Kiss The Ring

There was a stunned moment where even Frank could not respond.
Someone had gone after Gerard. Someone had gone after him by going after Gerard. The one person who Frank knew that had never used violence to get what he wanted. Guilt flooded his system followed by the more familiar sensation of rage.
“How bad ?”
Nancy sniffed.
“Bad, we’re at the Memorial Hospital. He took three bullets, one in the head. They’re operating.”
Frank closed his eyes, aware that Mikey was standing behind him.
“Ok, I’ll get you some protection and find out what’s going on. Don’t worry, he’s stronger than we all give him credit for.”
Her voice hardened.
“Kill them for him Frankie.”
“No problem there.”
Frank turned, putting the phone back on the table. They all stared at him, knowing something was badly wrong. Frank was pale, his hands shaking.
“Some fucker tried to take out Gerard. They shot him. It’s bad, Nancy is with him but they’re operating now.”
Mikey swayed for a second, all colour leaving his face. The others just continued to look stunned until James turned on Frank.
“Who are they cos they’re gonna fucking die, then their kids, then their friends.”
Frank was still looking at Mikey who hadn’t moved or even flinched. He moved to the boy, taking his face in his hands.
“Mikey, listen to me. We are going to find out who did this and they are gonna die but right now I want you and James down at that hospital. They might be stupid enough to try again.”
Linda stood up.
“I’ll go too, be there for Nancy. We’ll keep you posted.”
All previous bitching was forgotten as she put her arms around James and Mikey and steered them toward the door. Frank turned back, still a little in shock and turned on the widescreen tv. He and Ray sat on the edge of the desk to watch.
It was all over the news off course. Gerard and Nancy had been at a charity lunch, supposedly with a police bodyguard but a man had been able to get through. A man with a gun who was now in custody. Lone lunatic the police said, the reporters voice saying it as though it was meant to be a comfort. Neither Frank or Ray were buying that one for a minute.
“Who do we know that know about the link between the family and Gerard.”
“No one knows anything for sure boss.”
Frank smiled grimly. Someone fucking knew and whoever it was had contacts, power and balls. Very few people would try this knowing Frank was pulling the strings, of course even fewer knew that Gerard had a younger brother with certain talents. Be interesting to add that into the mix.
“Find out Ray, I reckon there is a connection to the game the Russians were playing. If we have an enemy in the fucking FBI or CIA we could have a problem. Ask Sharon, she‘s come through for us before.”
Ray didn’t like the look of pure spite that crossed Frank’s face. The man was quite clearly on a mission now. One that could bring the whole thing tumbling down around their ears. He watched Frank pick up his coat and headed for the door.

***************************************

He found the hospital in chaos.
Reporters and police jostled for position at the door, worked up into an even bigger frenzy by the sight of Frank’s arrival. The police eyed him with undisguised position and Frank enjoyed a moment or too of imagining shooting every single on of them before pushing his way through. A nurse pointed him toward the lift.
Upstairs if anything it was worse. He walked around the corner to find Nancy and Linda frantically trying to calm down some screaming nurses while James tried to pull Mikey off a policeman he had pinned to the wall by his throat. Frank was forced to shout to be heard.
“What the fuck ?!”
The only one who didn’t turn was Mikey. If anything his grip got tighter, a strange choking sound being forced from the other mans throat. Frantic, James slapped him hard across the face. Mikey let go and James pulled him back, keeping a wary eye for what Mikey might do next. Linda looked relieved and walked into Frank‘s arms.
“Frank, thank god. These fuckers are leaving Gee unguarded. He just got back from theatre for gods sake.”
“How is he ?”
One of the nurses tore her eyes from the policeman frantically coughing for air on the floor.
“He’s stable but in a coma. There was a lot of bleeding but they got the bullet out. The ones that hit his chest and arm were superficial.”
Frank stared at her, irritated.
“Is he going to live ?”
She nodded. Frank felt his knees almost buckle in pure relief. There was a flash of sudden realisation about just how much he loved Gerard. James had been right, there was going to have to be reckoning for this. He looked at Mikey.
“C’mon, lets go see him.”
The nurse was about to protest but thought better of it. She had been told the young man was Mr.Way’s brother but could hardly believe that was true. There had never been a mention in the press of a brother. She watched them enter the darkened room.
It was so quiet, the only sound was the beeping of various machines. Gerard was still, tubes and other nasty looking equipment surrounding him. He looked fragile, nothing like the shining star he usually was. Frank felt tears pricking his eyes.
“They hurt him.”
Mikey’s voice was no more than a whisper as he sat by the bed. He ran his fingers across Gerard’s cheek gently as if to reassure himself that his brother was still there.
“I know.”
“This is your fault.”
“I know.”
Frank and Mikey stared at each other for a moment before Mikey looked away.
“I’m going to kill them all, you know that.”
“Yeah, we are going to do this together. We’re family Mikey.”
Frank watched Mikey nod before sitting on the other side of the bed. It would be a long time until revenge was complete but the path started here.

Notes