Chatper Seven

“You are too harsh on that girl, Neil. I know you like her.”

“…not you too.” Jon snorted

“Hey, nothing wrong with appreciating the goods.” Jon smirked. “I know you’ve had your fair share of women that caught your eye. Even the impenetrable Doctor Dunn makes appreciative glances a good pair of-”

“I’m more interested in doing my damn job.” Neil interrupted. Jon laughed.

“Check.” Neil made his move. “It’s about playing the board right. You say something cold, she’s gonna get hurt.” Jon moved his piece. “Check. Women aren’t built like men. That’s why God gave them to us. To be different to us. We’d have half the world gone without them teaching us different.” Neil made his move, unsure of how to respond to that.

“Amen.” Vinny sat down. “Who’s winning?”

“Checkmate.” Neil said, moving his own piece, cornering the other man’s king. “Me.”

“Damn. Wanna play another round?”

“No. I have to go pick up Sally.”

“I got Clifton out on a cleanup, so he said he’d swing by.”

“Another cleanup, Vin?”

“Don’t get your tie too tight, Doc, it was one of those goons from the other side of O’Banion’s territory. You all know him, right?”

“Oh, yeah ain’t the Chinese guy? I played at his joint once. Weird place, like…they had a big secret or something.” Jon admitted. Neil reset the board, and offered the pieces to Vinny.

“Yeah, right Doc. I ain’t so good at those strategy games.”

“Fine, you wanna see me kick Jon’s ass again?”

“I gotta do my warm-ups with Clara. Get boss lady to play, she’s here.”

“I’d rather play with Vinny.” Vinny called Sally over, and Neil sighed.

“Hey. Oh, who’s playing?”

“It’s Neil’s board.” Jon stood up. “He kicked my backside good, so now it’s your turn.”

“Sure. I’m not so bad at the game.” Sally sat across the table. Wordlessly, and with a scowl, Neil offered her the two pawns he had in his hand. She took the white one and set it into place. She made her first move, then watched his hands move to make his own move. Neil studied her hand movements, but Sally studied his face. She even squinted at him as he picked up his knight and set it down where he wanted it. Sally picked up her bishop and moved to take his knight. Not only had she just set herself up for losing her bishop, she’d accidentally left an opening for another piece to sneak in and take the king.

In just three more moves, Neil had her king cornered into a checkmate. A smug smirk filled his face, and he said, “What was that Ms. Foster? I thought you said you were good.” She met his gaze evenly. Tension filled the air between them, tangible, and thick. Annoyance, anger, and even a little sexual, so thick Neil could almost taste it.

But Sally simply looked him evenly in the eye, and coolly stated, “Well done.” She got up and went off to do her work. Neil didn’t know how he’d pissed her off this time. What he did know was to not follow her and make the matter worse.

Neil simply cleaned up his chess board, and Vinny said, “Man, I don’t know how dense you can be. She’s trying because her uncle expects her to be good at this. She’s taking on a huge responsibility and working with a guy she doesn’t know. You don’t gotta be a prick all the time.” He didn’t say anything, just looked at Vinny. “Even if you don’t want her like that, the least you could do is be respectable to your boss. You don’t treat Stew different, do ya? So why treat her different cause she’s a gal?”

“That’s why, Vin. She’s a girl, not an adult. She’s certainly not adult enough to gain my respect as a boss.”

“That’s horse shit, and you and I both know it. Where I’m standing, you don’t have a right to treat people the way you do. I ain’t judging, cause I know the war wasn’t so good to you. But you don’t get to pretend you’re better than her.”

“I’m not. I’m just not naïve.” Vinny snorted.

“You’re naïve enough to think she’s some spoiled kid from a protective life. We can’t all grow up in giant houses and fancy educations, Dunn.”

“I never said-”

“No, but you don’t know what she’s been through. You have no damn clue who she is. I know Roland and Jon said the same thing yesterday. Stop lookin’ at the cover and read the damn book.” Neil went to say something, and Vinny stopped him, “And if you don’t, one of these other bastards will get into her bed first. Timmy’s been eyein’ her up. And I know Roland don’t look at her outta respect for you. But one of them will unless they’re a fairy.” Neil snorted, and thought you are way closer to the mark then you realize, Morello.

“She deserves someone better.”

“…who?”

“Me, for starters. You…any of us. She’s not cut out for this life, and she shouldn’t have to be. Girl like her should be reading pulp novels and finding a suitable husband while enjoying some time with friends.” Neil didn’t want to admit to himself, much less Vinny, how much he knew this job would crush her if she wasn’t careful. And he didn’t want to see her get hurt.

“She’s doing an alright job of it. But I get what you mean. I don’t wanna see her get hurt, neither.”

“I’ve got a sister the same age.” Neil admitted. “Similar personality. The…the sweet with the sass with the intelligence and the naivety.”

“And you’ve gone all sweet on her.” Vinny didn’t ask.

“Jon said it himself, we’ve all appreciated the view. Better than looking at you ugly jackasses all day.” Vinny burst out laughing.

“Yeah, you’re right there. But, let me tell ya…I ain’t ever seen you look at a woman with more than disinterest. You’re eyes about popped outta your skull. Only reason I haven’t made my move yet is cause I ain’t stupid enough to try more than just flirtin’.” Vinny looked over to see Sally come out and ask Clifton something. “And if I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s looking at you the same way.” Vinny was not an educated man. But what he lacked in formal education, he excelled in his people skills. Everyone knew this about Vinny Morello. But Neil still snorted, and said, “Yeah. Right.” Neil cleaned up the rest of the pieces and took his usual seat at the bar.

Just as the first guests were due to arrive, Sally emerged from the office and came to greet guests, seat them at tables, and take drink orders. Before she had the chance, and before they could open the doors, there was a commotion at the door. They all turned, and a tall, older gentleman with bright-red hair burst into the door, shouting, “Where the hell is Foster?”

“I’m right here.” Sally said. “What can I-”

“No, I’m looking for Stewart. Where the hell is he?”

“He’s not here, O’Toole.” Vinny came to stand beside Sally. “Why?”

“Where the hell is he? And who the hell are you?” O’Toole glared at Sally.

“Sally Foster, current manager of the Music Box. And you are?”

“All you need to know, lassie, is my name is O’Toole.”

“He manages the Steam Room, the joint behind the laundromat. Aptly named.” Clifton looked at them both.

“Well, now that I know how to address you, how can I help?” Neil watched her Southern upbringing come out; that infamous hospitality peeking out. Her sweetness and charm dialed up. But there was a glint in her eyes. One Neil saw the day she mouthed off to him in the hospital room. There was something up her…well, not exactly sleeve as she had none, but nonetheless she was scheming. And Neil was intrigued.

“I want to know why the hell the new ‘manager’ can’t keep the bloodhound on a leash.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” She was as sweet as pie. Clifton immediately looked at the back of Vinny’s head, curious.

“Morello here killed two of my people today.”

“What?” Sally turned to him, and Vinny looked at her.

“No. What?” Clifton stared at him.

“What the hell did you send me to do today?” Sally looked lost, but Vinny shouted, “Nothing, I swear. It was the two guys from the Chinese gang, Mr. … Zhuang?” Vinny butchered the name, but Neil didn’t know how to say it either. “They’ve been f-er…messing with us…sense Stew opened up the place. They came at me, I swear.”

“Where?”

“I dunno, I don’t remember seein’ no names or addresses.”

“It was upper west side, in a warehouse near where we store our orders to distribute. Just a couple down, actually.” Clifton said. Sally looked at them.

“Where were your guys at?” Sally asked.

“Not far. You swear?” They did.

“Well, someone killed two of my men today, and I’d like to know who and why.”

“So would we, but it’s not us.” Sally said. “I sure as hell wouldn’t put out a hit on you.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t Stew?”

“No.” Sally said. “Because he’s-” another commotion at the door, and two guys came storming in, cussing up a storm in another language. One was a large man; fat, broad, and ruddy faced. The other was short, slender, and very pale. Vinny snapped something back in Italian, making them stop in their tracks.

“I’m sorry boss, they keep barreling in.”

“Just keep the customers out for now, Andy. Who are you?” Sally looked at them, all pretense of southern hospitality gone.

“I work for Luca De Rossi.”

“He’s upper east, owns a few…places.” Clifton blushed and turned away.

“Whore houses, you mean?” She asked candidly. Even Neil was mildly surprised she knew what they were.

“Not just-”

“Yeah, I got it. What are you doing here?” O’Toole looked at her, then to Neil, who shrugged.

“We wanna know where Morello’s been for the last coupla hours.” The big guy glared at Vinny.

“Why is everyone comin’ for me? I been here sense about three this afternoon.”

“Three…so it definitely wasn’t you.” O’Toole had checked his watch. “It was only about an hour ago that we discovered my two workers dead. And they haven’t been dead long.”

“You think that’s bad? Someone just took shots at De Luca.” The big one said. He had a thick, Long Island accent.

“We just had to take him to the hospital after a dinner with your boss.” O’Toole looked surprised.

“I wasn’t aware of any meetings O’Leary had with De Luca.”

“Hold on. Your boss got shot?” Sally looked at Neil, who knew what she was thinking.

“Yes. Who are you?” The short one spoke with an equally thick Irish accent.

“I’m Sally Foster, I’m Stew’s niece. I’m currently the proprietor.”

“Where the hell is Stew?”

“He got shot three nights ago.” The room went still. “Is there something going on here?” O’Toole’s face changed from annoyance and stress, to slightly chagrined, with a hint of grim.

“Aye, there is, lass. Forgive me. I think it’s best if we spoke privately. Jack, you might want to help me here.”

“What about me?”

“Why don’t you go to the car? It’ll only be a moment.” Jack offered. Dean sighed and made his way out. Before he left, he turned and said, “Sorry, Morello. Didn’t mean to be vulgar.” Vinny nodded.

Before Sally could lead them to her office, Neil grabbed her and stopped her.

“Don’t offer any information and take everything they say with a grain of salt. These guys are mobsters.”

“What if they’re telling the truth?”

“They might be, but they make it a habit to lie. And to them, you’re just some girl. They aren’t going to give you everything.” Sally yanked her arm back, and said, “I’ve got this. I can hear them out without making decisions. I might be young, but I’m not a total imbecile.” She walked off and lead them away. Clifton nodded to Brewster to let the customers in then.

Neil glanced at the door every thirty seconds, waiting anxiously for her to come out. After about two hours, the door opened, and O’Toole was thanking her. Jack, the Irish man working for De Luca, thanked her as well.

“What are you stressing about, Doctor?” Timmy sat down beside Neil, having just gotten off his shift.

“Sally’s meeting O’Toole for the first time.” The flatfoot looked floored his gaze rapidly swapping between Neil and Vinny.

“We have a lot of catching up to do with you, O’Connor.” Vinny said. As Jack and O’Toole walked by, O’Connor glanced up-and went absolutely white. Jack sneered at him and walked off. Silently, Timmy swallowed, then walked off after Jack.

“What the hell was that?” Vinny asked. Clifton shrugged and went back to the bar. Sally grabbed Neil’s arm, and said, “We need to talk.”

“Fine. Talk.”

“Alone.”

“Not a chance in hell.” There was a number of reasons Neil felt it was inappropriate, namely if the staff was hounding him, so would customers. She didn’t need the reputation of being one of his girls. Besides, this was probably better information for Stew, not him.

“Dunn, what the hell are you doing?” Clifton asked

“This is serious.”

“Then talk.” She looked at him, then stormed off, angry.

“Get your ass in that office, now.” Neil looked at Vinny, drained his drink, and promptly left the speakeasy.