Lockdown for answers

Quinn winced as Vincent pressed the bandages against his ribs, taping them in place. He knew it would be several days before he was up to par. This never would have happened in the old days. Vincent had already told them that there was a signal from the safe-house and three people crossed the threshold, so he knew they were safe. He turned his attentions to the human hanging from a pair of cuffs in the main room.

"Stefan, I should have known not to trust you. You betrayed Compton, why not me."

Stefan, face was haggard as the pain of hanging by his wrists forced him to grimace. He tried to look down but the movement just brought more pain from his broken ribs.

"Mr. Quinn, I have been loyal to you. I even told you what happened with the King's wolf-whore."

Quinn punched him in the ribs, wincing himself at the action but hearing a satisfying crunch. He held the check in front of Stefan's face, close enough that he would see it. The Texas Commerce header was plain at the top of the check.

"So you are not only disloyal, but a bad liar as well."

He turned to Vincent and nodded.

"Lock the area down. I don't want an ant crawling by without being stepped on twice."

He turned back, resuming venting his anger on Stefan's body.

Jason Stackhouse sat in the back of the truck as he sat next to two guards in the back with him as another two sat in front. He did not know where they were driving to but he had done what James had told him to, for Jessica. Although he had not spoken to Brianna since their first meeting in Merlotte's when she had dashed off because of something that he had said. As the truck stopped just outside a large house as they were quickly ambushed by several guards. 

"State your name and purpose" Jason heard the guard ask him.

"Jason Stackhouse, we were sent here by Jessica Hamby. We need to see John Quinn like now" he spoke to the guard.

"Just you. Out now" he ordered.

Jason complied as he slid out of the car and was instantly pushed against the car and was instantly frisked thoroughly. He groaned as he felt his hands being forced around his back and being cuffed and his gun taken from him.

"What the hell!" he grumbled.

He was greeted with darkness as he felt something being pulled over his head as he called out from underneath whatever was over his head. Trying to steady himself as he felt himself being pulled towards the house trying to walk blindfolded.

Quinn turned from the limp form hanging before him as someone was led into the room. He motioned to the side rooms and the new arrival was brought in there. He picked up a shotgun from the pile of weapons on the table and walked into the room. He rested the barrel against the newcomer's chest and looked over the clothing. Seeing the uniform, be backed off a little.

"Hood."

He watched a the hood was pulled free and the newcomer was turned around to face him. He looked at Stackhouse's face and shook his head.

"Boy, you have the world's worst timing."

Jason felt himself being pushed into something as he felt something press against his chest as he stilled as he knew exactly what it was. Closing his eyes tightly as he felt the hood being lifted from his head as he blinked rapidly at adjusting to the light.

"Put that god damned gun down. Who do I look like? Freddie Mercury? I ain't got no gun. Now get these handcuffs off me man" he commanded him

Looking at him he spotted him sporting a bandage around him covered in blood.

"What the hell happened to you?" he asked indicating to the bandage.

He chuckled, but there was no humor in it.

"You are hardly in a position to make demands, Stackhouse. Your value to Jessica is why you are breathing. Never mind what happened to me. What is your reason for bringing an army to my door? I am within rights to drop every one of them where they stand, you included."

He lowered the barrel of the gun, but kept it close. He watched Stackhouse struggle in the cuffs.

Jason continued to struggle against the cuffs but knew that he had no chance of getting them off as he gave up.

"Jessica was attacked, and Brianna is next. I am here to bring her home to stay with me until her Maker returns" he replied "I am here to protect her" he told Quinn.

He started fighting against the cuffs again as he could feel the metal press against his wrists.

"You can't do anything to me, I am an officer of the law" he snapped back.

"Stackhouse, you really are stupid, aren't you? You can see we are on alert here, there is blood coming from my ribs, and you are cuffed at gunpoint. Doesn't it occur to you that you might be a bit too late?"

He listened to Stackhouse's claim.

"As far as you being an officer of the law. Right now all you are is an armed intruder who brought a gang for backup. Your job doesn't matter for shit."

He used the barrel to lift Stackhouse's chin.

"As for Brianna, she is not here, but she is safe. I am curious why you would leave Jessica, the woman you once claimed to love. It seems odd that you would come looking for a war when the one you care about is elsewhere."

He walked across the room, resting against the table. He motioned to one of the guards.

"Remove the cuffs. He's harmless."

"Jessica is safe, she is with James" he snapped back at Quinn.

Finally feeling his wrists being freed as he rubbed his wrists as he saw that they had rubbed against his wrists and already were beginning to bruise. Waiting until the guards had gone he turned his attention back to Quinn.

"And as for Brianna she is my friend. I am doing what is best for her....And why do you care about her? Using her to get back at Jessica? Tell me where Brianna is so I can go and get her. Now!" he barked.

Quinn threw back his head laughing.

"Brianna is not here, Stackhouse. Her maker entrusted her to Arabella, my daughter. Their welfare trumps your friendship. As for her being here, it was a favor her maker asked of me. Before you make assumptions, you should talk to those involved. Jessica is fully aware of her presence here and why."

He walked over to a cooler, tossing Stackhouse a bottle of water from it.

"You will just have to trust her maker's judgement. I have trained Arabella as a fighter as well as her other skills. Jessica is who you need to help with. I can call up a private army, as you can see. What possessed you to strip the guards from her and bring them here? I thought there might be an attack on her as well, and it was set up by a traitor that is hanging unconscious in the next room. I am going to save him for their Maker to deal with upon his return."

He stood, looking Stackhouse in the eye.

"I have been charitable in my courtesy, but now is not the time for guests, so get out of my home."

He motioned to the guards to remove him.

"Tolvin, give him back his gun at the gate, unloaded. Throw the ammo in the truck he came in and make sure they are escorted from the perimeter. I am holding you directly responsible to the task, so make sure it is done right. As long as they leave without issue, none of his people are to be harmed. If they try anything, kill them."

He turned back to Stackhouse.

"And now, goodbye."

Jason caught the bottle of water as he tossed it to the ground, he did not want anything from him. He remained quiet until he saw more guards approach him as he reached for him gun only to find that it was not there.

"I will make you pay for this.....thing or whatever the hell you are. You will be locked up in the kennels by the end of the week....Get the fuck off me!" he fought to get rid of the guards.

Hearing Quinn say goodbye as he went to say something only to be blindfolded again as he felt himself being dragged back out the way that he had just come.

"I will make you pay for this.....thing or whatever the hell you are. You will be locked up in the kennels by the end of the week....Get the fuck off me!"

"Hold a moment, gentlemen. Listen clearly, Stackhouse, as I am about to tell you something important. You openly stated that you were here for personal reasons and therefore are not representing your position or office in my home. You bring a group of armed men to my home with the intent of a fight. Now you threaten to imprison me without reason."

Quinn took a slow breath.

"I would be within my rights to go to the sheriff and demand your badge and job in the morning for what you have done and said here today. I am not inclined to do so, as a courtesy to someone who usually tries to maintain order. Get your emotions in check, Stackhouse. Everything in my estate is recorded and that includes every word you have said. I also have video of you leading an armed group of civilians up to the gates of my home. As for what I am, you might as well call me your ever bloody savior. Your own personal Jesus Christ. This makes twice I have spared and saved your life, Stackhouse. Did you really think that you just magically appeared at the hospital a while back? The man who helped you worked for me. Keep that in mind when you cast accusations and threats, Stackhouse. Get him out of my sight."

Quinn turned his back as they dragged him toward the door.

"YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS! YOU BETTER BELIEVE THAT ASS HOLE!" he screamed at the Tiger.

Although he could not see anyone he just wanted to be free as he felt himself being pulled towards the door. Jason fought against the guards as he tried to break free, he needed to get out of here and back to Jessica. Brianna couldn't be safe with him, not when he just threatened Jason.

Being forced into the car as without a word the guards who waited in the car knew exactly where to go. Jason would be having a word with Jessica about this, she needed to get Brianna out of there.

He watched the monitors until Stackhouse and his people were off his land. He knew there might be some backlash but he was right. The man had threatened him and more...and as a civilian. He shook his head, knowing the little hothead would calm down eventually.

He walked to computer that had been moved into the main room and looked at it. All points had checked in and there was no sign of more attackers. Time to put the next step of his idea in motion. He cleared the room, moving to face the screen at his desk. He pulled the fangs from his bag and laid them out on a cloth so they would be in plain view when he wanted it. He then folded the cloth over to hide them. He keyed the secured number for the video chat to Isabel. He pulled up his best irritated face and waited for the screen to load.

Isabel retracted her fangs from another delectable virgin female that Raphael had sent her as a thank you gift, one that she was thankful for. Hearing a beep from her computer as she dropped the lifeless body to the floor as she turned her attention to the screen as she accepted the video chat. Waiting until the screen had loaded as John Quinn appeared on the screen as she instantly took note of his bandage as she could not help but smirk.

"So John Quinn, not as good as you once were....Hard to believe such a young vampire could do such damage" she chuckled.

Quinn growled but checked himself.

"Your little Oliver and his team tried to double cross me, Isabel, though I am sure it was done without your knowledge. You would not want to risk the targets getting away. Needless to say they will not be returning to Dallas. It was a pity, the Russian was a good fighter but wouldn't listen."

He took a deep breath, and smiled.

"But I do not want you to think I call only bearing bad news."

He unfolded the cloth revealing two sets of fangs sitting on the cloth.

"I will have them there in the morning. I am going to have them mounted with a picture of their former owners, as a souvenir for you. You know me, Isabel. I do not fail to fulfill a contract, especially when paid in advance."

He folded the cloth back over the fangs and smiled, letting himself wince a bit. He slid the cloth to the side and took a 'labored' breath.

"Is there a particular color you would like for the backing?"

"Yes. I am well aware Oliver was always a loose canon, and very hard to control for even I" she replied.

Sitting back in her chair as she continued to appraise John Quinn, taking note of the damage that her team had caused him.

"Well I think I would prefer something gold...And of course it will compliment my skin tone very well. As for Compton and his party, I hear that they shall be arriving back in Louisiana very shortly. Our contract shall end after this call, I will not have any backlash falling onto me" she told him.

"Understood, Isabel. I will have the package delivered to the trophy shop on Lover's Lane and held for one of your people. I will not contact you for a while, but eventually..."

He openly looked her image over with obvious interest.

"...I would like to discuss other perks we had hinted at. I will pick out the mounting cloth myself. Until we speak again, I wish you all the honors you have earned."

He leaned back, smiling as he waited for her to cut off the communication.

Isabel could not help laugh at hearing his remark about discussing other perks.

"John, John. This shall be the last contact that we ever have. Our arrangement is no longer valid. I shall expect your package tomorrow and then after that no more" she grinned.

Instantly ending the call as she turned her attention back to the lifeless body on the floor as she pressed a button on her speaker phone.

"Send in Clive" she ended.

Tomorrow she would have the fangs of the progeny of the King of Louisiana, and she would sit back and watch it all fall back on John Quinn.

He watched the screen go black and called over one of his men.

"Find footage of the vampires losing their fangs and get me a still shot of them. I will be sending a gift to Texas, as promised. I told her they would be mounted with photos of the former owners. I would not want to be a liar. Don't forget that she wants gold backing on the package. It'll sit in that shop for weeks, even months without being opened and the whole time she will think she won something."

He laughed and sent word to Arabella that things were clear, then sent the same message to Jessica but advised both of them to stay put until proper escorts could be arranged.