Chapter
2: First of the Month
"I love you daddy."
"How much?"
"This much." He said then stretched his arms as wide as he could.
"But that's not enough."
"What is enough?" He asked looking confused.
"You're supposed to say I love you from here to the moon."
"I love you from here to the moon!"
"That's still not enough."
"Stop playing daddy!" He said giving me a little push.
"I love you too Orson."
"Let me stay with you. I hate mommy."
"Now champ, I know it hasn't been easy on you but you can't say that about
your mom. She loves you too."
"Orson! Say goodbye already and get your little ass in this house!"
That's Candice, my cunt of an ex-wife. I guess she stepped out on the porch
when Phil and I pulled up, but I didn't see her. Or maybe that's because I
didn't want to see her. The expression on Orson's face told me he felt similar.
"Please please can I stay with you?"
"Sorry Orson. You gotta go with your mom."
"She's not my mom."
I can see the tears started forming in his eyes and it killed me.
"Can you keep a secret?"
He nodded. I pulled him close and whisper in his ear.
"The next time I pick you up, we'll go somewhere far away and never come
back."
"You promise?"
"Cross my heart."
That made him smile and give me a hug.
"Now Orson!" Candice yelled.
I gave him a kiss on the cheek then he turned to run in the house, going past
Candice without saying anything. After he was in she walks up to me.
"Singing the same sad ass song to him like you did for me Elden?"
"Don't start Candice. I'm just dropping him off and leaving."
"I don't know why you bother. Your unemployed, so you should stop wasting
what little money you have on taking him out and save it for child
support."
"You know I got laid off six months back. Stop talking to me as if I ain't
trying."
"All this time we've been together and your still stuck in the same
goddamn rut."
"When the hell was it you became so materialistic?"
"When was it you fell in love with being broke? We already lost a shit
load of money on Orson."
"You're the one who didn't want to get pregnant! And we agreed on
adopting!"
"You agreed. And now you're paying the cost!"
"Stop fighting!" Orson shouted from the front door.
"Get back in the fucking house!"
"Stop cursing at him!"
Then she slapped me, right in front of Orson. In front of Phil who was waiting
on me in the car. All I could do was grind my teeth and take it...for now.
"Don't tell me what to do. Ever. And I don't care how you're gonna do it,
but you better keep coming through with the payments, or I will call my
sister."
She finally leaves and goes back inside. I gave one last wave to Orson and he
waves back before Candice pushes him away and closes the door. I climb back
into the minivan with my friend.
"I can't wait for you to show that bitch up." Phil said.
"Thanks again for driving us Phil."
"Anytime. You'll be able to afford your own ride by the end of
today."
"Please man, just make sure nobody gets killed. Please."
"We already went over this. At the most we'll shoot their legs and that's
it.
"I don't even want to do that much. Are you sure the manger is in?"
"My guy confirms it. Look for the most expensive suit in the joint."
"You never told me who your guy is."
"Take my word for it, you don't want to know."
"But you trust him?"
"All I know is he offered me some work. You remember what work is right?
It's that thing we haven't had in almost a year, and possibly may never have
again!"
"Hey, I know all about it! I'm a fucking expert on not finding a job! I'm
just...not sure about this."
"Look I'm sorry I snapped at you. I don't want to do this shit either, but
I need the money. I told you about the job and you wanted in. If you change
your mind I understand."
"No. It's okay. I'm just a little worried. Let's pick up the rest of the
boys."
The rest of the boys are my former co-workers. We were just five out of the
twenty construction workers that they had to let go, and in this day and age
finding another job was like winning the lottery. Then Phil gets an offer from
some friend of his to rob a bank and steal some watch hidden in a safe deposit
box. I guess it has sentimental value or something. That's what we were getting
paid for but as a bonus we're getting whatever money we can from the tellers.
All in all it should be a great pay out. Still, a life of crime was never part
of my five year plan. That's why this is my first and last job. Afterwards I
take Orson and get the hell out of the country. Everybody knows the score. Each
man has a duffel bag with clothes and a gun or two, which was provide by Phil's
guy. Arnold was waiting outside his apartment building when we pulled up.
"Goddamn Arnold. What's with the bright Hawaiian get up?" Phil asked.
"I'm dress for where I'll be by the end of the week honey. Elden, hey
baby!"
"What's going on Arnold."
"Still thinking about you."
"Can you do me a favor and stop picturing me naked."
"Can't help it. I told you we would've been better than that Candice
bitch."
"As charming as you are Arnold, I still rather pussy over cock."
"Can't knock it until you try it."
"I just don't see the appeal of having a cock up your shithole." Phil
said.
"Any man is open to like it"
"Not any man."
"You enjoy taking a dump don't you?"
"Yeah..."
"I see the kind of food you eat Phil. Bet you be dropping out loads bigger
than your penis. If it feels good to have that coming out of your butt, then
having something go in it won't feel much worse."
"Wait a minute. I said. "So by that odd sense of logic, do you shoot
a load every time you shit a load Arnold?"
Phil broke out laughing.
"He probably jerks off while he's sitting on the john."
Now everybody's laughing. Arnold can take a joke as good as he gives one. He's
always a fun guy to hang out with, but I'm still wary about getting wasted with
him. We were almost at Pete's place when we notice a police car came behind us
and turned on its siren. My heart was already racing.
"Oh fuck. I gotta pull over." Phil said.
"But...what if they ask to search the car?" Arnold asked.
"We're coming up on an ally I'll park by. If anything happens we'll have
to-"
"You said nobody gets killed!" I almost shouted.
"We'll just have to wound them. Maybe stuff them in the trunk of their car
or something. I don't know. Right now everybody keep cool. It might be
nothing."
When the cop car parked behind us, we were somewhat relieved it was only one
person. But the feeling passed after I saw who it was.
"You gotta be kidding me. Is that Brittney?" Phil asked.
"Yep. My ex-wife's big goddamn sister."
"You know what she wants?"
"She's here to screw with me."
Brittney got out her car and came toward us. I didn't waste any time and got
out so I can get this shit over with.
"Did I tell you to step out sir?"
"I know your here for me Brittney so stop fucking around."
"I'm only going to tell you once sir. Please return to your vehicle."
She replied resting a hand on her holster.
Didn't have much choice but to play her game. I couldn't afford to get busted.
Not today. Phil rolled down his window and had his ID on hand. Arnold hid his
bag from view as best he could.
"You know why I pulled you over?"
"Can't say I do officer."
"Someone in your car matches a profile of a suspect." She looks at
me. "Can you step out of the car sir."
I did what I was told and she stepped in front of me.
"You have your ID on you sir?"
"Yes."
"May I see it please?"
I hand it to her. She looks at it for a few minutes then back at me, pretending
to studying it.
"Well Elden, your ID looks like a fake to me. I have to take it with me
and have it checked out."
"Can't you look it up in your car's computer?"
"That computer seems to have a virus in it."
"Why do I even bother."
"Come again?"
"Your sister left me, Brittney. Why can't you leave me too?"
"I noticed some bags in the car. Planning on leaving?"
"To get away from Candice and you, hell yes! But I'd never leave
Orson."
"You're not going anywhere without proper ID. But just to be sure, why
don't you open up one of those bags."
The guys and I looked at one another, trying to figure out our next move. We
might have to take this as far as Phil suggested. But in Brittney's case I
almost wanted to.
"I don't have all day."
"They belong to Arnold."
"Ok. Arnold can you step out and show your bags?"
He came out but left the bags.
"Unless you have a warrant officer, I don't have to show you
anything."
"It wasn't a request Arnold." She said while pulling out her
Nightstick.
"I know you're not going to touch me with that honey."
Nope. Instead she touched me with it pretty hard in the gut. I drop to my knees
groaning in pain.
"You're right. But I'll have to run in Elden since he fits the
description."
Arnold looked at me and I gave him the nod. We're gonna take her down. As
Arnold went to grab a bag I rose to my feet, looking at Phil and nodding. I
knew he had his gun on him. Arnold came back out and dropped one of the bags.
Brittney bent down and opened the zipper. On top were clothes that she eyed up
and down before putting her hand inside. The three of us are ready to make our
move.
"All units! Be advised there has been a reported shooting at a pharmacy on
47th street. Suspects are on foot."
Saved by the goddamn bell. If there's anything Brittney loves more than making
my life difficult, it's chasing down bad guys. She rushed back to her car.
Because she was in a hurry I thought I'd wave her off with one finger. Phil and
Arnold followed suit as she drove off.
"The fuck did you ever see in her sister?" Arnold asked.
"I wish I could remember."
"It's gonna be a little harder for you getting out of town. She's got your
ID."
"Don't worry about it. If she was any good at being a cop, she'd see the
ID actually is fake. It's not the first time Brittney pulled this shit on
me."
"Come on." Phill said. "Let's round up the guys and get this
show on the road."
_
Been a long time since I last operated in the states. Can't say I missed it.
This country seems to get uglier each time I visit. Not because of the
Depression. All that's done was strip away the surface to the rot waiting
underneath. Not that it's much better in most parts of the world. Some of my
more sophisticated assignments have taken place here, another reason I'm not
too enthusiastic. Still, the pay is good and the only reason I'm walking into
Diamondback bank. While my target is present, I've already scheduled the
execution in a few days. The second part of the objective is to steal a watch
the manger has in a safety deposit box. Privately owned by the manger. I have
the schematic of the building memorized and the dossiers of everyone working
here.
Security is a five man team. They were all obese but I can tell they knew how
to handle themselves. Doesn't matter much but good to know never the less. The
coloring was different from most banks. Lighter and darker shades of blue
squares on the floor and ceiling while the walls were diamond shape gray.
Somewhat tacky. Probably the manger's idea based on his profile. Vincent
Farentino didn't own the bank but ran it otherwise. His obsessive and egotistic
behavior has made co-workers wary of him. Three tellers have quit because they
couldn't stand him. Still he handles business exceptionally well. My homework
is done, but there's always something new to learn from hands on recon that
can't be found in a file.
As I come in I look at all sighs and read booklets as if it's my first time in
here. This allowed me to check the surrounds before the guards would start
paying attention. One of them went on break with a teller in the basement where
the vault is located. The others simply walk the floor. All of them are working
double shifts and it showed. Farentino was in his office screaming on a phone.
Five minutes later he slammed down the receiver and stormed toward the
bathroom. I'm about to have a sit down with a banker and use my cover ID to-
(Gunshot) "Everybody on the floor now! Now goddamnit!"
Instinctively I push the banker off her chair and crouch behind her desk, then
stick my head out for a quick look. There were five of them dressed in black
sweatshirts, black jeans and military boots, all wearing ski mask. Whenever
there's a change in plans I assume the worst. My first thought was that they
were a hit team and I almost draw my Silverballers. I stop myself when I hear
more shouting then shooting. It was a standoff between them and the guards. Two
of them have hostages and are threating to kill them if security refuses to
surrender. Ten more seconds of yelling and they fire a shot into one of the
captives' leg. After this the guards decide to lower their weapons, which
surprises me.
"What in the flying fu-"
That was Farentino before one of the masked men knocked him to the ground with
the butt of his gun. That seems to piss him off, as evidence of him still
screaming at them. It earned him a few kicks to the ribs until he shut up. They
started rounding up the tellers from their stations and bringing them to the
main floor. One of them picked up Farentino and was moving him towards my
position. Again I thought about taking them out but there are two things making
me hesitate: They outnumber and outgun me...somewhat. If this was indeed a hit
squad they'd be better armed. Instead, between the five of them there's two
Kel-Tec P32/P3ATs, a rather cheap pistol type who's price can be anywhere
between $318 to $382. Less than that if your buying from a black-market. Its
small size makes it very easy to conceal but due to a small mag and limited
power, it's best suited as a last choice defense weapon.
Another one was a Taurus Public Defender Polymer .410/45lc. A better choice but
far from an ideal assault firearm. There were also a double-barreled saw-off
shotgun and an American Tactical imports SMG. This group was under a tight
budget, which made it seem they were only here to rob the bank. Still no matter
the arsenal, they were a threat. The second problem was that if I eliminated
them, it would draw attention to me. There are at least twenty witnesses who'd
see me as a hero. Win or lose, both paths have unwanted outcomes. I decide to
do nothing and watch for now. They pull me from my hiding place behind the desk
and drag me to the floor with everyone else. I did my best to act afraid.
"Please no! Please don't hurt me!"
They laid Farentino next to me and moved on to the cash registers. If that's
all they're here for they should be able to escape before police arrive,
provided they don't get greedy. One of them went downstairs, came back up with
the teller and guard on break, and then went back down to the vault. I needed
to resolve this. Their presence compromised the mission. I was wearing my black
suit, white striped shirt and red tie, so the robbers assumed I wasn't armed.
How was I going to use this?
"These piss ants are in a world of shit they don't know about."
Farentino said.
An idea just came to mind. Not a great one, but I had to take the chance or
risk blowing the mission.
"Psst. ." I whispered.
"Can't you see I'm being robbed?"
"FBI. I can stop this but I need your help."
"FBI? What are you waiting for, just shoot them already."
Watching the mask men, I slowly pull out one of my ballers and hand it to him.
"The hell are you giving me this?"
"I need you to play along with what I'm about to do. When I look at you
and nod, that'll be your signal."
"Why am I doing your fucking job?"
"Please keep your voice low . I have another gun on me. When I
give the signal I'll make my move, and if you want to save your bank I suggest
you back me. Understood?"
"Yeah, yeah I got it."
"Alright where the fuck is Vincent Farentino?" One of them demanded.
I raised my hand.