The desk cop passes the receiver to Eduardo. "Woman asking for you, Detective."
Eduardo collects it. "Detective Chavez."
Zebina says "Detective Chavez? This is Elizabeth Bradley. We met earlier today at the cafe."
Eduardo pauses a moment. "Ah. The pilot."
Zebina says "Yes, that was me. I'd like to report a very odd occurrence earlier this evening, over near the opera house."
Zebina says "I was walking nearby with someone, and we both heard the most ungodly scream. Terrifying, really. I was wondering if there had been any reports of anything...unusual going on there earlier tonight."
Eduardo pauses again, then coughs. "Ungodly?" he asks, his voice sharp.
Zebina sips her tea. "Yes, that would seem to be the best way to describe it. I was wondering if I should come down and make a report in person, rather than over the phone."
Eduardo nods, regardless of the fact atht he's speaking on the phone. The result of this is another pause before he realises that there's really very little in the way of visual communication down a wire, and says "I think so. I'll ask for you to be sent to me when you arrive."
Zebina says "All right, it'll be about a half an hour. I apologize for the lateness of the hour."
Eduardo scratches at the stubble on his chin. "Coffee," he says. "I could do with a cup. Perhaps we could just go get one and talk there."
Zebina laughs softly. "All right." She mentions a very late night coffee shop with decent herbal tea, along with directions. "Meet you there?"
Eduardo nods again, with that same awkward silence. Then he says. "Sure," and then "Farewell," as he sets down the handset again.
Zebina walks out, picks a specific cab out of the late night cabbie group, gives the cabbie very precise directions, and climbs in the back.
Eduardo takes his unit, an old, battered looking Ford Crown Victoria and heads to the same location.
Zebina tried to time it so that they'd arrive about the same time. She hates waiting.
Eduardo on the other hand, is very, very patient.
Zebina steps out of the cab, looking around.
Eduardo's car is parked, look onobvious. Well. Apart from the cell phone antenna, the CB antenna, the radio antenna and the darkly tinted windows. Apart from those, it's very subtle.
Zebina walks into the coffee shop, looking for Eduardo.
Eduardo sits at a corner table, a tall pot of coffee before him, one steaming cup already folded into his hands. He shows no sign of impatience.
Zebina places an order at the counter for a small pot of rasberry tea, extra honey, and then walks back to sit across from Eduardo. "Detective Chavez."
Eduardo looks up, a gesture that does little to hide the fact that he was perfectly aware of your presence - but one that does, at least, show an attention to courtliness. "Ms. Bradley. Sit."
Zebina does so. "Will this be private enough for your purposes?"
Eduardo's lips form a thin smile. "I'ed think so. Most sane people are in bed by now."
Zebina smiles back.
Zebina says "All right."
Zebina says "Earlier tonight. My 'report' is what I already mentioned, minus that Hubert called before, and shortly after. Apparently A Calabite attacked him and Chephirah. They're all right, and I don't know anything more about the incident."
Eduardo nods. "The Calabite left." He pauses. "Quickly."
Zebina says "Ah, you heard."
Eduardo says "Saw."
Zebina raises an eyebrow.
Zebina says "You have good timing."
Eduardo says "My Lady would have been upset with me if I hadn't chastised him."
Zebina nods. "I can imagine. Good work."
Zebina says "All right. I have an additional bit of information. It's pretty tenuous, but I'm sure everyone will find it interesting."
Eduardo's thin smile flickers again, brief and hard; brittle as ice. "Just doing what I do best," he says, and thne "Go on."
Zebina says "It's not just the Game. I believe the Kobalites may be involved."
Eduardo raises one eyebrow, very slightly.
Zebina says "I haven't confirmed it yet, so I don't want to get ahead of myself, but everyone should know to watch out for something, ah, funny."
Eduardo nods, then glances down; left hand dropping to his waist in the classic 'pager fast draw'. He squints at the little black box a moment, then sighs. "I think we have to cut this short. But I appreciate the warning."
Zebina says "If I'm guessing right, something's gone wrong for the Kobalites, and the Game is here after them. Or maybe something went wrong with the Game, and the Kobalites are here after them, but that seems sort of unlikely."
Eduardo nods as he stands. "It does, I would agree."
Zebina says one final thing, "I'm waiting on instructions from my Superior. When I have more, I'll let you know."
Eduardo nods again, turning to the door as he does. "Thanks."
---