Like any normal person I wasted no time going on the east side just to question anyone who might know what club that symbol belonged to. I was practically alone on that case and I knew very well it wouldn't be something I can just close my eyes and solve it. Putting puzzle together in my mind is what I do best but when there's unnecessary missing pieces then that's when I have to go out of my way and get into action.
Pulling up to the tattoo shop Roman gets out of his car and looks around a bit. Despite it not being the best place he's also far more familiar with the east side because he grew up here. Walking into the tattoo shop Roman is ready to question the first person he sees but before he could say a thing a man speaks before him.
"Roman? Roman Kuznetsov?"
Looking in the direction of the voice Roman sees a familiar friend staring back at him, a friend from his high school days named Adrian.
"Adrien? I didn't know you worked here I thought you want back to north side had I known you would be working here I would've just called."
Walking up to Adrian, Roman gives the man a handshake followed in a hug before he puts his hands in his pockets. For once Roman feels like the day is falling back into place now that he sees someone familiar.
"You know how it is after the wedding Lauren didn't want to stay close to family so we came here. But how have you been man I haven't talked to you since Mikey went to rehab a few years ago, how's the detective work going?"
"Same old same old, I'm actually here on work I was going to ask a few questions but I guess that won't be necessary since you're here."
Nodding his head Adrian crosses his arms, pulling the picture of the tattoo out of his pocket Roman holds it up for Adrian to see as he speaks.
"Know what club this belongs to? Or do you at least know if anyone might've done this tattoo for someone?"
Grabbing the picture out of Roman's hand Adrian walks to another artist without any clients and asks her about the tattoo in the picture. Following behind Adrian, Roman looks around the shop for just a second before looking at the artist Adrian walked up to.
"Yo Ash, you know what club this belongs to?"
"Shit yeah I do. It belonged to club off by the L like a block down right from the train but it closed down like three years ago I think. That college kid that was here 2 years ago did a tattoo like this before he said fuck us."
Seemingly remembering something Adrian looks at the picture again before laughing. Turning to look at Roman, Adrian hands him back the picture as he speaks almost like he's about to tell Roman a funny story.
"Oh yeah I forgot about him. Some college kids did a tattoo exactly like this for that club too. Problem is about 2 years ago after he did the tattoo he left us hanging and went to some tattoo shop on north side. Kid had locs and seemed like the artsy type guy said he was here for college I can give you his new place of work. But I doubt he's still there we had a bet going on that he got some hush money from some rich bitch. Which if he did I don't blame him I would take the money too."
Putting the picture back in his pocket Roman nods his head before chuckling finding the whole hush money bet funny Roman doesn't completely let it slip his mind.
"Hush money? You sure he wasn't just taking by someone who will actually use his talent? Thanks for the offer but I think you just gave me all the information I needed for now at least."
"I'm being serious one moment the kid was doing tattoos next moment he's off with the rich doing god knows what. Honestly I thought the kid was kidnapped or something since he left so quickly and quietly. Speaking of you did the exact same thing Kuznetsov, ghosted me without any hesitation huh?"
Shaking his head in mock disbelief Roman can't help but find the topic of him going radio silent a bit annoying.
"I didn't mean to alright I just had a lot of stuff on my plate. And with Mikey going to rehab and stuff like that I didn't know what to do."
The real reason why I ghosted everyone wasn't just because I had too much on my plate it was because they were insufferable. Not saying I was the sheep amongst the pack of wolves but I wasn't a complete dumbass unlike the rest of them. I've changed my life around after my junior year of high and ever since then they've been the same evil I involved myself with since I got to this country. A grown man overdosing at his own friend's wedding is embarrassing enough and to make matters worse that same friend put him in rehab and paid for everything. I knew Adrian could do it, I never once doubted Adrian's financial situation but to do it for a guy like Mikey. It truly made me wonder why I even tried to stay friends with them.
