“A Favor to Ask”

by Stacey and Atonia

Colin looked back over his shoulder at the man in the black SUV parked behind Adam and narrowed his eyes. He wasn't expected back at Richie's office so soon, but needed the excuse to get Adam and Dob out of the house. Something was off there between Adam and his "uncle", Dob, but Colin couldn't put his finger on just what.  His brother-in-law had been quiet on the drive into town, seemed nervous, too. Colin didn't miss the fact that he kept checking his rear-view mirror, looking back at Dob's car as the man followed them into town.

He waved back at Adam as the lad drove over off, then entered Richie Roberts' office. Surprisingly, the front office was empty. Colin waited a moment, looking around for Roberts' secretary, Miss Peeg, but the woman was no where to be found. Hearing movement in Richie's office, he hesitated a moment, then knocked on the door.

 “Hey Colin, didn’t expect you back so soon.” Richie filed his folder and turned around; something was obviously bothering him. “Wanna have a seat?” Richie moved back to his desk.

 "Ta, Richie," Colin said, as he made his way into the office and plopped down in a chair. "I hope I'm not a bother, dropping in on you twice in one day like this."

“No, not at all. What’s on your mind, Colin?” Richie sat down in his chair and leaned back.

"First off, I want to thank you for before... I took your advice, just got back from having the blood work done at the clinic. They said they'd fax you over the results in a day or so," Colin shifted in his seat, trying to decide how to ask Richie what he'd come there for. He cleared his throat, "Reason I came back here is to ask you a favor of sorts."

“Sure Colin, what can I do for ya.” Whatever it was Colin was having a hard time coughing it up.

"My brother-in-law, Adam... you met him in here with me earlier," Colin said, fidgeting a bit, "I just got this feeling something ain't right there, something’s going on with him and he won't let me in. Thought maybe if you have time you might find out what you can about him, about his past. See, he told Raine he didn't have any family and then today this 'uncle' shows up. They’re over at Andy's having lunch right now, but I just got this feeling... I don't know, maybe it's just the big brother in me - lookin' out for my baby sis, ya know?"

 “You think maybe he ain’t on the up and up? Yeah sure I can do a little background check on him, he’s Australian right?”

"Says he's from Sydney, yeah," Colin nodded, "at least that's where he and Raine just moved from. Strewth, Richie, I don't know what the lad is. He seems nice enough on the surface, but I get this feeling he's gotten himself into a shit-load of trouble. He's out all hours, comes home drunk or high or both. Not the same bloke I met a month ago, that's for sure. Arthur assures me he's been working out fine down at the garage, nothing to worry about. But I can't help it, not where my sister is concerned."

“Hmm, I’ll check him out and you’re being smart Colin, I’d do the same if she was my sister. And you don’t need any trouble brought to your door either. Mind if I ask Arthur and Dom Maloney a few questions?”

"Sure thing, mate," Colin told him, "Whatever you need to do is fine. Just do me the favor and keep it on the down-low. Wouldn't want the lad to find out I'm checking up on him; might not take too kindly to that."

“Of course, I’ll keep it quiet. Miss Peeg will know but you can trust her not to say anything to anybody. I’ll let you know, Colin, as soon as I have anything.”

"Thanks again, Richie," Colin told him, grabbing his crutches. He held onto them, pushed himself up out of the chair. "I owe ya one, mate," he reached out to shake Richie's hand. "Any work you need done on your car is on me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just be going and let you get back to your work. I told the lad I'd meet him and that uncle of his over at Andy's for a bite to eat."

“Hey no problem, Colin, let me get the door for ya. I’ll be in touch.” Richie watched Colin managing his crutches down the walk and shook his head, for a nice guy he sure had a shit-load of troubles.