowledged her interest being piqued, visible in her face. "I would love to hear more about it Carl."

"Another day if you wouldn't mind, Ms. Graves, I have an appointment." He ran his finger along the spine of a book and took it out. "There."

He gave the book and produced the exact change. "Thanks for your business Carl, and Evelyn from the next time, if you wouldn't mind," Evelyn smiled once more, before going on, "How do you get money to spend over here Carl?"

"We work, just like in any other city Evelyn, but yes, we should spend it over here on books, over at the arcade, or at the cinemas. And sadly, we are constricted to these."

"What work do you do?" There she is, Evie the interrogator.

"You sure are very curious little girl. Haven't we got enough time? I don't think I am leaving anytime soon," he laughed at his own joke, and started to leave. Before he could take so much as a step, he stopped abruptly.

Carl and the tall snarky man at the entrance engaged in what Evelyn thought was a staring contest. The tension in the room was unfathomable. I don't think I like this...

"Welcome Sir, what would you like today?" Evelyn quipped, doing her best to stop the tension from mounting any further.

Without a reply, the stranger made his way inside the store, closely tailed by Sherman. This allowed Carl to exit the store.

"Ms. Graves, I'm Oliver Danton. Chief of operations, Trishank." Evelyn nodded curtly, eying for him to go on. "We are sorry that your first day at Trishank turned out to be a disaster. We will do our best to apprehend the detainee behind this and bring them to swift justice. Do cooperate with us."

Rather formal. "Thank you for your response Mr. Danton, you will have my full cooperation. Also, please go easy on whomever you apprehend. I don't want anyone getting hurt on my accord." Evelyn reciprocated his formalities with her own.

"Well, that is kind of you. But the law, is the law. And it is there for a reason. I advise you understand that quick, you'll need it in a prison city." As though his face wasn't already grim, he put an even sombre expression.

"I know the law Mr. Danton, if there is no formal complaint, there is no call for action," Evelyn planted herself firmly and raised her head ever so lightly to impose her look upon Oliver, and went on "However, I will cooperate with you, just to make sure we find the one responsible for this and make sure this won't happen to anyone else."

"I am glad that we are loosely on the same page Ms. Graves. Do you see any motives for someone wanting you dead?"

"I don't think so, at least knowingly. From what I can gather, my uncle had been in your position in addition to taking care of the bookstore. Therefore if I am to guess, I would say someone must harbour a grudge against my uncle, and he dying was not satisfactory enough for it."

Oliver's eyes widened ever so slightly. Encouraged by this, Evelyn went on, "Also, Mr. Danton, I Know that my uncle is not diabetic. And yes, it is not nice to be pointing fingers. At least not until I don't get to the bottom of whatever is happening here." Christ, when did I become this confrontational?