by J. B. Reed
"Michael, when I picked up your jacket, a gun fell out of your pocket. I picked it up, put it back into your jacket, and started to hang it in your closet. Michael, when I opened your closet I saw that your closet is full of guns, guns of all kinds. Please Michael, don’t be angry with me, I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to snoop on you."
Michael turned around to face Vivie, her face filled with fear, fear of him.
"Vivie, don’t be afraid. You have no need to be afraid of me. There is something that I need to tell you, something that I should have told you long ago."
“I’m not afraid of you Michael; I just don’t understand why a business man, such as yourself, would have a need for a closet for of guns. Dear God, Michael, I don’t even know what some of those things are.”
Michael walked over to Vivie, took her in his arms, and embraced her tightly. She did not know what Michael was about to tell her, but she did know that when he held her in his arms, he made he feel that everything was going to be okay.
“Come sit with me, Vivie. When we met, you assumed that I was a business man, did you not?”
“I did”.
“Well, I am in business, or maybe I should say the business. The first night I came into the pub, the gentleman I was with, do you remember him?”
“Yes, an Italian gentleman, if I remember correctly.”
“Yes, that’s right. That man is my boss, so to speak. His name is Joseph De Luca and he heads a large organization in New York. I work for Mr. De Luca; however, I am not involved in the organization as a whole. What I do could be considered freelance work.”
“Freelance, what does that mean?’
“You see, while the assignments normally come from Joseph, I’m not actually a member of his organization.”
“I’m sorry, Michael, I don’t understand what this has to do with the guns.”
“I’m coming to that, Vivie. I think I had mentioned to you that I have a nickname, remember?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Joseph has a nickname too. Joseph is known as Joe the Banker. He’s also known as Don De Luca.”
“Sweet Jesus. Michael, are you telling me that Joseph is part of the mafia?”
“They don’t like that term, Vivie, they prefer the term “family”. But, to answer your question, yes. Joseph is one of the big bosses, a very important man. He took notice of me when I was just a young kid. He took me under his wing, which is very rare considering I was just a fresh Irish kid who thought I knew it all. Joseph has been very good to me over the years, Vivie. I owe him my very life.”
“Michael, what is it exactly that you do for Joseph, and his family? You said you are not part of his organization, that you freelance. What kind of freelance work do you do for him?”
Michael hesitated to continue, dropping his head.
“Michael? What is it that you do?”
Michael took Vivie by the hand and looked into her eyes, fearing it may be the last time he would be afforded the pleasure of the closeness he has shared with her.
“Vivie, I’m a cleaner, a hit man…..a contract killer. I kill people for a living.”
Vivie pulled her hand from Michael’s, a look of disbelief on her face.
“No, this cannot be. You are not a killer, Michael, I know you, and you are too kind, too generous, too loving. You cannot be the person I know and be a cold-blooded killer. You are lying to me. Why are you lying to me Michael?”
Vivie stood up, walked over, and stood in front of the window, gazing into the street, not seeing anything.
“Vivie, listen to me, please. I am what I am. I have worked for Joseph for more than 18 years. I am telling you the God’s truth. Can you now understand why I tried to avoid your questions about my work and why I would never ask you to visit my home? I did not want you to learn the truth about me. I knew that a woman such as you could never accept someone like me. Not even as a friend. I am sorry, Vivie. I kept the truth from you, but not to deceive you, but to protect you.”
Vivie turned to face Michael, fire, in her emerald green eyes.
“To protect me? Protect me from what, from you? Protect me from your friends, your co-workers? What kind of games were you playing with me, Michael? I thought you were starting to care for me. Why were you coming to the pub and keeping company with me? I do not understand any of this, Michael. And, who the hell are you, to decide that a woman such as me could never accept someone like you? Good God, man, have you forgotten where I come from? Do you think I am some social butterfly, unaccustomed to the ugly side of life? ”
“It’s because of where you come from that I was trying to protect you from the truth about myself. I did not want you to see me as just another criminal in Hells
Kitchen. Vivie, from the first time I laid eyes on you, you had a piece of my heart. At the same time, I believed that if you knew that I was a cleaner, you wouldn’t give me the time of day. Now can you honestly stand there and tell me that I am wrong about that?”
“No, Michael, you’re right. If I had known that you kill people for a living I would not have given you the time of day. I may, however, have given you a list of people that I would like to see knocked off.”
A smile crept across Vivie’s lips. Michael’s eyes widen, a look of shock came across his face.
“Vivie? What the hell?”
“Relax, Michael, I’m joking.”
“Damn it, Vivie, you stand here giving me seven different kinds of hell and then say you would give me a list of people to knock off? I swear Vivian Clancy; you will kill me before anyone else will have a chance to.”
“That’s not funny, Michael. Your chosen profession scares the hell out of me. On the other hand, it also intrigues me. I’m worried for you, that someone may take you out before get to them.”
“That’s not likely to happen. Unless, of course, someone finds out who I am.”
“What do you mean, finds out who you are? Joseph knows you, his family knows you….”
“No, not exactly. Joseph knows me, yes, not the family. When I said I freelance, what I was speaking of was the fact that I am not a member of Joseph’s family. You see, it is rare, but even in the family, there are occasions when members betray the family. When that happens, they have to be dealt with. That is an example of when Joseph will use me. It’s not always a family member, usually my jobs are people outside of the family, someone Joseph wants taken care of in a way that cannot be connected back to the family.”
“I still don’t see how someone as compassionate as you can kill someone in cold blood, Michael. You do not seem the type. Not the Michael that I know.”
“It’s a job, Vivie. I do not know these people. I am not personally involved. When you are not personally involved, you get in, and you get out, you move on to the next job. These are not good people, Vivie. In fact, they are very, very bad people. They’re the Tommy Flannery’s of the world and worse.”
Vivie wondered if Michael had gone after Tommy. She had asked him to stay out of it. Had he listed to her? She was afraid to ask.
“Vivie, I know you must have questions and if I can, I’ll do my best to answer them. One thing you have to understand. What I do, you cannot tell anyone, and no one must know who I am.”
“Really Michael, who do you think I’ll be talking to that I’m going to tell? And, yes, I do have many questions. Michael, you are Catholic, does it not concern you that you will go to hell for killing people. Remember a little commandment called Thou Shall Not Kill?”
Michael smiled and dropped his head. “Yes, Vivie, the nuns drilled those lovely commandments into my head in the same manner they drilled them into yours. The way I feel about it is this; when I stand before God all mighty, I am hoping that he will understand that while I was here on his good earth, that I was doing his work, I was ridding the world of evil, dangerous, vermin. In addition, I’m hoping he will look at me and say that I’ve done a good job, and let me enter into eternal peace. God knows I haven’t had any since
I’ve been born.”
Vivie placed her arms around Michael and held him tight. How this man, that is so tender and open and compassionate with her, can be the same man who, without a second thought, will take the life another human being, was beyond Vivie’s comprehension.
“If your feelings for me have changed, if you are afraid of staying here with me, alone, I understand. I will help you find a place to live and help you until you can find a job. I’ll not ask you to stay with me if you’re uncomfortable.”
“Do I look like I’m afraid of you, Michael? I do not understand how you can do what you do, but I am not afraid of you. Michael, you saved my life. You are truly my hero. If you would not mind, I would like to stay with you a while longer. I would like to learn more about what you do. Understand, I’m not trying to be nosey and I don’t need to know specifics, but I truly want to know what it’s like, being a cleaner, or hit man or…what do you prefer to be called, Michael?”
“I prefer to be called Michael.”
Vivie looked into Michael’s eyes. "Very well, Michael, it is."
“May I ask why you want to know what it’s like to do what I do?”
“It’s simple; I’ve never known anyone that has a job like yours. I am in the market for a new profession. Perhaps that’s the kind of work that I would be good at.” Vivie laughed.
Michael pulled away from Vivie, irritation in his face. “Have you gone insane? Do you actually believe, for one minute that I would, encourage you, to become a killer? Let us not even consider the fact that you are a woman, but stop and think of the danger involved. Vivian, I will not even entertain the idea of you destroying your future, by becoming a hired killer. No; absolutely not.”
“Michael O’Bannon, how dare you take that tone with me. Who do you think you are to be telling me what I can and cannot do with my life? And to add that I cannot do something because I am a WOMAN. I’ll be damned, Michael, if you or anyone else will say that to me.”
“Vivie, have you ever even shot a gun?”
“No, Michael, I have not. Does that mean I cannot learn? Or is it because I am a woman that I am too stupid to learn? What exactly are you saying to me Michael?”
“What I’m saying, Vivie, is that it takes skill, skill that cannot be learned overnight. When a cleaner starts out they start with a rifle, something they can use where they will not have to be that close to their target. I doubt you could even lift a rifle, and, if you could, the kick from it would kick you back, flat on your pretty little ass. As a cleaner gains more experience, they can get closer to their target, and use different weapons. An experienced cleaner can use a knife, but that means very close contact with the target. It takes years to become a good cleaner, Vivie.”
“I have nothing but time, Michael. Now are you going to train me or not?”
“I am not.”
“Michael, if you do not train me, I will have to learn by trial and error.” Do you really want me to go out on my own?”
“Vivie, you’re forgetting one thing, first someone must hire you. To be a hired killer, you have to have someone HIRE YOU.” I guess you could run an advertisement in the newspaper. I can see the advertisement now, Work Wanted - Cleaner - Will Kill Anyone You Want Dead - Please Call Vivie at 555-DUMB-ASS.”
Vivie glared at Michael - then fell over onto the couch in hysterical laughter.
“Okay, Mr. O’Bannon, you’ve made your point. But will you at least teach me about the different guns you have? I have no idea what some of those things in your closet are. I could be a big help to you if you would permit me.”
“Very well, Vivie. I’m not sure what you have in mind, as far as being a help to me, but I will teach you about the different weapons. To be quite honest, it’s a relief that you know my secret. You don’t know how torn I have been, knowing that you needed to be here, safe, with me, yet the fact that you were here and not knowing what I do…..”
“Michael, it’s okay, it’s all out in the open, now. It has not changed my feelings about you. In my eyes, you are the same person you always were. After all, Michael, I am not the same girl you first met at the pub either. I’m damaged goods now.”
“I don’t ever want to hear you say that again, Vivie. What happened to you was not your fault. You are the same girl I met at the pub. You are now, and will always be my sweet, innocent Vivie.”
Vivie’s eyes began to well up with tears. Michael pulled her close to him and looked into her eyes.
“Vivian Clancy, I do believe I have fallen in love with you.”
Michael gently kissed Vivie’s lips. This was Vivie’s first real kiss. A kiss she would remember, her entire life.
The next few weeks Michael and Vivie spent their time going through Michael’s closet. Michael removed each weapon and carefully explained what it was and under what circumstance he may use it. Vivie carefully took notes on a legal pad. She was full of questions, asking Michael under what circumstances he used each weapon. Although she had previously stated she would not ask for specifics, it was specifics she wanted. Vivie was fascinated with Michael’s tales of the hits he had done.
Once Vivie knew what each weapon was and what it is used for, Michael started teaching her how to tear them down and put them back together. Hour after hour, they would sit together disassembling and assembling weapons. Next came loading the weapons. Vivie seemed to be a natural at this. Michael was impressed at the speed and accuracy she had.
When Michael would go out on a job, Vivie would sit up and wait nervously for his return. She knew Michael was the best at what he did, but still, there was a nagging fear that there would be a night that something would happen, that he would not return home.
Deep down, she had not given up the idea of becoming a cleaner, herself. She was aware of the danger involved, she knew that there was always a chance the cleaner would become the hit. Still, she believed this was something she could be good at. Before her attack, she would have never considered this as a profession. Thinking of Tommy Flannery and all the Tommy Flannery’s of the world, Vivie wanted to be like Michael, to be one of the people to help rid the world of these bastards. She knew very well how Michael felt about the idea of her becoming a cleaner. She also believed that, with a little persuasion, Michael might come around.
Vivie sipped her glass of Merlot as she watched out of the window for Michael’s car. As she saw the T-Bird pull into the garage, Vivie checked her make-up in the hall mirror and stood by the door, waiting for Michael to enter.
“Michael, darlin, I’m so glad you’re home.” Vivie threw her arms around Michael’s neck.
“I knew you would still be up so I picked up Chinese. How does that sound?”
“Vivie took the carryout bag from Michael and sat it down on the kitchen table and started unpacking the contents. As she opened the Moo Goo Gai Pan, a wave of nausea hit Vivie. She covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom. Michael followed her.
“Darlin, are you alright? What’s wrong?”
“I’m okay, I’ll be right out.”
“What happened, Vivie, are you okay?”
“I’m sure I’m fine, Michael. I probably had a little too much wine this evening.”
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t think I’m up for dinner Michael; I’m sorry. I think I will go ahead and go to bed, if you do not mind. It is probably the wine, but I could be coming down with something. Better to go to bed for the night, I think.”
“Very well, darlin. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Michael kissed Vivie’s cheek and walked back into the kitchen. As she lay across the bed, a horrible thought came into her mind. She had not had her period this month. This really was not unusual. She had been late before. "Dear God in heaven, please let that be all it is. Blessed Mary, Mother of God, please don’t let it be anything else."
"Hail Mary Full of Grace, the Lord Is With Thee……"
4.
THE PAPA PLAN
Molly O’Hanlon’s bar was like many other bars in Hell’s Kitchen, it was a dive, a hole in the wall, a place where the unsavory would come in for a shot of whisky, a pint of ale, or to find their friendly neighborhood drug connection. Whores worked out of Molly O’Hanlon’s. Molly O’Hanlon’s was also Tommy Flannery’s home away from home, as well as his business office. If Tommy was not out on the streets, making sure his crew was taking care of business or his whores were out selling their asses off, literally, he could be found at the corner table in the back room of Molly’s.
Tonight, Tommy and Ryan were together, going over the day’s receipts and discussing a job that Tommy wanted Ryan to handle personally.
“Tommy, you know Shane’s supposed to be coming out of the hospital tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, I know. So?”
“So, what are we gonna do about what was done to him? You heard what Shane said, that guy, Michael, he said he was coming after you, Tommy. Hell, he’s coming after both of us. Are we gonna sit here, on our asses and let him do the same to us as he did to poor Shane?”
“What’s wrong, Ryan, are you scared? You little pussy.”
“Fuck no, I’m not scared, but I think we need to decide how we’re gonna take care of this fucker.”
Tommy kept counting out money, never looking up at Ryan.
“You saw what he did to Shane. That, my friend, was not the work of a jealous boyfriend. That, was the work of a professional, someone who knew what the hell he was doing. The question is; who is this guy? All we know about him is he calls himself Michael, but we don’t know if that’s his real name. And, we don’t know who he’s working for. We do know he’s not part of the Westies. If he was, I would know it. No, I would say he’s part of a bigger family.”
“You think he’s working for the wops? He’s Irish, why would the wops want him?”
“Who can tell what those Italian bastards will do?” Tommy, put a roll of bills down and crushed out his cigarette.
“I need for you to ask around, see what you can find out about this guy. See if any of our people have ever heard of a cleaner by the name of Michael or Mickey or Mick. Describe the guy; see what you can find out. I’ll check with the boss and see what I can find out, see if any of them have ever heard of him. I can promise you one thing. You find this guy, you find Vivian.”
