Right Hand On My Heart

All Is Not Lost

Dave didn't really know what to do anymore. He was stretched thin and all he had to go on was a little black book and hearsay. He had the rest of tonight and tomorrow to track down and come up with his missing cash or else terrible things will happen to not only himself, but to Kirk as well. Was he really entertaining the idea of looking through someone's personal diary for a lead? Weighing his options, it's the most he's got right now because everyone he talks to leads to a dead end. He's talked to pretty much everyone except for the one person who might actually have some insight on the situation. And it's all concentrated in one little book.

"Whaddya think?" Kiko asks after Dave just stares at the journal in his hands.

"I think it's gonna be a long night if we wanna get through this," says Dave as he holds up the book.

"So we're just gonna double down on reading some kid's diary in hopes that it leads us somewhere?" Rob inquires skeptically.

"Yep. Pretty much," Kiko replies with a sigh.

Rob looks between the two men. Kiko seems to be completely on board with the idea; convinced that it will yield information. Rob can't really blame him for his blind faith in something trivial like a diary, seeing as how Kiko knows Jason fairly well, assuming he's telling the truth. But then again... what if he's lying? Rob wants to express his doubt, but when he glances over at Dave he notices just how tired the man is and how he clutches tightly to the small notebook. Rob figures putting his trust in a journal is no better than running around in circles.

"This is crazy," Rob states bluntly, but he relents when he puts his hands on his hips and faces Dave completely. "Where do we start?"

"From the beginning."

They all sort of dreaded hearing that, but that's just how it has to be. They aren't sure how far the journal dates back, but it's nearly three quarters of the way full of Jason's scribbling. It's not as simple as just reading it either. If Jason was smart or paranoid about his safety, there might be some hidden subtext scattered about the pages that could lead them to an answer. Dave's looking at the book now and he can't help but groan.

"I'll put on some coffee," Kiko announces, taking pity on his weathered guests.

Rob watches as Kiko disappears off towards the kitchen. He crosses his arms over his chest, still lingering on his doubt. Rob has always been suspicious of other people, but he has good reason to be. He doesn't deny the fact that Dave might also be skeptical of Kiko, then again Dave has more to lose if he doesn't take a risk now. They're both pressed for time. Rob looks over at Dave who is flipping through the pages idly, perhaps getting a taste of what's to come, and frowns slightly.

"Do you think we can't trust this guy?" Rob poses, asking the obvious burning question.

"He seems harmless enough, and he's cooperating," Dave says, neither saying yes or no.

"You ever hear Jason talk about him?" Rob asks conversationally.

"No. I've never seen him before today," Dave answers honestly.

He could lie and put Rob a little at ease, but what was the point. Rob was going to stay on guard no matter what and Dave truly admires that aspect of him. Rob noticeably makes a face, seemingly displeased by that response but conceding anyway.

"Don't you think that's odd?" Rob points out.

"Maybe. But at the same time not really," Dave replies. Rob sighs like he's about to say something, but Dave speaks up again to explain himself. "I mean, James is my best friend and I never told him about Kirk. I didn't think James knowing about him would make much of a difference. Sometimes you just wanna keep the important stuff to yourself. Like a secret."