Hunt

Keys in hand, the landlord closed up his office for the day. Checking the door to make sure it was latched and locked properly, he turned to retreat into the back of the apartment block where his own residence was. Just as he was about to leave the lobby, two strangers came in from the street.

"Excuse me. We're looking for someone and thought you might be able to help us." Sal said as he approached the landlord.

The cat turned to face his unexpected guest and quipped. "If you're looking for someone who lives here, I haven't updated the resident ledger out front yet. There was a guy in here yesterday who had the same problem."

Sal and his bodyguard shared a glance. They had been canvasing apartment blocks in the area where Mordecai and Jacob were last seen by their network of spies. "Was he with a boy about eleven or twelve years old?"

"Yeah, what's it to you?"

"He… forgot something at my boss' office. We were hoping to track him down to return it."

The landlord rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. I don't associate with people like you. Whatever he owes you, the guy ain't here and he ain't in Manhattan."

Sal didn't back down. "People like me, huh? Look, I'm not here to bring you any trouble, but we need answers and you're the first person today we've found who seems to have some to give. Now I'll ask nicely one last time. Where did those two go?"

The landlord stood firm. "None of this is my business, get out before I call the cops—"

In a rush, the bodyguard picked the landlord up and kept him from screaming by covering the cat's mouth. Sal sized the guy up, getting in close. "Just remember, I asked nicely first. Tell us what we want to know and we'll be on our way. Otherwise, whatever happens next is on you." Motioning his head, Sal directed the bodyguard to the back. "I take it your place is somewhere down the hall. I hope you don't mind letting a couple of guys like us in for a while as guests."

"Didn't we see a sign like that earlier?" Jacob asked as he trailed close behind Mordecai. Heller, who had been engrossed in his map, looked up from the document to take in his surroundings. In the last few minutes the sun had disappeared below the horizon, and with it went the shadows he had been using to figure out his directions. Seeing the sign, he growled in frustration. "We've passed that sign before."

"How?"

"Because we've just made a circuit."

"Oh… so we're going in circles."

"Exactly. The streets here aren't laid out in a consistent grid pattern. Now that we've lost our sun, navigation is going to be considerably more difficult. At least we are near the Synagogue on Kane Street. It is one of the few locations I know about."

"We aren't going to find your family's house tonight, are we?"

Mordecai sighed, looking back down at the crude map of Manhattan which only showed Brooklylyn in the margins. "No. We will find a room for the night… again. Once we have our bearings, I would like to search the rest of Smith Street. Ugh, why can't these city officials name roadways sensibly? In Manhattan its simple, roads running North-South are Avenues, roads running East-West are streets."

While Mordecai complained about the nature of building roadways on an estuary peninsula, Jacob noticed a nearby inn. "Sir, over there!"

Rocky noted the building. "I suppose it is as good an option as anywhere else."

In the room, Mordecai sat down in the desk chair to try and expand his map based on observations. It was a frustrating process because while he knew what angles the streets ran at, where they intersected there were many strange collisions of roads at odd angles. St. Louis had it's share of nonsensical geometry but at least the roads either followed or moved at right angles to the rivers. Here in Brooklyn the roads seem to be arranged based on the whims and wishes of surveyors.

Jacob sat on a plush chair looking out the window. He was tired, hungry, and bored. "Are we going to eat soon?" He asked. Mordecai was also tired and hungry, but the need to complete his mission drove him to ignore these things for the sake of efficiency. Any distraction aggravated him, including pestering questions from the companion who invited himself to come along. Even so, Mordecai attempted to exercise patience. It had been a long day for both of them trying to find Garnet Street.

Looking up from his map and staring at the wall with frustration on his face, Mordecai sighed. "We will find something kosher from one of the market stands, but first I need to complete this map and find probable locations of Garnet Street. We should also search for locations where you can safely live." Mordecai then had a thought and leaned back in the desk chair. "I do recall when I was very young that some of my classmates were moved to an orphanage in Brooklyn. It was built by a German Jewish gentleman, though his name escapes me. It should be some distance east of—"

"Orphanage? I thought you would help me find a place to live?"

"That is precisely what I am doing, Jacob. Now that you have those spectacles, you should be able to clearly see the unavoidable problem. Most people in New York City cannot afford to take in an additional child. My sisters and mother are no different. If that orphanage is as I envision it to be, you will be safe, receive an education, and have job opportunities available when you come of age. You will also have other children to interact with."

"But what if I—"

"What, made yourself a home with my family? Out of the question."

"You care about me though, don't you?"

"I care about you insofar as it is my obligation to ensure your safety. It would not be right of me to abandon you to a dreadful fate at the hands of Palmeri, but it would also be irresponsible of me to add another mouth to feed in my family. Even if my sisters and mother approved of you living in their home, which I doubt Esther would, there is no guarantee that we could provide you with all the required necessities."

Mordecai might not have been the most socially adept cat in the world, but he could feel the disappointment and no small amount of resentment that lingered in the air between him and Jacob. Clearing his throat, he tried to provide a more digestible angle on his argument. "If it is any consolation, you are not a bad child and no part of this matter is your fault. I will uphold my end of our agreement and if this facility I have in mind is not suitable then we will endeavor to find another. Now, if you assist me in canvasing this last street for the night, I will see to it that you are rewarded with a high-quality dinner."

"Okay…"

Found

The plan was simple. Mordecai would venture down Union and Jacob would proceed South on Smith until he either reached the water or found himself stumbling into a dangerous area. He was to turn around and go back to the hotel when he had finished his task or if he finds Garnet Street. While he was making sure to read every street sign, this slowed him down considerably. Amidst all the Yiddish, German, and Arabic, Jacob was alone in only knowing English. He had gone so long with barely being able to read books that the longer names were difficult for him to pronounce, and this exacerbated his communication problems.

What was on his mind on this expedition was Mordecai. This man was an enigma to Jacob. At one moment, Mordecai is pushing him away and insisting that he has 'personal space'. But Mordecai will also be correcting his manners or grammar in the next moment. This man had even been teaching him things when the opportunity arose and had taken on members of Palmeri's gang for him. Yet, there would be no home for Jacob. That much was made clear just now if it wasn't before. The dread of becoming a ward of the state weighed on the boy. It had been so long since he had a family that even the slightest possibility of finding one motivated him. Now much of that motivation was gone. Mordecai would be in and out of his life just like everyone else.

He finally heard someone speak English while stepping out the door. It was dark now but the streetlights lit up a young man's face with a large messenger bag on his shoulder. A woman leaned out the door as man made his way down the steps. "Do not forget to pick up that letter from your aunt, zun. Remember, it's after Mill becomes Garnet."

"I won't, mom! I'll be back soon!"

"Hey, you know where Garnet Street is?" Jacob asked as he crossed the road.

"Yeah, kid. I'm going right past it on my way to the docks. Are you lost or something?"

"I'm… trying to find the family of a friend. Could you show me?"

"Of course! Try to keep up though. It's not too far."

Jacob couldn't believe his luck! His luck seemed to hold out too as after a few blocks he was staring down Garnet Street. The young man patted the boy on the shoulder. "There it is. It's a really short street. About two blocks down it becomes Mill Street. Easy to pass by it. You need help finding the apartment?"

"No, but thanks mister!" Jacob said.

"Happy to help." The cat said before continuing on his late-night errand.

Jacob quickly made his way down the street until he saw someone in a third-floor window. Tall, dark fur with white highlights. The person looked just like Mordecai! A second person came into view who had a similar look to her as well. He got close enough to the building to read the address number and it was all the confirmation he needed. At last, Mordecai's family had been found! Remembering Mordecai's instructions, Jacob noted what the street looked like and counted the blocks back to the hotel. Entering the room, the boy dug around the desk for paper and a pencil. The message was crude and misspelled, but it at least was a record for him to reference in case he forgot.

Waiting patiently, Jacob's stomach growled. His body was only just starting to get used to regular meals again, and now he was starving. Even though Mordecai promised him a filling dinner, he had to satisfy his hunger in the meantime. Thinking, Jacob recalled that there was a deli only three blocks away. He knew how to beg for food, and if that failed there would surely be a half-eaten sandwich in the garbage. There was no telling how far Mordecai was going to travel or when he would return. Mordecai did not specify a time, only that they would meet at the hotel.

Quickly writing a note, Jacob left the hotel and proceeded to the deli. He was almost there when a hand caught his arm. In an instant, he was lifted from his feet and pressed hard against the body of a much larger cat.

"Help—" Was all Jacob managed to say before his mouth was covered. Squirming, Jacob tried to get free but the cat who had grabbed him was too strong. He was a boy, and this cat was a giant of a man. His kidnappers quickly fled the scene with Jacob, resting a block a way in a side alley. Jacob tried in vain to get free, but it was no use. The flash of a lighter caught Jacob's attention, and in a second the warm glow of a cigarette illuminated the face of Sal.

"Well, fancy meeting you here." He said with a devilish grin. "Don't you worry, we'll be taking care of you soon enough. But for now I'm going to need answers. So, let's take a drive back across the river, shall we?"

Reunion

Food in hand, Mordecai returned to the hotel exhausted and defeated. He had been searching now for four days and still no conclusion to his mission. In any case, he hoped that the food would lift the boy's spirits. Heller had seen him when the kid was happy, and somewhere deep inside of him there was the slightest hint of contentment. It wasn't so much the kids themselves that he dreaded, it was the thought of being responsible for one. It wasn't just dread, either. Mordecai could admit it to himself if nothing else. He was afraid of all that would entail. It's not like he was lying either. Unless he got a well-paying job with long term stability, having one more person living in the residence would place undue stress on finances. His exit from Chicago had not been cheap. Even in the short time Jacob had been following him around, Mordecai's food cost had more than doubled and there was an additional fee at the hotels. In the grand scheme of things it would be pocket change, and for this reason alone he didn't bother to mention it to the child. He would rather have Jacob focused on helping to locate Heller's family and keeping his young mind occupied with things other than the gangsters who hunted them.

Going into the hotel room, Mordecai immediately noted the silence. Jacob had not returned yet, or so he thought. Placing the food on the desk, he saw notes which were clearly written by a borderline-illiterate child. Analyzing the notes, Mordecai's eyes widened. They were direction! Directions that made some sense! Directions he could follow to Garnet Street! Somehow, the boy had come through for him!

Before he could grab his hat, Mordecai saw the other note. It read "I leave, be back." He quizzically looked at the note before realizing that Jacob likely didn't know how to write to his grade level. But the message seemed clear to him once he took into consideration the context around the evening. Jacob didn't want to go to an orphanage, and the last time they had exchanged words Mordecai made it seem like a certainty. Seeking to make it on his own, Jacob had left.

"Stupid child…" Mordecai said under his breath. "That orphanage would be far superior to living on the streets! Well, at least he can't be too far away."

For over an hour, Mordecai combed every street and alley within a four-block radius. As he did so, Mordecai became increasingly frustrated at the boy's foolish decision. Despite looking high and low, no sign of the boy could be found. Of course, children could always get themselves into places which defied logic… and physics. Ivy certainly found a way to "explore" every inch of Atlas' facilities in the times she had been brought to St. Louis by Reuben. Mordecai didn't approve, of course, but it also wasn't his decision to make. In any case, he couldn't afford to keep looking. Not when he had a family to find.

Despite thinking about all the different reasons why Jacob would walk away, he couldn't quite understand how a child who he knows to be intelligent would think that being on the street was a good idea. "Perhaps he'll change his mind." Mordecai thought to himself while eating half of the food. If that were the case, then he couldn't afford to leave the hotel room locked. Being sure to not leave anything of value in the room, Mordecai left the light on but closed the door. He left a note on the table that was simple enough that even Rocky would understand. "Stay until I return." Whether the boy listened or not was on Jacob.

Translating the directions into plain English, Heller walked toward the water. New York City's coast was dotted with small docks and landings. He could almost smell the harbor. Mordecai didn't like it, but the stench was a tolerable annoyance if it meant he could finally see his mother and sisters. His mind flooded itself with memories stretching all the way back to his earliest days when his father was still alive. Primary and secondary school was trivial, tedious, and boring to Mordecai, and yet he had been put in charge of making sure his sisters got their work completed too. They annoyed him to no end, often used his things without asking, and rarely gave him any space or peace or quiet time for intellectual contemplations.

And yet leaving them was far from easy. Mordecai stopped and pulled out those old photos he had kept with him over the last ten years. Though he knew it wouldn't be the case, part of him hoped that they hadn't changed or aged in the slightest. Admittedly, that wish was self-serving. Mordecai didn't like the idea that he was no longer a "young" man. Even now the fatigue of searching Manhattan and Brooklyn for multiple consecutive days was starting to wear on him. A few years ago he could have gone without sleep for several days if Atlas required it. That relentless energy helped him to earn the reputation he had built for himself in St. Louis.

Finally, Garnet Street came into view. It was a short stub of a road, less than two blocks in length. The only way he could think of finding such a street would be asking the local post master, but as luck would have it a twelve-year-old boy had aided him greatly… with guidance of course. He at least would have liked to have said "thank you" to Jacob. If anyone had earned his gratitude, it was that kid.

Slinking down the street, Mordecai spotted a three-story structure which appeared to be composed of three separate residences. If this was the building, then Mordecai was pleased to see that his family had moved from a two-bedroom, crumbling, moldy cave to a flat which was closer to what a feline should dwell in. "39C: Hellers" was printed on the mailboxes out front. They were on the top floor no less!

Climbing the stairs, Mordecai reflected on the journey that had lasted one third of his life. From fleeing New York City to finding his way into Atlas' service to becoming the most dangerous hitman of a generation in St. Louis. There were the good days when Atlas May's empire flourished across the town. Days when he could perform his job to a high standard and then retire for an afternoon or evening to stimulate his mind through games or books or academic studies. While he still didn't appreciate the teasing Mitzi had given him for so long, he could at least understand now that it was her way of showing she cared. Heller only wished that he had figured that out before things went bad.

Atlas' murder was a turning point in his life, Mordecai recalled. He had allowed himself to be consumed by vengeance. He had gone undercover with the Marigolds, put up with the aggressive manipulations and games of the Savoys, and stood there for many evenings while Asa Sweet did nothing but blow cigar smoke in his face and knock back whiskey. Meeting Ethan Kelly had turned out to be fortunate even if in that moment he seemed like a dangerous rival. Moving to Chicago was only a distraction by comparison to his time in St. Louis. One cold, windy winter there was more than enough to convince him never to venture back to that area of the country again.

And now here he was, standing in front of his family's apartment. On the other side of the door was his mother and his sisters. He was, quite literally, at the last step of his journey and about to start a new one. But before he could knock on the door, fear overtook him. Fear and anxiety. Would they recognize him? Did they even want him back in their lives? Maybe this was all a big mistake! He came back to New York City partly because there wasn't anywhere, he could think of to go. If he had any desire to stay on with a criminal enterprise, there was no shortage of options available to him. He could go west to California, northwest to Seattle, down south to Florida or Texas. He could likely join up with the mafia in Kansas City or Cincinnati. Neither had any love for the outfits in St. Louis or Chicago.

"No, this is where I need to be. This was the right choice." Mordecai said to himself. Adjusting his glasses, cuffs, and tie, Mordecai held his hand up to the door and knocked before taking a step back to wait for whatever answer fate had in store for him.