Page 2 of Cold Hard Cash

“Not much,” Jimmy said, wiping at his eyes with the heel of his hand. “Uhhh... he was a captain in the Luchesi family, that’s when he got the nickname Cold. Then he broke off and started his own gang, ran the Luchesis all off, took over.”

“And?”

“I haven’t exactly looked him up on Wikipedia, Maury,” Jimmy mumbled.

“He’s gay,” Maury whispered in a hushed tone, glancing around as if someone actually might be listening to their conversation. He looked triumphant, as if somehow this revelation solved the problem.

“So?” Jimmy held out his hands, not making the connection.

“So you’re one of them multi-sexuals, right?”

Jimmy flushed, stammering, “Y-yeah, I’m bisexual, still not understanding what any of this has to do with me owing Boss Cold an absurd amount of money.”

Maury came over and sat down next to Jimmy, the sofa squeaking in complaint from the added weight. “There’s a rumor, okay, that Cold will let people work off their debt,” he said excitedly. “You get me?”

Jimmy stared dumbly, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“You work it off by gettin’ him off, okay?”

“Oh, God! No!” Jimmy was instantly aghast, shaking his head. What Maury was suggesting was prostitution. He felt dirty all over even thinking about it. “I-I can’t do that!”

“Kid, you’re real pretty, and right now that’s the only fuckin’ thing you got goin’ for you. When Cold’s people come lookin’ for their money, I gotta know what to tell them.”

“You tell them, you tell them to give me more time!” Jimmy pleaded, reaching for Maury’s hands. “Please, Maury. I can’t, I can’t whore myself out like that. Crap, I just... I can’t do it.”

“Kid, this is probably your only chance,” Maury insisted, patting Jimmy’s hand. “I’ve known your family a long time. Your old man used to fix up my kids whenever they had a runny nose or a fever, wouldn’t take a dime. That’s s’why when you came to me for help, I helped, but—”

“Then help me now!” Jimmy cried, frantic and angry.

“I fuckin’ can’t help you no more,” Maury snapped, frustrated. “This is gonna end one of two ways, kid. Either on your back in Cold’s bed or on your back in your fuckin’ coffin.” He stood up, brushing away Jimmy’s hands, snorting, “You pick.”

Eighty-six dollars and nineteen cents.

Jimmy kept counting it out in his head, sniffing softly. “I don’t know, I just... I don’t know what to do.”

Maury clapped a comforting hand on Jimmy’s shoulder, his long mouth twisting up into a smile. “Hey, look. I’ll... I’ll try talkin’ to ‘em. Maybe I’ll tells ‘em you’ve gone all mentally irregular and can’t pay or somethin’.”

“Thanks,” Jimmy mumbled, laughing half-heartedly. “I appreciate that.”

“Keep your fuckin’ thirty bucks, go get a good meal,” Maury suggested. “I’ll come see you if I hears anythin’.”

“Thanks, Maury,” Jimmy said, getting to his feet and pulling Maury into a tight hug.

“Take care of yourself, kiddo,” Maury sighed, slapping Jimmy’s back and affectionately patting his cheek as they parted. “I’ll sees ya ‘round.”

Jimmy bid farewell and started back home, his head hanging low. Maybe he’d treat himself to pizza, something good for his last meal since Boss Cold was probably going to murder him soon. He laughed miserably to himself. This day had gone from bad to worse to an absolute nightmare in only a few hours.

He tried to stay optimistic. After all, nothing else could possibly happen, right?

Fumbling for his keys as he walked down his hall, he soon realized he didn’t need them. His front door was already open, stopping him in his tracks with his pulse beginning to thump in his ears.

Crap.

He slowly walked through the open doorway, gasping when he saw a strange man on his sofa. He had certainly seen the man’s picture on the news before, recognizing him in an instant.

“Hello there, James Poe. I don’t have a habit of making house calls,” Boss Cold rumbled, his voice a deep purr, “but I was reviewing my latest acquisitions and considering the amount of your outstanding balance... mmm, I felt it required a personal visit.”

Jimmy clutched his keys to his chest, staring dumbly in terror.