Chapter 12
Jack closed the door behind him and pressed his back up against it. He took a sharp intake of breath as he allowed himself to slide down the wood. He grabbed onto his knees, pulling them closer to his body as his mind played over the events that had took place in the last hour.
He and William had gone to visit the man that Costello had issues with. Jack could see straight away when the man opened the door to them, he instantly knew why they were there. Jack could see the fear in his eyes as he backed away from the door. William had quickly walked in before any of the neighbours seen them and motioned for Jack to close the door behind him. Jack watched as William hovered above this man who was now crouched on a small stool. He stared in disbelief as William threatened him, gripping onto his shirt, forcing his gaze up to him. Despite all this, William never had to raise a hand to him. The man agreed to pay back some of the money he owed and William gave him a final warning before leaving that if he didn't pay the rest up within the week, they would be back. The man nodded fearfully and watched as William stalked out of the room. Jack turned to look back at him before following William out and closing the door behind him. To his shock, William was grinning like a Cheshire cat when he reached him. He waved the money in front of Jack's face.
"See Jack! Easy!" he laughed.
Jack forced a small smile as he walked alongside him. They made their way back to the bar in silence and Jack sat down on one of the bar stools when they arrived as William made his way to Costello's office, no doubt to tell him the good news.
"Dawson! Get down here!" a voice bellowed from the office.
Jack sighed and ran his hand through his blond hair before standing and making his way down to the side of the stage where Costello's office was. He opened the door slowly and walked inside.
"Well?" Costello asked quickly.
"Sir?" Jack looked at him.
"How did it go?"
Jack looked at William before his eyes wandered back to the big man sitting in a large expensive looking armchair. "Well, we got most of the money Sir."
"So William tells me. If that son of a bitch doesn't bring the rest to me by next week, I'll need you to go back. Understand?"
Jack nodded.
"Good. Anyway, here's your cut. I told you I'd make it worth your while." Costello smirked, handing Jack a large roll of notes. Jack stared at it before Costello forced it into his hand. "You earned it Dawson."
Jack nodded. "Thank you Sir."
"Take the rest of the night off. couple see you in a couple of days, enjoy your day off tomorrow." Costello told him.
Jack nodded and turned on his heel to make his way out of the office. He kept walking and didn't stop until he arrived back at the boarding house, where he now found himself slumped against the door. True, it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but Jack wasn't used to all this. Threatening people to get what you want. He hated seeing how terrified the man looked as William had warned him about everything that could possibly happen if he didn't pay up. He wasn't exactly a small man but William's confidence as he went about this business just towered over him and made him look like a pathetic schoolboy who was in trouble with the headmaster. Jack shuddered as he thought about it again and wondered what he was going to do the next time Costello wanted him to go along. What if he wanted him to carry out the job? Jack wasn't sure he could manage it. He stood up from the door and staggered to the bed when he climbed in, pulling the sheets to his body and trying to block the thoughts from his mind as he finally drifted off to sleep.
...
"William! Get down here!" Costello yelled from his office.
William nearly dropped the glass he was cleaning as Costello yelled his name. He threw the towel down on the bar and rushed down to the office and pushed open the door.
"Yes boss?"
"I've got another job for you and Dawson." Costello told him, shuffling papers on his desk.
"Oh yeah? Who's this one?" William asked, taking a seat.
"Caledon Hockley."
William's eyes lit up as he stared at his boss. "The steel tycoons son? I thought he was dead!"
"Seems as though he made it. Even the Titanic couldn't get rid of him. But turns out he managed to get to America after all. I noticed it in the papers that he got picked up by the Carpathia. Lost his fiancé though." Costello explained.
"Shame that!" William laughed. "So where is he?"
"As far as I know, he's somewhere in the city. He apparently went back to Philadelphia after the Carpathia docked but now he's back." Costello told him. "We need to find him. After he put a knife in my brother's back, I won't let him get away with it again. You understand?"
William nodded. "You want Dawson to come again?"
"Do you think this might be a bit much for him?" Costello asked.
"Might as well fling him straight into the deep end." William shrugged.
Costello nodded. "That's fine. I'll get my men to track him down. Be ready to go at any point."
William stood up and walked to the door, opening it slightly. "No problem boss. I'll let Jack know when he comes in tomorrow. Don't worry. We'll find Hockley." He smiled and walked out, closing the door behind him. "Rose! What are you doing here?"
"I...I..." Rose stuttered. "I needed to speak to Mr Costello."
"Oh ok, be seeing you." William said, walking back up towards the bar.
Rose watched him go before turning back to the door. She stared at it for a while. Hockley? Did she hear that right? What could they possibly want with him? Pushing it to the back of her mind, she knocked on the door.
"Yes?" the loud voice came from inside.
Rose pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Ah! My gorgeous Rosie!" Costello smiled, standing up and walking towards her. Rose shuddered as he came increasingly close to her. He rubbed her bare arm softly and gave her a leering smile. "What can I do for you dear?"
"I was wondering if it would be possible to get tomorrow night off?" Rose asked quietly.
"Off? A Saturday night? Rose?" Costello tilted his head. "You know thats our busy night?"
"I know Mr Costello but I never ask you for anything. I never take time off. Please?" Rose begged.
"What's it for?" He queried.
"Honestly? I know Jack's off tomorrow. I want to take him somewhere." She admitted.
"You've really got a soft spot for him don't you?" Costello asked.
"He's looked after me since he got here. I just want to say thanks. We knew each other before, although he doesn't seem to remember." Rose sighed, dropping her head.
"Rosie, you know my rules about staff getting involved with each other." Costello warned.
"Yes Sir." She admitted. "We're just friends."
"I hope so. Right. One night and that's it." He said.
Rose smiled and thanked him profusely. She rushed from the office and back down to her dressing room, pleased that she managed to get the following night off but still equally confused about what Costello could possibly want with Cal.
