Story 17 - Part 2 - In Deep Trouble

Nero raised his eyebrows as he finally got a good look at the mess that filled his lobby. Carmine was helping everyone get their bags ready for the big trip, saying that it was a good idea to have everything ready now so they would not have to worry about it when it was actually time for the trip. Nero did wish that he could go, but he and Wilanna had other arrangements that basically involved meeting his youngest daughter’s boyfriend. Nero was not going to miss an opportunity to scare the poor boy witless.

“This trip of yours is going to be like an extra long honeymoon,” Nero said to Jordan. “May I ask why you’re cleaning your gun?”

“Carmine’s suggestion,” Jordan shrugged. “Makes sense, now that I think of it.”

“Ah, yes,” Nero nodded. “There were certain areas that I definitely wanted a gun when I was an agent. It’s mostly just for show.”

“Yep,” Jordan agreed. “Carmine said he’s got logistics worked out, and I trust the guy.”

There was a ringing from the middle of the room and Carmine snapped out his phone. From the sounds of it, the owner of the pawn shop that Carmine part-timed at was trying to find something. After a few minutes, the young man laughed as he hung up.

“What’s so funny?” Jordan asked.

“The old man was trying to find his glasses,” Carmine grinned.

The phone rang again and Carmine answered it with a smile. Then he started talking in another language. Jordan face began to show confusion and concern as Carmine tried to make his way out of the room. Whoever it was hung up before Carmine could leave, and the look Carmine gave the phone surprised Nero.

“Car?” Jordan ventured. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to listen in, but I do speak that language.”

“It’s nothing too big,” Carmine assured everyone, waving off Tech’s signed concern. “This guy knew my dad and now he got in a bit of trouble and just needs some help.”

“I agree with Tech,” Jordan said after the teen signed something. “You’re skipping something. Not to mention it seems that you really don’t like this person.”

“Not really,” Carmine admitted. “And the feeling is kind of mutual, which means he’s really in a jam if he’s asking me for help.”

“So why are you helping him?” Nero asked, curious as much as everyone else.

“Um, well.” Carmine paused and scratched his head. “Long story short…because of my dad. It’s complicated. Look, I’m sorry to worry you all. This guy is just one of the few people who can get on my nerves. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to make a few phone calls.”

“Can you first tell us what trouble your friend is in?” Nero asked, even more curious. He was not a former government agent for nothing.

“I think it has something to do with deportation, but he wasn’t specific,” Carmine shrugged. “I read faces, not voices.”

--How long?-- Tech signed.

“If I have it my way, I’ll be back by the end of the week,” Carmine answered.

“It seems like if you had it your way,” Nero interrupted, “you’d find a way to do it without going.”

“Actually, that’s what I’m going to try to do now.”

Carmine grinned and waved as he left the lobby. For a few moments, everyone was quiet but Jordan cracked a joke and soon the lobby turned back to its regular chaos. Nero inputted on his opinion as to what needed to be packed for a world trip. Young Don seemed to be the only one who kept wondering about the danger Carmine’s acquaintance was in.

It was kind of funny, once Nero thought about it. This apartment building and its freelance agents were now starting to get use to the idea of someone being in some sort of danger. Those who would have normally panicked at first now treated each dangerous situation with relative calm. Being in major trouble was now as much of a past time as it was an annoyance.