by pstoddard
(Never before published!)
God, what a dump, Burke Devlin thought, as he crushed yet another cockroach under his heel. But drinks were cheap here, and since work was hard to find for an ex-convict - even one who was innocent - money was an important consideration. Maybe he should go back to the states - at least the dumps there were somewhat clean. Of course, affording to move back would be a problem right now...
The waiter stopped at his table. "Someday, Juan, I'm going to be able to afford to drink somewhere I don't have to worry about the bugs running off with my jacket when I'm not looking."
"Yes, Senor Devlin, sure you are," he said in broken English. Juan had heard this before. "You want another?"
Burke looked at his empty glass, contemplating the last few dollars in his pocket. "Sure, why not? Fill 'er up." Juan took his glass and left to get his drink.
As usual, Burke brooded over the life he was cheated out of. When he made it big, they would pay...they would all pay. All of those who had betrayed him. Sam, Laura...and the Collins family. Roger especially, but it was his family that made it possible. The Collins' would rue the day they had sent him to prison...
His drink appeared. "How much do I owe you?"
"It's on me," a strange voice said.
Burke looked into the face of the man with his drink. It wasn't Juan. "I won't turn down a free drink, mister, and its good to hear English spoken correctly again. But to what do I owe this honor?"
"Let's just say I like a man with a dream. May I sit down?" He sat without waiting for an answer. "I've been watching you. I'm James Blair." He stuck out his hand.
Burke took it. "Burke. Burke Devlin." He stopped short as the name registered. "Blair? The banker?"
The man laughed. "I must have made quite a name for myself to be known all the way in Montevideo."
"I only left the states recently. I grew up in Maine. In a little town you probably never heard of, named Collinsport." He didn't mention that the last seven years he had been at the same address - the Maine State Penitentary.
"Oh, I've heard of it all right." James smiled mysteriously. "Burke, I like you. I have a proposititon for you. A chance to make a great deal of money."
"Who do I have to kill?" Burke asked.
Blair chuckled. "No one, Burke. Not yet, anyway. It'll take a few years, but I gaurentee you'll be able to go back to Collinsport a rich man."
Burke didn't even think about it. "Just tell me what I have to do."
"You just do what I tell you, and everything will work out just the way you want it to." Blair glanced toward the door as another man entered. "Hold on. I want you to meet someone. I handle all the visible ends of the business, but my brother is the real mastermind behind it all." He went over to greet the newcomer. Burke sipped his drink as he waited.
Soon, both men came to Burke's table. James started the introductions. "This is Burke Devlin. He's our newest recruit." Burke felt the eyes of the newcomer burn into him. "Burke, this is my brother, Nicholas. Nicholas Blair."
Nicholas grinned. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Devlin."
