Nay, nay, nothing is mine. Period.
Finn tapped the table with his fingers. "So, we capture him once he is alone. It shouldn't be too difficult since he walks alone in the city as if he owns it," he said.
Hak Foo nodded. "All we need to do is to take him. After that we have all the cards," he admitted. The two of them had done most of the planning and Ratso had concentrated on making questions and nodding at times. He knew that he had no part in making the plans, but that didn't really bother him.
"And when will we do this?" he asked.
"Today. We have no time to play games," Finn replied. "Valmont will see that we can be much more than he thinks."
"That reminds me of that he won't be liking this," Ratso pointed out.
Finn snorted. "Hey, that's his problem. He didn't want to share our problem, so we don't have to be worried about what he thinks."
"Oh. I see."
Hak Foo hit his fist at the table. "Concentrate on this!" he told them and his two companions silenced immediately.
Finn shrugged. "Come on Hak, don't be so tight. Think about our bright future," he said and the warrior snorted.
"With you it won't be very bright," he muttered.
"Yeah right, what were you about to say before?" Finn asked reminding Hak Foo of that what was really important.
"Black visits the Chans often. When he is on his way there we will capture him. Not too close to the shop so that Chan won't appear. Then we'll bring him here," he said.
"Uh, I wonder if it's really a good idea to bring Black here. This is our only apartment and if he finds out where it is..." Ratso said, but Hak Foo glared at him.
"Exactly, it is the only thing we have," he said.
Finn raised a brow. "Since when were you the leader of this operation?" he asked.
"Since I realised that I am the only one of us who has brains," Hak Foo replied.
Ratso whistled. "Wow, did you hear that Finn? Hak Foo has said at least five whole sentences," he stated.
"Idiot," Hak Foo muttered.
"This is leading us nowhere. So we just wait until Black comes, knock him out and bring him here? Doesn't sound like a very working plan to me," Finn said.
"Do you remember we ever having a working plan?"
"Oh yeah."
Damn, damn, damn.
Bennett was still in San Diego and had tried his best at finding out some information about Naoise. Was the man even alive anymore? Until now he had had no luck, just like he had expected. No one in this city knew the name Naoise Finn and even if they did, they didn't say it to him.
He was starting to think he'd never get his story and become famous. Suddenly his cell phone started to ring and he dug it from his pocket. Maybe... "Yes?" he asked.
"Hey Bennett, I might have something that could interest you," Bobby's voice said at the other end.
"What? Have you remembered something?"
"No no, but I contacted a friend of mine and he seems to know quite a lot about Naoise and his father," Bobby said.
Bennett felt like he could have laughed like a maniac. "Really? Where can I meet him?" he asked.
"He lives in New York and you must travel there to meet him. He never leaves the city."
"New York? I have been there already. Do I really have to travel at the other side of the continent again?" Bennett asked. The frustrating fact didn't manage to ruin his good mood, but almost. He was fed up with the continuous travelling around. He really hoped he wouldn't have to continue to any "San-city" after his next visit to New York.
"Hey, this isn't my problem. If you are not interested..." Bobby said.
"No, wait. I am interested. Tell me his address and everything I need to know about him."
"Fine, but you'll have to lend me more money this Christmas. Wife needs new ear rings, you know."
A small figure crept at the corridors of Section 13 and glanced around. The figure knew she'd be in serious trouble if someone found her here, but it didn't stop her. It was the other way around, if someone was forbidden it was certain that Jade Chan would do it.
This time she thought she had a right to this. She couldn't believe that Jackie had caught one of the Dark Hand's men without her! It was unforgivable! They were a team, they were supposed to do everything together.
"Well, at least I'll get some out of this," Jade muttered at herself. She might not have been allowed to be part of Chow' arrest, but at least she could help themat interrogating. Jade knew Black hadn't got anything out of the man, but she was sure she could do it.
After all, how could there be something that Jade Chan couldn't do?
She walked quietly at the corridors and managed to get to the hospital wing with no difficulties. Someone might have thought that to be impossible or a very rare stroke of luck, but anyone who claimed that didn't know Jade. There just wasn't a place where she couldn't go.
Glancing around she drew a hair pin from her pocket and started to work on the lock. She knew she shouldn't have been doing it, but it didn't bother her. Jade wasn't actually evil or malicious, but she had a strong desire to help as much as possible. Others didn't seem to understand that so all she could do was to force them to accept her help.
It didn't take long before the lock let out a welcoming click and Jade pushed the door open. The hospital wing of Section 13 wasn't really meant for criminals so the locks were cheap and anyone could have got past them.
Jade looked around and closed the door without a sound. She didn't lock it, she made sure the door would stay unlocked as long as she wanted it to. She definitely didn't want to get accidentally locked up with a criminal. Jackie would ground her for at least two months if she was caught now.
She didn't have much time, Jackie was having a conversation with Black and had said that they would be leaving back to Uncle's shop soon. She would have to be very quick.
"Time to meet the bad guy," she said and crept next to Chow's bed. The man had guessed the girl was coming even before she had stepped in. Who else in this place would have to pick the lock in order to get in?
"So... how's it going? Are they treating you well?" Jade asked friendly and took a chair. She knew that Jackie would have a heart attack if he knew she was talking to a criminal like they were old friends.
"What do you want?" Chow asked. Chan's niece was strange, but he didn't think even she'd make friends with criminals just like that.
Jade shrugged. "Not much. A couple of things."
"Go away, kid."
"Huh? You don't want company? Isn't it boring to just lie here all alone?" Jade asked. She leaned against the bed and gave Chow a curious stare.
"I have enough company even without you. Get lost."
"Oh, I see. Black must be visiting you quite often, huh? Well, fortunately to you I am here. All you need to do is to tell me a few things and that's it," Jade suggested.
Chow stared at her. "You think I'm stupid?"
Jade smiled happily. "Of course not, so I suppose you know what is the best thing to do. Tell me where Valmont and the rest are and everything will be fine."
"From whose point of view? Yours when you can brag about how you managed to get all that information on your own?"
Jade smile almost broke. "Hehe, of course not. What do you thin I am?"
"A kid who shouldn't be sticking her nose into everything."
"Aww, you are just as boring as Jackie. I thought criminals have a fun life."
Chow rolled his eyes and was glad for that Jade wasn't his niece. Jade was way too curious, loud and she never listened. The girl always did what she wanted, crept everywhere and managed to do everything she desired to.
Yup, she would be a perfect thief one day.
Chow pointed at his swollen face.
"You think this is fun?" he asked and hoped Jade would just go.
A thoughtful expression appeared on Jade's face and she seemed to be thinking about something. "But you are a real criminal. I meant ones like Viper who are good guys though they break the law at times," she said. Then she seemed to get an idea.
"Do you tickle?"
"What?"
"If you won't tell me everything I want I will tickle you to death. Black might not admit it, but tickling is the cruellest form of torture," Jade threatened. She enjoyed this game, she had to admit that. She knew Chow was a criminal and that the man wouldn't hesitate to hurt her if he got a chance, but here in Section 13 it didn't bother her.
"You know, I am having a hard time even without you. So just go nicely back to your uncle before I -- " Chow started, but Jade interrupted him.
"Jackie! Oh no, he must be looking for me by now!" she said and jumped from her chair. A quick glance to the clock told her that she had stayed much longer than she should have and Jade was sure that in few minutes everything would be over.
When Jackie realised she was nowhere to be seen he would definitely look for her there where she wasn't supposed to be. With good luck he'd check the Talisman vault first, but if Jackie came here before that...
"Gotta go! Bye!" Jade exclaimed and rushed out of the door. Chow shook his head to himself and was pleased for that the girl was gone. Then he realised something.
Jade had forgotten to lock the door again.
Not believing his luck Chow stepped out of the bed. His ribs hurt and a broken ankle tried to object, but he didn't care about either. This opportunity was too unbelievable to be wasted.
He limped at the door and tried it. It opened with ease.
"Sweet," he muttered in excitement to himself and took a look around. His clothes had been taken away, but he was sure he'd find something else to wear than a white night-gown. He hurried at the dresser and to his disappointment all he found was an orange prisoner's outfit, but it had to do. Chow promised himself that he'd get something much better immediately when he was free again.
He got dressed as fast as he could and disappeared in the corridor. Now he just had to hope that he'd find the way out of this place.
"You sure he's coming tonight?" Ratso asked with a yawn. They had been waiting for a good while now and Black was nowhere to be seen.
Hak Foo gave him an angry glare. "You don't have to be here, we don't need you," he said.
"But I wanna help Chow. And besides, I'm just as good as the rest of you."
"Then be quiet!"
"What if you both concentrated on this or Black can dance ballet past us without us noticing it," Finn stated. He felt surprisingly calm and he didn't actually even worry about meeting Black anymore. Everything would be fine and now that he was in his element - breaking the law - everything felt much easier.
It was actually ridiculous that the head of Section 13 could be caught this easily. He walked around the city with no guards as if he was an ordinary person and feared nothing. Either he was very self-confident or stupid. To them it didn't matter as long as they got him.
If he just bothered to appear.
It could take a while because the very day they had seen Chan on his way somewhere. It was possible that he had gone to meet Black and in that case their prey probably wouldn't visit the Chan's in a while. Or maybe he would, you never knew.
"This is boring," Ratso said. They were sitting in an old van that was parked next to the pavement and they watched the people passing by waiting for Black to arrive. They had been sitting there a few hours now and it was getting dark.
"Ah, I guess he's not coming today. Let's try again tomorrow, right Hak?" Finn suggested glancing at the warrior.
"A predator never gives up," was the only reply he got.
Finn sighed. "Whatever, dude."
They waited there for another couple of hours and darkness fell on the city. The street lights were lit some distance away and the whole street was almost dark. It suited their plans much better and the three really hoped Black would appear soon.
And he did. Though not alone.
Hak Foo opened the window a bit so that they were able to hear the quiet conversation between Black and Chan.
"I don't know if I have any time to come. I have so much work and Naoise's case... I am expecting Bennett to call at any minute," Black was heard to say.
"Come on. You'll always have time for a cup of tea and didn't you give Bennett your cell phone number?" Jackie replied.
"Tea with Uncle does sound promising," Black remarked dryly.
"Just like a night with paper work."
The two walked past them, but none of the three criminals moved. They knew better than well that as long as Chan was around they better not try anything. They had been waiting for hours, they could wait some more until Black came back.
Alone.
Despite that he didn't really like tea Black thought it was always so nice to visit Jackie. His relatives were so personal and there was a warm feeling in Uncle's shop. An atmosphere that Section 13 totally lacked. He wished he had a home and family like them too.
Well, those things could wait. Now he had to concentrate on his work and when that was over with he could think of something else. Besides, he didn't have to rush. Jackie wasn't married either.
It was a late night and only the street and neon lights lit his way. Black wasn't afraid, he always carried a gun and knew he was strong enough to beat one or two common thieves or maniacs. Or at least most of them, but that didn't worry him. Who would want to attack him anyway?
"Spider catches the prey!"
Black let out a surprised yelp as strong arms wrapped around his upper body and stopped him from moving. He tried to struggle free, but his capturer seemed to be much stronger than him.
A gun was pressed against his temple.
"No moving. I have all the reasons to shoot you," Finn said darkly and from the Irish man' voice Black could tell he was serious. He glared at the Dark Hand Enforcer and frowned.
"What do you want?'' he growled.
"We don't have the time for this. We gotta get out of here as soon as possible. Hak?" he said and lifted a brow at the big warrior, who nodded and started dragging Black towards the van. The head of Section 13 tried to fight back, but it was no use in his situation. He didn't try to shout, the gun Finn had was in good shape and definitely loaded.
Ratso and Finn climbed in the car before many moments had passed and they drove in the night. Everything had been ridiculously easy.
His group had failed miserably. Jay Flick didn't like failing, but this time he couldn't afford punishing anyone. But soon when he had got rid of Valmont and had revenge on that cursed Black.
"A beautiful day to kill, isn't it Darling?" he asked his pet bird who chirped an answer. It had learned to chirp every time its owner said something because when it did that it usually got bird seeds as a reward.
Flick tapped at his cheek in thought."Ratso," he said to himself and practically considered the man to be dead. It would take only few days until he was out of the way and then they would concentrate in the Enforcer who interested him the most.
Naoise Finn.
Flick hadn't thought he'd ever meet Seamus' son again.
The seventeen-year-old Jay Flick stood next to his father in his office in New York and kept his head up proudly. His father, Jack Flick, was one of the most powerful crime lords in the city and Jay was absolutely going to continue in his father's steps. One day he would be rich and powerful too.
It would happen in a couple of years, his father had promised to give him a small casino in Las Vegas once he was old enough to take care of the business.
Oh, he couldn't wait!
His father snorted.
"Watch carefully and learn how to deal with fools," Jack Flick said harshly and just a moment later the door to his office opened. A middle-aged man stepped in looking very worried.
The older Flick leaned back in his chair. "Ah, Seamus. What brings you here?" he asked. He rarely had any appointments with his workers, but he wanted to have fun at times too.
"It's about my son," Seamus replied.
"Young Naoise? He has grown into a fine young boy who can work soon," Jackie stated.
Seamus' expression darkened. "No, he is not for a that kind of life," he said quickly.
"What do you mean?"
"You know quite well, mister Flick. I know your men have offered Naoise and some of his friends one or two jobs around here. I don't know how many he has done and I don't want to know, but I want it to end."
"But Seamus, your son is only following your example. When he gets older you can work together and sell the merchandise -- " Jack started, but Seamus interrupted him not caring if it was rude or not.
"No! I don't want my son to ruin his life with this. I will not allow him tomake the same mistake than I did," he said.
Jack Flick nodded as if he had understood. "Oh yes, your wife left you when she found out you were involved with me. But so what? I bribed the judge and got you an excellent lawyer and you were able to keep your son. I paid all that, so in a way he belongs to me," he said.
Seamus licked his lips. "That wasn't part of our plan," he said.
"No, but I have the right to change it anytime I want. I may not do it though, it depends on how bored I am."
"You can do anything you want to me, but don't let Naoise get involved with this business. He could become something much better than me," Seamus said and was starting to sound desperate. Hewished he had never joined Jack Flick's group, but he had had no other choice.
Oh, he only wished that Angela had understood...
Jack Flick chuckled and glanced at his son Jay.
"But Seamus, my friend, don't honestly want your son to grow up like you? I thought that was the dream of all fathers," he said and Jay Flick stood straighter.
Yes, he was the fulfilment of his father's dreams.
To be continued...