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StarBobby Cafe was full and doing well. Jaiden was in today, happily greeting regulars and ringing up orders. This was a much different Jaiden than Phil saw yesterday, though she's always such a different person in the interrogation room.
Jaiden beamed at Phil as he approached the counter with Missa on his arm.
“Well hello gentlemen, the usual?” Jaiden chirped.
“Yes, and a plate of assorted biscuits please,” Phil replied.
“Of course,” Jaiden said, writing down their order. “I'll bring it to the back when it's ready. Cell's already here by the way.”
“Thank you Jaiden,” Phil said, handing her the cash. “I'll meet you in the conference room, I'm going to wait out here for him,” Phil told Missa.
Missa nodded and disappeared with a smile behind an employees only door, black coat tails sweeping after him.
Phil found the last empty seat in the cafe and sat to wait for his guest. Phil was proud of the amount of patrons milling about and was particularly proud of Jaiden.
Phil had bought the cafe close to a year ago, not long after the first Bolas heist. The previous owners had gone bankrupt and Phil got this place for a steal. He hadn't known what to do with it at first but Jaiden, with Cellbit's help, suggested StarBobby.
Now Jaiden is the co-owner, with Cellbit, of StarBobby Cafe. When they have the time, they'll pop over for the day to supervise and check in. It is the Bolas family's most profitable business, at least legally.
It always brought a smile to Phil's face to think about where they started and where they were now. Just this morning Phil had seen Baghera humming happily to herself as she took stock of this week's weapon shipment, and yesterday Leo had been begging her father to tell her about what he does. Around others Foolish acts stoic in the face of his son's begging but Phil knows Foolish can't say no to his niña.
It was a rule Phil put into place early on. Parents were only to tell their children about what they're doing if it keeps them safe or if it would be safe. Chayanne hates not knowing everything his dad's do, but he's satisfied by the dramatic heist retellings Baghs, Charlie and Jaiden put on.
Bolas has come far and Phil is eager to see them thrive.
Phil was pulled from his thoughts by the bell over the door ringing out as his guest, and hopefully new associate, strode through the door. Yet Phil was surprised by the demeanor Étoiles carried himself with.
Phil had only known Étoiles for a little over a year, and he thought he knew Étoiles pretty well, but the Étoiles that walked in was nothing like the man he knew. That's an over exaggeration actually. Visually it was Étoiles, curly black hair with silver roots peeking from under a green newsboy cap, lightweight grey coat over a dusty collared shirt. The difference was the black gloves he wore and the way his eyes took in every little detail, lingering on certain patrons and doors. This Étoiles meant business and locked eyes with Phil the moment the clock tower started its 12 o'clock chimes.
Luckily the icy attitude didn't stop a smile from creeping onto Étoiles face.
“Hello Étoiles!” Phil called as the man in question approached. “Perfectly punctual I see, anything I can get you before things get serious?”
“Just water will be fine,” he replied curtly. “Thank you.”
Phil nodded. They didn't speak while Phil ordered or while waiting. Étoiles thanked Jaiden when she handed him the glass and Phil nodded to her then beckoned Étoiles over to the employees only door.
“Come,” he said. “I've reserved a private room for us.”
Phil led the way down the dark and narrow hallway behind the door. Gracefully he swung open another door at the end of the hall and held it open for Étoiles.
Ducking inside after Étoiles, Phil confidently strode around the large, solid mahogany table and sat at the head where a strong black tea waited. Missa was sitting on his left, scribbling into his notebook, and on Phil's right sat Cellbit, his underboss, carefully analyzing Étoiles while munching on a biscuit.
Étoiles stood at the end of the table, watching the three of them carefully, waiting.
Missa finished his writings with a snap and smiled up at Étoiles.
“Please, sit, take as many cookies as you like,” he invited, gesturing to the elegant chair in front of Étoiles and the plate in the centre of the table. “We've got quite a lot to discuss but I'd like to start by thanking you. It was very selfless to stop that gunman yesterday, so thank you for saving Phil.”
“I was in the right place at the right time,” Étoiles shrugged, sitting down. “It's what I do best.”
“Mother fucker!” Phil exclaimed, startling Cellbit and causing him to slosh his coffee on the table. “Take credit for once! You're a good man and a skilled guy, you deserve appreciation.”
“Sure, sure. Now what offer did you invite me here to discuss?” Étoiles pushed, waving off Phil's praise.
“Well Étoiles,” Cellbit started straightening in his seat. “You've heard of the organized crime families here in Quesadilla City right?”
“Yes of course.”
“What have you heard of the Bolas family?”
“They're quite fresh,” Étoiles answered. “A young family. They've been trying to find traction here, and I've heard they've had success recently.”
“You're well informed,” Missa remarked.
“I did get a note with the Bolas family crest stamped on it. I would be a fool to show up to a meeting uninformed,” Étoiles said, cocking his head quizzically. “Now where would you like me to come into play in all this?”
“I saw your skill yesterday,” Phil said, leaning forward, taking over the conversation. “You barely broke a sweat taking down the hit man, you've proven yourself loyal and we, as Bolas, could use someone with your skill.”
Étoiles hummed, considering Phil's words.
“Of course,” Phil added, “we can find someone who can train you, and you would be paid well.”
At this Étoiles paused and looked Phil well in the eyes, analyzing something. Coming to whatever conclusion he needed he said:
“It seems only one of us did our research. I know who you are. Do you know who I am?”
“Of course we do!” Cellbit exclaimed, indignified. “You're Étoiles Rayou, you work at the docks from 9 in the morning to 6 at night and make $13.50 per day. You live with three other people in a two bedroom apartment on Louvre Avenue. You-”
“That's things anyone can find,” Étoiles interrupted, waving Cellbit off like everyone knows every little detail of his life. “The question was more, do you know who I'm known as in the underworld?”
The silence that followed seemed to answer his question. Étoiles nodded.
“Come find me again when you know my name. Be quick about it though, I know Soulfire or even Boatem would love to use my skills.”
Étoiles stood, leaving his glass untouched. As he reached the door he turned back and observed the three of them sitting there wide eyed like scolded school children.
“And might I suggest looking into the Green family's list of employees. I know quite a few of them are looking for a new employer.”
With that, a man Phil is now realising he barely knows, slipped out of the room, leaving Bolas more interested in this mysterious figure than ever.