Sylum Snippet: Ethan Says Thank You
Writer: Bj Jones
Note: This sets after last year’s snippet of Lamont hunting down Ethan … (Find story here)
Ethan slid into the booth, smiling at Claus, who refused to acknowledge him until he finished the paragraph he was reading, then set down the book. He gave Ethan a once over, making sure he looked whole, then sat back in the booth.
“That’s Presten’s seat.”
“He knows I’m here.” Ethan looked over his shoulder to see the other Hunter leaning against the door, watching intently. “I stopped by to say hello, and thank you.”
“No thanks needed, you are family.” He sipped his tea. “And I’m not a fan of Lamont, besides it was kinda fun.”
Ethan chuckled at Claus’ smirk. “Well I have a small gift of thanks. Now I know you’re going to give most of this to charity, but I do ask for two things.”
He slid a piece of paper across the table, with a string of numbers.
Claus recognized bank information easily, his eyebrow raised slightly. “Do I want to know?”
“The person who collected all the funds, won’t be needing them.” Ethan shrugged. The moment they had finished up with Lane, and dealt with ‘Huntly’ he had written every bank account down. Luther was still working with Brandon, to get things moved and organized.
“What are the two things?” He asked, not touching the paper, not yet.
“Take Preston on a trip, anywhere, just relax the two of you. It’s on me.” He gave him a bright grin. “The other, contact Stark Industries, they’ve done amazing advancements into prosthetics.”
Claus frowned, eyes narrowing. There were times he left off the one he wore now, as it never fit right, and just didn’t feel comfortable. His Mate had been pressuring him to let the doctor’s build him a new one. Sometimes he felt like he needed the reminder to never let evil take so much power again.
With a nod he grabbed the paper and put it into his pocket. “I hear sloths are cuddly.”
Ethan laughed lightly. “I want pictures.”
Nathan opened the door to his nephew giving him a look, then ushered him into his meditation room. Mushu laid on his bed, curled up snoring softly.
“I see you survived.” He stated as he prepared some tea and coffee for the two of them. “Katsumoto gave Imenand an earful for putting my life in jeopardy. There was a lot of cursing concerning family heritage and cows.”
Ethan took the cup of tea, laughing lightly. “I’m good. Thanks for helping. I needed the time to get things organized, so I could do what needed to be done.”
“Did you save the world again?” It wasn’t a flippant comment, Nathan knew exactly what his nephew did and he was sure there were many times Ethan had done just that – save the world.
“Stopped an evil organization from shifting power structures around to likely start world war three.” He paused for a moment. “Most of the time I feel as if I’m just pushing back the inevitable, at least right now, we’re not at war.”
“As one of the idiots who lives here, thank you.” Nathan gave him a bright smile. Ethan was so much like him, yet completely different. “Are you safe for the moment?”
“I am.” Ethan assured him, well as much as he could be safe with his line of work. “Not enjoying ‘Huntly’ being my boss, but I’m letting Brandt do his overprotective husband thing. Sidney, is making sure Luther doesn’t drain bank accounts.”
Nathan chuckled. “What’s he up to? Should the rest of the clans be worried?”
“He’s worried about Lane, as am I. The man is a Rogue who was using governments to fund illicit organizations. For a moment thought he was working for Galileo but he’s his own mastermind. They won’t be able to hold him, which is pretty much why Lamont is sticking around. I’m likely going to be dealing with him again.”
He reached over and squeezed his nephew’s hand. “If you need me.”
Ethan nodded, he was never good at asking for help. “As a thank you.” He handed over a slip of paper. “May have stolen their funds, so distribute it appropriately.”
Nathan set his coffee down and opened the paper, recognizing what it was. “What do you want me to do with it?”
“Whatever you want. Get Mushu, a dragon toy, or a real vacation with Katsomoto. Prep for World War Three, anything.”
Nathan stood and grabbed his phone. He wasn’t quite the international spy or hacker as his nephew and Mate, but he did run security for their business. His eyes went wide at the amount, but didn’t make a comment, instead put into procedures to make sure assets were moved quietly and efficiently.
“I think my Mate will get a nice Christmas gift, along with Mushu of course.”
Ethan laughed lightly.
The bar was quiet, it was not quite happy hour, and the lunch crowd had already left. Only reason Maverick was hanging out, he was avoiding his students. It was week three of Top Gun school, and he had made at least fifty bucks, from idiots who quoted the film.
Thank you, Bruce! Rumors had it he was planning a sequel.
He looked up from his paperwork to see a familiar eat shitting grin. “Sure you should be here, those feds have stopped by at least once a week. I would say it’s for my good looks, but … ”
Ethan smiled as he ordered a beer. “Benji is luring the agents away for a wild goose chase.”
He set the paperwork down, and looked at his ancestor. They never quite figured out where in the family line he came from. As his own family history was muddled, but no doubt he was likely a direct descendant from the Algren/Hunt line. The smirk alone was obvious.
“What the hell did the assholes want anyway?”
“For me to save the world on their rules.”
Maverick snorted, then laughed. “Sure, how about just saving the world? It works out for all of us.” He remembered all the times he got yelled at for ‘going off course’ to save the day. No thanks for saving the day and your fellow pilots, just don’t do it again well unless you have to.
“You didn’t get to much blow back?” Ethan had worried more about Peter as he was military and still worked in the system. The CIA had reach, and Lamont had one that was further.
“Hell no. I have my own connections, good and bad.” Maverick grinned. “They tried to figure out how we were related, and I think they were working to try and use me against you. But well being a Top Gun, and running the program gave me some leverage. Lucky the Admiral doesn’t like the feds moving against his people.”
“Good.” He pulled out an envelope and handed it over. “For any inconveniences. Don’t be to damn obvious about it, especially as you are still being watched.”
Maverick opened the envelope and looked over the contents. “This is all secured already? Cause if this showed up in my accounts.”
“All secured and only accessible from this.” He slid across a new phone. “Don’t get caught with it.”
“Got it. Heaven help me if they think I’m working for the Russians or something.” Technically they shouldn’t be having this conversation at the bar, but the owner was a Chosen One, and he had a healthy fear of Speed, who Maverick would invoke if need be.
“It’s been too long since we’ve last spoken, let’s not wait that long.”
“You’re the one gallivanting across the globe doing shit.” Maverik grinned. “But yeah, I actually need time away soon, so maybe a family trip wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Let us know. We can arrange things.”
Maverick put the phone into his pocket then downed the rest of his beer. “Want to go for a fly?”
Ethan paused. “You can do that.”
The shit eating grin was back. “It’s me.”
Ethan unbutton his suit jacket and sat down at the table set for two, at one of the most exclusive clubs in all of Toronto.
“Well you at least look nice.” Claudio gave him a dismissive wave. “You should know I had to see a therapist over my trauma of being followed by men in cheap suits.”
Ethan waved at the waiter who brought over the most expensive of champaigns. “I am truly sorry for the lack of good suits, but it’s the CIA they don’t pay enough for quality.”
“Though your’s is very nice.” He gave it an appreciative glance. “Is that Nerha silk?”
“Yes, designed by one of the fashion houses in Milan.” Hunt grinned at Claudio’s obvious intrigue and jealousy.
“How did you get that?” He demanded. Even he hadn’t got a private meeting at Nerha Silks.
“Old friend, we go way back.”
Claudio’s eyes narrowed. “The Count is a … of course he is. I miss living in an actual cultured town, though Toronto is very nice, it’s not Europe.”
“I can put in a good word.”
“It’s at least something you can do.” He demanded. They put in their order, then sat back to enjoy the drinks. “Now do tell me what those cheap suits wanted.”
“You know typical government stuff I can’t talk about.” He sipped the champaign. “But all is good, and I did want to give you my thanks for helping with the situation.”
“My dear Ethan, I may come across as a prance, but I do know what you get up to, and what you risk. Considering that man who shall not be named is still flouncing around, I will do all I can do to make sure my family is safe.” Claudio assured him. They weren’t very close, but Claudio still bristles at the idea of what Phelps did to one of his own. “Speaking of, I do have my own feelers out, and though nothing has popped up do know if he dares show his face anywhere near my Clan …”
“Thanks.” Ethan’s smile was a bit tight, but he was thankful for Claudio’s support. He knew La Croix hadn’t actually given a shit, that was until Claudio discovered the situation.
He slipped across a high end card with a string of numbers. “I know you have those accounts that are yours personally. No one wants to think if a Mate or Clan turns against you, but it is always good to be prepared.”
Claudio glanced down at the card, then back at Ethan. “I think dear Nico says it best, strive for peace but prepare for war.” He reached out and took it, a perfectly manicured eyebrow rose. “I lived far too long in the courts in Europe not to have back up plans. I do love my Mate, but we run a clan full of dangerous, backstabbing, money hungry assholes. What is this?”
“Funding from an illicit organization who wanted to make life harder for people. Now they can’t. I figured a boost wouldn’t hurt your accounts.”
He nodded and slipped into the front pocket in his jacket. “Does this mean I have to give you a Christmas gift this year?”
“Luther enjoyed the ensemble you sent last year.”
Claudio laughed lightly. “You my dear Ethan are more like me than you want to admit.”
Ethan swore it was the same diner that the CIA invaded. He eased out of the car, this time leaving Luther behind who was bitching about shit wifi, and thanking all deities for the awesome phone that was a great hotspot.
Reacher wasn’t hard to find and Ethan easily slid into the booth.
“So what was that shit?”
“Feds being feds. I think you startled them, not used to the extra large version.”
Reacher gave him an unimpressed look. “I thought we agreed that I wouldn’t be dragged into your business?”
“I had no intention of dragging you in. Brandt is still bitching at me, for not telling him about you. I do apologize for that, I have no idea how they found you.”
He rolled his eyes, and sat back in the seat. “It’s the feds, there’s a reason no one trusts them. You okay?”
“I’m good. Typical day on the job.”
He snorted while drinking cheap coffee. “Family has contacted me.”
“Sorry.” Though the grin said he wasn’t.
“How is Claudio related to us?” Reacher had no idea how to handle the Co leader of Knight Clan. “Nathan seems rational, Maverick obviously has your batshittery, and I lived in Germany for years. I know who Claus is, looks like the whole take down of evil things is a family trait.”
“Claudio is the extra small version of the family.” Out of the group Maverick, Nathan and Ethan were close to heights averaging about 2 inches between them. Claudio was shorter and Reacher was well the tallest. Maverick was upset he lost that title. “All good people, who will help in time of need.”
Reacher nodded, he got that speech from all of them. “Not used to family. Vecchio keeps harping on about it, and well I’m not ready for Thanksgiving dinner, but well a phone call isn’t bad.”
“Good.” He slides a phone over. “Throw it away and it will find you again. This is untraceable. There’s information if you need it, and well I may have looted some funds from some bad guys. There’s an untraceable account attached to the phone for funds. Don’t give me that look, I know you’re off the grid, but it doesn’t hurt to have things available. Besides, it’s not tax deductible.”
Reacher frowned but grabbed the phone. “Speaking of, I have a situation here I could use some help on.”
Ethan grinned.
Yeah, Ethan is having fun sharing the wealth and causing chaos!
Oh, boy. How great. Love that Ethan is speaking with each personally. And Claudio, what can you say? He is always delightfully Claudio under the shrewdness. Good to see he’s not been totally reformed. Now I feel faint and must take to my bed.