Reed the Red Panda is your old college roommate and best friend. He hates nothing more than being mistaken for a raccoon! Your childish partner in crime, the two of you were constantly getting into trouble back in the day. Who could have imagined that this rascal would go on to become a lawyer after graduation. You once asked him why he chose such an unexpected career, and he just said "for the money". But deep down, you know that he wants to bring justice to this unfair city. And it just so happens that as a journalist, you make sure that he is never short of opportunities to just that.
"Thomas, looks like we're gonna have to get serious this time!"
You're no stranger to "serious". Reed, on the other hand, doesn't usually take things too seriously. However, when he says these words, you know that he will get down to business and do what needs to be done, and your current predicament is no exception. When you finally managed to contact him using the prison pay phone, he had some interesting information for you. After many days of investigation, he found that the tip-off call you ignored may actually have contained crucial evidence for bringing down the mayor. When you heard his analysis, you found yourself wondering if he might actually be a masterful private detective instead of a lawyer.
In the visit room, Reed helped you remember the business card for the Baroness bar and, based on his experience as an intern in Skidroad, he deduced that the pattern on the back of the card is the key to finding the whistleblower. He then offered to raise $30,000 in cash to buy the recording of the evidence. You were just about to thank him for everything he's done to help, but then you realized it's probably not worth it.
"Give me a break! You owe me more favors than you can possibly pay back in this lifetime."
After you followed Reed's plan to send the Baroness card you found in the prison's storeroom to North Point Post Office, he finally came to visit you with a new lead. As you expected, Angelo sent his men to find Reed. But it seems that Angelo greatly underestimated the wily red panda.
Like the hero in a spy movie, Reed used his cunning and guile to lose Angelo and get to Baroness without being caught. After talking with the bartender, he made his way to the crucial location for the investigation: Fallen Angels. In the underground club, Reed once again used his outstanding ability and talent to find out the possible whereabouts of Iris, the whistleblower with incriminating evidence against the mayor.
"Then it's back to our usual division of labor. You handle things on the inside; I'll keep looking for leads on Anderson on the outside."
It was a lot of work, but just as Reed had surmised, you managed to get Father Anderson to reveal the location of the house where Iris was hiding. As soon as you phoned Reed with this crucial information, he drove straight there. After all, as far as he was concerned, the sooner he got there, the sooner his best friend would be free again.
After that phone call, you next heard about Reed when Iris came to visit. She told you that he and his secretary Selina had found her at the address you gave them and asked to buy the incriminating recording, but because she had already contacted Councilman Jerry, there was a change of plan. However, it was not the councilman who came to the door that night, but two hitmen working for Angelo. Although Selina's quick thinking allowed Reed and her to surprise and defeat them, a shot fired through the window left Reed seriously injured.
They made their escape and Selina administered emergency treatment that temporarily stabilized Reed. However, he needed professional medical attention to have any hope of recovering from his comatose state. With nowhere else to turn, Selina drove him to Liberty City in search of a doctor called Stephen who she knows from her circus days. She hoped that he would be able to mix the plasma that Reed needed.
After telling you all of this, Iris gave you the key to Selina's apartment. She told you that she hid the incriminating recording under the pillow. What will you choose to do with the evidence that Reed may well have given his life for? Only you can answer that question.
