Tara smiled.

"Odds are good. Let me make a couple calls. Any special focus? Or just some basic info?"

Gavin yawned as he spoke for the first time in a while.

"And what'd the guy do? Just curious."

Isabella nodded to Tara's question.  "Just general information.  I want to know this guy's story.  He could be what he seems, but I'd rather not take chances."

She looked towards Gavin, "So, there's this sweet little Sicilian couple in the neighborhood.  They've been helping me get settled in.  Real nice people who own a local grocery and meat counter.  You can thank them for how good you've been eating these last two weeks, actually."  She smiled warmly, clearly fond of these people.

"Anyway, they're in their sixties and in no condition to be putting up with garbage from neighborhood punks like they have been... at least they say it's just trouble from some punks.  I'm not so sure.  So, I asked Officer Adams to just spend some extra time around their business and keep an eye out for them.  I tried to thank him for his help with a small 'donation' but he refused it."

"He's claiming his ethics won't allow him to take the money, but I'm skeptical.  Maybe I'm just gun shy after all the shit I've been through, but I've known so few 'good cops' that I find it hard to accept them as any more real than fairies."  She chuckled and picked up her wine glass again.  "My imagination is probably just working over time, but I'd just sleep better knowing if he's the real deal or if he's the sort that might be a problem somewhere down the line."

She shrugs, "If we find out his story we'll know the truth or maybe we'll have the tools to deal with him should it become necessary.  That's all."  

Gavin laced his hands together and leaned back.

"Not too many good cops, no. But a better chance of a good city cop than a good fed. We can do some digging into him ourselves, if you'd like. Let Tara call her sources downtown, then we can check in on him."

Tara chimed in.

"Any punks in particular you're dealing with here? Now that we own the neighborhood, I'd like to clean up the streets. People who feel indebted to us are far more likely to help us out when it comes to legal entanglements."

Isabella nodded at Gavin's suggestion.  "Sounds good."  She said smiling and then pushing herself away from the table.

"I don't know who these guys are just yet, but I plan on going to talk to Martina tomorrow.  I'll let you know if I find something I can't handle on my own.  You and Gavin both."

Isabella begins clearing the table and lets the twins finish up chatting.  Once she finishes that she tells Tara, "I'm gonna settle in for an early night.  Feel free to stay and chit chat with Gavin as long as you like.  You won't bother me, I'm probably going to turn on the radio and just kick back for a bit before bed."

She kisses Gavin's cheek and whispers in his ear, "If you're not too tired, wake me up when you come to bed if I've fallen asleep."

She stands up and starts towards the bathroom, "It was good to see you tonight, Tara.  Thanks for joining us."