A Snake in The Hen House (2/6) spots opennenneenenenen

Chris couldn't blame the man for wanting to know more, it was part of the job description after all, but Shane shouldn't have been blaming himself for what had happened. He had no way of knowing what Evelyn would be like, therefore he had no reason to be blaming himself for what had happened to Chris. If he had ordered the mission while knowing what Evelyn was like then that would be a different matter entirely.
When Shane came at Chris and hugged them, their eyes naturally widened. But they wrapped their arms around him all the same, pulling the man closer and resting their head on his shoulder.

"I'm really sorry," Shane mumbled, wrapping his arms tighter around Chris. "God, if I had known…" Suddenly embarrassed, he pulled away, his eyes filled with a renewed fire. "I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna kill Evelyn," he said quietly, his hands balling into fists. "I don't care what it takes and I don't care what happens to me. She's had it coming for too long."

“Hey hey relax…” Chris pulled Shane back to them, gently rubbing the man’s back. “Evelyn has a some pretty powerful people on her side, you wouldn’t want to anger them. Plus, there’s been enough death around here for a while, don’t you think?” There was still the question of who killed Bear, and at this rate they were no closer to discovering who it was——all they knew was that it wasn’t Evelyn.

Shane shot up. "That's it! Evelyn's allies! They may have used some of her manpower to carry out the hit! I'll have to do some digging." He ran out of the room and slid into the dining room, gathering up his remaining folders and running back to Chris. Dropping down to his knees, he splayed the folders out on the table, each with the name of one of Evelyn's allies on it.

(bump? I don’t mean to be annoying and there’s no rush :) )

(Hey sorry I haven’t forgotten I’ve just been really busy. I’ll respond when I get home from work later)

(That’s completely okay! Take your time)

Chris was still convinced that Evelyn wasn’t at all connected to Bear’s death, directly or indirectly. It just didn’t seem like something she would have a part in, and no one knew Evelyn better than Chris. “I don’t think it is too late to rule out any other suspects. Don’t forget we still have the Frenchies, the Nords, and the Spanish mafia. They would all benefit greatly from Bear’s death, remember.”

Shane nodded. “Right. You make a fantastic point. Do you have any particular suspects in mind? From all of your worldly travels, you must have a suspicion or two,” he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“Well let’s see…” Chris fumbled around for a scrap piece of paper and a pen, then wildly scribbled a spider diagram, matching various circled words with thick lines. They put the pen down, grabbing another bit of paper and writing down names. “As far as I am aware, it isn’t anyone outside of the country. Which completely rules out any enemies that are not visiting.” They quickly crossed out several names. “However if my memory serves me correctly, the Nords were at their embassy, which would have given them plenty of opportunity to gather with the Frenchies to plot against Bear.” Chris referred back to the diagram which showed the Nords and Frenchies’ connection. “That being said however, the Frenchies were still in conflict with the Yin and Yang clan over territory, and we have always had a sturdy relationship with the Asians. Although…” There was another possibility.

(Bumping this just in case)

(Oh howdy! Great to have you back!)

“What if the Nords and Frenchies teamed up and managed to overpower the Yin and Yang clan, offering them something they wouldn’t be able to refuse if they decided to help them out.” Chris stared at the paper, yawning after a moment. “No one would suspect the Yin and Yang because of their relationship with Bear.”

It was only a theory, but a very plausible one. No one would suspect the Asians, and the Asians wouldn’t do something like that without an incentive. As Chris sat in silence, a new feeling of dread crept through their body, turning their insides uncomfortably cold in a way that made them want to throw up.

They turned to Shane with a weak smile. “You’re the brains here, what do you suggest we do from here?”

(Just thinking, should we make up some side characters on our side just for numbers sake?)

(Cool beans!)

Investigating the clan’s compound, a lot easier said than done. Sure it was only a ten minute car journey away, but numbers is what Chris and Shane were down on. Since the ‘talk’ with Evelyn hadn’t gone down too well with just the two of them, it was wise to assume that they were going to need some extra hands for the Yin and Yang clan.
“Do you remember Astra?” Chris squinted as if trying to remember the girl themselves. “I think her number is in Bear’s logs, would you mind giving her a call while I phone up Fabian.”