8758/Undercurrents: So, Heard of Hook

Undercurrents: So, Heard of Hook
Date of Scene:	12 August 2019
Location:	Drew Residence - Greenwich
Synopsis:	Captain Quaid visits Spider-Woman to tell her they both have a price on their heads. Chinese food stops the damage good Scotch could have done.
Cast of Characters:	Spider-Woman (Drew), Frank Quaid

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Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
The text came in the late afternoon from Jessica. She wasn't sure what Frank was doing or what time he got off, but she had hoped to catch him during work hours. Since it was work.

"Hey, did you ever hear anything about that place we hit last night? Assuming it was just a crackhouse, but hoping I'm right. Judging by the clientele involved, I thought I was safe in assuming, but always best to be sure. Submitting an after action report, and want to be sure it's accurate. If it's easier, you can swing by my place before you go home. Or I can meet you, if need be."

Jessica sends the text and goes back to the elliptical, moving at breakneck speed on it. She goes through a /lot/ of elliptical machines.

Frank Quaid has posed:
Frank is busy at the precinct in Greenwich laying some groundwork with the lieutenant for an upcoming operation. When he gets the text from Jessica, Frank quickly sends a message back while Elaina and the lieutenant are sorting out a few details.

<We should talk. I'm at the precinct in Greenwich. Where's good?> he sends to Jess.

They wrap up the meeting shortly and Frank walks back through the precinct toward the gated parking. "El, can you grab one of the cars here to get back? I need to make a stop," Frank says.

"Where are you going?" Elaina Bever asks. "Thought we were grabbing lunch and then you were going to go talk with the DA?"

"Yeah, I'll get to that, I never heard back if she's in court or the office today, so it might not happen. Probably still figuring out if warrants for Trask and Sebastion will make or break her career," Frank replies.

"You didn't answer my question," Elaina says pointedly.

"El, quit busting my balls," Frank grunts. "Need to go speak to Spider-Woman about the thing last night."

"Sure you do, who calls people or uses texts these days?" Elaina replies dryly. "You're letting this SHIELD and superhero shit go to your head, Frank. Isn't Lewis almost getting you trouble enough?"

"You're mad at Trevor, not me," Frank counters. "I'm a big boy, I can handle it."

Elaina stops and crosses her arms across her stomach. She gives Frank a flat stare for a long moment, while he waits impassively.

"Fine," Elaina says with a frown. She walks off to find keys for a car. Frank watches her go with a frown. Then he walks over to his Tahoe and climbs in. Not knowing where he is heading yet, he pulls out into traffic so he does not have to deal with more angry Elaina.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
The second text comes just as Frank is pulling into traffic:

"You're 10 minutes from my place. Come by here? I'll order takeout."

Jessica replies with one more text including the address and code to get past the gates to her addition. And then she Flight of the Bumblebees a quick run-through of her house as if anything might possibly be out of place. As OCD as she is, she has adjusted everything at least twice today, but she still finds things to "fix" before Frank arrives.

Frank Quaid has posed:
"Her place?" Frank says. He smirks and signals across a couple of lanes to make the next turn.

<There soon> Frank texts back.

It takes Frank a little longer than ten minutes to buzz through the gates at Jessica's apartment. Frank makes an appreciative face. Even from the outside he can tell the place will be nice. He puts the truck in park and puts himself out busy with no address on the computer so dispatch will leave him alone.

Frank pulls down the visor and starts to look at himself in the mirror. He stops, shakes his head and pushes the visor back up. Frank grabs the jacket for his black suit off the passenger seat when he climbs out and shrugs it on over top a light blue shirt and silver-gold paisley tie.

He heads over to the door with his Blackberry in hand. The flow of messages is relentless as always. He quickly taps out a few responses then silences his phone and pockets it so he can knock.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica isn't breathless when she answers the door, only because she has the stamina of a something that has a ton of stamina.

She's still in a black tanktop and yoga pants, with a colorful sheer scarf tied around her waist to the effect of a slanted rumpcover. Her hair is haphazardly falling down from an updo, from exercise and running around the house. Her feet are bare with a deep red polish, in contrast to short, unpainted fingernails. "Hi, Frank! C'mon in, can I get your coat? Or a drink? Or both?"

Frank Quaid has posed:
"Hi Jess," Frank says with a smile and slight tilt of the head. "Both sound great."

He passes off his suit jacket to Jess. With the jacket off, the line where his vest ends under his shirt shows, making him look just a bit puffy and ill-defined in the chest. Out of habit, he pops the clip out of his holstered firearm and pockets it. His badge is clipped on his belt, along with two spare mags and a pair of handcuffs.

Frank looks around curiously from where he stands while Jessica hangs up his jacket. While he takes in the decor he undoes his cuffs and rolls up his sleeves. No tattoos for the veteran cop.

"You've got a nice place," Frank says appreciatively. "How long have you lived here?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Ahhh...I think maybe seven years or so? And thanks. I like my privacy..." She smiles as she hangs up Frank's jacket. "We drinking fun or responsible today? I don't know your plans for later..." Jess advises as she heads for the kitchen and takes down two glasses.

Frank Quaid has posed:
"Plenty private," Frank says. He follows Jessica into the kitchen. Or perhaps it is more like he is drawn in her wake. He knows the feeling is coming everytime he Jess, these days everytime she crosses his mind. And he knows its those damn pheromones she told him about. But it does not make it any easier to stop admiring the fit of Jess' yoga pants or the way she smiles, or keeping his mind from wandering when she asks about plans.

"Ah, one or two won't put me over, and all I've got waiting for me tonight is more paper at the office," he says dryly. "It won't care if I had a drink or two without it."

Frank looks around the kitchen and walks over to glance out to the patio.

"Really nice. Nobody bothers you here?" he asks curiously.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jess looks over her shoulder at Frank as she stands on tiptoe to take down a bottle of Scotch. Her smile is mischievous. "Nobody can hear you scream, if that's your concern." She lifts his glass and asks, "Ice?" before continuing.

"Y'know, someone once told me there are cautionary fairy tales about men who venture into spiders' lairs..."

Frank Quaid has posed:
Frank looks over to Jess and smirks. "Comforting. I'll watch out for webs."

"Neat, please," Frank says to Jess as he walks back over. "No sense watering down my last drink."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica places two glasses on the bar and pours Scotch in both, then picks up her glass and raises it to him. "To living long, and dying happy," she toasts with a wry grin.

Frank Quaid has posed:
Frank takes his glass and raises it to Jess. "Amen," he says and swirls the glass before taking a sniff. He sips and considers.

"Even the Scotch here is expensive. Mortlach?" Frank asks and takes a seat.

"You have a taste for Scotch, or just buy the most expensive thing you see?" he asks with a wry smile. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica nods, then swallows. "Twenty year. I got turned onto it at the Avengers' Mansion. Maybe Tony has a taste for Scotch. Or maybe Tony has a taste for anything over a hundred dollars that contains alcohol." She raises her brows and gives Frank a lopsided grin.

"So, was there somethin' in particular you needed to discuss? You said we needed to talk. In my experience, that means I'm about to get dumped, or I got dumped a month ago and haven't realized it yet. But since it's you, I'm gonna assume this is something business related. Or you wanna ask me out to a roller derby."

Frank Quaid has posed:
Frank groans and takes another sip of the Scotch. "I'm /not/ asking you out to roller derby. Wouldn't do that to you," Frank says dryly. "And I can't dump someone I'm not seeing. I guess that leaves business."

The older man sets his glass down and looks a bit more serious. "You know that Hook problem that's been in the news," Frank assumes. "The house you took out last night was a stash for MD12, one of the big drug gangs in the city. Our guys found Hook, heroin and meth inside. Good bust, nobody hurt by us. Another night's work done, more drugs off the street. And nothing wrong with kicking MD12 while they're down. They're animals. They didn't deserve what happened a couple weeks ago, but they used their families as human shields and somebody didn't care," Frank says with a shake of the head.

"All good news, right?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Reaaally? I had assumed it was just another run of the mill crackhouse getting shot up by a rival. But I guess I'm dating myself with that assumption. I somehow doubt crackhouses have been crackhouses in at least a decade. Maybe more. Drugs have gone elite on our watch, it seems." Jessica shakes her head. "So where's this new stuff coming from? I've heard it's got something different. Something magical. But I don't know if that's lingo, or if it's literal."

Frank Quaid has posed:
"We're not that old, there's still crack shacks out there," Frank says and mutters something about 25-year olds thinking they are old.

He goes to his drink and nods while he savours and swallows. "That's what they say, but damned if we know. I see the briefings from Drugs and OC, the labs are stumped. Nobody can figure out where this stuff is coming from or how it works exactly. Some of our guys have gotten really messed up, too. Accidental exposures in raids. Turned five now into total fiends. It's insane," Frank says and glowers darkly. He purses his lips and runs his tongue over the front of his teeth.

"The drugs are bad, but with all the violence heroes have been hitting back. Look at this though. From a crime scene a couple nights ago in Salem Centre," Frank says. He pulls out his phone, unlocks it and pulls up some pictures. He hands his phone to Jessica.

The pictures show a nighttime crime scene in a street outside a damaged Baskin Robbins. The area is taped off. Some cars are overturned or have their windows smashed. Evidence markers are everywhere. Some of the shots focus on big scorch marks on the walls of a building across from Baskin Robbins. Close up shots show the concrete melted several inches in at the points of impact.

"Those burn marks? Forensics says it's plasma, and we picked up some really fancy rifles at the scene," Frank says. "The guys we arrested were mercs. Said they were doing a contract hit on some people, but didn't know why. So one of our deep cover guys went to look into it, got the names of some more open contracts. These ones and a bunch of others were all put out by someone in Chicago, and they're paying a lot of money. Intel had a look, and we don't even know who a bunch of the people are but some of them we do. And we've got good intel that they've been involved in fights taking out Hook dealers."

"This morning, I got a call from Protective Services, our internal security people," Frank says somberly. "Two new contracts from Chicago opened up overnight. For Spider-Woman and Frank Quaid."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica breathes a mirthless laugh. "Well if they think for one second that I'm gonna let anything happen to you, they're insane, Frank," Jess replies, completely glossing over the first part of that intel. "You're one of three people who currently know where I live. And the others are Avengers. So do we need to set up a perimeter watch on your apartment? I can have it done. Cameras and monitoring 24/7. Or y'know...I have a guest room." She takes another swallow.

Frank Quaid has posed:
The thought passes through Frank's mind faster than his good sense can coral it.

"You know, that could..." Frank starts then cuts himself off. He closes his eyes for a moment and takes a breath as if losing patience with himself. "Would be really stupid. It'd put both of us in one place, and if I pick up surveillance I could lead them right here," Frank reasons. As far as protests go, it is apathetic. He takes another sip of his drink, not bothering to savour it this time.

"I'll be fine," Frank assures Jess. "They're putting me up in safehouse and hotels under covert IDs until this gets sorted out. They're offering you the same thing if you want it."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica shakes her head. "If they wanna try for me, let them try. They aren't going to kill me. And if I can take down anyone who tries, that's just that many who can't try for you. If I feel like I need protection, I'll let you know. Deal?" She smirks slightly, but tries to hide it. She doesn't need to be a telepath to read Frank Quaid's thoughts. It's part of what endears him to her.

"It's okay to be human sometimes, Frank," Jess says softly. "Even I am sometimes." She winks and reaches over to take one of his hands in hers and give it a squeeze.

Frank Quaid has posed:
The heat fills Frank immediately when Jess takes his hand. He looks at her hand on his and is immediately glad his dark complexion hides any flushing damn well.

"Jess... You warned me, I'm trying over here," he says quietly but does not pull away. He gently rubs the back of Jess' hand with his thumb, clearly in no hurry to let go. "Don't wanna do anything stupid because of some chemicals. Besides, you wouldn't respect me if I turned into one more guy throwing himself at you. So I'm trying, hard as you make it."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Frank...." Jessica tries to form a word, to say something. Anything. She finally just exhales a deep sigh. "I'm trying too, and /I/ don't have any chemicals to blame it on. So don't be so hard on yourself, okay? I could never lose respect for you. We'll figure this out. Hopefully before Elaina puts her own hit out on me. Drug fiends with plasma rifles don't scare me, but I think maybe /she/ could take me."

Frank Quaid has posed:
Frank wants to come across to Jess and it shows. That barely contained impulse. He pulls his hand away from the alluring spider slowly and reaches for his drink instead. Frank looks away from Jess and takes a sip of the Scotch, savouring it this time, focusing on something other than a beautiful face and yoga pants.

"She's just protective," Frank grunts, a bit amused at Jess' comment. "She likes the big swaggering tactical guys. We had our day, we're both past that."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jess snorts a laugh. "You might be. But she isn't. She has the look of someone who settled, and regrets it." She shrugs and lifts her own glass to her lips again. She pauses...hesitates. Then tilts back her head and drains her glass.

Frank Quaid has posed:
"El doesn't do regrets, believe me," Frank says, with a smirk. He finishes his drink as well. "She's just going through a rough patch. Her husband's been messing around with some dispatcher."

"Were you serious about takeout? I haven't eaten yet," Frank says. "Having a price on my head is hungry work."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"GOD yes," Jessica replies, grateful for something to break the tension. "I was considering Chinese, but I am open to anything. They all deliver anymore. What sounds good?" Jessica has them all on speed dial, too. Girl can eat. But she can't cook.

Frank Quaid has posed:
"Chinese sounds great, got a good place around here?" Frank asks, equally relieved. "I skipped lunch so I hope it's good. And I'll cover it, department's paying my meals since I can't go home for now."

Frank reaches for the Scotch and turns the bottle so he can actually read the label. He gives the bottle an appreciative nod and pours some more for himself and Jess.

"Hate to ask, but I'd love to ditch this vest and have a shower," the cop says. "If that's alright?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Sure, absolutely. Got a change of clothes with you? I'd be glad to do some laundry for ya. Keep you smellin' fresh as a daisy," Jess chides and nudges him. "Food should be here by the time you can shower and change. It's /amazing/. I'm thinkin' Cashew Black Pepper Chicken Lo Mein, Pepper Beef with rice, Veggie Teriyaki, and some egg rolls. Oh! And egg drop soup. Did I miss anything?" Jess is already whipping out the phone.

Frank Quaid has posed:
"A daisy? That'll be the day. Don't worry about laundry, I can't afford the tip in a place like this," Frank says dryly.

"I'll just grab my surveillance bag from the truck, I've got clothes in there," He says. Frank takes another sip of his drink. "That is good. Be right back."

Frank makes his way outside while Jess gets on the phone to order dinner. He pops open the back of the truck and grabs a duffel bag. He glances out the way he came in earlier.

"What the hell, Frank?" Frank asks himself. His phone buzzes some more and he feels the tension of too many things that need doing, that never stop coming, and take up every minute of his days. Because he ought to get back in the truck and go to work.

Frank reaches up and pulls down the backdoor of the truck to close it. He walks back to Jess's door and lets himself in.

"Don't web me in the face, I'm not an assassin," he says when he comes in. Frank leaves his shoes at the front door, locks it behind him and heads back into the kitchen.