Cardigan had gotten badly injured in Chicago. Most of this Alpha detachment bit it and he, Mara, and an unnamed third were the only ones who made it out alive. He was on temporary medical leave. With a leg in a brace and a few cracked ribs he had been walking scummy neighborhoods looking for information about the woman who had given birth to him, then disappeared. The people in this neighborhood had acted strangely enough the first time he had asked questions here that he had returned and found two gang member who were willing to take him to someone who could answer his questions. He became quite wary when they led him into an alley. One pulled a knife and the other told him to get up against the wall and stay there. Cardigan took exception and isn’t sure to this day if that gentleman’s face or rear hit the wall first. The second then charged with his knife which was removed from his hand cause several wrist bones to break. A third approached and was similarly introduced to the wall. Then two more appeared drawing guns. The individual with the broken wrist was getting up so Cardigan grabbed him to use as a shield, putting them all in a Mexican standoff until a beautiful Hispanic woman appeared with a Caucasian man behind her.
Lena and Warder were siting down to lunch in her apartment. They were discussing the run they had just completed when one of Lena’s gang member came up to tell her that the gringo who had been asking questions was back. Lena and Warder threw on their overcoats and went to check it out. Lena was mildly impressed with the wreckage around the man. His posture and stance tipped her off that he was a professional and very good - but injured. Warder, with the benefit of astral sight could tell that the man was cybered and not only injured, but in overwhelming pain.
The two newcomers took Cardigan by surprise. The woman was dressed in standard mercenary gear, her weapons and armed used and well cared for. She bore herself with confidence - or arrogance and she was beautiful. She spoke first to the others around them, telling them to put down the weapons and help their fallen comrades. She spoke briefly to the one with the broken wrist as he passed - pointing out where he had made his mistake. The comment was accurate and Cardigan became even more curious about the woman. The man did the spacy thing about then, attracting Cardigan’s attention to him as this was obviously a mage, shaman, or phys ad. The man quietly told the woman that Cardigan was badly injured.
When the woman spoke to Cardigan she said "You’ve been asking questions about Hernandez. I’m the only one in this neighborhood who will answer those questions. Why don’t you come up to my apartment and have lunch - we’ll talk." With that she turned around, leaving Warder and Cardigan to follow.