They were in a shabby motel. It was an old room on the third floor of an eight story building. It had a creaking door with rusted knob, walls with cracking paint, stained ceilings and dusty floor. The room had one bed, a chair and a small wooden table. It also had a bathroom that looked like someone got stabbed in it. There were stains that no known cleanser would be able to remove. Doc was sitting on the chair he placed right in front of the only window. He was staring outside, watching the busy street below him. Jim, an upstart thug in the family was lying down, clutching a revolver in both hands resting on top his abdomen. They were both hiding out after doing the job tasked by Nicholas. A turf war was on going and bodies were dropping like flies. Doc and Jim shot three bodyguards of the invading Crew Boss, Martin. They found the three drinking at Old Pete's bar. The idiots knew that the bar was owned by an associate of the family and still they went there. It was as if they were saying that they did not care nor were they afraid of local Crew that was headed by Nicholas. Doc was glad to shoot two of them while Jim caught the last one as he tried running for the door. They escaped as soon as the deed was done and now they were hiding out, waiting for their next job.

Jim, like most youngsters, was impatient. He was talking non stop. He kept asking Doc questions that the Doc only bothered to answer with a grunt. Doc didn't care about what Jim was saying and Jim didn't care if Doc was even listening.

Jim stood up, walked towards Doc then stood behind him.

"So how did you get involved with the mob? I mean you're a Doctor right? That's why they call you Doc." Jim then turns around and walks back towards the bed. He jumped back into it, springs squealed like it was hurt. Not waiting for Doc to answer, Jim continued, asking.

"How did a Doctor become a gangster?"

The question brought a smile into the Doc's face. If someone close to Doc would look at him right this moment, they would know that it was a sad smile. A smile that brought back old and painful memories. Doc reached out from his inside coat pocket and took out a picture of a young girl. The girl was 7 years old, she had long black hair tied in ponytail, wearing a white laced dress and she was smiling. Doc remembered the picture. It was taken on Christmas, 5 years ago. Doc then placed it back then stands up and takes his chair and places it near the wall. He takes a seat and leans back. 

"I'll tell you a story but promise me you won't interrupt. I hate being interrupted. Promise me you'll keep your mouth shut till I the end of my story." Doc tells Jim while he continued looking out of the window. 

Jim then sits up and raises his left hand. "I promise Doc, I won't say a word till you're done." 

Doc looks at Jim, then contented that he will keep his promise, Doc leans back and starts his story.

"I wasn't a gangster 5 years ago. I didn't think I would be one. So how did I become a gangster? Here's what happened."

The Surgeon

It was the early 20's. I was a young surgeon starting to make a name in my country. I grew up in the province and eventually made my way to the city. I was the second and youngest son of both retired teachers. When I started making money operating on patients, I was able to move my parents from the province to live with me in the city. My brother, the eldest in the family was in prison. He is serving 20 years for robbery with homicide. If I was the model kid, my brother was the exact opposite. He flunked out of college right after getting his childhood sweetheart pregnant. Then he worked in the local garage and got mixed up with the wrong crowd. Booze, drugs and women, he was rarely home. Kept me wondering why his wife put up with him. Everything was manageable with him till he and his idiot friends tried to rob the local bank. Since they were idiots, they didn't have a plan. The bank just took out all the money the night before they hit the place that morning. When they were trying to escape, a brave guard tried to wrestle of one of their guns then my brother shot him in the chest. They all got rounded within the hour. His wife left him right away, not even waiting for the sentencing. My mom and dad took his kid and now they are all living with me. 

His daughter, my Niece, her name is Clover. Yeah, like the lucky 4 Clover leaf. I adore that kid. She's the sweetest kid I've ever known. Even when I'm exhausted from doing surgery the whole day, I get recharged every time I come home. Hearing her laughter ringing through out the house was always music to my ears.

The Mayor

That was my life before all my troubles started. I was starting to get known in the city. I had a great surgical success rate. I took difficult cases turned down by old well known surgeons. One day, the newly elected City Mayor went to my office for consultation. He was troubled by abdominal cramps for three days. I told him he had Gall stones and that he needed surgery. I would need to remove his Gallbladder. The test I ordered confirmed my diagnosis. A date was set for surgery. 

Now, the Mayor, who recently got elected declared an all out war against drugs, prostitution and gambling. He has set the City Police Force to track and catch organized crime. He was formerly a prosecutor and he has sent a lot of gangsters to jail. He was loved by the masses but he had a target on his head. And because of this, he traveled with a group of police escort and a couple of army soldiers. As much as the gang leaders wanted him dead, they can't get near him.

Then about three days before the mayor's surgery, a man dressed in a suit approached me while I was getting in my car. I was on my way home after doing triple surgery that day. There was a major vehicular accident and I got tied up the whole day. The man was around 50'ish, about the same height and built as me (I was 5 feet 11 inches weighing 90 kilos). He carried an attache case in one hand, and took of his hat with the other.

The Catfish

He introduced his self as Harry Roque. He was a businessman representing a group of businessmen having common interests and they had a proposition for me. I told him that I was in a hurry that I would meet with him the next day in my office. The man smiled at me and handed me an envelope. He told me to read it. And before leaving, he told me that he hoped it was the last time I would see him.

The whole incident somewhat frightened me. I was tired, then a stranger comes to me and tells me he hopes it was the last time he would see me! Talking about lunatics! I tossed the envelope to the passenger seat and drove home. After having dinner and playing with my Niece Clover, I went to my den and poured myself a drink. I opened the envelope and spilled its content on top of my table. If I was a bit frightened with the whole incident meeting the strange man, now I was really scared. The envelope contained a folded letter and two photographs. One was a shot of my brother in prison and the other was a photo of my niece playing in my front yard. Trembling, I took the letter and started reading it. After finishing it, I slumped in my chair and felt all the energy drain out of me. The man I met was an associate of the local crime family, The Estrada. They controlled all the rackets in the city. The head of their family is Joseph Estrada. Former actor turned politician and now a crime lord. He was always in the newspaper. The government was trying to pin anything on him but he was sleeker than a catfish. That's what they called him, The Catfish. And because the new mayor was trying to show the masses that he would do good on his word to end organized crime, his main target was the Estradas

Getting wind of the planned surgery of the mayor, the Estradas wanted something from me....

"The mayor will not get out of the operating room alive or you would suffer the consequences." That was what the letter said. I didn't have to think what they meant about "suffer the consequences." The answer was staring in front of me. They sent me the pictures of my Niece and my brother.

My Decision

Now, I was really in deep shit. If I don't do what they asked of me, my brother and my niece would die. But if I decided to do it, it would surely be the end of my career. If it was only my brother, I would have let them have their way with him. Not that I hate my brother, I'm just being true to myself and I love my career. My work was my family's salvation. My family meaning my parents and my Niece. But because they threatened my Niece, I was now really confused on what to do. I don't need to ask anyone if the Estrada's would carry out their threats. It's all over the papers, anyone who tried to cross  them always ended up dead. They couldn't get to the mayor because he was heavily guarded. Another thing, they don't want to be directly identified in anyway to the death of the mayor unless they wanted the whole city to turn against them. Like I said awhile ago, the masses loves the mayor! So it was a no brainer for me. I had to give them their request.

The Operation

The day of the surgery came. I did all the preliminaries, talked to my team, talked to the family of my patient, gave them assurance. Then I talked to my patient, the Mayor. When the time came, the mayor was wheeled in to the operating theater and anesthesiologist worked on him. While I was scrubbing, I remember the oath I made after passing the board exams. It was the Hippocratic Oath. A line from the Oath kept repeating itself in my mind..

I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing...

I donned my gown, the scrub nurse assisted me then I went over to the operating table. The mayor was already out, drapes covered him leaving only the abdominal area open. He was already prepared for surgery. I asked for the knife and started doing my surgery. I can go into the whole medical jargon on how I performed the surgery but I will give you the short and simple narrative of what took place.

I opened the patient, took out the gallbladder, then accidentally nicked a major artery. Even after trying to contain the situation, the Mayor kept bleeding and went into shock.

At exactly 4:25pm, 25 minutes in surgery, I pronounced the death of the Mayor.

The Gangster

An inquiry was immediately done and an autopsy was performed. They found the nicked artery and all fingers pointed at me. But since it wasn't common in my country for one doctor to testify against another doctor's work, the criminal case against me was dismissed. But the National Medical Board took away my license to practice medicine. My license to preform surgery along with it. I saved the life of my brother and my niece, but my career was over. I was out of job and started drinking. I got so low and drunk even my niece won't come near me. I was happy to end my life at that time. Everything seemed hopeless for me. Until a friend came to me and offered to help. He told me to go to the States where I could start anew. My parent's encouraged me to do it. They were just sad to watch me waste away. They would rather see me go than to watch me die slowly everyday.

So with a ticket, I rode the ship, and went here. I started doing odd jobs. Since I didn't have license to practice here, all the medical work I did was illegal. Then Nicholas found me. I did a surgery to one of his guards who got shot in the the leg. He wouldn't want me to do it at first. He just couldn't believe that I came to do the surgery at his house wearing a shirt, khaki shorts and slippers. But seeing that his man was in pain and dying, he gave in and allowed me to operate on his guard. The surgery was a success. After that, he asked me if I wanted to work in his family, and I immediately accepted. Seeing how rich he was, how rich his associates were, I didn't need to think twice. 

"So that's it! That's how I became a gangster. " Doc then stands up, and looks out the window and spotted a black car approaching the motel. he recognized it as one of the family's vehicle. It was probably one of the Boss's men. Doc then turned to his associate and told him,

"Get ready Jim, I think our new orders are here."

Hours later, Doc and Jim was parked across the Lexington Hotel in S. Michigan Avenue. To look like undercover cops, Jim bought a dozen of donuts that Doc wouldn’t dare touch.

“Just too much sugar kid.” Doc need not say more, but Jim continued devouring it.

The new orders from Nicholas came that afternoon. The Young Outfit, together with the rest of the Chicago family were at war with an upstart Boss from Delaware who was seeking to take control of Chicago. Now, the Boss informed him that they found a weak spot. The invading family’s Boss, Martin, had a paramour and the lady was visiting Chicago. Rumours has it that Boss Martin usually has the lady tagging along with him anywhere he went. Upon hearing this, Nicholas had the train stations watched and when they saw the lady arrive, they tailed her right to this hotel.

“We have been watching her for three days. The scum (Martin) pays a visit at around 9pm then leaves exactly two hours later. It would be hard to hit him that time since he travels with all of his body guards.” Nicholas told Doc over the phone. Doc then asked how he would get to Martin since Doc and Jim didn’t have enough men and guns. Nicholas answered him,

“ Here’s the thing, you won’t hit Martin. You will be kidnapping her lady.” Doc was about to protest since he didn’t have any kidnapping experience when Nicholas gave Doc an important information. “An hour after Martin goes, his lady friend sneaks out and goes to the nearby park. We don’t know what she’s doing there, she just sits there for an hour or two then heads back to the hotel.”

Doc hated kidnapping. Things can go from clean and quiet job to dirty and messy murder, but orders were orders. So here he was now, staking out the hotel, with Jim and his donuts. They came early and spotted Martin and his men leave the hotel. Now, they were waiting for the lady to come out. Doc was planning in his mind on how to go about the present mission.

He was mulling over it when Jim asked him.. “Do you plan on getting revenge?” Doc looked at him, not quite getting what the question was.

Jim, seeing Doc’s puzzled face, he continued. “I mean, the Estrada’s destroyed your career. Don’t you want to get back at them?”

Finally getting what Jim meant, Doc relaxed then looked straight at the hotel entrance.

“Well, revenge is always in my mind. But I have something good going here. I’m making more money than I ever made being a surgeon. So...” Doc answered, not quite sure if that was what he really had in mind. He knew that getting revenge means going back to his country and leaving all of this behind. He has been sending money back home, and according to his dad from his last letter, they had a large house built back in the province and bought 10 hectares of farm land.

“But I’m sure you still want to get back at what they did to you.” Jim said, cutting into Doc’s thoughts. Revenge, it was something that made Doc going. It was the one thing that kept Doc living and sacrificing back when he arrived in the States. Back when he had nothing to eat. Back when he had no place to call home. And he was lucky Nicholas found him and gave him a chance at life. Now that he was back on his feet, he wouldn’t dare leave the family and all the money and comforts. Revenge was definitely in his mind but it was not his priority.

Doc then spots a lady coming out of the hotel entrance. She was alone. She was a small lady, around 5feet 2inches in height, small frame body and was wearing a black sweater with hood on and black jeans. She was walking slowly towards where Doc and Jim was parked. Doc noticed that the lady kept turning her head around. She was probably checking her surroundings. While watching her, the Doc felt something familiar with the lady. He felt something familiar with the way she moved, and with the way she walked. The lady was now getting near the car, and she will be passing them directly in a few seconds. Doc wasn’t worried that they would be spotted since the glasses were heavily tinted.

As the lady came nearer, her hood got pulled back by a gust of evening wind, exposing her face for a full second or two.

“DAMN IT!” The Doc exclaimed.

Jim turned to the Doc and said in alarm.. “What’s wrong? You’re pale as milk, are you having a heart attack?” Doc watched the lady pass their car, staring at her full face before she put back her hood and covered her head and face. She then proceeded to walk down the opposite end of the road before vanishing around the corner.

Doc then turned to Jim... “Talking about revenge, that lady was STELLA ESTRADA! That lady is the daughter of Joseph Estrada. The man who killed my dreams!”

Young Outfit HQ

Doc went straight to see Nicholas. He was mad as hell but he respected his boss and needs his permission. Jim phoned ahead that Doc was going to see the boss. And Doc was led right into Nicholas’ study.

”Why the hell won’t you wear shoes?” Nicholas asked, irritation in his voice. 

Doc was caught unaware with the question, his anger dissipating by the second. The Boss had that ability to diffuse tension. Doc resisted a smile then greeted his boss.

”I hope I didn’t disturb your afternoon. I just saw the...” Nicholas held his hand before Doc could finish. He takes Doc by the arm and gently leads him to an empty seat. 

“Sit down. Roberto, kindly give Doc a glass of brandy.” Nicholas ordered his bodyguard then takes a seat infront of Doc.

”I know why you’re mad and I know who that lady is. That’s why I chose you to do the surveillance.” He was smiling. Doc knew better than to interrupt his boss. If there was a reason why he was sent to observe the daughter of his enemy, Doc was sure the boss had a good one. 

“Take the glass, have a drink.” Nicholas leans back, crossed his leg, then  waits while Doc took the glass and downs it quickly.

“Here’s the deal Doc, Stella Estrada is secretly working for the cops. I want you to keep watching her, find out who else she’s been talking to. I know someone is selling us out to the cops and our rival family. Stella will lead us to them.” Nicholas watched and waited for Doc’s reaction.

Doc stands up and walks towards the window. Nicholas’s study was beside the house garden. Doc saw petunia’s, Zinnias and Marigolds blooming in different colours. He then faced his boss once again.

“I’ll do it. You know I will always follow orders. But please, when everything’s done, we get the info we need, let me shoot and kill her.” Doc said, eyes pleading with Nicholas.

Nicholas stands up, walks towards Doc then pats his shoulder.

”We will see....”

Three nights later, Doc was sitting alone in SouthSide park. Alone, meaning he didn’t bring Broli or anyone in the family with him. Two men walked past him, he recognized them as Heinz’s men. They nodded at him and continued walking towards the street. Doc replayed his talk with Nicholas in his mind. According to the boss, they had a rat in the family. Doc decided that catching the traitor was far more important than his revenge. Doc planned to get to Estrada through his daughter. Probably kidnap her, letting her old man know then pop her. Doc was thinking of ways on how to get revenge with the face of Estrada in his mind.

“I wondered when you would approach me.” A female voice spoke behind him causing Doc to stand up and turn, with one hand taking out his gun. But before he could, the owner of the voice held his arm firmly and in a sudden motion, made Doc sit, with his arm pinned on his side.

“Calm down. I know you’re alone but you don’t know if I am. Relax a bit Doc, let’s just talk.” The lady said sweetly then releases Doc’s arm. She was the same lady that Doc was watching for. The hooded lady that the Boss wanted Doc to keep an eye on. She takes her hood down then smiles at Doc.

“Stella Estrada, the daughter of the Catfish.” Doc pronounced every word with hate. He didn’t move a muscle, worried that she might have a backup hidden somewhere in the park. The lady then laughs, her head thrown back with her long black hair covering the back of the bench.

“So you do know me. I never thought Doctors would know a nobody like me.” Stella said, cocking her head at Doc.

“I will never forget your father, and your entire family.” Doc was still seething in anger, and his voice did not hide it.

“My father owes you. And I don’t work for my father. I never did even before.” She places her hand on his arms, but this time it was gentle. 

Doc turns slowly to face Stella. He remembered how beautiful she was in pictures posted in the papers. She was a high society gal who went along with the rich kids back home. Doc noticed that she has grown and had a slight maturity in her looks. She had the eyes of asian women, black and deep and her skin was light brown, much more like shining gold. She had a small nose and chin and a slim neck....

”You know it’s rude to stare at someone unless you’re admiring them.” Stella said.

The Doc the snaps out of it then looks at her eyes... “Well, you’re beautiful.” That was all he could say and there was nothing else he could add.

Stella then stands up, walks a bit then turns back and faces him.

”I know why you’re here and I want to help you. I’m not who you think I am. I have business here and it involves you. I work for the police back home and they want you to come back with me.”

They were both sitting in a motel room that Doc used as a hideout. He didn’t dare risk going back to Stella’s Hotel and bump with one of Martin’s goons. Stella continued her story while Doc opened the bottle of gin he bought from the receptionist. He filled two glasses then hands one toStella. He then sat down on the couch on the corner of the room.

“You see, I wanted to escape everything connected to my name. Everything that has got to do with my father.” Stella explained why she was here in the States.

She left her family with the small money she had been saving after working for a year as a secretary in a news radio station. Her father hated the idea of her working for the reporters. And her boss, a well known radio commentator didn’t trust her for being the daughter of a notorious mobster. Then she fell in love with a young cop. They were about to be married when he died in a vehicular accident or so they said. A police investigator by the name of Alfredo Lim talked to her privately and told her that her father was involved with the death of her groom. They found thatthe brakes of his motor bike was tampered.Alfredo wanted to get the Catfiah to pay for all his crimes but he didn’t have any evidence. And people wouldn’t talk to the police out pf fear. He then said that one man might.

He gave her Doc K’s name and present whereabouts. “Try to convince him to come homeand give testimony. He’s the key to the death of the former mayor.” The investigator told her.

So, She boarded a ship and crossed the vast waters for a month to reach the States. She was met at the docks by Martin and her goons. Apparently, her father had some connections in Chicago. He took her for safekeeping and not as a prisoner according to him while they waited for her father to arrive.

”Are you telling me the truth? Your father is coming to Chicago?” Doc asked then stood up and headed for the bottle of gin he left on top of the desser. He filled his glass again and walked towards the wall opposite Stella. He leaned there, deep in his thoughts while he was taking sips from his drink.

”Yes he is. And about your question who’s the rat in your family, I really don’t know. Although there was this one time that he asked his guards to take mout for a ride because a certain Gino was about to arrive for a meeting with him.” Stella looked at Doc then decides to drink her gin. She made a face when it burned her throat.

”Gino that fuck!” Doc realized that the Gino Stella was talking about was the cop he had on his payroll. Martin probably paid him more.Doc now knows what to do. He would get to Gino the crooked and the Catfish once he arrives in Chicago.

”What are you planning?” Stella asked her, with fear and worry in her eyes.

”First, I need to bring you back to the hotel before anyone notices you’ve been gone for long. I will need to talk to my boss.” Doc tells her, taking the bottle of gin and puttingback it’s cover.

”When will I meet you again?” Stella asked, still worried.

”Soon!” Was all Doc could say.