Shaggs watched as the cleanup crew swept the last of the broken glass out of The Victorian Public House. He listlessly slid his glass of Laphroig back and forth between his hands on the bar. He was expecting someone. Someone he thought had a lot of potential but he was still very apprehensive about. He needed that though, his headquarters was a lot more quiet lately with @TonyCastelli and @Joy out. He was proud of them but he needed new blood who would make an immediate impact.

He'd heard a name lately through his connections throughout the country. @KateLogan... 

Shaggs had first heard rumblings of crimes being committed by a young woman in the Midwest. It had been a variety of crimes but the one thing that rang true is that there was a path of blood in her wake. The killings had moved westward over time and he kept hearing rumors. The hair color and clothes changed each time depending on the recollection but the constant in the description was that she was an Ace with a revolver. He knew she'd wind up here eventually. It was clear she was heading west with a purpose in mind. 

That was when he started getting letters. They didn't say much but they had a number of days each time. Every letter he got it was less. He was left to assume one of two things. She was coming to meet him or she was coming to kill him. Either way he'd be prepared. He was impressed by the boldness of the letters. It took a lot for the Don of Summerlin to look up and take notice. With the stories of her fabled revolver skills he knew he needed to see if she fit in his organization. He had prepped the place with men everywhere, he hated to do it as he still felt in his older age he could hang with just about anyone but @VictoriaValium wouldn't let him meet her without his bodyguards around. This could be a huge addition to his organization or something that he could live to regret later but it was a meeting he had to have.

He poured another few ounces into his glass as he waited. He didn't know what time she'd arrive but he knew that she'd find him. He'd received a letter yesterday with just the number 1. He'd just taken another sip when he heard the doors open. They were closed today so it had to be her. He held his hand up and motioned over as he poured another glass. and sat it down next to him at the bar. 

It was time to find out about Kate Logan.

Kate walked into the building with her thumbs tucked into her gunbelt, which was slanted slightly toward her right hip. Her hands were close enough to the gun resting low on her right thigh to feel safe, but not so close that she appear too threatening. Her boots sent echoes through the quiet business as she walked over, tilting her hat back slightly on her head so she'd have a clear field of vision. 

The oak bar caught the eye, as well as the ornate decoration. Silently, she wished her jeans, blouse, and light jacket had accumulated slightly less dust in the past week or so. This wasn't exactly her element, but it wasn't surprising that Shaggs would be meeting her in a place like this. He'd risen to the top for a reason, and most men at the top liked to show off what they'd earned along the way. She could respect that, even if she couldn't actually relate to it.

A well dressed man was sitting by himself at a spot at the bar that provided a clear view of the room, along with all the possible entrances and exits. If she were the boss, that's where she would sit, so she headed over. As she did so, she was stopped by a large man who stepped in front of her- a serious looking bodyguard who gestured toward her gun. A couple similar man were spread out around their boss, watching her intently.

She smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes- a cold shade of green.

"I'm keeping my gun. Not here for trouble, muscles. Unless you start some."

He heard her before he saw her. "I'm keeping my gun. Not here for trouble, muscles. Unless you start some."

It was a sassy line and he liked it. Hugo looked almost taken aback as he started down at her. People rarely spoke to a man his size with that determination and tone. He made a mental note to remember her enthusiasm.

"Hugo that will be all. I'm sure Miss Logan is more than capable of knowing that even she is outgunned in this situation"

He looked her up and down. People usually dressed up to meet him, especially those in this line of work. She was in jeans and a blouse. She was here for business, not pomp and frill. He liked that and he was quite ready to get there himself. Her letters and actions had made him quite intrigued and he was ready to get to the bottom of it. He offered his hand for her to shake it.

"Miss Logan, I believe you had something you wanted to meet me for?"

Kate winked at the bodyguard as she walked past him, reaching out to shake Shaggs' hand with as firm a grip as she could muster. Strength wasn't exactly her forte, but she didn't want to appear weak either. She slid onto the stool next to Shaggs, turning slightly so she facing him. After a moment's hesitation, she reached up and removed her hat, placing it on the bar. It seemed like less of an insult than leaving it on when speaking to the Don of Summerlin. She looked at Shaggs steadily, a small scar barely visible near her left eye.

"To put it bluntly, Don Shaggs, I'm sick of bouncing around these podunk towns in the middle of nowhere. I've got skills that can be useful, and I think Las Vegas is a city where I can make it big. It's new, growing... and it seems like a hell of a lot of fun. So what I'm looking for is a chance for me to show you I can cut it here and get some work to show you what I do, whether that's through conversation or anything else you've got in mind that will let me show off my talents."

Shaggs stared into Kate's eyes. If it was one thing he could always do it was to tell what a person really was thinking as they spoke. He saw a fiery determination in Kate's eyes and knew that she was hungry to prove herself. He still had his questions however and wanted to make sure she could handle herself like she claimed to be able to.

"You are correct Kate. Las Vegas is in a growth period and I am looking for qualified people to join my operation. I have indeed heard about some of your skills but I'd like you to break it down a bit further for me. We both know how talented you are with that six shooter and we'll put it to the test here soon, but I want to know about some of your other skills. We are modern mobsters these days. Being an expert safecracker isn't enough to earn you a spot anymore. You have to be able to handle multiple tasks. I'd like you to tell me what it is that you think you can bring to The Mystery Machine."

"Well, you know my best skill. I've been using this..."

She indicated the gun at her side without touching it, but the bodyguards still paid close attention.

"... since I was 15 years old. Every day, for years. I've always had quick hands. That's what has gotten me this far, and that's why I'm still alive. I work security jobs, guarding people, places, whatever, and I sometimes perform more aggressive tasks."

She shrugged.

"I wish I could tell you that I had some secret world class skill, but I'm really only great at one thing. But all I'd say is this: it takes more than quick reflexes to make it through what I've been through. I'm tough and I don't scare easy, but you've got lots of guys like that already."

Kate stuck a thumb towards Hugo.

"I'm not claiming to be a genius or anything, but I'm sharp enough. What I do can't just be reflexes- it's practice breaking down threats, figuring out who's going to do what and anticipating it, selecting a strategy and implementing it. I know people, and I can usually talk to them pretty well. Uh, I'm not exactly college material, but I read a lot in the last few years, too. You've got a bunch of mooks who can follow your orders- what about someone who you can trust to think for themselves? I'm not saying I'm ready to step up and run shit right off the bat... I'm saying I think I can grow to become that. That's why I'm here and not in East Asshat, Nebraska. I think I can be bigger than that."

She leaned forward on the table slightly.

"That's what I'm here to find out, at least."

Shaggs smiled as he listened to her talk. She was confident, she'd proven that but it was nice to see she didn't let it go to her head. She knew her limitations and had her aspirations. He was not a nervous man but he had to watch out to make sure she stayed in check. He didn't need a hotshot upsetting his delicate operations. He did want to test her though.

Ok Kate, I've got something for you. One of my top men @Jones has been ordered to take down someone from a remaining regime that owes us money and has fallen out of favor. He has the name in his pocket, usually his back left. I want you to use those quick hands to lift the name from him and then finish the job. If catches you or the target is not dead within 48 hours we will most likely not be speaking again.

Accomplish both of these tasks and you'll have a spot in my family and we will see if we can train you in some other aspects such as diplomacy to move you along. I am a man of my word so I expect to see you back here sooner than later.

With that he handed her a photo of Jones and went back to his book and his drink.

Kate's brow furrowed as she looked down at the picture. She had questions, but Shaggs had returned to his book and his whisky. She smiled, returned her hat to her head, and respectfully took her leave.

Her mind was racing as she walked out the door. Pickpocketing wasn't exactly her forte. She had quick hands, yes, but she didn't exactly have lots of practice lifting wallets. Her solutions tended to be more... confrontational. Still, she could try it...

***

The next evening, she was pacing the sidewalk outside of a casino. Jones was inside. It had taken her the entire day to track him down. Perhaps she could have gone to someone in Shaggs' crew for help, but she wanted to make sure she passed the test on her own. All the money she'd saved up on her way out west had gone towards paying an independent information broker. It had cost extra, since she'd assumed that Kate was here to try to kill someone. After all her expenses, Kate barely had enough money left for a drink- but she did have the location where Jones would be that evening. Sighing, she took out the last couple bills from her pocket and handed one of them to the homeless man she'd carefully selected, holding out the picture of Jones that Shaggs had given her.

"When this guy walks out, you distract him. Nothing violent, just make sure he's not paying attention to anyone but you, got me? You do your job, you get the other half after."

The man's beard was unkempt, but his eyes seemed clear enough. Hopefully it would work. She had no chance of cleanly pulling off the job without a distraction. Kate took up position right near the door, tipping her hat down to somewhat cover the top of her face. A few moments later, Jones emerged and the homeless man got in his way, singing a very dramatic love ballad. The bodyguard with Jones moved forward to deal with the riffraff, as Kate silently approached Jones. 

She held her breath when Jones stopped short, bumping into him as her right hand darted into his pocket and snatched the paper. She quickly moved it behind her back and slipped it into her own pocket, flashing her best, embarrassed smile as Jones glared at her. He wasn't an idiot, and he quickly checked to make sure his wallet was still there. Fortunately, he wasn't worried about someone stealing that paper.

Tipping her cap to him, she made her way down the street. A few minutes later, the homeless man fully paid, she went to go find the information broker. Time to put herself in debt...

***

Joel Payne, the target, was staggering down the sidewalk. The man was a cockroach; he'd survived three wars in Vegas that had wiped out his crew, and he always managed to hang around. Until now, at least. When you go so far into debt that there's no way you can pay, it makes better business since to have you wacked as a lesson to the other deadbeats. Kate had been following him for a block now, like a lionness following a wounded gazelle. The man was drunk, stumbling, and alone. Not the best way to die. Well, the drunk part wasn't so bad. 

It was late, but there were still occasional passerby. She was patient, waiting for the right moment. There- that alley. Quickening her pace, she timed it so that she'd catch up with him right at the entrance of the alley. She stuck her leg in between Payne's and they both fell the sidewalk, with her target cursing and nursing a scraped hand. He calmed down a bit when he looked up and saw who it was. She got her first good look at his face- not a bad looking guy.

"Heyyyyyyyyy pretty lady, I-"

"Oh! My goodness! I'm sorry, sir. Are you okay? Do you need me to look at your hands?"

After a few more whispered exchanges... she led him into the alley, sparing a quick moment to glance around. No one saw them. 

Her gun was in her hand instantly, although the darkness hid it. It didn't hide the clicking as she moved a round into the chamber and cocked the hammer, however. She saw his surprised face illuminated by the muzzle flashes. Two in the chest to put him down. One in the head to ensure the job was done. The sound was deafening in the alley, bursting from the quiet night. She quickly grabbed Payne's wallet, holstered her gun, and drew her jacket around her to hide it before briskly walking away from the scene.

The police would hopefully call it a mugging gone wrong. The smart ones would know better... but the smart ones wouldn't force the issue.

She exhaled as she headed back towards The Victorian Public House.

*** 

A few hours later, the early morning sun found Kate leaning against the wall next to the entrance. She'd wait here for Shaggs. 

Shaggs had gotten word early that morning about what had gone down. The cops on his payroll said it was a mugging gone wrong but he was a known associate so they thought he'd like to be informed. Thankfully those dopes were enough to keep the heat off of him but they were too dumb to realize what was going on most of the time. He looked over the details in the police report, she'd done well. He wasn't as concerned about the actual killing. She'd had enough experience there that he wasn't too worried about her getting the job done. It was a bit more difficult to get away with murder in Las Vegas than it was in the middle of nowhere. It was the rest that had impressed her.

She clearly knew to stage the murder, which in a town like Vegas is paramount. The most important thing was that she did it quickly and no one had any idea it was her. He needed someone like that in his organization. She had the tools and the ability to make if far in this world and he was ready to help her get there.

He opened the door to his pub and saw Kate waiting for him outside. He invited her in and sat back down at the bar while she followed.

Kate, I don't have much to say. You did exactly what I asked of you and you performed phenomenally. As promised, if you'd like it, there is a spot in my family for you. 

Shaggs offered his hand along with a thank you envelope for the job already done.

Kate accepted both the handshake and the envelope warmly, a rare genuine grin breaking out on her face.

"Thank you... boss. I won't let you down."