They had already made their move. The bottle they had in their hands... they must have poisoned the food! “STOP!” I yelled as I ran back. Brutus froze with his first bite just inches from his mouth. He looked up at me with confusion in his eyes as I reached the table. “What’s wrong? Did you want a bite?” Brutus asked innocently. “They’re here. We need to leave,” I said sternly as I slapped the fork from his hand and threw Carlos’ plate to the ground. I glanced back to see if the men were still watching in the window, but my blood ran cold. They were gone. We were too exposed in this restaurant, so I once again grabbed Brutus by the arm and pulled him to the exit. R The street was surprisingly busy for this time of night. I was grateful for the cover the people were providing, but it also made it harder to stay together. Brutus tended to daydream and wander about, so I tried to keep a close eye on him so I wouldn’t lose him in the crowd. My senses were on such high alert that I noticed something strange in one of the alleys we passed. Nervous voices that were becoming all too familiar to me were coming from two dark shapes standing next to the wall. I didn’t want Brutus to come anywhere near here, but I needed to get closer to hear what they were saying. I glanced at Carlos walking alongside of him. The buffoon may be incompetent and reckless, but I was sure he could watch him for just a little while. I wouldn’t be but a minute or two. As I snuck down the alley, making sure to stick to the shadows, I noticed that there was a third voice talking to the two brothers. “I tol’ ya ta get dis crap over with quick ’n easy!” he was yelling at the men. “Instead you chase dis guy all ovah da town and lose ’im!” It was obvious that this was the man that had been behind the hit on Brutus. I don’t know how I kept my cool. I was ready to throw every shoe from my closet at this guy! “W-w-we’re sorry Uncle Tony,” said one of the brothers quietly, “We’re… we’re trying but—” “But what!?” the other man interjected, “What ’scuse you gon’ give me, uh? Yous both obviously not takin’ dis job serious ’nough. Dis could be a one-man job. ’N fact, it is gon’ be a one-man job now.” Before I could think about what the man was saying I heard a slight “POP” noise. It didn’t take long for me to figure out what it was, because Page 87
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