***
54 years old
Two weeks later

Tara glanced at the gold letters on the black sign hanging on a brick building in Penn's Landing.  'Shots' was the name.  It was cute, the double entendre was clever and worthy of Oriana who was brighter than she allowed for.

Reaching out to the door handle she entered the building.  Her hair was hanging long down her back, overtop the long coat which Ori had given to her in what felt like another life - back in New York.  Beneath she had a single gun, the pistol which Ori had taught her to shoot using, and on her calf, her grandfather's knife.  To keep the chill at bay she had a long sleeve turtleneck and jeans.  

Her expression was serious as her eyes scanned the floor, looking for Oriana.  Not seeing her immediately, she made her way to a table in the back.  "Hey,"  She smirked devilishly at the pretty waitress.  "I don't suppose you could snag me a cheese and olive plate from the back?  Also a shot of Irish whiskey and beer.  Thanks, sweetie." 

Leaning back in the booth she spread herself out like a queen.  Her arms draped across the back of the seat, crossing her legs.  It was a cozy place, the sort that she could see herself just spending time in.  It has a jukebox, which was nice, she made a note to herself to bring coins next time so she could listen to something peppy.

Today though, she pulled the newspaper out from under her coat and looked at it again.  Herbert Caruso had worked on her father's payroll.  He owned the butcher shop where she'd killed Brigitte's mother.  He knew a lot, but no one would have known at a glance.  It was why Billy kept him around.  That his name even made the paper was a shock, only because of the brutality of his death had it been a footnote at all on page eight.  Someone had bashed his head in with a meat tenderizer.  It was vicious.  It was brutal and made him the second death in less than a week that she could tie to her family.  Had Herbert been prepared to turn on the Kings County operation?  

She sighed.  More questions than answers, unfortunately.  Hence why she was here... to talk to Ori about them.  She looked up as the waitress brought her drinks and food.  She tipped the girl and then looked around to see if Ori had wandered in yet.  She didn’t see Oriana but she did manage to realize the bartender was staring at her intently.  She smiled at him, picked up an olive and popped it into her mouth trying to figure out if he was glaring or gapping.  Maybe he was checking her out?  

Eric did a double take as he walked out from the back and saw the girl in the booth. His mind was sit so quickly with so many thoughts that it seemed to just turn into a white hum- a whiteness that matched his skin as the color drained out of his face. He made his way over to her slowly, like a man stalking a beast that could disappear with one wrong move. 

Tara watched him crossing the room.  She could see the old man looked a little pale, but older men did sometimes.  Still, that gaze, there was something more to it than the usual admiration that men gave her.  It was as if he was searching her, trying to decide if he’d met her before maybe? She’d seen that a few times, people who had known her mother in her youth and this was Philly - it was possible this man who was probably her mother’s age or a little older knew her?  Tara held her tongue, waiting to see what he’d say.

When he reached the table, Tara could see there were tears in the man’s eyes. His voice croaked two half-whispered words, “Rora… how?”

If she hadn’t been prepared for the mistake, her mother’s name would have been a solid gut punch.  Instead her smile only faltered a half-second before finding its way back to her face just as bright as before.  “If you didn’t work for Ori, I’d tell you that some names are dangerous… but since you do…” She nodded at the chair across from her; he lumbered into it, staring at her like he’d been concussed.

Softly, so not to shock the old man who had likely not seen her mother in many years, she offered, “Aurora Byrne… Aurora Mastrosimone-”

“What…” Eric interrupted. “Married? But… he was killed, decades ago. She…”

“No.  My mother didn’t die in the war here in Philly.  She got out. Her mother saved her and her brother.  Her husband too.” She sighed. “Gavin died a few years later.  My mom just a few weeks ago.” She offered her hand to the man. “I’m Tara.  Tara Mastrosimone though I’d prefer you didn’t throw that name around for a few weeks.  Things are still pretty tense.”

Gavin’s death and Rora’s death hit him all over again, and sent him leaning back in his chair.

“My God… Will. Did Will make it too?”

“You … you must have been out state a few months or something.  Um… Uncle Will was a Senator.”  She nodded.  “He um, was assassinated a few months back.  About a year ago now actually.  They’re all here in a cemetery not far away actually.  My parents now too.” 

“A senator. That kid… I…” Eric raised his hand to his mouth. “Then they’re all dead.”

“I’m sorry… you clearly knew my family.  What’s your name?”  she arched an eyebrow.  

“My name is Eric. Most people call me ‘E’ now..” he said, staring off into the center of the table like Tara had hit him with a two by four.

“Eric… hm.  The only Eric in mom’s journal… no.  I don’t remember… wait.  Did you know my Nona Bella well?  She knew an Eric!”  Tara’s eyes lit up.

Eric took a deep breath and nodded, trying and failing to process what he was hearing- and who was sitting in front of him. Of course, it was Bella’s… granddaughter. But it felt so strange. She was so young, beautiful.

And Bella and Rora were dead.

“Eric Dillion.”  she said, a question.  “Is that your name?”

He nodded. “I thought… I thought they were all dead.”

Tara gasped and covered her mouth.  She shook her head and reached into her pocket pulling out a wallet.  “Um… here… I have some pictures.”  She slid closer to Eric.  “This is my mom and dad.”  She showed him a photo of Aurora and Billy which they’d gotten taken on the boardwalk.  “It’s an older one but I don’t have many small ones.”

Eric stared down in disbelief. “I’ll be right back. I need a dr-” He shook his head, sitting back down. “Did you say your name was Tara?”

“Yeah.  I’m Tara.  Named from great aunt, but I bet you knew that.  You were around under her.  Hell… you would have been here for Great Grandpa Jack.”  she shook her head.  “You lived through Race Street.  You saw it all.”  She sighed.  “Incredible.” He still seemed shocked, but he was recovering. 

“I just… can’t believe you’re here,” said Eric. “When your mo-... when you’re grandmother died. I just… I thought they were all gone. I heard a rumor about Las Vegas once and Detroit another time, and I flew out there, but there was nothing…”

She flipped to another picture, which Eric just stared at, “This is Brigitte and Gavin.  They’re older than I am. Or…” she hesitated. Maybe Brigitte wasn’t older than anyone now.  “They’re older than me. I don’t have a photo of Jack and Izzy, their twins. Or Victoria, she’s the baby.  Oh god… or the colors, the four girls mom and dad just adopted before everything. Indigo, Azure, Cerise and Sage.  Eleven of us in total if you count Malcolm… Will’s boy. Mom and Dad had been taking care of him since Uncle Will passed.”

“My God. How old are you… what happened to Rora?”

“Well my parents were in Vegas.  Then Detroit. Canada for most of my life.  Then Chicago and New York. That’s… that’s where their luck ran out.”  She swallowed and looked down. “It’s still fresh… I’m sorry.” She swallowed and forced a smile.  “But they were together and happy and … well, I know mom would be glad I’m back in Philly.”

“I wish… I wish I could have seen her again.” He was quiet for a long time. “I’m sorry, kid… just a lot to take in. You live your whole life thinking one thing and then… here you are.”

“No.  I get it.  Especially considering how close you were to the family.  You were like… well family.” She smiled. “I can’t belive you’re here.”

“I was never that close, but I was lucky enough to serve them well.”

“Nona Bella loved you.”  she said flatly. “Believe me.  I know. You were dear to her … very much so.”

“You’re very kind, and I appreciate your words, but you can’t know that.”

“I can prove it… but it might embarrass you.”  Tara arched an eyebrow.

“I’m too old to get embarrassed.”

“Okay… on the drive to take your mom to the hospital, you kept looking at her thigh. She hiked her skirt to make you look.”  She smirked. “In New Orleans, she wished you’d kissed the place under that clasp or at least pretended it was too tough to open so you could touch her another minute more.  She knew how you felt… and then she felt horrible that she underestimated it. She thought you just wanted to… you know… 

“Okay. Take it back. I-”

 ‘...with her.  She had no idea that you loved her until that night in New Orleans.”  she was blushing but smiling ear to ear.

“Jesus God,” he exclaimed. “Never mind. I’m embarrassed.”

“Oh but don’t be,” said Tara.  “What a wonderful life you had… such adventures.” He shook his head. “I read everything.  Nona Bella was more detailed than mom about her feelings and thoughts.  I swear I feel like I know her better than if I had ever met her.”

“Will you… meet me back here tonight? Let me get my head on straight? I have something for you, too. If you’ll answer my questions… I’ll answer yours.”

“Yeah.  Of course.  I can’t believe Ori hired you… God what are the odds?  I’ll come back later.  I’m sorry for being such a shock to you.  I hope that it’s a good one though?”

“I can’t believe it.” He reached out and grasped her hand, then quickly released it. “... I thought you were a ghost at first.”

She leaned over and kissed his cheeks.  “Not a ghost.  Promise.  I’ll come back later.  Tell Oriana I stopped by, please?”

Eric was stunned. “She’s… she’s upstairs. In her apartment. Third floor.” He stood to leave.

“Are you okay?”  she was genuinely worried about the old man now.

“... yeah. I’ll be here tonight. Maybe… seven or so.”

Tara slid out of the booth.  “I’ll go up and see Oriana and meet you back here.  Remember, keep my name low key for now.  Most folks around here are calling me Madam M.”

He nodded, then walked outside with a look over his shoulder at her.

***

Tara hadn’t found Oriana upstairs.  She must have slipped out while Eric wasn’t looking but it didn’t stop Tara from picking the lock and going in for a bit.  She hung out, even played at holding Ori’s favorite pose on her bed for a while… of course, she never came in so it was time wasted.  Tara didn’t mind terribly. It was nice to see her place, unrestricted, without her there. A small window into who she was when no one was looking.

Time passed slowly and Tara even dozed off once for a short cat nap before waking up to the sound of a police siren going past the building loudly.  With a lazy yawn and stretch, Tara walked to the mirror in the bathroom and fixed her hair. If she squinted she supposed she could see the resemblance between herself and her mother.  She always thought Izzy looked more like her though, what with her amber eyes and all. Izzy was undeniably beautiful. She’d be a stunning woman eventually. Tara, well, she figured she cleaned up well enough and Ori seemed to like her so… that was good enough.

Locking the door behind her she went down the stairs, two at a time, excited to see Eric again.  There were few enough people who knew her family the way Eric probably did. It was exciting to think about having the chance to sit with him and pick his brain.  To hear first hand, the stories she’d read about all these years from a man who lived it. He had been there for all the best and worst of times and Tara was eager to hear everything.

Ordering another drink she settled into the same booth she’d been at earlier.  Watching the doors and the clock, she waited to see when her companion was going to arrive. At seven o’clock sharp, Eric walked in. He’d cleaned up- but only slightly. He was a tall man, barrel-chested,  in decent enough shape to be effective, but not necessarily to look good while doing it. Still, he had enough muscle on him that he’d still be a dangerous guy to meet in a dark alley. His face seemed rough and weatherworn, and he seemed like an old boxer- one who’d taken many hits in his life, but was still capable of hitting back. His hair was more salt than pepper, and while he walked easily over to Tara, he still winced as he lowered himself into the chair across from Tara.

He shook his head as he looked at Tara. “Still can’t believe this, kid.”

“Me either.  I’m looking at a legend.”  She smiled.  “I’ve been reading about you and the people who you knew for a few years now.  I assumed you were dead.”

“No legend. Just a guy who worked for them. And I was mostly dead for a little while, I guess.”

“Well, I don’t where to begin.  I suppose you have questions.  I’ll try my best to answer them.”  she smiled warmly at the old man in front of her.  

“If you’re anything like your grandmother, I expect that you’re going to have many more questions than I do.”

She chuckled, “I have my nona’s gift for gab, I’m told.  I’m not as eloquent as her, that’s Izzy’s area.  She’s… the spitting image of nona Bella if she had my mother’s eyes.  And she’s gifted with people.  Very gifted.”

“Izzy. Maybe I’ll meet her someday.”

Tara lowered her voice, “She’s 14.  Her and Jack.  I’ve got them laying low for a while.  We lost two of our siblings in the fight.  Maybe three.  I keep hoping Brigitte will reach out, but every day that passes …”  She sighs.  “Anyway, I’m sure they’ll come to visit me in Philly eventually.  You can meet them then.  I’ll bring them all by.”

“I’m sorry. Your family has dealt with more than their share of tragedy, but it comes with the territory I suppose. Meeting everyone would be… strange. But wonderful, in a way. I thought everyone had died...”

“Well, I’ve always understood that Nona Bella and Grandpa Gavin loved the idea of having grandchildren.  Gavin lived to see Brigitte get adopted and his namesake be born.  I never met him - he was shot before mom knew she was pregnant with me.”  She shrugged.  “I’ve always felt an attachment to him though.  I carry his knife.”

“He got shot fairly often. Bella, too. They just didn’t tend to stick. I’m sorry to hear that there was finally a bullet with his name on it. They were… lucky really.”

“He saved my mom’s life.”

“That’s the least surprising thing you’ve said tonight.”

“I like to think that even though he wasn’t the same without Nona Bella he lived to do that.” Eric nodded quietly as Tara continued.  “That maybe somehow he knew he had one more job to do… well, two if you count Uncle Volkov. Dad, it turned out, had a kid by a woman out west before he met mom and another out here on the east coast.  So I have … had… an aunt and uncle who were half-siblings to my mom.”

“Based on the stories I heard, that doesn’t surprise me either. Honestly, you’ve probably got at least ten more relations out there from before he met your grandmother.”

She laughed, “I hear he was a bit wild.”

“Putting it mildly. I heard he was worse than your mother, and we had to keep half the city locked down from all the times she ran off.”

“She did?”  she laughed.  “Oh Jack and Izzy would have killed for that information a few months ago.  They slipped their guard and ran off in New York. Mom went ape shit. She had every made guy in the city looking for them.”  Tara laughed so hard she shook. “You should have seen her!”

“In those days, I felt like I spent all my time on the road guarding your grandmother and half my time at home looking for Rora.”

“Oh… I bet.  She was … different by the time I was born.  Too many loses. A lot happened in a short amount of time.  Her mom, dad, her first crew, and she thought my father. Of course, happily, she was wrong about him.  He survived and came back to her. He had good habit of that.” Tara wished that he could pull that trick once more this time.  “He was the best.”

“Losing like that- it changes you.” Eric nodded.

“We were blessed. My siblings and I.  We had a charmed childhood.  It was… magical.  We didn’t know anything about the life until I was nearly a teen.  Of course, my father had spent years trying to find a way to get us back here safely but just about every bounty hunter worth his salt was out there trying to finish my parents off.  They pissed off the Godfather of Venice.  Didn’t even know it for years… just one killer after another coming for them until after Grandpa died they took us into the woods and hid.  Eventually, they found the truth and … we took care of it, but the cost was so high.  Grandpa, Uncle Volkov, Uncle Will, Cousin Gio, my brother Gavin was shot, Brigitte’s birth mother died, Uncle Charlie lost an eye… mom almost lost the baby.  So much… too much.  And when it was over, we had New York.  We were good for a while.  It was … I don’t want to say fun, but it was well earned.  Mom and Dad were made for it, you know?  Mom grew up in the life, it was in her blood.  Dad, well, everyone loved my dad.  Seems like even the fellas who killed him didn’t hate him.  I don’t know… sometimes things just happen and you go forward.  That’s life, right?”

Eric just listened intently with his hands laced on the table. “Yea. It is.”

“Now, my siblings are in hiding.  Most of them.”

“Good. Better for them.”

“One is still in the wind.  I’m here.  I’m going to try to take care of us.  Hustle my ass off.  Try to save what I can of the family name and legacy.  That’s my part to play.  So… Philly.  Where it all began really.  I came back.  I had to see it for myself.  I wanted to start my story here… where mom’s began.”

“I want to help you, however I can. I work for your friend. I’m not what I used to be, but I can still throw a punch. I know lots of people in the city. Lots of connections.”

“Well, I am getting ready to start my first business.  I just got back from a long trip trying to make all the necessary arrangements for it - which, ironically, turned out to not be so necessary.”  she looked sad a moment.  “But maybe the trip wasn’t about the things I went to get… so much as it was what I experienced along the way.”

She looked up to meet Eric’s eyes, “I’m going to start a social club… that’s the nice name for it.  I believe a more appropriately American term might be house of ill repute.”  she smiled.  “Bordello … but that makes it sound common.  It's not… common.  What I have planned is… extravagant.  I’m putting everything I have into it.  I’m going all in on this project.  I can’t fail.”  

Eric nodded. “Sounds ambitious.”

“I met this man in Naples.  He fancied himself the God Bacchus on earth.  The Roman god of wine, women and song.” she smiled.  

“He sounds humble,” said Eric.

“He was a good friend and a very good teacher.  He … gave me his blessing to open a House of Pleasure of my own.  I mean to create an hommage. A … temple of my own. A place where dreams and impossible things happen.  A place where people can be happy and not live in fear, even if only for a little while and inside my walls.  It’s more than a whorehouse. It’s… freedom. I know it sounds silly, but when you see it, it’ll change you for the better.  It’ll change everyone who goes inside it. I know it. There is no place in America like this. I swear it.”

“I’ve got a few friends who work in that business. You’ll make a few waves, but it doesn’t sound like you’d be stealing from their business- not too much, at least. Yours sounds more… high end. But a couple people might need to be taken care of.”

“Very high end.  Maybe foolishly so to start.  That’s my only fear. Nona Bella had a talent for selling people on her ideas… I’m… not quite that good.”  she laughed. “But I’ll try. I’ll do everything I can. My family is counting on me now. It’s not just a passion project, it’s the future of this family.”

“You don’t need to sell everyone on your place,” said Eric, “just the three or four people in the city that everyone else looks to to get their opinions.” He frowned. “I used to know who those people might be, but not so much these days. I’ll ask around for you.”

“And… you’ve been patient. Thank you for indulging me. Learning about you, you family, your plans. I’m ready for your questions. Anything you’ve got- I owe your family that much, and much more. Just let me get a glass of water.” Eric raised a finger and two of the waitresses raced over; within a minute, one of them had brought him a glass of water. “Okay,” said Eric, exhaling. “I’m ready.”

“April?”  she asked.  “Did she… survive the war?  Mom never went looking for her, she was so busy trying to hold her life together but I know she wondered at times about the folks closest to the family.  Guards, people who helped raise her… people like April. I mean, I don’t know any of these people aside from stories but by nature I’m terribly curious.”

“April and I were at her sister’s wedding that day. She survived the war, but…” Eric sighed, “she passed a couple years back. Too young, but had a good life. Good children. Grandchildren.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your loss.”  She said putting her hand on Eric’s.

“Thank you. We were… estranged. Then friends.”

“It’s good that in the end you found your way back into each other’s lives.  Some people, they change… maybe too much?  I don’t know.  Life happens.  I saw my parents struggle at times and I think they had the best marriage of anyone I’ve ever known.  It can happen to anyone.”

“Gavin and Bella, too. It happens. April and I were different, though. Was my fault, and I own it.”

Tara furrowed her brow, “Well, I can’t dissuade you from something I know nothing about so I’ll keep my nose out of it.”

“Maybe more like your grandfather than your grandmother in some things…” he grinned.

“Suffice to say, generally things … well, it can take two to make things work or break them apart.  Don’t be too harsh on yourself, even if you did make mistakes.  Life is too short for that shit.  Regrets.”

“Nevermind what I said before.” He nodded, smirking.

“I won’t take offense at being compared to Nona Bella.  She was a force to be reckoned with.  A godmother.  I know mom had her issues with her at times but she died a hero… the Dragon of Race Street is as good a person to be compared to as any.  Maybe better than most.”

“Kid, your grandmother is my absolutely favorite human being I’ve ever met. I respected your grandfather, cared for your mother, loved my wife, but…” he looked at her steadily. “Your grandmother was one of a kind. If I ever compare you to her, it’s never an insult.”

Tara smiled, and blushed.  “Thank you on a personal level and for my Grandmother.  May she rest in peace.  I take it you don’t know where to find the family plot then?  You’ve probably never been to her grave.  Mom had it arranged in secret because of all the controversy when she was taken down.  It wasn’t safe.  She was afraid that people would disrupt her grave.  So, it was kept pretty lowkey for years.  Didn’t have a headstone until shortly before my grandfather passed.”

“I… saw her body. But when I had to run, it was gone. I would… really like to see her grave,” his eyes watered again.

Tara blinked, stunned.  “You … you saw her body?”

“I drove from the wedding to the house. Saw all the bodies. Had to run before the sirens got there.”

“You must have gotten there before Wildcard.”  She said thoughtfully. “He carried her out of there.  Took her into hiding until mom resurfaced a few days later.  Mom buried her but she...”

“I remember him. Good kid. I… maybe I should have done that. But I felt like I needed to look for your mother. Gavin. Will. That that was what Bella would have wanted. When I came back, the body was gone.” Eric swallowed. “Worst day of my life.” 

“Oh god.  I’m so sorry.  Yeah, Wildcard and Mom, they knew she had people pretty pissed at her.  They even took her rings off her body. They were … petty. Mom was a wreck.  Grandpa just said he didn’t want mom doing stupid shit over rings - but I know mom spent years looking because it did bother the hell out of Grandpa.”

Eric didn’t say anything. He just took a deep breath, removed the small box from his jacket pocket, and put it on the table in front of Tara. “I never knew you were alive.”

Tara looked at the box and then to the man who had pulled it out of his pocket, then to the box again.  “You?”  She shook her head.  “All these years we assumed it was someone who killed her.  Took it as a prize or to hock it for cash.  Mom searched every pawn shop and illegal gem dealer on the east coast trying to get a lead on the Jonker Diamonds.  Found one that wasn’t her mom’s… heard rumors about the ruby, but found neither.  I always assumed it was locked up in some asshole’s vault never to be seen again.  At least not by anyone who would know what they were looking at.”

“I’m sorry. I took it to give to Rora- like Bella would have wanted. When I thought everyone was dead… I just kept it to remember Bella. But it’s yours. It belongs to you.”

Tara stared at the ring box.  She’d wanted to find this ring more than anything, to give it to her mother but now?  Who even knew them, if not the man in front of her?  The ring was worth money, which she and the kids needed, but she could never sell it.  And yet what did it really mean to her?  She looked at Eric and smiled at him, then pushed the box back across the table to him.

“Hold it for me.  Remember her.  I don’t really know her.  I mean, not in the way you did.  That ring is … well, it means more to you than it does me.  If it’s brought you joy, if it’s helped you at any point, then it means more in your life than in mine.  Keep it for me, for now.  If I ever get hitched, I’ll come asking for it.  How does that sound to you?”

“I think I’m an old man now. 54… but with a lot of mileage. I’ve got some fight left in me, I think, but if I dropped now I don’t think doctors would be particularly surprised. It’s yours, Tara. Put it in a safe deposit box if you don’t want to wear it- that’s fine. But give this old man the satisfaction of knowing he did one more job for Bella Byrne.”

Tara took the box and drew a breath, realizing how scared she was to look at this thing that was as real to her as Cinderella's glass shoes.  She gingerly cracked open the box and looked inside at the clearest diamond she’d ever seen.  It shone as brightly as if it had been freshly taken from a jeweler’s display case.  Tara shook her head.  “My God… it’s beautiful.  It’s just like mom said...”  She closed the box.  “Thank you, Eric.  Thank you for protecting and returning this to us.”  

Eric just nodded. 

“Maybe one day a Byrne will wear the ring again.”  She smiled, a little sad.  It might go to Gavin’s wife, if Gavin married.  She’d never use it.  And Brigitte was probably dead.  Izzy maybe?  Or Malcolm’s or Jack’s wife?  Who knew.  

“It’s strange how things work out.  I almost came here to Philly about a year ago, maybe a little more than that now.  I know mom had been trying to get back for years.  It was all she ever talked about while I was growing up.  I’m staying over at the Sewing Factory Lofts, I got a view of Race Street Pier that’s unmatched.  I can see the appeal now.  It must have been one hell of a time to live here.”

“If you’ll permit me one piece of advice, Tara?”

“Of course.  I’d love advice from an old family friend.”  She smiled.

“Don’t try to rebuild the pier. Don’t try to be Rora. Don’t try to be Tara Byrne. Don’t try to be Bella. Bella and I had a lot of time to talk to each other, flying, killing time, whatever. She lived the first… I dunno, roughly quarter century of her life trying to measure her success by ghosts. It wasn’t until after she met Gavin that she started measuring her success by how much she was enjoying her life, doing what she wanted… and later, when they had their problems, I think maybe she had to remind herself of that. Just be yourself, kid. Whoever that is.” He nodded to her.

“My mom was like that too.”  She admitted. “I don’t think I could ever do what they did, not the way they did it at least.  I’ve… got a my own drummer. It’s a crazy beat. I might look like my mom and nona… but I hope you’re not banking on me being too much like them.  I mean, maybe in some ways but… I’m … an odd bird.” She smirked.

“Good,” he returned the smile. “Now hit me with everything else you want to know. I’ll answer what I can- but I’m gettin’ tired. Been an emotional night for me, as I’m sure you can understand.”

She sat for a moment and thought, “Well, how did you come to work for Oriana?”

“... I mentioned I have connections. I’d heard she was connected with a family of Mastrosimones. Never dreamed it was your family. But I never really stopped hunting for Rora. I also,” he looked uncomfortable. “I feel like a hypocrite saying this, since I intentionally asked Bella to keep me a Wise Guy to look after my family- which I then ruined- but when I heard about someone surviving the Mastrosimone thing, connected with that name… well, I decided I needed to check things out.” He shrugged. “So not really a coincidence that I wound up here, I guess. I’ll stick around now, of course.”

“Good.  Oriana needs people she can trust around her.  I’m glad she found someone like you to help.  We’re running with a crew here in Philly now.  She and I aren’t much more than nobody wise guys, but maybe one day.  If we play our cards right.  Honestly though, I don’t much care.  I’m more focused on what I want to accomplish in this life, and the people who need me.  The rest is… it’s just stuff.  If I can make sure my siblings are cared for, safely away from all this shit, and maybe do something to preserve something my parents worked their whole lives for - well that would be nice.  I’d also like to spend some time focusing on my own happiness.  I know, it’s selfish.  But seeing the world - traveling, spending time with my… friend.  That’s what is important to me right now.  Launching my business, seeing it grow into something I can be proud of.  That’s what I want more than anything now.  I’m happy you’re here to be a part of it… or at least to cheer me on.  I know we’re not blood, but you know the people who paid dues for me to have a shot at a happy life… you know my bloodlines.  That’s no small thing when you’re so short on people who know where you actually come from.”

“You know, I don’t have too many questions.  At least not tonight.  If you’re tired, you should go.  Its like you said, you’ll be around.  I will too.  We’ll hook up in the next day or so and I’ll take you to visit Nona Bella’s grave.  We’ll take daisies to her and peanuts to Will Bowden.  I understand it’s something Nona Bella always did.”

“Yeah. I’ll tell you some stories about when I ran in his crew.”  

“You were in Purgatory?”  She said with a smile. 

“Will was training me to be a boxer. Then… well, you know.”

“I heard that he trained my great aunt Elie who won the seven cities boxing tournament.  She was fighting for LA if memory serves.  I wish I could have seen that.”

“There was a lot of stuff back then. I’d compare it to-” Eric sat up a bit straighter, then slightly bowed his head behind Tara. “Hey boss.”

Ori slid into the seat next to Tara. “You two look like you’re conspiring over here. Should I be worried? Hostile takeover?”

“Hardly.”  She chuckled, still looking at Eric.  “Eric here is an old family friend. Worked as a bodyguard for my nona Bella, the Godmother of Philly back in the day.  You got an eye for talent it seems.” She elbowed Ori playfully.

She looked then to Ori, “Went up to your place earlier, you were out though.  Hope you don’t mind I hung around for a bit?”

“You’re always welcome. And I’m glad to get another reference for Eric, at least,” she drawled. 

“He comes highly recommended.”  Tara couldn’t help but smirk as she flirted with the old man, “I hear he’s good with his hands.”  Then she added, “And loyal as hell.”

“Very highly recommended, I guess. Would you mind if I steal Tara away from you for a bit?”

“Not at all. I was just leaving.”

“We’ll take that trip to the graves later this week.  I’ll stop by again.” She smiled at Eric. “Don’t worry, I won’t be a stranger around here.  I can promise you that.”

“Good. I’m glad I was able to meet you, Tara. You don’t know how much this means to me. To see you. To pass on that gift. To know that you’re all out there…” He bowed his head to her. 

Tara smiled at the man, “It’s good to know you too, Eric.  Take care.” She watched the man leaving and sighed.

“And then she looked wistfully at the old man’s ass as it shuffled out of her life- for an evening, at least.” Ori paused. “I know. I get it. Come on, we need to talk.”

“Yeah… we do.”  Tara said standing up.  “Some big stuff… not just your bartender.”

“I’ve got some stuff for you, too…”

“Well, sounds like a good time to go upstairs then?” asked Tara.” Shall I grab us something to drink or shall we just retire upstairs to chat without anything to dull the senses?”  She smirked clearly checking out Ori’s outfit.

“I’ve got a bar upstairs. Folds down from the wall, if you’re in the mood.” As they approached the stairwell, Ori leaned closer to Tara and spoke softly, “Be absolutely silent on the stairs. If Leo hears us going by, he’s going to call you in and ask you 75 questions about your karambit.”

Tara nodded and kept silent as she went up but smiled as she did so, as if she might burst out laughing at any moment.  She waited for Ori to open the door and chased her quickly inside and as soon as the door was closed and locked, she kissed the other woman.  “I missed you.”

Ori pinned Tara back against the wall, apparently recovered from her injuries of a few weeks before. “Missed you, too.”

“Glad to see you’re feeling better.”  Tara whispered and kissed Ori’s neck.
“Might need a closer check up.”

“I promise, after we talk,” said her lips, but her hands seemed to be saying she had other thoughts.

“We can do it while we talk. For example…”

“Your stuff serious?”  She asked with a soft moan.  

Ori kissed Tara’s neck as she said, “I’m running out of money… need to start taking jobs… or I lose the building…”

“That’s pretty serious.”  Tara allowed.  “I got you beat though.”

Ori kissed Tara once more, then headed back to the couch. “I know. The day I try to talk to you about money issues when we’re… well, that’s when you know you’ve turned me into a nerd. Alright. Hit me.”

As soon as they got to the couch, Tara picked up the two papers off the coffee table.  “These.”  She gasped, putting a hand over Ori’s heart to stop her from pawing at her body.  “Two guys dead.  A city alderman who took my dad’s liquid assets and was going after his businesses and another who used to run a butcher shop that was a front for shit my father was doing.  He knew a lot about my dad… and someone murdered him with a meat tenderizer.  The alderman was done with a garrote.  Two is possibly coincidence… but if a third tied to Kings County turns up dead, Ori… I think I might want to go to New York.  Three would be a pattern.  Three might mean someone close to the top of the operation is still alive.  Maybe Cat.  Maybe Christian… Maybe Brigitte - I don’t want to get hopes up, but something is happening here.  I think...”  

“Not Cat,” said Ori in a small voice. “ I made sure she was buried with Orion. Recent- didn’t see you since I’d confirmed it. And I don’t think Christian is alive. Brigitte… I can see it. Wouldn’t get your hopes up, but…maybe.”

Tara nodded.  “Maybe. I don’t want to say anything to Gavin yet.  I mean, I don’t get it. If it’s her, why wouldn’t she call or write or… follow the fucking plan and go to Port Huron?”  She shook her head and sighed. “But if she’s alive…”

“Because she’s fucked up. And she wants to act and hurt people. I get it. She jumped in the arena. Isn’t this the same thing?”

“A meat tenderizer?  We’re talking about Brigitte… I just...I can’t imagine.”

“She’s got depth. I should go to New York and check it out. You should stay here.”

“Are you attempting to protect me, ditch me, or are you hoping that I’ll find a way to make us cash while you’re off on an adventure?”  She smirked.

“85% first one, 0% second one, 15% third one. If you really need to come… you’re going blonde with me. ”

“Oh… I do need to know.  I mean… wait… blonde? You want me to go blonde?”

“You look like Tara. If you walk back into New York, you can’t look like yourself. Go blonde.”

“I don’t know… I like my hair how it is.”  she ran her fingers through it. “I mean, it took forever to get it this nice and it got me you.  Why would I want to change anything that caught your eye?” Tara’s hands went back to Ori’s body.

“I love your hair. I don’t want you to change it. But I’d rather have you change your hair and not die. If you hate it, you can wash it out, grow it out again. I’m just sayin’- people know you in New York. You’ll be spotted.”

Tara sighed.  “You have a point.  I don’t like you being right but this time I’ll concede.  Blonde it is. One more dead body? Or are you not wanting to wait for someone else to buy the farm?  I mean I could be barking up the wrong tree here… it could be coincidence.”

“That’s why I was going to go check it out myself. But I know if try it, you’ll chase me down. So I’m just acknowledging reality.” She placed a finger on Tara’s lower lip.

“Your bartender is going to be one of my first customers at Liber.  I’ll bet you $20,000.”  Tara said with a smirk.  “I don’t know how he’ll come up with the cash to get in the door, but he will.  I can promise it.”

“I need the cash- I’ll take the bet.”

“So… when do we leave for New York and where the hell are we going to start looking?  I mean, we can’t just go question dead guys.  Do you have much experience in this sort of thing?”  she nipped at Ori’s finger lightly.

Ori frowned. “Two ways, as I see it. If you think it’s Brigitte, we could assume it’s her and try to anticipate where she’d go, who she’d talk to, that sort of thing. Or we can try to figure out what links these guys, find the next best candidates and stake them out. If you can’t find the hunter, just hang out near the prey.”

“Not a bad plan.”  She smirked.  “You’re sexy as hell when you’re plotting to hunt down a killer.  Even if she might be my sister.  We’ll focus on this tomorrow… now, if you’re done, I propose we finish out the night with something more enjoyable.”  Tara leaned in and kissed Oriana.

“... turn the lights off. Gotta save a nickel on the bill.”