Fugitive

Chapter 21

Well Alexander hadn't put them in an obvious place that's for sure. I looked around for a bit, in boxes of my old stuff and in the corners. Eventually I found them in a half empty box at the back. The sniper riffle disassembled and my shotguns there with extra ammunition. Perfect. I placed them in my bag carefully. As I left the building I looked around to make sure no one had seen me go in or come out. The looking over my shoulder thing was getting exhausting. Being constantly on edge is awful. Indescribable until you actually experience it. The rain had faded off and the sun was starting to peak through the clouds. I walked to the bus stop we passed on the way and waited for the next bus. It was a different driver. I paid him as I got on. This ride was a lot shorter. There were less people on as well. When I got off the bus I didn't feel like I was in a dodgy neighbourhood, like I thought I would. I walked down a few streets surveying the area. I ate another energy bar. A man covered head to toe in tattoos with three ear piercings and a bald head was taking out the trash across the street. He watched me the entire time. I know it's stereotype but his appearance alone made me uneasy. Not enough to pull the gun from my bag. I'd dealt with people worse than him. There were a few bars around. It was starting to get busy as people finished work. I headed into one. There were quite a few people. I ordered a drink. Several groups of people were nursing drinks and laughing way too loudly. There were a few tables with cards and chips. People trying to perfect their poker faces while betting away everything they have. Except for one guy. He seemed to be winning every game. After a few rounds I'd figured out how he was cheating. Sleight of hand when dealing. But it wasn't just that. Even without the cheating he was good. Looked away at the right times, never folded as far as I could see. I couldn't see his cards from where I sat but I'm sure he couldn't have had a good hand for each round. Two men stood behind him. They watched the rest of the game but didn't move from their position. They pulled out more chips and got the man a drink when he requested it. He was a big shot. Well known around here. I asked the bar tender. "Who's that"? I tilted my head towards him. "Jack Speight. He's here almost every night with more cash and more dumb men to steal money from". I could sense the dislike. "You don't like him". "I don't like cheaters. Tried to nail the guy 'bout a week ago. Can't prove a damn thing. He's sly that one. Pain in my ass". I nodded. "Could I grab a refill please". The bartender filled my glass with more Whiskey. I nodded my thanks and took a large gulp before heading over to Jack's table. "Jack Speight". Jack looked up. "We should talk". He laughed deeply. "And you are"? "Who I am isn't relevant". His two body guards walked over and grabbed my shirt by the collar. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. I'm sure you wouldn't want everyone here to know how Jack here seemed to win every single hand". He let me go and whispered in Jacks ear. His expression changed from an amused smirk to something darker. "Excuse me gentlemen", Jack announced to the rest of the men at the table. They seemed glad he was leaving. Like now they would actually have a chance to win some money. Which realistically, now they might. I followed him out the door his body guards walking behind me. I felt a cold hard barrel of a gun on my back. Only for a second. Just to scare me. It didn't work. This isn't the first time I've had a gun on me. They led me outside into the alleyway behind the bar. A swift right upper cut let me know who was boss. I stumbled back a few steps almost hitting the wall but not quite. Hitting the wall was like saying that you lose. Not for everyone, of course, but for some. Most, really. I brought my hand to my jaw making sure it was still in the right place and hadn't been knocked to a weird place. It didn't hurt, not really. A low throbbing in my jaw continued but it was just the usual. My head had been knocked to the side. I turned so I was looking ahead again at all the men. "I don't want any trouble. I just want to speak to your boss". "My boss"? "Yep. Someone like you, with so much cash on you, guys with guns, here every night. You're a businessman. So, I want to speak to your boss". "I am the boss pretty boy". "Could you just cut the bullshit please, this would go a lot quicker". "You've got a mouth on you boy. Too bad you're not the one here with the guns". "You wouldn't risk a shot. Not here. Not now. And I can assure you that when I leave you're not going to find me again. I just want to take care of a little business of my own. I'm sure we can work something out. Like civilised men". "You have nothing I want", Jack spat. "Yes, but I can ruin your reputation here. I know how you cheat, unlike the others here, I can prove it. And I don't have any doubt you would quickly find another bar, because I'm sure that's just what you do. How would your boss fell about that? Having to change the whole operation you have going on there. I doubt he's like that very much. So, you take me to him and I'll keep my mouth shut". "What do you want with the boss anyway"? "Just some information. None of your concern obviously. You're just the middle man". I knew the middleman insult would cut deep. Men like him want to be on top. But no matter how many body guards, privileges or how much money they have, they're still going the dirty work for a higher power. "I'll call you", Jack finally said. He had given in and I didn't doubt he would hold up his end of the bargain but I wasn't going to sit around and wait for a phone call. "No. We're going now. Right now. Or I march in there and announce to everyone what a cheat you are. Then I'll stand back and watch you're two guards trying to fend off all those angry men you stole money from". "Fine. We'll go now". A few minutes later a car pulled up and we all got in. By that point, I'd pulled out my own gun and concealed it in my waistband, just in case things went bad. They didn't. We arrived at a house not too far away. It was pretty centrally located. For convenience. There were more men there. We walked in. I still had gun on my back. They could shoot me if they wanted to. Which makes me think their operation is more than one guy in a pub with a knack for poker. "The boss is through there". The door to the eft was locked. One of the guards opened it and pushed me inside. The door closed quickly behind me. There was someone behind the desk. The boss. Except the boss was a woman. I didn't bother to hide my shock. "You look surprised to see me". "I expected a man". "That's a very sexist comment you know". I shrugged. "I wouldn't have thought this is a typical woman's activity". "I guess it's not". The woman was of Latin decent. She had soft dark skin and beautiful eyes. Her waist was slim and she wore a red dress. Her long, black hair reached past her waistline. She was tall too. Beautiful, but not my type. "Well do you have a name"? I asked. "I do. But I'm guessing you're not going to tell me yours". I looked down for a second and chuckled. "You're right". "So, can I ask why you demanded to see me"? "I need information". "About what"? "Dennis Penfold. You know him"? "I might", she answered. She did. I could see it. Her poker face wasn't as good as her employees. "I need to know where I can find him. Can you help me or not"? "That depends. What do you have to offer me"? Nothing. I had absolutely nothing. I'd been toying with the idea of some kind of bluff for a while. But like her I was no poker player. The difference between this and the whole fake cocaine situation is that she lived and hires professional bluffers. While not being a good liar herself, she was good at detecting a good liar. Which was bad. "Honestly, I have nothing you want. I don't think". I don't have a plan, or blackmail, or anything to negotiate. I just need to know where Dennis Penfold is. As soon as possible. And even if you don't tell me. I will find a way". "Well, that was very... inspirational. But if you have nothing to offer me then I have nothing to give you". I nodded lowering my head. "I'll show myself out". I turned to open the door. I had expected this. I needed something to bargain with. Or I wouldn't stand a chance with these people. It was worth a shot, even if it didn't pay off. There were more gangs and more criminals here to get that information from. It's not like this was my only shot. I was practically out the door when the woman spoke again. "What do you want with him anyway"? I turned back to face her. "He killed my sister. And my nephew. I want him to pay for it". "You know Dennis was part of the Russian Mafia right? It would be a death wish to go after him". "I think I can handle him". "What makes you think that"? "I'm an ex-marine". "You say that like it's supposed to sound impressive", she mocked. I shrugged. "That's why I recognised you. You're that Jacob Rogers guy". I nodded not even denying it. "You know I never believed you did it. I have no idea what you've got to do with the Mafia, but from what I can see your in deep shit". "Pretty much". There was a long moment of silence. "Dennis Penfold worked for me for a while. I hired him because of his experience in shady business. He didn't end up being any good. So, I fired him. Turns out this was just a side job for him. He had something bigger going on. Something more important. I haven't spoken to him since. But I have an address. I don't know if he's still there". She scrawled an address on a notepad before ripping off the piece of paper and folding it. She handed me the paper. "Listen, this information isn't free. You don't tell anyone what's going on here. And if I need you in the future I will contact you. If you can help me, you will. Do we have a deal"? I nodded and held out my hand. She took it and shook it gently. A contrast from the typical death grip I'm used to. "Thank you", I said. Like I mentioned I hadn't expected it. A part of my brain knew it was because of sympathy. The kind only a woman has. If it was a guy I probably wouldn't have gotten the information. Maybe she had a nephew too? She nodded and waved her hand ushering me out the door. I left without problem. None of the guards touched me. I barely even got a passing glance as I left the building and walked down the street.