A/N

 

 

 

Of all the detective agencies on all the worlds in the galaxy, she had to walk into mine.

 

I knew she was trouble the minute she came through my door. Her dark, almost black hair was perfectly coiffed into a long page boy parted on the side so that the wave on the right almost covered that side of her face. I knew coy when I saw it. Her plum colored hat sat at an angle on her head, the single feather sweeping backward and the mesh veil covered the top of her face down to the nose. I could not see her eyes from this distance. but her eyes were not what she had put on display.

 

The cut of her matching plum suit was expensive, tailor made for sure, her silk blouse was buttoned up to the bottom of her long neck and ended in rows of lace indicating demureness and purity. Everything else about her denied those perceptions. A single platinum and pearl brooch adorned her lapel and I could see the hint of matching earrings peak out from under her hair when she turned her head. Black leather gloves covered her hands and her black ankle strap heels were the perfect height to accentuate the muscles in her calves where they showed under her 3/4 length skirt. She grasped a small black clutch with a diamond clasp in her left hand.

 

I have a nose for money and she was old money through and through. New money was loud and transparent, old money was quiet, and hid their secrets well.

 

I stood up behind my desk and motioned for her to take the seat across from me. She walked slowly from the door, testing the effect her motion had, reading my eyes. She had legs that went all the way to heaven and hips that could birth nations, she used all of it as she came to a stop and extended a gloved hand.

 

The faintest scent of Corellian orchids reached my nostrils as I took her hand in mine, her grip was stronger than I had imagined. It was the grip of someone who had held a blaster and knew how to use it. Oh, yeah, she was trouble with a capital T.

 

"Detective Deklinn, my name is Mrs. Coreena Del'Moor and I am in need of your help."

 

"Please have a seat, Mrs. Del'Moor and tell me what I can do for you."

 

Dames in need of help were a particular weakness of mine, and this was no ordinary dame.

 

I finally had a close look at her face. Her skin was flawless, her ice blue eyes could foster dreams or break hearts equally and her lips promised more uses than just an avenue for words. She was perfection and danger all locked up in a tight package that only the foolhardy would want to unwrap and I was already reaching for the ribbons.

 

(To be Continued)

Edited October 18, 2016 by MishaCantu

*slips in and takes a seat in a dark corner*

*checks for escape routes*

*fears there are none*

Very nice. I can practically hear the gumshoe detective's voice in my head. My immersion in this genre is pretty much restricted to what I saw on Star Trek when Picard was doing the Dixon Hill stories in the holodeck. I've seen bits and pieces of a few old movies, not a lot, but enough to know you've captured it very well.

 

It's not something I typically seek out, this genre, but when it's so nicely presented and with such tantalizing word usage and descriptions (love the last paragraph especially), I'll tag along for the ride and see where it goes.

You have my attention:)

 

Other than saying "ditto" to Lunafox again I will admit this isn't a story (so far) that would normally pull me in, but knowing who the author is adds quite a bit of motivation to read on. I am starting to realize that the special way you have of describing things just might make anything worth reading:)

*slips in and takes a seat in a dark corner*

*checks for escape routes*

*fears there are none*

 

Hope you will enjoy this. I wanted to try something different. Not sure how the format will go, lol. The chapters may end up getting longer and longer, we will just have to see how it plays out.

 

Very nice. I can practically hear the gumshoe detective's voice in my head. My immersion in this genre is pretty much restricted to what I saw on Star Trek when Picard was doing the Dixon Hill stories in the holodeck. I've seen bits and pieces of a few old movies, not a lot, but enough to know you've captured it very well.

 

It's not something I typically seek out, this genre, but when it's so nicely presented and with such tantalizing word usage and descriptions (love the last paragraph especially), I'll tag along for the ride and see where it goes.

 

Ha, I completely forgot about Dixon Hill. This will probably not be everyone's cup of tea, but glad you are at least giving it a shot to see where I take it. Not so sure about doing first person, it is harder in some ways and easier in others. At least this way I can do a narrative from Deklinn's point of view. He is a lusty, snarky, S.O.B.

 

You have my attention:)

 

Other than saying "ditto" to Lunafox again I will admit this isn't a story (so far) that would normally pull me in, but knowing who the author is adds quite a bit of motivation to read on. I am starting to realize that the special way you have of describing things just might make anything worth reading:)

 

Like Luna, at least you are giving it a shot. I hope I can do it justice.

 

I stood for a little longer than I needed to, watching her lower herself into the chair and cross her legs. Her hose whispered slightly as one leg rubbed the other and the outline of her thigh, where it pressed against the fabric of her skirt, fostered thoughts that I just shouldn’t entertain in a professional purview.

 

“Mind if I smoke?” she asked as I sat down. Her voice was whisky and honey with just a hint of venom thrown in for the bite. I couldn’t quite place her accent but there was something vaguely familiar in the way she pronounced her vowels; too rounded, too dragged out.

 

“Help yourself,” I replied as I pushed a half full ashtray in her direction.

 

She knew how to play the room. She could have been a star in one of the Hutt burlesque joints the way she slowly stripped her gloves from her long, tapered fingers. Her plum colored nails clicked lightly against the Aurodium case as she removed a cigarette and looked at me with expectation.

 

I stood and removed my lighter from my pants pocket and leaned across the desk to oblige, watching her place the cigarette between her lips and draw until the end glowed. She inhaled deeply and pursed her mouth into a perfect O as she exhaled blue, spice scented smoke into the air leaving the imprint of her dark plum lipstick on the other end. This also fostered thoughts I just shouldn’t be having.

 

I sat down again and leaned forward, placing my elbows on the desk. “Down to business then, shall we, Mrs. Del’Moor? First, your name, any connections to the Del’Moor business conglomerate? Mining, ship building, weapons design and manufacture, the list goes on.”

 

“I am married to Antois Del’Moor, current heir apparent to the throne, so to speak. His father, Conrad is still very much in control of the reins. But, that has no bearing on why I am here.”

 

“I remember seeing coverage on the news about four years back, extravagant wedding, reporters had a field day. No wonder I didn’t recognize you, weren’t you blond back then?”

 

“Antois liked blonds, still does, I decided I liked my natural color better, less upkeep. As I said, Mr. Deklinn, my business has nothing to do with my husband. I had a very important item stolen from me and I want it back. A book, or diary if you wish, it is very important to me. Leather bindings, biometric lock, coded only to me, additional numeric lock for added security.”

 

I cocked an eyebrow, perhaps being a little condescending. “A girl’s diary, mostly filled with dreams and nonsense, this one must have some secrets that are doozies. So, who took it.”

 

She frowned a little, likely at my comment. “You know of Lamarr Tritan? He has my book and I want it back, let’s also say I don’t much appreciate blackmail, it never ends and they always want more.”

 

I sat back, ran my fingers through my hair and emitted a low whistle. Lamarr Tritan, underworld lynchpin, into everything from assassination to street drugs. My normal trade was tracking down cheating husbands or wives, runaway kids or even pets and the occasional go between for Hutts and reliable freighter pilots I knew. I had even traced stolen goods, but nothing like this.

 

This was way above my paygrade, not to mention my survive-o-meter. My favorite bookie wouldn’t even offer odds for this one. Lamarr Tritan - 10, Markus Deklinn - dead.

 

(To be Continued)

Edited October 18, 2016 by MishaCantu

50 credits on Deklinn.

 

(Have I mentioned I love antiheroes? I have a feeling this might be one )

The secrets in the diary must be a doozy.

 

Makes me wonder where they are, and who might be privy to what's in it.

*quietly wanders past, looking for something that'll fill the void the False Empire will leave when it ends...*

 

"Of all the detective agencies on all the worlds in the galaxy, she had to walk into mine."

 

*Sits down and starts reading*

 

Great opening line. Yes, it's cheesy, cliche and has been used hundreds of times, but so has the PI genre. there's a reason it's a classic.

Great characterisation, I can already get a feel for the main character and he hasn't said more than ten words about himself.

Interesting setup, starts with the standard, FF walks into an office, and goes from there, though this time what she's after isn't quite as obvious.

 

If this style's what I missed out, I'm off to go read flip of the coin.

50 credits on Deklinn.

 

(Have I mentioned I love antiheroes? I have a feeling this might be one )

 

I guess you could say Dek is a bit of an antihero, and he is my main guy, so yeh, I'll take that bet.

 

The secrets in the diary must be a doozy.

 

Makes me wonder where they are, and who might be privy to what's in it.

 

A doozy? Maybe.

 

*quietly wanders past, looking for something that'll fill the void the False Empire will leave when it ends...*

 

"Of all the detective agencies on all the worlds in the galaxy, she had to walk into mine."

 

*Sits down and starts reading*

 

Great opening line. Yes, it's cheesy, cliche and has been used hundreds of times, but so has the PI genre. there's a reason it's a classic.

Great characterisation, I can already get a feel for the main character and he hasn't said more than ten words about himself.

Interesting setup, starts with the standard, FF walks into an office, and goes from there, though this time what she's after isn't quite as obvious.

 

If this style's what I missed out, I'm off to go read flip of the coin.

 

I am also quite taken with False Empire.

 

I'll have to wait and see if I can get this to all come together the way I want it to. This is something completely new for me and I'm not sure I can pull it off, I sort of know where it's heading, I just hope I have the oomph to get it there.

 

I have the voice of my main character down pretty well in my head, writing in first person is a bit of a challenge though. Flip of the Coin is completely different, not sure if you will enjoy it, but I always welcome new readers.

A/N:

 

 

 

I took a jamming device out of my drawer, set it on the desk and activated it. “Just a precaution before you tell me more. You haven’t been to the police? The coppers usually handle this sort of thing.”

 

“The cops can be of no help to me, Mr. Deklinn. They are clumsy, indiscreet and above all, likely on the wrong payroll. What this book holds could ruin my family and put hundreds of lives at risk.”

 

“I thought you said it had nothing to do with your family, Mrs. Del’Moor, which is it?”

 

“Not my married family, no, but my birth family is another matter.”

 

Huh, birth family, I file that away for the future.

 

“So how did Tritan get his hands on this book of yours in the first place? You don’t strike me as the careless type.”

 

“My maid, Linette, had been with me for years, her husband, Pretor, had worked around the Del’Moor estates for years as well. He did maintenance, handyman sort of stuff, and they have a daughter. I suspect they worked together to steal the book, though I have no proof.

 

“Pretor had suffered quite a serious injury the week before where he lost one of his fingers and I can only suspect that Tritan had caused Pretor’s, so called, accident and likely threatened more. There was an odd power outage the night the book was taken and I believe my nightly glass of wine had been drugged. Pretor’s position would allow him access and knowledge to bring down the power and security, Linette always brought my wine. I recall my room being locked and the alarms set, the diary was on my desk, the lights went out I got up to check the light switch and when I woke up on the floor, my diary was missing.”

 

“So what happened after that?”

 

“I confronted Linette, of course, and she denied everything, but I could no longer have her in my employ. She had been a faithful servant for many years and I might have done the same in her circumstance, so I bought three tickets to Corellia for them and have not heard from them since, nor do I want to.

 

“Now, Tritan wants me to engage in industrial espionage by stealing plans for some top secret weapon that the Del’Moor weapons division has been working on for years. The blackmail has moved beyond money and who knows how much further it will go.”

 

“So, let’s say you get the diary back, there is no guarantee that Tritan hasn’t read it, even with the locks, it could be ripped open from the spine and easily read.”

 

“No, Mr. Delkin, it cannot be opened by such conventional means. The leather is purely decorative, the cover, hinges and lock is made of a metal that cannot be burned, cut, torched or damaged in any way. When locked, the book is completely enclosed, more like a box, one could say.”

 

“I have never heard of anything like this, not in the republic anyway. Jedi maybe? Where the hell would you even get your hands on such an item?”

 

“It was a gift from my parents, where they got it, I do not know. But evidently, Tritan has discovered its importance and plans to use it to his own ends.”

 

“So why not just kidnap you and get the information the book holds?”

 

“He does not want the information in the book, he wants those plans. Neither my father in law or my husband would try to get me back and they certainly would not trade those plans for my life. Tritan is setting the rules here.”

 

“Why not just let him keep the book? He can’t open it to get to the information, you could call his bluff and just walk away. Sounds to me like he doesn’t even have anything to bargain with. Why are you pushing this so hard for some scribbles that will never see the light of day?”

 

“I can say no more, Mr. Deklinn, but I must have it returned to me.”

 

I really didn’t want to hear any more, I knew too much as it was and there were still things she wasn’t telling me.

 

I don't know if I was trying to convince her or myself with my response. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Del’Moor, but this line of work is way out of the ordinary for me, I think you overestimate my talents. Tritan’s base is like a fortress and even if I could get inside, who knows how many layers of security he would have on something this important. Perhaps you should look elsewhere.”

 

She stubbed out her cigarette and reached across the desk to lay her hand on mine, soft, warm, trembling. “Please, Mr. Deklinn, I have nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to. Tritan has his hooks into everyone, the cops, law firms, governments, even other private detective agencies. I don’t know who else to trust. Money is no issue, I can pay you whatever you want.”

 

I glanced up from her hand to her face and watched her eyes fill, the moisture made them sparkle and she reached up with her other hand to wipe a tear from her cheek.

 

Aw, hell, dames and waterworks, I was a sucker for both. Guess I was trying to convince myself, I am also a sucker for a mystery, this was finally a job I could sink my teeth into, here’s hoping it doesn’t bite back.

 

Rain started to tap on my window, maybe a code to stop what I was thinking of doing. Thunder boomed in the distance like a warning shot across the bow, but I ignored both, took her hand in both of mine and agreed to walk straight into hell without even knowing if there was an exit door.

 

 

 

She pulled her hand from mine and retrieved a lace edged hanky from her clutch that she used to blot the tears from her eyes and face, careful not to smudge the mascara. Had I been played? Probably, but there was no turning back now.

 

I scrawled my fees and terms on my datapad and handed it to her. Yeah, I’m a sucker for hot babes in plum, but I still need to make a living and she could afford it. I bumped up the numbers, stopping just short of extortion, and included hazard pay, along with my flat fee and daily expenses. She didn’t bat an eye, hell, her suit probably cost more than what I was asking. Score for me as long as I lived long enough to spend it.

 

“Of course I expect a retainer up front, Mrs. Del’Moor, say a quarter of my fee and I will provide receipts for expenses. The rest is due on delivery of your item.”

 

She handed my datapad back to me. “Agreed, Mr. Deklinn. I will deposit what you ask into your account as soon as you provide the information. I will contact you later with my private transceiver code so that you can contact me day or night. It is that important to me.”

 

I keyed in my account info, she accessed her account, made the transfer and I was suddenly fifteen thousand credits richer. Done and done.

 

I stood up with her and walked her to the door placing my hand at the small of her back as I ushered her through and then leaned against the frame as I watched her walk across my small reception area that emptied into the hallway. That touch was uncalled for, but I couldn’t resist.

 

“A bit out of your league, Markus,” said Tandy Sentorro from behind her desk.

 

“Uh-huh,” I answered as I walked to my office window and looked down to see her escorted to her limo by a very big, very muscular Cathar. He popped an umbrella over her head and looked upward toward me after he opened the door for her, then he disappeared into the front seat of the vehicle. It swooped smoothly away into one of the many lanes of traffic before disappearing from view.

 

I headed back to the reception room and looked down at my secretary. “Get Minx and Tongo on the horn, Tandy. Tell them to meet me at The Slag Pit around 9 tonight.”

 

“Ok, Markus, but does this mean I get paid? You owe me two weeks you know.”

 

“Yes, my lovely, I’ll take care of it tomorrow. You look really nice today, is that a new sweater?”

 

“Flattery will get you nowhere and I still want my pay, my rent’s due.”

 

I don’t usually do well with someone nagging me, but Tandy was the exception. She has been with me since I opened the office five years ago and stuck with me through richer and poorer, better or worse, sickness and health. She’d nursed me through hangovers, stab wounds, blaster burns and fed me when I didn’t have a spare credit to my name. I’d be lost without her. She was efficient, sassy, married for just over sixteen years now, and she didn’t take crap from anyone, including me.

 

I went back to my desk, keyed in the account information and transferred her pay. “There, Tandy, you happy now?”

 

“A raise would be nice, but this’ll do.”

 

I finished up some work I still had outstanding. I let Mrs. Schnagle know that the only thing her husband was cheating on her with was a clandestine sabacc game, then contacted Inig Crase, a pilot friend of mine, about a shipment for Songa the Hutt. He could pay me my cut when it was delivered and he collected his fee.

 

I leaned back in my chair and went over the visit from earlier. I’d had a woman or two get under my skin before and it never ended well. All men are dogs, a fact I had come to terms with in my misspent youth, I was a sighthound with a good nose and an appreciation for the chase.

 

Problem is, the thrill went away soon after I’d caught them. A few weeks of hot, hot sex then they went into nesting mode, they can’t help it, it’s in the DNA. Domestication is not my gig and I may die old and alone, but everything is a trade off and I have no regrets. Freedom comes at a price.

 

My stomach growled and I looked at my chrono, 2 pm, I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

 

I took my heater from the desk drawer, checked the gas cartridge and slipped it into my shoulder holster, then rolled down my sleeves and put on my suit jacket, grabbed my trenchcoat and fedora and headed back into the reception area.

 

I pulled a sawbuck out of my pocket and flipped it in Tandy’s direction. “Get you and Lom something good to eat for dinner, on me. I’ll think about the raise tomorrow, I promise.”

 

(To be Continued)

Edited October 19, 2016 by MishaCantu

Woah, just a few chapters and I'm already dying to know what's in that diary! It's too early to speculate, but that's an excellent hook. I also really like the tone and atmosphere of this new story - definitely a change of pace from before. I'm interested to see how more SWTOR will be weaved in. Looking forward to see more of Deklinn and Coreena!

 

Out of curiosity, when is this story set in terms of the swtor storyline?

I have a number of questions, and the pictures in my head are somewhat sepia tinged.

Eagerly awaiting the next part

Great chapters

Keep it up.

I'm still really enjoying your descriptive style of writing:)

Favorite lines this time around:

 

finally a job I could sink my teeth into, here’s hoping it doesn’t bite back.

 

Rain started to tap on my window, maybe a code to stop what I was thinking of doing. Thunder boomed in the distance like a warning shot across the bow, but I ignored both, took her hand in both of mine and agreed to walk straight into hell without even knowing if there was an exit door.

 

Looking forward to more!

Woah, just a few chapters and I'm already dying to know what's in that diary! It's too early to speculate, but that's an excellent hook. I also really like the tone and atmosphere of this new story - definitely a change of pace from before. I'm interested to see how more SWTOR will be weaved in. Looking forward to see more of Deklinn and Coreena!

 

Out of curiosity, when is this story set in terms of the swtor storyline?

 

A definite change of pace for me and a bit of a challenge, hoping to weave in a bit of SWTOR as it progresses, story setup can be so tedious. Timeline? I'd say after Makeb, before SOR.

 

Great chapters

I am really curious about that diary, and I do like that Deklinn asked her the hard questions, which makes me all the more curious. I mean if you can't access the thing, why worry about it so much. Those plans must be something.

 

Also enjoyed the secretary and that she didn't take his crap. Good girl lol.

Keep it up.

 

I had Deklinn ask the hard questions I knew the reader would ask, a way of plugging plot holes I suppose. Not to say you guys won't find any, I just hope they are not too glaring. I kind of like the secretary too, hope I can do a bit more with her.

 

I'm still really enjoying your descriptive style of writing:)

Favorite lines this time around:

 

finally a job I could sink my teeth into, here’s hoping it doesn’t bite back.

 

Rain started to tap on my window, maybe a code to stop what I was thinking of doing. Thunder boomed in the distance like a warning shot across the bow, but I ignored both, took her hand in both of mine and agreed to walk straight into hell without even knowing if there was an exit door.

 

Looking forward to more!

 

Thanks Foxfirerose, I know this isn't most peoples favorite style but thanks for giving it a chance. We'll see how it goes.

 

I walked down the seven flights of stairs, pulled the collar of my trench coat up and yanked the brim of my fedora a little lower on my brow then pushed my way through the revolving door and walked out into the rain. It seldom rains on Coruscant, sometimes it’s because weather control goes a little wacky but I personally think it’s some punk in the control room who gets bored.

 

Dammit! The wind was blowing the wrong way and sending tiny rivulets of water down my neck despite the turned up collar. I have a love hate relationship with rain, I love it when I’m inside, I hate it when I’m not. I finally turn the corner off the main thoroughfare and see the green and white awning I am looking for.

 

‘Toonies Noodles’ my favorite lunch place and great source of information for the right price or the right people. I walked under the awning and knocked the rain from my hat before taking a seat on one of the stools lined up in front of the counter.

 

Toonie is a besalisk and plenty long in the tooth. He had been everything from a mercenary to a prospector in his prime and stars only knew what else. He had opened the noodle joint almost a decade ago when the more adventurous life become too hazardous for his health. He still kept his fingers on the pulse of the city and his ears open to every rumor, lie and half truth that could make him a credit or two. What Toonie didn’t know, wasn’t worth knowing.

 

“Hey Dek, you want the usual?” Toonie asked as he turned around from the steaming pots, a spoon in two of his four hands, a cigarette in the third and a knife in in the fourth.

 

“Nah, give me the dumplings today, Toonie.”

 

I watched as he placed the cigarette in his mouth and grabbed a ladle to scoop up my order into a bowl and set the steaming broth and dumplings in front of me. I grabbed paper wrapped eatsticks from their container on the counter and blew on my lunch while I unwrapped the wooden dowel-like utensils.

 

“That all you came for, Dek?”

 

“Tell me what you know about the Del’Moors. Make it dirty.” I slid a twenty five credit chip across the counter which he palmed with one of his meaty hands.

 

“The old man, Conrad, straight laced as they come. Doubt he’d say s.hit if his mouth was full of it. The son, Antois, a different story. He’s the original spoiled a.ss brat, been in trouble of one kind or another since his mother died, I think he was fifteen or so. He likes his vehicles fast and his women even faster. I hear he’s also a heavy better on the swoop races, loses more than he wins and he spends a lot of time in the casinos on Nar Shaddaa, not a very good sabacc player either. His wife’s a real looker, but he don’t spend much time at home, man’s a fool.

 

“Likes to fancy himself some sort of underworld boss. Dabbles a bit in the slave trade and drugs. He is an amusement for Tritan at the moment but bookies’ll be opening up bets soon on whether or not he reaches the ripe old age of thirty five, he’s thirty two now.”

 

“What about the wife, Coreena?”

 

“Not much info on her, adopted daughter of Malcoln Deevis, owner of Greystar Industries and current senator from Nubia. Rumor is her marriage was arranged to unite Greystar and Del’Moor, while avoiding a merger. Each could operate autonomously without interference or old rivalries erupting. Both sides are waiting for a heir to be born, not likely to happen if Antois isn’t plowing the fields at home. You’d have to access her records to get any more information. That’s about all I know, want me to keep my ears open for more?”

 

“Yeah, Toonie, that’d be swell. One more thing, you ever hear of a metal that can’t be burned, cut or torched?”

 

“Hmm, durasteel and cortosis is about the strongest stuff we have now and even they can’t stand up to constant assault, they always give in the end. Whatever it is ain’t natural. Maybe Jedi?”

 

“Or something else.”

 

Toonie hitched his head at something or someone standing behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and popped another dumpling into my mouth.

 

I sniffed the air and scrunched up my face. “Huh. You smell that Toonie? You think maybe one of the sewer pipes broke again? Oh, it’s just you, Kane. I’m eating and you’re spoiling my appetite.”

 

 

 

 

“Very funny, wise guy. Palder wants to see you.”

 

“Tell him to take a number. Like I said, I’m eating.”

 

“You know how rough he can make it on you, Deklinn. Make it quick, you don’t want to keep him waiting.”

 

I scooped the last dumpling into my mouth and chewed longer than was necessary, then placed the bowl against my lips and drained the last of the broth. I took a napkin out of the holder and wiped my mouth then leaned back and belched, loudly. I threw a fin on the counter and grabbed a fortune cookie out of the glass bowl sitting on the end of the counter, placing it in my coat pocket, then stood up and looked down into the chubby face of the precinct gumshoe, Kane.

 

Stars, the wimp had an umbrella, real men don’t use umbrellas.

 

“You losing weight, Kane? Your fingers look thinner.”

 

“Just shut up and get in the speeder, Deklinn.”

 

The police speeder was at least enclosed and I watched the rain run across the windows in diagonal rivers and swirl around in the corners as we sped toward the station. I wondered what the hell Palder wanted with me. All my licenses were up to date, even my conceal and carry permit.

 

He’d had a hard on for me ever since I messed up a collar of his. That was back when I was tracing a stolen necklace and it had interfered with a stake out he was involved with to round up a thievery ring. How the hell was I to know? All I wanted was the damned necklace.

 

My untimely presence had caused Palder to have to move in sooner than planned, blaster fire ensued and he had taken a hit to his lower back that ended in a permanent limp and him having to use a cane to walk. He had always been an a.sshole, but that little incident turned him into a full blown p.rick that tried to f*ck me every time he got the chance. No first date, no lube.

 

Kane escorted me up to the second floor to a door with Palder’s name on the window. Not the first time I’d been here, but whatever. He had made Captain a couple of years ago and his name was still in bigger letters than his rank. Maybe he was compensating for something, of course I was only speculating.

 

Mabel, his secretary, still sat behind her desk and I winked at her as I was ushered toward the inner door. She blushed, like she always had, but she was a cool lady and had been with that a.sshole longer than he deserved.

 

“Sit down, Deklinn.” Palder said as I entered his inner sanctum.

 

An important client visiting me this morning and now Palder’s summons to his office. Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidences, question is, what the f*ck did he want with me?

 

(To be Continued)

Edited October 25, 2016 by MishaCantu

I really do enjoy your voice, in the other stories, and this one too, but for some reason, you really have this genre down, so much so, I'd be willing to wager its a passion of yours. I'm imagining the scenes playing out in sepia tones and I'm really enjoying the little details in the descriptions, like 'meaty hands' and in the dialogue. I could see myself hanging out in Toonies I love noodles lol.

My mind is stuck on Dixon Hill and I keep seeing Patrick Stuart as the main guy in this LOL. I love it and also think you're doing a great job with it.

My mind is stuck on Dixon Hill and I keep seeing Patrick Stuart as the main guy in this LOL. I love it and also think you're doing a great job with it.

 

Now I can't not see Patrick Stuart as Deklinn.

 

I agree with Luna, your voice in this really is engaging. Can't wait to see what this Palder guy wants.

 

Favorite line:

 

 

Great chapters from first to last line.

Seriously, seven flights of stairs? How about someone gets the elevator repaired? Okay, probably costs too much anyway. The image of a delapidated stairwell lurks bewteen the lines.

A lot of details like this convey a very special mood. Good job!

I really do enjoy your voice, in the other stories, and this one too, but for some reason, you really have this genre down, so much so, I'd be willing to wager its a passion of yours. I'm imagining the scenes playing out in sepia tones and I'm really enjoying the little details in the descriptions, like 'meaty hands' and in the dialogue. I could see myself hanging out in Toonies I love noodles lol.

 

Thanks Luna. I am quite a bit older than most on these forums, and the 30's and 40's was my mother's era so I watched a lot of old movies like Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, The Thin Man films and The Untouchables (Elliot Ness) and have a deep seated appreciation for the genre. I even love old blues, from Robert Johnson to Etta James. I would be right there with you at Toonies.

 

My mind is stuck on Dixon Hill and I keep seeing Patrick Stuart as the main guy in this LOL. I love it and also think you're doing a great job with it.

 

I could be in worse company than Patrick Stuart for sure, although Dek has hair, if I was going old school, maybe Robert Mitchum, https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=robert+mitchum&view=detailv2&&id=8E22BA1F41A3B91C79E338C3437B9F3EDDA661F1&selectedIndex=3&ccid=F9sbD3U2&simid=607998165783153625&thid=OIP.M17db1b0f753699bf61cdc83a1628136co2&ajaxhist=0new new school, Timothy Olyphant, who, by the way, would make an excellent Malavai Quinn, imho, just put a mole on his left cheek and it's a go. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=timothy+olyphant&view=detailv2&qpvt=timothy+olyphant&id=501873B72C40DFDF7E6BB71845AD8B4F552BDF67&selectedIndex=17&ccid=xYXxWhfE&simid=608008572485698674&thid=OIP.Mc585f15a17c41654b9969d405f423598H2&ajaxhist=0

 

Now I can't not see Patrick Stuart as Deklinn.

 

I agree with Luna, your voice in this really is engaging. Can't wait to see what this Palder guy wants.

 

Favorite line:

 

 

 

 

See above post for Patrick Stuart, lol and also my explanation for the voice for this story. I practically cut my teeth on this stuff.

 

Great chapters from first to last line.

Seriously, seven flights of stairs? How about someone gets the elevator repaired? Okay, probably costs too much anyway. The image of a delapidated stairwell lurks bewteen the lines.

A lot of details like this convey a very special mood. Good job!

 

My guy has to stay in shape somehow, seven flights is nothing. Mood is everything in a piece like this, thanks for appreciating the detail, I try to put enough to be interesting without being overwhelming.

 

I took a seat and waited for the next move, there was always a next move.

 

"I didn't expect to have you back in here any time soon Deklinn. Seems things are looking up for you, considering your visitor this morning."

 

"Let’s forego the false pleasantries, Palder, and get down to business. My shoes and socks are wet, I’m damned uncomfortable and my patience wore thin about twenty minutes ago. Don't tell me you are still having me tailed. What a waste of resources, do your superiors know?"

 

"Straight to business then. I have one of your snitches in lockup, got caught squatting in one of those new apartment complexes in Co-Co Town a couple of days ago. You know the ones being converted from industrial building to dwellings?"

 

"I know the place, what snitch and what does that have to do with me?"

 

"Name’s Bremer, skinny, needs a haircut and a bath, not sure his turbolift goes all the way to the top. Keeps going on about a demon and glowing eyes and says he will only talk to you. He is driving my guards crazy, won't shut up, figured you might want to post his bail before I am forced to fill him full of tranqs and ship him off to the nearest nuthouse."

 

"I might, depending on what the bail is set at, also, wouldn't this be considered a favor, Palder? You don't do favors, especially for me, so what are you really after?"

 

"Mr. Conrad Del'Moor, one of the great benefactors of the Coruscant Police Division, would like a meeting with you about his daughter-in-law's visit to you this morning. I would consider it a personal favor if you would meet him tomorrow at his offices, you know the big building with Del'Moor across the top? He has some questions for you."

 

"You break any fingers calling him after you found out? He couldn't contact me himself or are you his personal secretary too?" I chuckled.

 

"Mr. Del'Moor wants information and discretion, Deklinn, I provide both. And what's so funny?"

 

"Just picturing you in a skirt bent over Del'Moor's desk, not a pretty sight, but it is humorous."

 

I watched his face turn that lovely shade of red that promised a brain aneurysm, but I have to hand it to him, he kept his cool when I know for sure he wanted to separate me from a few of my teeth. His brain didn't explode, but I am used to dealing with disappointment, maybe next time.

 

"Crude, as always, Deklinn, but I would suggest you meet with him, he is not known for his patience. Say tomorrow at 1 pm? Check in at the lobby desk, they will be expecting you. Now, about this Bremer, you interested or not?"

 

"Never let it be said I turned my back on an associate, so yeah, I'll post his bail and take him off your hands. I'll wait downstairs at the booking desk, I think we've both had enough of each other's company."

 

I stood up and walked toward the door, not giving him the satisfaction of a backward glance. In the reception area, I turned and winked again at Mabel before putting my hat on and exiting into the hallway.

 

I waited at the booking desk for over half an hour for Bremer to be brought up from his holding cell. Stars, he was squirrelly as hell and I had to shush him several times while posting his bail and then grabbed his arm and pulled him through the door.

 

I pulled the fortune cookie out of my pocket and cracked it open. The printed words on the tiny slip of paper read, ‘Many Questions are Answered Today’. What a crock that was, I wadded up the paper and threw it to the ground then handed the cookie to Bremer who wolfed it down like he hadn’t eaten in a month. At least the rain had stopped.

 

I pulled him down the street and around a corner into an alley. “Spill it Bremer. What’s this about demons and what the hell were you doing in Co-Co Town? I set you up at the homeless shelter not a month ago, you get thrown out of another one?”

 

“I’m sorry, Dek, but I don’t like those places. Someone tried to steal my shoes and I got into a fight when I woke up and caught him. I’m safer on the streets, I know plenty of spots to bed down, I know how to hide out here, I don’t know how to hide in there and I get into trouble if I try. Co-Co Town is quiet, I thought it was safe.”

 

“That’s what you get for thinking. So, tell me about this demon of yours.”

 

He was shivering and looking around like he was being hunted, the small bag he carried was hugged close to his chest and he kept licking his lips. “I was settling down for the night in one of those units almost finished except for the door hardware and was nearly asleep when I hear these voices all hushed like and footsteps coming my way. I scooted behind one of the support girders and there they were, a woman and a man in a cloak.

 

“He had a floating light in his hand until they stopped in the moonlight, then it went out. He dropped his hood and kissed her, one of those long kisses that mean something.”

 

“When was this? What did they look like, did you hear anything at all?”

 

“Four nights ago. The woman had long dark hair and built like a brick s.hithouse, couldn’t really see much more,” he lowered his head a little and shuffled his feet. “The man was big, and I could swear his eyes glowed, his skin was red, like a demon in one of those horror vids.”

 

A sith on Coruscant? Naw, surely Bremer had been high on something.

 

“You sure you weren't just dreaming or high again, Bremer?”

 

“Come on, Dek, I don’t have the credits to get high and I wasn’t asleep. They talked for awhile and then started to argue, raised their voices enough I could hear them speak about finding something. She called him Lord Sen….something and he called her Karyn or Corinne, not sure exactly.”

 

“Coreena, could it have been Coreena, Bremer?”

 

“Yeah, maybe, like I said, I couldn’t hear very well.”

 

Things just kept getting better. Tritan was bad enough, now a pureblood thrown into the mix, if it was indeed Coreena. I don’t like being lied to and omission is just a lie in hiding. I had to know the truth of it all. Seems that there was going to be some long nights either following or staking out Mrs. Coreena Del’Moor, what the hell was she really up to?

 

“Palder said you were caught two days ago, how the hell did that happen?”

 

“The construction crew showed up early, they held me until the cops came. I wasn’t in the same place where I saw the demon, that’s the big one on the corner. I ain’t lying, Dek, I know what I saw.”

 

I slipped a twenty spot out of my pocket and into Bremer’s hand. “Take this, and don’t breathe a word about what you saw. Get something to eat and stay away from Co-Co Town, you are lucky to be alive. I’ll find you if I need you.”

 

 

 

I left Bremer standing in the alley, walked over to the nearest taxi stand and pressed the button. A few minutes later a yellow speeder pulled up, the door opened and I got in.

 

“Where to, sir.” the droid driver asked.

 

“6514 Gaffron Way.”

 

The door closed and the droid entered the lanes of traffic. It had to maneuver a few levels down since Jabi Town was only five or six levels shy of the Coruscant slums. I was born in Jabi Town thirty four years ago, the only son of immigrants from Corellia. I have an older sister, Ginni, but she is now on Balmorra with her husband. Nice guy, got a couple of kids, she’s happy which is all that counts.

 

I had almost got hitched myself back when I was twenty two. Sweet girl, blond, sparkling blue eyes, we’d probably have kids by now, and be divorced. I had too much wanderlust and just plain lust to ever make it work. She deserved better, I hope she found it. Last I heard she was on Alderaan, but that’s all I know and all I care to know. I had already lived through my past and have no desire to live there again. Hell, I don’t even like to visit.

 

I paid the driver, walked across the street to the ten story building and punched in my entry code, then climbed three flights of stairs and keyed myself into my apartment, hung my coat on the hook by the door, threw my hat on the table and suit jacket over the back of the couch. Now I just needed to think.

 

I stripped off my shoes and socks hoping that the bottoms of my trousers would dry soon, they slapped cold and wet against my ankles as I walked to the conservator and grabbed a bottle of ale off the shelf. I seldom drink during the day, but I owed myself one.

 

I sat on the couch, placed my ale on the coffee table and started adding things up using my datapad and stylus to keep track. So Coreena Del’Moor wants me to retrieve a diary for her, says it contains data that can harm her birth family. She’s supposedly adopted, what does she even know about her birth family? I need to find out who they are.

 

Next, Tritan, who has the book, wants her to steal some weapon schematics from the most secure and guarded development facility in the galaxy. Money is the probable motive here, but what if it is something else?

 

Then old man Del’Moor, conveniently, wants to meet for a confab tomorrow afternoon. Seems Palder is deep in Del’Moor’s pocket and I had heard rumors about Tritan as well. One of these days Palder was going to get caught in the squeeze between big business and big crime and end up as a quivering pile of jelly barely big enough to spread on toast.

 

Coreena possibly meeting with a sith, of all things, and him taking the risk of coming to Coruscant to meet with her. They had kissed indicating what?, an affair? He must be in cahoots with a really good smuggler to get him past customs and security inspections. Of course, payoffs were often the currency of the overworked and underpaid, so that definitely wasn’t off the table. Maybe he was still here, hiding somewhere. Either way, they evidently have history, I just need to find out where it all started.

 

And there was the diary itself made of some unknown metal by who, where and what for? Was it given to her by her adoptive parents or her birth parents? She hadn’t been clear on that and I am starting to think she let that birth family thing slip by mistake.

 

It all had to be connected, the diary, the sith, Tritan and the weapons plans. I just needed to figure out where the strings met and cut them one at a time. I just hoped the knife didn’t slip and slit my throat while I was at it.

 

(To be Continued)

I'm still here...like a bad smell. Wooo! So comment I shall

 

The intrigue continues to build, I love it. It seems he has more questions than answers so far. He's got a lot of work ahead. I do enjoy Dek very much, his figures of speech are amazing. I particularly enjoyed Dek's description of Bremer, 'not sure his turbolift goes all the way to the top.' It certainly conjures an image lol. I also enjoyed getting to know a little more about Dek, his family and what might have happened for him, if he had a bit less wanderlust.

 

As always your imagery and voice are impeccable. Keep it up!

The plot thickens!

 

 

 

 

This story is building really well. And I agree with Luna, Deklinn's voice and perspective as narrator is really strong. The little idle thoughts/comments he has really fleshes him out as a character.

 

Looking forward to the next chapter!