Arthur nodded.“I did.Four of them broke in and they all were responsible for what happened in my house.I wanted to tear them apart with my bare hands, but I didn’t.”
“You didn’t?”Seamus asked incredibly as he looked stunned.“I’m not sure I could have held myself back had that happened to my family.”
“Oh, no.You misunderstand me.They didn’t get off free and easy.No sir, they paid in blood for what they did, it just wasn’t me that killed them.”
“What does that mean?”Finn asked.
Arthur cocked his head at him and replied, “I used my wits and what Uncle Sam taught me to do when I was hunting an enemy.I began watching what those thugs were doing and I set them up.”He held up his hands.“But I didn’t break the rules.I realized that my violence had beget the violence that killed my family.So, I just made phone calls at the right time to get them caught doing some hardcore drug peddling and it wasn’t my fault that they tried getting away and started a firefight with the cops.Those dumb fools thought they could outshoot trained police officers.Well, they found out the hard way they couldn’t.I remained in a hidden spot and watched the cops bring them down one or two at a time and they never knew I was the one that caused it.I blamed myself for years for being responsible for what happened to my family.Those men left me broken and alone, so I simply returned the favor.That was twenty years ago and I’m finally at a place where I can accept it.I met Darleen and her mom along the way.They lost everything to a man that should have protected them, so I just sort of helped them out a little bit.”Arthur shrugged.
“A little bit?”Darleen repeated it as if the statement was outrageous.
Will looked at her and shook his head.
Darleen threw her arms around Arthur and cried out, “You did more for me and mom than anyone else could have!You took us under your wing and taught us how to live on the streets.Then after mom was killed, you took me in and watched over me.”
“Aww Darleen, I just did what I thought was right.”Arthur shook his head.“I lost my son and didn’t get to raise him.I know you aren’t my child, but you were as close to whatever I could get.”Then he looked at Finn and said, “Enough about me we have to worry about Ria Sanchez.”
Finn nodded, “Aye, we do.”He paused, then said, “You mentioned the fact that you knew where she was staying, is that right?”
Arthur nodded.“Yeah, she’s got herself a small boathouse down by the docks.Her men stay in the one next door, but they watch both boats as one.”He looked around the room and saw the men they had on their side, then he shook his head.“You’re going to need a lot more men to take them on.”
Finn leaned his head back to bark out with a laugh.“Oh laddie, don’t you worry about that.We got more men we can call up.And the Irish love a good fight, didna worry about that.”
Arthur nodded.“I have no doubt about that.I’ve seen an Irishman or two fight, but I’ve got men that will come forward too.They are sick and fed up with this bitch and her son.They are looking forward to this take down.What’s more they can fight as good as you guys.And believe me you might need the street fighters more than you know.This witch is underhanded and she won’t care who dies in her place.”
Finn just shrugged.“Then we just won’t give her what she so desperately wants, will we?”He leaned forward.“But you do what you have to do, call your guys if you must but we’ll call the lads and then we’ll get on with this.”He folded his arms over his chest and glared at Arthur.“I’m tired of letting that manky witch call all the shots.You said you knew this Shay Montross person.Well see if you can get his skinny ass here and we’ll see who does what.”
“Skinny ass?”Seamus laughed.“Nah, Montross isn’t skinny...well, he’s a fighter.But it’s his copter that will be a big help.”
Arthur nodded as he chuckled about the skinny ass remark.“I’ll call him.She’s got a shitload of stolen goods right now down at the docks.So if he catches her with her hand in the cookie jar, she won’t have a defense or a get out of jail free card.”He reached for his phone and called Shay.“Yes, sir.I’m with the O’Malleys.Yes, I heard you worked with them on this.Ria Sanchez.”He listened then said, “They are all ready to bring her down.Ok, we're at the O’Malley Brewery.Yes, sir.”
After ending the call, Arthur told them that Shay promised he’d be there in the morning.
Chapter Seven
Oran began making callsas soon as Arthur got off the phone with Shay.
