Thanks to John's help we managed to get the last gunman to his fish market to squeeze some info out of him. It was not exactly the fresh start I was looking for, I would have preferred to create new enemies rather then my past ones terrorize me, but what can you do?. After getting our new friend tied up John went with his protégé for a quick ride to grab a few things. In the meantime I stayed behind, kept an eye on our friend.

I lit a smoke and sat down in front of the remaining gunman, I uncovered his mouth as I took a drag and exhaled the smoke, the cloud of smoke filled the air for a brief moment as I looked at him and asked "what's your name pal?." He looked at me, tired and defeated and said "Henry...Henry Roth!."

I stared at him for a moment before responding. "Hmm, a Jew huh?...didn't think Ray worked with your kind, he usually sticks to his own, no offense!" he immediately replied "none taken!."

there was a bit of silence after that. It seemed as though this man was not to loyal to Ray or his brother, but at this point I was not sure. Being in my current situation I was not jumping to any conclusions. I continued to sit in the center of the fish market, awaiting John's arrival. There was equipment everywhere, place was closed and I didn't know as much about the equipment as John did, and I sure as shit wasn't going to chance destroying any of it. After a few minutes Henry broke his silence and asked for some water. I thought why not, considering if he was not going to cooperate he was going to have a real bad night.

I gave him some water, then sat back and gave him some last minute advice. "Ok Henry!, in a minute my good friend will be walking in...you can make this easy and tell us what we need to know, if all goes well we may even be able to make a deal. Sometimes you get further with honey then you do vinegar, know what I mean?. The hard way I assure you is a route you do not want to take!" I put my cigarette out as I hear John's car pull up. Before he walks in I take one last look at Henry and tell him "take the advice for what its worth, just remember that the ball is in your court right now!."

One of the heavy sliding doors creaked open, two men shrouded in the darkness from outside stepped through the shadows and into the light of the large, open room. Jack carried a set of bolt cutters and some hooch while John slid the door shut then joined them all in the center of the slaughter floor.

He grabbed a chair and slid it over in front of Henry. "'As Jimmy 'ere informed ya that it be best if ya tel-"

"Name's Henry Roth! I don't give two fucks about Ray Reilly or his shit brother! I'll help ya! I'll do whatever it is ya need. I promise I won't be no trouble to ya," the man cried out before anything even happened to him.

John looked at James, then Jack, and started to laugh. "Aye then, Jimmy did inform ya." All four men laughed in chorus before John reached across and grabbed Henry's jaw, making the man look directly at him. "You're gonna need to give me more than that, lad. Wot's Reilly's play, mm?" James looked over with a look, "Remember what I said, Roth. Balls in your court." Henry nodded, keeping his eyes on John.

"Ray works here in the Bronx. He has a car garage he works out of, small place down in the hear-"

"I already know about Ray's shop. 'E's na there. Trust me, I looked while we were out. Wot I don' know, is where 'is 'ouse is. Ya unnahstand me, don' ya lad?" John interrupted, squeezing on Henry's jaw a bit more.

Henry's eyes got big, "He'-he'll kill me if I give you that. You should just set up a m-meet with him at his of-"

The resounding thud of contact came quickly, followed by the clatter of wooden chair on cement as John jumped up and smashed his balled fist into Henry's face. Blood flowed quickly from the slice in Henry's lips where they'd been driven into his teeth as he spoke, as well as cries and groans from the force of impact... Unfortunately for Henry, John was -not- a small man by any means.

"I didn' ask for ya suggestions, now did I lad?" He grabbed Henry's face yet again and looked at him, "Ya shouldn' be worried 'bout wot Ray Reilly is gonna do wit' ya lad. If ya don' tell me wot I want, I'll feed ya to tuh fuckin' crabs." John's voice didn't raise, nor did he get angry; he remained steady and calm. Almost eerie in it's own sense.

Henry offered a nod of understanding through the groans of continued pain.

"That's a good lad," John cooed, "Now tell Jimmy wot we want, an' I waint stutter if I were you."

John released Henry's jaw with a rough shake then turned to Jimmy, nodding for him to step in, before moving over to Jack and taking the bolt cutters from him and slamming them on one of the tables to reinforce the severity of the situation... And of course to startle Henry.

Before I could say anything Henry spoke up. "You guys don't get it!, I want to help...but there's a reason the call Ray mad man!...if I give up the address he's going to kill me for sure!."

I let him finish before taking a seat in front of him. I looked him in the eyes with a very serious, yet impatient look and told him "Henry...when you failed to kill me you were a dead man!. You think Ray would let that slide?, I told you tell us what we need to know and Ray or his brother will no longer be a problem!. I would even give you a job when I take his garage!." Henry looked at me with a shocking look, but I could see there was doubt.

"Look Henry, they may call Ray a mad man...but you never met me before!, but since you keep pushing me, let me show you my mad side!." A quick sweep with my foot tips the chair over so Henry was found lying on his back. I grabbed a cloth and draped it over his face. I then grabbed a bucket of water and slowly began pouring it over the cloth. the sound of water splashing the cloth, mixed with Henry gasping. It was an uncomfortable sound...but I knew it was effective. After pouring just enough to keep Henry alive, I slowly pull the cloth off his face and stand the chair back up.

"Last chance Henry!, I want an address, and quick. Ray and his brother...where the FUCK are they?."

I placed my hand on the object John left for me on the table. I saw this kid had a bright future, and I could tell john seen the same potential as I did.

I seen Henry thinking it all through, I sat and waited, hoping he would make the right decision.  

"Oh c'mon 'Enry!" John patted James' shoulder then moved his hand off of the bolt cutters, shaking his head before approaching Henry. "Don' make us wait, lad. Tuh suspense is killin' ya." He grinned.

"Fine, fine... He has this place, it's on Prospect Avenue... Think it's 982? Room number 304. There's a little store on the bottom floor. Church across the street. You can't miss it!" Henry spat blood out on the ground.

John nodded, "Perfect. Ta, lad. I appreciate your 'elp. I'll bring ya wit' us when tuh four of us go to take care of Ray an' 'is brot'er..." John pulled a pack of smokes out, offering one all around. Henry, Jack, James; they all took one and lit up, though John left Henry tied tightly.

"You're gonna stay tied up 'ere, lad... At least until Jackie 'ere gets back an' tells me your scoop be good. 'E shant be gone more than, wot... thirt'y minutes? Get gone Jackie boy."

"Yes sir, Mr. Shoaltz." Jack turned away and headed back toward the doors, slipping out into the night. Silence followed the sound of the engine turning over and the car pulling off. The three remained and smoked their cigarette until Henry finally spat the butt of his out. Breaking the silence, he finally asked. "Shoaltz. John Shoaltz? With The Dukes? And Godfather Earl?" Henry's brow perked as he watched the man.

"Aye, tuh one an' only." John declared with a smirk. "Wot's it to ya?"

"I-I didn' realize that you were friends! I never wanted no trouble with the Dukes. I'm just a small timer, boss. I promise. I'd rather work here than for Ray Reilly any day... I didn't know he was musclin' in on Earl's territory." Henry sounded almost pathetic as he began to cry. He knew for sure he was dead, regardless now... New York's seven families had a growing reputation for slitting the throat and gunning down anyone who crossed them.

John just laughed before smacking Henry on the back of the head. "Don' worry. Stop your fuckin' cryin' lad. Be 'appy, you're still alive. When Jackie ge's back, an' 'e tells me you're na full of shite... Then we can talk about how ya waint make tuh mistake of crossin' Tuh Dukes of Earl again. We be seein' 'ow that turns out..."

John turned to James and nodded to him, "Come get a drink wit' me while we wait for Jackie. Na'er mat'ers 'e sits 'ere while we enjoy ourselves."

John headed up the stairs and to the office, leaving the door open and waiting for James.

"Henry this has nothing to do with Ray moving in on Earl's territory, it is simply a personal matter between Ray, his brother and myself!. Just sit tight and don't try anything stupid. You continue to work with us and ill keep my end of the deal and give you some work with me and John."

I patted Henry on the shoulder before heading into John's office for a drink. The one thing I wanted to make clear to this guy was that I had a good and bad side, despite the bullshit I went through in the last 6 years or so. I always had this way of thinking that being feared in this line of work is great, I would say its the dominance that gives you the rush. unfortunately sometimes being only feared gets you nothing but short term leadership...and then shot, so some other young and upcoming gangster can take your place. Point being that its better to handle the situation in a professional manner and make an alliance, rather then an enemy or a huge body count. Don't give me wrong, I had no trouble taking anyone out if it was necessary. In Henry's case I saw a good business decision, not just another dead body on my conscious.

After walking into John's office I took a seat, grabbed the glass of bourbon he had poured me and took a drink. I looked to John, waiting for him to break his silence and give me his thoughts on the whole situation.

John swirled his glass slowly, pausing each time to watch the liquid continue to spin as if in some deep transient thought. He looked up from it to eye James, then looked back down. He sighed, took a drink, then set the glass on the table. "I know ya wanna do good by tuh jew, James." John looked back up to the man, "But Rev, this ain' France... We don' take quart'r 'ere. Na in these fights..." The look on his face was solemn, his lips pursed in thought. "An', 'e shot at ya, then turned on 'is boss tuh minute things go awry. 'E's a bad 'un..." John propped his brow and chuckled a bit, "I'll 'appen 'e could work for ya though... Jus' don' let 'im know nothin. An' -allus- be watchin' 'im. An' know that I'll beat 'is clarty, cack-'anded arse if 'e tilts on ya."

John looked over to James, allowing him time to think over what had been said before continuing. "But ain' none of that mat'er if 'e's lyin' to us. If that be tuh case, than it'll be badly for Mister Roth's 'ealth."

With that, he stood and grabbed his glass and took another drink of the bourbon, swirled it, and walked over to the window in his office to peer down at Henry. His head hung and blood continued to drip slowly from his lips, but his breathing had slowed to a calm pace. John tugged out a cigarette and lit it, puffing on the thing before offering one up behind him to James. "Mm?"

I accepted the smoke from john. I take a seat and light it up, arching my head back, exhaling the smoke. I breath deep through my nose, in then out.

"I know he seems un trust worthy!, thing is that I know what its like to work for Ray. Uses you to get where he needs to be and then sells you out, its never a good thing to turn on your boss...if you want to call him that. I want Ray and his brother Pete gone!, DONE!. As far as Henry goes...I trust your decision John, you make that call."

Taking another puff I sat in silence, not out of anger towards john, but towards the situation. I felt as though Henry could help us on a business stand point, and I know John seen my point. But he also had his own point of views in which I trusted. So I sat and waited for Jackie to come back, hopefully with a confirmed location. And whatever john did at that point I respected.

The two remained in silence as they waited...
 

Lights flashed through the large, sliding doors as a car pulled into the lot. "That'll be Jackie. Le's see wot 'e 'as for us." John and James made their way from the office and down the stairs as Jackie slid the door open and shut it behind him. "Well lad? Wha's tuh verdict?" John tugged his 1911 out and pressed it against Henry's head. "Is this it, or does 'e live to see anot'er sunrise?"

Jack smiled looking between the three men as Henry whimpered a bit, "Well boss. I think he deserves a sunrise."

"Good'un ya, 'Enry. Ya get ta live anot'er day. Cut 'im free James. 'E's comin' wit' us." John dropped his weapon and lowered the hammer as he slid it back in his holster. "See wot 'e's made of, we will."

Once untied, Henry stood and stretched himself, looking at them all. "So that's it? I'm just coming with you now?"

"James offered ya a position at 'is shop once we take it from Reilly, did 'e na? I'll be tuh judge if ya get that job or burn wit' Reilly. Make me think your wort' it, lad. Prove to me ya can be trusted an' na jus' some tuck-tail, coward arse that needs to be put down." John looked him over. "Do good ya live, an' we let ya get cleaned up. Now, everyone get in tuh fuckin' car. We're 'eaded for Reilly's 'ouse. Silencers boys. Clean an' quick."

With a last look at his make-shift crew, John spun and pointed at the door as he made his way to the car. John hopped into the driver's seat, James in the passenger, Henry and Jack in the back. The engine turned over and the car sped off into the night on it's way across the Bronx...