King Enterprise Book One: Finnick

Chapter Three - Orphans

Finnick stumbles into his apartment and flicks the light on. His luggage claims the passageway and he stumbles his way around the bags. He steps into his lounge and exhales a happy sigh to see his array of plants still alive and well. His apartment looks freshly cleaned too. He digs his phone out of his pocket and manages to send a message through to Julian. 'Juley thank my palnts not die and room clen'.

Finnick drops onto the green velvet couch in his living room, the room spins around him and there's a dull ache in his right hand. He rolls onto his side and kicks his shoes off before he shuts his eyes. After sometime the room spins to a halt and Finnick drifts into a dreamless sleep.

The vibration of his phone seems to cause the entire couch to tremble and Finnick groans. He fumbles for his phone, not bothering to open his eyes. The light of day shines against his closed eyelids. Finnick swipes at his screen and presses the phone to his ear.

"This better be fucking important."

"Finnick, it's your father, I'd watch your fucking tone with how you anwer my phone calls."

"Ah sorry old man. Just felt like I fell asleep ten minutes ago."

"You probably did. Get your arse up and showered. I want you all at the church in an hour."

The call is cut before Finnick can respond and he groans then throws his phone across the floor of his apartment. He stands up slowly, swaying as he does. He heaves and doubles over as bile pushes into his throat. The memories from the night before a blur. Finnick makes his way to his phone and picks it up. He dials Casey's number.

"What Finnick? It's bad enough dad is calling so fucking early."

"Just making sure you didn't get arrested."

"Idiot, I'm the one who took you home."

Casey cuts the call and Finnick continues dredging through his apartment. He makes his way into his bedroom and then into the en suite bathroom. Finnick turns the shower faucet on then walks back into his bedroom. He pulls open the built in cupboard doors that are in front of his large bed and ruffles through his clothes. He picks out a matching tracksuit set, a scarf and beanie to match.

Finnick lays the clothes out on his bed and then pulls a robe out of the cupboard. He wants to keep things as clean and orderly as possible but he knows that no one keeps Gene King waiting.

Finnick showers quickly and dresses even quicker. He lifts his keys and phone and jogs out of his apartment and into the garage where his car is parked. He can tell by looking at it that it's been used. And he knows it was Casey who used it.

He drives fast, recklessly, to make it to church in time. He pulls into a parking space just as Mikkel is hopping out of his car. Mikkel closes his door and leans against it with a smile as Finnick disembarks.

"Morning Nicky, how are you feeling today?" Mikkel grins patting his younger brother on the back.

"Shut it Kels my headache is big enough to be shared."

They walk up the gravel road and round the wooden church. Behind the church there is a small green garden and a neat picket fenced house. The picket fence is faded with the white paint peeling off of it in stripes. Mikkel pushes the fence open and ushers Finnick in before him. Finnick walks up the gravel pathway. He steps up the two stairs and through the open front door. Immediately at the entrance to the house Casey is hanging his coat up. He glances over his shoulder at Finnick, his lip slit and bruised.

"Damn I forgot we were throwing down last night. You okay?"

Casey smirks. "That wasn't the fight. It was the sex after."

Finnick grins gripping onto Casey's shoulders and follows him into the kitchen that is just to the left of the lounge in a separate room. In the middle of the kitchen is an old kitchen table with faded blue paint and white trimmings. Gene is sitting at the head of the table and Julian is to his left. Elijah is busying himself setting a tray with coffee and sugar. He sets the coffee down on the table.

"Morning boys," Gene calls out, interrupting the chatter between Casey and Finnick.

"Dad," Finnick acknowledges as he sits down at the table.

"Father," Casey mutters, dropping into a seat.

Mikkel sits down at the other edge of the table. "Morning old man," Mikkel says with a smile. Elijah hands out the cups of coffee made to each of his brothers specifications. He leans against the counter with his coffee in hand.

"Well boys, we're happy to have Nicky home but that being said work does not stop. I've received word that old Mcguire is retiring."

Elijah frowns. "And he didn't tell us directly?"

Gene raises a hand. "He intends to tell us tonight. We've been invited over for dinner with his wife. Eli and Julian you'll come with me."

"Why the secrecy?" Mikkel enquires.

"They've hired a new pathologist. An outsider coming in from another town. I don't have much intel."

Mikkel nods slowly sipping his coffee. Julian sets his mug down. "He's been in bed with us for some time. I'd imagine in his retirement he wants to do something good. That's probably why there's all the secrecy and why someone external was hired." Mikkel nods his agreement as Julian falls silent.

"Nicky," Gene begins, "this is the new job. I want you finding out as much as possible about this new pathologist. I want you monitoring whoever this is at all times. And you keep your distance you hear me boy? I don't want you screwing this up."

"Or screwing the pathologist," Mikkel adds matter-of-factly, causing a rumble of laughter at the table.

"Enough," Gene rings out despite the smile on his face. "Lunch here today. And I expect to see you all in church this afternoon. What would you all like me to cook?"