Saints or Martyrs?

“He was their supplier.” Smecker said pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “He outfitted them for the Petrova hit.”

Eunice was pacing back and forth. “So that's the connection, and the explanation for the basement. He had enough ordinance in there to arm a small nation.”

“Which means the shit is hitting the fan. There's no way we can keep this under wraps.” Juan noted. "The ATF is going to be all over this like piss on a urinal.”

“That means that we can all sign up for the group rate at the Hoag.” Dolly said. “At least the boys won't be lonely, because we'll be piled into the same cellblock.”

“Smecker with all your contacts, you can't get to somebody sympathetic in the ATF?” Duffy asked.

“I don't know, maybe.” Smecker said. “I can always see if our silent partners can pull a few strings.”

“Right there's no use borrowing trouble if we don't have to.” Eunice said. “But we still haven't talked about the big question.” When everyone gave her a blank stare she continued. “Who is going to tell our boys?”

*****

“Alright Murphy, I'm done obsessin now. Tis obvious tha we are stuck in tha middle o this thing and worryin about it won't change anythin.” Connor said as he came into the kitchen. So we just do wha we're supposed ta do.”

Murphy gave his brother a smile. “Aye, but there's nothin ta do right now except wait. Smecker is tryin ta find this Bacchus fer us. Looks like he's next on tha list. So I guess we just enjoy tha time we have now with Ma.”

“Speakin o which, where is tha old girl?” Connor said pouring himself half a cup of coffee. “Ye know Murph, ye could coulda made a fresh pot.”  Connor set about refilling the coffee maker.

“She left about an hour ago, said she was going to the store.” Murphy said unconcerned.

“Ye let her go out alone?!” Connor glared at Murphy. “Are ye daft? With every thing tha's goin on!”

“I tried to go with her, but she wasn't havin any o it. When I insisted she called me a pain in tha ass, a worthless little bastard and then she introduced me to tha business end o the broom.” Murphy told him. “I figure twas better not ta rile her anymore than she was.”

“Ye dumbass tis better ta have her riled and safe than calm and...” Connor shouted.

“Shut it! Don ye dare say it! And give me some credit! I'm not a complete imbecile ye horse's arse! Smecker has somebody followin her around ta protect her. He has since we left to go after Pandora.” Murphy yelled back. “I swear Connor there are times I could put me foot so far up yer arse ye'd belch shoe leather!”

Connor snorted. “I'd like ta see ye try.”

Murphy dropped the paper he was reading. “Really? How about right now? I'm thinkin ye need ta be taken down a peg or two.”

Murphy lunged out of his chair tackling Connor to the ground. Connor of course immediately rolled over so Murphy was under him while Murphy bucked his hips and shoved Connor's in the chest shoving him off. The two soon started seriously struggling, each twin trying to pin the other to the floor while hurling insults at each other. Neither one heard the door open.

Katie stepped into the kitchen followed by Eunice and Juan, Looking down at the flailing tangle of arms and legs on the floor she calmly stepped over them and began putting away the few groceries she had bought, occasionally hopping over an arm or leg.

Once she had put everything away she made her way back to the living room and sat down while Juan gave her a stunned look before turning his attention back to the twins. “Shouldn't you do something?” he asked Katie.

“I am doing something,” she said as she lit a cigarette. “I'm letting em get it out o their system.”

“But they're fighting.” Juan insisted.

“No tha's not a fight. Tis when they get quiet and start throwin punches at each other ye have ta worry.” Katie said puffing on the cigarette and watching the two roll around on the floor. “Tha's just them bein rambunctious. Every so often they just annoy tha hell out o each other and need a good tussle. Sooner or later they'll get tired o it and start laughing at themselves fer actin like a couple o wee jackasses.”

Juan watched as Murphy suddenly started giggling as Connor pinned him to the floor. Connor gave a snort and rolled off of his brother to lean against the cabinet. After a few seconds Connor started snickering with laughter himself.

“See? Out o their system.” Katie said as she stood up and went into the kitchen and began pouring coffee into cups from the now freshly brewed pot. She looked down at her laughing sons and shook her head. “How did I get stuck with ye two childish little arse boils? I swear tha two o ye are going ta be 90 years old in wheelchairs still actin like a couple o two year olds havin a temper tantrum.”

Connor and Murphy just laughed harder at Katie's grumbling.

*****

“Smecker, you bastard!” ATF Director Reginald Reynolds enveloped Paul in a bear hug as he stood up. “It's been too long. I haven't heard from you since you 'died'. I'm guessing your call has something to do with that special project of yours?” Reynolds said as he and Smecker took their seats at the back of the small cafe.

“Yes, it does. Remember that supplier I gave you a heads up on back when I was first putting this together? Well somebody killed him.”

“Damn! He was supplying your boys wasn't he?” Reynolds asked. “I think we can find someone to pull in if you need it.”

“They just got a shipment they are good for now, the problem is it kind of overlaps something we're actively working on.” Smecker said.

“Talking about the take down at Pandora's place? That was a nice  bit of work. Your boys are good. Too bad we can't handle our cases like that. We wouldn't keep having things go Waco on us.” Reynolds said. “Oh don't look so surprised. When you told me what you were putting together you should have known I'd be keeping an eye out. Besides your boys have one hell of a track record for getting to the key players we can't touch. Makes it easier on all of us.

So what do you need me to do? I'm glad to have the chance to return the favor.”

*****

Murphy was still frowning at the photo that Eunice and Juan had brought with them of the latest victim. Connor was on the disposable cell phone they kept just for calling this one person.

“Where are ye? Well don go home, yer house is probably crawlin with ATF right now.”

Murphy looked up and said. “Tell him ta come here, Conn.”

“Me brother said ta hie yer ass on over here. We'll explain to ye then.” Connor hung up the phone. He tapped the photo. “That is not William O'Malley. I just got off tha phone with O'Malley.”

“We ID'ed him from his driver's license, it was in is pocket.” Juan insisted.

Murphy stood up and went to one of the kitchen cabinets and pulled down an old coffee can. Opening the lid and reaching in side he pulled out a wallet. Returning to the table he said. “O'Malley is inta more than just guns.” he slid the wallet across the table to Eunice.

“Eunice flipped it open looked at Murphy then looked back down to the contents. “James Leary?” She laughed.

“Aye and tha troll sittin next ta me is me best friend in tha whole world, Raymond McCoy.” Murphy said slapping Connor on the back.

“We got Birth certificates, Social Security cards,” Connor said. “The whole kit and kaboodle.”

Juan just whistled in amazement.  "These will pass any inspection."