It took a day of traveling but, Dick finally touched down in Philadelphia. The place seemed quieter than normal but that was to be expected after the last nights events. It gave the city an eerie feeling, as if it was just barely holding on with clutching fingers. After stepping from the plane, Dick quickly pulled his flask from his pocket, the damn thing was nearly empty from his nervousness on the flight and he swiftly finished the rest of it in one big gulp. 

Rubbing at his eyes tiredly, he let a smoke dangle from his lips, debating with himself whether to light it up or not before ultimately deciding against it and slipping it back into the pack. He had collected enough information before he left Chicago and knew where he needed to go, the only problem being that he didn’t want to in the slightest. He was growing weary of this type of work. He knew that it was a necessary evil but that didn’t mean he got any actual enjoyment from it. Besides, if you’re good at something, never do it for free.

He thought about hailing a cab but it wasn’t terribly cold, despite the wind and he chose to walk instead. The bar he was heading to wasn’t all that far away and he figured the fresh air might do him some good or at least that was the lie he was going to tell himself. Nothing about this had been any good.

Taking a deep breath, Dick stopped in front of the front doors of the place. The building was on the smaller side of things and Dick could see its age in the faded brick that seemed to be tucked away a bit from the buildings that surrounded it. Leaning against the wall, half hidden in a shadow, he decided on that cigarette now, pressing the lighter forward as he drew a deep inhale and held it for a moment.

Dick finished his smoke and dragged his feet a bit before slipping through the door into the bar. At least it was warmer inside. The place was rather small and dimly lit. Most of the seats were empty with the exception of a few scattered ones here and there that were filled with the regulars that seemed like this was their place of residence. 

Pulling his cap down slightly to cover his eyes, he moved across the floor swiftly, saddling up to the bar. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a few crisp bills before placing them atop the bar. Catching the bartenders eye, he waited as the older gentleman came over to him with a welcoming smile. The man clearly had no idea who he was.

”What can I get for ya?” The bartender spoke with a deep, gravely voice.

Without looking up, Dick spoke quietly, keeping his voice hushed so that no one else could hear them, “One hundred and fifty thousand.” He stayed matter of factly.

”I-uh-I-“ the older man began stuttering, finally putting two and two together as to why Dick was here at all, “I’ll have the money. I-I just need more time.” He sounded dejected now.

”The reason I am here is because you are out of time. This can go one of two ways. Either you get whatever you have stashed at home and we have a little talk with your wife, Karen I believe. Or I put a bullet in between your eyes right now and burn this place to the ground. Which is it going to be?”

Dick watched as the fear spread across his face as the color ran from it. He took a small step back but there wasn’t anywhere to go at this point. Dick could see the gears spinning in his mind, debating whether or not he could reach the shotgun that was stashed just beneath the wood top of the bar before Dick was able to make a move.

”Wrong choice.” Dick stated as the man lunged forward.

It was something that Dick had trained well in, drawing his colt in one clean motion, firing off a single round into the bartender’s chest, sending him crashing into the wall of bottles behind him before he slumped to the floor. He tried to croak some words out but the only thing that came out was a gurgled moan. With a soft sigh, Dick stood up, emptying the rest of the clip into him. 

He hated this, more than anything else that he could remember at the moment. By now the regulars had scattered, clambering over each other to get out of the front door as Dick moved around the other side of the bar. He grabbed the first I smashed bottle him came across, spinning the cap off before stuffing the rag he picked up from the floor into the neck of it. Pausing for a moment longer, he held the end of the rag to his lighter until it caught, flames licking upwards. Holding the bottle for a second longer, he slammed it against the far wall, a flash of flames spreading outwards. 

Dick watched the flames dance for a bit before he lit up a smoke and as casually as possible slip out the door.