The summer heat beat down on us like the business end of a sledgehammer. A sledgehammer that was hot and muggy and promised a coming storm. The air was so thick it was more of a swim than a walk. The sticky air caused sweat to trickle down our faces and Theresa’s tank top cling to her in all the right places so it wasn’t all bad. We strolled slowly under the elevated train tracks to keep us dry from the eventual monsoon.
“Last time we did business you stiffed me, Jacobs.” She said.
"I’d like to stiff you twice more and then make you breakfast.” I threw her my most charming smile.
“Shut up.” She punched my arm but couldn’t quite hide the smile playing across her lips. I still got it.
“You look like shit, Rex. You finally piss off too many of the right people?” She asked. I tried to avoid all the Right People but in a city like Chicago that was next to impossible.
“Chicago P.D.” I grunted.
“Last time we did business you stiffed me, Jacobs.” She said.
"I’d like to stiff you twice more and then make you breakfast.” I threw her my most charming smile.
“Shut up.” She punched my arm but couldn’t quite hide the smile playing across her lips. I still got it.
“You look like shit, Rex. You finally piss off too many of the right people?” She asked. I tried to avoid all the Right People but in a city like Chicago that was next to impossible.
“Chicago P.D.” I grunted.
It was all I had to say. She nodded knowingly. Theresa was a pro at avoiding Johnny Law, she knew every hidey hole and ignored crack in this great city. She could disappear at a moments notice, one of her party tricks. One of the privileges of being small I guess.
“Yeah, I know something about stolen Robs but your stingy ass needs to pay up.” She said, getting back to business.
I knew the drill. I passed her a pack of my cigs. Damn things cost an arm and leg but if this information panned out I could finally get to the bottom of things.
She pocketed my pack quickly, cleared her throat and continued holding out her hand.
I handed over the last of my supply.“This is my last pack so this better be good.”
“Stolen Robs all over town are being moved over to this place off Division and Milwaukee. Back alley kinda place. They open up after midnight.” She said, keeping her voice low and glancing around the abandoned street.
Lightning danced across the darkened sky followed by a deafening crack of thunder. If I was the type of asshole that believed in omens I might take this as a warning. Instead I’m the type of asshole that takes it as a dare.
“Looks like I gotta date. About time, it’s been a dry spell.” I tried to sound cool, but Theresa has always been able to see through my bullshit.
“Be careful, Rex” she grabbed my wrist and looked up at me with her big blue eyes. “These guys aren’t the type of guys you mess around with.”
“Sweetheart, I’m always careful.” I lied.
“Yeah, I know something about stolen Robs but your stingy ass needs to pay up.” She said, getting back to business.
I knew the drill. I passed her a pack of my cigs. Damn things cost an arm and leg but if this information panned out I could finally get to the bottom of things.
She pocketed my pack quickly, cleared her throat and continued holding out her hand.
I handed over the last of my supply.“This is my last pack so this better be good.”
“Stolen Robs all over town are being moved over to this place off Division and Milwaukee. Back alley kinda place. They open up after midnight.” She said, keeping her voice low and glancing around the abandoned street.
Lightning danced across the darkened sky followed by a deafening crack of thunder. If I was the type of asshole that believed in omens I might take this as a warning. Instead I’m the type of asshole that takes it as a dare.
“Looks like I gotta date. About time, it’s been a dry spell.” I tried to sound cool, but Theresa has always been able to see through my bullshit.
“Be careful, Rex” she grabbed my wrist and looked up at me with her big blue eyes. “These guys aren’t the type of guys you mess around with.”
“Sweetheart, I’m always careful.” I lied.