Ace and Gideon have a conversation
Matthew Ryan Fischer
“I have no idea what you mean.”
Ace was pretty sure Gideon was lying, but he had expected that. There
was no reason for Gideon to tell the truth. No reason for Gideon to trust Ace
or Seven. Gideon would have every reason in the world to kill them both now.
But Gideon was an old friend and Ace was counting on that meaning something and
for there to be some level of trust and nostalgia that he could prey upon.
“That’s fine. I believe you. But I’m going to say a few things
anyway. And I want you to consider them. You don’t have to talk or respond, and
I’ll leave you to think about them. And then if you want to talk more later, I
won’t hold it against you that you were cautious tonight.”
“You sound like a man who I knew a long long time ago. I wasn’t
sure that man was still around.”
“I worry about my son. I still do. It doesn’t mean I’m not the
same man I once was. It just means I have other things to protect. That man
then, and this man now, would do what he had to do to protect them.”
“That I remember. And I’m willing to be convinced of it now.”
“You know about Queenie?”
“What a her?”
“Me and her.”
“Like old times.”
“Yeah, but worse. And she got me. I’m been training her family.
Training her guards. One of her distant nieces has been training with Seven.
Keeping an eye on him.”
“And you’ve begun to worry about her loyalty to you so you’ve come
to an old friend?”
“Something like that. But I think we both know it’s more than
that. Gunmen on the street. Foreign money invested all over the city. Small time
hoods suddenly building little empires. The streets are changing. It’s not safe
like it once was.”
“Are you doubting the wisdom of the old ways? Of the families?”
“Let’s not play that game quite yet. I know you and Queenie convinced
the others that rearming was a wise move. I don’t care. I did but I don’t. I
care about my son. I know you asked him to look into the death of Nine. That’s
breaking the rules. Or at least bending them. But I don’t care about that
either. I get it. If something happened to Seven, I’d break more than that to
find out what was really going on.”
“So far, I don’t hear many questions directed at me. I did hear a
few accusations.”
“I just wanted you to know that I know. And I’m looking the other
way. And I want a little bit of leeway from you. We’re not family, but you and
I used to have numbers. As far as I’m concerned, you and me are brothers
forever because of that. You think different, you tell me and I’ll go back to
my dojo and keep my mouth shut. You think I’m a threat, I understand. But I
want you to see that I haven’t done anything and I’m telling you about Queenie
and I’m not telling anyone else about you.”
“I’m curious what do you think I’ve done?”
“Well, I think this city is a lot less stable than it was six
months ago. And I think you’re a man who knows how to make stability, but also
benefit from lack thereof.”
“Are you asking if I killed my own Agent?”
“No, I am not. I am saying that if you were a man who wanted to
grow, you would know how to make an opportunity for yourself and be savvy enough
to cover it up so no one would notice until it was too late.”
“While I do appreciate your generosity, I dare say I’m not quite
the man you make be out to be. I would know a thing or two about protecting my interests,
but I’m not quite mad enough to go on a killing spree.”
“Damn it, Gideon, I was there that night. Don’t forget that. I helped
you. You’re a goddamn boss now, and I helped put you there. And I never said a
word or asked for any favors.”
“But you are asking right now.”
“Damn straight I am. It’s been a long twenty years and I guess I figure
you owe me a little something. And I’m not asking for much. I’m not even asking
for the truth. I’m just saying if something is coming, if some warning could be
given, if a couple of guys could be brought along, I’d be real appreciative.”
“Debts cleared.”
“Debts, interest, whatever. I want to live and I want my son to be
safe. And if I have to tell you about the Queen and her plans or the plans of
her nieces I will. If you want my son to investigate something for you, I can
help. But I don’t think my son is ready to kill for you or go along with
anything he’s not supposed to do. But you know I will. I’ve killed for you in
the past and I can do it again.”
“Well, we’re in luck, Queenie and Seven just arrived downstairs,
so we can ask them in person what they are or aren’t willing to do.”
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