Ms Wood Is Dead

Chapter three

Sitting in a rowdy, shabby bar near the waterfront, Michael nursed a bottle of whiskey, paid for from the last money he had in his wallet. He had been slowly getting broke over the last few months. The last few days have been the most trying because his money management skills had been stretched to their maximum. Now he had no money. The air was thick with tobacco. The only thing that kept him going, was looking at the girls who went between the crowds looking for customers. He found fun watching as they earned a living. All they needed was someone to buy them a drink, a very expensive one, and that was it; they got their pay. Anything that followed was a bonus. He looked round and then saw a blonde in a tight fitting, expensive looking dress standing with an impatient look, by the door. Now and then she looked into the crowd, as if looking for someone. Or maybe she is waiting for someone, he thought. She looked interesting to him and rich too. He wondered what she could be doing there. Maybe he could get some money off her after all. After watching her for about five minutes, he decided to go up to her. Just as he was about to leave his seat, he saw someone come in through the door.

It was one of Carlos's men. He wondered who he might be looking for. The man stood by the door, scanning the crowd. His heart began beating expectantly. Carlos usually looked for him when he needed something done. He hoped this was one of such times, because Carlos always paid well, and really needed money. He watched the man as he ran his eyes over the room. He nearly screamed when he saw the man make eye contact with one of the girls and smile. He was just looking for a lay, he thought. Suddenly, all his hopes were gone. He looked at the man again. He was talking to the girl. Suddenly, they were both looking at him. The girl nodded and went away. He man then turned and looked at him. He then started coming towards him. His hopes were revived.

"I see the world has not been treating you fine, Michael." He said, as he got to him, taking a seat.

"Well seeing that you people have forgotten me. I would agree with you on that." Michael said.

"Carlos wants you to do something." The man said, rubbing his hands under the table.

"You people find me only when you need me. After that, you don't care whether I live or die, whether I feed or starve."

"We pay you well, and you are the most suitable one for this." The man said.

Well said, he thought. He was the most suitable man. He belonged to none. They did pay well, but he would ask for more this time.

"What is it Carlos wants me to do?" He asked.

The man delved his left hand into his coat and brought out a folded paper. He pushed it across the table to him. Michael took the paper and unfolded it. On it was the picture of a skull.

"What do I do with this ?" He asked.

"We want to know which gang has that symbol." The man said, taking out his wallet. He counted some notes and dropped them on the table."You get the rest when you deliver."

Just then, the girl the man had been talking to appeared and started walking towards them. She came and stood near the table, smiling at Michael.

"And before I forget, this is Natasha, courtesy of the Carlos Benevolence. Have fun." The man said with a smile, and then he turned and walked out of the bar.

Natasha smiled at him.

"I've already been paid. Where do we go from here?" She asked.

***

"What are you doing here?" Zoe asked.

"I was hiding from one of the clients. He's boring." Lucy replied.