p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"span style="font-weight: bold;"Penguins are weird people - Chapter III/span/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Once more it was a cold and cloudy day in Gotham and way too early for Maria's liking. The usual morning fog was still hanging between the dark green cypresses of the Cobblepot property. The young brunette was again clothed in black and white, but this time, she preferred a pair of trousers instead of her tube skirt. In addition, she wore a long red woolen scarf and a pair of red woolen gloves. The tip of her nose was slightly pink due to the cold spring weather when she rung the doorbell and rubbed her hands./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" What'yer doing sweet pea?" Gabe asked her from behind, while he carried Maria's suitcase up the stairs./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Just go in, the door's open." he added./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The both Ciceros stepped inside. The sound of the doorbell must have alarmed the owner of the pompous mansion because he was hobbling in his golden and navy blue night robe towards them./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Punctual as a clock, please excuse my current appearance. I wasn't aware that my maid Shanti is out on business."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"On Maria's face spread a wide grin. An unshaved Penguin with shaggy bed hair was a sight for sore eyes./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Maria, have you eaten breakfast?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" No boss." she answered still grinning./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Well then, join me in the kitchen. Gabe bring the luggage to her room."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Gabe vanished upstairs and Maria followed Oswald to a nice open kitchen with a marble checkerboard floor. She got herself a cinnamon-roll and sat beside her chef, who picked up his reading glasses and studied the newspaper whilst sipping on his tea. Maria couldn't help but stare./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Hm, hm, usually I eat alone, but this isn't an usual day, is it?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Oh, I hope you don't mind."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Nonsense, but could you please stop staring- I'm not a zoo animal."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"His tone was slightly angered./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria's cheeks flushed in embarrassment./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Sorry Mr. Cobblepot, I couldn't help myself, but you look so, how should I phrase it… your bed-hair looks cute."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"In disbelief he analyzed Maria's facial expression for a second, before his small lips formed into a smile./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I've been called many things but never has someone complimented me as cute." he looked rather pleased with himself./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" It's OK my dear, you've warned me about your mind-speaking self yesterday. There are worse things than being called cute." /p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"After the breakfast Maria had some time to explore the mansion and get herself settled into her new room, which lay opposite to Mr. Cobblepot's chambers./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"_/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"She was studying the old baroque picture of a huntsman in her room,when there was a knock on the door./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" May I come in?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Of course Mr. Cobblepot." He entered, dressed with a bowler and his Bordeaux feather coat./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Is everything to your taste?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria nodded./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I'm afraid business can't wait. Would you accompany me? "/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Certainly, that's my job, I'm not part of the decoration, or am I?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Oswald chuckled " Then come, there's a lot on the schedule."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"_/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Gabe was already waiting in an inconspicuous looking old Mercedes./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria wanted to join her uncle on the passenger seat- but again wasn't allowed to do so./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Please sit with me, there are some things I need to explain." stated Oswald./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"On the drive he handed her a pair of white silk gloves and a cellphone./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" This is yours now. It's directly connected to my data cloud and has all the important contacts in it. If you're taking any notes, restrain yourself to this cellphone. What you need to know - I need to know, understood?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Yes sir!"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Please activate the touch ID as soon as possible! The data in here is crucial. Furthermore, if we have any outside businesses wear some gloves. Sooner or later, they'll know you're my assistant and your fingerprints will fall back onto me."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The brunette put the gloves on./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" You're only allowed to talk when I permit you so. And basically you see nothing, you hear nothing, you know nothing, you get the drill, right?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Yes boss!"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The day was busy; time was flowing by swiftly. They visited several pawnshops, bars, nightclubs and warehouses. Oswald did the talking, while Maria took notes on the phone and uncle Gabe looked mostly fierce or sometimes pointed a gun on the so-called 'business-partners'./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"In Maria's opinion these people were first class scum, but she hadn't expected otherwise. Shortly after seven she urged her uncle and her boss to grab something to eat at a sandwich shop before they drove off for the last task at the docks. It was pitch dark as they reached their destination, the moon was reflecting on the water./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" This could get ugly, boss." whispered Gabe./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I know, I know. For now we wait. If Angelo comes alone or with only one henchman Maria you'll accompany us. If there are more, you'll stay back in the car, lock the doors and text Victor Zsasz our address." said Oswald./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Another car stopped 100 meters away. Two men got out./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Either Angelo is an idiot or he thinks he has something to offer. We're all going." he announced./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The three of them got out and met with Angelo and his Irish looking henchman halfway./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" My dear Penguin!"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Oswald's right eye flinched, they shook hands while Gabe and the other bloke monitored each other./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" And to what do I owe this pleasure, Miss …"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria didn't say a word. Her boss hadn't allowed her to talk so she decided to keep her mouth shut./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""She's my new assistant, no one you should concern yourself with."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Huh.." grunted Angelo. He was a greasy, tall but thin man./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I would prefer if you could explain to me, why you stopped paying my taxes."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Yes, as you see, I was thinking that I might be a way better asset to you, if you could promote me to an underboss rather than collecting a mere 10% of my profit."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" And WHY should I do that?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I'm currently building up a new business, but it's a billion dollar business, I can't lift it on my own shoulders."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""What is this new business of yours?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Human trafficking. Young good looking East-European women to be precise."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria balled her fists out of sheer rage. Then everything happened quickly. Oswald gave Gabe a short look, who shot the other henchman before he could draw his own gun. Penguin himself pulled out his jack knife and stabbed Angelo again and again and again. The blood spattered everywhere. Oswald's pupils were wide open, he grinned like a maniac. The blood-smeared brunette just stood there and witnessed the whole scene. She had never seen somebody killing someone, at least not right in front of her. Nonetheless she quickly snapped out of her gaze and softly but firm grabbed her boss's arm, as he was taking another swing./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I think that's enough… he's dead isn't he?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Oh my, you're right my dear."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria fumbled a handkerchief out of her jacket and handed it over to Oswald. He wiped his face and cleaned the knife before pocketing it./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Gabe, throw them into the water, we'll wait in the car."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Once more it was a cold and cloudy day in Gotham and way too early for Maria's liking. The usual morning fog was still hanging between the dark green cypresses of the Cobblepot property. The young brunette was again clothed in black and white, but this time, she preferred a pair of trousers instead of her tube skirt. In addition, she wore a long red woolen scarf and a pair of red woolen gloves. The tip of her nose was slightly pink due to the cold spring weather when she rung the doorbell and rubbed her hands./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" What'yer doing sweet pea?" Gabe asked her from behind, while he carried Maria's suitcase up the stairs./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Just go in, the door's open." he added./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The both Ciceros stepped inside. The sound of the doorbell must have alarmed the owner of the pompous mansion because he was hobbling in his golden and navy blue night robe towards them./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Punctual as a clock, please excuse my current appearance. I wasn't aware that my maid Shanti is out on business."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"On Maria's face spread a wide grin. An unshaved Penguin with shaggy bed hair was a sight for sore eyes./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Maria, have you eaten breakfast?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" No boss." she answered still grinning./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Well then, join me in the kitchen. Gabe bring the luggage to her room."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Gabe vanished upstairs and Maria followed Oswald to a nice open kitchen with a marble checkerboard floor. She got herself a cinnamon-roll and sat beside her chef, who picked up his reading glasses and studied the newspaper whilst sipping on his tea. Maria couldn't help but stare./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Hm, hm, usually I eat alone, but this isn't an usual day, is it?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Oh, I hope you don't mind."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Nonsense, but could you please stop staring- I'm not a zoo animal."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"His tone was slightly angered./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria's cheeks flushed in embarrassment./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Sorry Mr. Cobblepot, I couldn't help myself, but you look so, how should I phrase it… your bed-hair looks cute."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"In disbelief he analyzed Maria's facial expression for a second, before his small lips formed into a smile./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I've been called many things but never has someone complimented me as cute." he looked rather pleased with himself./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" It's OK my dear, you've warned me about your mind-speaking self yesterday. There are worse things than being called cute." /p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"After the breakfast Maria had some time to explore the mansion and get herself settled into her new room, which lay opposite to Mr. Cobblepot's chambers./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"_/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"She was studying the old baroque picture of a huntsman in her room,when there was a knock on the door./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" May I come in?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Of course Mr. Cobblepot." He entered, dressed with a bowler and his Bordeaux feather coat./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Is everything to your taste?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria nodded./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I'm afraid business can't wait. Would you accompany me? "/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Certainly, that's my job, I'm not part of the decoration, or am I?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Oswald chuckled " Then come, there's a lot on the schedule."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"_/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Gabe was already waiting in an inconspicuous looking old Mercedes./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria wanted to join her uncle on the passenger seat- but again wasn't allowed to do so./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Please sit with me, there are some things I need to explain." stated Oswald./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"On the drive he handed her a pair of white silk gloves and a cellphone./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" This is yours now. It's directly connected to my data cloud and has all the important contacts in it. If you're taking any notes, restrain yourself to this cellphone. What you need to know - I need to know, understood?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Yes sir!"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Please activate the touch ID as soon as possible! The data in here is crucial. Furthermore, if we have any outside businesses wear some gloves. Sooner or later, they'll know you're my assistant and your fingerprints will fall back onto me."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The brunette put the gloves on./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" You're only allowed to talk when I permit you so. And basically you see nothing, you hear nothing, you know nothing, you get the drill, right?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Yes boss!"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The day was busy; time was flowing by swiftly. They visited several pawnshops, bars, nightclubs and warehouses. Oswald did the talking, while Maria took notes on the phone and uncle Gabe looked mostly fierce or sometimes pointed a gun on the so-called 'business-partners'./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"In Maria's opinion these people were first class scum, but she hadn't expected otherwise. Shortly after seven she urged her uncle and her boss to grab something to eat at a sandwich shop before they drove off for the last task at the docks. It was pitch dark as they reached their destination, the moon was reflecting on the water./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" This could get ugly, boss." whispered Gabe./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I know, I know. For now we wait. If Angelo comes alone or with only one henchman Maria you'll accompany us. If there are more, you'll stay back in the car, lock the doors and text Victor Zsasz our address." said Oswald./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Another car stopped 100 meters away. Two men got out./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Either Angelo is an idiot or he thinks he has something to offer. We're all going." he announced./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"The three of them got out and met with Angelo and his Irish looking henchman halfway./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" My dear Penguin!"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Oswald's right eye flinched, they shook hands while Gabe and the other bloke monitored each other./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" And to what do I owe this pleasure, Miss …"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria didn't say a word. Her boss hadn't allowed her to talk so she decided to keep her mouth shut./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""She's my new assistant, no one you should concern yourself with."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Huh.." grunted Angelo. He was a greasy, tall but thin man./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I would prefer if you could explain to me, why you stopped paying my taxes."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Yes, as you see, I was thinking that I might be a way better asset to you, if you could promote me to an underboss rather than collecting a mere 10% of my profit."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" And WHY should I do that?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I'm currently building up a new business, but it's a billion dollar business, I can't lift it on my own shoulders."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""What is this new business of yours?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Human trafficking. Young good looking East-European women to be precise."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria balled her fists out of sheer rage. Then everything happened quickly. Oswald gave Gabe a short look, who shot the other henchman before he could draw his own gun. Penguin himself pulled out his jack knife and stabbed Angelo again and again and again. The blood spattered everywhere. Oswald's pupils were wide open, he grinned like a maniac. The blood-smeared brunette just stood there and witnessed the whole scene. She had never seen somebody killing someone, at least not right in front of her. Nonetheless she quickly snapped out of her gaze and softly but firm grabbed her boss's arm, as he was taking another swing./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" I think that's enough… he's dead isn't he?"/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"" Oh my, you're right my dear."/p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"Maria fumbled a handkerchief out of her jacket and handed it over to Oswald. He wiped his face and cleaned the knife before pocketing it./p
p style="margin: 1em 0px 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;""Gabe, throw them into the water, we'll wait in the car."/p