George sat on the edge of the cab’s trunk studying the crowd past the last dregs and curls of his smoke for the next jackass to bury. The cabbie yelled at him to get off the car but he just yelled back at him. A passing breeze pulled on his hat.

“Come on you rat bastard, I don’t have all day.” Although he knew perfectly well it was a lie: if Georgie had his way, he’d be upstate with some sweet broad betting between horses and a crowd of personalities. However that proclivity for the Springs was the reason he was here. Being down two hundred and eight threw him behind on rent. Not to mention, he had regular spots he had to visit to keep up appearances.

“St. George my ass. I might as well be burning money.” The nub of a cigarette bit at his fingers causing him to throw it down. And there was only three left in his pocket. The sooner he could get this job done, the sooner he could pay back that bookie. Then the rent, food and other necessities.

That is, if this damn Ashley would show his face already.

He looked back down at the small note card, to make sure he remembered it correctly.

Ashley Daniels
23 – Brown e Brunet
Green Hat, Green Luggage bag
to 83rd and 12th st.

In short, this Ashley was meant to be dropped into the Hudson. Great, easy work for decent pay. All his contacts knew St George lingo – keep things simple, ask him no questions or his methods, and it will be done under forty eight hours or you get to keep your money.

Thing was, he never took on jobs that made that guarantee necessary. The claim made big heads laugh and pay him faster. It was a great tactic.

Also St. George knew to keep to his own, so the main jurisdiction of his was Grand Central Station. Busy days and loud sounds made his work easier, he could pull the targets to the side in the Great Concourse. Or right out of the station with his own personal cabbie.

Which this was supposed to be the plan. But heavens help him, there was no man who fit the description that was given. There was one guy who he almost pulled to the side but he was met with green eyes that glared hatefully at him.

A hasty apology saved his face, but George was still miffed that someone swung at him. Call him vain, but it was his winning smiles that saved his hide several times over. And the women…

George let his mind drift, until he realized someone was calling his name.
“George? George, is that you? Oh I’m so sorry sir. I am looking for a George McGuiness. Do you know a George McGuiness? I’m so sorry. Excuse me please. George? George? Hello, Mr. McGuiness?”

A few yards away a young woman in a fresh bout of panic stopped in place. An emerald fashionable hat was pinned carefully to her hair. He frowned as she spun in place. Brown curls framed her face until she noticed him noticing her.

“Mr. George!” She tried to push her way through the apathetic crowd, making even more excuses. When she finally managed to squeak through there was a dark green suitcase following her. Brown eyes met his, though as she approached, there seemed to be a hint of green.

“Excuse me sir. But are you Mr. George McGuiness?”

There was another rule he always went by. One he made obvious to every customer and he would die by. He gave a slight smile.

“Ms. Ashley Daniels?”

She blushed as she approached the cab. “It’s Miss… but thank you. I was worried that I was going to lose myself in there. I’m sorry that I kept you waiting Mr. George.”

He took the suitcase as the cabbie helped pop open the trunk.

“No worries. I wasn’t out here long.” Anger was fluttering at his chest, but it was difficult to maintain when she giggled.

“Oh you are too kind. I’m glad that we are heading into the city. It’s been too long since I was here. So much has changed!”

George held a door open for her and made sure she was comfortable. Carlos went for the driver’s door when George stopped him and pulled him close.
“Head back to the deli shoppe. There seems to be a mix up.”

Carlos rose an eyebrow. “You think? Usually they’re not searching for you senior. Tu’esperar los conard.” The lithe man dodged his hand. “Let’s vamos, eh?”

“About time.” George murmured as he set himself into his seat. At some point Ashley had removed her hat and placed it in the center of the seats. It pinched him slightly as he shifted.

Carlos started the engine as the woman looked out the window. “I don’t know what I’m more excited to see the Russian Tearoom or my daddy. He’s just been so busy this year! Did you know that my mom has not seen him in fifteen months? It’s not the longest they have ever gone from each other, but it’s never easy-“

George cut her short after signing to Carlos. “Russian Tearoom, why I was just there last week. Excellent service, best company. I forget, were we to head there? I was meaning to pick up some lunch over by the Library but I-“

Ashley started but lost her words, her coral lips pinching in her pensiveness. “I suppose we might as well get this over with. Let’s head to Caroll Gardens then.” She thumped the seat in front of her soundly. “Garcon? Court Street please. One Forty Two.”

Carlos studied them in his mirror, the engine still running without attention. “As you wish signora.”

She smiled as they started to merge into traffic. “Excellent. I love my old man, but I just can’t stand that apartment anymore.”

No matter how tempted George was to learn more, it was becoming clear that several boundaries were being crossed today.

First, business and pleasure never cross. Yet there was an addictive quality to her smile. Her levity almost made the tension of a planned murder disappear.

Secondly, always meet and work in neutral territories. Brooklyn had not always been the kindest borough to him. Sometimes he just wanted to disappear into Hoboken or even Pine Barrens. Get just enough distance.

Third, and most importantly, no dames. He would happily dispatch any white, Asian, Slav or Indian to their fate.

But women? There was no amount of money, power or threat that could move him. He never killed women and children and never will. Ever since Lindy-

“Mr. George, are you quite alright? You look like you are having a bit of indigestion. Would you like a bit of peppermint? I always have some handy just in case.”

A small gold painted tin rattled in her hand. Glad Carlos was distracted by another lousy driver, George let his smile grow. Was he going stupid already? “Thank you Miss Ashley, I’d like that very much.” With a nod, he accepted the small tablet as she took one herself as they eased into a comfortable silence into the depths of the city.