Author's Note: I got a sudden burst of inspiration and managed to write another chapter. Hope you will like it :)
All mistakes are still mine

CHAPTER 7

Mozzie wiped the sweat off his brow as he finally managed to pick the lock of the residential house. His normally steady hands, shook ever so slightly as he felt nervous about this particular job. He hadn't had the time to case the place so he had no idea what waited inside, all he had was the info Keller had given him. An older lady lived here and she would have plenty of money and other valuables.
Mozzie had stopped questioning Keller, knowing that the other man would just laugh at him without providing an answer.
It had been over a week since Neal got kidnapped and this was the third job he'd been forced to execute for Keller and he showed no signs of being even close to satisfied.
Mozzie needed this to end, but he didn't know how.

Mozzie held his breath as the floorboard beneath him creaked but the house remained silent. After slowly counting to ten he started to move again. He had no idea where to look, if the treasures were upstairs or downstairs and if they were hidden away or put on a display.
He decided to check downstairs first and slowly moved towards the dining room. Just as he reached the dining table he heard a low growl behind him. A dog.
Expecting a big dobermann or german shepherd or some other large, dangerous dog he slowly turned around and almost laughed as he saw a small pug staring him down, trying to look menacing.
He was too focused on the dog to notice the figure emerging from the stairs until it was too late. As he looked up he stared right into the barrel of a gun.
Mozzie threw his hands up
"Don't shoot"
The figure reached out a hand, the other one still holding the gun tightly, and flipped a light switch. As his eyes got used to the light he could see that the figure was no other than the lady herself.
"Give me one reason not to shoot"
She said, her voice steady and confident as if it wouldn't face her to kill a man.
"I can explain everything"
He said, feeling genuinely scared.
"If you shoot me, then there's a child getting hurt as well"
Mozzie added, desperately trying to get the lady to put down the gun. The mention of a child seemed to work as she slowly, slowly lowered the gun.

Ten minutes and two glasses of wine later they chatted like old friends. Mozzie having explained his situation and the lady wanting to help him get out of this mess.
The lady, who's name was June, was quite the badass and as it turned out her husband used to be a con man, so she was far from helpless when it came to thieves breaking into her house.
Mozzie even managed to bond with the small pug named Bugsy, despite him spending a good five minutes growling at the stranger.
"I have an idea Mozzie, but I'm not sure that you will like it"
"I'd do anything June, anything"
The lady nodded before she rose from her seat and motioned him to follow her.

His messenger bag felt very heavy as he walked through the park. In it was two small bags filled with cash and diamonds, all from June. Treasures she could sacrifice in order for them to work their plan.
Keller was sitting on a park bench as Mozzie approached.
"You got it?"
Mozzie nodded
"You know the drill"
Keller got his phone up and pressed a speed dial button. The man picked up after the first ring, as usual.
"Hey Mozzie"
Neal's voice was quiet and low. Everytime his job was done he insisted on talking to Neal, to make sure that the kid was still alive, before he handed the objects to Keller. In the beginning he had sounded hopeful, believing that Mozzie would show up and save him but as time went by the hope had faded away.
"I want to talk to him in private, just him and me"
Keller frowned, as this was something Mozzie had never requested before.
"I'll give you half of it as a reassurance"
Keller seemed to contemplate Mozzie's offer and finally nodded.
"One minute, Moz, and not a second more"
Mozzie retrieved one of the bags and handed it to Keller while he got the phone. He backed up a little, to make sure that Keller wouldn't hear him.
"Hey Neal, you okay?"
"No"
"Is the man with the gun listening?"
"No"
"I promise you that you will be free soon"
There was a short moment of silence before Neal quietly said
"I don't believe you"
"Please Neal listen to me. June Ellington. You need to remember that name. Can you do that?"
"Why?"
"You will be safe with her, I promise"
"Where are you going?"
Neal sounded scared and he probably was. Mozzie didn't know much about the boy but as an orphan he recognized the fear. The fear of people leaving him again. Mozzie felt terrible for doing exactly that, abandoning Neal, but he had to.
"Mozzie?"
The kid repeated before Keller's voice could be heard
"Time's up, Moz"
Mozzie repeated June's name and her address before the phone was ripped from his hands by Keller.
"The second bag"
He demanded and Mozzie gave it to him without any hesitation.
Mozzie watched as Keller disappeared before turning the other way.

Mozzie kept a close eye at the device placed on the table. He couldn't believe that he hadn't thought of this himself. June was a genius and when he saw her again he would have to repay her big time. Hidden in one of the bags was a small tracking device, showing Mozzie exactly where Keller went.
As the circle stopped down by the docks, Mozzie double checked the address. Nothing but abandoned buildings. It was the perfect place for Keller's evil lair.
Mozzie reached for his burner phone and slowly pressed the buttons. He lifted the phone to his ear to make a phone call he'd always hoped he wouldn't have to make.
A woman answered and Mozzie had to take a deep breath before being able to speak.
"I want to leave an anonymous tip regarding a stolen painting"