Al Capone VS Zombies

    Prologue

   

   The two men sat at a small table near the back of the coffee shop. On the table between them were scattered some hand written letters and a few pictures. The older of the two men was dressed in a suit. He had white hair and wore an expression of agitation. The other man was younger. He was wearing a button up shirt and slacks. His face was full of skepticism.

   "How can I be certain that these signatures are for real?" the younger man asks.

   "Any detective worth his weight on the Chicago force should be able to verify them." the older man replied. "Take some pictures of the signatures. Only the signatures. Show them to any cop in Chicago."

   The younger man sifted through the documents one more time. He knew a guy that was an expert in his own right about the subject in question. If only the older man were willing to let him take just one letter with him.

   "Can I just borrow one letter? That would be so much easier."

   "No! I told you. I don't want nobody else to know this exists. I only came to you because I think you will do what is right and tell the story the way it should be told."

   The younger man thinks this over. He does not know if he can do what the old timer is asking. He does know that if these pieces of history are real he has an oppurtunity to make a lot of money. He should jump at the chance. The old man's asking price for his collection is what worries him.

   "Okay. I will snap a few shots with my phone. If I can get them verified I will get in touch with you and we can discuss a price. How does that sound?" he offers.

   "You snap your shots and what not." the old man is becoming more agitated." When you get them verified you can contact me. Only if you have the money. I a'int discussing nothing. You pay fifty thousand or you don't get the package."

   The reporter brings his cell phone out of his pocket and snaps a quick picture of one signature. As he is getting ready to snap another the old man snatches the paper from in front of him. 

   "We got a deal or what?" he asks.

   "Yes. I verify these and I will pay you fifty thousand dollars for that envelope."

   " Okay. you can take two more pictures. Three should be plenty to show around." the gentleman is already stuffing the photos into a large envelope.

   Just as his phone's shutter clicks on the last image the old man stands to leave, grabbing the documents in the process. He takes his coat from the back of the chair and slides it on.

   " I look forward to hearing from you soon." he is walking toward the door of the shop.

   "Wait!” the reporter calls out. “How will I get in touch with you when I am ready?”

   The old man did not respond. He simply walked out of the doors. The young man was left with his thoughts. He had more questions at the moment than he had answers. How was he going to validate the signatures on the letters? Who was the strange old timer that had contacted him? How would he know where to find the stranger?

   He scrolled through the three photos on his phone. He decided to call his friend and hope that he would be able to help him out.

   The phone rang twice before it was answered.

   “Hello?”

   “Hey Don, I have something I need you to take a look at for me.”

   “Really? What does a sports columnist have that he needs me to look at? Ya know sports aren’t really my thing.”