26 Adalwolf (1/2)

Adalwolf-

I poured over the information I had. All signs pointed to a rat, but I couldn't find him. I went through records of all men involved in anything related to Jack and Johnny. The tensions in town were reaching a fever pitch. I had men on the police force putting together false evidence to bring in the boy's families for protective custody. Ricky had intercepted a car with two of my guys relaying information for me to the police station, and left them dead in an ally way.

Someone in my group was giving away my moves to Ricky. It had been happening since Chicago, and it wasn't getting better. Late into the night I finally found the common thread. In the voice records for the Chicago run a name stood out. Franky Bender. Relatively new guy. His name came up in the first run Jack and Johnny did for me as one of the look outs for the bootlegger trail.

I stood up from my desk letting loose with a string of swears powerful enough to make a preacher faint. Nate popped his head in looking at me quizzically.

”Find him?”

”Yes! Yes, I did his name is Franky Bender!”

”I'll start up the truck.”

Nate left on his way, and I went about grabbing my things. My black overcoat, my .38 special, and my cane. Nate had the Truck warmed up and waiting for me. I gave up the address, and we sped off into the night.

”Sure it's him?”

”Has to be. He is the only name I've seen on support for every run Fox and Hound made. Either way he will confess when we get our hands on him.”

Nate gave me a sidelong glance with a halfway worried look.

”After this get some rest. You do no one good dead because you were too tired to pull a gun quick.”

”I am fine Nate. Top of my game as a matter of fact.”

A bluff Nate saw through. He knew me too well. I ran a hand through my messy hair attempting to tame it.

”What's so good about these kids anyways? You've been running yourself into the ground over them. You bend over backwards trying to keep them safe. I don't get it. What makes them any different from the other pawns you employ?”

”Nate... It's complicated...”

He gave me that side long glance again then shook his head.

”No more then you make it.”

”I just... I see a lot of myself in Jack. I don't know what it is, but I feel like I can learn from him. He may only be nineteen, but I'm not much older.”

”Four years can make a difference. Besides you've been through more than he has. That kid isn't special.”

”Maybe he isn't special, but maybe he can see things differently then I can. Maybe...”

”Maybe what?”

”Maybe Jack can save himself from this life. Maybe if he does I can learn something you know?”

Nate sighed and pulling up into the driveway we were looking for. We had this conversation many times. Especially after my father passed and I received the empire. All the connections and money from my father passed to me.

”If you want out of this life just leave.”

”It's not so simple. I can't just abandon my post, and with all the things I've done... Where could I go Nate? Hell is the only option for someone like me.”

Nate nodded mirroring the feeling. He and I at least agreed on that one. He pulled his gun from under his sweater. A Glock. Nothing fancy. The same one he carried when my father employed him.

”Let's get this done. Wet work will cost extra on this.”

”It always does Nate.”

We both exited the car. Nate walked forcefully with a duty to fulfill right up to the door. The house was on the most southern part of the South side. Almost far enough out to not be considered in the city. If we needed to go loud we could without issue.

Nate covered the peep hole on the door with a hand and knocked loudly. A shuffling sound came before a lock latch gave way and the door opened. Franky, a wire haired scrawny guy with brown eyes. I remembered him better now that I was seeing him. He had in fact been a look out in some capacity or another for Jack's runs.

He looked at Nate then to me, and then back to Nate before he got the picture. He turned to bolt with eyes full of terror, but Nate caught him with a swift kick in the back of the knee. Franky went down on one knee crying out sharply before Nate put a boot in his back.

”Don't move. Stay on your stomach, and keep your arms up Franky.”

I said from behind my partner. I slinked past the two of them to stand in the hall between the Livingroom and the kitchen. A set of stairs went up to probably were the bedrooms where located. I turned my back to them and squatted down.

”Franky, we have a rat. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?”

To my surprise he spilled it right there. No advanced interrogation tactics needed.

”God Adal! I'm sorry it was me please don't kill me! Ricky has my kid man he forced me!”

He was whining like a baby on the floor. His body shuddered with sobs as he kept babbling.

”Please Adalwolf I'm sorry! Don't kill me please don't kill me!”