Duplicity Inbox

[cleptes]

You've reached Bela Talbot's voicemail. Sorry I can't answer your phonecall; please leave a message and I'll get back to you later.

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Comments

[fortitudosalutis]

How'd you find that, you don't mind me asking?

[cleptes]

Simple, really.

He announced over the network that his Dominant had disappeared and he needed someone to take over the business he runs. Can't run it without a Dominant involved. I figured it was an opportunity for me, so I met up with him, we discussed what we both wanted out of the contract and that included a cut of the profits from the business for me.

I can't sign up for the business until I've been here for four months, but he's nice and we seem to get along.

A police officer back home though. So I haven't mentioned anything about what we've discussed before or now. He already thinks I've fucked around with Dominants, based on those profile things.

I did fuck around with them, but don't tell him that.

[fortitudosalutis]

Smart. He going to have a problem with the rest of it?

[cleptes]

No. I'll make sure of it.

But just to be on the safe side, I think we should keep our discussions away from my apartment.

[fortitudosalutis]

Fair enough. Though the place I'm staying ain't exactly five star.

[cleptes]

We can meet up in a hotel. I know some places have private rooms for hire too.

They wouldn't suspect anything.

[fortitudosalutis]

Good. I can work with that.

[ Though he'll miss cooking for her. ]

[cleptes]

Though he sometimes keeps odd working hours. Late shifts. Maybe we could work around it.

Meant to ask before - the Dominant that wants the information, did he approach you directly?

[fortitudosalutis]

Either way.

He did. Posed it like a test.

[cleptes]

That's interesting. Wonder if he's asked anyone else here.

Just be careful, yeah?

[fortitudosalutis]

Wouldn't surprise me.

You worried?

[cleptes]

You're an ally. Don't want you getting screwed over.

[ So yeah, maybe she's a little worried. ]

[fortitudosalutis]

It won't be a problem for our arrangement.

[cleptes]

That's reassuring, but my words still stand.

Can you tell me his name at least?

[fortitudosalutis]

Grayson Frost. You know him? I’m talking to a few others but he’s the one who posed the test. 

[cleptes]

I spoke to a man named Frost over a week ago, but he didn't mention Grayson.

Sharp suit, dark hair, and a bit restrained. Sound like him?

[fortitudosalutis]

Sounds like him. Barely concealed control freak tendencies? 

[cleptes]

Yeah. Seems familiar.

But I wasn't exactly myself when we met. You know those drone things? I think they did something to me.

[fortitudosalutis]

Heard about that. What happened? 

[cleptes]

There was a song playing from it. Next thing I knew, I was doing as the locals asked. Without question.

When Frost came across me, he overheard me talking about how easy it would be to steal a necklace displayed in a nearby shop window.

[fortitudosalutis]

[ No need to spell out the implications of that. It could’ve gone bad. Could’ve swung ugly. ]

What’d he do?  

[cleptes]

Nothing. We just talked.

I don't think he'd attempt anything in a public space.

[fortitudosalutis]

Think he would’ve tried something if there weren’t witnesses? 

[ Bela’s smart. She knows how to run a threat assessment. ]

[cleptes]

Maybe? I can't say for sure.

I was careful anyway. Like always.

[fortitudosalutis]

I will be, too.