I pulled up alongside an old beaten down cafe. The front window was shattered and the sidewalk outside was stained a deep sickening red. It had been a few months since I had been here, but I knew what I was looking for would still be around.
I got out of my car and walked up to the front door. The street was deserted in both directions, and there was no sign of life inside the shop. I reached for the handle to the door, but it was locked. No surprise.
I walked around to the side of the building, taking one last glance back at my car. Still no signs of life in this neighborhood, but you could never be too careful.
The side of the building was as run down as the front. The paneling was peeling from the walls, and the trash bin looked as if it hadn't been emptied since the last time I was here. The stench in the air was foul, and it didn't take much to guess what was filling those bins. Still, that wasn't what I came here for.
Walking slowly along the side of the building I reached what I was looking for. A solid steel door, rusted, with green paint peeling away.
"Grandi!"
No response. "Uncle Joe" Grandi had been a small time drugs dealer for years. Always thought more of himself then he was actually worth. Probably watched too many gangster movies. Still, he was a good source for information in this town, and he did owe me for keeping his tail out of the fire the last time we met.
I pounded on the door.
"Grandi! Open up! I know that you're in there!"
Still no response. I didn't want to have to do this the hard way.
"Grandi, one more time! Open the door now, or things are gonna get messy!"
Last warning. I drew my pistol and aimed it at the lock. Just as I was about to pull the trigger the door swung open. Inside stood a a short man, about 5' 2", with a greasy, slicked down, unmanageable and ill-fitting hairpiece. My man.
"Good choice Grandi. May I come in?"
I stepped through the door without waiting for a reply. The room I entered was dimly lit; only one light in the corner was on, and it was flickering steadily - ready to burn out at any moment, I imagine.
The room itself was cramped and full of junk. There was a table in the middle with half a table-cloth sticking out from underneath a pile of filthy papers. The sink in the corner had dishes overflowing onto the grimy countertop and there was a pot on the floor that was catching water from a leak in the roof.
"Seems like you're keeping yourself well."
"Why, inspector Reardon, umm... well... to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Grandi, seems people have been going missing. What do you know about it?"
"Nothing! Nothing man, I swear!"
"Cut the crap Grandi. There's nobody in the city who keeps closer track of the comings and goings. It would be bad for business not to know. Now tell me who took Marlowe."
"Really Inspector, I haven't heard nothing! I mean... well, there was this thing... but man, you wouldn't be interested in it!"
"Talk Grandi."
"Nuh-uh. What's in it for me? You want informataion, maybe I got it. But it's going to cost you."
"You're right Grandi. It'll cost me. How much would you say the cost of a bullet is these days? I don't think an extra body in your trash outside would stand out, do you?"
"Now now inspector! No need for threats. Besides, you kill me then you got nothing."
"Alright Grandi. I won't kill you. But I can have the cops down here faster than you can call for mama to come save your sorry hide. How does 20 to life sound?"
"Ok! Ok! Man, I'm just trying to survive. It's a rough nasty world we're living in! Can't a man do a little honest business to keep himself well? But no. You want to strip me of everything I know without a thought of compensation then fine! But don't be surprised if the next body you find is mine, dead from starvation!"
"You haven't done any "honest business" your entire life Grandi. Now tell me what you know!"
"Fine. This is what I've heard. It's not much, mind you, but it's all I've got. You ever hear of a Detective Theodore Harding? Well, word has it he was real close to Marlowe. About a week ago, Harding went missing, but there was no sign of a struggle at his office. It wasn't covered by the press because the Comm kept it real hush hush, ya know? No bodies, no struggle, no nothing. What they DID find in his office was a note that read "must warn Marlowe - get outta town". Well, Harding hasn't shown up, and now Marlowe's gone missing as well. Who's taken him, I've no idea. I've heard that there's a crime syndicate on the rise though, filled with some of the most powerful people from across the world. If my sources are accurate, our city is just a stepping block for them. With all the big names out of the way, they can move on to something greater."
"And where can I find these guys? Any idea who they are?"
"Like I said, I don't know any details. The person who seemed to have any knowledge of the situation was Harding. Find him, and maybe you'll get some answers."
Harding. I had heard of the guy, but never had the chance to meet him. So he knew what was going on, but he was out of the picture as well huh? Seemed like whoever these guys were, Harding knew they were coming and skipped town. Probably I should do the same. But I couldn't just leave Marlowe.
"Alright Grandi. Thanks for the information. Do yourself a favor and clean up this joint. If the cops come sniffing I won't be able to save you like last time."
"Hey, no problem! Just, uh, hey, try to remember that I helped you out here, right? Next time I need a favor, I can come calling, right?"
"I'll see you around Grandi."
I walked back into the side alley. I didn't learn much from Grandi, but it was a start. Maybe I could find this Harding and learn what was going on. Next stop would have to be his old office. Maybe something would turn up there.
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Votecount: 2.4
Dsell (2): Cuzz, Shraeye
Lekkit (2): Dsell, Qvist
Cuzz (1): Yuma
Eevee (1): Lekkit
Not Voting {4}: Ashersky, Eevee, mcmcsalot, Insomniac
With 10 alive, it takes 6 to lynch.
Deadline is February 4th, 10:00 PM forum time.
Author
Topic: Role Madness VI: Mafia Noir - Home of the only TRUE Mafia: (MAFIA WIN) (Read 115199 times)