Rosaleen heard of the hit that was taken at St. Monica Church.  She had an idea of who might have pulled that off.  No matter how professional you are, if you are good at what you do word will leak out.  Whether that hit was his or not didn’t matter.  He was known as someone who would be trusted and get the job done and she knew he was the one to contact.

Through her sources, she found a way to contact Bluegoose and he accepted to meet with her.  

They set up a meeting at one of the staged locations. He arrived precisely on time and was shown to the back office by Alice the receptionist.  Rosaleen greeted him and asked him to have a seat.

Thank you for coming and meeting with me Bluegoose.

Rosaleen studied Bluegoose carefully.   She thought to herself you don't need to be a top-notch interrogator to figure out what is going on in someone's head. The signals are always there--all you need to do is know what to look for."  Rosaleen became practiced at it. She appreciated Bluegoose ‘s mannerisms.  His stance was confident and his voice strong ( Not to confuse a loud voice with a strong one.) Her gut feeling was he could be trusted.  She had to be very selective, she wasn’t going to jeopardize her operation. 

I looked at Bluegoose for a couple of seconds before I started to speak.  I walked over to the file cabinet and pulled out three files.  I placed the first file in front of him and to his surprise, it was all about himself. As he turned page after page I saw the surprised look come over his face.  The look like I “might” have done a few of these things.

Don’t worry all that stuff, they are highly confidential.  They come from some highly trusted and respectable people, stating that you are highly respected and trusted.  I gave Bluegoose a smile.  Other than how professional you are, there’s nothing really bad in there at all.

But I do have a very important job I need your help with.  

There’s this cop who’s has been putting the squeeze on Marie Fraedo for years.  She is the owner of Fraedo’s Italian Cuisine on Monte Street  She has a little gambling spot in the back that does very well also.   Things have been pretty slow in the restaurant for several reasons and his 40% is outrageous.  

One of the reasons it’s so slow is because this cop has placed a drug dealer in there.  People had started noticing the traffic when word got out he was there.  Then to top that off it's their belief that there is a possibility that his heroin may be laced with something, because of the strength and the way there are so many overdoses.  There’s word out about a bad batch. There were several overdoses in just 12 hours last Friday, One OD in the back of her courtyard but didn’t die.  However, two died a few blocks down The Strip.    Altogether about 9 that OD and 4 actually died.   One was a 16-year-old boy. His product is recognizable because his heroin packages have the word GOLD printed on it.

I placed the second file in front of Bluegoose.   The title on the label was John “Rooster” Mooney.

This is the drug dealer.   We have already confirmed the bad-batch is his. I need you to give him a strong taste of his own medicine.

I  then placed the third file in front of him.  It was entitled  Office Robert “Rob”  Holts.

He needs to be scared straight, needs to be taught a lesson.  Let him know we have enough on him to put his ass under the jail.  They don’t want him dead but make him our bitch.    

Bluegoosee had to chuckle at all the pictures of this guy's wife, children, parents, and mistresses.  The files contained bank account accounts and all types of illegal wrongdoings.

Marie Fraedo is highly regarded and has worked hard for years to maintain the business that’s been in the family for generations.  She is a modest woman that has done well but by no means rich.  Some good people have backed her with this and she has collected 800 thousand to get the job done. 

I think we can lower our standards, make this personal and help her out.

What do you think?

Bluegoose sat quietly, making a conscious effort to not let his anxiety show.  He had been so careful to cover his tracks and was a little shocked when he was asked to come to Las Vegas for a meeting.  Even more shocking was the file this woman had on him.  Rosaleen was definitely someone with connections and that could be deadly.

He had ran across many beautiful women, but not many that exuded this much confidence.  Rosaleen was clearly in control of the situation and Bluegoose found that unnerving.  For the past 10+ years, he had been a deadly voice on the phone and now he was rattled to the core.

Drug dealing was just business in Bluegoose’s world, but the overdoses were alarming.  Unwanted attention by law enforcement investigating the cause of the overdoses would definitely impact drug trafficking.  There was probably a hit out on this dealer already, knowing the Mafia Boss in Las Vegas.  No one upsets the drug trade in this town without consequence.

Realizing she expected an answer, he swallowed and took a deep breathe before responding, “I’m not into sob stories.  Doesn’t pay the bills.  And what I do doesn’t allow any room for sympathy”

Seeing a flash of anger cross her eyes, Bluegoose knew that this struck a cord.  He asked himself “What was the relationship between Marie and Rosaleen?”  Making a mental note to have this investigate later, he continued

“You apparently know what I do.  The drug dealer fits my skill set.  But scaring a police officer doesn’t, unless you want him dead!”

Rosaleen open the cabinet took out a bottle and poured Bluegoose a shot of whiskey, that's the only drink she had there.

I understand your concerns.

 Marie Fraedo is a very honest woman.  I've patronized her restaurant many times.  My father loved her place.  She doesn't want anyone dead.  That's why it's a little personal for a lot of concerned people in the community and as to why she has secured the 800 thousand.  I know it's not that much to you and I but it's her life savings and a lot of good contacts.  She wants to get from under the grasp of this detective or whatever he is. She had been paying him monthly for years and no one knew anything.  Plus he is the one backing the drug dealer.

  Killing the dirty SOB is my sentiment also.  But it's not what my clients want.  To them, he is more valuable alive than dead.  They will be able to use him for any type of information they need.  They want to own his ass.  They want you to place a gun in his mouth or hang him over a high ledge by his ankles.  They want you to show him the information on his wife, children offshore bank accounts and the works.   They want him to know that a professional can get to him anytime anywhere.

I went to the file cabinet and pulled out another envelope and emptied it on the table. Small packages of heroin fell out.  Each package had the word Gold written on them.  This shit is killing people.  As far a the drug dealer he got a taste of his own medicine.

Now if you don't want to get involved with the cop I understand.  But just think, down the line he might become of some use to you also.

Reflecting back to his childhood and remembering how his mother had struggled to keep the family diner up and running after his father had passed away, Marie Fraedo's plight tugged at his heart strings.  In his mind "This is just the type of situation that got you in trouble last time.  Following your heart vs keeping it all business.  And the dead don't shoot back or throw you in jail"

Watching Rosaleen walk over to the cabinet and pulling out the decanter of whiskey, Bluegoose could not help but admire the grace in which she moved and the curves that promised so much adventure.

Taking the glass of whiskey and continuing to listen to Rosaleen attempt to convince him to take the job, Bluegoose took a large sip of the fiery liquid, hoping the burn down his throat and into his chest would calm his nerves.

"Rosaleen, if I do this, it will be done my way.  I won't kill him, but I won't show him my face either.  As for the money, half to be deposited before I start this operation and the other half upon completion.  My terms....Take it or leave it!"

Rosaleen watched as @Bluegoosse took a drink of the whiskey.  She was hoping that maybe the warmth of the drink would calm him and he would be a little less apprehensive. She wanted him to see the bigger picture of the relationship she was suggesting.

There are two parts to the operation I have here.  The first is the hiring and training of cleaners.  The cleaners duties are to get rid of evidence like bodies, blood, weapons, fingerprints, in order to hide the proof or notion of the crime. That part of the operation is running smoothly and the only involvement I  have right now is interviewing and screening potential recruits.

I am known and respected as a Fixer.  This part of my operation required the most trusted. Sometimes these cases need to be handled with the utmost confidentially. People do stupid shit that requires them to be taught a lesson.  Sometimes people need to be persuaded to be more reasonable. Sometimes it’s a drug dealer killing people with a bad patch of drugs and a cop backing him.

I am looking to establish a  partnership here. You will be paid in full before you start the job.  I have the utmost confidence in you to handle the job.  How, when and where you handle the job is entirely up to you.   There will be cases where we just need a hit.  Again you will be paid in full up front.   I want to illiterate that this case is a little different.  My clients need this guy in the system.  I know how you want to keep your identity secret, but they need someone to put the fear in this guy.  They want this guy to know at any time they can get to him. Plus the fact they don't need the extra heat of a police officer missing.   Now if you can accomplish this without this guy knowing who you are, but let him know you have the means to take him out at a blink of the eye that's cool with me.

I never take a case that doesn’t feel right to me.  In fact, I have turned down a few that didn’t meet my standards.  Pure revenge and greed are not one of them. And I don’t try, I make sure I have the most reliable, trusted people to handle the job.

Although this isn’t a big money situation I assure you that down the line they will be more lucrative and rewarding. 

Rosaleen had to laugh at herself.  Here she was asking a hitman to have mercy on a target. She saw that Bluegoose was starting to relax a little.  She hoped he would understand and come join her as a partner in her organization.

Rosaleen had to need to also clear the air

Also, the operation will only know of you.  I guarantee you your identity will never be exposed by me.  As you see in your files people are inquisitive about your expertise and haven't gone unnoticed. Although there's no concrete proof your name for some reason is in the mist.  My clients won't know you are working with me.  They only will need to know the situation is under control and if anytime this man becomes a threat or his services are needed they will be provided.

I just need you to understand this.

Bluegoose watches Rosaleen as she lays it all out on the table.  Bluegoose has done many jobs for the families in Las Vegas and they have always ran a tight ship.  Based on the confidence that this LHM is showing along with the understanding of what it takes to keep illegal activities in line, there is no doubt that it comes from the top.

Thinking to himself, Las Vegas has always been a challenge with the ever changing landscape of the mid-level players.  Having the advantage of local family knowledge and connections would prove to be invaluable in future ventures.   Taking another sip of the whiskey.

He states "Okay, I'll play.  I'll make sure Mr. Holt get's the message that Maria Fraedo is off limits" Finishing the last of his whiskey and tapping on the file of Robert Holts "and I'll need this".

With a hardened look and staring directly into Rosaleen's eyes, "You've given your commitment to keep my identity hidden.  I'd take it very personal if you didn't keep your end of the bargain.  There may be no honor among thieves, but honor between a Hitman and their associates is the only thing that keeps both parties alive."

Wonderful, Rosaleen said as she slammed her hand on the desk.   She knew it would take some time for Bluegoose to fully trust her, but knew it would come in time.

Let's get to work.  Now also remember that we need Holt to understand he is now on our side.  That anything we might need of him, he is willing to provide.  His life depends on it. 

Yes, you will need that file and I trust you will take good care of it. 

Like I said you can do this your way, your time.  She picked up the file on John “Rooster” Mooney and also passed that to him.

This matter is urgent.  We have to take this low-life off the streets.  He knows his shit is killing people.  We don't want to risk any more deaths.

Again she walked over to another locked cabinet and grabbed another envelope and handed it to Bluegoose.   It all there.

She extended her hand to him.   I am sure this is the beginning of a great relationship.

Looking down at the two files and then back at Rosaleen, Bluegoose asks "It's easy to have someone else do your dirty work.  But a true leader get's their hands dirty once in awhile.  You want me to trust you, then you have to earn it.  Maybe it's time for you get your hands dirty, pretty lady?"

Rosaleen had to laugh at what @Blugoose had just said.  She walked over to her handy files again pulled out a stack of about 5 files placed them in front of Bluegoose.  They all bored the red markings "DEAD"  These are "my" dirty hands. Never told you I was a saint.  I have never taken anyone one out that didn't truly deserve it.  There just came a time where I could afford to hire the dirty work off to some of the best.  Not that there won't come a time where I would need to get them dirty again.   My responsibility is to get the job done and protect those doing it.  If it wasn't for folks like me, you wouldn't have a job to do now, would you? 

Bluegoose walked out of Rosaleen’s office with two files under his right arm and mind racing on what just occurred in the brief meeting with the LHM of the Las Vegas family.  Nothing like jumping in and then asking how deep the water is afterwards! he told himself as he walked out the front into a warm and sunny afternoon just blocks away from the Strip.

Already having a plan in mind as he stepped into the cab and headed toward the hotel.  Putting the fear of God in Officer Holt would be one thing and killing a drug dealer would be another.  But combine the two and you had a winning combination.

Once back to his hotel room, Bluegoose began to review the files that Rosaleen had provided.  This lady was really thorough, or at least had someone on her staff that was really good at obtaining detailed information.  Focusing first on “Rooster”, the file contained detailed accounting of locations he had visited on a consistent basis, including favorite restaurants, possible girlfriends, best friends, and favorite barbershop.  Again, the detail of this report was really professional, something that Bluegoose was not expecting.  Even more impressive was the fact that they had identified the location where Holt and Rooster would exchange seized drugs and cash.  A grin crossed Bluegoose’s face on how easy Rosaleen had made this job.

Next he moved onto Officer Holt.  This guy was more corrupt that 90% of those in the mafia.  It’s one thing to work in the family and follow their “rules”, but it’s another to pretend to work for law enforcement and believe you don’t have to obey the “rules” of either the mafia or law enforcement.  And from the look of his bank statements, Officer Holt made a lot of money not playing by any rules.  All that was about to change.

Over the years, Bluegoose had learned patience when it came to studying someone’s behaviors.  He also found that the rule of three applied….See someone do something consistently three times and it was a habit that could be expected.  Over the next three weeks, using the information Rosaleen had provided in the file, Bluegoose watched the exchange of drugs and cash between the two marks.  Always happening in a rarely used banquet room at the back of a casino, the room only had half of the lights turned on at any one time as the other half was stacked full of tables and chairs.  Rooster would make his way through a service entrance and enter the room from the kitchen area while Officer Holt would always enter from a door leading to the main gambling area.  The drug dealer had a habit of always showing up early to count his money and have a relaxing smoke.  And that was his fatal mistake.

Rooster walked through the doorway, chewing on a piece of cheese he had stolen from one of the cooks in the kitchen and smiling as he hears “leave me alone you son of a bitch”.  Walking up to the table, he sets the heavy bag down roughly on the table, happy with all the sales he’s had lately.  With his mind drifting elsewhere, he never notices the black figure walk up behind him, slipping the garrote over his head and around his neck.  With a sharp pull, he’s yanked backwards off his feet.  In one quick motion, the garrote is wrapped around his neck a second time and he feels a knee in his back but the garrote is only tight enough that a limited amount of air can make it into his lungs.  Then he feels the prick of a needle sink deep into his neck and a searing pain as something is injected.  Struggling against the attacker and unable to get out a scream due to the restricted airway, Rooster freezes when an icy voice says in his ear "You caused the death of several with your trash drugs.  What comes around, goes around.  See you in Hell!"  Rooster begins flaying around even more violently as the drugs begin to enter is system.  With the sounds of the kitchen coming from one direction and the clinking of coins and music from the casino in the other, no one heard the drug dealer's futile attempts to escape death by his own tainted drugs.

Ten minutes later, Officer Holt walks through the banquet room door and sees a brown paper bag sitting on the table.  Thinking to himself, Shithead must be taking a shit, Officer Holt smiles to himself over his own cleaver thoughts.  The unassuming officer sets the bag of drugs down next to the brown bag.  Just as he does, a heavy blow comes across the back of his neck, knocking him to the ground.  Dazed from the blow, he rolls over to see a man dressed in dark clothes with a black mask covering his face.  In a daze Officer Holt begins fumbling for his gun when a booted foot lands a blow directly to his jaw, snapping his mouth shut and knocking out two of his front teeth.  Reeling in pain, the officer brings both hands to his mouth.  Bluegoose reaches down and grabs the gun out of the officers holster and says “Stay quiet and you live.  Yell out and you die….Your choice.”

Bluegoose continues “I have something to show you!” and grabs the jacket on the back of the officers neck, pulling him up to help him stand.  Continuing to hold onto the officers jacket, he leads him to the darker part of the room that has tables and chairs stacked and also a figure is lying on the ground.  As they approach, Bluegoose stays behind the officer and comments “Recognize your friend”  The officers eyes are adjusting to the dim light as he recognizes his business partner of the last year along with a half dozen rectangular shapes spread out over the body.

The officer shakes his head in acknowledgement of the dead drug dealer. Bluegoose says “On your knees”.  The officer begins to sob and says “Please, don’t kill me.”  Bluegoose follows up with “This is your only warning, on your knees”.  The officer slowly drops down on one knee and then the other.  Bluegoose puts the barrel of the gun to the base of Officer Holt’s skull and leans in close and says in an emotionless voice “I know who you are Officer Robert Holts.  I know your wife is Angie Holt.  I know you have two children, David, age 9 and Beth, age 7 and that they attend Tarver Elementary.”  With this, Bluegoose smells the acrid scent of urine.  Continuing “I know about Maria Garcia, your mistress.  I know about your private apartment where you frequent with Maria.   I know about your checking account and savings account.  But more importantly, I know about your two other accounts at Paramount Lending.”

Listening to the man continue to sob, Bluegoose waited.  As the sobbing slowed, Officer Holt finally asks “What do you want?”  Bluegoose responds “This isn’t what I want.  This is what the Family wants.  The Family is the only thing keeping your children alive right now.  Killing you would be too easy.  But killing your kids and knowing you caused it would be something you and your lovely wife would suffer for the rest of your lives.  Understand”.  Continuing “Leave Maria Fraedo alone.  No contact from you or any other corrupt law enforcement.  Anyone applies a squeeze and one child dies.  I’ll even let you choose which one as you watch.”  With that the man begins to openly sob once again.  “Next, pull $200,000 from your private account and have it delivered to Maria with a note that says “My Father Loved Your Food, Love, The Family”.

“Ok, Ok…Just please don’t hurt my kids” muttered the stricken officer.  Bluegoose said “Do not turn around and stay on your knees.  Begin counting to 100 out loud.  I’ll be directly behind you with a gun as you count.  At 90, I’m going to leave.  Do not follow me.  And by the way, I would make sure and check the body before you leave the room.  And once you leave here, never return.  Leave the money and drugs right where there sit.  Do ANYTHING other than what I tell you and you'll be executing either David or Beth.  Now COUNT!”  The officer began to count.  At 43, he thought he heard a door open, but wasn’t going to move.  After hitting 100, he walked on his knees over to the body.  The rectangular objects on the dead drug dealers chest included a picture of the Holt Family matching one over the mantle of the fireplace; an individual picture of his wife, his son, and his daughter; a picture of Maria and him walking into his private apartment; and lastly, a picture of him walking into Freado’s Italian Cuisine with a large black “X” across it.

Just after arriving back at his hotel, Bluegoose placed a phone call to a private number.  A sultry voice answer on the other end.

“It’s done”

“No, should not bother Maria again”

“You’ll need to send the cleaners over to your casino.  Seems someone died in the back banquet room”

“Yes, I COULD have done it elsewhere, but I wanted to test out your service”

"Oh yeah...Left you a present on the table"

Thank you, nice hearing all went well,  as Rosaleen hung up the phone.  She made another call OK Ladies and Gents let’s roll, the Queen of Hearts Casino, the back banquet room.

Rosaleen always makes sure there's closure to each of her jobs.  She rode with Bentley and met the crew.  Bentley left her in the car and went inside with the crew to do the cleanup.   It was only a matter of minutes before Bentley came back to the car and sat down.  Don’t know who he is but the boy is good.  They sat and watched the others place a body in the car trunk.  As planned they would deliver the drug dealer’s body to the parking lot of Fraedo’s Italian Cuisine. 

We followed them and WC followed in a car behind us.

Luckily it was just getting dark, the restaurant parking lot wasn’t full and there weren’t any people lingering around.

When we arrive Fox got out went and secured the front door of the restaurant.  No one was to come out.  At least not yet. Bentley and I drove up behind him while WC stopped at the very front of the parking lot, blocking the entrance.

They took the body out of the trunk and laid it on a picnic table in the courtyard.

I got out of the car, walked over to the body. I would still see the needle that was placed in his neck.  I placed 4 empty bags of the heroin that were marked GOLD on the drug dealers chest.

What a waste. You died by your own medicine.

We went into the restaurant and sat down to a nice dinner waiting for the body to be discovered.  About ten minutes later a man ran in yelling there was a dead body on a table outside. The police and arrived.

By the time we had finished our dinner the police and ambulance were outside investigating the scene.  I walked over to one of the officers to ask what was going on and to my surprise, it was none other than officer Holt.   

He told me that there had been some bad heroin on the streets killing people and he thought this guy might have been the drug dealers.  Really, I guess when you do fucked up shit it catches up to you. Looks like he died from is own medicine.   I guess he had it coming to him.  My comment caught him off guard and he just shook his.   Well, Marie Fraedo is very upset about this.  You know her right?  I didn't wait for an answer.  I don’t think she needs anyone questioning her about this incidence.  She knows nothing.  A little birdie told me you would be very accommodating.  You know where I am coming from.  I gave him and look and walked off.

We made our way back to the office.  As we were sitting at the table Fox place a heavy bag on it.  There must have been over 200 bags of that same shit labeled GOLD on top of over 8 thousand in cash. 

Your mystery man must have left this for you.  They all laughed.

She pushed the drugs to the side Get rid of this shit. She places the money in another envelope and had it delivered to Marie Fraedo.

She placed a call to a private number. 

Thank you received the package you left behind.

Yes, it was really sweet of you.

I had the cash delivered to Marie Fraedo.

Yes, she could really use it.

Right he was found with the needle still in his neck. 

Correct,  he got your message loud and clear. I think he will be very cooperative from now on.

You’re good @Blugoose.  Goodnight will talk soon.