Newgrounds.com — Everything, By Everyone.

---

After endless days of prison jumpsuits, the simple jeans and tee-shirt felt like silk against Robert's skin.

"I don't ever wanna see you here again, Crawford, got it?"

The guard received a noncommittal grunt in return as Robert took back the few personal belongings that had been kept by the state for the past seven years.

As he headed towards the exit, he wondered if anyone would be waiting for him. He thought that perhaps no one caring about him would be preferable to having the wrong people still interested in him. Like Jimmy. Or a particular cop that probably wouldn't be swayed by the word "former". Sean something? The name had gotten lost along the way, but Robert had definitely heard bad things about him.

The fact that Robert didn't have much in the way of what most people would consider legitimate work experience certainly wouldn't help the situation after he walked through those doors.

The mid-afternoon sun blinded Robert as he took his first steps as a free man.

---

Jeff and

______________________
"You sure caught a good one, man. He clipped you right in the shin bone." Jeff commented.

"Yeah, yeah. Can you fix this up?" I snarled back. I didn't need an unprofessional doctor to tell me how fucking much getting shot in the leg and then trying to run hurt.

"Sure thing, man. I'd stay off your feet for at least a month or two."

"WHAT!? I can't fucking do that? There's a cop trying to kill me!"

"Better put a hit out on him, fast, man, or else you're toast."

"Fuck, I wish I still had Doggs. He could take that prick out in a day."

Pauly spoke for the first time since he had helped me out of the car into Jeff's house. He usually wasn't this silent.

"We could try to get Remo on it."

I didn't say anything as I thought about this. Remo was a hell of a killer, but he was very ballsy. He took too many chances, and wasn't afraid to kill anyone who got in the way of whatever hit he was on. He was expensive as well. I didn't have a choice. I couldn't take any chances on this.

"Gimme my phone." I said to Jeff. I had set it on the table right before he knocked me out to work on my leg.

I picked it up and dialed Remo's number. Remo answered after what seemed like an eternity.

"Hello." He answered.

"Yeah, Remo. It's Jimmy. I got a job for ya. Sharp shooter cop on the loose, and he's got his sights on me. I need you to put him underground. I'll pay you whatever."

"Charlie, right?"

"Yeah, he's the one who....wait a minute, how the fuck did YOU know!?"

"I have eyes and ears all over town. You want me to do this hit or what? I'm eating right fucking now, and I'm a very busy man."

It killed me not to threaten Remo for his insolence, but right now I didn't have a choice. He was my last hope.

"Yeah, do it as soon as possible. I'll pay any price."

"Ten grand."

"WHAT!? You must be out of your fucking mind!"

"Ten grand."

Remo hung up. I couldn't believe the balls on that son of a bitch. He had better deliver on his promise.

---

Well, I was out early. But, I was poor. The money I gained from Charlie was all spent on my hospital. He was there at the doors when I came out. Him, and a Police Officer.

He asked me to get in his car for an interrogation, about the robbery, vandal, and assault of me and my Deli. I had no choice . We drove down to the station, and he tok me in. It was busy, men everywhere working their asses off. Then they took me to a room with no windows, one camera, a table, and another officer.

He asked me many questions. I told the truth on them all. Until, one, certain question had shown up.

"Did you have any past encounters with the man?"

I swallowed, and tried my hardest not to look guilty.

"No. Not at all, sir."

A long silence, his eyes with sternness, looked at me testing me. Whatever these Police were trained to do, weren't going to work. I was going to ostracize them. And my look of innocence must of worked. Maybe. I really can't tell anymore.

He asked me more edgy questions, and I told part truth part lies. Then the man stood up.

He lead me out of the Police station, and I was off the hook. I then heard a yell from my right.
"Look, it's Charlie."

"Where are-"

"I'm looking down at you from the fence to your left, the parking garage."

I turned to my left. Above the slope from the Parking Garage to the left of the Police Precinct was a figure with his hands cupped around his mouth. He gestured for me to come to him. I ran up the slope, and hopped over the fence, onto the other side.

"Look, I got a job for you.", he told me, quietly but seriously.

"What is it?", I asked.

"Fuckin' Jimmy. He's got his sights on me, and I know it. You gotta kill him. I'll supply you with bits of information, but the rest is to you."

"How come you can't kill him?"

"I've got some loose ends to tie up with an asshole being released from prison, Robert Crawford."

"O.K, but, I... I don't know"

"Look you gotta carry out the fuckin' hit! Yo gotta do this for me, or I'm dead! He's got someone headed for me, I know it! And the guy I think he has for me is crazy as shit, and will kill alot more people than just me!"

"Can I just think-"

"It's yes or no. I gotta have you do this for me. Please Harry."

Now, I was stuck with the decision of whether to kill or let another man get killed.

---

Charlie is driving to Frank's house

Charlie: (Charlie's mind) Hate sending people on suicide missions. I hope the kid is smart and doesn't even try.

Charlie stops his car and starts walking to Frank's apartment.

Charlie: (Charlie opens Frank's apartment door) Hey Frank your cousin is out of (A hooded figure shoots Charlie with a Silenced 9mm handgun and starts running out of the apartment. Charlie starts choking on his own breath. After two minutes Charlie stands up and waits inside)

25 minutes later, Franks enters his apartment with two beers in his hand.

Frank: Hey Charlie, what happened, ya look pale.

Charlie: Someone just shot me in the chest

Frank: How the hell are ya still alive?

Charlie: (Charlie takes off his shirt and shows that he's wearing a kevlar vest) It's called the K-15, it has 15 layers of kevlar. And it just saved my life.

Frank: Sweet, can I have one?

Charlie: After you tell me where your cousin is.

Frank: Which one?

Charlie: The one that got out of prison.

Frank: ..... I have know clue where Rob is. Why do ya want him.

Charlie: We always could use another spy. Besides he might be able to tell me what amatuer tried to shoot me. ph. and lock your fucking door.

Frank: Sorry man

---

Frank sighed. "Charlie, wait a second. He got out of Coppola Penitentiary at two o'clock Tuesday. One of the corrections officers might know where he should be. I'll do some digging."

"Thanks. But you really should lock your doors."

Five hours later, Robert Crawford heard a knock. He sauntered to the door of the halfway house, cracked it open and peered out.

"Hey, I'm a friend of Frank's. Looking for Rob."

"That'd be me."

Charlie shoved the door, striking Robert in the face. Robert stepped back and eyed Charlie as he entered, one hand wiping away the blood from the split skin of his forehead. As soon as Charlie got through the doorway, Robert lashed out, aiming for the padding of Charlie's wounded shoulder. The cop yelped and stumbled backwards, pulling out his gun before Crawford could make another move.

Robert raised his hands. He looked desperately for an escape route.

"Stay where you are."

"What's this about? I'm not connected to anybody anymore, I've been inside for years, I-"

"Shut up. I'm gonna tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was a man named Robert Crawford. Thought he was a real tough guy, called himself 'the Rail'. Worked for the biggest crime boss in the city. Well, one day Robert and a couple of his friends were sent to a little jewellery store to show the owner why he needed to pay the crime boss protection. A good, honest cop saw what Robert was doing and tried to stop him. But before the good cop's backup could get there, either Robert or one of his buddies shot the cop to death. And now Robert has ten seconds to tell me why I shouldn't kill him right now."

"Oh, Jesus Christ, you're Charlie Connery, aren't you? I wasn't part of that job, I had to leave town because the police had a warrant on me for assault and battery. I don't know who shot your brother, but it wasn't me."

"Yeah? Then who was on the job?"

"It was years ago, I don't," Charlie cocked the gun. "Doggs, Big Vinnie, and the guy who replaced me, I don't know who it was."

"One last question. I was shot in the chest today. Didn't see the guy, but he managed to hit me straight on. Can't have been too far away, the bullet came from some kinda handgun. Sound familiar at all?"

"Shit."

"Who was it, Crawford?"

"Sounds like a guy who calls himself Remo. His jobs have a tendency to get messy. Ever hear about the Detroit Three? That was him. If you're still alive, he's still after you, and everyone around you is in danger."

"Can't have anyone knowing where I've been, then, can I?" Charlie pulled the trigger. Robert's eyes widened in shock. He tapped his chest, surprise to find it intact.

"When they contact you, and they will, Jimmy doesn't just let a man go, you go to Frank and tell him what they told you, got it? Or next time this won't be a goddamn blank."

Robert Crawford gasped for breath as Charlie left the house.

---

Wow, sorry to Optimisticperson, I just realized how badly I screwed up the details of the attempted hit on Charlie.

---

No problem, just be sure to check your story twice.

---

Charlie starts leaving Robert's place, and starts walking on a street alone

Charlie: (To himself) Remo, this couldn't be Remo. All the assasinations he's been apart of were massacres. Remo wouldn't send a kid or a inexperienced shooter. No this was personal. (A car starts driving near Charlie at a fast speed and starts shooting at Charlie) OH SHIT (Charlie tries to duck but gets shot two times in his chest Puncturing his kevlar vest and right lung. The car then drives away at a fast speed) HHUUU HHHUUUU help.

A child comes out an alley after hearing the shooting.

Child: Holy crap

Charlie: HHHHUUUUU HUU hospital