She might have only got a shrug in response, but Jean’s expression showed that he wasn’t adverse to the idea of company for his late meal. He wasn’t hurting for money at the moment, and even felt a bit generous tonight. With Catherine at his side he began to walk, counting on her to keep up. His grin grew just a bit when she broached the topic that must have come to mind when she handled his gloves. Turning to her to answer, Jean found himself instead stepping out of the path of two individuals. He tried to pull Catherine out of the way, but only managed to somewhat break her fall so she didn’t go down too hard. Looking up quickly, he scanned the two individuals before determining they weren’t dangerous. On the contrary they seemed almost panicked for some reason, one that Jean quickly figured out from the two cops that seemed to be in pursuit. 

Stifling a chuckle as Catherine basically dived back into the alley with the two in hand, Jean shook his head as he turned to approach the officers. He wasn’t blind after all, she was limping after that fall, and he wasn’t counting the officers to be either. Pressing themselves against the alley wall wasn’t going to stop the officers from noticing if the pair actually bothered to look. Sliding his hands into his pocket, he gave a small nod when the two came close enough to turn their attention on him. [b]“Nice night for a jog isn’t it,”[/b] he called out with a disarming smile as he watched the two for their reaction. It was quickly apparent who was the senior in charge out of the pair, especially when his junior was shooting him nervous glances now. The officer stared at Jean for a few moments before recognition hit, and the scowl that came with it. 
“You’re one of Malko’s?”
[b]“That is what the boss likes to be called at times, yes.”[/b] He secretly relished the nervous gulp the junior made as realization seemed to dawn on the younger officer. It seemed that the boss’ influence extended to these individuals as well, like it did for most of their colleagues. They might not have been paid off directly, but someone above them certainly had. So the two sides tolerated one another, and just generally kept out of one another’s business. Malko would feed the police information and money, and the police would leave his “employees” alone. 
“You seen two individuals walk by?” 
[b]“Can’t say I have officer,”[/b] he replied, his smile not even faltering for a moment with the flat out lie. He met the officer’s stare without any hesitation and after a few moments the man finally looked aside, not finding what he wanted. 
“Let’s go.” With the gruff order, he marched past Jean, still scowling. The junior seemed relieved at the least, hurrying past him without so much as a glance. He looked over his shoulder as the two moved past the alley without so much as even looking into it. [i]’Ah, frustration.’[/i] Smiling to himself, he walked ahead for a while before turning into a random alley. From there it was only a few twists and turns before he found himself back in the original alley, dropping to the asphalt and grinning at the sight of Catherine and the two finally relaxing.

[b]“Wow…”[/b] he murmured to himself. He could understand looking out for others, but inviting three strangers she’d just met to her house? He wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or appalled by Catherine. [b]“I’ve got my own apartment, but thanks for the offer anyways. If you give me the address I can bring by some chow.”[/b] The three of them didn’t look, or act, like they could wander the streets as freely as he could after all.