Not far from the heart of downtown, just South East of the city's meandering shores, lays Belle Isle. Belle Isle is a public park situated centrally between Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Stretching over 900 acres, the park is a sprawling, verdant oasis in the middle of the Detroit River.

The lush island, connected to Detroit by the George Washington Bridge, is a nearly prefect blend of nature and innovation. Rich with unique architecture including fountains, statues, and man-mad lagoons, the island can be traversed by foot, bike, or automobile via 21 miles of rambling roads which are punctuated by park pavilions, boat houses, multiple playgrounds, and the only beaches in Detroit.

Sports fans can enjoy the island's baseball field, tennis and basketball courts, and even a small golf course. Those with a knack for chance can visit the parks magnificent casino. While those with a broader sense of wonder and curiosity will be drawn to the islands host of major attractions, including a conservatory, aquarium, horticultural gardens, and zoological gardens. Seasonal activities, such as ice-skating, canoeing in the many canals, concerts, and various tournaments are held regularly for year-round recreation and entertainment.

((...continuation of the story between Billie_Faegan and Thomas_OShannon from the Royal 313.))

Billie had directed the driver towards Belle Isle, and as they crossed George Washington Bridge, Thomas looked out over the river.

"Tis a beautiful place, lass. Really it is. I think he'd have liked it here." Thomas' head whipped about, taking in the scenery of boats on the cold but not yet frozen waters. "He was fond o' boats, yeh know? He always wanted ta sail."

As the driver pulled on to the island, he asked which way to go. Before Billie could answer, Thomas spoke up, "Once around tha Isle first, then tha lass can tell yeh where we need ta go."

"Yes sir," the driver spoke up with a nod as he toured them around the island, pointing out local attractions.

Jennie found her way into the ground and let out a low whistle. It looked like someone could spend hours here and never get bored. She pushed her hair out of her face while she headed towards the man named @Whomas_OShannon. He had been seen locally, causing a bit of a stir with his gun, looking for information about someone. She let out a slow breath, wondering if this was even a wise idea since the man had been described as slightly unhinged by people who had witnessed his display. 

The car meandered around isle, through manicured parks and overgrown wilderness alike. Billie remained silent, resting her head on Thomas' shoulder, more to be out of the way than anything else. She listened to his heartbeat, grateful for the steady sound of life. As they drove the driver pointed out the various attractions: Belle Isle Nature Zoo, Blue Herron Lagoon and Lake Okonoka, the various playgrounds and sports arenas, the aquarium and conservatory, the casino, and finally the James Scott Memorial Fountain.

 Billie smiled as Thomas' head whipped about, taking in the sights like a child, like a true tourist. It was bitter-sweet really. On the one hand it was quite endearing. On the other she knew that his childlike wonder was, in all likelihood, merely a temporary distraction from the pain of the moment - much like his presence was for her. 

As the approached the fountain, she bid the driver continue down Sunset Drive to the Westernmost point of the Isle. The car rolled to a stop before a clean, brick awning, bridging a slim footpath. Lightly pushing Thomas forward, she exited the vehicle. Moving to the drive-side window, Billie leaned down to thank the driver, but halted short. Unsure of how much time they would need, she gave her new companion a 'you handle it' kind of look before taking his hand and gesturing toward the small pathway. 

The mid-afternoon sun shone brilliantly off the shining waters of the Detroit River, as the two crossed under the square brick awning. The small walkway opened onto a tree lined courtyard, and continued through the foliage to a small circular esplanade at the tip of the island. Dividing the space were several newly planted and polished flowerbeds, dotted by several benches evenly spaced about the round. 

"Come, Little Sha...annon,"  she said replacing her usual pet name with the surname she'd only just learned. Solemnly she moved to a bench very near one of these beds and sat, patting the bench with a meaningful look. Silently she waited for Thomas to take in the scenery and fully processes the location. 

Thomas continued looking about the sights as they drove until they pulled near the fountain. As Billie leaned forward and urged the driver to continue on, he inhaled sharply and rubbed his hands together; mentally and physically preparing himself for the next while.

The two exited the vehicle as it came to a stop and Thomas pulled a money clip from the inner pocket of his jacket. He handed the driver a few folded bills, "This be fer yer trouble... Yeh have any plans fer tha rest o' tha day?"

"No sir, you need me to stick around and give you a ride back?" the man asked.

"Do'nae have ta stick around, lad... Give us a few hours an' then come back. T'ree hours maybe? That sound good?"

The man nodded and Thomas reciprocated, "Good. I'll make sure an' make it wort' yer while. Triple what yer holdin' thar now, boyo." With that, Thomas stepped back and patted the car like you would a horse to make it run off.

Billie led him through the brick awning and to the small esplanade in the back. "It's nice back here, Billie. Be this where me broder is?" He motioned to a rather fresh looking flowerbed as he took a seat next to her, leaning back against the bench and propping his foot on his opposite leg. His eyes scanned over the scenery before looking to Billie, waiting for her answer.

Silently Billy nodded, her eyes trailing over to the manicured Michigan Roses growing nearby. She moved to speak, but found her throat far too tense to facilitate any composure. Clearing her throat uncomfortably, she simply nodded again, folding her hands over her lap before returning her green gaze to Tommy's face. With a strained, apologetic smile, she bit her bottom lip and dropped her gaze to her folded hands, unsure of what to say or do. 

Thomas stood slowly and made his way over to the roses kneeling down onto the dewy ground. He dug his fingers into the fresh soil and grabbed a handful, holding it and standing. He held his soil-filled hand out over the unmarked grave...

"Death is nae thing at all. It does nae count. Yeh have only slipped away into tha next room. Everyt'ing remains as it was. Tha ole life that we lived so fondly toget'er be untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each ot'er, that we be still. Call yeh by tha ole familiar name. Why should yeh be out o' mind because yeh be out o' sight? All be well. Nae thing be hurt; nae thing be lost. One brief moment an' all will be as it were before. How we shall laugh at tha trouble o' parting, when we meet again."

Thomas let the soil fall loosely from his hand as he spoke... "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam... Slán, deartháir."

He looked up and noticed a woman approaching them and he looked back to Billie, who shrugged... That was no help. He turned his gaze back to the encroaching newcomer.

"Yer wit' purpose, lass. What can we help yeh wit'?" Thomas spoke up to the approaching Jennie as he crossed his hands over his chest, his right hand sliding subtly beneath his jacket.

Billie listened quietly as Thomas spoke, catching sight of Jennie while his back was still turned. Pressing her right hand over her heart, she bit her bottom lip. There'd been so much drama the past two days, it was only natural to worry at this point. Billie caught his gaze as he turned, but the woman was a stranger to her too. So she silently shrugged - ever so slightly. 

As Thomas crossed his arms, Billie slid down the bench, putting space between them... just in case. After all, spaced out targets are always harder to hit. Her hand remained on her chest, feverishly massaging the place over her heart, as she tensely watched the approach; waiting and watching for any hint of ill intent. 

Jennie nodded her head at the woman, "Billie, isn't it?" she asked when she got close enough. She gave a small smile. "Don't be alarmed, I've seen you around and KateLogan has mentioned you a time or two to me." she awkwardly lifted her hand and gave a little wave. "No need to look so worried, folks." she said before holding up both hands, "I'm just here to talk." she glanced between the two people a few times before letting her gaze focus solely on Thomas_OShannon. "I'm here because I heard some whispers about you losing your mind on West Montcalm street the other day." she explained to him. "You said you were looking for information about Bishop, former member of the Gato Regime?" she asked him hoping that her sources were right and she had the right man, otherwise she was just standing here looking like a right twat again. 

Thomas remained with his arms crossed, but he nodded. "Tá, been lookin' fer tha boyo. Tracked 'em through tha years, but I lost 'em when he come ta Detroit. Go' word he been werkin' wit' tha Gato's, an' decided it been time ta meet up wit' me ole comrade."

He allowed his arms to fall to his sides. "Turns out fate had anot'er story ta turn." Thomas looked down to the freshly planted rose bush again. "Did yeh know Mr. McGough well?" His gaze immediately turned back to Jennie after he asked.

Billie nodded affirmatively and relaxed a little as Jennie addressed her. It was slightly unsettling that the woman seemed to know her name before, but at least there were no bullets flying. And if Kate was involved... well, that changed things; if only a little bit. Billie remained alert, but slid her hand away from the underbust holster concealed beneath her dress. Slipping her sliver cigarette case out of the inside breast pocket  instead, she scooched back down the bench, keeping close to Thomas as he spoke. Silently she lit the stick, laying the silver case in her lap for easy access. She wouldn't interrupt the conversation, but there were smokes to be had if the other two wanted. 

She smiled and shoved her hands in her pockets, "Well, I didn't know the man." she told Thomas_OShannon . "But my father worked with him." She frowned, "Well, they were both working for Gato. I don't think their paths ever actually crossed." she gave a little shrug, "I don't have a ton of information about him, but based on what I heard about your..." she trailed out, chewing on her lower lip trying to find the most polite way to say it, but then figured fuck it and said, "outburst on the streets of Detroit." She gave a sheepish smile, "I figured any sort of information might settle your mind or something." She shrugged her shoulders again. 

He nodded to Jennie and smiled. "I appreciate that lass, an' call it what it were... I lost me noggin' fer a bit. Got a wee bit cranky when nae one would even speak ta me. BUT, as we see here, me method worked." He motioned to both Jennie and Billie.

With his hand still pointed to Billie, he continued, "Billie here told me most o' what happened. A'least, what she can. War in tha street. Trust me, I seen me fair share o' that shite meself..."

He pointed to the bed of roses, "Me broder died in that war, an' his soul finally be at peace after tha shite we been through. Now, I be honorin' his memory by helpin' rebuild what he come ta know, love, an' die fer."

She nodded her head and looked around. "Well this place is beautiful, from what I've seen of it." she smiled at the man, "Well I'm glad you have your answers now." she told him, "I'll leave you two be, sorry for interrupting. You two have a lovely day and I'm sure I'll see you around." she told them before giving a little awkward wave and heading back towards the entrance. 

Thomas gave Jennie a nod and waved. He turned his head back to Bishop's grave and stared. After a few moments of staring at the pile of dirt and new rose bush, Thomas turned back towards Jennie and yelled as she walked away, "YER NAME LASS? NA'ER GOT IT!"

He stared, waiting to see if she heard him.

Jennie spun around, still walking backwards and with a grin cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted, "Jennie, I'm sure I'll see you around." before spinning again and heading on her way. 

Thomas smirked... "Jennie," he said to himself quietly before turning to Billie. "Are you about ready? The driver should be back soon. I've got some business to tend to, an' I'm sure yeh be needin' ta get back ta tha 313."
 

Thomas lit a cigarette, waiting for Billie to be ready. Soon as she was, he offered his arm and led her back through the archway and to the street where they waited for the driver.

A few moments passed in silence before Thomas finally spoke, "Do yeh know whar tha best hotel be, lass? Am gonna need a bed soon..."

Billie kept herself out of the conversation, silently smoking and gathering information as was her way. She waited for Thomas to finish, and gladly took his arm when offered. Waiting by the arch for the driver, she chuckled, "Well that depends... Paragon Tower is supposed to be the bees knees. It's a thing of ours, so it'd be good for business and networking. But... um..." Billie stared down at her feet, clicking the toes of her pumps together. She scuffed the right one across the concrete, keeping her gaze cast down as she meekly offered, "If alls you need is a bed, I've got one out in Corktown." 

Gasping ever so slightly she turned her face up to him, "I don't mean MINE... Well, I mean mine... but not like MINE mine... I mean..." Billie paused to fish out another cigarette, lighting it, flustered. Taking a long, slow drag she inhaled the smoke deeply into her lungs. Tilting her head back she exhaled slowly with an audible moan. Taking another deep breath she continued, "What I mean is, your brother arranged a place for me in Corktown when he convinced me to stay. All things considered, if you'd like to stay there I'd be happy to make room. It'd save money, keep you close to our things, and it was your brother's arrangement anyway so....." She trailed off returning her gaze to the pavement with a shy smile. "Up to you!" 

Tucking her hair behind her ears, she slipped into the car in silent anticipation. 

Thomas laughed and slid into the car beside her. There was a smile a mile wide across his face. "Great save thar, lass." He continued laughing for a bit before finally calming himself. The driver sat and waited, not bothering to take off without direction.

"Ahhh, nae lass. I know what yeh mean. I appreciate tha bed offer, but just a roof ta keep me covered be plenty. Trust me, slept in worse places than a floor in a flat."

He looked at Billie, the smile still on his face, hers still flustered from her comments. He shook his head, "Yer gonna have ta tell 'em where ta go, though."