CHAPTER 2

Julie walked inside her house, attempting to hold back her tears. It felt different. Like something was missing and couldn't be fixed. She walked by the cracked family photos that lined the wall, stepped over the empty cans of beer and past the living room where her father was passed out on the couch holding a half empty bottle of vodka. She ignored him and went upstairs to her room. Julie was mad at him, always drunk now worse since her mother passed. He made a fool of her, the drunken bastard didn't even show to the funeral. She changed out her black dress and into her night clothes then cried herself to sleep for the next two days. On the third Monica came to visit her. Both stayed in her room, keeping their distance from her father. They talked the whole day, distracting each other from the painful loss. On the fifth day, Travis came by but more on police business asking questions about Julie's mother's whereabouts. Before he left, he looked at Julie as if he wanted to speak with her but held his tongue and left without another word.

The tenth day came and she no longer stopped to help her father back to the couch when he was passed out elsewhere. The fifteenth she no longer cried. She left her house early, walked past the gym, where she spotted Monica working out on the treadmill. She walked into the gym waved hello to the regulars then joined Monica on the accompanying treadmill.

"It's good to see you out and about. How are you holding up?" Monica asked between breaths.

"I've been better. I just can't keep my mind off of it." Julie answered, cranking up the speed.

"Keep your mind off of what?"

"It doesn't make sense. My mom seemed panicked that night. Very scared like she knew somebody was coming after her. I didn't realize it until now but I believe she was targeted. Like someone intentionally killed her. I just don't know who or why?"

Monica turned off her machine. "Woah, this is some big shit. I think you should leave this to the police and don’t do anything stupid."

Julie looked out the window and saw Steven leaning against the fence smoking his cigarette, once again watching her. "Hold on, I know just the person who will know something." Julie turned off her machine.

The last statement she heard from Monica was, "Just like that."

Julie crossed the street and joined Steven on the fence. "I'm sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do for you just let me know."

"Actually there is. I keep thinking about it. How she died in that alley? It doesn't make sense." She took the cigarette from Steven's hand and coughed horrendously after trying her first puff.

Steven pulled out another and lit it. "Thought you didn't smoke?"

"I don't. Anyways, I saw how she was before she left. She was worried like she knew it was coming. This wasn't a robbery gone wrong. My mom was murdered and I know you know who did it." Julie tossed the cigarette regretting snatching it away from Steven. She had hoped it would have relaxed her but all it did was leave a nasty taste in her mouth.

"Such a waste." Steven said, picking the cigarette back up, put it out, then placed it back in his pocket for later. "Why do you think that?"

"Because you are always with her. She worked for you, did she not? So you must know or at least be able to tell me that I am not wrong!" She didn't even realize she had been crying until she felt the tear nearly down the bottom of her chin.

Steven extended his arms and pulled her in rubbing his rough hands along her back. She could smell his expensive cologne and could hear the beats of his heart. They were so calm as if nothing was affecting him.

"There, there Julie. It's okay. I will help you.” He pulled away and looked at her straight into her eyes. “My only question is what are you willing to do for me?"

Julie stared back, she could hear her own heart beating. With each second that passed she felt she was about to sign a deal with the devil but the fire in her eyes and the conviction in her heart told her she was going to do whatever it took to find her mother's killer. "Whatever it takes," she said confidently and when he smiled she knew she just signed the deed and handed it to the devil himself.

"Good. Now, I can't tell you who pulled the trigger. I, myself don't know that, but I have done my own searching and I can tell you why she was killed and point you in the right direction." Steven said, tossing the bud of his cigarette on the floor.

Julie didn't look back and followed Steven to a black Mercedes. He opened the back doors for her and she entered, not surprised to find the car crystal clean, not even a strand of hair was visible. Steven sat beside her. "What I'm about to tell you, is just between us. You must promise me." Steven said, pulling out an orange envelope from deep within his jacket. He motioned the driver to drive off.

"I promise." Julie answered.

"Good, listen carefully. What your mother really was, to keep it simple was a hitman, an assassin or whatever you want to call it. I would tell her who and she would complete the job. Her last target was this man," He handed her a polaroid picture of an overweight man wearing an expensive suit with two women, partially dressed, attached to his arms. "A high baller flashes a lot of his money. When Sara died, out of everybody who could have done it would be this guy. I only guess the mission was compromised and he found out, then beat her to the punch. She was supposed to have completed her assignment in two weeks at his birthday party. Now, what I said is just a theory. I don't have proof that he pulled the trigger but if you want your revenge he is a good start. Here is the address."

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"Thank you." Julie said nervously rubbing her finger along the polaroid studying his face.

"Julie, I do have to warn you he is a dangerous man. Your mother was very skilled and it will take someone with more skill to have taken her down..."

"I'm going to do this." Julie cut him off. "There's nothing you can say that will stop me. I need to know the truth."

"Okay then, so be it. I'll have my tailor get you a dress and I will get you an invitation to the party. Just make sure you get your answers and get out. Don't want something bad happening to you." Julie had a feeling he wouldn't care as much if something did happen to her. He didn't seem too torn from her mother's passing, his sister, only as much an employer cares about losing an employee.

"Thank you!" Julie said just as she felt the car pull to a stop

"Good, we are here at your house. Get some rest. Go to this address in the morning to pick up the details and remember this is our little secret." Steven said.

Julie gave him a hug and left entering her house just before the street light came on. She once again stepped over her father and went to her room, not once taking her eyes off the photo.

The loud music could be heard from inside the limousine. Modern day rap music that inspired the young souls to drink, and to dance. Julie nervously rubbed her fingers through her blue ribbons texture and removed it from her hair. She reluctantly handed it to Steven. "Don't lose it." Was all she said before stepping out of the car.

Julie followed two half naked women carrying two bottles to the front door. She handed the bouncer her invitation and after his approval of her long dress with a slit just above her thighs, showing just enough cleavage to draw a man's attention, she stepped inside. Inside the mansion, men and women danced to the dj's beat. Others were at the bar, more were outside in the pool, and the rest were about enjoying the festivities. It didn't take long for her to spot her target.

Alfonso Urjack was his name and just as Steven warned her, he was sitting in the back flirting with two drunk females most likely after his money as they continuously played with his jewelry. He didn't seem to mind it, they let him touch and caress them as much as he pleased, that was all he cared about. Just watching his glutton hands made her feel sick to her stomach.

Julie saw an open stool at the bar and took a seat. She ordered herself a cranberry vodka and took a glance at Alfonso. He was gone along with the two women he was fondling.

"Why, what do we have here?" A man spoke in a thick Italian accent. She turned around, Alfonso was beside her with a fat cigar in his fat fingers. Red suit, expensive watch and necklace with some jewelry in his teeth when he smiled. "I don't recognize you, what is your name?"

"Jenn..." she spoke softly then corrected herself. "Jennifer but you may call me whatever you want." She said in her best flirtation voice she could muster.

"Jennifer is it? What a pretty name for a pretty face. Let me get you a drink. Bartender, get her your finest." The bartender served her the most expensive whiskey and she gladly accepted, downing the drink faster than she meant to.

"Oh wow, a woman who could drink, I love it! Get her another!" He said loud and obnoxiously with a snap of his fingers.

The bartender poured another but this time she took it slow. "Some party isn't it!"

"This? Nah, this is nothing. If you want to party, the real party is upstairs." Alfonso said with a sly look on his face.

Julie touched his leg and leaned in close holding her drink with her other hand. "Then why aren't we there?"

"Good question. Let's go." He said with a smile and grabbed her hand. Julie finished her drink then let him escort her upstairs to his private quarters. The door closing behind them.

Julie awoke to a knock on her front door. She slowly threw herself out of her bed, walked past the previous night's dress and grabbed her robe. She threw it on, walked past her father and opened the door. Steven stood with a smile from ear to ear. He forced his way inside, stepped over the father and headed to the stairs. He paused when he realized Julie was still at the door just staring at him.

"Well, aren't you coming?" Steven asked.

Julie closed the front door then joined him upstairs in her room. He was sitting at her desk and had an overfilled envelope on the table. He held his hand over it like he was guarding it from any prying eyes. He motioned her to sit down then grabbed her tv remote and turned on the news.

Alfonso Urjack, a well known member of the mafia, was found dead last night in his swimming pool doing his birthday party. Reports say he was pushed off his balcony sometime around eleven p.m. Detective Travis Bonapard and Leo Chang are on the scene...

Steven turned off the TV. "Just wow, I didn't expect you to kill him. Did you at least get the answer you were looking for?"

"It wasn't him." Julie said sitting on her bed.

"I'm sorry. Thought that would have been the logical option. I'm surprised though, you don't seem to be shaken up by killing him. I do have to say you were rather sloppy. Luckily, I had my insider wipe your prints. I'm not sure how you pulled it off but call me impressed." Steven said.

"I don't have room to be shaken up. I will do whatever I have to do to find out who killed my mother." Julie answered. If only Steven knew that she cried herself to sleep that night. That she had to take three showers until she felt somewhat cleansed and her hands couldn't stop shaking. She was on three hours of sleep as nightmares of Alfonso continued throughout the night. Julie thought it best to keep moments like those to herself.

"Well, I'll be damned. You know, you can go really far in life if you keep this up." Steven said, too overjoyed for Julie's comfort.

"I'm only interested in finding out who killed my mother. Nothing more." Julie said.

Steven tossed the envelope at her and she caught it. Her eyes widened when she opened it and saw it stuffed to the brim with cash. "Five thousand dollars cash. That's your starting fee. You do more jobs, you get more money, simple as that. In the meantime, I'll keep looking for more leads on who killed your mother. Do we have a deal?" Steven asked, completely ignoring her last comment. He placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it with a match.

Five thousand dollar cash! This is just until I find her killer. "Deal." Julie answered.

Steven stood, stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out the blue ribbon. "I believe this is yours. There's a phone in that envelope. When it rings, answer it. That will be your assignment. Once it's complete I'll drop by with the payment. I suggest you deposit it at your bank. We'll be in touch. See you around kiddo." With that Steven left.

Julie placed the envelope down and laid down staring at the blue ribbon. "I will find out who killed you mother. I promise."