The High Order

1. In the beginning

1.       In the beginning

New York City, 2009

1. In the winding labyrinth of neon and people that is New York Chinatown, where friendly faces meet all around like welcoming family, all was not as it seems. Away from the brightly lit streets came the odor and hint of dirt and grime in the alleys, down one of which, a predator was watching for his unsuspecting prey. A large black van blended effortlessly into the gloomy darkness of the alleyway as random passers-by looked on, oblivious to the coming danger on these peaceful streets.

"Are you sure this is the place?" the bearded driver spoke.

"trust me. It is" replied a voice behind him.

"This doesn't look like the best place for these guys to sell their merch. I mean. Come on, they are the Rossi family for god's sake" the bearded man complained as two white garbage trucks rolled down the opposite side of the street, dispersing the crowd like a military convoy.

"you don't think I know that Jerry. And what are you gassing on about, you aren't getting out, you aren't risking your life for some dough, right?" the man in the back pulled on several pieces of thick green padding as Jerry continued to watch the conspicuous garbage trucks.

"all right Dan, Jesus, I get it. So, you think playing dress-up will get you cosy with the mafia?" Jerry turned back over his driver's seat to his friend.

"I can sure as hell try. We got our commission; we took the job. So, if we want to get paid, I'm going in there and you're gonna sit your ass down in that seat and wait for me. Capisce?" Dan snapped back. Despite being shorter and slightly "heavier" than his co-partner, Jerry did not feel intimidated by Dan at all. They had worked closely on several cases as part of their private investigation firm for the past six years, neither wanting to assert absolute leadership. Dan usually wore brown pants, a blue shirt and a dark long overcoat, all now shrouded under a thick layer of green. Jerry's attire included dark jeans, black greaser coat, and a red t-shirt.

"I know, I know. But what if we get caught?" Jerry puzzled over as several well-kept men of varying sizes wearing suits and golden rings emerged from the garbage trucks and entered a grimy red-bricked apartment block across the street.

"then I will be caught, you just get away. If push comes to shove, burn the evidence and hop across a border or two" Dan answered while being passed a walkie-talkie by Jerry. The space between them and their targets had become ghostly quiet in the city that never sleeps, only a gentle summer breeze and rays of Thursday sunshine patrolled the streets.

Dan opened the back doors of the van and plodded out in his green juggernaut suit, complete with a polished machine gun, pistols, assault rifle, and an assortment of nasty surprises around his utility belt.

"Remember, if this fucks up, don't come back for me" Dan put on a thick helmet

"fine. Just keep in touch" Jerry waved his walkie talkie in the air as Jerry sprinted across the street to the front door of the apartment block. By now, the Rossi family members were several floors above making their deal, pursued by Dan. Every dimly lit hallway and graffiti-ridden staircase Dan turned to seemed as empty as the outside street, disturbed only by unintelligible voices of those just through the walls. Dan and Jerry had been assigned by a rival crime boss to "take good care" of the Rossi family, who dealt basically anything they could get their hands on, from drugs to counterfeits to guns, generic mafia shit in Dan's book. An elderly Asian man opened his door, then stared briefly at Dan's form before scuttling back into his home, allowing Dan to continue on his way.

"how many damn stairs?" Dan thought to himself until he came to the unusually loud noises emanating from a particular door, one with a do not disturb sign over the bronze handle. He peeped through to see the Rossi family members negotiating for a suitcase of white cocaine powder, dust specks dotting the business table, where several Chinese stood around a certain bespectacled one dressed in a purple cloak. Their mumbling appeared agreeable as Dan crept through the cluttered alcoves, on pain of his heavy suit giving him away.