Wrestling the Kraken

Bridgett

Bridgett

Bridgett sat in Vito's restaurant waiting. Not Monica, not Heather, not any of them. Just plain ol' Bridgett.

She had ditched her disguises in a storage unit, after moving in with Lanz, and bought a whole new wardrobe. One's that didn't come with a certain way to walk, or talk, or act. These were Bridgett's clothes. There was a way she could explain it, she knew, but getting rid of them was more liberating.

Mentioning that they were costumes for acts was one lie she came up with, but that was just it. It was a lie and she didn't want to lie to him. There was already one lie in circulation about her part-time job that she told him she had. Technically, it wasn't a lie. Helping Dante all these years was more like a full-time job, but ever since the circus fell apart, there wasn't much left standing in his way. It was oddly endearing that he chose to stay at her old apartment. He could afford better of course, but this way they could be closer.

She thought of how she could bring Dante and Lanz together. That was a hurdle that would take some delicacy. Lanz still blamed Dante for Lily. If only he could see what she saw in him. Brave and kind. They both were. Lanz and Dante were actually quite alike, now that she thinks of it.

Vito's son, Vinny, made his way from behind the counter. "Did you order the fried green tomatoes?" He asked.

"Yes, I did." She replied as confidently as she could manage. She was onstage naked, but would still need to provide a strong performance.

He was a young kid, maybe 17 or 18. Standing there fidgeting with his apron, he shifted his weight a few times. His eyes were wide, with a tinge of fear in the middle. The timidness in his presence helped her feel at ease.

Vinny didn't have the same authoritative, intimidating presence that his father held, but the family name alone was enough. No one would touch him and they followed him with the same loyalty as they did his father. His uncle made sure of it. The thing was...his father worked for her.

"Sorry, that's not on the menu." He said and stood there waiting.

Bridgett tilted her head up. "My employer says it is."

Vinny raised his brows. Looking over his shoulder, he took a seat across from her. He wet his lips, looking down at the table. "Your employer got my father put away. What are they gonna do about that?" He looked up and his eyes gave away a pleading behind his words.

"Nothing." She replied. Vinny's eyes didn't blink. "Your father knew the risks. Besides they can only pin the one kidnapping attempt on him. He'll serve time and they'll most likely try to cut him a deal. They want the actual Rose Killer, not him. They'll negotiate to get what they want."

Vinny looked back down at the table, pressing his fingertips firm against it, gesturing with them to the rhythm of his voice. "If my father takes the deal, everyone will think he's a snitch."

"They won't." She replied.

He sat back, looking at her curiously. "Why not?"

"Because right now everyone is out there looking for that snitch who's been talking to the cops right?" Bridgett said, leaning in.

"Yeah, of course. They ain't gonna stop 'till they find em."

"Good, because I know where she's heading, just not when. She also may need some help getting alone. Cops are all over her."

Vinny waited until someone passed by before speaking. "That's all fine, but how does that help my father?"

"The streets want the snitch and the cops want the killer. They are both going to get what they want. The cops will solve their case, the streets will know your father handled the snitch, his way."