Zoe searched through her saved music and decided to play something old. She smiled as Kashmir by Led Zeppelin started playing. Though she no longer liked Lionel and Rita, she was still glad they had turned her onto some of these older songs and musical acts.

Speaking of those two older couriers, Zoe considered messaging Kerri to see if the cop had any information for her yet. She decided to wait as she zipped between two cabs, causing them to honk their horns. Zoe’s smile grew bigger as she increased her speed so she could get back to Capones quicker.

*

“Zoe, come here and take a seat,” Riccardo Capone ordered after he spotted her walking into his restaurant’s dining room. Zoe walked over to his table and took a seat opposite him and Tony. There were only a few Gargoyles and Hounds around the room in comparison to the other mob establishments.

“Yes, Mr Capone?”

“I understand that your reputation has reached the point where you’re viewed as dependable and efficient,” Nucky said. Zoe wasn’t sure what to say, if anything, so she just nodded her head. “That’s good. It also means it’s time for you to start doing more runs for us.”

“We’ll either pay you for these runs or just deduct the payment from your debt,” Tony added. “I suppose we could also do a 50-50 split if you want.”

“Ok. May I ask how much I’ll get paid?” Zoe inquired.

“Tony?” Nucky prompted his underboss to answer.

“Between 100 and 200 credits per run,” the other man replied. “100 for messages and the like. 200 for bank runs.”

“Bank runs?” Zoe asked.

“We’re going to start using you to make bank deposits for some of our…side business ventures,” Vinnie said joining the three of them at the table.

The consigliere sat on Nucky’s left since Tony, the underboss, sat to the don’s right. Zoe had searched the term don on the way here after Big John had insisted that she use it. From what she found; the term was best described as another word for boss but also literally meant sir.

“That’s great,” Zoe replied. “But…”

“But?” Tony asked.

“It seems suspicious,” Zoe replied. The three men laughed.

“And why is it suspicious that we are going to pay you a good rate?” Vincent asked. “Do you even know what bank runs entail?”

“Carrying banking data?” Zoe wondered aloud.

“No,” Nucky replied. “You’ll be carrying cold, hard, credit chips for the most part. Though, there will be times you’ll just carry banking data for us.”

“People still use those?” Zoe asked. She had never seen anyone on the farm or in the church use actual credit chips while growing up or in the city since she moved here.

“You’ve gotten used to transfers and net banking,” Tony said. “People living on the streets or those that just can’t give up having physical currency use chips.”

“So do those that engage in the few illegal activities there still are,” Vinnie added giving them a grin.

Most illegal activities had been legalized by the corporations so they might profit from them, but racketeering was still illegal and a favorite of criminals. The credits extorted from victims still needed to be laundered before they could be spent. Several banks and other businesses throughout the city were more than willing to launder money for the mafia for a cut of it.

“Or those that don’t want to leave records,” Nucky said. “Most corporations use credit chips when they want to do something off the books.”

“So, you’ll be carrying some chips for us at least once a week,” Tony said. “We’ll make sure the amount will fit in your backpack along with your things.”

“Ok,” Zoe replied as the underboss addressed her concern without her having to voice it.

“Now, you might be tempted to lose some of them,” Vinnie laughed.

“You don’t want to do that,” Nucky warned her. His eyes had turned colder than usual as he said this.

“I wouldn’t steal from you!” Zoe quickly protested as Nucky’s eyes scared her. Zoe realized she was seeing the true Riccardo “Nucky” Capone for the first time and that he was a killer. She also wondered for the first time if she would ever pay off her debt.

“That’s good,” the don replied smiling at her. The smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“You’ll be watched whenever you make a bank run for us,” Tony stated. “In case you’re wondering, just know we have our ways.”

“You have someone that has sliced the police and traffic systems,” Zoe replied making the three men laugh.

“Nucky, I told you she was quick,” Vincent said.

“Very good,” Capone praised Zoe as Tommy escorted Jimmy into the dining room. Jimmy was carrying an attaché case.

“Here’s the hundred grand,” Tommy said before leering at Zoe. Nucky clearing his throat caused Tommy to stop and focus on his don as Jimmy sat the case on the table. He opened it and turned the case so the older men could examine its contents.

“Fill up Zoe’s pack for her,” Tony instructed Jimmy. Zoe’s cousin nodded his head and followed instructions.

“You never said why you want me to make these runs now,” Zoe said to the older men taking her attention off Jimmy. Her archangel was observing him as well as the others though. Tommy glared at Zoe for questioning his bosses but held his tongue as Tony held up a hand to silence him. Zoe ignored the mob solider.

“You’re smart to question things,” Nucky said. “Just be careful what you question and whom. You are just a young woman after all.”

“To answer your question, I spoke with your boss,” Vincent said quickly before Zoe could ask what Capone meant. Her expression had darkened at being called just a young woman. “Henri told me how his more senior couriers wanted more runs, so he took them from you. That along with your having enough of a rep to carry to banks is why you are being given these runs now.”

“It’s just good timing for us,” Tony added. “You’ll take these credit chips along with this deposit slip to Big Apple Bank at 122 E 42nd St. It shouldn’t take you 45 minutes to get there in the worst of traffic.”

“Keep us apprised of your status,” Capone instructed Zoe as Jimmy zipped her backpack closed. “And remember, eyes are watching you.”