With his bags packed, Jack was loading up the last of his things to leave Philadelphia. He had spent enough time in this city and with an offer to head out West to Pasadena to continue working with the remnants of his former mentor’s family, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. So much of his life had changed since he moved here from Las Vegas, and it seemed for an instant that he was stuck without a direction to go until he had been reached out to by former members of Charlie’s crew. Jack packed his gun into the suitcase and left the keys to his room with the front desk on his way out of the building.

 “Thank you for the hospitality. I cleaned up for your people before I left,” Jack told the gentleman that attended the front desk for the building this morning. “Taxi!” He yelled, hailing a cab as he approached the street.

 The cab stopped next to the curb and the driver got out to help load Jack’s luggage into the trunk. Jack got in on the passenger side of the back seat and watched as they began to leave his familiar area of the city to get to the airport to take him home to Las Vegas on his way down to Pasadena. He was relieved that he would be able to stop home and see his wife before he was to head down to California.

 Once his plane landed on the tarmac, he was anxious to get out of the plane and get on the road. Once he made his way to the street, he found another cab, but took it immediately to a dealership. Now that he was on the West Coast again, it was time to get himself a car of his own. The lot was full of new cars, but he was drawn to a black 1931 Dodge DG Eight.

 “Can I help you sir?” The salesman asked.

 “I want this car. How much is it?” Jack asked.

 “$1135, sir. Or we have the two door option available for less if your a bit tighter on funds.” Jack smirked at the the last comment that the salesman made. He was in a cheerful mood despite his circumstances, but decided that he would toy with the man in front of him.

 “Do I look like I am tight on funds?” Jack was great at appearing to me infuriated by comments that were made without thinking. He could have stared though this man’s soul, but he decided that he would go easy on the man.

 “I-”

 “Don’t answer that. I’ll take this one. When can I take it out of here?” Jack wondered. The salesman handed him the keys and was prepared to send him on his way. After being embarrassed, he wanted to move on with his day as quickly as he could.

 “You can take it right now sir. It has a full tank of gas, enjoy your day.”

 Jack smiled as he drove the car off the lot and made his way to the outskirts of town to the apartment that he had rented for his wife while he was gone in Philadelphia. Before he could step out of the car, he saw that she was outside with some of the neighborhood kids. Once she saw his face in the car, she dropped the drink in her hand and was in shock. Jack shut off the car and then got out of the car.

 “Mackenzie,” Jack said. He tried to get more words out, but she had wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight once she had him in her arms.

 “What are you doing here?” Mackenzie asked as she swept her brown locks out of her face. “Whose car is this?”

 “It’s our car. I’m here because my work’s moved down to Pasadena. I want you to come with me. We can buy a house, be together again. You don’t have to live in this apartment anymore.” Jack explained to her.

 “Let me pack my things. We don’t have to stick around here anymore. I can’t believe that you’re here.”

 Jack was amused at her excitement to seeing him. Originally, they had thought that they wouldn’t see each other again for a few months. The circumstances may not have been the best, but seeing her smile lit up his world. She had the most infectious smile and the biggest blue eyes that he had ever seen, it was part of the reason that he married her. Their wedding had been small, with only her family being able to make it. It wasn’t five months later that he was off on his first job.

 The frantic packing made noise that carried through the entire apartment and Jack carried out each bag of hers to the car as she brought them out to him. Once she grabbed her last bag, she carried it herself out to the car. He admired her as she came down the stairs in her red dress, he was so lost in thought that he had nearly forgotten to open the door for her.

 Once Jack started the car, the kids in the neighborhood cleared out of the street. Pulling down the street, it was only moments before they began the trek out of Las Vegas and headed south to California. With his wife by his side, he lit a cigarette and focused on the long drive that was awaiting them.

 “Pasadena, here we come,” Jack said.

Six hours later, they pulled off of the main road and down a side street where Jack had arranged to rent a home for the two of them. The exterior wasn’t in the shape that Jack had imagine, parts of it needing some repairs, but as Mackenzie got out of the car, he ignored the repairs that would be necessary and was ready to go inside. Jack began to unpack the Dodge as she walked up to the door. Tossing the keys to her, she walked inside empty-handed and saw the wood flooring, falling in love with the look of the home.

“Have you looked at this house before renting it?” Mackenzie asked as Jack carried in two suitcases through the front door.

“Well, no, what’s wrong with it?” Jack replied, “Thanks for the help with your bags.”

“Where are your bags? Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with this house, it’s gorgeous. How did you find this place?”

“I made a few phone calls, found someone that could get a place set up for us. You know, somewhere just for us, no apartment with nosy neighbors listening through the walls.” Jack headed back out to get the rest of the luggage. Mackenzie stood by the doorway, admiring the sunset on this quiet evening. She would have to get used to the peacefulness that came with living in a house on a mostly empty street.

Jack was glad that he had paid for some furnishings to be delivered to the house before they got in. There wouldn’t have been much for them if he didn’t call in favors to get a couch as well as a bed to be sent to the house. He sat down on the couch and lit a cigarette, taking a break for a moment as his wife surveyed the rooms in the house. When she walked back into the room, she began to rub his shoulders while he tried to loosen up in the confines of his new home.

“What do you think of the place?” Jack asked. His eyes were closed, cigarette dangling out of his mouth. It was only out of exhaustion from the drive that he didn’t remove his suit jacket.

“It’s incredible. I’m a lucky woman, Jack.” Mackenzie smiled that infectious smile.

“I’m married to you, so who’s the one really lucky here?” Jack laughed.

“Such a charmer.”

“I’m gonna take you out this weekend. You wanna see a show?”

Mackenzie thought it over for a moment. She knew it was going to be an adjustment having her husband around so much more now that he was back over on the West Coast. Moving around the back of the couch to sit down, her husband was now looking at her, waiting on an answer.

“First night out in months together? You planning to do something big?” Mackenzie asked. Her wit was something that he had always admired as he enjoyed having someone that could give it back to him as well as he could dish it out.

“I figured we would go see what this town has to offer. There was plenty to do in Vegas, now we’re in a smaller town.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to get lost in a smaller town too, don’t fret about that.”

“The theater, Saturday night, what do you say?”

“I say, we better find me a new dress. I hope you bought a new suit while you were out in Philly. I’m not going out with you in that funeral suit.”

“Knew I was forgetting to do something before I left.”

"I might as well go now then, right?" Jack asked. Mackenzie nodded. He got up from the couch, grabbed his keys, and walked back out to the car. He started it up, but he was nearly blinded by the sunset shining in his face. As he pulled away from the house, Mackenzie began to unpack more of their things from the apartment.

A short drive from the house and Jack was down by the tailor shop. He parked on the curb and then walked into the tailors office. They were set to be closing soon, but Jack knew it wouldn't take long to be seen. As he walked in, the tailor came up to him by the door.

"Can I help you sir?" The tailor asked.

"Yeah, I'm looking to get a new suit. The wife, she keeps busting my chops about this one. Tells me that I'm set for a funeral."

"Who's funeral?"

"My own if I don't listen to her, I'm guessing."

"We will get you set up, no problem. Let me take some measurements, I'll have it ready for you, couple days." 

"You can do it that fast?"

"Absolutely. We are the best in town."

Jack followed the tailor to the fitting room and allowed him to take the measurements needed. The shop wasn't lavish, there was none of that typical California flair that seemed to be all over the city. It was a much more traditional looking shop, run by a man that was clearly proud of his craft.

"I'll be back in a few days to pick it up."

"Thank you for your business sir."

Jack left the tailor shop, heading down the street towards the flower shop. If he couldn't get anything else for his wife, at the least he could bring her home some flowers. She was peculiar for her love of daisies. He could never understand the adoration of a flower that signified death. Picking out a dozen, he handed the florist a couple dollars, leaving a generous tip. Jack set the flowers back in his car and contemplated if he should be heading anywhere else before he was to head back home.

A few days later, Jack had picked up his brand new, navy blue suit from the tailor shop. When he got home, he was putting it away into the closet while Mackenzie went throughout the kitchen, cooking the two of the breakfast from food that she had picked up at the market the night before. Preparing eggs for the two of them, she finished their meal with bacon as well as sausage. With a smile on her face, she placed the plates on each side of the table. Jack was sitting across from her, with the daises he had bought for her just a couple days ago between the two of them.

“Any big plans today, Jack?” Mackenzie asked. Taking the first bite of her food, she was pleased with the freshness of the food that she had bought.

“We’ll have to see what happens today. I know I need to go to downtown here soon, but we’re waiting on a tip before we make a move in Los Angeles.” Jack told her.

Mackenzie was pleased with these mornings where she was able to have meals with her husband, but she knew that not these mornings wouldn’t be possible every morning. Jack finished his meal quickly, not because he was in a hurry, but because he had become accustomed to the need to be ready at all times.

Once Mackenzie disappeared into the bedroom to get herself dressed for the day, Jack pulled on his black suit jacket. He grabbed a pocket knife off of the counter and holstered his revolver under his left armpit. Putting his hat on, he heard the phone ringing by the bedroom.

“Jack, dear, can you get that?” Mackenzie asked as she poked her head out. She was nearly finished getting dressed and had curled her hair. Jack understood, knowing that the call was most likely for him regardless.

“Hello?” Jack answered.

“Mr. Waltz, the time is now to move on L.A. We have confirmation. Leave as soon as possible,” The voice on the other end directed him.

“Understood, I’m leaving now. Mackenzie, I gotta go. I’ll see you tonight.”

Jack left the house and walked out to the Dodge sitting out in front of the house. He started it up quickly and drove off. It wouldn’t be nearly as far of a drive as he had to take for Las Vegas, but he still was in for a lengthy trip. As he pulled up to see the skyline some time later, he was in shock at how big Los Angeles was. It had been his understanding that the Western cities were small places, but had vastly underestimated what the size was.

Jack pulled up to the corner of 8th street Downtown. He could see a dimly lit alleyway ahead of him, hearing some clanging of trash cans and other debris coming from the back of the stores on the other side of the street. He turned of the car and lit a cigarette as he opened the door, getting out of the car and heading for the alleyway. The sounds got louder as he approached and in the distance he could see two men in a fight on the ground. Continuing toward them, they paid him no attention, if they had, Jack likely would have changed his approach to this situation.

“Get off of me you lousy bastard!” One man said. As the other man got up from the pavement, Jack instantly recognized him. This was the man that had helped him on the warehouse job for Charlie back in Philly.

“What’s going on here?” Jack announced himself.

“This guy, Allan Pippins,” The man answered.

“This is Pippins?” Jack asked, pulling his gun out and holding the man on the ground at gunpoint.

“What are you doing? He’s mine.”

Jack smiled briefly while Pippins backed himself up against the brick wall. He looked over to the other man, remembering the help that he had been in Philly.

“I got the call to come out here and take care of him myself. Seems like you got a lot of enemies, Pippin. Jack Waltz, what’s your name?”

“Al Marazo.”

Jack pulled out an envelope from his left breast pocket of  his suit jacket and tossed it over to Al. He saw Al’s amazement as he opened the envelope and noticed how much money was in it. There was more than enough to recoup his losses in coming across the country.

“Work for me, we can take this guy out, and then you get a little more action down the line. You won’t have to worry about chasing people down for money.”

“This isn’t about money.”

Jack shrugged and pulled the trigger, sending a bullet straight into Pippin’s chest. Jack watched as the man collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest. The blood pooled around him, spreading the longer he lay there, motionless. Al walked over to him, grabbed his wallet, and returned to Jack. Jack put his gun away and they began walking to the car. Al wasn’t shy about getting into Jack’s car and once the car was started up, they backed off the street, driving towards the road back to Pasadena.

“Why were you after him?” Jack asked.

“He’s been going after people down here in L.A. The last person he went after was my brother. Killed him in his apartment, burned his car, and then decided he was going to send me a piece of him,” Al answered.

“You ever been to Pasadena?”

“No, but if you need help, I’m there. I’m sure I’ll enjoy a smaller city.”

“Sounds great. Welcome along.”