The Russian Cafe

I've made my way to The Russian Cafe. I hope Connor was right about this place, I need to talk to Roman as soon as possible.

 

Waitress: Hi, can I get you anything besides water?

 

I'm just waiting for Roman, but some tea couldn't hurt. I'll just go with that, but I should tell her I'm waiting for someone as well.

 

Waitress: Tea, sure, and yeah, you can wait as long as you want, we aren't very busy right now.

 

I'm getting more and more nervous by the second... What if the cartel is onto me, what if Antonio is just minutes away? What if I turn a wrong corner...?

But what am I going to tell Roman? This is a shot in the dark, but maybe I can convince him to help me.

Why would Roman help me? Why would he fight the cartel? Apparently, he's doing business with them... I need to get creative here.

Is this even worth it? Maybe I should just run now. No... after seeing how resourceful Antonio is... I don't think I'd make it very far.

I have no choice but to get Roman's help. I guess I do actually have a small amount of leverage. I think I have a plan.

 

Waitress: Here you go, sir.

 

*The waitress hands you the cup of tea*

 

My left hand won't stop trembling. It's almost like my subconscious knows what's going to happen. I've never imagined how I was going to die... but to think the end is near... is so depressing.

Tea always helps... it helped me in my darkest times in London as a homicide detective. The child murders still give me chills to this day, those cases never leave my mind. The Rivera case... feels... similar.

The waitress is asking something again. I'm so deep in my own thoughts I wasn't paying attention.

Oh, wait, she's talking to... He's here, it's Roman, the suited man from Lukshon. Seriously? Luck was on my side, I guess. I didn't actually think I'd find him.

When the waitress leaves his table, I'll talk to him...

I'll tell him I've heard that he is the man to talk to around here. I should stay quite vague and gauge his interest...

 

Roman: Perhaps... What is your inquiry?

 

Well, I know that the business meeting between the Sinaloa and the Triad at Lukshon didn't go very smoothly... So, I'll tell him I've heard that he's had problems with his business partners.

 

*Roman slowly spins his cup of coffee while looking into your soul*

 

Roman: You're not wrong.

 

I think this is going well? I'm not sure, this guy gives off almost no facial expressions... It's kind of strange... I'll tell him we can help each other.

 

Roman: Meet me at the barbershop, at the corner of El Pine and North Hill... in 2 days... at closing hours, 9:00 PM.

 

I don't have that kind of time; I need to tell him that this is urgent... I'll say that the cartel won't give him that kind of time, implying some kind of danger to his business.

 

Roman: Not here, okay? Let's finish our meals and then we can talk, at Lukshon.

 

Perfect, I guess I'm still in it, but I need to offer him something very appealing, he won't go to war for nothing.

 

Roman: Where are you going? Just sit at this table...

 

Oh... Okay, I guess I can sit here.

He noticed I'm sweating a lot, does he know I'm bluffing slightly?

 

Roman: It's hot in here, huh?

 

*Roman hands me a napkin*

 

It's not hot at all in here, but the body does strange things when death is right around the corner... I hope he doesn't sit here analyzing my every move...

 

Waitress: Here you go, sir.

 

*The waitress places a bowl of soup in front of Roman*

*Roman twirls his spoon around his pointer finger and looks at me*

 

Roman: So, who do you work for, and why are you investigating me?

 

Ugh... Well, that was fast. That kind of caught me off-guard. How did he know? I'll tell him I'm fighting his business partner... the cartel.

 

Roman: Right, well, you better not waste my time... Mr. Investigator.

 

*Roman gently places a spoonful of soup in his mouth*

 

Roman: Absolute. Perfection.

 

What's really going on in his head? His speech always catches me off-guard. This must be some weird test he's giving me.

 

Roman: I used to be a forensic analyst. I was good, too, but then I figured out obtaining evidence was irrelevant if no one else wanted to solve the case.

 

This guy is pretty unique. I wonder how many years of experience he had in the field and where he worked. I'll just say... I've never met someone like him before.

 

Roman: There's no one like me.

 

*Roman pauses for a minute and smiles*

 

Roman: Well, I suppose there is... one other person... just like me.

 

He just pulled out his wallet and laid down $20. Now, hopefully, I can tell him my plan...

 

Roman: Follow me to Lukshon.