Page 35 of Praying Mantis

“Hey, man what’s up?” Tony’s at the gym and I hear the weight bench banging in the background.

“Have you heard anything about the O’Hannon’s being investigated by the organized crime unit?” Not wanting to make small talk as my life is literally on a time limit.

“No, but I could probably talk to someone. Why?”

“If I give you two names, can you check it out for me on the down low? I don’t want my name associated with you looking into it. They won’t tell you a fucking thing if they know it’s for me.”

“What is going on? Something changed? You never ask about investigations with your family,” he asks. Can I trust him?

“It’s something I can’t talk about right now but when I have more answers to the many questions, I’ll explain everything.” I won’t tell him about Louisa being a serial killer. He’ll know about her trailing him as

she doesn’t trust him either. It’s not really lying to the man who has had my back for the last six years and never questioned me about my family.

“Cryptic man, but I trust you. Does this mean you’re leaving me partnerless?” He jokes and I laugh with him not answering him. “How soon do you need the information?”

“Yesterday. It’s urgent and there is a time limit attached to it.”

“Sounds good, man. I see the man I need to talk to now, so let me go do what you need.”

Sean

The last forty-eight hours have been the longest of my life. Waiting patiently for Tony to call me back or the worst-case scenario, he tells them it’s me requesting the information, and that’s a wrap for me. I hear my phone ring and see it’s Tony. I snap my fingers, getting mom and Louisa’s attention when I show them the phone. Sending a silent prayer it’s the information we’re waiting for.

“Hey Tony, what do you have for me?”

“Well hello to you too mother fucker.” He laughs at his own joke. “Yeah, I have it.”

“Good news or bad?” I lean over the desk since it’s on speakerphone. “Tony you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here, but the news may be disappointing to you.” I look up and see my mother practically on the verge of tears.

“Just give it to me, Tony.” I’m to where no more beating around the bush.

“So Mr. Colin O’Sullivan has been communicating with the organized crime division for the last year. The only thing is usually standard practice requires phone taps, detail/GPS tracking, and weekly check-ins. Colin is only submitting to one of the three. This Colin is practically a ghost.”

“What is his principal focus with the FBI or rather who?”

“He has been feeding information about Patrick O’Hannon. What is odd is that within the last three months, your name has come up a lot.” It’s as if they sucked the air right out of the room.

“What is being said about me?”

“Well, I can tell you he thinks you are a nosy pain in the ass. He also has stated that you are going to proceed with taking over your father’s spot in the family.” This mother fucker is putting me on the radar. “He keeps referring to you as Sean O’Hannon.”

“So he was going to rat out my father? I would call him a piece of shit, but that would be offensive to shit.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you, man.”

“Tony, thank you for asking and putting your neck on the line for me. Your loyalty means everything in the world I grew up in.” We say our goodbyes and I look up to see nothing but murderous rage on Louisa’s face.

“I cannot wait to take his life, Sean.” She sighs before speaking again. “But if I kill him now, will it come back to you since you had Tony looking into Colin and the organized crime unit?”

“He never asked who he was looking for. He was just looking for information.”

“Okay, but I decided I will not do the hit as the Praying Mantis. I’d rather not have it come back to you, since your name is now associated with Colin and his agents. I’m going to place a call to another contracted hitman that’s a friend of mine.”

“Do you all have a serial killer Rolodex that I should know about?”

“I have to keep some things a mystery in this relationship.” Her smile tells me she’s fucking with me, but I’m still curious.

---