It is currently a winter morning. The morning sun shines down through the crystal clear skies. The ground is dry and dusty. A gentle but steady breeze blows to the west-southwest at about 17 mph and the air is cool at 49 degrees.
Hunter is leaning against his truck. He has a Marlboro in his mouth and looking at his cell phone, squinting at the read out. He exhales slowly and shakes his head,"Stinkin' technology." he mutters darkly. He shakes his head and sighs befor etaking in another drag,"Gotta love it."
A black cowboy hat complete with rattlesnake hat band rests on a head of dark brown, shoulder length hair. The somewhat wavy hair is caught in a loose ponytail to keep if off the neck and face. Dark brown eyes seem to be filled with a little too much experience to be residing on a face so young looking. They seem to cry 'we've seen too much' to anyone that looks at them closely. Though nothing about the eyes suggests shyness, they don't stay focused on anyone else's eyes for very long. Sharp facial features, strong cheek bones and jaw might give him a look that borders on threatening even with a smile in place, or maybe especially with a smile. Facial expressions are animated, sometimes maybe too much so and that is the only thing that keeps him from seeming threatening, in fact his expressions sometimes make him seem a little...crazy or goofy.
Standing a little taller than average, somewhere around 6'4", makes more of a picture of a human mountain. Not a long, lanky looking, gangly tall, big is an understatement in most crowds. Solid muscle, the kind that seems to come more from working than working out bulge pretty much everywhere. Body mass probably hits somewhere around 230 pound mark, maybe a little heavier.
A heavy, ankle length, black duster wraps the man in warmth and not a little mystery. One never knows what might be shrouded within that heavy leather enigma. It is not some cheap knock off for wanna be cowboys, this is a legitimate, old school, western duster. Underneath the duster a dark blue, almost skin tight, t-shirt wraps his upper body, making his well toned physique a little more obvious. In the center of the t-shirt is the world wide know Ford oval logo. The shirt is tucked smartly into a pair of new, black Wrangler jeans. A brown leather belt is closed around his waist with a silver and gold buckle. The buckle has a picture of a bucking bull and rider. The words around the picture are scripted in black: National Finals Rodeo All Around Champion 2011. The jeans hang loosely over the top of a pair of well cared for, but far from new, black cowboy boots, toes and heels the only thing obvious.
A young girl, perhaps a student at the local University, walks briskly through the windy winter night. She pulls her jacket tighter about her figure, pauses, and eyes the man. After a moment, she walks toward him and offers a smile, "Can I bum one?" She shivers and looks away, far into the distance down the street, before turning her eyes back to the stranger.
This young woman moves with a dignity and grace beyond her years. She has pale and smooth white skin, almost luminous. Her hair is black as a raven, long and straight. Bright azure eyes peer out with intensity from beneath her silky strands. She has a small, thin nose which turns up very slightly at the tip. She is dressed in a brightly colored sundress which dances in the desert wind.
Hunter looks up from his phone and puts it back into his duster. He takes out a pack of Marlboro Reds and shakes one partially out. He nods and says,"Dunno if anybody tolja, they bad f'r y'r health." he offers with a wink.
The young woman emits a short, dry laugh. Accepting the cigarette, she lights it swiftly, despite the wind. "Believe me, that's the last of my worries," she says with a wry grin. "Something wrong with your phone?"
Hunter lets half a grin touch the left corner of his mouth. He takes another draw and exhales slowly,"It's electrical, technological, an' 'bout twenty years ahead o' where I been livin' mosta m' life. Still, ain' gonna learn no younger don' reckon. Jus' gonna take some patience."
Intersection of Central and University -- Albuquerque(#0RaJs)
"I reckon I might understand where you're coming from, Old Timer," she says with a kind smile, a slight Southern drawl to her voice, now becoming a bit more pronounced. "Aria St. John," she declares suddenly, extending a delicate, white hand toward the man.
Hunter laughs softly,"Yeah, yeah. Spend too many years not'n th' world I reckon." and exhales away from you as he reaches out to touch your hand, shaking it with a firm, but not overly tight grip,"Hunter. A pleasure ta meetcha Aria St. John."
"Hunter," Aria echoes softly, her bright eyes catching the moonlight. "Tell you what, Hunter, why don't I buy you a drink," she says with a smile, "I'm new in town, and could use a friend. What do you say?"
He considers that and shrugs,"Never say no to a drink." he replies,"Particularly not from a pretty lady." He reaches into the duster to produce a set of keys,"So far most places I've been ta gettin' a drink's been connected ta food. Ya hungry?"
Aria licks her lips for a moment, lost in thought. "No, I already ate," she smiles, "But, by all means, if you're hungry, let us go to a place that will meet your needs." Without hesitation, she moves gracefully to the passenger door of the truck, and tries to enter.
Aria says, "Where to hot shot?"
Hunter closes the door behind you and then goes around to get in as well,"Th' Cantina's got good drinks'n I ain' overly hungry m'self, but I could use a bottle of Budweiser." He slips the truck into gear and heads out.
The overflow of vehicular traffic from the University of New Mexico crowds through this busy intersection, making parking spots a hot commodity. Foot traffic is also quite heavy, mainly with academic types heading to and from campus. Most of the buildings around here are administrative offices for the University; however, there is a smattering of restaurants, shops, and bars.
Across the street, one finds what is arguably the most popular Mexican restaurant in town -- La Cantina de la Casa Posada. Over the years, this eatery has become something of a venerable institution and it still draws a lot of attention. Benches in front of the building allow people to wait for their table or loiter at will.
Aria steps out of the car, her sneakers gently hitting the pavement as she moves toward the entrance of the bar. "Looks like my kind of place," she says with a smile. "So how is it you find yourself here in Albequerque, Mr. Hunter," she asks as she steps into the bar.
Hunter walks with you and pulls the door open, following you inside,"It's a pertty good place." he agrees,"As f'r how I got here. I needed a place ta start over'n Albequerque. Yourself?"
You push through a small, oaken door, entering La Cantina.
The overall impression upon entering the bar/restaurant through its oaken doors is that you have suddenly been transplanted to an old, Mexican village (circa 1849). Small lanterns, scattered about the tables in the room like tiny stars, flicker golden shadows across the room, creating a cozy atmosphere of quiet darkness. Flowers in hanging pots and succulents in terra-cotta planters add a subtle lushness to the room. The greenery sets off the white stucco walls and tiled red ceiling of this classic Pueblo-style structure.
The Cantina is very mellow and invites you to relax, and enjoy the good food, great music, and the companionship of others in a historic setting. However, hip and trendy waitstaff, neon signs, and decorative banners add an ethereal modern coolness to the surroundings. Another ultra-modern touch is the small closed-circuit camera in the corner near the ceiling. And of course there is the music... whether it's the sounds of blues, reggae, jazz, rock, or any combination of the above, the Cantina is always bursting with rhythm and soul.
"I know exactly what you mean, Hunter," Aria says in a tone of genuine concern. She moves gracefully up to the bar and slides onto a barstool. "Two Budweisers, landlord," she shouts to the barkeep before turning her attention back to Hunter. "Everybody deserves a second chance, don't you think?"
Hunter looks the place over, taking in the details for a moment, and then nods for whatever reason. He indicates the large bar at the back of the room and says,"Reckon everyone needsa reset one time'r 'nother." he agrees. He follows you towards the bar when you go,"Mostly I jus' needed a new place ta call home."
"Well, that makes two of us, Hunter," Aria says softly. "Me, I'm running from a bad man, and a sad past. But there's always room to change. I want to create a place where I can be safe, and my friends can all be safe." She looks sad, and peers off into the distance for a moment. She then turns her bright blue eyes back to the bar and asks softly, "What is it you want to accomplish in this life, Hunter?"
Hunter motions for Aria to take a seat and takes one next to her at the bar. He nods when the bartender brings two bottles over and slides one towards Aria,"One o' them kinda things." he mutters softly,"I've seen a few of those. Use cash f'r a while, no credit cards, proly oughta get a burner phone too." he suggests. He shakes his head and laughs softly,"Sorry. Force of habit. As f'r what I intend ta accomplish...I dunno. Startin' a new Private Investigation business'n hopin' ta make'n honest livin'. Nothin' too terrible fancy. Help folks'n know I don' completely let m' mother'n Grandfather down."
Aria's eyes brighten slightly on hearing Hunter's words. "No, thanks for the advice. I don't know much about that sort of thing. Aria picks idly with her fingernails at the label on her beer bottle. She seems distant, her mind elsewhere for a moment, before she turns her eyes back to the man. "Well, Hunter, that seems like great fun." She looks over the cowboy for a moment before saying, "You know, I could hire you."
Hunter passes his bottle between his hands and nods,"If he w's abusive, th' less paper trail you leave th' better." he tells you. He leans on the bartop and says,"I dunno if it's all fun. Surveillance c'n be borin' as all get out." he admits,"Sometimes it is fun though." He reaches into his duster and produces a business card:
8 Second Investigations
Hunter Briggs, Primary Investigator
500 NW Montano Road
Albuquerque, New Mexico
333-3339
24 hr number
Aria takes the card, and turns it over in her fingers for a few moments. She rubs her thumb against the paper, feeling the grain. "Very professional, Mr. Briggs," she says softly, "Consider yourself hired. Just how do I...avoid a 'paper trail', and what is your hourly rate?" She peers intently at the man with wide, pale blue eyes.
Hunter takes a drink from his Bud and lets it hang there in his hand. He studies you for a moment and says,"OK. Normally it's $200 a day plus expenses with a two day minimum." he tells you seriously,"D'pends on how much ya wanna do. If ya wanna totally vanish that could take a while." he explains,"Ta start with ya need ta use cash f'r now. No credit cards, no personal cell phone that requires a contract, no checking accounts..." he starts to list.
"I don't have most of that stuff anyway," Aria says shyly, perhaps a bit intimidated by how businesslike the man has become. "And most of the card games I play in are cash only." She begins to fidget on her stool a bit, her eyes darting often towards the door. "What do I do if he finds me?" she asks timidly.
Hunter takes another drink and once more rests his arm on the bar,"That's where it gets kinda dicey." he replies,"Ya find out he's in th' city I'd suggest a restrainin' order f'r starters if there's a history of abuse." he tells you,"Bodyguard ain' a bad idea. Soun's like y'r a gambler. Prolly a good idea ta stay visible in th' public if he shows up. Legally'n typically physically it's harder ta get hurt when ya ain't alone. Th' Casino prolly has good recording devices, stay public. If ya gotta go home take somebody with ya. Mostly jus' safe travel ideas like that f'r starters. If ya think he's gonna get aggressive I'd recommed firearms trainin' an' martial arts trainin'. I seen a place teaches Aikido."
Arya finishes ripping the label off of her beer, and rises. She digs through her small handbag for a moment, before placing a generous stack of twenties on the bar. "That should cover the drinks, Hunter," she says, "and a little bit more of your time." She gives Hunter a smile of genuine kindness and whispers, "I'll be seeing you soon."
Hunter takes the money and passes it into his duster and nods,"Yes ma'am I reckon that'll cover it'n at least another consulation'r two." he agrees. He watches you prepare to go and says,"Ya know where ta find me if ya need me."
Aria says, "Good day, sir."