Page 44 of Stay In Your Layne

Scott O’Reilly stood there peering into the massive fish tank taking up most of one wall of his office. The vivid combination of colors among the various species provided a calming visual. He had several orangey-red Discus, a school of Cardinal tetras, and his favorite: the German Blue Ram. The entire community of fish swam peacefully in the tank.

Behind him stood Joey, hands in his pockets comfortably as he waited for his current employer to explain the purpose behind the meeting he had called. As per his standard protocol, his mask stretched across the bottom half of his face. Also present was Layne, relegated to leaning back against the office door merely for observation. A few feet to her left, Mick stood there with a sour look on his face as he disapprovingly stared the masked contractor down.

Scott finally spoke up. “Beautiful creatures aren’t they? Living their lives to the fullest, blissfully unaware of what exists outside of this ecosystem. At any point, I could play God and drain the water from the tank leaving them all unable to survive. Yet, they don’t fear that. It must be nice.”

Unclear where this line of conversation was leading, Joey chose not to interrupt. Scott turned to face him, locking his gaze. “I’m not fond of the idea that Layne is as close to this entire Franzetti ordeal as she is. Where are we with resolving everything?”

Layne rolled her eyes at the overprotective sentiment her dad had.

“I don’t disclose my methods, but rest assured that things are very close. Your daughter is in good hands, and it will stay that way. I have no intention of allowing her to get caught in the crossfire.” Joey maintained a professional demeanor in responding to Scott’s inquiries on the status of things.

“I’m going to need more assurance than just your word. There’s a lot of talk going on in the shadows and tensions are coming to a snapping point. When can I expect you to deliver what has been promised?” The typical O’Reilly impatience that ran in their blood started to present itself.

Joey spoke matter-of-factly. “For everyone’s safety, I can’t give you that information. You hired me for my methods and discretion, not for a sloppy rush job.”

“I didn’t expect you to wait until he keels over from old age either.” Scott’s irritation weighed on his words. He approached his desk, perching on the corner of it. “Let’s make sure we don’t have a conversation about timeframes again, understood?”

“There will be no need for it, but let me be clear, I will not be pressured to make a move before the time is right. He will be dealt with. Until then, I’m not going to answer summonses to explain my methods.” Not too many men presented a backbone to Scott, but Joey was standing tall.

Scott chuckled with amusement. “You’ve got some stones, I will give you that.”

Finally deciding to interject, Layne spoke up as she pushed away from the door. “It will be done when it’s done. I want this wrapped up as much as anybody else. I want to see karma smack Franzetti in the face so hard that he is reduced to a groveling wreck.”

Her father gave her a disapproving look, opening his mouth to correct her, but she put her hands up. “I know, I know. You want me to stay out of it.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. “There are days I wish you were still on the other side of the country, away from all of this.” Scott sighed and looked at the two of them. “I want this finalized as soon as possible. I’m not getting a good feel from all the talk around the city.”

Joey nodded in agreement that the pulse throughout the criminal underworld was uneasy. “It won’t be much longer.”

“Good. Now, I have an appointment to get to. Keep me apprised if anything changes.” Scott stood up from the corner of his desk.

They all said their goodbyes with Scott wrapping his arms around Layne in a protective bear hug. He pulled back to look down at his daughter. “I meant what I said. It is too big of a risk to have you poking around.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Scott walked both Layne and Joey to the door, opening it up for them. Once they saw their way out, Mick stopped at the doorway looking at Scott. “I don’t like this. I don’t like him. I wish you would have brought me in on this sooner.”

Scott shook his head. “I couldn’t.”

Not liking the response he was getting, Mick pressed on. “What makes this different than anything else?”

Scott chose each of his words carefully, “I needed to be sure. It’s a delicate situation that could drastically change the dynamics of power as we know it.” He didn’t expound upon what he had needed to be sure of.

“I’ve never known you to hold back. You aren’t going soft now are you, old man?” He gave a playful jab to Scott’s arm. Mick looked at his lifelong friend seeing a man who once had the vicious tenacity of a bull in the ring. Now? He saw this life wearing him down little by little.

Joey pulled away from O’Reilly Manor in his car, with Layne taking up shotgun.

“Why didn’t you just tell him?” Layne’s eyes were full of curiosity.

“Tell him what?” He kept his eyes straight ahead, focusing on the road.

“That you have a plan.” Her hand reached over and rested on top of his thigh.

“Because the fewer people that know the better. The only reason you know as much as you do is because you have this knack for not leaving things alone.” As he felt her hand touch him it caused him to think about other things that she wouldn’t leave alone, and he definitely didn’t mind it in the least.

“And here I thought you were going to say it was my unparalleled charms.”

He cracked a smile, glancing over at her.

Layne put her other hand in her coat pocket, only to find it empty. “Oh, hell.” She frowned.

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