Chapter 5

I woke up from my nap about 30 or so minutes later and I finally made my way back to the living room to get the package from the table. I took it back to my room and I sat down at my desk. It's a reasonable size package that anyone expecting a package would be excited. If I was a kid I would think it was a board game or some cool toy.

I opened the package and inside was a note and two small electronic boxes that's about the size of a thumb. One was a USB device and the other was some small black box that can probably be used as a lapel pin for your coat. I picked up the note and it read:

Plug the USB device into the computer as soon as you open the box. - Cleo

She worked really fast to get this package for me ready. Unless it was already ready and she just needed me to confirm this. I feel nervous already. What if my boss is secretly in all of this Mafia type stuff and I was just to dumb to see it. But then again, I haven't seen anyone looking like mobsters eat at our place. I mean I guess anyone could look like a mobster but I haven't felt threatened at my work. I took the USB device and plugged it into my pc. A blinker on the device lit up and just as it lit up my phone started ringing from an unknown number.

I hesitated to pick it up at first but hey no one would be calling me anyways.

"Hello?"

"It's Cleo. Looks I'm in."

"Wait. In what?"

"Your computer, this allows me to search through your PC to make sure no one else is spying on you. Also, we can use this as a connection for me to privately talk to you. You know security is important."

"I mean I guess. Wait a minute, why are you spying on me then?" I believed this was a fair question.

"I'm not. I don't care what you look for on the internet. Even if I wanted to, I could already do it without this device. This is just to encrypt our conversations. It's state of the art. The USB device also acts as our own personal security measure. No one would be able to hear us cause this also triangulates the cell towers frequencies from our devices to some other satellite or tower somewhere."

"Fair enough."

"Anyways. This is just a debriefing. I tried my best to see what info I can find on the two guys that are coming in Thursday. As far as I know these gangsters like to stay hidden, never using any cell phones and always trying to destroy traces of them being there. At least in somewhat illegal ways."

"What do you mean?"

"What do you mean? What do I mean? These guys won't try to cover up that they went to the grocery store vs delivering a package to some guy down the street. Use your head kid."

"Okay relax. It was a legitimate question."

"You're making my blood boil! Anyways, one of my contacts would stay close presumably eating at the restaurant so don't pay attention to him."

"What does he look like?"

"You don't have to worry about that for now. Your goal is to take the other thing that was included in your box. This small little device acts as a voice transmitter. I wouldn't be able to talk back but the FBI Agent and I would be able to hear it on our end. Just try to get it close enough to the meeting. I figure they would do it in the office but if they wanted to be less suspicious maybe out in the eating area. But you do what you gotta do and you better make it work"

"That sounds easy enough. And what's all I would have to do?"

"Yup. Also the transmitter doesn't have a camera so you would either have to take pictures or try to remember what these guys look like. I think Agent Epps has an idea of who is going to be coming but make sure you can get enough details as possible."

"Okay got it. Is there anything else you want me to do?"

"Nope. That's it. Once you're finished with the task bring me back the transmitter to my apartment."

"Okay, will do."

She hung up first and I sat there flabbergasted at the conversation. I picked up the small transmitter she mentioned and it was pretty small. It shouldn't be noticeable if I placed it on the desk or maybe inside one of the napkins dispenser. I'll keep it on me just to be safe. It would be too crazy if these thugs were able to find it on the first try.

It's still pretty early in the week. So I decided to call it a day. I'm going to spend the rest of my afternoon watching old films and hopefully this will ignite the spark for me to begin acting again. I can already see it. A few years have gone from the scene and I'm welcomed back with open arms. Wouldn't that be the dream. I hope she isn't pulling my leg and I'll end up in some small commercial again. But I guess an acting gig is an acting gig. And just like that, my life would become one big cat and mouse game.

It's finally Thursday and I got up, got dressed and my way to work. I got there pretty early just so I can inspect the place and prep a few things before anyone else comes through. I checked the schedule and it looks like Michael will be with me in the early afternoon. That's alright, I'll cut everything up and start on some dough and he can do the rest. I believe we're hiring for a new delivery driver soon which is good. I can maybe stop making deliveries and maybe not have to go to Her place anymore after all of this is over.

I checked for Cleo's order and it looks like it didn't come through. I guess she knows how important this is and just wanted to make sure I'm here for when these goons arrived. It was shortly after 1 PM when Michael began to pack up and Sal was just coming through the back door.

"Hey kids, you just getting ready to head out Michael?" Sal asked

"Yup. Got class soon."

"Good kid. Keep those grades up. How about you Simon? How's business?"

"Just the usual for a week day. I prepped a lot of the stuff earlier so I think we're good to go when the dinner rush is around."

"That���s good. I'll be in the office going through some paperwork and seeing if anyone left any messages for the delivery position. Looks like you'll be off delivery soon."

"Yeah I can't wait."

It was about 1:30 PM and I was standing behind the counter when two men in tracksuits came in. They looked pretty strong. One was slightly shorter than the other and both had short gelled back hair. The taller one was wearing a red tracksuit while the shorter one wore a gray one. They took a strong look at me and they decided to sit down at the very back just by the window. I'm guessing they needed to look out for someone. I bet these are the guys. The taller man looked at me.

"Is it okay if we sit here? We don't need to be waited on?" He asked me with a military like manner

"No that's fine. Feel free to take your time before you order but our policy is to at least order to be sitting in our dining area."

"Okay. That won't be a problem. Just grab us two slices and a cola each." He quickly replied

"Sure."

I have a strong feeling these are the guys. Maybe I should try to put down the transmitter near the napkin dispenser or maybe under it when I deliver their pizza. I was just grabbing their slices and moving them onto the plate when Sal came out.

"Oh hey, kid. Let me get that for you." He then grabbed the two plates of pizza and made his way over to their table. This isn't going too well. I still have the transmitter in my pocket and I need it to get over there.

"Tony! Joe! How are you guys doing? I haven't seen you since my dad's funeral. How's it going?" I can hear him asking them.

So these are the guys. Would explain why Sal wanted to give them their pizza. Sal pulled up a chair and now the chattering became whispers. I have to make a move now or I won't be able to get anything accomplished. If I saw correctly the taller guy is Tony and the shorter one is Joe. I'll have to remember that and make notes of their appearance. I walked over with a bottled spray and a cloth to wipe nearby tables. Before I made my move I noticed the two drinks were still on the counter. Perfect. I can drop the cans off and clean the table to listen in.

I made my way over to their table and handed them their drinks.

"Oops. Looks like I forgot to bring you guys your drinks. I'll place these down here and I'll have to scoot in just clear this part of the window real quick." I said to them.

"Simon you had that to do now?"

"Ahh sorry, Sal. I'm here might as well get it cleaned up real quick."

"Okay just make it snappy." The man which I think Tony said to me.

They were pretty quiet now and I guess they are waiting for me to finish up. I pretend to drop my cloth so I can get the transmitter out of my pocket and place it on the windowsill just near the blinds. They shouldn't be able to see it and even if they did they would think it's a spider or something.

I moved over to the next table and the two guys were still quiet before I moved onto the next one and then finally back to my counter. They started talking again. I wasn't paying attention to the dining area since they came in but I did see a smaller guy just sitting down eating their pizza on the other side of the area. If I recall, He's been here ever since Sal got in. He has headphones on and wearing a bright yellow shirt. For some reason, he also has orange hair. Orange and yellow huh? This might be Fireflower. I wonder if I should make contact with this person.

After awhile the two mobsters finally left the restaurant and Sal returned to the back. The last person who I think is Fireflower finishes his pizza then walked up to me and just handed me a note and left without saying anything. I read the note.

Bring her usual when you get off.

Yup this had to be Fireflower and a request to bring Cleo her late lunch which I presumed she would eat for dinner. I went back into the kitchen and I have a few more hours before I have to clock out. I see Sal sitting in his office and I decided to go in and have a chat with him.

"Hey Sal. Who were those guys? Old friends?"

"Ahh. Those guys. Yeah something like that. They were actually my dad's old friends and I guessed they finally had the heart to come eat here again. It's been awhile since I seen them so I talked with them for a bit."

"Oh that's nice. It's good that they came back. Are they coming back again? They like the pizza?"

He merely laughed

"Of course they like the pizza, but I don't think they'll come around that often. If they do, you let me know okay?"

"Yeah sure."

Yeah they were the guys. I went back over to the window sill and grabbed the transmitter. Thank God, it was still there. I would have had a heart attack if they had noticed it. I went back behind the counter and I began counting down the minutes before I could get off work.