Running with Secrets

Untitled Part 48

"I haven't found Marcus, but he's found us, Boss." Grady said, looking with nerves at Steele.

It was late in the evening. Early morning, even, and Steele had been nursing several kinds of whiskey all evening, as he carried his business from the office to his club.

Grady's news was enough to make Steele's attention snap.

"What did you say?" He stopped his drinking and looked at the two men standing in front of the table.

"I said Marcus wants a meeting." Grady said, propping himself with locked elbows as he leaned toward his boss.

Steele jerked his head in Grady and Chaz's direction and whispered, "How?"

Chaz followed the question after looking around at the other men around him. "We got our guys talking about the operation that failed in the warehouse and how we knew Marcus was looking for someone. One comment led to another and word got back around from some of our most trusted associates," Chaz emphasized those last two words, "that Marcus wants a meeting." Chaz smiled a sickly smile.

"So it didn't take long, eh?" Steele sounded off.

"No, Boss." Chaz agreed. "He wants to know when your available." He stood taller than he had in weeks. "Though he needs at least a day to tie up his lose ends. He sends his regards and wants you to tell him where to meet."

Steele shifted his eyes to Chaz and then to Grady. The silence was unnerving to say the least and as Steele thought on the experience which left Matther Benson extinguished and in the county morgue, he opted for his club. "Gentlemen." Steele said, checking his rather expensive  Cartier watch "In exactly ten hours from now, We meet with Marcus. Here."

The other men in the room didn't wait long and left to spread the word.

"Now we wait." Steele said, sipping his liquor then tenting his fingers. "Everyone, be back here eight hours form now. Let him come, with two or three of his own," he said as commotion filled the room. "Good work, gentlemen." He looked at Chaz and Grady. "You are my right hands for a reason."

The two men looked at each other and with seedy grins, left to make preparations.

*****

"I need some men. Leave Paul in the office this time, Captain." The old man said. "He'll end up dead, or worse, if he comes along."

They picked over the produce again as they spoke about the situation quietly.

"How about banana squash?" Vanderson said as he moved the old man toward the roots.

"I hate squash. You know I hate squash!" He returned the comment as a mother with her baby walked by the potatoes.

He turned quickly and said, "I have my own, but I need some uniforms at the ready, in case things get out of hand. Is Loveridge ready?"

"She has a wig and has been styled, if that's what you mean. I don't think she's ready though."

"I'll let you know what they say when I come out of the club." The man said.

Captain Vanderson nodded and helped the old man check out, and then helped him into a car that was, no doubt, a rental.

As he watched the old man, who was probably closer to his own age in reality, drive away with understanding. Somehow, he knew the man knew Sally and somehow, he knew there was some kind of esteem there. He'd keep his suspicions to himself, of course, but the way things were going, he'd protect Sally as he'd protected Jeannie. If he had to whisk her away too, he would.

*****