Old man Greco must have been completely confident in his security. I wondered if he knew just how many holes there were in his little empire.

It was expected, really, there was always that one ambitious little goon that would go behind the boss's back if it would get him more cash than acting as a grunt would.

I talked to one such grunt on the phone, keeping it short and brief, but getting everything I wanted from him. It was a wonder how he even knew so much, to begin with, but he was probably one of those types underestimated because they were thought stupid.

I didn’t care; it was Greco's problem, after all.

"Thank you for the information. I'll have the payment ready for you soon."

"It'll be double like you promised, right?"

I smiled to myself. If he wasn’t such a help to me, I'd take him out myself, being so free with information that wasn’t his to give out. Information that he should not have, to begin with. But he had been more useful than I expected, so I wouldn’t swindle him out of his pay.

"It will be as we discussed. And, if everything goes well, this will be the last time I require your services."

"Whatever. Just get me my money by tomorrow."

He hung up before I could tell him it was already on its way. Whatever, it was not like he even mattered to me. Because I'd found the opening I needed.

I'd gotten a bit more on Luke's background, at least about as much as Greco knew. Luke was a former army man, he defected and ran away from his country, for one reason or another. There was a huge information gap that I felt was significant, but none of that mattered now.

What did matter, was that Greco had been in touch with the general from Luke's unit where he served, a man who planned to kill Luke for revenge. Greco knew this and was helping the man out.

I didn’t understand it, but then I had my own vendetta, and different people had different things that triggered it for them, I suppose.

But I was almost angry, feeling insulted on Luke's behalf when I found out that little tidbit. The guy was loyal, and Greco, bastard that he was, couldn’t even appreciate that and was going behind the man's back to kill him. If there was any other, deeper reason for the betrayal, I hadn't found it, but this was unforgivable. Greco simply decided to get rid of his hitman because it was convenient, then found out about me and forwarded an invite because of the same convenience. I didn’t doubt, if I had taken the job and Luke was still alive, he would likely have been my first job.

I needed to find a way to warn Luke.

He didn’t need to die betrayed by someone he felt loyal toward. But, how was I going to find him to tell him? The last time I was near him, I didn’t find anything on him, not even a phone. I didn’t know how he and Greco kept in touch, but I didn’t have the same means.

So, I dug around some more. Then I learned about the celebration party for Greco's daughter-in-law, who was expecting a baby.

It was the perfect opportunity.

It might possibly be my only one. But even then, there was the possibility that Luke might not even be there. Still, it was my only chance, so there was no question of me not going.

Now I just had to find a way to get on the island, uninvited, a second time. It wasn’t going to be as easy as the first time. If Luke ever mentioned an intruder the last time, there would be more security than before and I ran the risk of getting caught. I'd have to find a way around it, but I wasn’t worried. I could be resourceful like that.

Before that, I needed to dress for the occasion. I picked up my phone and called a now familiar number.

"Hello?"

I smiled at the clipped voice on the other end. "Really, is that any way to talk to your favorite client?"

There was quiet on the other end before there was a click of the tongue. I laughed, and the voice growled at me.

"More like my most annoying client."

"Yes, but don’t I bring you a lot of business?"

"You do," the voice muttered reluctantly. "But you usually call once every several months and get several outfits. It’s a bit soon, isn’t it?"

"Well, I didn’t take that many last time, only a couple, yes? I want to commission something else, and original. Actually, make it several outfits."

I didn’t have long to prepare for the party, but if I could avoid it I wouldn’t want to be there at all. I wasn’t sure where Luke stayed, but I wouldn't bank on him being a permanent resident on the island, it would be too confining for a man like him. I knew I would see it the same way. So, if possible, I had to find him before he left for the island. Which meant I couldn’t as easily find a crowd to blend in this time unless I got lucky.

"Tell me what you need."

I pursed my lips, thinking it over.

"Let's see…"