{"id":22933,"date":"2025-01-01T08:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T16:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/?p=22933"},"modified":"2024-12-09T14:29:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T22:29:09","slug":"sylum-advent-2024-day-thirty-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-2024-day-thirty-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Sylum Advent 2024: Day Thirty-Two"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"22633\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-2024-last-check-in\/bar-banner_advent2024\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024.jpg?fit=500%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,150\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"bar-banner_advent2024\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024.jpg?fit=500%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22633 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024.jpg?resize=500%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024.jpg?resize=400%2C120&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024.jpg?resize=150%2C45&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024.jpg?resize=490%2C147&amp;ssl=1 490w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sylum Snippet:<\/strong> Ethan Says Thank You<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Writer:<\/strong> Bj Jones<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> This sets after last year&#8217;s snippet of Lamont hunting down Ethan &#8230; (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumarchive\/snippets-mission-impossible\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find story here<\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><!--more--><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"22754\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-2024-day-twenty-nine\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets.jpg?fit=500%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,150\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"bar-banner_advent2024-snippets\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets.jpg?fit=500%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22754 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets.jpg?resize=500%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets.jpg?resize=400%2C120&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets.jpg?resize=150%2C45&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2024-snippets.jpg?resize=490%2C147&amp;ssl=1 490w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">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. \u00a0 He gave Ethan a once over, making sure he looked whole, then sat back in the booth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;That&#8217;s Presten&#8217;s seat.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;He knows I&#8217;m here.&#8221;\u00a0 Ethan looked over his shoulder to see the other Hunter leaning against the door, watching intently.\u00a0 &#8220;I stopped by to say hello, and thank you.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;No thanks needed, you are family.&#8221; He sipped his tea.\u00a0 &#8220;And I&#8217;m not a fan of Lamont, besides it was kinda fun.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan chuckled at Claus&#8217; smirk.\u00a0 &#8220;Well I have a small gift of thanks.\u00a0 Now I know you&#8217;re going to give most of this to charity, but I do ask for two things.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He slid a piece of paper across the table, with a string of numbers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Claus recognized bank information easily, his eyebrow raised slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;Do I want to know?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;The person who collected all the funds, won&#8217;t be needing them.&#8221;\u00a0 Ethan shrugged. \u00a0 The moment they had finished up with Lane, and dealt with &#8216;Huntly&#8217; he had written every bank account down. \u00a0 Luther was still working with Brandon, to get things moved and organized.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;What are the two things?&#8221;\u00a0 He asked, not touching the paper, not yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Take Preston on a trip, anywhere, just relax the two of you.\u00a0 It&#8217;s on me.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave him a bright grin. &#8220;The other, contact Stark Industries, they&#8217;ve done amazing advancements into prosthetics.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Claus frowned, eyes narrowing.\u00a0 There were times he left off the one he wore now, as it never fit right, and just didn&#8217;t feel comfortable.\u00a0 His Mate had been pressuring him to let the doctor&#8217;s build him a new one.\u00a0 Sometimes he felt like he needed the reminder to never let evil take so much power again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">With a nod he grabbed the paper and put it into his pocket.\u00a0 &#8220;I hear sloths are cuddly.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan laughed lightly.\u00a0 &#8220;I want pictures.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Nathan opened the door to his nephew giving him a look, then ushered him into his meditation room. \u00a0 Mushu laid on his bed, curled up snoring softly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;I see you survived.&#8221;\u00a0 He stated as he prepared some tea and coffee for the two of them.\u00a0 &#8220;Katsumoto gave Imenand an earful for putting my life in jeopardy.\u00a0 There was a lot of cursing concerning family heritage and cows.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan took the cup of tea, laughing lightly.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m good.\u00a0 Thanks for helping.\u00a0 I needed the time to get things organized, so I could do what needed to be done.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Did you save the world again?&#8221;\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t a flippant comment, Nathan knew exactly what his nephew did and he was sure there were many times Ethan had done just that &#8211; save the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Stopped an evil organization from shifting power structures around to likely start world war three.&#8221;\u00a0 He paused for a moment. &#8220;Most of the time I feel as if I&#8217;m just pushing back the inevitable, at least right now, we&#8217;re not at war.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;As one of the idiots who lives here, thank you.&#8221;\u00a0 Nathan gave him a bright smile.\u00a0 Ethan was so much like him, yet completely different. \u00a0 &#8220;Are you safe for the moment?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;I am.&#8221;\u00a0 Ethan assured him, well as much as he could be safe with his line of work.\u00a0 &#8220;Not enjoying &#8216;Huntly&#8217; being my boss, but I&#8217;m letting Brandt do his overprotective husband thing.\u00a0 Sidney, is making sure Luther doesn&#8217;t drain bank accounts.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Nathan chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;What&#8217;s he up to?\u00a0 Should the rest of the clans be worried?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;He&#8217;s worried about Lane, as am I.\u00a0 The man is a Rogue who was using governments to fund illicit organizations.\u00a0 For a moment thought he was working for Galileo but he&#8217;s his own mastermind.\u00a0 They won&#8217;t be able to hold him, which is pretty much why Lamont is sticking around.\u00a0 I&#8217;m likely going to be dealing with him again.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He reached over and squeezed his nephew&#8217;s hand.\u00a0 &#8220;If you need me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan nodded, he was never good at asking for help.\u00a0 &#8220;As a thank you.&#8221;\u00a0 He handed over a slip of paper. \u00a0 &#8220;May have stolen their funds, so distribute it appropriately.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Nathan set his coffee down and opened the paper, recognizing what it was.\u00a0 &#8220;What do you want me to do with it?&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Whatever you want.\u00a0 Get Mushu, a dragon toy, or a real vacation with Katsomoto. \u00a0 Prep for World War Three, anything.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Nathan stood and grabbed his phone.\u00a0 He wasn&#8217;t quite the international spy or hacker as his nephew and Mate, but he did run security for their business. \u00a0 His eyes went wide at the amount, but didn&#8217;t make a comment, instead put into procedures to make sure assets were moved quietly and efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;I think my Mate will get a nice Christmas gift, along with Mushu of course.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan laughed lightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The bar was quiet, it was not quite happy hour, and the lunch crowd had already left.\u00a0 Only reason Maverick was hanging out, he was avoiding his students. \u00a0 It was week three of Top Gun school, and he had made at least fifty bucks, from idiots who quoted the film.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Thank you, Bruce!\u00a0 Rumors had it he was planning a sequel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He looked up from his paperwork to see a familiar eat shitting grin.\u00a0 &#8220;Sure you should be here, those feds have stopped by at least once a week.\u00a0 I would say it&#8217;s for my good looks, but \u2026 &#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan smiled as he ordered a beer.\u00a0 &#8220;Benji is luring the agents away for a wild goose chase.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He set the paperwork down, and looked at his ancestor.\u00a0 They never quite figured out where in the family line he came from. \u00a0 As his own family history was muddled, but no doubt he was likely a direct descendant from the Algren\/Hunt line. \u00a0 The smirk alone was obvious.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;What the hell did the assholes want anyway?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;For me to save the world on their rules.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Maverick snorted, then laughed.\u00a0 &#8220;Sure, how about just saving the world? It works out for all of us.&#8221;\u00a0 He remembered all the times he got yelled at for &#8216;going off course&#8217; to save the day. \u00a0 No thanks for saving the day and your fellow pilots, just don&#8217;t do it again well unless you have to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;You didn&#8217;t get to much blow back?&#8221;\u00a0 Ethan had worried more about Peter as he was military and still worked in the system.\u00a0 The CIA had reach, and Lamont had one that was further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Hell no.\u00a0 I have my own connections, good and bad.&#8221;\u00a0 Maverick grinned.\u00a0 &#8220;They tried to figure out how we were related, and I think they were working to try and use me against you.\u00a0 But well being a Top Gun, and running the program gave me some leverage. \u00a0 Lucky the Admiral doesn&#8217;t like the feds moving against his people.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Good.&#8221;\u00a0 He pulled out an envelope and handed it over.\u00a0 &#8220;For any inconveniences. Don&#8217;t be to damn obvious about it, especially as you are still being watched.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Maverick opened the envelope and looked over the contents.\u00a0 &#8220;This is all secured already?\u00a0 Cause if this showed up in my accounts.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;All secured and only accessible from this.&#8221;\u00a0 He slid across a new phone.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t get caught with it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Got it.\u00a0 Heaven help me if they think I&#8217;m working for the Russians or something.&#8221;\u00a0 Technically they shouldn&#8217;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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been too long since we&#8217;ve last spoken, let&#8217;s not wait that long.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;You&#8217;re the one gallivanting across the globe doing shit.&#8221;\u00a0 Maverik grinned. &#8220;But yeah, I actually need time away soon, so maybe a family trip wouldn&#8217;t be a bad idea.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Let us know.\u00a0 We can arrange things.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Maverick put the phone into his pocket then downed the rest of his beer.\u00a0 &#8220;Want to go for a fly?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan paused.\u00a0 &#8220;You can do that.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The shit eating grin was back.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Well you at least look nice.&#8221;\u00a0 Claudio gave him a dismissive wave.\u00a0 &#8220;You should know I had to see a therapist over my trauma of being followed by men in cheap suits.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan waved at the waiter who brought over the most expensive of champaigns.\u00a0 &#8220;I am truly sorry for the lack of good suits, but it&#8217;s the CIA they don&#8217;t pay enough for quality.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Though your&#8217;s is very nice.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave it an appreciative glance.\u00a0 &#8220;Is that Nerha silk?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Yes, designed by one of the fashion houses in Milan.&#8221;\u00a0 Hunt grinned at Claudio&#8217;s obvious intrigue and jealousy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;How did you get that?&#8221;\u00a0 He demanded.\u00a0 Even he hadn&#8217;t got a private meeting at Nerha Silks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Old friend, we go way back.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Claudio&#8217;s eyes narrowed.\u00a0 &#8220;The Count is a \u2026 of course he is.\u00a0 I miss living in an actual cultured town, though Toronto is very nice, it&#8217;s not Europe.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;I can put in a good word.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s at least something you can do.&#8221;\u00a0 He demanded. \u00a0 They put in their order, then sat back to enjoy the drinks.\u00a0 &#8220;Now do tell me what those cheap suits wanted.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;You know typical government stuff I can&#8217;t talk about.&#8221;\u00a0 He sipped the champaign.\u00a0 &#8220;But all is good, and I did want to give you my thanks for helping with the situation.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;My dear Ethan, I may come across as a prance, but I do know what you get up to, and what you risk.\u00a0 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.&#8221;\u00a0 Claudio assured him.\u00a0 They weren&#8217;t very close, but Claudio still bristles at the idea of what Phelps did to one of his own.\u00a0 &#8220;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 \u2026&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Thanks.&#8221;\u00a0 Ethan&#8217;s smile was a bit tight, but he was thankful for Claudio&#8217;s support.\u00a0 He knew La Croix hadn&#8217;t actually given a shit, that was until Claudio discovered the situation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He slipped across a high end card with a string of numbers.\u00a0 &#8220;I know you have those accounts that are yours personally.\u00a0 No one wants to think if a Mate or Clan turns against you, but it is always good to be prepared.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Claudio glanced down at the card, then back at Ethan. &#8220;I think dear Nico says it best, strive for peace but prepare for war.&#8221;\u00a0 He reached out and took it, a perfectly manicured eyebrow rose.\u00a0 &#8220;I lived far too long in the courts in Europe not to have back up plans.\u00a0 I do love my Mate, but we run a clan full of dangerous, backstabbing, money hungry assholes.\u00a0 What is this?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Funding from an illicit organization who wanted to make life harder for people.\u00a0 Now they can&#8217;t. I figured a boost wouldn&#8217;t hurt your accounts.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He nodded and slipped into the front pocket in his jacket.\u00a0 &#8220;Does this mean I have to give you a Christmas gift this year?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Luther enjoyed the ensemble you sent last year.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Claudio laughed lightly.\u00a0 &#8220;You my dear Ethan are more like me than you want to admit.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan swore it was the same diner that the CIA invaded.\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Reacher wasn&#8217;t hard to find and Ethan easily slid into the booth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;So what was that shit?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Feds being feds.\u00a0 I think you startled them, not used to the extra large version.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Reacher gave him an unimpressed look.\u00a0 &#8220;I thought we agreed that I wouldn&#8217;t be dragged into your business?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;I had no intention of dragging you in.\u00a0 Brandt is still bitching at me, for not telling him about you. \u00a0 I do apologize for that, I have no idea how they found you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He rolled his eyes, and sat back in the seat.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s the feds, there&#8217;s a reason no one trusts them.\u00a0 You okay?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m good.\u00a0 Typical day on the job.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">He snorted while drinking cheap coffee.\u00a0 &#8220;Family has contacted me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Sorry.&#8221; Though the grin said he wasn&#8217;t.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;How is Claudio related to us?&#8221;\u00a0 Reacher had no idea how to handle the Co leader of Knight Clan.\u00a0 &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Claudio is the extra small version of the family.&#8221;\u00a0 Out of the group Maverick, Nathan and Ethan were close to heights averaging about 2 inches between them.\u00a0 Claudio was shorter and Reacher was well the tallest.\u00a0 Maverick was upset he lost that title.\u00a0 &#8220;All good people, who will help in time of need.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Reacher nodded, he got that speech from all of them.\u00a0 &#8220;Not used to family.\u00a0 Vecchio keeps harping on about it, and well I&#8217;m not ready for Thanksgiving dinner, but well a phone call isn&#8217;t bad.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">&#8220;Good.&#8221;\u00a0 He slides a phone over.\u00a0 &#8220;Throw it away and it will find you again.\u00a0 This is untraceable.\u00a0 There&#8217;s information if you need it, and well I may have looted some funds from some bad guys. There&#8217;s an untraceable account attached to the phone for funds.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t give me that look, I know you&#8217;re off the grid, but it doesn&#8217;t hurt to have things available.\u00a0 Besides, it&#8217;s not tax deductible.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Reacher frowned but grabbed the phone.\u00a0 &#8220;Speaking of, I have a situation here I could use some help on.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ethan grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sylum Snippet: Ethan Says Thank You Writer: Bj Jones Note: This sets after last year&#8217;s snippet of Lamont hunting down Ethan &#8230; (Find story 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