When Good News Is Bad News

[Allison Rogers]

Allison picked up her phone on the second ring, not recognizing the number.

"Yes, this is she. May I ask who's calling?"

"Oh. What can I do for you?"

Silence reigned for a bit, during which Allison's eyes grew slitted and her hands sprouted claws. Still, she managed to stay cordial on the phone.

"I appreciate you informing me. It will certainly take a load off my mind."

"Yes, thank you. Let me know if you still need additional statements and I'll certainly make time to give them. Good day."

She looked at the "Call Ended" on her phone for a long moment, then her grip raked a series of shallow scratches in the surface of her desk.

((Open))

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"You lot go through a lot of furniture don't you?" Sergei asked from the doorway.

[Allison Rogers]

"Not usually," Allison said, composing herself again.

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"Bad news I take it?"

[Allison Rogers]

"A guy who had been sending goons to harass me was killed on his way to prison, so sort of a good news bad news thing, I guess."

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"Leaves a dirty feeling doesn't it?" he asked knowingly.

[Allison Rogers]

"Sort of. Good to know he won't be bothering me again, but it makes me wonder who cared enough to kill him."

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"How bad a guy are we talking about?"

[Allison Rogers]

"Human/mutant trafficking and general mobster type rackets. He'd already been in prison once though, so I find it hard to believe that going back meant someone cared enough to kill him."

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"Perhaps an enemy simply saw an opportunity?"

[Allison Rogers]

"I suppose. Just sort of unsatisfying in some respects. I wanted the asshole to rot in prison."

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"Caging people like him does seem more fitting than death."

[Allison Rogers]

"He didn't really seem to be the 'realizing the error of his ways' type though, so it's probably just as well. As dirty as it feels to say that."

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"Aye, though I thoroughly understand feeling that way."

[Allison Rogers]

"Just an adjustment to make, I guess."

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"Less looking over your shoulder at least."

[Allison Rogers]

"For now," she agreed.

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"At least we aren't out there making new enemies."

[Allison Rogers]

"Enemies have a habit of making themselves in this business."

[Sergei Tereshchenko]

"That they do," he agreed. "And pretty nasty ones at that."