[b] Thomas Swindle - Tommie's - Charlie, Sal Moreno, Carlie Jenser[/b]

Thomas sat patiently in the back room of the bar, listening to the lady across the table speak. "...and they'll take my kids away if I can't pay the bill. So... I asked Sal Moreno for a loan..." The woman called Carlie said. Thomas pursed lips at the mention of Sal Moreno. Of all the dirtbags in Crown City, she went to Moreno? "...and he gave me the money, but I can't pull through yet... Mr. Swindle I- I just need your help..." 

"Carlie... I'll ask this - You go to a murderer for money... then you come to a Larsonist for help paying that back..." Thomas gave a slightly insensitive laugh. "Ma'am are you sure that money is your problem rather than choice of company?" This rebuttal only brought more agony to Carlie's face, but she insisted again. "Listen... I'm afraid I can't give you money without hope of it being returned, however, I can speak to Mr. Moreno about extending your payment date." 

"Oh- Thank you, Mr. Swindle... Thank you..." She said, her pretty, young face forcing a smile. Thomas stood, brushing the wrinkles from his navy blue jeans. Carlie stood and shook his hand, and he showed her the way out. He walked with her down the hallway, opening the the bar door for her like a gentleman. Let it never be said that Thomas Joseph Swindle didn't mind his manners. He saw that Danielle was already up and doing her thing. 

"Mornin', Danny. Grab Mrs. Jenser here a drink; on the house." He lightly patted Carlie on the back, and crossed to the door on the left side of the bar. He opened it and ascended the flight of stairs to the second floor, and then turned up the stairs to the third and final floor. The single door that sat at the top of the stairs pushed open easily as Thomas entered. 

The room was a large apartment, outfitted with a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a living room. Though the apartment seemed like nothing more than an owner's living space and was in no way glamorous, Thomas Swindle was in no financial need. 

Thomas briskly walked to the left side bedroom, knocking on the old door. "Charlie? Get up, kid, we're opening and Danny can't run this place by herself!" He waited a moment and heard shuffling in the room, confirming that his niece was awake. The man crossed the living room to his own bedroom, adjacent to the kitchen. He shut and locked the door, opening the closet beside his bed. The closet was littered with expensive clothing, more so than any normal bar owner would posses... However, Swindle wasn't a normal bar owner. He quickly changed himself, donning a red flannel shirt, dark grey pants, and a pair of sleek black wingtip shoes. 

Once in the kitchen, he fished his phone from his pocket, dialing a number and raising it to his ear. "Sal?" He called when the line connected. 

[i]"Tommy! What can I do for ya, pal?"[/i] Sal Moreno's voice made him sound like an Italian Mob Boss... which he came pretty close to being. Thomas wasn't scared of him in any way, but Moreno could definitely make things a pain in the neck for him. 

"Hey, Sal, I just spoke to a mutual friend of ours. Carlie Jenser? Nice girl, pretty face, two little boys?" He proposed. Sal confirmed that he knew them and then inquired what Thomas wanted. "See... I think you already know her current situation... She needs a little more time, Sal." 

[i]"Hey kid, you can hang up the phone now, cause I ain't givin' that dirty little b-"[/i] Thomas pulled the phone from his ear, avoiding Sal's colorful vocabulary. [i]"She owes me the same time as I told 'er."[/i]

"C'mon now, Moreno... Do I have to remind you of the numerous occassions that I've covered for you to the CCPD?" Thomas said, gazing out the window. 

[i]"Yeah, so?"[/i]

"So... I covered for you, and I also got all the dirt from that crap, too... I'd hate for one of my hard drives to end up in the hands of an officer-"

[i]"Oh alright!"[/i] Sal said, exasperated. [i]"I'll give her an extra three-weeks, nothing more!"[/i] Thomas smiled, thanked Sal, and hung up the phone. Sal Moreno... scary at best, but he could be manipulated... just like anyone.