Chapter 124 - Best Friend?

After Afton had spoken with Boone, he left to find Karl and let him know of the job he'd taken up. The former-ranger had no problems with joining the search for the bastard, probably due to this hitting too close to him. He and Boone had a lot of similarities, the only difference being that Karl was less pragmatic in his choice. Choosing to charge straight into a heavily fortified Legion encampment to save his daughter, as opposed to Boone just ending his wife's suffering.

Afton didn't really think either choice was an incorrect one, both just weren't strong enough to save their loved ones and had to settle for different horrible outcomes. But, hopefully that would change soon.​​

Regardless, Afton began asking around about Boone, his maxed out Speech skill allowing him to control the conversation and lead it towards his wife. He did this for a number of reasons, the first being that if the perpetrator heard that he was asking around about Boone's wife then they'd either hunker down and make it more difficult to catch them, or flee. Both of which would make it terribly annoying to find them.

The second reason he did this was so that if he was talking to the perpetrator, they wouldn't immediately be on the defensive. Afton would throw in a few negative statements about Carla as bait to see who didn't view her in a good light.

Of course, he'd take a hit to his reputation for it as talking ill of the dead wasn't considered polite, but he'd probably get it back once they executed whoever sold Carla.

Eventually, he somehow found himself in Ranger Andy's house. The man has injured his knee while falling down some stairs. He was the unofficial sheriff of these parts and his recent absence would explain why Ada could start operating with impunity.

He didn't know much but thought Carla was a sweet girl, she'd apparently helped him out a few times due to him getting on in years. Occasionally bringing him snacks while he was on patrol.

Afton couldn't help but feel sorry for her the more he learned, she sounded like a kind person, if a bit confrontational. Most people felt the same, it was only really Manny and a few of his friends that seemed to dislike her. His conversation with the man hadn't gone all that well if he were honest with himself...

*Flashback*

Manny was sitting in the sun on an old-looking lawnchair, a sunset sasparilla in his hands as he relaxed in the sunlight. The man raised his head as he heard someone sit next to him, spotting the new doctor in town pulling up another chair next to him. "Did you need something Doc?"

Afton shakes his head, "Yeah, I've been looking to talk to you about Boone. He saved my life last night after a Powder Ganger ambushed me, looking for some way to repay him." he states.

Manny snorts at this, "Repay him? I'm sure he won't give a shit either way, guy wouldn't know gratitude if it bit him on the ass."

"What do you mean?"

"I served with Boone for many years in the NCR 1st Recon division. We've been through a lot together, and have saved each other's hides more times than I can count... I don't know who owes who what, but I know that you shouldn't throw your buddies away like trash."

"Hm, did he do that to you?" Afton questions.

Manny nods, "Yeah, things haven't been the same since his bitch wife got kidnapped. Know the saying? Bro's before hoe's? Don't think loyalty means much to him since I've got a cock." he spits.

Afton inwardly smirks to himself, "His wife got kidnapped?"

"Yeah, Legion got her apparently... Don't know how they snuck past everyone and knew when Boone'd be on break, but I don't care too much to find out. If you ask me, bitch had it coming."

Afton scratches his chin pensively, it didn't sound like the man had been involved... Usually a liar would try to distance themselves from the crime as much as possible, but Manny didn't seem to care about it, he literally admitted he was glad she got kidnapped, something the person responsible wouldn't likely do.

"From what I've heard about Carla, she seems to have been a loudmouth. Would've liked to get a kick in myself before she got nabbed." Afton states.

Manny chuckles, "Same..." he breathes a long drawn out sigh, "If you ever find who did it, send them my regards."

...

Afton glances at him warily in surprise, "What?"

"You think I wouldn't notice what you're doing around here? Before I joined the 1st Recon I had a psyche evaluation... You talk and act exactly how that guy had, like you were picking my brains for some untold secrets. I don't know what Boone's giving you to do this, but... I feel bad for how I reacted when Boone told me. Not because I give a shit about Carla, but because of how I hurt my best friend."

Afton scowls, "Best friend? If he was your best friend you wouldn't be happy that his wife got taken. As far as I'm concerned, you're just a selfish asshole who got upset his buddy preferred his woman's company. I can see why too... The only reason I haven't capped your ass if because you're some of the only security Novac has." he states before getting up and walking away.

He'd said his piece, the jig was up, his deception had been discovered so he felt no need to hide his true feelings on the matter. From what he could tell, Manny hadn't been responsible for Boone's wife being taken. Not just because of how he had acted, or what he'd said, but because his Perk [Spies Guise] hadn't triggered. He imagined that it would at least activate if the man had something to hide... He'd have to start looking elsewhere for the culprit.