I always liked the smell of the ocean. The salty air filled my lungs and I would daydream about being a sailor traveling the seven seas.
But my thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the squeaky brakes of the car. I looked to see the small warehouse we had for our theatre.
We got half our supplies, props, and other materials sailed over from Europe, Asia, and sometimes Africa when the need came up. It also doubled as a way for us to move contraband around under the noses of the police.
'As if they ever notice' I rolled my eyes at the thought as one of my men opened the door for me.
I walked into the warehouse and was brought to a dimly lit room with a tied-up Joseph in the middle. A few men were surrounding him and I could see the bruises forming around his face.
I slowly walkeded around him, my heels clicking on the concrete was all that could be heard besides his heavy breathing.
"How has it been?" I ask the man in the corner holding some brass knuckles glinting in the small light.
"Okay, we only ruffed him up a bit for ya. Figured you'd be the one to ask the important questions." The man answered as I nodded in agreement.
"Well thank you for that. Let's get down to business." I began, turning to face the bruised Joseph. His mouth was gagged and he glared daggers at me.
I merely looked at him as if he were a roach I was about to step on.
"So, Joseph," I sweetly said causing him to be taken aback by my tone
"You have some answers I need. If you don't give them to me then I will do much worse than what they have been doing." I say, narrowing my eyes at him as he looks around to the others.
I grip the cloth around his face and put my hand out to one of the men.
The man immediately gave me a switchblade I cut the cloth as his cheek began to bleed.
Joseph only hissed in protest.
"Joseph, I'll be honest. My father was too soft on you. For years you have terrorized the girls and women of this theatre with you're disgusting behavior." I spat.
The room shifted as I could feel many of the men's eyes staring at the tied-up man.
"However, according to many other members. The only way to get to my father's office without being seen was to go through the door you were supposed to be guarding." I say starting to circle the man like a vulture.
"How did that happen? You have 10 seconds to start explaining," I threatened as I held the blade against his neck. Joseph's breathing became rapid as I could see the sweat drip off his forehead.
"I-I-I c-can expl-lain" He stuttered as pressed the knife a tad closer
"Then explain," I said through gritted teeth.
Joseph gulped
"O-on that night, I…I was distracted.." he cautiously says My blood began to boil
"Distracted?" I said as I press the blade into his neck as a small bit of blood trickled down the blade.
"Y-yes..I-I was tr-trying to get Bar-barbra to come meet m-me in th-the a-ally" He stuttered as I recognized the name and quickly pulled away the knife.
I turn to face the man and give him a death glare
"Barbra? That hooker that sits on the corner!" I shout as he breaks down crying
"Yes," he cries as all I can see was red. "Forgive me, please" he pleaded to me as I gripped the knife in my hand till my knuckles turned white.
"Forgive you?" I said eerily calm. He looked up at me with pleading eyes.
"Why would I forgive the man who is the reason I don't have a father anymore" I say as he shakes his head
"That was not my intention, I would have never done that if i knew what would have happened" he quickly spat out. I looked at my Uncle and Brother with murder in my eyes.
My Uncle nodded and pulled out his handgun from the side of his jacket.
"No! Please! I can tell you who I saw!" he says as I pause
"Who did you see?" I ask as I cocked the gun.
"It was dark but all I could make out was a man with a large green overcoat and a large gold ring on his ring finger. I swear that's all I saw!" he spits out as I thought for a moment.
'A gold ring? This is useful, and odd for an over coat to have that particular color.' I thought
"Well Joseph you have proven yourself" I began as he looked at me hopefully with his swollen face.
"You can be useful, but I fear that by abandoning your post you have broken my trust and the trust of others in this mafia." His face dropped as I aimed the gun at his head.
"So you must be made an example of those who don't follow orders, farewell Jospeh," I say as he tries to cry out another plea as I pull the trigger.
I didn't flinch or care about the blood that splattered around me.
All I knew was I had another lead to catch.