[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=orangered]Caesar Gonzalez[/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[img]http://dailylifeeexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Machete-in-Space.png[/img][hr][b][color=orangered]Location:[/color][/b] Derby!
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	This was supposed to be a break from the chaos of the past two days. Quality family time, courtesy of his little Alicia. Some parents, especially of minor children, took great joy in watching their kids perform or participate in sports; high school has traditionally always been speckled with parents coming out for "The Big Game" or "Opening Night". In Caesar's estimation, this was very nearly the equivalent. He did like to see Alicia enjoy herself. Getting to join his practically adopted daughter, Lorna, was just gravy atop the whole experience. The fact that she was with Smoker Boy notwithstanding. 

	Caesar first leaned his head to the side to catch eyes with Lorna, giving her a quick, [color=orangered]"Hola, niña. Good to see you out."[/color] Of course, with all the murders lately, it really [i]wasn't[/i] good to see her out. It was slightly unnerving. Giving daughters to a man like Caesar was a curse from God, punishment for his transgressions earlier in life. Now he had, lodged in his soul, the worry and concern of two women for whom he would gladly kill or grudgingly die. This was his kismet; the strength and weakness of family. 

	He turned his attention back to the man in front of him, Larson, appearing to contemplate his offer to join them. [color=orangered]"Hi."[/color] he almost growled. [color=orangered]"We'll join you. One thing: Had a misunderstanding earlier. I feel obligated to tell you two that the [i]extremely[/i] young lady and I are here together for the sake of business and safety."[/color] He turned to glance at Cecily, [color=orangered]"We are [i]definitely[/i] not dating. Or tener relaciones bouncy-bouncy.[/color]

	With that issue out in the open, Caesar entered the Derby with a clear conscience. It was an excellent evening to watch M'hija brutalize other professionals with wheels on their feet, all for the sake of a concept as abstract as "Points". Outstanding. But again, he did like to see Alicia enjoy herself. As the Roller Derby was a borderline bloodsport, well, it was also fairly entertaining. At least it would have been. 

	Stephanie Gretchin was on M'hija's team. The lady he greatly suspected of being part of all this (very not) random death was on her team. So was the Secretary of Defense. That was odd. A media mogul, the DJ from the Block Party... and another one that, from the look on Cecily's face, she was familiar. Caesar snapped some pictures, took some video, like many others. Good to keep records, and besides, his daughter was playing. Can't fault a man for recording memories of his hija. There would be questions later. Many questions, for many people. Especially for Alicia. Oh yes, his little girl would have some [b]serious[/b] explaining to do. Was she part of this, too? Did she just [i]not fucking know[/i] the people with whom she was associating? Was she running an Op, and just decide out of the clear blue NOT TO TELL HIM? Oh, this was a conversation. 

	Unfortunately, this conversation would have to wait. Darkness overtook the Derby, with the accompanying randomness of human fear. This was multiplied significantly by the sound of gunshots ringing out. He'd done this before. Usually he'd be the one shooting. If this blackout was done for the purpose of assassination, then the targets were down and there wasn't much of a threat left from gunfire. The problem now was the press of bodies. Confusion was an effective cloak against discovery, providing a proven means of escape. Not a damn thing he could do about it now. 

	There was considerable worry for Alicia, at least at first. Then he remembered that she was especially good at this game; hiding and surviving throughout gunfire and darkness. Mortal combat and blindfighting - give the girl something sharp and shove her into a proving ground of chaos and blood, she had better odds than most at crawling back out with the ears of her victims as trophies. It was [i]just like[/i] her Quinceañera, all over again! Caesar snickered, despite his situation. If only these poor fucks knew what the kiddies had to endure with the Piñata... they might laugh, too. But for those in the audience, the biggest danger then was the press of scared flesh and trampling bodies, instinctively concerned with only their self-preservation. 

	Caesar also knew that Lorna could take care of herself. Military lady, that one, hard as nails. But just the same, the older man shouted to the people in his little group, even as he threw a protective arm around Cecily, [color=orangered]"Join hands! Find a wall! Cross your arms in front of you, stay put!"[/color]

	When the lights finally returned, his phone vibrated silently in his pocket. Message from Alicia, one that gave him a dose of relief. Kind of. She was alive. He returned the message, 

[color=orangered][center][i][u]Glad to hear. Will get home tomorrow, too. Talk then.[/u][/i][/center][/color]

	The mercenary Mexican took a brief look around, taking more pictures, more video. More things to tuck away and comb through at another time. Even took a sweep of the walls and roof, just in case. He looked to make sure that Lorna was okay, and yes, even Lawson, before looking to Cecily, saying, [color=orangered]"Give me three minutes to look around before the cops show up. Then I'll get you somewhere safe. That cop friend of yours?"[/color]

	Then tomorrow, a long Q&A with M'hija. And a new arrival to the party. And his investigation continues in earnest.

	[color=orangered]"Hey, who was that lady, anyway?"[/color]