Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shadowed Suspicion Chapter 224

[madimpossibledreamer]

unbeta'd again (except in concept form)

Main Points:
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure/Buffy the Vampire Slayer AU
Chapter Summary: Wesley checks in with his agent as to the status of meddlers.
Word Count: 1007
Rating: Teen
Note: HERE THERE PROBABLY BE BUFFY/JJBA SPOILERS

        Sawyer puts away the rifle, sighing.  He’s not shocked, only disappointed.  There goes the bonus he was promised.  He’d only asked as a formality, as a ‘just in case’, because with the way things are going, Wyndam-Price is going to go far.  Maybe even become the new Ram, because while it might seem odd to one who was only familiar with certain mythological traditions, anyone even remotely familiar with the Wolfram & Hart business practices would know one thing: vacuums in power exist to be filled in.  The hierarchy would collapse if gaps continued to exist.  And with a boss about to Ascend, it seems pretty clear that one of the Old Ones wouldn’t stop at President of the Special Projects Division.  He’d only asked for a transfer in the first place because the man was a legend.  Of course, all of the former members of Angel Investigations were, but there was something about Wesley Wyndam-Price, the man who’d tried, ruthlessly, to do the right thing, the one who’d stolen the child of Angel himself, the one who’d had some kind of relationship with an Old One himself.  Maybe he’s still fighting, trying to gain all this power to try to destroy the firm from the inside, just like he’d promised the man he’d betrayed.  Maybe he’d given into the judgments, determined to follow the expectations of his villainy.  Maybe it was too painful to attempt to remain ‘pure’ when trapped in a perpetual contract with Wolfram & Hart.  The why didn’t matter.
        Oh, it’s not like he hadn’t been curious.  He had been, still was, and had attempted to read the man’s head once.  He’d been lucky to emerge with his life intact solely because he was useful, and had since accepted his role.  He wouldn’t say he was on Wyndam-Price’s side, exactly, but when it came to it, his boss was the best bet.  Others weren’t ambitious enough, or were too dangerous, or had too many enemies.  Sawyer didn’t kid himself that he was ‘safe’—only actual children were so naïve.  But the formerly dead man was his best option.
        They’d both known sniping was a long shot, pun intended.  He hadn’t even been planned to be used here, but he’d already come into the region for a case involving the local cartels, and something had gummed up the works, led to him being brought in on the plan, and what a plan it was.  That something was probably other jealous factions, attempting to prevent the Ascension.  After all, the Special Projects Division had been favored strongly since before Angel’s arrival, which meant other parts were neglected.  Someone else rising to power would mean they wouldn’t get to do so.  Most of Wyndam-Price’s Stand Users and a good number of the demons under his command had been delayed, though in several cases Sawyer had confirmed that the ‘delay’ had probably meant ‘destroy’ instead, because they’d lost contact with the team during a time all were told, in no uncertain terms, that none were to make themselves unavailable for any reason.
        True, it could be the Speedwagon Foundation, but they were still finding their footing under these new circumstances, and in any case did not seem as organized or well-trained.  They’d all too easily fallen for the little ‘tip’ he’d called in, and given the relative dearth of SPWF associated Stand Users, he’s not too worried that they’d be able to deal with multiple teams.  Josephine Higashikata, maybe, but she’d been spotted in England, and then America.  Nowhere near the missing teams.
        So he’d put in the effort, as a ‘borrowed lawyer’ acting as Wyndam-Price’s agent.  It wouldn’t pay off, but any further efforts would put him in greater danger, and given that psychic abilities often appeared to decay after death, neither he nor the Boss were inclined to kill him of in such a way.
        At least he can continue to coordinate, mostly by listening in on the minds of the other members of the firm around his hotel, and negotiating a new contract, which was always fun.  Maybe he’d have to continue the charade of simply one of W&H’s lawyers fascinated and scared by the projects in Wesley’s division, or maybe he wouldn’t.  As long as he got paid.
        “Speak of the devil,” he mutters as he retrieves his vibrating mobile from his pocket.
        “Your plan worked perfectly,” he informs the man as soon as he answers.  “There are three SPWF members heading for you, though none have Stands, and while proficient in marksmanship, only one of them has any actual combat experience.  I was able to bring down the Joestar’s plane with five occupants, though from the feel of it none got hurt.  Josephine is bringing a second party, but they will certainly be delayed.  Several of our teams are MIA.  I was about to ask one of the Birds of Death to bring a message asking about the state of our agreement.”
        “It’s slightly out of his area, but given that he’s trying to expand anyway…”  Never before has he heard such a clear shrug in his life.  “The helicopter holds young Xander and his allies, correct?”
        “Yes, and it appears the rest are on their way.”  They’re all notable in their own way, the ones to actually take seriously, unlike the rest of the Speedwagon Foundation or the International Slayers’ and Watcher’s Council, but he’s actually met the Slayer and the Don of Passione.  “If Giovanna doesn’t manage to escape this time, your reward for freeing Italy will help secure your position.”
        Wyndam-Price actually laughs.  Sawyer’s pretty sure he’s never heard that.  Apparently, he’s enjoying the plan just as much.  “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.  Get your message to our new friend, and if you can keep tabs on Xander Harris’s team from afar without endangering yourself, do so.  Otherwise, you are free to return to your client.”
        He hangs up without waiting for a response, largely because he already knows.  Sawyer has made his bet, come what may.