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Bargaining Chip

    Bud's private cellphone was ringing as he walked out to his car at the end of the day.  He knew the number.  It was Orin.  "Burke, where have you been?  All hell is falling apart on us."  Burke sounded like he was in a good mood, Relax Bud, I got a few more pieces of the puzzle from the kid."  Burke continued, "You know that job we got tipped of about?  It wasn't a hit, it was a kidnap. It was an order to 'pick up and hold without harm' on your little girl Char."  Bud made the connection.  "Yea, I got wind from Sammy that somebody was after her.  Do we know who sent it?" "Not exactly," Orin answered, "but at some point it got sent through Isaacson."  Wheels were turning in Bud's head.  Burke continued, "Well, you know how they operate, they break a job up into little pieces; keep the parts they want, and sub-contract out the rest.  The goons they hired to pick-up Char botched it; grabbed her little girlfriend instead.  After that, I'm not sure what happened."  Bud knew.  Isaacson had to get creative to clean up the mess.  They figured they could use Moira to get Char to come in on her own.  
    "Burke, where's Char right now?  Did the kid say anything?"  Orin Smiled.  "She left town.  My guess is Philly.  You want me to get on a plane?"  "No need." Bud replied.  "Whatever happens in Philly, Char won't play ball."  Burke was confused now.  "How can you be so sure?"  "Because whatever else is going on, she won't deal unless she knows Moira is safe." Bud said confidently.  Burke was still confused.  "Well they must be holding her up there somewhere..."  "Nope." Bud interrupted.  "I bought the 'hold' contract on her this morning.  She's right here in town."  Orin was duly impressed.  "You're amazing Bud."  "Tell me about it.  Now, I want you to handle this personally...." Bud gave Burke the address and hung up.  As he drove  home, he was still troubled.  There had to be more to this.  Char wouldn't rattle that easily.  She was close to Moira, but something had caused her to fly off the handle.  Bud suspected that there was a big brother involved in this somehow.  But which one? He picked up the phone again.  "Burke, it's me.  Listen, on your way over there, stop by Paulie's apartment and pick him up.  Tell him anything.  We may need him as a bargaining chip."

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25 COMMENTS ABOUT THIS STORY RSS

Just Chatting
redhat "Awesome."
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "Hey guys, I've been swamped lately, but I'm so happy to see life breathed back into this. :) I tried to post a new chapter just now, but it's not letting me. Apparently I'm too filthy mouthed to post anything not flagged mature. I've scoured the submission five times to remove offense (it's totally clean now) and even cut and pasted it back and forth from Word, still to no avail. I'll have to see what Nick says...In the mean time - awesome writing you guys!!!"
Just Chatting
surreal78 "They could end, at some point. I'll see about dead-ending once I finish group support. :)"
Just Chatting
redhat "Well I got Moira out alive. Let's see what we can do about Philly."
Just Chatting
Jillian "I know! You just made my life by adding another post to this. I hope Amo gets back in on it too.

I know, techincally, these things are never really supposed to end but I feel like this one is so close!
"
Just Chatting
greg "interesting!!"
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "Whoa - Sammy's gone renegade! Awesome."
Just Chatting
Jillian "'Effin brilliant. What a lovely little twist. : )"
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "Paulie no!!!!"
Just Chatting
redhat "poor Paulie"
Just Chatting
Jillian "Amo1143 and redhat, we are officially the greatest team in the history of teams. I've decided."
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "TOTALLY badass."
Just Chatting
redhat "Good one J. Moira's a badass."
Just Chatting
Jillian "Well, I want to write another chapter but nothing I write could come close to how great that chapter was. Awesome job Amo1143...seriously amazing."
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "I have no idea! I'm just making it up as we go!!! :) You guys keep me on my toes!"
Just Chatting
redhat "I wish somebody would tell me what's going on up in Philly! The suspense is killing me! Is Martin really up there too? Is that really his finger, or just his ring? And what do they want with Char?? and who are THEY?? :-D"
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "Redhat and Jillian, I LOVE your additions! It's so fun to see where this story twists!"
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "Have at it! I'm just its mother - I can't tell it who to play with :)"
Just Chatting
redhat "Hi guys! I hope you don't mind if I toss in a chapter here and there. Nice writing!"
Just Chatting
Amo1143 "Yeah! I creeped someone out! :)"

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