The New Boys in Town
"Who the fuck are these two?" said a man with a slight Russian accent holding up pictures of two men.
"These are the two guys you wanted the files on, boss. The guys who killed your hit squad." said another man in a American accent.
"Oh, good. I take it you got your information from the usual man, right?" asked the Russian man.
"Of course, boss. These two guys are brothers. This one," he pointed to a picture of man in his mid-twenties and rather muscular also, "is the oldest. His name is Russell Taylor, and he does most of the drug dealing for Big Jim. This one," he pointed to another picture of younger looking man in his late teens or early twenties and fit body, " is his younger brother Adam Taylor. He doesn't work with Big Jim directly but is very close friends with him as well as the older brother also. Adam sells illegal firearms to anyone who offers a good price. He also makes custom guns and is one hell of a shot from what I hear. Neither of them has been convicted of a crime but Russell was taking in for mug shots for possession of marijuana but they didn't charge him because it wasn't a large amount and Adam was suspected of murder when he was eighteen, but the charges got dropped due to lack of evidence."
"Fuck, Alex! Let me read the files my fucking self!" yelled the Russian man.
Alex glared at his boss then nodded and said nothing. The Russian man picked up the file on the two men and read it over. He looked up at Alex with a stern look on his face.
"Do you want us to take them out, boss?" Alex asked.
"No. Big Jim would know it was us then he would tell the Italians. The Italians are already on my case for the last time I sent my men on these two little shits. That boy Adam is especially a problem. None of our men are as good a shot as he is. If we are going to take them out we need to hire someone who isn't Russian and kills for a living. I don't want to start a full out war with the Italians, we don't have enough power to do that yet. I want to take him and his help out with out them knowing it's us. Jim is getting on my nerves and we are losing some of our clients to these new guys; he's also one of the Italian's main men on the streets," explained the Russian.
"So what did you have in mind, boss?" Alex asked with boredom in his voice.
"I have an idea." he replied with a wicked grin on his chubby, scarred face.
"Well what is it?" Alex asked impatiently.
"I was thinking about hiring 'The Ghost' to take out the two brothers. That would cripple Jim's business," the Russian said with a diabolical grin.
"The Ghost? Yeah, that could work, but are you sure you want to hire the Ghost? That man is a loose cannon and expensive for this kind of job. You have the money to hire him?" Alex asked with a nervous look in his eye.
"Of course I do, damn it! I want this guy. The man is a fucking professional! You said this Adam Taylor is a good shot, ya? Well the Ghost is even better. The man is a genius at killing," the Russian said in an annoyed tone.
"I just hope you have the money to pay him. He doesn't come cheap, boss." Alex
"Of course I got enough money. Those two fucks will not know what hit them. Then Jim will be weakened. We can take over Jim the way we have done in the past. Russell is his top dealer and he gets a lot of his guns from Adam. I want those two dead. This is my fucking city and that stupid Italian, Jim, needs to learn his place!" the Russian shouted, his face turning red.
"I think you need to calm down, boss. I'll tell Ivan to get a hold of the Ghost," Alex said with a slight grin. He enjoyed watching his boss get pissed.
"Very well. I want this taken care of as soon as possible, understand?" The Russian calmed himself and regained his composure.
"I understand, boss," Alex said with a nod.
"Hey, Greg! You here to pick up your 9mm?" Rally asked from behind the gun counter.
"Damn straight! I miss my baby," he replied with a smile, "The loaner gun the department gave me is a good gun but it doesn't compare to the nice feel of my Glock."
"I know what you mean." Rally nodded, "Hold on, I'll go get it for you."
Rally skipped to the back room whistling to herself and unlocked a safe that contained other owners firearms who wanted them cleaned or repaired. She picked up Greg's 9mm off the shelf, and walked back to the front of the shop.
"Here you go," She said as she handed it to Greg. "I cleaned it, oiled it, its practically a new gun, my friend."
"My baby!" Greg said as he cradled his firearm. "How much does that come down to, Rally?"
"Thirty five bucks. I normally charge more but since you work in law enforcement I'll cut the price down." Rally smiled.
Greg grabbed his wallet, handed Rally the thirty five, thanked her again then walked out. After he left Rally let out bored sigh. The last few days business had been slow in both the gunsmith business and the bounty hunting business as well. May was spending time with Ken before he would fly out to San Diego for a three week job and Misty said she was going to "out" for a few days. Rally didn't want to ask her, what she meant by out, and she hadn't heard from Bean in a while. There were no bounties on anyone and the only recent customers she had been having were mostly cops and some hunters. Suddenly the door of the shop opened and a young man at about twenty-two or younger walked in.
"Hello!" Rally said trying to sound cheerful.
"Hey," was all he said.
Rally gave the man a look over and something didn't feel right with this guy. He was still wearing his sunglasses when he walked in which she though was odd. He was tall, maybe 6'1 , and had really short hair almost a buzz cut, with the tip of his hair bleached blonde. The main feature that stood out on his face was his goatee, it was rather long and a brownish color. The rest of his face was cleanly shaven, smooth like a babies bottom. He kept a neutral face, showing almost no expression. He wore a black dickies jacket and Rally couldn't tell if he was carrying a gun or not.
"Can I help you?" Rally asked trying not to sound unfriendly.
"Just looking around. You got some nice firepower here." He replied as he took off his sunglasses and placed them in his right pocket on his jeans. He had soft green eyes. His sunglasses seemed to make him more intimidating but with them off he looked a lot more gentle.
"Well, thank you. Is there anything in particular you are looking for? Rifles, shotguns, pistols?" She asked beginning to smile a little.
"Hmmmm, can you pass me that 92'Beretta ." He pointed through the glass counter.
Rally opened the sliding door and reached in to pick it up. She put on top of the counter gently.
"Beretta makes some nice guns," he inquired, " I noticed you have a CZ75 9mm, that's a damn fine gun." he said as he held up the Beretta.
Rally was taken back for second, surprised that this guy knew what type of she gun she had just from glancing at it.
"Y-yes, you know your firearms pretty well. Most people don't notice that, in fact you are the first in years to notice that! " she said, finally starting to like the guy.
He gave her slight smile showing her his white, straight teeth, "I know my guns Miss. The CZ75 is a rare pistol indeed, at least your model is. CZ75 is known for being very accurate. Don't see those to often. You got any here?"
"No, sorry. I wish I did. I probably would keep it for myself." Rally gave a slight chuckle.
The man smiled then gave her back the Beretta. She placed it back to its rightful spot.
"I have heard that you also do some bounty hunting on the side. Heard you are the best bounty hunter in Chicago, and I have actually seen your face in the papers." he said in a curious tone.
"Ugh, the newspaper takes the worst pictures of me. I haven't had a decent bounty in a while though." Rally explained, beginning to get cautious of the man again.
He gave Rally another grin. Something seemed a little off with this man but she couldn't identify what. She was preparing herself for something she couldn't get a hold of. The man opened his jacket to reveal a holster with a light black colored handgun placed in it. He slowly reached for it. Within a blink of an eye Rally drew her CZ75 and aimed it at the mans head.
"Don't even think about it!" Rally shouted, "I knew something was weird about you! Did you think you could come into a gun shop and hold it up!"
He held still, his smile gone. "I was just gonna show you my gun, that's all. I swear. I was not going to hold the place up."
"Bullshit!"
"I have a license for this gun and a license to conceal it, toots." he said, his smile slowly coming back. "It's in my wallet."
"Where is your wallet?" Rally demanded.
"In my left pant pocket." he motioned to it.
"Hand it to me slowly. If you make any sudden moves-"
"You'll shoot me, I gotcha." he interrupted with an annoyed voice.
He slowly placed the wallet on the counter, Rally still training her CZ75 on the stranger. She grabbed the wallet cautiously and opened it. The man stood still looking impatiently at Rally waiting for her to reply. She found his drivers license, some coupons for Best Buy merchandise , and finally found what she was looking for, his license to carry a concealed weapon. She slowly lowered her gun and handed the man his wallet back.
"Are we cool?" he asked.
"Yeah, we're cool," Rally replied a little embarrassed that she had just drawn her gun on a potential customer, "I am really sorry about that. There is just a lot of guys out there that would like to take a shot at me for bringing them in."
"Hey, no problem. I understand. You had me worried there for a second, though." he said in a unsettling tone.
Rally could only muster up a nervous laugh. The man, if he was so inclined to, could sue her ass off for what she did. She shuddered at the thought.
"Is it alright if I show you my pistol now?" the man said in a joking voice.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, sure." Rally said snapping out of her daydream of getting sued.
He unholstered his gun, popped the clip out, and ejected the round in the chamber. He then showed Rally a Heckler and Koch MK23 US SOCOM .45 caliber. Rally almost drooled at the sight of it.
"Oh my God! That is a US SOCOM, military issue!" she blurted out, "Those are rare and expensive! How did you get a hold of one?"
"It was my dads. He used to be in the military." he replied with a grin.
"Awww, you are so lucky! These are one of the most accurate handguns I know of. This and my CZ75. Are you good shot?" Rally asked in a teasing manner.
"Well, I don't like to brag, but I consider myself a good shot."
"Really? You want to try out our shooting range?" Rally asked hoping he would say yes.
"Ummm, how about a rain check? I really have to be going. I just stopped by to scope the place out and see what you got. So far, I'm impressed." he said as he scratched the back of his neck and began to leave the store.
"Oh," she said sounding bummed, "Your name is Adam right?"
The man stopped, "How did you know my name?"
"I did go through your wallet, remember? I saw your name on your license."
"Yeah, I remember, and yes my name is Adam," he said as began to put his sunglasses back on, "Be seeing you around bounty hunter." then he left.
Adam got onto the I-55 after his little meeting with Rally Vincent at her gun store when his cell phone began to ring. He saw the number of who was calling then opened the phone.
"Sup' Russ?" Adam asked.
"I have been wondering where the hell you have been, that's what's up! I tried calling the apartment you didn't answer, and you turned your fucking cell phone off for an hour! Where have you been!" Russell demanded.
"Awww, have you been worrying about me? That's so sweet Russ, I think I might cry." Adam said in a mocking tone.
"Fuck you, man! Yes, I have been worried! You never turn your phone off. You could have been dead for all I know." Russell said his anger beginning to leave.
"Well, no need to worry. I thought I would check out that gun store, GunSmith Cats. You know, the one that bounty hunter runs?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, I know the one. She's that tan chick right? She's pretty hot, and she likes guns? Just the woman for you." Russell chuckled.
"She does like guns! She had a CZ75 on her! Those guns are so rare."
"What the hell is a CZ75? Sounds like a car."
"Its only a rare ass handgun made in Czechoslovakia." Adam said as if it was common knowledge.
"Oh, sorry. Not everyone is a gun freak y'know." Russell said in a uncaring manner.
"She also drew that gun on me, and let me tell you, she is fuckin' fast." Adam said sounding more serious.
"What! Why the hell did she do that!" demanded Russell.
"Don't worry, I was just testing her. I reached for my gun slowly to show it to her. I had a feeling she would draw her gun because she was giving me this look , she probably saw me as a threat or maybe she is just paranoid. I wanted to see how fast she was." Adam explained.
"You did that just to see how fast she is? You dumb shit, what if she shot you!"
"She didn't so it's all good," Adam said, "I can tell you this Russ, she might be a problem in the future. If she is as good as people say she is, and if we ever get a bounty on our heads we would be fucked. She has caught or killed almost all of her bounties."
"Killed? Isn't that illegal? She can't just kill the bounties." Russell inquired.
"She didn't just kill them for the hell of it, smart one, she killed them in self defense. The ones she killed came after her after they either escaped or were already caught or something like that. I don't know all the details. She doesn't want to kill them because she would loose her bounty, but when worse came to worse she had to do what she had to do, and she didn't seem like the blood thirsty kind. She seemed nice." Adam said as he recalled the incident.
"Nice? I think someone might have a crush on her." Russell said in a mocking voice.
"Shut up ass crunch." Adam barked back.
"Ass crunch? That's a new one. You're starting to get creative." Russell chuckled.
"You keep that shit up and you'll see how creative I can get, old man." Adam threatened.
Adam could hear Russell laughing over the phone. Adam just rolled his eyes, remembering how Russell used to tease him when he was still in high school. "Some things never change." Adam thought.
"So you think she might be a problem , huh?" Russell said, finally.
"She could be. Like I said, she is fast. She might even be faster than me, and she knows her guns." Adam said admiringly.
"Did you see if she is a good shot?"
"Nope. I am going to assume she is. From what I've heard she has shot off quite a bit of thumbs and trigger fingers off her bounties and assailants instead of killing them." Adam said.
"Damn. She may be on the right side of the law but if she did that to me I would have to return the favor to her." Russell said making a sound like as if he got hurt to hearing about other people getting their body parts shot off.
"No. She isn't to be touched, Russell. You know the rules."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. But still, shooting off your fingers? I bet that hurts like hell." Russell replied.
"Yeah," Adam agreed, "Well, I gotta deliver my shipment down at the pier. Once I drop that off I'll meet you at Franks place."
"Right on. Frank is buying dinner right?"
"Of course. I think he's buyin' pizza tonight. You got any "stuff" to sell?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, to Fat Fred, he wants his weekly supply of nose candy. I tell you, he is gonna kill himself snorting that shit. I've told him to cool it but he won't." Russell said mocking remorse.
"You feeling bad about it?"
"Hell no. I hope that fat fuck dies. He was caught two months ago molesting a seventeen year old girl and he got off. Hope the fucker OD's on that shit."
"What a bastard. Shows you how well our justice system works."
"You're a fine one to talk. The justice system is what got you off."
There was silence. Now one said a word for a few seconds until Russell finally spoke up.
"Sorry 'bout that Adam. I shouldn't of said that. I should have been on trial too."
"Don't apologize. It's alright," Adam said, his voice low and quiet, "Well, on that happy note, see you at Franks."
"Later bro."
Adam closed his cell phone and continued down the freeway.
It was starting to get late and Rally was starting to close the shop. Ever since that man, Adam, came into the store she couldn't get him out her head. She had a few more customers come in for a few boxes of ammo but nothing really exciting. She got a call from May earlier saying she was going to be home at nine, it was already eight-thirty. Knowing Ken and May they might be out later. Misty called as well. Apparently she was shopping for clothes all day. Rally was praying she didn't max up the entire credit card or steal anything for that matter.
Rally locked the doors to the shop and began to walk to her house, when she realized where she had seen Adam before. It was about two years ago. He was charged with murder of that nineteen year old. It was in the local section of the papers.
"Great," she thought, "I just pulled my gun on a guy who is a possible killer."
Rally sighed and opened the back door to her house and placed her belongings on the couch. She decided to rest on the couch as well. She laid there, her mind was running in a thousand directions thinking about May and Misty. Wondering what Bean was up to, and surprising enough, wondering if Adam would stop by again and if he really did murder that young man. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when her cell phone went off. She picked up and it was May.
"Hey Rally! Where are you?" She asked sounding really cheerful.
"I just closed the shop and I am at home." replied Rally in dreary voice.
"You sound tired. Did you have a tough day?"
"No, far from it. Today was unbelievably boring. Except-" Rally cut her self off.
"Except for what?" May asked curiously.
"Nothing, I'll tell you when you get home." Rally replied.
"Oh come on! Now you got me curious!" May said with anticipation.
"Nope. You are just going to have to come home and here about it missy."
"No fair! Ken and I are going to stay out a little later and you might be asleep when I get home." May whined.
"To bad for you. Why are you two going to be late?"
May giggled like a little school girl. Rally knew what that meant. She didn't really care for Ken but May really loved him. Rally was still trying to like him.
"So what the hell have you two been doing all this time?" Rally asked.
"Well…we went to the park and got some ice cream and we saw a movie. Then we went back to Kens hotel room and had some great sex for a few hours…"
"A few hours! How!" Rally paused for a second, " On second thought, May, I don't want to know how. I didn't think guys could, you know, last that long."
"Ohhh, well Ken and I have our ways of making it last for a long time, hee hee!" May giggled.
"Ugh. So you two are going to go at it again? God, you guys are like rabbits." Rally said with hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Awww, is someone jealous?" May said playfully.
"NO! I just don't want to hear about your sex life!"
"Sure. What ever you say, Rally. See you later." May said then hung up.
"Ah! That girl! I swear…" Rally muttered to herself.
Rally laid back down, and stared at the ceiling.
"It feels good to be home." Rally thought to herself.
"Boss, he's here." Alex said with a nervous look in his eye.
"Wonderful! Bring him in," the Russian man said with a childish grin.
Alex opened the Russian mans office.
"He will see you now." Alex said to a man outside.
Alex moved out of the way to let the man in. The Russian radiated when this legendary man walked in.
"It is wonderful to finally meet The Ghost. You are a legend in the underground world of crime. Alex, you may leave." The Russian motioned for Alex to beat it.
The Ghost walked to the front of the Russians desk and sat down in one of the leather chairs he had for guests. The Russian looked over the legendary hitman. He was wearing all white. A white tie, white business jacket, white long-sleeved shirt, white pants. He had a red beard and mustache and his hair was slicked back giving it a darker red look to it. His eyes were a ghostly blue, with not sign of emotion in them. The Russian understood why they called him The Ghost.
"My name is Vladimir Czeckov." The Russian finally said gesturing for a handshake.
"I know who you are, the question is why have you called me?" Ghost replied in a slight British accent, not showing any intention of shaking Vladimir's hand.
"Ah, I see. You want to get strait to business. I like that in a man. No pussyfooting around. Very well, lets get to business." Vladimir recoiled his hand.
He opened his top desk drawer and pulled out a folder. He handed it to Ghost.
"These two men are causing me problems. They are weakening my drug business and weapons business. They have close connections with the Italians even though they are German-Irish. Apparently they are real close friends with Big Jim. You know who he is right?" Vladimir asked.
Ghost just nodded as he looked through the files. He stared at the pictures with an inhuman look. A look that sent shivers up Vladimir's spine. He imagined that look as he made his kills. The look of a demon. He was studying their faces.
"The older brother, Russell, is one of Jims top street dealer. The younger one, Adam, doesn't work for Jim directly but is close friends with him and supplies him with weapons when Jim needs them which is rare, and sells illegal firearms to whoever pays the right price. Jim is rarely violent so you shouldn't worry about him sending anyone after you. Adam is the one you want to be careful around. He took out most of my men that I sent after them. The other brother is a shitty shot, he killed them with luck." Vladimir stated.
"Do you know where they live?" Ghost asked still studying the photos.
"No, they moved after my attempt to have them killed. We have no clue where they are staying now. But we do know one of the clients that Russell deals coke to. His name is Andrew Burgess. Every Friday Russell meets him at the eastside of town in his house. I can give you the address. That is the only information I have on how to find them. Adam is very hard to find. Slippery as shit. You may have trouble finding him."
Ghost just smiled, still examining the photos. "That should be enough information for me to find them both," he finally spoke.
"Really? Very well then. Tomorrow is Friday and I was hoping you would be able to get at least one of them. I am willing to pay you what you wish." Vladimir replied.
"I should remind you, Mr. Checkov, that I don't come cheap. Are you willing to spend a lot on two boys?" Ghost asked.
"I said I am willing to pay you what you wish." Vladimir replied his voice harsh.
Ghost smiled a smile that would scare the devil. Vladimir's eye twitched watching that demonic grin widen. "Very well. For a job like this I charge one million in unmarked bills, I expect to be paid half of it now and the other half after the job is done, do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes. Crystal clear. Ivan, our man out front will see to it you get your money before you leave." Vladimir stuttered.
"Good." The Ghost said as he stood up, "It's been a pleasure doing business with you. See you in a few days."
He then turned around and was out of the office.
End of Chapter 1