Once the Douglas DC-3 has reached its cruising altitude, Illiana got up from her seat next to Billy, who had rather quickly dozed off before the plane was off the ground. She touched Runa on the shoulder. 

"May I borrow your seat for a few minutes?" 

Nodding, Runa stood and let Illiana into the seat facing Jack. This was not the conversation she wanted to have in the ride back to Philly, but it was the one that had to happen now. 

Illiana sank into the seat and rubbed her temples briefly. Her eyes were still slightly red from the very few minutes alone in the airport ladies room that she allowed herself to get emotional. The time for that had passed. 

"Seven years ago, in New York, I was the lead attorney on a case against a guy named Vinny. Don't worry about his last name, it's harder to pronounce than it's worth. Anyway, we put him away for aggravated assault, felony weapons charges, assault on a police officer, and three counts of arson. Guy is a real piece of work. He's also a raging narcissist. He couldn't believe the judge convicted him, and was dragged away screaming about how I must have fucked the judge to get the conviction. He swore he'd get me back. Honestly, I didn't think a thing about it. Garbage like him say things like that all the time. He went away for fifteen years, and I moved to Philly a few years after the trial."

Illiana shifted in her seat. 

​​​​​​"About a month ago, I asked Runa to do some recon work for me on a vehicle that was taking way too long at the shop for repairs. I figured the mechanic was trying to squeeze me for more money, but Runa learned that someone was paying him more to not fix the truck than I was paying him to fix it. The someone was referred to as 'The Greek.' It's Vinny. From what I've been able to gather, he got out of prison early for 'good behavior,' which really means he manipulated the parole board to let him go. He's been watching me, I'm pretty sure, but he's merit his distance so I didn't bother approaching the situation. When I realized it was him holding up my truck, again, I didn't even bat an eye. He was trying to get a reaction out of me, and I have refused to give him that."

She gazed out the window of the plane for a bit. Anger was just beginning to bud and overtake the shock of the news, and the now certain loss of her friend's life. 

​​​​​​"I didn't think he'd go this far. I didn't think he was that stupid...that self-centered. I know it had to be Vinny. When I called my informant in the detectives division, he gave me some details about the scene. Vinny left...a calling card, I guess you could say."

Now came the hardest part. She gave a short sigh and sat up straight. 

​​​​​​"I didn't bring this to you because I truly thought it was a non issue. I would never have guessed that this waste of space would really try to get even with me for putting him away. I severely underestimated him. Despite the attack on the building, I can assure you that nothing having to do with Race Street was compromised. Henry did exactly what he was trained to do. That's why I know the body they found...was him."

The tears threatened again, but she dug her fingernails into her palm to distract her. 

​​​​​​"I won't let this become a problem for you any more than it anyway has been, and I'm sorry it's come this far. It shouldn't have even been on your radar."

​​​​​​

There wasn't a great deal of emotional displays that could be enacted on an aircraft. Jack wasn't entirely familiar with the concept outside of his operational headspace. He did his best though, taking one of Illiana's hands and forcing it to unclench, instead gripping his own. His other hand held her knuckles.

"You're one of us, your business is our business, and we look after our own." There was a calmness to his voice, however there was also a deep sincerity present. He meant what he said. Every word landed with the same weight and intention. It may have been because Illiana was one of the closest, it may have been the risk to his pride that someone under his care was at risk. Whatever the driver, Jack was ready to act.

He began to list the next steps like choices from a menu, direct and stoic. "We'll make some arrangements once we're back in Philly. Make sure Runa knows everything she needs to know before we get back. You go to the pier," he made sure he caught her eye, "you stay at the pier. We will take care of everything."

He sat back into his chair and patted her knuckles as he removed his hand and brought it to rest on the opposite armrest. Runa, ever attentive, was waiting for the signal to return. A nod of the head assured she would be on her way back to them.

"This guy wants Race Street up his ass, then that's no fucking problem."

There was something about Jack's gentle but insistent tone that was very comforting to the chaos in Illiana's mind. She sat back in her own seat and nodded. 

"I'll have Erica bring some of my things to the safe house. Probably best to stay there a few days. Though, I'll have to go to the police station. They asked me to come and...identify the body."

Her voice trailed off. She would also have to contact his family back in Albany. There was a lot to do. The sheer weight of it was dizzying right now. She glanced up, then stood and walked back to the galley of the plane where a few bottles were kept. Opening the compartment, she found the whiskey and a glass. Three fingers, no ice. 

Runa struggled to balance her conflicting emotions. On the one hand, she was certainly said about Henry. He'd been a nice guy on the couple times she'd met him, and it was strange to think of someone that she'd flirted with being dead. But on the other hand, she was still riding the rush of her successful job with Billy. 

Jack seemed to make Illiana feel better, which wasn't surprising. This situation called for action, and Jack was a man of action- a man of motion. Even when relaxing, he busied himself at the bar or cooking eggs. 

No, Jack would make sure that this was answered.

Runa stood up from her seat, avoiding looking out the window as she hesitantly made her way back to Illiana. She rested a hand on the woman's shoulder.

"It'll be fine, Illiana. Really. Henry knew what he was getting into, and we'll make sure we hit back so hard that it'll discourage anyone else from taking a shot like this. Oh, better pour me one, too."

Drinks in hand, the two women returned to Jack, who seemed to be thinking. Not wanting to interrupt him, but wanting to steer the conversation towards something productive, like revenge, Runa spoke to herself as she looked away from the window.

"Any wannabe gangster can walk into a business and shoot someone. Explosives... means someone with money. Training. Resources. If this is the Greek, Illiana, he might be getting funded by someone else."

Her green eyes lifted to Jack's and studied his face carefully.

"Any enemies out there still kicking, Jack, who'd be willing to fund anything that would disrupt your business?"

The suggestion Jack would leave a threat unaddressed reminded him of the gap in their relationship that had yet to be filled. It was however the smartest consideration for something that didn't know him, and a fair deduction to make. There was only one loose end out there as far as he was concerned, but he was as much a loose end to her as she was to him. There was respect and tolerance in that balance, which Mezzo appreciated.

Jack chewed on the inside of his lip and shook his head in response to Runa, "my priority is getting our hands on the attacker. Then we make him do all the talking for us."

"Ms. Santoro, I fully understand if you don't wish to be party to the events that follow," he looked to his daughter, feeling the anticipation in her stare, "Runa, anyone you can round up that wants to get creative, you find them as soon as we land."

The advancing years on Jack couldn't tear away form him the thrill of the hunt, or the rush of a fight. He gripped at the arms of the chair and pushed himself back in the seat. They would certainly need able bodies, which his was becoming less and less of.

"Might be time to call in a favour from our dear friend, Mr. Edwards, too."

Illiana had been sitting quietly for the last few minutes, letting bits of information work around in her mind. Jack was in a frame of mind that she rarely saw him in. The boss of Race Street was known for his even temper, but he had a fierce side that was deep and intense. In the moment, Illiana found it comforting, but also a source for strength for herself.

In a lull, she looked up at Runa. 

"Runa, remember the guy at the shop? The one that was supposed to be working on the truck? He might be a good place to start. While I'm sure he didn't take an active part in the explosion, he was cooperative with the Greek, and should be made aware that he has chosen the wrong side."

She settled a steady gaze on Jack Mezzo, then gave him a quiet nod of both appreciation and determination. 

The remainder of the flight was dedicated to strategy. They would, quite literally, hit the ground running.