Free Kieran by Kassanna

the room.
    Three weeks he spent in the hospital with multiple fractures. He was told he was in a car accident. Someone went to great lengths to cover up his injuries. He did what Roscoe told him to do and returned to that house in Lowell. His mother’s death was ruled a suicide by overdose of narcotics. That was true but he had his doubts and knew--there was so much more to the story. Fiona   took her life, or maybe the pills were forced down her throat. Either way He had an idea of who drove her to commit the desperate act if they in fact didn’t hold her down.  If it took everything he had he would return that favor to those son of a bitch’s responsible. Kieran was thirteen years old when he started planning the demise of Paddy O’Shea and everyone loyal to him.
    ***
    Constant buzzing brought him back to the present. He gazed at the phone before grabbing the handset. “Yes?”
    “Your two o’clock is here,” the receptionist whispered with a nasal tone.
    He tapped his tablet and chuckled. “Please send Mr. O’Shea in.”
    Danny Sullivan escorted Paddy O’Shea into the room.
    Kieran leaned back and rested his elbows on the armrests. “I wish I could say it’s a pleasure seeing you.”
    “I came for business. Your happiness isn’t anything I give a damn about.” Paddy sat down heavily. Danny took the seat next to his father.
    “You’re billed by the hour. Take your time.” He could wait.
    “I’m the one who put you through school--this is part of your repayment.”
    “The money I earned in my youth more than covers the expense of my education. What do you want?” His da’s finances were dwindling. Extortion, prostitution, arms deals--name the entity and they--he and his brothers--had their fingers in it slowly driving their father out.
    “When will you complete the union deal?” Paddy leaned forward in his seat.
    “That’s none of your business, old man. My brothers and I considered our options and decided the detriment of including you in our dealings far outweighed the benefits.”
    “Boy, I will break you and your brothers.” Veins rose up along Paddy’s temple.
    “Feel free to try.” Kieran cocked his head. When Kieran was growing up, Paddy had been larger than life, a man to be feared. Now he was nothing more than a sorry old man. “What didn’t kill us only made us stronger.”
    “Do you think I taught you everything?” Paddy stood abruptly. “Watch and learn, son. I own this city.” He leaned toward Danny. “Make the call.”
    “Do your worst, Mr. O’Shea, and we will come at you ten times harder.” Kieran rolled his shoulders. “If there is nothing else?” With those few words, he dismissed his da. He could tell his brothers what he’d done. They would understand the joy he was experiencing, but the only person he wanted to talk to was Rica. Business first, though--his pretty girl wasn’t going anywhere.
    ***
    “Rica, I’m heading out to pick up the parts I ordered for the ice machine.” Roscoe stopped in front of her desk. “Do you need anything else?”
    “Just the ice machine to actually produce ice.” She pushed off the desk. “Are you really going to fix it this time, Roscoe? Big Bertha won’t even drop snowflakes now.”
    “I admit it took a moment to find the problem, but I have found the issue and ordered the parts. All that’s left is to pick them up and install them.” He did a quick two-step.
    “You’re not qualified. I told you to call somebody in to fix it.” She tapped her fingers on the blotter.
    “Why pay someone else when all you have to do is slip a little something extra in my paycheck?” He grinned big.
    “You ain’t nothing but a conman.” She chuckled.
    “ Ahh , but my morals are still intact…somewhat.”
    “I don’t know why Kieran keeps you around.” She shook her head and pulled up to the desk. “What am I going to do with you?”
    The smile faded, and he sobered. “I need a favor.”
    “Okay.” This was a first.