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Post by Riley Neves on May 17, 2009 23:10:11 GMT -5
Riley couldn't take it anymore. She'd finally come to terms with the fact that she was alone now, that Roland wasn't going to come waltzing through the doors of the Ministry to annoy her anymore, and she had two projects in her lap. Angelique was being responsive and helpful, but she was so busy with everything else, and Riley needed to take things into her own hands. Roland would be proud that she wasn't even going to do it by the book.
She met Geoffrey in his department and went to Galligan's with him. Until Hayden showed up, she was being very quiet about what she wanted to talk to them about. But out of everyone she knew... these were the two people she could trust right now.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 17, 2009 23:23:29 GMT -5
Geoffrey peered at Riley over the top of his menu. She was acting strangely, and he couldn't help but be worried. She wasn't telling him what was going on, and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. She had invited Hayden, which was also odd. He and Hayden didn't know each other very well, so what could they possibly talk about?
"Riley, is this about Roland?" he asked, fishing for answers.
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Post by Riley Neves on May 17, 2009 23:33:47 GMT -5
Riley sighed. Leave it to Geoffrey to not be patient. Hayden would be here soon, and she really only wanted to go through this once. Still, it was Geoffrey, and she could never tell him anything like that.
She glanced up at him. "Stop looking at me like I've grown another head," she told him, smiling lightly, but her smile was nervous. "And no. It's not about Roland. Not really."
It was about catching the bastards that killed him, the ones that attacked Lina. She knew Blake, and she knew that two of the others were dead. That left one wild card... and she would figure it out eventually.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 17, 2009 23:44:58 GMT -5
Geoffrey frowned. He didn't like when she kept things from him. There was definitely something going on, and it wasn't good. He could feel it. Her nervous smile did nothing to ease his mind.
Setting down his menu, he eyed her warily. "Well, you're acting very mysterious, and I don't like it. Could you at least give me a hint about what's going on?"
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Post by Riley Neves on May 17, 2009 23:48:29 GMT -5
Riley sighed. "You can't wait for Hayden?" She asked. "I'm going to tell you everything, then."
But he was asking now, and she finally nodded. "Okay, fine. But you're not going to like it at all. Just know that no, you can't talk me out of it."
She closed her own menu and set it down, quiet as one of the waiters gave them both water, and set a third glass since Riley told him there would be another joining them. When they were alone again, she met Geoffrey's eyes.
"I'm going after his killer."
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 17, 2009 23:57:52 GMT -5
And there it was. Geoffrey wished he could have been surprised by her declaration, but somehow, deep in his bones, he felt it; he'd known it all along. Still, hearing it aloud made the bottom drop out of his stomach. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily.
"Riley.... These guys killed Roland. What makes you think you can stop them?"
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 0:05:35 GMT -5
"And they almost killed me, remember?" Riley snapped, and was immediately sorry that she did. Geoffrey wasn't trying to fight with her. And she knew he wasn't going to like this plan anyway. She should have been prepared for his comments anyway.
"I can beat them because I'm smarter than them. Please trust me. I have a plan, and if things go according to this plan, I won't ever even have to see either of them. Merlin knows I can't kill another person." She looked away from him when she said this and sighed.
"They killed Roland and they got away with it. I can't live with that."
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 18, 2009 0:36:05 GMT -5
Geoffrey wanted to see Roland's killers be punished just as much as anyone else. But he wished it wasn't Riley who was going after them. There was something about the gleam in her eyes that scared him. What if she took some crazy risk because she felt like she had nothing left to lose? What if Roland's spirit inspired her to do something reckless?
"A plan?" he repeated, shaking his head. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 1:04:04 GMT -5
Riley shook her head. "Just be glad I'm asking you to help me."
She smiled again. "It's safe, I promise," she said, and then she paused and laughed. "Well, you know, comparatively. Can you wait for Hayden, please? I just want to dp this once."
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 18, 2009 1:18:57 GMT -5
Geoffrey frowned. He still didn't like it. And he didn't know how he was supposed to help, anyway. He wasn't an auror. Hayden made sense, but Geoffrey couldn't help but worry that the only reason she was telling him was because she was taking a serious risk and she wanted him to be warned in case something happened to her.
"OK," he said. "OK, we'll wait for Hayden. But just know that I already don't like this, OK?"
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 1:27:00 GMT -5
"I know you don't," Riley said. She guessed that from the very beginning. She didn't like it either, but what else could she do? "I just can't let them win or get away with this, and if they stay out there... I'm still in trouble, and so are you, his family. Geoffrey... Roland told me who one of the attackers was before we fought them. I know who killed Roland. And he doesn't know that I have this knowledge. That gives me an advantage, and I have to take it. Please understand."
He would have to. She was doing this whether he did or not, though. And maybe she was telling him just so that he wouldn't be surprised if something happened to her. She hadn't thought of that. She was telling Roland because she would need someone to keep an eye on her, and Geoffrey was her best friend.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 18, 2009 1:47:18 GMT -5
Geoffrey couldn't understand why she wasn't going directly to her boss, if she knew who the killer was. He definitely didnt like the idea of her going in on this alone. But maybe that's what she wanted Hayden for.
"I want the killer to get what's coming to him, too," he said. "I just don't want you to be in danger. You're very brave, and I have no doubt that Roland would have been very proud of you. But just promise me you're going to be as careful as you possibly can. I'll wait and see what your plan is.... but I'm still worried about you."
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 2:00:14 GMT -5
"Here's the thing, Geoffrey... I wasn't supposed to survive that night. It was pure luck that I got out... and they know who I am. That means I'm in danger anyway."
She took a sip of her water, and gave him a look that said she wasn't saying more until Hayden showed up about the plan. "I'm not taking unneccesary risks."
She thought this through, she knew what she was going to do, and it was a good, solid plan. They could help her, or they wouldn't, but she was doing it either way.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 18, 2009 2:22:51 GMT -5
"If you're trying to make me feel better, you just failed," Geoffrey said, looking extremely disturbed.
Riley was his best friend, and he loved her. Hearing that she wasn't supposed to be alive, that she could have died with Roland, made it all feel so much worse. What would he do without Riley? Was she really walking around with a target on her back?
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on May 18, 2009 7:33:32 GMT -5
After his break down once everyone else had left the cementary, Hayden did feel a little better. He was able to pick himself up and go to his apartment. For once, he had been able to sleep even if it was just for a few hours.
Upon waking up, he got the owl from Riley and quickly showered and dressed. He wasn't quite sure why Riley invited him to go to Galligan's, but he wasn't going to question it. Hayden had told her if she wanted or needed him for anything, he'd be right there.
Arriving at Galligan's he looked around and noticed that Geoffrey was there with Riley. Hayden's curiousity started to get the best of him. Walking over to the table, he put on a light smile and took a seat. "Hey Geoffrey, Riley. Sorry I'm a little late."
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 12:04:02 GMT -5
Riley didn't get the chance to respond to Geoffrey as Hayden joined them. She smiled when she saw him and stood up, hugging him. He looked good, actually. Some color was in his cheeks again, at least. "Don't worry about it, Hayden. Thank you for coming," she said, pulling away and gesturing for him to sit down on Geoffrey's side.
She gave Geoffrey a look, and then addressed them both. "Okay, I know you both want to know why I asked for your help... but first, I need you both to swear that whatever is said at this table won't be repeated to a soul."
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on May 18, 2009 12:15:19 GMT -5
"You don't have to thank me. I told you if you needed anything, I'd be there." Hayden gave another light smile and took the seat next to Geoffrey.
The owl gave no hints as to what the reason behind the meeting was. Riley's look definately told him it was something. She didn't look near as sad as before. In fact, she looked slightly better, at least to Hayden anyway.
At Riley's words, Hayden raised his eyebrows. Glancing to Geoffrey, he gave him a questioning look before looking back to her. "You know I'm not going to say anything," he said. Whatever Riley was planning, he would keep to himself. Besides, who else was he going to tell? He didn't exactly have some one he could go talk to about whatever.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on May 18, 2009 12:33:52 GMT -5
Geoffrey continued to frown very deeply, and he crossed his arms over his chest. He exchanged a glance with Hayden, and was only slightly reassured by the fact that he was involved in this. He'd never known Hayden to take any crazy risks, so having him involved was at least somewhat comforting. He'd be careful.
Sighing, Geoffrey nodded. "Yeah, OK. You have my word. You know I'll keep your secret. But I still reserve the right to try and talk you out of this."
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Post by Riley Neves on May 18, 2009 12:42:58 GMT -5
When Hayden assured her that he wouldn't tell, Riley's eyes moved towards Geoffrey. He was the wild card. If he thought she was in too much danger, he would tell anyone he could that would keep her safe. And in order for this to work... no one should know. "Okay, thank you. You should both know that I'm telling you because I trust you both, out of everyone."
Her hands folded in front of her, and she kept her gaze mainly on Hayden since Geoffrey already heard this part.
"Before Roland died, he told me who one of his attackers was, and he described to me the other three. Two of them are now dead, and two are still on the loose. The attacker that I know... is the one who killed Roland, and I'm going after him."
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on May 18, 2009 12:58:32 GMT -5
Hayden understood what Riley was saying, and he understood what Geoffrey meant by talking her out of it. "I'm not going to let you do that," he said before pausing, "alone." He gave a glance toward Geoffrey. "I know that it is dangerous, but if Roland was going after them, then something has to be done." Turning his attention back to Riley, he ran a hand over his face. Part of him was telling him that he should do everything he could to talk her out of it, but from what he observed, it was just going to wear him out.
"Who is it?"
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