You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. (Eleanor Roosevelt)

One afternoon when Tony and Vincent were shooting up the secret was spilled again.

Vincent was the only one not to pass the secret on. Senior was the only one in the dark. Vincent took the matter into his own hands. One night when Penny’s father brought the garbage to the curb he was met by Vincent dressed in dark clothing. He surprised him with a headlock that blocked his airway and voice. In a deep disguised voice, he warned him not to bother them again. He systematically made three shallow slices along the noble victim’s forearm.

“Make another call,” he threatened. “I dare you.”

Vincent threw the man to the ground and ran away. He jumped in his car at the end of the block and drove home.

Penny was lying on the sofa with her bulging baby belly exposed. Tommy knelt on the floor next to her whispering to the baby. Penny laughed as his lips tickled her stomach.

“Where were you?” Tony asked nonchalantly as Vincent walked in.

“Nowhere,” he replied shortly.

Tony didn’t care. “Let’s light up,” Tony said, getting to his feet and heading to the kitchen where Senior was talking on the phone with Rider.

“I’m coming too,” Tommy said. He followed them out leaving Penny alone in the living room.

“Rider,” called Tony, “how are you, Hollywood?”

“Your brother says hello,” Senior relayed to Rider. “All of them.”

“Can I talk with him?” asked Vincent.

“We’re going to talk together,” Senior said and switched Rider to speakerphone.

“Rider!” they cheered and heckled him about the sun.

“Vincent and I have been talking with some friends in the west,” Senior said seriously. “We have some debts that we need to take care of.”

“Debts?” asked Tommy.

“You think it’s cheap to live like we do?” Vincent asked. “The supply we’re bringing in is barely enough to keep the house running. Forget any profits.”

“We need to be careful right now. Tony and I are going to take a sentence for possession and bribing an official. We’re offering to take it because while we’re away the cops are going to feel safe and take the pressure off the house. No one will be watching. This is an opportunity.”

Vincent swallowed.

“So while we’re away we’re going to make a big move. Once we get out, and we won’t be in long, it needs to be over because we’ll be watched even closer then than we are now.”

“Should I be connected as you make the plans? What if the phone is bugged?”

“You’re too long in the sun, brother,” said Tony. “How would someone get in and do that?”

“Still, I’d rather not listen in. I’m in – whatever happens, I’m in. I need cash and I need real stuff, this west coast shit is killing me. Send me letters.”