Private Get a Clue

[Levi]

"There were a few… complications. But, I had backup plans. In fact, such incidents were even turned into our fortune, if I do say so myself."

"Excellent. This will make a fine addition to my collection."

"Of course. A pleasure as always, Gorda." Levi bowed to the corpulent Hutt, and took his leave of the den posthaste. He could only stand that slug's stench for so long before it was time to retreat to fresh air. Or, whatever it was that passed for "fresh" air on Nar Shaddaa.

"Oi, Levi. Still lookin' for work? Some new cheeka is asking around for a man of your talents." A grungy ugnaught appeared practically on top of Levi as soon as he stepped out into the main floor of the cantina.

"Oh? Well… I suppose it wouldn't hurt to hear what it is." The devaronian was already sitting pretty on the payment he got from both Gorda and Davyd, but he knew as well as anyone that credits are easy come, easy go in this line of work. He could at least entertain the idea before coming to a conclusion.

The ugnaught pointed him to the potential client in question, and left him to his business. Levi approached the table with his usual confidence, a confidence that almost shaken when he slid into the seat opposite of the woman. It was the same one from his escape, he had recognized her from the speeder chase.

To his credit, Levi did not betray this revelation through his demeanor, only offering a raised brow in her direction before he spoke unsuspectingly, "...Afternoon. You the one asking around for a pair of quick hands?"

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

To Miri's excitement, the Devaronian was among those drawn to her. He slid into the seat across from hers and went straight to the point.

"Yes," she replied, letting her Alderaanian accent come through. "I'm looking for someone with plenty of experience. How long have you been in this business?"

Levi​

 

[Levi]

Levi chuckled, “Experience, eh? Well I’ve got enough of that if I’m still in the game at this age. In case the white hair didn’t clue ya in.” Notably not a direct answer to her question, if still one that got the point across.

“I take it you’re not from around here? Miss…?” He lingered for her to fill in her name.

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

"White hair or not, you don't look a day over thirty-five," she replied cheerfully. But it was best not to lay that sort of flattery on too thick, if he was indeed as old as he claimed to be.

"Nimdok. Miri Nimdok, from Alderaan." She leaned forward. "I hope you won't mind me saying it, but people don't generally come to Nar Shaddaa for sightseeing, no? I'm here for a jewel thief. Are you that man?"

Levi​

 

[Levi]

"Right answer." Levi laughed, sticking a toothpick between his lips. He studied the woman for tells, giveaways. What was her game here?

"No indeed, Ms. Nimdok. I've collected a great many items throughout my career, jewels most certainly among them. What exactly is it you'd be hiring me for?"

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

"Not hiring. You wouldn't be paid for this job. But you would maybe get a lighter sentence if you cooperated with the police in the theft of the Winnick family's necklace."

Levi​

 

[Levi]

“You’re bold, Ms. Nimdok, I’ll give you that.” Levi smiled, unfazed by the accusation.

“But you’re just as naive, if you really think there’s any 'justice' to be done.”

He used his free hand to gesture to the space around them: a cantina brimming with all manner of lowlife, “Look around us. Does this place strike you as a bastion of law and order? I'd be very interested to see just how exactly it is you plan on charging me with anything.”

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

She'd been expecting him to brush her off, and he didn't disappoint. When he gestured to the cantina around them, she didn't even bother to turn her head and look.

"Well, if I get you back to Empress Teta, you'll be charged there. The watchman saw you in the house. You got into a scuffle. At the very least, you'd be charged with breaking and entering, as well as assault." She tilted her head. "As for how I'll get you back to Teta, if you won't come willingly I suppose I'll have to drag you. You're welcome to call my bluff, but I don't recommend it. Things are messy enough as it is."

Levi​

 

[Levi]

Levi's brow twitched. She seemed foolhardy, yes, but not stupid. Perhaps there really was an ace up her sleeve. Still, he remained unperturbed.

"Let's say you do get me out of here. What is there to be gained? I've no gems on my person, no contraband to return. You throw an old man in jail, and a Tetan plutocrat goes on living without their precious heirloom. Nobody gets what they want."

He leaned back, speaking a little louder, "And if the sitting occupancy of this establishment has something to say about the wannabe gumshoe sniffing around? Do you have a plan for that?" Not loud enough to get the catina's attention, but enough to make his point clear. He then pulled back in close, nearing a whisper, "Believe me when I say I'm trying to give you a hand, Ms. Nimdok. This is your out."

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

"Ah, so you'd be willing to return the necklace if it meant you didn't have to go to jail? That's fine by me. It effectively erases the crime, after all. Otherwise, I need to see somebody face justice."

She folded her hands in her lap, sitting prim and proper, and merely smiled at him when he mentioned the other cantina patrons. "This is your out," she said, echoing his own words back to him.

Levi​

 

[Levi]

He chuckled, "Maybe you'd like to discuss that with the Hutt in the other room?" He gestured to a curtained entrance on the far side of the cantina, "I'm sure they would have use of an individual with your talents. It's a simple bargain." Assuming the crime lord was willing to part with it at all. Not that Levi cared how any hypothetical conversation would go between Gorda and the woman.

"You want justice? You're on the wrong moon. If you can't see that then I'm afraid we are ah, at an impasse."

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

“You gave the necklace to a Hutt?”

Levi​

 

[Levi]

"Possibly."

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

Miri waved her fingers toward Levi, the Force rippling in response to her will.

"You want to tell me exactly where the necklace is."

Levi​

 

[Levi]

Levi squinted harshly at the woman in front of him. A wave of her hand, and the devaronian let out a low grumble, "I… Hah! Nice try, kid. A Jedi, eh? This isn't my first rodeo with a Jedi." He snapped out of the mind trick, now grinning as she revealed her hand. "Frankly I'm insulted you would assume my mind that weak. It's my job to do just that, only I don't need magic powers to make it happen."

Levi sat back in thought, gnawing on his toothpick all the while. Eventually he shrugged, apparently winning an internal debate with himself, "That's alright. I'll tell ya anyway. The Hutt has it, just in that other room, like I showed you. Whatever they plan to do with it now is none of my business. You want the necklace? Bother to the one who actually has it."

His job was done. Levi had his money. The whereabouts of any contraband thereafter were irrelevant to the thief.

Miri Nimdok​

 

[Miri Nimdok]

"It's your job to do what?" she asked, confused. She was a bit annoyed that her mind trick hadn't worked, but she was used to her powers not always working right. Still, it had been worth a shot.

The Devaronian 'fessed up anyway. Miri sighed. The cops on Nar Shaddaa weren't going to help her bag this guy, even though he was a thief. "I hope you realize this sort of thing will get a bounty put on your head," she said, standing up from the table. "But thanks anyway. Now to somehow get the necklace from that Hutt..."

She headed through the doorway Levi had indicated.

Levi​

 

[Levi]

“It’s my job to get people to do what I want them to do.” He patronized. “If I hadn’t been on such a time crunch, I would’ve found a way to convince that heiress to hand me the necklace her damn self. So no, your little hand wave trick is beneath me.” It also helps to have an ex-wife who tried many times to hypnotize you and eat your brains over the years. Builds a tolerance.

“Wouldn’t be the first time. My bet is they’ll give up in a week. They’re a fickle bunch.” He remarked, uncaring to any threats of bounty hunters or cops. He’d done the song and dance before. Treating the next one as anything worse is how you slip up.

“A pleasure, Ms. Nimdok,” Levi watched the woman walk in the direction he had pointed. Once he was certain she was actually doing it, and not heading back his way, the devaronian stood up and approached the man behind the bar, “Time to close my tab, chap. I’m getting the fuck out of here while I still have two horns on my head.”

Miri Nimdok​