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((Set to current date, like a hour or so... give or take, after this solo))

“Chai latte for Smith!” The voice of the barista cut through the din of the coffee house. The general chatter muffled the response of the random girl snagging the non-descript disposable cup from the counter before making her way back outside. The whole place smelled of baked pastry and coffee, with the undertone that was humanity. Most were dressed in pants and some type of long sleeve top, since the weather had started to turn towards winter. Fall had officially started so it wasn’t all that surprising. Heck the shop was even selling the dreaded Pumpkin Spice Latte, although personally he preferred the hot apple cider. Quinn observed all of this from his small table tucked into a back corner, nursing a simple cup of black tea. He was out of the way and completely ignored, something he was grateful for.

He had no idea how this meeting was going to go. Hell, it wasn’t like Quinn was in the habit of needing a PI, he was sure there might have been a few hired through some of the offshoots of the company but he had never employed one personally. At least not until now. This meeting was really their first meeting. A ‘get to know you’ kind of thing where Quinn wasn’t expecting anything more than trading some info and getting an actual feel for the investigator. The sandy haired man wasn’t stupid, he had done his research and had reached out to one of the best he had found that was local. One of the ones that had a reputation of being good, and discrete as hell. This is definitely not a subject he wanted out there if it was possible. At least not yet. Not when so much was still unknown, that was for sure.

So there he sat, wearing simple jeans and a dark gray jacket. His worn ball cap was on the table and his fingers were scrolling through various emails on his phone, even while waiting for his job didn’t stop. He had quite a few things going on that he needed to at least stay abreast of. The cup of tea he had ordered was rapidly cooling even as he kept a general feel of the place, glancing up whenever he heard the chime of the bell hung above the door. He looked like anyone else in the shop. Anyone else enjoying the warmish, with a chill to the wind, fall day. No one there knew he was going to meet someone who would, with luck, be able to piece together parts of his life that he had lost years ago to anger and booze. That the PI would have a major challenge on their hands, but the prize, the goal, was so much more important than could ever be expected. If the picture really was more than just a figment of his imagination. If the person in the photo was who he hoped, and feared, it was.

Either way his world was going to be turned upside down and his past would be laid bare for a complete stranger. No matter how much the thought gave him chills Quinn couldn’t just let the possibility of that photo go. He wouldn’t.

Quinn was crafting a reply to an email when the shop's door opened. He had been glancing up when this happened but honestly the email had his attention, at least until a name being mentioned pulled Quinn away from his phone. Leander was a unique name and it was in fact the name of the person he was waiting for. Moss green eyes quickly picked out the newcomer and watched as the figure in nearly all black approached. He nodded and shook the offered hand, “Arthur Quinton, but most call me Quinn, and not as much as I would like. They make fantastic iced tea in the summer. Just the right amount of tart to sweet.” He took a sip of his own tea, holding back a grimace as he realized it had become tepid. Nothing worse than warm beer and cool tea. “I try to stop in whenever my schedule allows but, well,” He gave a slight half shrug, “‘No rest for the wicked’ and all that.” Ironic really since some believed that big businesses were evil and all that while Quinn was doing everything in his power for his people and their families.

Speaking of families. Quinn pulled out a manila envelope, one of those large folders that was sealed at the one end with the metal dohickeys, “Here is all the paperwork and stuff. You know, like the wages, Non-disclosure, and employment stuff plus anything I could find in my records about… well, um, about that time six years ago.” The file was rather slim, all things considered. Most of what he remembered was from when he was powered, and more anger fueled then booze fueled. None of that was in the file. “It's not much to go off of but everything I’ve found about you suggests you're damn good at what you do. I’ll do what I can to help but I honestly have very little memory from that long ago.” Quinn sighed and finished off his cold tea, even as his phone chirped informing him of another incoming email. “So, um, what else can I tell you? I’ll answer everything to the best of my ability.”

Quinn mentally smacked his forehead with his palm, of course there were no real questions right then! Leander needed time to see what information he had to work with before he could really start to poke and prod. No point in asking questions for something that might be in the report, or not ask a question that needed asking. Besides, it wasn't exactly like they were in a private office right now. While their conversation was fairly quiet and no one was near enough to overhear it didn’t mean that it was being kept secret. So he was right, best to see what info was there before asking one hundred and one questions. “Certainly, I can’t promise I can answer them all that well but I will do my best.”

The young man gave a quick negative shake of his head when asked if there was anything else that needed signing. “Not at this time. All the paperwork side of things in there are your copies so unless something crops up that needs further adjustment everything should be set.” Paperwork out the wazoo as far as Quinn was concerned. His whole life was paperwork now. But it was necessary paperwork. Stuff to cover both of them, and most importantly it dictated that nothing that was found could be shared with anyone but Quinn. That and money. Money was always best to spell out in black and white. Leander’s fee was rather nice, plus all expenses covered or reimbursed as needed. Quinn was even willing to toss in a hefty bonus depending on how everything went. But that was neither here nor there just yet. First they needed to actually get started.

“My folks primarily. They have been through enough so don’t bother them with any of this. Not even a whisper of it.” Quinn made sure he retained eye contact with the other male to make sure he knew that he was dead serious. “Besides, this would have been connected only to me so there should be no reason to drift towards my parents.” He paused a second and tried to think if there was anyone else he needed to suggest. “Maybe my ex from around then since there is no way she is connected to this.” He definitely would have heard something if the child was hers had that been the case. The world might have been large but it wasn’t that big. With a grimace he added, “Not connected outside of our breakup being a reason I drank during that time to begin with, that is.” He had to be ‘truthful’ here that is for sure. As truthful as he could without going into secrets that he wasn’t going to share. Order secrets.

Quinn thought about it before he nodded, “Yeah that should work just fine. Besides that way any incidentals or extras can be handled more rapidly. I know it's already stated but, and I don’t get to say this often, money is no object.” He shrugged and added, “Within reason please but if it is needed, go for it.” Leander was getting paid handsomely for his time, especially since Quinn knew just how much work it was likely to take him, but he also knew that more than just the fee was going to be needed. He was prepared for that. Being a trust fund kid had some serious benefits, not that he had touched it… his current money is what he drew from his job. Granted it's all ‘family’ money when you work a job at the family company. But that was neither here nor there, it was still a fairly big chip on his shoulder but Quinn did what he could to let it go since there wasn’t anyone else to step into his position. Well, ok, so maybe that's not quite true but he still didn’t want the family business to fall out of the family that way.

The chirp of his phone reminded Quinn that his day was far from over, and it also helped put his wandering mind back on track. “Just do what you can.” He sighed and continued even as he absently turned off the phone chirp of an incoming call, “It won’t be easy but your reputation precedes you. All I can say is ‘good luck’ and if you need any assistance with anything don’t hesitate to call.” Pretty ironic really since he turned down a call just then, a voicemail icon popping up telling Quinn he would have to return that call, especially since a text followed the voicemail. He was running out of time for this particular meeting. Two more rapid fire texts had him glare at the electronic device before politely asking Leander, “Is there anything else that is needed? God knows I don’t want to rush you but I have a feeling if I don’t get back to work shortly they will send out the Coast Guard or something to make me. Ironic really since they used to fuss at me so much for overworking. Now it feels like all I do is work.” Like the weeks of drunken haze of anger and sadness, the months of endless work did not particularly end well for him.

Well one could never say Quinn didn’t give it his all. It just might not be his ‘best’ all that's being presented.

“I am really sorry about that.” Quinn sighed and nodded. He understood that neither of them really had a lot of free time and his phone interrupting was just rude. “Thank you. For your help with this and understanding about the electronic leash. I appreciate it.” He offered his hand once again, this time in goodbye since they both had things they needed to do. “It won’t be easy but I’m sure you will succeed.”

When the phone made a little musical trill Quinn instantly picked it up, murmuring another apology to his companion. “Mom? I’m in a meeting-” He paused and his face went pale, “Ok. I’ll be right there. Call the doctor ok? It will be ok.” Without hanging up he looked up at Leander and quickly shook his head. “I’ve got to go. I am sorry. Contact me if anything comes up and I’ll take care of it.” There wasn’t much more to be said, he had to go. No if, ands, or buts. “Mom? Mom, I need you to breathe for me please. Just take a deep breath and tell me what happened.” Quinn didn’t give any further explanation or really hung around any more. He grabbed his bag and, with a nod to Leander, he headed out the door, tossing his empty cup in the trash as he went. He felt a twinge of embarrassment for the way he just up and left but his mom needed him. End of story.

Family always came first.