A family man

As you walk with Tony towards the limo he glances at the chaotic scene of unloading going on at the other end of the parking lot.

"What a fuckin' clown show," he snorts. "Look at those poor Mex bastards tryna get stuff sorted out. That's why we brought Theresa yesterday." He opens the door to the passenger compartment and gestures you in, climbing in behind you and closing the door.

You don't recognise the older man seated in the corner of the back seat but you have no doubt who he is. His hard face and cold black eyes radiate power and menace as he examines you.

"You know who I am?"

"Yes Don Maglio."

He gives you an approving nod and he looks at Tony. "He's got respect, this one. He may be a cheap grifter, but he's got respect." He turns his attention back to you. "Tony talked to you. Told you to keep your eyes open. Now I'm telling you. You help me with this and I will be in your debt. You understand?"

"Yes Don Maglio."

"Tony says you got something working here. Far be it from me to stand in the way of a man trying to earn. But while you earn, you watch and you listen. Capisce?"

"Yes Don Maglio. I may have something already," you add, needing to say something. He stares at you with his cold eyes, saying nothing. "Last night I heard some girls talking. I didn't hear much but they mentioned Theresa and somebody called Ronnie dying."

"My Theresa?"

"I don't know Don Maglio. They just said Theresa. I'm guessing."

"Anything else?"

"Nothing that made sense, at least not to me. They mentioned 'Briary' but I don't know what that is."

Maglio turns his gaze on Tony and a silent communication passes between the two before the Don turns his attention back to you. "Who was saying this?"

"I don't know Don Maglio," you say, not sure why you're lying. "It was dark, and I could only hear part of what they said. I don't know their names."

He looks silently at you for a long time and you start to feel that he knows you're omitting something. "That all you heard."

"That's all Don Maglio."

He looks at you silently for another few moments that seem like hours before he speaks again. "That's not bad for a night's work. A good start. You keep it up. Tony, I want you to get our friend a car. Nothing too nice, we don't want him to stand out. Just something that runs good so he can get around if he has to. Capisce?"

"Si Don Maglio."

Maglio turns back to you. His mouth moving slightly in what you imagine must be a smile. "This is good. You help me, and I help you. You help me more, I help you more. I like helpful people. You have a good day now Mr....Sharp? That's right isn't it? Mr. Sharp?"

"Yes Don Maglio. Thank you."

"Tony will come by later, talk to you about the car. He'll get you fixed up. Keep up the good work Mr. Sharp."

"Thank you Don Maglio," you say, stepping out of the limo as Tony opens the door for you.

You take a few steps away from the car, wiping the sweat off your hands onto your pants. Your stomach feels like you swallowed a toad, and you fight the urge to vomit as you walk towards the main building, trying to calm yourself.