Dante stood outside a very old auto repair shop that was behind a rundown liquor store. Not the most intelligent of placements for a place to get your car fixed or for a place to buy alcohol to really decide to place themselves, but he supposed it wasn't any of his business. It wasn't illegal, afterall – just illegal to drink and drive.
He stepped up to the repair shop, which had the garage open and a guy working on an old 1960s sports car inside. It was bright red with large curves around the tires, two seats, and a convertible ceiling. He was currently underneath it, but he rolled out on a wheeled back bench as soon as Dante approached – he must have heard him.
"Um… Mister Jose Carvalho?" He called.
The man sat up. "Yes?" He said, squinting past the sunlight in his eyes.
"Hi," He said slowly – he in no way expected this man to be just as harmless as Isabella. "I was hoping to ask you a few questions."
Jose stood up, grabbing a rag and wiping off his hands. "'Bout what?"
"Do you know this woman?" Dante pulled out the picture of Maria.
Jose finished wiping off his hands with a yawn, throwing down the rag and leaning on the bench. He squinted at the photograph, and something behind his eyes clicked – but he was very good at hiding it. Slowly, his fingers wrapped around a wrench, and Dante didn't pass that by as a non-threatening manoeuvre.
"What do you want, kid?" He asked.
"I'm just looking for someone," Dante said. "His name is Blaze Kuron-"
Jose didn't hesitate to slam a fist on the garage door opener. The door began to slide shut, and Dante stumbled back, trying to get out quick – but the wrench came hurtling towards his back, and hit him square in the shoulder. He cried out in pain, and Jose was on him, pulling him back inside. The garage door closed, and Jose was hovering over him like death incarnate.
The man pulled at his jacket, as if searching for something, and Dante struggled to get away. However, Jose didn't last long – as soon as he seemed to get confirmation, he shoved him back against a table. Picking up the wrench again, he approached, a dark expression on his face.
"You're not police," He said firmly – it sounded more like a demand than a question. "Not now. Who are you, and what do you want?"
Dante huffed. "My name is Dante."
Jose stopped suddenly, his look of pure malice turning into confusion. "What idiot raised you?" He asked, sounding shocked. "Don't just tell a man threatening you your name."
The detective blinked. "What?"
Jose just crossed his arms, wrench still in hand. "Now Wha'd'ya want?"
Dante was a little startled by the sudden change of demeanour – like this guy just figured out who he was dealing with. Did Dante really give away everything just by saying his first name? Jose didn't look impressed, much less scared of what the detective could do to him. All because he didn't have his gun this time, thinking it would be better to come unarmed to a fight he didn't want to have.
"I'm looking for Blaze," He said.
"Why?" Jose gruffed.
"I have reason to believe he was behind the trafficking ring that was busted last week," Dante answered,
He was seeing no reason to lie to a man that was obviously part of the mafia and wasn't looking to kill him for poking his nose into things. Besides, Isabella sent him here – would she have done that if he couldn't just give information away freely, that was likely already known? Jose had to be here to help him.
Then again, Jose was now staring at him like he was a complete moron. "Is there a reason you think that I'm going to help you?" He asked, almost sarcastically.
The detective adjusted his coat. "Because Isabella sent me here. She said you knew Maria, and she and her were part of the trafficking. They were released, right?"
Jose glanced him up and down, then sighed, uncrossing his arms. "Tell me, kid – you a detective?"
Dante blinked. "Um…" He hummed. Didn't this guy just yell at him for giving up too much information?
"Are you finding random hints and notes on your desk?" The crook continued.
The detective glanced away, then nodded lightly. Jose went on. "Then they're from Blaze, and whoever told you he's behind the trafficking rings just wants you more confused."
"Wait," Dante stepped forward. "How do you know all this?"
Jose just rolled his eyes. "Next time someone asks you your name bein' all mean and scary, don't tell 'em. A name is powerful 'round here."
The detective thought for a moment, then looked up again. "Then who is Blaze Kuron?"
"Another piece of advice," Jose sighed. "Don't go throwin' the name Kuron around. That's the Don's name. Got it?"
Dante's jaw dropped. "Blaze Kuron is the son of the Don?"
The crook shrugged. "Like I said, names are powerful." He walked over to his table again and opened the garage.
"But who is Blaze?" The detective asked.
"He's the one helping you." Jose said like it was an obvious answer, giving him a sideways look.
"But- why?" Dante threw his arms wide.
"'cause he wants to stop the fire," The crook huffed with a shrug.
Detective Winters sighed. "Will he give me more information than you are?"
"Probably," Jose said. "When he's ready to."
Dante tried to think – everything this guy was saying was going around him in circles. He couldn't make sense of up or down, right or wrong. As far as he was learning, Blaze Kuron was the good guy, but he was the son of the Don, the leader of the Velvet Circle.
"So what do I do now?" Dante asked quietly.
"Follow his clues," Jose said.
"I don't have anymore," the detective frowned.
"Then go back to your desk," He said. "You'll find something sooner or later."
Dante frowned, but turned and started to leave. Wait for clues wasn't something he was good at. He could be patient, but sitting still wasn't on his list of traits he had. There was no way he could just sit around and stare at his desk until it randomly started to appear…
"And Dante?" Jose called as he left. "Treat him right, or I'll rip out your throat."
Detective Winters swallowed. "Yessir."