8
The Hard Con
Sidney
They were sitting in a large, old-school Cadillac across the street. Sidney had made them a half an hour ago when she had gotten home. Once inside her house, she had snuck to the window to confirm.
Two men in the front seat, the Thugs who had visited Bob a couple of days ago. In addition to them, there was a third man in the back. It was early morning and the shadows made it hard to see the person in the back seat.
Sidney had a good guess as to who it was.
Sidney figured they were waiting to make sure she didn’t have anyone about to come over and that she wasn’t going anywhere else.
Then they would make their move.
Sidney had just enough time for a drink. She reached for the hard stuff, Glenlivet Scotch. She poured herself three fingers and took a hard swig. This next part was the hard part and she needed to be loose.
****
Tobias
The door swung open into a dim candle lit setting. As Tobias stepped in, he cursed himself.
It was Friday.
He walked in and saw his fiancé, Linda, passed out on the couch, a half empty bottle of wine on the coffee table and the Netflix up on the television. He sighed and covered her with a blanket then went to the refrigerator. Tobias pulled out a beer, Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold.
He needed to get the taste of The Corner Pocket’s cheap brew out of his mouth.
He poured the beer, evenly, into a pilsner and walked out the back of the condo onto the patio.
He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
Tobias pulled it out and answered it as the he sat down to watch the sun rise.
It was Hank on the other end. “This is fucking boring.”
Tobias chuckled. “Never said it would be all action and girls.”
“Yeah,” Hank said with a yawn. “But this is really fucking boring.”
Tobias frowned. “Was that a yawn? You better not fall asleep on the job.”
“Fuck off Tobe. I got this.” Hank came back, slightly angry.
“Good to hear.” Tobias replied as the adrenaline started to wear off and he started to feel his fatigue.
“So Tobias, what’s the deal with Sidney?” Hank suddenly asked. “How do you know her?”
Tobias was taken aback by the question. “Where did that come from?”
“I want to know who I’m working with.” Hank answered.
Tobias knew that was bullshit. Hank wanted to make sure Tobias wasn’t pulling one over on his sister. “It’s not like that.”
“Then what’s it like?” Hank fired back the question and Tobias took a deep breath.
Tobias was going to tell hank the story…
****
Sidney
In minutes, the three men would get out of their car and walk to the front door of Sidney’s house. They would knock, hopefully, and Sidney would answer.
That’s when it would begin.
This was the true test of a con. She would have to take truly hostile elements, and turn them. They would be here to scare her, hurt her, and possibly even kill her. Her job would be to pull a 360 and convince them that she was not only harmless, but that she was a friend.
The hard con.
She finished the scotch with the second drink and almost on cue, the doorbell rang.
No Fear, No Fear, No fear No Fear…
She repeated the mantra over and over in her head. She couldn’t show weakness. Had to make them believe this was all part of the plan, had to stare down the barrel and laugh.
She poured herself another small amount of scotch and walked to the front door…
…She took a deep breath and opened it.
****
Tobias
“The real Sidney was born on her eighteenth birthday.” Tobias began the story. “On her Eighteenth birthday, her dad left her and her mother, and when he did, he left a note for her. It said ‘Live and learn’.”
“So her dad left, big deal, happens to a lot of people,” Hank said, unimpressed.
“True,” Tobias replied. “But this was different. You see, Sidney’s dad had been a great dad to Sidney and a good husband to her mother, at least for the most part, or at least they thought. In all actuality, though, he was using Sidney as part of a con.”
“A con?” Hank asked. “What kind of con uses your own kid?”
“If you went out right now and opened a savings account with over five hundred dollars they would send you a W-2 because you have to pay taxes on the interest. Nowadays who gives a shit? After all, the average interest rate on savings accounts is about two percent. Back in the year Sid was born, it was a totally different story. The interest rate was around ten percent.”
“Okay, but how does that fit in with Sidney and her dad?” Hank asked, still confused.
“Minors don’t pay taxes on interest.” Tobias stated.
There was a silence as Hank tried to put it together. “So her dad opened an account in her name? When she was a kid?”
Tobias took over. “When she was born. The day after. He also got a damn good interest rate, probably closer to twelve percent. He put all his money from his side cons and whatever else, into it and just raked in the cash over eighteen years.”
“Damn,” Hank said, now impressed with the scam. “How much did he make off with?”
“I’m not sure, I never saw the numbers, but he walked off with a lot. What’s worse is he waited till the last second to take all the money out, so she turns eighteen and he leaves with the money. But the government wants the taxes on the interest now…” Tobias left it hanging.
“He left her with the bill?” Hank said shocked. “That’s cold.”
“As cold as they come, Hank,” Tobias said with a dark infliction in his voice.
****
Sidney
The hand hit her throat and lifted her off her feet. The strange looking white guy shoved her backward into the wall. She choked and gasped for air as the grip tightened. For a second, Sidney got to look directly into the eyes of her attacker and she saw…
…Nothing.
The well-built, black man followed in behind his partner with a grin on his face. Directly behind him was a broad-shoulder, dark skinned man who, for some reason reminded Sidney of those old ‘Candyman’ movies.
Leroy Simpson.
“Ernie, close the door would you?” Leroy said in a sweet and full voice. “Ease up, Bert? I don’t want her dead. Not yet, anyway.”
The muscled black man named Ernie shut the door behind them. Bert reluctantly released Sidney’s throat. She coughed and sputtered for air.
Leroy was wearing a tweed suit, as if he was trying to be well dressed, but failing. He smiled. “Sidney Thompson. I’m Leroy Simpson.”
Sidney was starting to catch her breath. “Hold on Leroy, I’ll be right with you…”
No Fear, No Fear, No fear.
Sidney pulled herself upright to stand up straight. Her eyes were on Bert who stared back with a hungry look. She then, never taking her eyes off Bert, downed the glass of scotch she still clung to in her hand in one gulp. She smiled at Bert before winging the rock glass into Bert’s eye with a snap of her wrist.
The glass struck Bert’s eye with a sickening wet thud before dropping to the floor and breaking. Bert staggered, grabbing his eye.
“Fuck you, Bert!” Sidney yelled.
Ernie stepped in and back-handed her with such a force, she saw stars. Sidney stumbled and hit the floor. She tried to shake it off. Bert pulled himself upright, his eye already starting to swell.
Bert came up with a small sharp scalpel in his hand.
“Enough!” Leroy yelled and the boys calmed themselves.
Sidney began to stand, shrugging off the epic slap. “That’s right boys, Leroy wants me alive.”
Leroy’s jaw worked. “You have some balls, but people tend to call me, Mr. Simpson.”
“I’m not people.” Sidney said with anger in her eyes.
“I’ve have had all I can take from you,” Leroy began, his rage visible. “I found out from some people that you have been asking around about Bob Stanoski. I want to know why?”
****
Tobias
“So he used her to make a fortune and left her with the bill?” Hank asked, as Tobias finished the story.
Tobias nodded his head even though Hank couldn’t see him. “Basically, she was born as a con. Sidney is the product of her dad’s greatest con.”
There was silence on the other end.
“I’m the only person she ever told,” Tobias said quietly. “She has trust issues.”
“Can’t imagine why,” Hank said, sarcastically.
There was a pause and then Hank seemed to figure something out. “So, where do you come in?”
“I knew her before, and I just happen to be good at taking things. I started helping her with her cons in order to pay off her debt. Once it was paid, we were in deep. It’s almost like it just became what we did. We became friends. Best friends.” Tobias answered.
“Friends huh?” Hank asked accusingly.
Tobias sighed, “Friends, Hank. Just friends.”
****
Sidney
“Everything I need to know about Stanoski, I have.” Sidney began, “You however, want the information I have.”
Leroy raised his eyebrow. “You’re trying to sell me information?”
Sidney scoffed. “Come on, Leroy. You didn’t come here without researching who was after your precocious Stanoski, did you? So, let’s assume you know what I do for a living?”
Leroy still looked skeptical. “So you are saying that you were trying to get me to come to you?”
Sidney smiled. “Worked, didn’t it? I have always liked the home field advantage.”
Leroy looked unhappy with that statement.
“Three grand. Cash.” Sidney stated the price.
All three of them laughed out loud. Leroy waved his hands and his thugs quieted. “So, you want three grand for information on Stanoski? With absolutely no insurance? Let’s face it girl, your alone. If I wanted the information I would beat it out of you, and that’s only if I trust what you say to be true. And, by the way, I don’t.”
Sidney didn’t blink. “Bob is going to flip the restaurant out from under you.”
Sidney dropped the restaurant bomb and Leroy’s face became death. “Listening now?”
Leroy thought about it and Sidney knew he had him on the fence. “I can prove the information I have. Sure, you could beat it out of me but I assure you it’s cheaper to pay me.”
Leroy contemplated her original price. “Two grand.”
Sidney nodded. “Deal.”
Leroy had Ernie walk out to the car and get the cash. Sidney looked at Bert. His eye was swelling shut. He was staring at her and frothing at the mouth. Sidney winked at him. He growled.
Ernie returned and gave her the money. She looked at the stack then playfully grinned back at Leroy. “Do I have to count it?”
Leroy had had enough. “Don’t be stupid.”
She began to explain. “Bob’s going to sell the restaurant and collect the cash and walk. He has no intention of laundering the money you gave him, he’s just going to turn it into profit and run.”
“You said that.” Leroy was not impressed. “But he can’t, I have a signed deed. If he tries, I can have it filed. It’s dated for the day after he bought the place.”
“Ah, yes,” Sidney said knowingly. “The deed. Which brings me to the proof. You don’t deal in real estate much, do you?”
Leroy looked inquisitive. “What?”
“It’s a fake.” Sidney continued. “He gave you a copy. Take it to the recorder’s office and try to file it. Tell me how it goes.”
Leroy stood and turned to Bert & Ernie. “Get to Stanoski’s. Sweat him. I’m going to go get the deed and try to file it. Fucking Stanoski.”
They turned and walked out. Leroy pointed at Sidney. “If I find out you lied, I’ll take more than my money back.”
Sidney’s smile was ear to ear. “Thanks for shopping, come back again.”
****
Tobias
“So let me get this straight,” Hank said. “You abandoned Sidney when you were the only person she had ever trusted?”
Tobias gulped and rubbed his forehead as the guilt returned. “It’s not that simple, Hank. I’m afraid of what I am around her.”
“Because you do bad shit?” Hank asked.
“No.” Tobias sighed. “Because when I do bad shit around her it doesn’t feel bad…”
“..It feels good.”
****
Sidney
It was over. She had pulled it off.
Her adrenaline faded and she allowed herself to feel the terror of what had just happened. She allowed herself to feel the maniac’s hand around her throat. She allowed herself to feel the pain throbbing from her jaw where she had been slapped.
She felt it all now and she shook.
End episode 8