"Damn Silky baby,  that wasn't what I had in mind for what we needed to do, but I am NOT complaining."  The older mobster said before kissing the California girl.  "Shitty news about Shiva, she was damn good at the mixed drinks." 

As Almonette helped Silk clean up the mess they had made of the young mobster's office she asked, "So how's James doing? Is he, behaving? I know he can be a little defensive of things he cares about."   The older woman was asking to try and keep her mind off the ignorance of the Gray's toward the obvious threat that she knew was looming for them.  'They're such idiots!  How can they put my... their daughter in such a situation so carelessly!' She thought while placing papers and such back on Silk's desk.

"I can't take it.  I gotta do something, I can't sit here while my daughter is out there in danger, but what the hell can we do Silky?"  Almonette imploringly asked her woman.

Behind the desk Silk picked up the chair that was knocked over on it's side. "I don't remember when that happened." She commented and continued to clean the office.

"James is working out good." The young mobster answered and added, "I had him to a few money runs for me. He takes the job very seriously. He's going to be a good mafioso someday."

As they continued chatting and cleaning Silk thought Almonette seemed distracted. When she broke down and made a desperate statement about her daughter Silk hugged her and said, "It'll be okay. Lets drive over to the swanky neighborhood where the couple and your girl live. We'll check out how well the Night Watch is, but before we go I'll call in a favor to get Johnny found."

Silk picked up the phone and called the HQ. "Hey Gio, feel like hunting scum? I want Johnny Montoya found ASAP."

"Yeah, driving there and just keeping an eye on things sounds like a good plan, if we see Johnny we can take him out before he gets anywhere near the house, and those stupid people can go about thinking their night watch is better than prison security.   I bet their night watch isn't even a rent-a-cop.  Probably more like a neighborhood watch of some Joe Blow walking around at night feeling special because he has some dime store pea shooter."  Almonette said trying to unsuccessfully calm herself down.

After what felt like an hour or two, but was only 15 minutes the older mobster stated, "What's taking so long, how hard can it be to find one man." Her finger was impatiently tapping the arm of the couch, when Silk walked over and handed her a joint from her cigarette pack.  Almonette fumbled to light it, but was shaking too bad.  The Cali girl watched for a second, and laughed to herself before lighting the joint for her friend.

Almonette looked around suspiciously before taking a much needed hit and asked, slightly confused, "What? Did I do something funny?"

"No, nothing funny." Silk answered and winked. "I've never seen you nervous before. It's kinda cute."

The phone on the desk rang. Silk quickly picked it up expecting it to be Giovanni, but it was FBN agent, Joe Melizzano. "CALIFORNIA GIRL!" He greeted. "How are you? I was at the hotel today to talk to you. Billy told me you were busy. I need.... "

Before he could say another word Silk interrupted him. "I'm still busy, Joe." Aggravated about the call Silk slammed the phone down and mumbled, "Greedy fucking FBN." The phone rang again. Silk answered it and was glad to hear it was her friend Giovanni. "Thanks bro. I owe you one."

"Gio has all his goons out looking for Johnny." Silk told Almonette. "If he's still in Detroit they'll find him before the end of the night. I don't want him to live to see tomorrow's sunrise." The California girl picked up her jacket and held her hand out to her sweetheart. "Come on, lets go check on your girl."

"Lets go, you drive I'll probably wreck us before we even leave the parking lot."  Almonette said tossing Silk's keys to her. She continued talking as they were walking out the door. "Why the hell am I so worried about a kid I don't even know? I mean sure she's mine, but it's not like I've had anything to do with her for the last 10 years.  Can't be much different than why I care so much for the kids at the shelter, I need to visit there again soon, maybe Auntie Alma will bring them some toys."  

As they started driving the older mobster spoke, "You know that subdivision in the nicer part of Corktown that has that GIANT stone swan statue, fountain thing at it's entrance, yeah we're going there.  Freaking rich sons of bitches, I mean we've got money for these kinds of places, but why flaunt the money, with expensive houses, expensive cars, expensive clothes.  Sure maybe some nicer clothes, and a nice car or house, but having it all just screams 'ROB ME' don't you think?"  Almonette's rant made it pretty clear that she grew up with out money either, and even after her mother had money, she didn't flaunt it at all. "Anyways," The mobster continued, "theirs is the white brick house on the first curve up.  Its the only white brick, and even in the dark it's obvious."

When they were pulling up to the subdivision, the older mobster suggested they stop outside the subdivision and walk the block to the house, just in case Johnny happened to be there.  "Better to take that bastard by surprise." Almonette said coldly while gripping her knife.

"You're worried because you're her mother." Silk said to Almonette as they left Hotel California. As they got in the car she continued, "Even if you haven't been with her for 10 years it's still a natural instinct to care about her."

When Almonette commented about the posh sub division Silk nodded to agree with her. "My parents had a big fancy house, but it was nothing compared the mansions movie stars live in. When I was dealing weed in LA my best customers were movie stars. They're no different than us, they drink and smoke every night." The California girl winked at her sweetheart and added, "But I bet they don't have as much fun as we do in six hours."

The mobsters got out of the car a block away from the entrance to the sub division and stealthy walked in between houses then down the street that lead to the house where Almonette's daughter lived. "Look at us, a couple of mobsters walking down the street. We could rob this neighborhood and no one would know. The Night Watch is probably a group of nosy old people who go to sleep after the 10 o clock news." Silk shook her head. "Worthless."

When they approached the white brick house Silk stopped when she noticed the front door was wide open. She quickly grabbed Almonette's hand to stop her then pointed at the door. The mobsters both took out their guns and cautiously walked towards the door. Silk smelled blood before she saw the body. Inside the house just a few feet from the door was a man shot to death on the floor. "This doesn't look good." Silk whispered to her friend.

After having a few beers and catching up on local gossip at Baker's Pool Hall Silk wondered if she should go back to her apartment next to HotIce Family Suits to check on Almonette and Aisha. The mobster drove towards the suit shop, but decided to give the mother and daughter more time together. Instead of going home The California Girl went to her second favorite place in Corktown.

The Corktown Supermarket

Without a list Silk didn't know what to buy. She wandered around the supermarket for over an hour before an angel appeared out of no where to help her. The California girl was so happy she smiled and excitedly greeted, "HI MOM!"

As they shopped Vivian put a few things in Silk's cart that made The California Girl frown. "Why so many vegetables?"

"They're good for a growing girl like Aisha." The mobster's mother answered. "And good for you too, young lady."

"Yes ma'am." Silk replied and put a bag of pretzels in the cart. "I'm not sure how often Aisha will be at my apartment. It's kinda small so I assume her and Almonette will spend most of the time at Almonette's house." The young mobster stopped her cart suddenly as she realized something. "I don't even know where my woman lives!" Further down the aisle Vivian didn't hear her daughter's comment. Silk scowled and thought, no more six hours of treating me like a floozy until Almonette shows me where she lives!

After she was finished shopping Silk filled out a delivery slip with her address and gave the supermarket delivery boy two dollars for a tip. "If no one answers the apartment door take the stuff into the suit shop."

~ Hotel California ~
Corktown, Detroit

Back To Business

When Silk walked into Hotel California she noticed Billy behind the bar talking to a woman who was topless and making drinks. Silk was amused the young man couldn't maintain eye contact with the new bartender.

"Hey Billy!" The mobster called out to her associate. "Upstairs."

In her office Silk took off her jacket, rolled up her sleeves and looked at the books on the desk. "How are things here?" She asked Billy.

"Fine and dandy, Boss." He answered. "Hired a sexy new bartender. Her name is Candy."

Silk laughed and sat down behind the desk. "Is that her real name?." Before Billy could answer Silk said, "Never mind, I don't care as long as she keeps the customers drunk and happy." The mobster pointed at the couch and said, "Sit down, Billy. I have a job for you to do."

As Billy sat down Silk lit a cigarette.

"Johnny Montoya killed two innocent civilians last night in cold blood and found his kid he didn't know anything about until a few days ago. He's dead now, but I want you to find all of his friends and associates. I want to know EVERYONE he talked to in the past week. Someone put him up to looking for the kid. I don't think he was doing it because he suddenly wanted to be daddy dearest. When you're done with that find out who all the not so straight girls were Almonette went to school with when she was seventeen. There's a bitch I want to have a word with."

~ Hotel California ~
Corktown, Detroit

Hair Of The Dog

When Silk woke up she was hung over from her whiskey binge the night before. After coffee and a shower she left her apartment and went to Hotel California. In the hotel a few customers were leaving as the mobster walked in. Silk was glad they didn't stop her to talk. She wasn't in the mood for socializing and being the ray of sunshine everyone expected The California Girl to be.

"Good morning, Boss." The new bartender, Candy greeted as Silk approached the bar.

"Not so loud." The mobster quietly said and sat down on a bar stool. "Cup up coffee, please."

"Hung over?" Candy asked. Silk answered with a nod and took off her sunglasses.

"I'll make something for you that will cure it." The bartender said and winked. "I've never seen a hungover gal as pretty as you."

Silk shook her head at the compliment. "Save the lines for the customers. I have a woman."

"Then why didn't she make a hangover cure for you this morning?" Candy questioned with a sly smile. "If I was your woman I wouldn't let you get out of bed all day." The bartender leaned across the bar and quietly asked, "You know what another good cure for a hangover is?"

The somewhat clueless California Girl replied, "No, what?"

"Sex." Candy answered and licked her lips. "I'll make you forget about your hangover, your woman and everything else."

Silk couldn't help but laugh. "Do those lines really work? You need to learn a few things from the pros." The mobster laughed again and took out her gun. Aiming it at the bartender she stopped laughing and the expression on her face was instantly serious. "If you want to keep your job don't try your stupid lines on me again and if you want to keep your life NEVER EVER spew that shit to my woman."

"Sorry." Candy quietly said.

"Skip the Hair Of The Dog and give me a cup of coffee." The mobster demanded and lowered her gun.

Upstairs in her office Silk sat down on the couch and dozed off to sleep. Hours later the mobster was woken up by a loud knock on the office door.

"HEY BOSS!" Billy yelled and rushed into the office. "The FBN prick Joe Melizzano is outside raising hell about his missing girlfriend. He's threatening to tell his boss about you and the business if you don't tell him where she is."

"He's threatening ME?" Silk said as she sat up on the couch. "Let's see what he says when I threaten his family."

~ Hotel California ~
Corktown, Detroit

The Jukebox Salesman

After dealing with the FBN agent outside Silk walked back into Hotel California and bumped into a man in the lobby.

"Pardon me, Ma'am." The man quickly apologized. "I've been bumping into people and dropping things all day."

"No problem, Sir." The mobster replied and pointed to the bar. "Why don't you go have a drink? It might make your day better."

"I'd love to, but I'm working." The man said and took off his hat. "You don't happen to know who the owner of this fine establishment is, do you?"

"I'm the owner." Silk answered and pointed across the room at her associate, Billy. "And over there is the hotel manager. If you have a problem with a room or maid service talk to Billy and he'll handle it."

"I'd like to talk to both you and your husband." The man said.

"He's not my husband!" Silk quickly corrected and sighed over the assumption. "He's my business associate."

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Ma'am." The man apologized again. "I don't seem to be making a good impression. Let me start over, I'm Bernard Weston. I work for an agency hired by The Automatic Music Instrument Company. AMI for short. If you don't mind I'd like a few minutes of your time to talk to you about an improvement you can make to your establishment that will improve business, but not cost you a cent."

"What's your con?" The mobster asked him. "There's no way I can make business better and not spend a cent!"

"Yes ma'am, you certainly can... " Bernard insisted and gestured over to the bar as he explained. "...if you put an AMI amplified jukebox next to your bar."

Although it sounded like a good idea Silk was still skeptical. She waved at Billy, pointed at the staircase then looked at the salesman and said, "Let's go upstairs to my office. You can pitch your idea to Billy and I."

In the office Billy and Bernard sat on the couch and Silk sat on a chair.    

After giving the mobsters a brief history of jukeboxes and AMI Bernard got to the part Silk liked the most. "There's no charge to put a jukebox in your business. Not only do we provide the jukebox we also put ten records of your choice in it. That's twenty songs for your customers to dance or sing along with." The salesman finished his pitch with one of the music company's biggest achievements. "Unlike many manufactures, all AMI jukeboxes play both sides of a record."

"Sounds like a good deal to me." Billy commented. "What do you think, Boss?"

The California Girl lit a cigarette to keep the eager salesman waiting for a moment. Although the jukebox was free for her business she knew the company would make a small fortune in nickels fed into the amplified music player and the salesman would get a piece of the profit. Instead of directly asking for what she wanted the mobster said, "There was a fella here a few weeks ago from another company that makes jukeboxes. He also offered to put one of them here for no charge plus give me a percentage of the money the jukebox made." She paused for a moment as if she was trying to remember something. "I forgot how much he said. Do you recall what it was, Billy?"

"Forty percent." The mobster's young associate played along perfectly.

"I'll give you fifty." Bernard offered. "And a brand new AMI Model F 78 RPM Jukebox that's never been in another establishment."

"You have a deal, Mr. Weston." Silk said and shook the man's hand. "When do we get to pick out the records?"

The jukebox salesman lead the mobsters outside to his van in the parking lot. In the back of the van there were several boxes of records for them to choose from for Hotel California's new jukebox.

"Every time I drive through Detroit and see the signs for the district of Black Bottom they remind me of Ma Rainey's song." The salesman told the mobsters and showed them a record.

Black Bottom by Ma Rainey

"Or if you want to make your customers get up and dance this is a good one." The salesman suggested and gave a record to Billy.

The Black Bottom Dance

"We'll take both of those." Silk said. "They'll be popular with friends of ours from Black Bottom."

"Hey California Girl." Billy said to his boss and gave her a record from a box in the van. "You'll like this one."

California, Here I Come by Al Jolson

Silk laughed after reading the title of the song. "I haven't heard this in awhile. My mom likes it too. Nice find, Billy."

"Are you from California?" The salesman asked the mobster.

"Yes, Sir." Silk answered and smiled. "The City of Angels."

"My wife is from LA too!" The man replied. "My oh my... what a small world." He lit a cigar and continued, "Business sure took a nose dive after the crackdown on speakeasies on the west coast. Not too many places to put jukeboxes out there anymore."  

"Here's another one that will be popular with friends of ours." Silk commented and showed Billy the record she found.

In the Jailhouse Now by Jimmie Rodgers

"If you're picking that one we need this one too." Billy said and gave Silk a record.

The Prisoner's Song by Vernon Dalhart

"Hell yes!" The California Girl agreed. "In honor of all our friends who do their time and don't cry like whiny bitches about it."

The mobster noticed her errand boy walking towards the hotel with his school book bag over his shoulder. As always he looked serious and ready to work.

"HEY JAMES!" Silk yelled and waved at the boy. "Come here and help us."

"How's school?" Silk asked James.

The twelve year old answered with a shrug. "Boring. I don't learn anything I'm going to use working for you except math."

"Pay attention to the other stuff anyway." The mobster told him. "It keeps your mind sharp."

"I pay attention to everything, just like you taught me." James replied and nodded towards the van full of boxes. "What are you doing?"

"Picking out records for the hotel's new jukebox." Silk told him and lit a cigarette. "Pick out a couple. I'm going to check on things inside."

As the mobster walked away James looked over at Billy. "I don't know anything about records."

"Pick anything that catches your eye." Billy suggested. "Customers have fun with the ladies and drink too much to care what music is playing."

James nodded and picked the first record he found in a box. "How about this one?"

Charmaine by Guy Lombardo

"Alright, pick another." Billy said and took the record from the boy. James quickly picked another record.

Some Of These Days Sophie Tucker

As Billy looked through the boxes of records the salesman stepped closer to him and said, "Pardon me for being nosy, but are you the legendary trigger man, Billy The Kid?"

"Yes Sir." Billy answered with a proud smile. "You've heard of me?"

"Yes, of course." The salesman said and added, "If half the things they say about you are true I should be scared for my life right now."

Billy laughed. "People talk too much."

"You're right about that." The man agreed and laughed too. "I've heard so many stories over the years I've been traveling to peddle jukeboxes I don't know what to believe anymore."

"This one is perfect for the hotel!" Billy said excitedly and took a record out of the box.

  I'm Wild About That Thing by Bessie Smith

"Here's another popular one at brothels." The salesman handed another record to the young man.

Shake That Thing by Viola McCoy

After checking on things in the hotel Silk walked back outside and approached the van. "Done yet, Billy? I just got a call from the boss about a job we need to do downtown."

"We have nine so far." Billy answered. "One more to go, Boss."

The California Girl searched through a box and smirked when she saw a song title.

"Here's our tenth record." She said to Billy. "Every time it plays I'll tell everyone if they try to steal my girl I'll put them in the fucking ground." 

Somebody Stole My Gal by Ted Weems

~ Hotel California ~

Corktown, Detroit

Show Me The Money

The California Girl and Billy The Kid left Hotel California and raced down the streets of Corktown. Behind the wheel Silk took a bag of weed out of her pocket and handed it over to her associate. "Roll one for us, bro."

Five minutes later the mobsters were Downtown, Detroit. Silk parked her hot rod across the street from The Hilton and lit a cigarette.

"We have money to collect." The California Girl told her associate. "A professional gambler, Denny Stark owes Zero two million dollars. If he doesn't have it we have the green light from Carl to put a bullet in his head."

"Let's do this!" Billy said and got out of the car.

The mobsters walked into The Hilton and looked around the lobby before they approached the check in counter.

"Hello, Sir." Silk greeted the man behind the counter and smiled. "I'm looking for my brother, Denny Stark." The mobster slid a hundred dollar bill across the counter and asked, "What's his room number?"

Five minutes later the mobsters were outside the gambler's room. Billy took out his gun, kicked the door open and yelled, "ROOM SERVICE!"

Behind her associate Silk walked into the room. Denny Stark was standing in the middle of the room with his hands up. "What do you want?"

"Two million dollars you owe my boss." Silk answered as she approached him. The mobster pushed her gun against the gambler's head and said, "Please tell me you don't have it. Better yet, tell me you don't know what I'm talking about and beg for your life. I like that part... I REALLY like that part! Don't you, Billy?"

"Yes ma'am, I love when a mark begs." The young man answered and smiled. "It makes the kill more fun."

"Go ahead." Silk told the gambler and pushed the gun harder against his head. "Tell me you don't have Zero's two million so I can pull the trigger and blow your brains out."

"My...." Denny Stark nervously said. "My suitcase." He pointed to the bed. "I was going to call Zero and pay him."

"Of course you were." Silk replied sarcastically as Billy checked the suitcase. When he nodded Silk sighed. "I guess we'll have to find someone else to feed to the fishes, Billy."

Minutes later as the mobsters raced away from the hotel with the money Silk looked over at her associate and said, "Nice work."

"Nice acting." Billy replied and rolled another joint.

"I wasn't acting." The California Girl confessed with a frown. "I really was a little sad I didn't get to kill him. I didn't like his shirt."

After taking the money to the boss The California Girl and Billy The Kid returned to Hotel California.

"WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?" Silk yelled when she saw Mary Jane, the prostitute the mobster fired for flirting with Almonette.

"I forgot to tell you she called before the jukebox salesman showed up." Billy said as they got out of the car. "She wants to talk to you."

"About what?" Silk snapped and stared across the parking lot at her former employee who was standing in front of the hotel.

"I don't know." Billy answered and shrugged. "Maybe she wants her job back."

"When pigs fly." The California girl commented as they walked towards the prostitute. "Hello Mary Jane, what are you going here?"

"I want to put a hit on someone." Mary Jane answered coldly. "Five million dollars."

Almonette walked into the Hotel and noticed the newest Jukebox addition, then went to see what there was to listen to and had a good laugh when she saw Somebody Stole My Gal by Ted Weems. "I know who picked out that song, like anyone even could.  Crazy woman."  She said to herself, as she tossed in a nickle and played the song.

"Hey, is Silk here?"  The mobster asked the new bartender.

The bartender eyed her up and said, "No she's out on a run with Billy."

"Thanks. I'll just leave a note in her office."  Almonette said.

As she was heading to Silk's office she was stopped by a familiar voice.  "Almonette, hey sugar."

Almonette rolled her eyes and said, "Mary Jane.  I am no one's sugar but your bosses. I  suggest you just leave it."  Almonette hardly missed a step as she continued on to Silk's office.  She took out a piece of paper and wrote out:

Silky,

Hey Beautiful.  You mom is watching Aisha tonight at the shelter.  I thought you may want to spend some alone time together.  Stop by my house, its in that middle-class neighborhood off State Street,  its the only one peanut-butter colored.  Here's the key.  I hope to see you tonight.

With Love,

Alma

She placed the on the note on her woman's desk, and proceeded to head back to her house to set up for the evening. 

~ Hotel California ~

Corktown, Detroit

Mary Jane

"Who do you want wacked?" Silk asked Mary Jane and glanced around to make sure no one could hear them on the sidewalk in front of Hotel California.

"My husband." The former prostitute answered. "Eddie Taylor."

"You're married to Eddie Taylor?" Billy blurted out with surprise.

"Who's Eddie Taylor?" Silk asked.

"Big porn producer." The young man answered his boss.

"Five million is a lot of money." Silk said and wondered if the big offer was bait. "Why don't you just get a divorce?"

"I won't get what I want with a divorce." Mary Jane answered and took a silver cigarette case out of her purse. "I only married him for his company. Now that I know how to run it I want it." She paused to light a cigarette then continued, "Before Martina died she was going to take over his business. She told me to go work for him and learn everything about making fuck flicks. Marrying him was my idea." The former prostitute took a long drag of her cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke. "So, will you take him out for me?"

Instead of answering in case the question was a set up Silk said, "Meet me at Baker's Pool Hall tonight at 9 sharp."

After Mary Jane left The California Girl and Billy The Kid walked into Hotel California. The jukebox was playing The Black Bottom Dance and a few of the prostitutes were dancing. Silk glanced at Billy as they walked towards the bar and commented, "Looks almost as sexy as the Durden dance."

Billy laughed and asked, "What do you want to do about Mary Jane?"

"Check her out and make sure she isn't working for the pigs or the feds." Silk told her associate. "I want to know everything about her before I decide if we should do the hit. Also, find out more about her husband's company. If she has five million to throw away I might get into the porn business with her."

The mobster chatted with her associate for a few more minutes then went upstairs to her office. When she saw the note from Almonette she picked it up and smiled as she read it. The California Girl picked up the key to her sweetheart's house and left the office. Downstairs she waved at Billy and said, "Go meet Mary Jane later. I have a date."

~ Hotel California ~

Corktown, Detroit

Six Years of Crazy

In her office in Hotel California Silk read the newspaper and drank a cup of coffee. A headline about Los Angeles caught her attention. Sometimes the mobster couldn't believe she left The City of Angels six years ago. Back then before she moved to Detroit The California Girl had no ambitions other than surfing and getting high. In the past six years she became a more responsible adult while working with Detroit's most notorious mobsters.

~

There were so many changes over the past six years. The hotel was still a brothel, but it was also used to film movies for Dirty D Inc, a production company Silk co-owned with former prostitute, Mary Jane. Although the mobster fired the prostitute six years ago they were now close friends. All it took was one conversation years ago after Silk's associate, Billy wacked Mary Jane's husband for her.

"I'll invest in your porn company on a few conditions." The mobster told the former prostitute. "Don't flirt with my woman. Don't say her name. Don't talk to her. Don't even look at her."

After Silk laid down the law Mary Jane did something unexpected, she laughed. "All that flirting wasn't real. It was just business. People don't go to brothels just for a fuck. They also want flirting and compliments like, you're the best ever, baby."

"So you don't want my woman?" Silk asked.

"Back then I only wanted her for the money." Mary Jane answered coldly. "My whoring days are over."

Just when Silk thought she had Mary Jane figured out as a cold hearted woman the former prostitute surprised her again by marrying Billy after only a few months of dating. The California Girl thought they were crazy for getting married, but that was like the pot calling the kettle black. After six years together the couple had two kids and another one on the way. Silk wondered if there were any rumors floating around the country about the legendary trigger man, Billy The Kid being a husband and father.

Other than Billy still working with Silk the hotel's errand boy, James was doing more than delivering bribes to the local FBN agent. Now eighteen years old James was Silk's hardest working associate. The quiet young man still remembered where he came from, the streets. Although he now lived in the apartment next to HotIce Family Suits he still went to the youth shelter several times a week to spend time with street kids and teach them how to play poker.

The young associate's best poker student was Almonette's daughter, Aisha. Now sixteen years old the girl easily won thousands of dollars from mobsters in Detroit when they gathered for poker night once a week. They were easy to beat because they watched Aisha grow up and still thought of her and a sweet and innocent angel, an old family trick Silk taught her. Other than being sly at the poker table Aisha was a good kid. To anyone who didn't know her Aisha looked like just another pretty girl, but she was smart too and hid that as well as she hid her poker talent.

The relationship between Silk and Almonette was still as crazy as it was six years ago. Like most couples they had problems, but no one did drama as good as them. Back in 1934 they almost broke up after an argument that started about an omelet and toast. It was a day The California Girl would never forget.

"This is cold." Silk complained after taking a bite of the omelet her woman made for her. "And all the cheese isn't melted. Why didn't you leave it in the pan long enough for all the cheese to melt?" The whining continued a moment later, "There's too much butter on the toast. You know I don't like so much butter."

The older mobster's response to the complaining was to take Silk's plate and empty it into the garbage can in the kitchen.

"HEY!" Silk yelled and stood up. "Why did you do that? I was eating it!"

The argument that started over breakfast lasted almost all day and included snide remarks about things that happened in the past because that's how women argue. Eventually they stopped yelling, had six hours of fun making up and all was happy in Mafia Land again. A few days after the argument of the century Almonette and Silk went to a baseball game in Detroit. The New York Yankees played The Detroit Tigers. In the second inning the mobsters witnessed history in their home town, Babe Ruth hit the 700th home run of his career.

~

After the mobster skimmed over most of the headlines in the newspaper she got to the sports section and read about The Yankee's impressive rookie, Joe DiMaggio. As she read another article about the talented, Lou Gehrig there was a knock on the office door then Billy walked in followed by James.

"We checked out Vincent's." Billy said referring to the restaurant, Vincent's Fine Italian Dining in Downtown, Detroit. "You were right." He said to Silk. "His nephew is selling drugs and undercutting us by twenty five percent."

"No wonder our customers are complaining about our prices." Silk commented and looked over at her eighteen year old associate. "What do you think we should do about it?"

"Put him out of business." James bluntly answered.

Silk smiled and stood up, "Okay, let's go."

~ Hotel California ~

Corktown, Detroit

Put Paulie Out of Business

One of the changes in Detroit over the years was the downfall of the classiest Italian restaurant in the city. When Silk moved to The Motor City six years ago Vincent's Fine Italian Dining was one of her favorite places for food, wine and socializing. The owner, Vincent Russo was a hard working Italian immigrant with class and respect. His nephew, Paulie was a different story. For years he was hooked on barbiturates and living off his uncle. When Vincent died five years ago Paulie inherited the restaurant and cleaned up his act, but he didn't know anything about running the restaurant.

Since Vincent's wasn't the same since old Vinnie died mobsters flocked to a new downtown restaurant, The Detroit Deli, owned by Silk's mother, Vivian Martin. The menu only listed sandwiches, but the mobster's mother was happy to cook anything by request. Her Chicken Parmesan was a favorite for many patrons. As The Detroit Deli became more successful over the years Paulie struggled to make a profit from his uncle's restaurant. Rumor has it Paulie borrowed money from a loan shark and couldn't even pay the vig so he turned to selling drugs to get out of debt. No one knows the drug business like an ex junkie.

With connections all over the country Paulie bought cheap drugs and sold them for twenty five percent less than drugs sold by Detroit's organized crime families. The decline in drug business didn't take long for Silk to notice. The stock market crash in 1929 and the years known as The Great Depression didn't effect the drug business. No matter how broke people were they still bought drugs. The drug business was wide open for anyone to make money from as long as dealers didn't undercut their competition by too much. When Billy found out Paulie was undercutting local mobsters by twenty five percent Silk agreed with the suggestion James made to put Paulie out of business.

"What's the plan?" Billy asked as they walked out of Hotel California.

"I'll talk to Paulie, but I doubt it'll do any good." Silk answered and followed James to his car. "He knows what the local prices are. Him taking our business is a slap in the face. If he doesn't stop selling after our chat we'll put him in the ground."

Five minutes later they were downtown where James parked in the empty parking lot next to Vincent's. "What a shame." Silk commented and shook her head. "This parking lot use to be packed every night."

With her associates by her side Silk walked into the restaurant and took off her sunglasses. The only people inside were an couple at a table in the back and Paulie at the bar.

"HEY CALIFORNIA GIRL!" Paulie yelled and stood up. "How are ya? Long time no see. Table for three?"

"No, thanks." Silk answered. "Just a table for you and me. We need to talk, Paulie."

The mobster followed the restaurant owner to a table and her associates went to the bar. As soon as she sat down Silk didn't beat around the bush. "You're out of the drug business, Paulie. No more selling in Detroit."

"What?" He asked with surprise. "Why?"

"Don't play dumb." Silk snapped and stared across the table at him. "You've been undercutting prices for months. You stole a lot of business from me and mine. It's not smart to steal food off our tables."

"FUCK YOU!" Paulie yelled and stood up so fast his chair tipped over. "You stole business from me when you helped your mother open a deli." He pointed at the door and yelled, "GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!"  

"Okay, Paulie." Silk said and stood up. "This is your only warning, if you don't stop selling drugs we'll put you out of business."

Five minutes later back in Corktown Silk looked over at James behind the wheel of the car and said, "Send a couple street kids to Vincent's tonight to try to score. Call me and let me know if Paulie sells anything to them."

"What do you want me to do?" Billy asked as James parked in front of Hotel California.

"Go home to your wife and kids." Silk answered and smiled at the family man. "If we hit Paulie we'll do it tomorrow."