As they pass, Perkins grins and nods to the duo from her place off to the side of the room, her eyes tracking them for a moment.

She gives Perkins a nod. Not much of one. That's not who she's looking for. And Perkins always seemed a bit... off, to her.

Hmm.

She usually takes a booth, doesn't she?

Perhaps this redhead sitting in a booth by herself in the back?

That's the one.

Hailey makes her way smoothly there.

"Carmen," she greets her as she sits down.

"Hailey," she replies warmly, before turning and nodding to Ami as well. "Ms. Kueda."

This is interesting. She expected Hailey to work alone, as is her usual wont.

Carmen bumps Ami Kueda up a few ranks in her interest tracker.

Ami gives Hailey a brief sideways glance. She didn't realize those two were on a first-name basis.

Then she smiles and lowers her head in acknowledgement.

"Miss Scott! It's a pleasure."

"Likewise, Ms. Kueda."

She turns back to Hailey. "I hear there was a bit of a rough party at your home last night. It is good to see you returned unscathed."

"A good way to dust the rust off, I suppose."

Carmen smiles gently and replies, "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Iosef Tarasov." Hailey's voice is slow, precise, and flat, the name spoken like a native.

She nods lightly. "What about him?"

"I'd like to talk with him."

Ami chuckles darkly.

"A talk," she replies, lifting her martini, "you say."

She takes an elegant sip, before setting it back down.

"I'm familiar with the parlance, Hailey."

She leans forward across the table.

"I want to ask you this: have you returned to the fold?"

A beat.

"Just visiting."

Carmen arches one elegant eyebrow.

"It does not look like it," she replies, voice sharpening faintly under the weight of her concern.

She gestures at the pair across from her. "Here you sit, accompanied by one of the only names that approaches the notoriety of your own, a trail of blood darkening behind you. From what I can see, you appear to have both feet back in these treacherous waters, while my fellow creatures of the depths circle eagerly for a chance to drag you in. You got out once, Hailey. I doubt even you could repeat the feat."

Ami winces. She knew, on some level, that it would come across that way for her to be here with Hailey, but it still stings to hear.

She wants to say she's just here as a friend, but even if she could make herself believe that, she doubts anyone else would.

Hailey frowns thoughtfully.

Then she takes a breath.

"Where can I find him?"

Carmen takes a breath and another sip.

"You know the rules, Hailey. No business may be conducted on Continental grounds, lest you incur heavy penalties."

She puts down her glass and picks up her pen, preparing to return to some paperwork.

"Have a drink, and relax.

"For now."

Of course.

The rules.

She frowns and makes to get up, muttering as she goes.

"It's personal."

She moves to follow, turning towards Hailey as the other woman moves.

She didn't expect anything different.

Carmen always tries to follow the rules just close enough to keep the Continental safe, to keep Hailey safe, to keep her staff safe.

She had to try, though.

And maybe Carmen will find a way.

Whatever. Time to kill for now.

She heads to the bar.

The bartender, a busty blonde in a shimmery bronze halter top and a skirt, grins in surprise at the approaching pair.

"Ami, good to see you, been a bit. And holy shit, Hailey! How long's it been, four years?"