"Among other things.  I’ve been hearing things, you understand?  Things that could hurt me.  Things that must be kept quiet.  She’s been seen around a few undesirable places, but I don’t know for sure what she’s doing.  So that’s where you come in."

"You want me to track her and confirm her movements?"

"Precisely"

"Uh huh…well I can understand how a scandel tied to your name could definitely impact the mayoral votes."

"Well, there are a few other things I need you to understand.  I’m sure you’ve heard enough about me that I don’t have to elaborate, but this broad she, uh, she knows things and she must be silenced.  Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do, but I’m not sure I’m the one you’re looking for…I’m not really in the business of silencing people.  That just crosses a personal line for me."

"No worries, I have my own means of handling those types of things. What I need you to do is bump around, shake things up.  Find out what she’s doing, who she’s doing, what she knows, what and who’s she telling it to….that sort of business."

"I can do that."

"…and trust me I’ll make this all worth your time, capisce?"

"Yes sir."

"Now" he pulled his suit jacket back revealing the steely shine of his pistol, "I suppose you offer confidentiality to all your clients?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good, cause we didn’t talk here tonight.  You don’t know me and I don’t know you.  If I so much as suspect you’re talking there will be consequences."

The car parked suddenly and my door was opened for me.

"One more thing, kid, this broad, don’t get too close.  I would avoid making contact if I were you.  She’s easy on the eyes, but she’s trouble.  Be careful, don’t let her take you down with her.  She’ll try if you let her.  Trust me I know how she operates.  I’ll be in touch."  The car then sped off down the darkened street leaving me stranded.

"You want another?"

I am brought back to the present by the butchy bartender. "Huh?"

"Scotch? You want another?"

"Yeah sure."  The bartender placed a new glass in front of me.  I take it gratefully and drink half of it in one swallow.