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Oct-8-2009 23:36

I woke to the sound of a bell. A loud, annoying bell.

"What the...?", I said, looking around in a daze, trying to wipe the sleep from my eyes.

Looking over at my clock, it read 4am.

"4' o'clock in the morning?", I grumbled, plopping my feet over the bed, to the floor.

Not one for early mornings, I wasn't too pleased at whoever was ringing my doorbell.

"This better be friggin good", I said, as I grabbed my robe, and headed to the front door.

Opening the door, I immediately said, "What the hell are you doing here at this hour, and at my personal living space?" I wasn't caring if it was the President of the United States, noone comes knocking on MY door at this ridiculous hour.

Unless you are my cousin, Ginny Artino.

"What on EARTH do you want, Ginny? Are you drinking again? If you are, lemme tell you....", I started to say, before Ginny interrupted me , rushing right past.

I growled, as I shut the door, saying, "Sure, come on in! Coffee is fresh" I assumed this was just another one of her break ups, and she was thinking it was the end of the world, until another came along next week.

Ginny lit up a smoke, and was pacing.

"Mak, you are never going to believe this", Ginny was saying, taking drags of her cigarette, just as fast as she was pacing.

I was in no mood for bullcrap, so I said, "Sit down, slow down, then speak. I'm in no mood for your heart break stori.."

"My Father, YOUR Uncle Sal, is dead, Makensie", Ginny said, breaking down in tears.

"WHAT?", I said, grabbing Ginny's cigarette, and taking a drag off of it.

Ginny lit another, and said, "Yes, he is dead"

I instantly turned into full fledge detective mode, and actually felt good about it, since lately it's been like a soap opera.

"Tell me the who, what, where, and why's", I said, grabbing a note pad.

Ginny began talking in a rapid manner.

*more*

Oct-8-2009 23:46

"I don't know WHO. It could be anyone. You know how my father is...or WAS. He was loud, obnoxious, and a smart ass who did dealings with a lot of scary looking people, but, I don't know who would want him actually dead. I was coming home from a date. Go figure huh?....and I walked in the front door, not thinking anything amiss. I heard my father's radio going in the bedroom, and I thought it rather odd that he be up at the hour it was, since he goes to bed around 11pm. So I hollered for him, wondering why he was still awake. I didn't get a response so I walked in his room, thinking I'd just see him snoring away in bed. I wish thats what I was seeing"

Ginny broke down again, rubbing her face.

I tried to be as sympathetic as I could, and I did feel bad, but, not as bad as Ginny, of course.

"Go on sweet heart. What did you see?", I said, as gentle as I could. Unfortunately, I was hardened to this type of thing, so, I always had to try real hard to sound as soft as I could, when dealing with the victim's loved ones. I know this was family who got killed, but, honestly...I thought Uncle Sal was a sonofabitch.

Ginny continued on...

"It was just horrible, Mak! He was laying across his bed, blood everywhere. Shot twice. Once right between the eyes, the other in the chest. I didn't know what to do. I just ran here because i knew you would help me", Ginny said, crying.

"Do you know if your father had any dealings go sour? Anyone who just totally hated your father, and wanted to see him dead?", I started asking.

Ginny shook her head rapidly, from side to side. "No, well...again, it could be anyone"

"Do you know of anyone who might have some kind of clue, as to who would do this? Anything would be of help", I said.

Ginny began thinking of names.

*more*

Oct-8-2009 23:57

"Oh, I know. Earlier my Father mentioned that he was going to go shoot the breeze over a couple of beers with some man named Gino. Gino Anderotti, I think his last name is. He can be always be found at the Tricky Mister"

I stopped a minute, thinking to myself. Now that she mentioned it, I do remember seeing some fat guy named Gino there all the time. He is the town lush. Why would Sal hang around HIM for?

"Thank you Ginny. I will get back with you. Right now, I'm going to your place, to the scene of the crime. Have you told anyone else?", I asked her

"No, I came straight here", she said.

Not replying, she ran out into the night, jumping in her Mercedes, and headed to Ginny's.

*****************

( the scene of the crime)

Walking into the house, I could just smell death. It didn't phase her at all though, and she headed straight to the bedroom, where the deceased was.

I had my gun out, just in case whoever did this, might still be close around. I never took any chances.

Looking around, with gun out, I noticed a bloody footprint close to the window. That seemed to be all I could find at this moment.

Continuing investigating the scene, footsteps approached the doorway.

Holding the gun with dead aim toward the bedroom doorway, I cocked the trigger, in waiting.

As I did that, a familiar figure appeared.

Reese Withers.

"If you are going to point that gun at me, then use the damn thing", she said, as cocky as ever.

I was surprised to see my older cousin, but very happy at the same time.

"Looks like we have a bloody mess here. Poor ol Uncle Sal. The ol bastard finally got what was coming to him", Reese replied, in her typical fashion

I shook my head, and said, "You havent changed"

"Of course not, darlin. Why would I want to? Now, lets get down to business. There is another detective on his way, just so you know. The more the merrier", Reese was saying, as she was nosing through dresser drawers.

"Who?", I asked.

*more*

Oct-8-2009 23:59

"You will know soon enough, now quit asking me questions, and do your job, Reese said.

Resuming my work, I mumbled, "Still a bossy ol wench, too, I see"

They both continued investigating the room, as Makensie's curiosity was running over with who this detective was, that was joining in on this. Reese said, a HE.

Hmmm, I thought, as I was looking at my Uncle Sal's appointment book.

Oct-11-2009 14:52

"Darn!"...shouted Bane's voice from the doorway..."They always said two women and a man are a deadly combination, but I neva' expected such a fine lady like yourself to take it so literally, Miss Brewer. Now what did this poor bastard do to deserve such...love?"

After a short moment of surprise generated by Joey's sudden appearance, Makensie quickly gathered her thoughts and posed a charming smile:

"It seems we always meet in strange situations, Mr. Bane..."

"Strange indeed..." replied Joey while taking a few steps towards the body. "Shall I assume the gun in your hand is...not the murder weapon?"

"I see your sense of humor has not left you, Mr. Bane. Indeed it's not..."

"Hold it right there Mr.!" interrupted Reese. "Now who the hell are you and what exactly are you doing here?!?"

Upon a quick exchange of looks with her Makensie realized Bane wasn't the detective Reese was waiting for. She turned then a suspicious look to Joey. Although in all their past meetings Bane's actions have proven to be benevolent in the end, she could never ditch a fishy feeling about him.

Oct-11-2009 15:16

"Now settle down there, birdies!" replied Joey leaning over the body. "I'm here...well...I WAS here to do some collecting. Considering this guy's...medical condition, I think it's safe to say that what I'm currently doing here is wasting my time."

"Collecting, Mr. Bane?" asked Miss Brewer raising an eyebraw. "I remember last we met you were a detective...and one that was going to stay away from trouble, that is..."

"Well...how should I put this, Miss Brewer...since being a detective always got me in trouble, I figured if I look for the trouble by myself, it might be easyer to get out of it. It pays better too, I might add."

"Enough chit chat!" Reese interrupted again with an annoyed voice. "How do we know YOU're not the killer, Mr. Paine...Caine...or whatever the hell your name is? In my experience the killer always tends to get back to the murder scene."

"Now that's a simple answer, doll"...replied Bane with a slightly mocking smile..."ya' see...dead men don't pay. I needed to pick up quite a large pile of cash off hime, but now he ain't givin' me squat."

Reese opened her mouth to give a sharp reply to the 'doll' apellative, but was stopped by Mak with a firm hand gesture.

"This was my uncle...Sal Artino, Mr. Bane. I would appreciate any information you could provide about him or his business. For instance...I'd like to know to whom he owed money and why, if you please."

Oct-11-2009 15:54

Bane pushed his hat to the back of his head and lit himself a cigarette.

"I could tell you all these, Miss Brewer...but I can also tell you it's very unlikelly for those people to have done this."

"Why would you think that, Mr. Bane?"

"Well, by the looks of it this ain't no ordinary killin', doll. A cap through the heart and one through the head is an assasination. And...my guys are Italian, but this ain't no Italian job if you ask me."

"How come?"

"You see, doll...my guys like to make mess when they wipe out someone...to...'send a message' they say. This means they like to use shotguns. What we're lookin' at here are a couple of clean shots. I'd say we're dealing with a professional."

"Well..." replied Mak thinking "...you might have a point there. But I'd still like to know anything you can share with me."

Bane posed what he usually considered to be charming smile...and as usual it came out just as a strange grin:

"In this case...I'd like to share with you a couple of shots down at the bar, if you don't mind. And in the meantime you can ask whatever questions may pass through that pretty head of yours. What do you say?"

Oct-12-2009 00:05

"Truly, Joey, I do believe you have a drinking problem, but, I could use a few shots myself, so, I take you up on that invite", Makensie replied.

Reese walked up to them two, saying, "I can't believe this!! At this time, you both are going to drink. Our Uncle just got whacked...and you are going to go have a couple rounds with THIS bozo"

Joey looked at Reese, and said, "Whoa, slow down lady!"

"Look, I do have alot of questions for Joey, and if having a few drinks gets me those answers, I'm doing it", Makensie said, so that only Reese could hear.

She shook her head, and walked off.

Looking at Joey, Makensie smiled her milion dollar smile, and said, "Lets go for those shots. YOU are buying"

"Oh, of course! I wouldn't have it any other way", Joey Bane replied, with a hint of sarcasm.

Minutes later, at the bar, after ordering their first round of shots, Makensie said, "Ok Joey, I'd like to think of us as friends so, no bullshitting me ok? You obviously know alot about the death of my Uncle Sal, and I want you to tell me all that you know"

Joey looked at Makensie, smiled roughly, and said, "I will tell you anything you want to know, after you do something for me, Ms Brewer....or, Makensie, rather"

Their shot arrived to their table. They toasted their glasses, drank their shot, as Joey ordered another for them.

"This ought to be real interesting, JOEY. What exactly do you want me to do for you? Not that I will.....", Makensie said, lighting up a cigarette. She was supposed to quit, but, when she was feeling nervous, and uptight, smoking always calmed her.

Makensie made her shot a double, as she was waiting for Joey's response.

Oct-13-2009 15:10

"No worries Mak. This ain't gonna involve any rolling in the bushes...if ya' get my drift..." replied Joey with a clearly mocking smile, then gulped his second shot and waved the waiter for another..."but...well...it IS gonna involve you using your natural charm."

"I have a funny feeling I won't like where this is going..." said Mak with a conspicuous expression on her face..."But please go ahead. Hopefully you'll get to the end of it BEFORE falling under the table."

"Don't worry, I got a lot of practice at this." With these words Joey gulped his now third shot and ordered the rest of the bottle.

"I see...now, you were saying?"

"It's all for a good cause Mak, trust me."

"Well...'trust'...in your case is...not exactly the first thing that comes into my mind. But well, I somehow don't think I will have an option, now will I, Bane?"

"No, you won't. Ok, here's the deal: there's a guy called Pepe LeBrun. 'S the name sound familiar?"

"As in...LeBrun the pimp of the south side?"

"Him and no other."

"Now I'm sure I won't like this. Pardon the expression Bane, but what the hell do you want ME to do about him."

"Well...not much...just to get some information."

"JUST that? May I ask why exactly can't you do it yourself?"

Oct-13-2009 15:25

Bane took a short sip from his glass, then leaned ahead placing his elbows on the table and started talking a bit slower.

"Ya' see...we had a bit of business together back a couple of years ago."

"Don't tell me, Bane. I will assume it didn't end too well?"

"Indeed, doll. Indeed. Your detective skills never seize to amaze me."

Mak pulled a smoke and then released it slowly, posing a somehow mocking smile.

"So how bad did it end?"

"As in...I show my face a mile away from him and his goons make me dinner."

"Have you ever made a business that went well, Joey?"

Bane continued pretending he didn't hear her question.

"Bottom line is I can't get near him. On the other hand I have to find out what happened to this girl."

With this Bane pulled out of his pocket the picture of a young woman. Mak picked it up and took a look at it.

"Pretty girl..." she said "...who is she?"

"Someone somebody's interested in finding."

"I thought you were off the detective work, Joey."

"This...ain't exactly the usual work, but I won't bore you with details you may not want to know..."

"You're right about this. I don't. So what's the connection between her and LeBrun?"

"According to my sources he owned her a couple of months ago. The word is that maybe he sold her. If this is tru I need to know to whom."

"This isn't any piece of cake work, Bane. How in the world do you expect me to get this information from him?"

Bane grinned..."I'm sure you'll think of something, Mak. You are after all a very...resourceful woman."

Oct-19-2009 19:03

Makensie leans back in her chair, toying with the empty shot glass in her left hand, while taking a pull off her cigarette, slowly, with her right.

Her silence, for some reason, was unsettling Joey Bane, as she poured herself another shot.

"A girl after my own heart! You handle your alcohol well, Mak", Joey said, with a cocky grin.

In a mocking manner, Makensie replies, "Don't worry, Joey, I have alot of practice with this"

She took her shot quickly, put the glass on the table, wiped her mouth, then she put her elbows on the table, clasping her fingers together, staring intently at Joey Bane.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you're sexy as hell when you're in deep thought?", Joey said, just to break the silence.

Makensie smirks, saying, "Please, Joey! Spare me! Now, first off, that was a cheap shot, Joey Bane, about the rolling in the bushes. I'm sure you've done worse.....sweetheart" Joey grabs his chest, hand over heart, and said, "Oh please, you're crushing me here"

By just watching Joey Bane, and Makensie Brewer, some would think thta they didn't like each other. Truth is, Makensie thought of Joey as a dear friend, and had great respect for the man. Their banter back and forth was just their way of flirting back and forth, in a casual way and they had fun doing it.

Ignoring Joey's sarcasm, Makensie said, "How do you think that I can get amy information out of this scum bag you're speaking of? By telling me that I'm a resourceful woman, are you implying that, since I had a situation involving a bush, that I'd portray a great lady of the street? By the way, I'm thankful for that romp, because it gave me my son"

Maybe it was the many shots he did, or that he was just plain tired, but Joey could no longer help himself. He let out a big, hearty laugh, that would've shocked anyone because noone has ever heard Joey Bane truly laugh.

He held up his hands in a gesture to say he was sorry, then pulled himelf together.

*more*