Jackson slides into the booth, rainwater still clinging to his coat. The diner hums low around them, all steam, silverware, and tired afternoon light.
Dallas lays the badge and ledger sleeve on the table. The scuffed stamp catches the light, and Jackson’s eyes go straight to it.
Dallas Fontaine
The good thing is, I do not work for Harbor Unit. As a contractor, they pay me my rate. And since I could not do this without you here, you get this.
Dallas slides the envelope of cash across the vinyl. The bills settle between them with a soft, heavy thump.
Jackson Temple
Five thousand. He means it.
Jackson Temple
You always know how to make a man feel appreciated, Dallas.
Jackson folds the envelope into his palm, then looks from Dallas to the ledger sleeve like he is weighing more than money.
Jackson Temple
We are still employed, then. Until we catch this mole.
A waitress passes with two coffees, and the moment loosens a little. Outside, the rain keeps talking against the window, giving them a brief, private pause.
✓ Quest Accepted
Cement trust with Jackson Temple
“Alright kimosabe what do you make of this? I slide him the ledger.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Dallas nudges the ledger across the table, stopping it beside Jackson’s coffee. The sleeve lies open between them like a fresh wound in the afternoon light.
Dallas Fontaine
Alright, kimosabe. What do you make of this?
Jackson draws the ledger closer, but he does not pick it up right away. His thumb hovers over the handler stamp, then settles beside it.
Jackson Temple
I make that someone was careful, and still left us a trail.
Jackson Temple
The clerk signature is the real seam here, not the badge.
He flips the sleeve once, exposing the route slip edge and the scuffed stamp together, as if matching two halves of the same story.
Jackson Temple
This does not read like a dead end. It reads like an office node, one person moving names for somebody higher up.
Jackson slides the ledger back toward Dallas, then leaves one hand on the table, open and steady.
Jackson Temple
If you are asking whether I am in, I am in. Tell me where you want to hit first.
Quest Complete
Cement trust with Jackson Temple