Noticing things finally moving along and the two men likely not to pull out their guns on account of Sonny hopefully being summoned, Kaleb turned his sights to the food. Who knows how long the waiter would take and in turn the proprietor to turn up. And who even knew if that would happen. Maybe they'd get choppered by a Tommy Gun. Maybe this waiter didn't know how to make a fucking milkshake. If the worst did come to pass, Kaleb wanted to at least die with some dignity. And a bit of food in his stomach and some spaghetti sauce on his chin.

Picking up a fork, he dug into the food. He wasn't as messy and crazed like Jakob, but Kaleb did have the same ability to forget his surroundings when challenged with a good meal. And boy did he like a challenge. He began slower than Jakob, but had every intention of finishing what was before him. Sonny best take his time, Kaleb would've thought, if he didn't have meatballs bouncing around his head.

"What do you mean you got a gun-toting maniac and a guy who is as suave as Apollo himself, well, this I gotta see. I'll be there in a couple of minutes, treat them well. I don't want any problems with violence when I get there..."

Sonny Lombardi was many things, but a man who was rushed was not one of them. It seemed that two of the three stooges decided that he was going to become the next act in this play of theirs, he decided to indulge them and see what he could do. He looked off to the side, noticing a briefcase filled with cash, possibly from the last Dice game that had been played.

"Eh, Bobby and Bianni. Let's go, we gotta go to the Bistro, seems we got some visitors that want to play a nice game of catch with us. While I manage the chucklefucks, I want you to handle the crowd, reassure them that everything is fine and offer them a couple meals on the house, we can sure as hell cover it."

With that, The Lombardi Crew walked out in complete unison, all dressed in black and following their Captain, Sonny. Knowing that he had some real business to take care of. He entered the Lincoln, waiting for them to drive off, as he wondered, what in the blue moon did these guys want? He was one of the good ones...

Sonny's Bistro

Walking into the Bistro was Bobby and Bianni, they scanned the room, before noticing the obvious detective and his....friend, something about them seemed entirely comical in its own sense of the word, but they had no time for that and worked on crowd control...

Sonny walked in, looking to the waiter, who looked back at the table with the detective and reporter, both of whom, were stuffing their faces like they were in their own personal eating contest.

"Heh, it seems that they enjoy our Spaghetti and Meatballs, good to know. It's always been a best seller..."

Sonny walked over, grabbing a chair and making sure the back of it faced the Detective and Reporter, as he sat down, facing them with a gleam of mischief in his eyes.

"So, which one of you is Twiddle Gun-Waving Fucker and the other, well, a lustful beast as I've heard rumors of the infamous Jakob Smith in the Underworld..."

Sonny did his best to not notice the twitch that Jakob gave, it was obvious that he was not comfortable with the past of his father being brought up like it was a common newspaper report. 

"I'm the gun-waving fuck you!" Kaleb said, flipping his plate off the table into Sonny's face, then grabbing him by the shirt and forcing him off the back of the chair, slamming him against the floorboards.

With Sonny reeling, Kaleb quickly removed his gun from its holster and started aiming it at the two nosey pricks who'd been eyeing them off all visit. And that's what they thought they were here for, just a friendly visit, and now they got a couple of goons and a handful of thugs all here to have things end in a peaceful way? Not likely. And Kaleb was now making sure of it.

Whether they drew or not, it didn't matter now. The detective and the reporter were now in control, having taken them by surprise. Kaleb was just hoping Jakeb would be able to assist in some way. The other unoccupied two weren't exactly looking all hugs and kisses about it. One had flipped over a table and was getting ready to defend his position behind it as the other rushed towards Kaleb.

"Well...I would say nice to meet you, but it seems Twiddle Gun Waving Fuck as you called him has taken offense and you won't like Kaleb when he takes offense."

Jakob stated with a cold voice, this was unlike him, he was a rather easygoing person who would be able to see the situation they were in and yet, the way Sonny had entered with more men than necessary had ringed a bell in his head and he knew that he had to press the advantage they had in this situation.

"Gentlemen, might I suggest you take a step back? One more...and my partner who is the Gun-Waving lunatic may just have to pull that trigger. Only what would happen to you? Failing to protect the Captain of The Barreli Crew? All it takes is for Kaleb to switch his aim and its goodbye Sunny Days. Only then, when Antonio Barreli finds out, I wonder what punishment he has in mind for all of you?"

He stated with such a blinding smile that someone on the outside would believe they were having a conversation about the weather, yet something much sinister was happening inside. 

The Mobsters under the employ of Sonny had moved back with a growl, placing their guns back in their holsters and placing things back where they were. Only many of them looked to Jakob with narrowed eyes, he knew about them, yet he never said anything, he knew about them from the beginning, why go through this? Hopefully, they would find out.

"Mr. Lombardi, as you see, we are a Reporter and Investigator, and it seems you have heard of me. As I have also heard of you..."

Jakob walked with confidence, holding his head high, he leaned against the wall. He looked to him now spilled spaghetti and meatballs, looking to Kaleb with narrowed eyes, before shaking his head.

"Now, Kaleb. Would you be so kind as to place the gun away?"

Everyone knew then that it was not a question, but it was a demand and yet, there was a stare off, who would fold between the Investigator and Reporter?

Kaleb scoffed as he slid the revolver into its holster. Jakob was good, real good. His words usually got through to their intended audience. Sometimes they didn't get the desired results, like that time in Chicago a few months back. But in all, he was the calming voice of reason to Kaleb's fiery provocations. And it seemed, for at least this moment, the diner wouldn't end up needing bullet casings swept up after dessert.

Standing and straightening his jacket over his gun, Kaleb then shrugged and clasped his hands together, standing firm, eyeing off the two goons.

"Sometimes you just gotta, you know..."

Kaleb lifted his hand, pointing a make-believe gun at the two, finger banging once at each.

"Take out the trash."

One of the men wasn't taking too kindly to the gesture, flipping a chair over and attempting to move towards Jakob's infuriating associate. The other, grabbing the man by the arm, held back his advance.

"Leave it, you two." Sonny chimed in, who was now brushing himself off after standing to his feet. His command had the more heated of the two swat the other's arm away before pacing towards the door.

"These men are only here for a chat, right?" Sonny queried with a tone of one confidently asserting the answer within his question.

"What else?" Kaleb replied before air kissing a taunt to the more chilled of the two heavies, the only one still at the table Kaleb initially spotted them at when he entered the eatery.

With Sonny now on his feet, one of his goons likely going outside for some fresh air and the waiter really keen to get those cannoli's to safety, now was the time to press forward and ask questions. Kaleb took a comfortable position, leaning his ass against the table, awaiting Jakob to continue doing what he did best. Charm the pants off of someone.

"Mr. Lombardi, we came here to ask you a couple of questions. It is regarding one Trian Fell, worked for Gavin And Tara Byrne at the docks. Now, he commits suicide. We believe that might not be true, we believe that foul was involved and it was made to look like an accident."

Jakob stated in his now regular tone of voice, it was almost like a calm breeze flowed through the bistro, everything was calming once more and becoming a much more stable place. Something that Jakob worked well in, although he knew that he wouldn't be able to get anything out of the Mobster, he was trying to gauge his reaction, see how he would react to this. 

"Yeah, I know of him. Come in 'ere a few times a week, looking to score big and on the occasion he did, but we all gotta lose sometime, eh?"

Jakob shared a discreet glance with Kaleb, the way that he answered was almost silky, too easy, like it was practiced. He also mentioned that he had known of him, but never meeting him directly. Which must have been a lie, considering that Sonny would have to be here, due to his Father, Jakob gained a passable knowledge on the Mob. 

"Heh, you know of him? I'm surprised you never played a game or two, some of the guys you work with come here often? I've heard a few of South Philly's came in for a dice game or two..."

Jakob casually put in there, he could tell that Sonny knew nothing. Only he did gain some information, it was the fact that Sonny knew Trian came here a few times per week. Almost like he had him monitored, he casually nodded, before he listened to the answer that Sonny gave.

"Well, Trian was not one of the most popular guys around here. He had a few run-ins with Gino, but otherwise, people kept off the High Roller."

Jakob nodded, before brushing his hair back with his hand. His eyes beginning to roam the bistro, only then he caught the eyes of a waitress, who was looking at him with reddening cheeks, she had quickly averted her eyes, while Jakob smirked, he may have just found a possible lead...

"Well thank you, Sonny, Kaleb, is there anything else you want to ask?"

Jakob stated this without even sparing a glance towards his partner, he kept his eyes on the waitress, never once straying, admiring her with his piercing eyes that were said to be the object of many woman's desires, besides his prowess in the bedchambers.

"Yeah.." Kaleb said as he lit a cigarette.

"Can we get those cannoli's to go?"

---

Sony's had been a real mess. Well, a neat mess, considering. Kaleb and Jakob worked well together. Complimented each other's weaknesses with their own strengths. Kaleb was rough, blunt, and somewhere along the line wasn't taught how to ask questions. They weren't even a second thought. He went full steam ahead and whatever was to come of it, they'd handle it, which would be either one of the two ending things in their own way. Kaleb's words were more bullets ricocheting off things, though.

With the information from Sonny's pointing more and more towards what the partner's in crime-solving already knew, the next stop was obvious. It would hopefully tie this story up. Well, at least change the cause of death and allow more man power to be put into turning over more stones and potentially shooting up more diners.

The car screeched to a halt outside the St. Frances Xavier Hospital. After turning off the engine and removing the key, Kaleb pointed at the doggy bag which was on the seat between them.

"You gonna have that?"

He was hoping the answer was negative.

"Well...yeah, you get one, I get one! You ain't getting two of those, like damn, no wonder you haven't got yourself a lady. Oh yeah, the next time you drag me by the ear in front of that beautiful woman again, I swear I will fight you..."

Jakob looked at Kaleb with a thin smirk, knowing that he truly did mean he was going to beat up the man that nearly caused them to be beaten to death in a Bistro that served amazing Spaghetti and Meatballs.

He looked outside the window, finding himself looking at the hospital that he had once gone to the event too, remembering the snobbish mobsters by the name of Joe Adonis, Ilaria Santoro, and the bastard himself, Alexander Knight. 

"Why the fuck are we here!? Do you even know what this place is!? It could be a front for these guys! Why!?"

Jakob was obviously rattled, clearly, he did not trust these guys and was ready to go to another for a Coroner's Report. Only it was this particular hospital and his obvious berating of its true intentions, he was not even ready to go face to face with the coroner, yet alone, a possible doctor or even Doctor Santoro herself...

"Okay....let's go somewhere else, I ain't going inside that place..."

"Well, you can stay here and untie your knickers then. But we gotta get this report." Kaleb said as he swiped the bag into his possession and quickly exited the vehicle, taking both cannoli's with him.

One was already out of the brown paper wrapping and being chomped on before Kaleb even set foot inside the main doors. His short lived meal needed some kind of respite, and this gem of a filled pastry treat was a nice substitute. With cream on his chin, Kaleb looked up at the departmental board.

"Bloody 'Ell!"

Jakob rushes out, quickly catching up to Kaleb as he snatches the bag out of his hand, wanting to keep his own Cannoli. He noticed that the building was rather nice, even for a Mobster, it seemed that Ilaria Santoro had gone all out for this, he let out a small whistle, impressed, but not allowing it to cloud his judgment. He looked to Kaleb, noticing that he was looking at the departmental board with a curious gaze. 

"One would think the board was a woman and you, the lustful beast the way you're eying that thing like its a pint of beer."

Jakob laughed, before removing the Cannoli from its packaging and taking it apart as he tasted it, his eyes closed in joy, almost like he was enjoying the carnal pleasures, but he quickly shook his head, knowing that he was on the case. He looked at the departmental board, before shaking his head, looking to his partner with a thin smirk.

"Where to Partner? I got time and if I can find a Lady here....to examine me, then that makes this trip all the better, besides solving the case."

Kaleb shook his head. Jakob's words were no doubt intended to be a reflection of his own personality, he thought, as he eyed over the departmental board. His finger traced the various sections from a distance as he read down them...

First Floor - Hospital Reception/Emergency Department/ Administrative Offices
Second Floor - General and Specialty Practice Medical Offices/Staff Lounges
Third Floor - The Alexander Knight Ambulatory Care Center
Fourth Floor - Surgical Suites
Fifth Floor - Women's Care Center/Labor & Delivery
Sixth through Eighth Floors - Patient Rooms and Intensive Care Unit
Ninth Floor - The Midas Center for Addiction Treatment
Tenth Floor - Psychiatric Ward
Basement Level - Morgue

"Basement Level." Kaleb said as he glanced over at the fountain where a large stature of St Francis Xavier caught his attention.

The hospital was ten stories tall and the reception area he was glancing towards just behind them was once the infamous Famiglia Medico Cura. Kaleb was looking for any signs of someone tailing them from Sonny's. You just never knew in this life. They also didn't exactly make a peaceful appearance there. In contrast, it was one notch shy of a cluster fuck of mayhem.

"Come on."

With a glance at Jakob, who seemed to be enjoying the sweet delight a little too much, Kaleb shook his head before nodding towards the elevators either side of the framed directory that listed each department and what floor you'd need to visit to gain access. The morgue was their next stop. They needed to get a true autopsy from whomever worked there.

Even though this exquisite masterpiece in Philadelphia was the brainchild of Ilaria_Santoro, they both knew who'd be down there to greet them. Kaleb punched the button for the elevator which immediately opened the door on the right. Stepping inside with Jakob in toe, he then pressed the button that would send them a floor below, to basement level.

"You know he's going to do that thing he always does. Just, don't freak out, okay?" Kaleb said with a stern look as he turned his body to face Jakob.

The sixty odd year old Dr. Evan Ward was a bit of an asshole, in both their views. But for some reason he seemed to give Jakob a harder time. He was St. Frances Xavier Hospital's resident Denier.

After a short ride to the bottom the door slid open, revealing the Dr. had been standing there for who knows how long, already awaiting their arrival.

Dr. Ward crowed at the two men as they exited the elevator.

"You two clowns are late. I'm not getting any younger and I'd like to get out of this office before they have to bring me back as my own patient."

He waved them forward with a slightly gnarled, arthritic hand; the other gripping a hand-carved wooden cane.

"Come on, then. Can't keep the dead waiting."

He chuckled at his own joke and led the two men through a heavy doorway.  The air immediately became more frigid as they crossed the threshold.  He didn't bother holding the door for the two, either. They passed two bodies on gurneys which were covered in a white sheet up to their necks, leaving their white-washed faces exposed with pale, fixed eyes.

As they reached Dr. Ward's autopsy room, he turned and eyed Jakob, poking at him with his cane.

"You're getting fat, you know that?"

Jakob looks at Kaleb and then himself, back at Kaleb, and then himself. He tilts his head to the side, wondering if this Doctor had been buying some Marijuana from the local dealers that no doubt populated this...fine hospital. He looked back at the old doctor, wondering if this guy had a specific problem with him because according to his own personal brand of exercise, he filled out well. 

"Oh, what a pleasure it is to see you Doc, I've always wanted to visit you again, wondering where your assistant is, she was always nicer..."

He jabbed at the old man, pushing past him and his bloody cane, he looked back to Kaleb with narrowed eyes, promising him a world of pain if this did not speed up already. Jakob crossed his arms, turning around facing the doctor with a crooked charming smile that always made him appear ten times more handsome to certain people, right now? He was trying to use it to conceal his disgust at the man. 

"And also, Kaleb eats worse than me, Mr. Four Donuts and a large Hot Cocoa over there. How comes he didn't get any 'healthy' advice from the good doctor?"

He threw Kaleb under the bus, wondering if the Doc was going to take the jab and wound the detective's pride, as he wounded his, cause dear god, he was going to stop eating junk food altogether if he got one more comment from the man. He waited, looking at his partner with a look of, 'if my eating habits are getting questioned, I'm taking you down to the gym with me...'

Kaleb caught the door that the autopsy technician failed to keep open, smirking as he waved Jakob on in, who pushed through and past them both with gusto. His business associate didn't seem too happy with the verbal jabs being thrown by the old geezer. With a shrug of the shoulders, Kaleb let the door go and followed them in.

While Jakob went to work doing what he did best, flapping his gums, Kaleb took in the chilled room as he paced slowly behind. Pulling his overcoat closed tighter, Kaleb felt a shiver run up his spine. He'd seen dead bodies before but there was something eerie about being in the last place they'd be seen before being shipped off to be buried in a casket, or cremated.

This bitter environment reminded Kaleb of a dream, where he was standing before his maker being judged. There was a large fluorescent scale and with each passing memory of his life it would either grow darker or glow itself more illuminated.

Kaleb had a lot of demons to his name, a lot of regrets, and so with the ever darkening judgement and the memories that caused the scales to dim, it had him swimming in a nightmarish sweat before he snapped awake in a frenzy of cussing. It had been 3 months since. And each week he'd revisit that same dream at least once, if not more, depending on his alcohol consumption.

"And also, Kaleb eats worse than me, Mr. Four Donuts and a large Hot Cocoa over there. How comes he didn't get any 'healthy' advice from the good doctor?"

The feint sound of Jakob's blabbering was a whitewash to what was tugging at Kaleb, like a lasso had suddenly been tossed around his neck and was tightening, his need for a drink to loosen the noose was ever present. With a desire to quicken this up, the detective removed something from his inner jacket pocket and slapped it against the old man's chest.

Stepping away, he glanced at some files left out on top of a cabinet. He took one in hand and flicked through it nonchalantly as Dr. Ward looked at what he'd been given, a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth baseball card. Kaleb swiped it from the home of the deceased earlier and hoped the old man had some grandchildren he liked more than him and his inquiring partner. He was yet to fully inspect it himself, yet Kaleb knew the back of the card had an anecdotal and biographical write up in green ink, which even his partner in crime solving might be able to appreciate given his field.

"So, what have you, doc?" Kaleb asked, flicking through a file on one of the two stiffs they'd passed moments ago in the mortuary.