“Deal.”
“So, guess whatnews was waiting for me when I got to work? That Jim guy, thecrackhead, well, the cop that works the front counter told me thathis body was found behind a dumpster not far from Blood Alley earlythis morning. I’m not supposed to say anything, so keep it underyour hat.”
“What?” Herwords stop me in my tracks.
“Are youkidding?”
“Pretty wild,huh? And to think, he was in here just last night, saying he wasbeing followed.”
My mind flashesback to the guy that I was sure was following me on Robson Streetlast night. If he hadn’t walked into that restaurant, I swear hewas going to hurt me.
“That’s crazynews. It seems odd that my dad ended up in intensive care and Jimgot away, only to find out that he’s dead, just days later.”
“You’re right.That is weird.”
Katie tells methat she’ll check in with me later then hangs up. I stand at thekitchen counter, letting my mind wander over what could havehappened to Jim. When I finally snap out of my thoughts, I look atthe time. Shit! I've got to haul ass if I’m going to be on time tomeet Slinky.
I quickly grabclean clothes and then jump in the shower. When I’m dried off anddressed, I pour a quick cup of coffee, down it and head out.
* * *
When I hit thestreet, I feel the first drops of rain. As soon as I make my waypast Blood Alley, the skies open up. Homeless people flock underthe eaves of store fronts. I feel badly for them, down here,they’re victims of the elements, and some have no shelter at all,the street is their home.
Finally, I seethe restaurant sign and dart towards it. When I walk in, there isonly one available table. A small booth sits feet away from therestroom at the back of the place. I can’t see Slinky yet, heprobably got caught in the rain and is waiting out the worse of itnearby. I order a coffee and quickly sit at the table. I’m halfwaythrough my drink when I see the front door open and a very wetSlinky walk in. I put my hand up and he spots me. After quicklyspeaking to the waitress. He walks to where I’m sitting.
“Wet enough foryou out there?” he says smiling.
“Typical forthis time of the year,” I smile back.
“So, any newson your dad since yesterday?”
“Actually, yes.He’s improving, though he’s not out of his coma yet. Thank you forasking, Slinky.”
“See, I toldyou he’d be ok.”
“I hope you’reright. There’s still a long way to go before we know for sure.”
“Well, I foundout something of interest.” he says with a look ofaccomplishment.
“Oh?”
“It’s about theguys that hurt your dad. I asked around, as I said I would. Iwasn’t sure I’d hear anything back, but just this morning I did. Mysource tells me that the men that hurt John, work forFournier.”
“I knew it! Ijust knew that piece of shit was involved somehow,” I say.
“Well, you wereright.”
“Did you findout why my dad was with them and what the fight was over.”
“I’m sorry,kid. I didn’t hear about any of that.”
I smile andshrug. “It’s ok. You did well with getting the information that youdid. I’m grateful.”
All of asudden, I see a large man walk in. He stands for a moment at thefront door and scans the restaurant. When he spots our table, hiseyes focus in on Slinky and me. His face is familiar. I know him,I’m just not sure from where. Then…it hits me. It’s the same guythat I thought was following me on Robson Street last night. Whatin the hell is he doing here? With his back turned to the door,Slinky sees the change in my expression, “What’s wrong, kid? Youlook like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“There’s acreepy guy at the door behind you. When I was walking on Robsonlast night, I swore he was following me. And now, he’s staring atme like he knows me.”
Slinky casuallyturns and looks at the guy. “Oh shit, he says, eyes widening. Iknow him. He’s a heavy for Fournier. He goes by Tank, but some callhim The Bone-Breaker.”
“What? Are youkidding? But how would he know who I am?”
“That’s easy.You’re the daughter of someone that owed Fournier a lot of moneyonce. Not to mention, you brought cops into his bar and had one ofhis drug runners taken away. Then, you started asking questionsabout Jim, who was probably a good client of his. Dealers don’tlike people poking around their circles.”
“I guess Inever thought of that.” Then, something occurs to me, “I don’tremember mentioning to Slinky about me being a P.I, or aboutcalling to get the teen taken out of Fournier’s bar. Who knows,maybe I did tell him. But I guess right now, that’s the least of myworries.
I watch as thebrute makes his way toward our table. I feel my pulse rate speed upand my knees shake. “Slinky. He’s coming over here. What should wedo?”
“Don’t say aword. Let me do the talking,” he says, folding his hands togetheron the table to stop them from shaking.
As the closerthe guy gets, the more he grows in size. By the time he reaches ourtable, he blocks out the light behind him. While staring at me, hebends down close to Slinky’s head and says, “Why don’t you get upand come outside with me. Someone wants to have a word with you.Bring the girl.”
Oh shit. We’reso screwed. Now what? All I can think of is what Katie told meabout Jim being found behind a dumpster. There’s no way I can walkoutside with that scary lout.
“Sure, Tank.Let Fournier, I mean, your friend, know that we’ll be right out.I’ll just pay for our coffees.”
Tank walks awayslowly and exits the restaurant.
“There’s nobloody way I’m going anywhere with that Neanderthal, especiallywhen it’s probably Fournier that’s waiting outside.”
“Of courseyou’re not, and I’m not about to let anything happen to you. Thisis what we’re going to do. Right beside the washrooms in the backof the restaurant is a door. It leads to a storage room. In theback of the storage room is a set of stairs. I’ll wave the waitressover and pay her. You go
