15 December 2009, Storm Tower

With Jason dropped off that the Prince's Estate, Franz called ahead and told Giles to meet him in the private lot of the parking deck. It took a full fifteen minutes to get back to downtown and there was little room for error this close to sunrise. He gunned the Beemer around the last two corners and passed the steel doors that led to the secure area reserved for high-ranking local kindred.

The bowels of the tower were a maze of concrete and steel, this particular section was hidden behind a dummy wall and led to the most secure sub basement areas of the building. As he pulled up, Giles emerged from the metal door that led inside and made his way to the door of the BMW. Franz simply held the wheel and flexed his hands before drawing breath and exiting the car. His first words were, as was always the case with Giles, in German, "It's a mess. My apologies."

Giles took in the quiet and contemplative demeanor of his master and understood the gravity of things. A quick glance at the leather upholstery of the vehicle and at the stains on Franz's clothing told a story all of its own. "It will be ready before nightfall," he replied in his native French, trying to sound positive, "I have seen worse."

Franz grunted before lighting up another cig and puffing hard. He gave a look back at the car and then at Giles, "The trunk is going to be worse." He drew another troubled drag and forwent the apology. One apology for ruining Giles' day was enough. "Do we have sufficient stores so that I need not go out?"

The ghoul took his own set of car keys and popped the trunk lid open long enough to see what had been left to him. The trunk, as advertised, was going to require stronger measures, possibly replacing the carpeted lining again. He closed the trunk again and answered Franz's inquiry, "Yes, I can have them ready for you when you rise." He paused a moment and said, "If I may be excused, I will want to pull the seats out immediately. Would you please leave your coat where I can clean it before I retire?"

Another drag and then a glance back at Giles, Franz nodded, "Of course." The coming sunrise was taking its toll on the Gangrel and he simply paused to say, "The sun comes soon, I will see you at Sunset."

"Of course, Sir."

"Thank you, Giles." he said, leaving the other man behind to his work. Giles was good at his job and generally prepared for situations like this. It would take a little over an hour to pull out the back seat and trunk liner and exchange them with cleaner replacements. The blood stains on the carpeting would get a minumal cleaning, then the whole vehicle would be picked up by the detailer at 9am, to be returned by 5pm.

That left Franz to worry about other matters, like Jason and doublechecking the security on the building before day torpor took him. There were long nights ahead, and even though Fursa had made no mention of it, he realized that the city was under seige.