The two happy kids, flushed from exertion, excitement and some unexpected laughter decided to take the bus back to Jim’s shop straight away. Amos wanted to return the gear and celebrate their victory, he also just wanted to be in a safe place for a little bit. It was quite tiring to be on edge all of the time and thinking on his feet while navigating one situation after another.

  Jim was glad to see them both and invited them for dinner. By now Alanah had gotten a sense of both Amos’ and Jim’s ability in the kitchen and she offered, almost insisted on making dinner out of what Jim had available. While she worked and they did the best they could to help without getting in the way, she told them what had happened to her since she had last seen them.

  “My Aunt was immediately suspicious when you dropped me off that night. She was furious that I was late, and she noticed the new clothes right away. She searched me from head to toe and when she found the money we took from Giorgio she took everything and hid it along with my shoes, my keys, my wallet and my jacket and she told me I was on lock down until she could figure out what to do with me.

  Alanah gave a small chuckle, “I am so glad you came Amos, that crazy woman was pretty intent on not letting me leave, I don’t know when she even slept, she was almost always guarding the door or sneaking out when I slept!”

  Jim set the kitchen table for three and Alanah and Amos served the soup she had made, Italian minestrone with some sliced bread that was still relatively fresh. “This is a recipe my mom made, don’t worry I did not learn to make this at that dump Giorgio called a restaurant.” “It’s very good, very good.” Jim murmured as he leaned in over the table. “By the way, that dump of a restaurant was a pretty important place for his gangster friends.

  I found out that they laundered money through it and used it for meetings and hiding contraband.” He lowered his voice, “it’s a really big deal that you hit their restaurant, it makes them look bad, so you are going to have to be really careful and say nothing to anyone.” He looked directly at Alanah, “after we eat, I am going to show you a few things that you need to know.”

  Amos was relegated to the kitchen to clean up while Jim showed Alanah how to hold, reload and dry fire the revolver Amos had taken from Giorgio. He showed her how to clean it and carry it safely and then he gave her a number of things she could use for a simple disguise to alter her appearance quickly.

  A set of dark framed glasses and sunglasses, a wide green scarf she could wrap around her neck and over her hair, a ball cap and a lightweight reversible jacket, dark blue with a light pink inside. “I hate pink, I think I would rather be caught by Giorgio.” Jim laughed at this and then gave her the last item which she immediately accepted with a big smile, “wow, this is just like Amos’ and I’ve seen what it can do, thanks!”

  They left Jim’s place on a sombre note; Jim had told them that it was better he did not drive them or know where they were going in case someone looking for them found out about Jim and tried to make him talk. “It’s better I don’t know so no matter how hard they try, I can’t give you up” he said. “But you are always welcome here! I am an old guy, and I don’t care too much if some gangsters find out about me. I really mean this, be careful you two and stay far away from the north end now you hear?”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Alanah and Amos made their way back to his apartment. They used buses when they could, Amos liked them as they were brightly lit and if they sat or stood in the middle, they had two doors plus an emergency window to escape through. If they stood back-to-back then they could watch each other’s backs at all times as well. The buses were slow, lumbering, most often dirty but still faster and safer than walking and the people on the bus usually gave them no trouble.

  Amos was developing what he called his “hard look.” He was learning that if he gave a stranger a firm, unwavering stare without blinking or looking away or breaking eye contact then he was letting them know that he was a poor target. Some people were still much better just to avoid all together but thankful there were none of those on the bus tonight.

  Once they were back at his apartment after climbing up the roof pipe, through the stairwell window and creeping down the hall Amos was suddenly embarrassed. He had not really appreciated the meagre state at which he had been living and now he saw his apartment through Alanah’s eyes, and it was not great. He had very little furniture or food, no decorations, and no beds. He had been sleeping on some old blankets in the main room which he insisted Alanah use in the bedroom while he would make do with a bed of towels in the living room. I was so worried about freeing those boys and finding her, this place just wasn’t a priority….what will she think of me and this apartment? “This is great” said Alanah after looking around. “I mean, we could use a few things here and there but not living with a wicked witch is just such an upgrade.”

  “Well, this place is not perfect, at any moment Filthy Phil could find out someone is here and then we are homeless again. “Filthy Phil, who is that?” Instead of fear, Alanah had a look of amusement on her face. “Mr. Phil actually, but he never changes his shirt, and he smells bad, so we always called him Filthy Phil. He is the landlord, and I am pretty sure he has been using his master keys and ripping off the tenants when he knows that they are not there.”

  Amos felt his stomach turn a bit, he had also ripped off a few tenants and he knew he had to make that right as soon as he knew how. “I’ve been watching him, he skulks around out front and when someone leaves that he is interested in then he disappears and probably breaks in. Some of the residents tried to call him out on it but what can they do? They have no power and need their home, so he gets away with it.”

  Amos sighed softly and went on.” I am sure he was stealing from my mom and dad over the years and probably most everyone else in the building.” He went on to tell Alanah about the recent confrontation with Mrs. Garcia and the landlord and how Ms. Murphy has so many locks on her door. “I am sure it is because of Mr. Phil. I bet she was a nice person before and now she is so stressed out that someone will steal from her she lives in fear every day and rarely goes out or talks to anyone. I don’t know what to do but I know I want to help them, I just don’t know how yet.”

  “Well, that sounds like a problem for another day, I am tired, and I want to enjoy a night’s rest without hearing Aunt Hazel lock doors and pace up and down the hallway. Let’s get some food tomorrow and plan next steps.” Amos agreed but first insisted that they hide their valuables just in case someone entered while they were away. He also insisted that they keep their essentials packed and ready to go at their bedsides. Once this was done, he said goodnight to his friend and then tried to settle into his nest of towels on the floor. They made the blankets he had been using seem like a fluffy mattress in comparison, but he didn’t mind. For a brief moment at least, things were at peace and the ongoing problems he had to solve did not seem that immediate or impossible.