Day 150 - Leap of Faith

 Leap of Faith

 Matthew Ryan Fischer

 

Everyone talked about how Gideon had proposed one of his top lieutenants to become the new number nine. The unspoken conversation was everyone also knew not all the families agreed. Seven knew from his father, that Gideon and his son Jacob were in disagreement as well. Seven was perhaps only one of a dozen or so people to have heard that. He had known Jacob since he was a child. They were nearly the same age and had always gotten along well. But he was loyal to the families and that meant Gideon over his friend. He wanted to ask what their conflict was, but it wasn’t his place. His father didn’t know exactly, or at least wasn’t saying. He did say that Gideon’s pick was a decent enough choice. The man was skilled and smart. Once the families settled their differences, the training would begin and in short order Nine would be replaced. It made Seven sad. Nine was a partner and a friend. No matter how competent Gideon’s man might be, replacing that comradery would be difficult.

Three was waiting for Seven outside Ace’s dojo. Seven was still sweating and had a few bruises to show for his family time.

“You go easy on him? Or did he go easy on you?”

“I can’t remember the last time my father went easy on me.”

“Maybe when you were a kid.”

“Maybe. What brings you out tonight? Work?”

“I heard a rumor that Gideon made his pick. Figured your dad would know. But seeing your face, I imagine you can tell me.”

“Our Nine is a thing of the past. Long live the new number Nine.”

“Who?”

“You know Frankie?”

“Yeah. Him?”

“It’s who Gideon wants. There’s some conversation. It might not be a done deal.”

“Interesting.”

“You’re friends with Jacob, right? Dad says maybe Jacob had a different idea.”

“And you want me to go find out.”

“Whatever. I don’t know. It might be interesting. We could all go for a drink. Fill him with alcohol.”

“If Jacob wants to talk, we won’t need alcohol.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’ll feel it out. See how he responds. Maybe later this week.”

“What about tonight? Anything? I heard there are some new girls working at Club B.”

“You’re suddenly interested in all that?”

“I think it’s time you and I talk. We need to catch up on some things. Plus, there might be something more going on at that club.”

“Unauthorized?”

“Maybe. A lot of new faces in the neighborhood. A lot of drivers. New girls. Could be nothing, but if there are new players who aren’t paying taxes? We should know.”

“And we get to look at pretty women.”

“I didn’t say there wouldn’t be perks.”

“That’s some low-level shit. Anyone could check on that. What do you really want to talk to me about?”

Seven thought about Nine appearing at his apartment that night. He thought about the USB drive and the tech who helped him crack the encryption. Nine wasn’t lying, there was a hard drive worth of files about all of them. Someone had collected an entire history on the organization, the rules and current business involved. This was big and Seven needed someone he could trust to help him with this. Whoever made it was still a mystery. Nine likely died because of it, but who he got it from wasn’t clear. The police could be getting ready to crack down, or perhaps a hostile rival. Someone seemed to be preparing to go to war. Seven just wasn’t quite sure who he could trust.

“You want to talk about Nine some more?” asked Seven.

“Frankie?”

“No.”

“I thought you were going to let Ten do his job.”

“I was. But after the funeral… Gideon approached me with a request.”

“Jesus. Do the other families know?”

“I don’t know.”

“God damn. You idiot.”

“He is a boss. I was supposed to say no?”

“No… but. Damn. Damn man. What are you doing? What are you doing to me?”

“Sorry. You’re right, I can go home. You don’t need to be a part of this.”

“No. Let’s get a beer. But if you end up getting me killed, I’m going to be super pissed.”

Seven laughed and they walked off together. Seven wasn’t sure how much he was going to tell him, but someone besides himself needed to know that some of it.

 

 

 

When Seven got home that night, Kira was waiting for him in his bed.

“Long day?”

Seven nodded. “Gonna be a long night?”

“I hope so.”

Seven shut the lights off and crossed the room.