15 “You see, Jo, I'm not from Ganghaven.” Ash admitted, “I'm from Gulden.”Jo's eyes flashed with an 'I told you so' look but she refrained from saying anything when she saw the sad smile that was fixed on his face.“I grew up super comfortable, I didn't lack anything I wanted,” Ash continued, “Had the best teachers, best designers, best cars. I was the envy of the private schools I attended.”Jo scowled, “The best of the girls, too?”After she said that, she winced at how insecure it sounded.Ash looked at her, “Well, yeah,” he shrugged, “But even then, I wasn't interested in meaningless encounters.”That he hadn't been promiscuous or anything soothed Jo.“I went to an Ivy League University and got a bachelor's degree in Business Administration; I was hoping to take over my father's business.” Ash said bitterly.

  “And how do you suggest we do that?” Ash asked, “What evidence do we present them with?”“The greatest one of all, we give them the Hatter.” Jo said.Ash sighed, “If only we knew who he was.”“We can make him reveal himself to us,” Jo said.“Yeah?” Ash asked.“Yeah.” Jo said as she stood up and started pacing around the room nude. She muttered to herself as she did that, and a smile broke out on Ash's face.She looked so cute as she moved her slim frame back and forth, a frown of concentration on her face.Suddenly, she stopped right in front of him and did a fist pump, “I got it!”“Got what?” Ash asked lazily.“The plan, idiot.” Jo said reclaiming her position by his side.Ash leaned in and kissed her fiercely.Jo let him for a few minutes before she pushed him

Ash looked worried, “I don't like this. He's going to give us a location? And we aren't allowed to bring our men? I don't like this at all.”Jo kissed him softly on the lips, “But we have no choice.”Ash looked at her, “I know you want to clear our names. I want that too, more than anything. I want to be with you, and savor our relationship without worrying, but I don't want us walking into a trap.”“I know.” Jo said.“Then stay here while I go. I don't want to lose you.” Ash said.Jo refused adamantly, “No way. I'm coming with you. If anyone should go alone, it should be me. After all, this was my plan.”“No way.” Ash said, “Rex would totally try to kick my ass if he found out I let you go alone.”“Try?” Jo asked, cocking an eyebrow.Ash snorted, “Of course. Don't tell me you think Rex can kick my ass.”

Ash squinted his eyes so he could see properly in the semi-darkness. The only stream of light was coming in through the door and some half open windows. He felt like going to open the windows all the way, but decided against it. He didn't want to make the cops think he had something up his sleeve. He pulled out his pistol and trained it at the door.Jo followed suit, and in that position, they waited for their contact, or Hatter, whichever came for them first. Ash hoped to high heaven it was their cop contact or contacts who would arrive first, so they'd be able to help uncover the mystery that was the Hatter.Jo was so tightly wound she feared she might fire at any sound she heard. The only sound in the room was their simultaneous inhalation and exhalation. Sweat beaded her forehead, but she didn't move to wipe it off. One little distraction could mean their lives.They tensed when they heard footsteps carefully approach them. Ash made a motion for Jo to get be

 After twenty minutes which seemed like a millennium to Ash, Lester's car finally jerked to a stop in front of a residential building. Children were playing on the sidewalk, and some homeless people sat around with tins, begging for money.Ash regarded Lester suspiciously as he held Jo close, "What the hell are we doing here? I asked you to get us to the charity clinic!"Lester didn't seem fazed, "The clinic is in that building."He got out of the car and opened the door for Ash who carried Jo out. People gathered to watch, and Lester called a five year old girl to show them the particular flat where the clinic was situated.The girl stuck her tongue out at him, "I ain't helping no copper. It'll ruin my cred.""Hey!" Ash commanded the girl's attention, "Do I look like a cop to you?!" He asked harshly.The girl shook her head and looked cowed. Ash didn't like raising his voice on children, but he needed the girl to understand how