Mobsters, Inc.

Four

“Amelia Collins,” Jillian, Franco’s secretary, narrated early Tuesday morning. “23 years old. Has one brother, an eleven-year old named Daniel. Mother died during Daniel’s birth, father was a fire fighter and died during one of his rescue missions four years ago. She’s now living with her aunt, Linda Collins, here in London. She’s working as a waitress at Club Andromeda. She also works as a cashier at a local bookstore, and works part time at a bakeshop."

“Is that all?” Franco asked, leaning back against his seat.

 “Yes, sir,” Jillian answered as she pushed her glasses up her nose. She laid the green folder in front of Franco. “So far, those are the only information we got.”

“Find out if she’s still studying,” Franco pressed. “Also if there are criminal records, or any hospital records.”

Jillian nodded. “We will look into that, sir.

Franco let out a breath as he leaned forward, bracing his arms on his desk. “Be sure to get me that information as soon as possible, okay?”

“Yes, Mr. Moore,” she replied. “Is there anything else you need?”

Franco almost cringed when Jillian called him Mr. Moore. It made him sound so… old. Mr. Moore was his father. He was just Franco. He made a mental note to tell Jillian to never call him Mr. Moore again.

“No, thank you Jillian,” Franco said. With a slight nod, Jillian turned and walked away, her long black hair swishing behind her. Franco eyed the folder and after a moment, grabbed it. He then began to sort through the contents. What puzzled him the most was Amelia’s multiple jobs. She worked that much, yet she still had to borrow money from loan sharks? Franco wondered why she needed the extra money. She was living with her aunt now, wasn’t she? Shouldn’t that make life a bit easier for her, at least financially?

Franco placed his chin on his hand and drummed the fingers of his free hand on the table. Maybe her aunt was like one of those wicked stepmothers in fairy tales—those that make her work like a slave. As quickly as the thought came, he disregarded it. Amelia didn’t come off to him as someone who would allow anyone to enslave her.

Maybe she didn’t want to be a freeloader. Yeah, that made sense She seemed to be the independent type.

Amelia did mention her younger brother. Franco wondered if he liked the burger. If he had his sister’s appetite, Franco was most definitely certain that half a burger didn’t do it for him.

As much as Franco was preoccupied by thinking about how to help Amelia, he was also filled with anticipation of going home. He was set to fly back to New York on Friday. Only three more days. The project was going well, and Sam, the head engineer, suggested that Franco took some time off for a couple of weeks to go home. He pretended to protest, but in reality, he really wanted to go home so in the end, with a couple of minutes worth of acting, he agreed. He couldn’t wait to see Crystal again. And his family, especially his father.

Okay, maybe he missed Brenan, too.

This meant though, that he had to act fast if he wanted to help Amelia. Maybe he could see her before he goes home. He surely could get her address. Or Linda Collins’s address.

Now though, Franco had to do some work. He eyed the pile of papers on his desk and fought the urge to groan. More plans, more reports, more statistics.

Only three more days, Moore. Only three more days and you get to kiss Crystal again.

That thought was enough to make him sort through the pile.

Going over the documents made time flew, and Franco was already feeling a crick in his neck when a knock on his door interrupted him. Franco let out a breath, the noise a welcomed distraction.