Vito

7 - Check Up

"He's just been working too much as of late. I'm beginning to thin-"

I opened the door, interrupting the ongoing conversation in the meeting room. "Whose this that's been working too much?" I asked, glancing at Reyna, Michael and Owens in turn. Owens had demanded to be involved in the plans on retrieving his daughter as one could imagine. I granted it without much fuss, Owens was experienced in our field making him an asset and a motivated one at that.

Reyna, who had been the one to say it was the first to speak up. "You, Vito. I've noticed you've started to hardly sleep. The light in your room is always on, no matter how late it is."

"I sleep with the light on." I replied.

"That's a lie. From a child you've been unable to sleep with the lights on." Reyna responded in a teasing tone. She turned to Owens adding in a lower voice, "He's always been such a backwards child."

"How have you been, Owens?" I asked, deciding a subject change was in order.

"Decent, considering all that's going on. I'm just trying to focus on getting her back...safely." Owens responded, looking downcast for a moment. 

I nodded, then turned back to Reyna. "So, have you gotten any information on where she might be kept or have you been playing sleep doctor all morning?"

Reyna turned a bright red and Michael's chuckle only served to make her look more like an apple. "I'm sorry for caring about my brother," she muttered.

"Your brother's old enough to take care of himself. Now, how has progress been?"

"What specifically am I supposed to be looking for?" She asked with a sigh.

"Warehouses. The fucker always liked to use them and he knows I'm aware of them. A warehouse with no clear use is bound to pop up, he won't be trying to hide it's existence after all. He wants to be found." I replied.

"He's underestimated us severely." Owens said, pouring himself another shot of vodka. "I hope to be able to view his gravesite in the near future, the place where people who disrespect my daughter tend to end up."

"Amen to that." Michael chimed in, raising his own glass.

"Today I have that other business to take care of, so I'll be out." I said, glancing at Reyna then Michael in turn. Though Owens was trustworthy, we would never hope to include him in this dangerous business without absolutely having to.

Reyna nodded. "Before you do, however, we have something to discuss." She paused, standing up and walking to top of the desk, my usual spot. "I would like to construct a vote on Vito's involvement in this... business. He's been overworking himself when there isn't need for it." She turned to Owens who looked on with a thoughtful expression. "Of course I'm not saying your daughter shouldn't be a high priority, but as he just indicated he's also working on other business here in the city. Me and Michael will be more than enough to bring her home safely."

I sighed loudly. "Are you done?"

"Indeed I am. All in favor of the proposed strategy, raise your hands," she said, raising hers and looking toward the rest of the table's occupants. "As this business directly involves Owens, I'm sure you won't mind him being able to vote."

I said nothing, watching the scene play out. My brother, likely out of pure loyalty to me, kept his hand down though I suspected he actually agreed with her words. Owens hesitated, seeming to be pondering the best course of action. Finally, he too raised his hand.

"Nothing against you Vito, of course. I've already intruded enough by being here, I have no desire to add to your stress, not to mention you've already gone out of your way to help me." He turned to the others. "I believe two Colts will be enough to make sure that bastard ends up in a coffin, after all."