Torn

Matt didn't like doing another man's work, especially when that other man was Brian. Newport was Brian's patch for pick ups and drop offs, and once again he'd managed to wriggle out of his duties. It was also pissing him off that he had Zacky for company. The last couple of days he'd wanted nothing more than to just be on his own, he didn't need fucking babysitting. Matt slammed the door shut as he got back in, ready to make the next drop off.

"So how come Haner's got out of this again?" Matt questioned, his brow furrowed in a frown as he concentrated on the road.

"Jimmy said that he was doing something for Cass, and that he rather he concentrated on that apparently," Zacky informed him, lighting up a cigarette to pass the time.

Matt clenched the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles almost white from the strength of the grip.

"Since when did he start doing stuff for Cass? Thought the whole point of her taking over Mezmer was so that she wouldn't have any of us, especially Brian, interfering in her life."

Zacky shrugged, eyeing Matt suspiciously.

"All I know is that she went to them yesterday for help."

"What!" Matt cried. "Why the fuck would she go to Brian for help? She could've come to me....or you," he added quickly.

"So she went to Brian for help, big deal. Maybe it's something that only he could help her with. Why the fuck does it bother you so much anyway?" Zacky quizzed.

"Has Jimmy heard from Seward yet?" Matt asked, evading the question and wanting to change the subject.

"No, he told him to only call him today if he felt there was going to be a problem, and then once the deal's done tomorrow. Think Jimmy wants Johnny to feel as though he's trusted and that he's not checking up on him every five minutes."

Matt nodded, knowing that it made sense. It was about time Johnny was given an oppurtunity to really prove his worth within the business. Matt brought the car to a halt.

"I'll be five minutes," he told Zack as he got out.

Once the deal was done, Matt started to head back to the car. His phone buzzed in his pocket, telling him he had a message. He stood still for a moment as he saw it was from Cassandra.

I need you at the club asap, and make sure you're alone.

He didn't like the sound of that one bit.
************

Cassandra didn't know what to do. She pulled out every single drawer and cabinet she could think of, and she still couldn't find them. A week ago, she'd felt as though she had the world in the palm of her hand. Now, well now it was slipping away from her so fast that she didn't think she'd ever be able to catch it. She hadn't known what else to do, and texting Matt had been her only option as far as she was concerned. The door to her office opened, and Matt stood there, leaning up against the doorframe.

"What's up Cass? Thought Brian was your little buddy whenever you needed someone these days," he stated, sounding as though he was a little pissed off.

"Believe me Matthew, you really wouldn't have wanted me to have called him."

"And why's that?"

"Oh let me see 'Hey Brian, Matthew came over to the club on Friday night and fucked me over my desk, and now the security tapes from that night are missing, can you help me find them?' Don't think he'd have appreciated that much," Cassandra spat at him.

Matt's eyes widened in horror.

"You're fucking kidding me right?"

Cassandra laughed bitterly.

"Oh yeah, I'm full of practical jokes today! Of course I'm not fucking kidding!" she yelled.

Cassandra sunk down onto the couch, her head in her hands. How could she have been so careless? She was always so on top of things, yet somehow she appeared to be losing her grip on everything.

"I'm turning into everything I never wanted to be," she groaned.

Matt knelt in front of her, his strong hands resting on her thighs as he rubbed them slowly as if to comfort her.

"Do you have any idea where they could be?" he asked quietly. Cassandra looked up at him.

"I have a pretty good idea, but I can't say anything yet," she sighed.

"Brian's having Taylor and a couple of the bar tenders checked out for me, there's something going on, but until we know for sure what it is, I'm having to play dumb."

Matt didn't miss the way the words almost seemed to stick in her throat.

"Bet that hurts," he stated plainly.

"Like a fucking bitch," she repiled. She caught the look in his eye.

"Don't even consider telling me that everything's going to be ok Matthew, because that shit just won't cut it."

Matt just nodded. He knew when to shut up, and right now seemed like the perfect time. Cassandra pushed him away from her a little and stood back up.

"I need a drink," she murmured more to herself than anyone as she headed for the bar.

Matt sighed and shook his head, knowing exactly who the finger of blame would be pointing at if this was in anyway connected to Drummond.

You've fucked up more than you could have ever imagined Sanders.
************

Brian parked up on his driveway and grabbed his phone to call Cassandra. It seemed as though things were going to take a little longer with the search than had first been anticipated. He didn't like to keep her waiting on something like this, but he wanted to make sure that every possible avenue had been investigated before they took any action. He waited for her to answer, only to be put through to her message service.

"Cass, it's me. Just wanted to let you know that the check up on Joel, Brandon and Taylor may take a couple of extra days. They've hit a few dead ends which makes me suspect that there's definitely something to all of this, so they're delving as deep as possible." He got out of the car and headed for his mailbox.

"Also, just to remind you that my parents will collect Emily around 6 this evening, apparently they offered to have her so you can work tonight."

Brian sifted through the mass of envelopes addressed to him.

"And if I hear anything at all today, I'll stop by tonight once you've finished. I'll be about as I have some stuff to do in Long Beach later. Call me if you need anything."

Brian ended the call, his attention drawn to the flat manila envelope with nothing but his name written on it. It felt as though there was a disc inside. Curiosity rose within him as he made his way inside, wondering just what the hell it could be.